#tmtl canon: the last pianist was the Halo Bearer before Shannon xoxo

[birgittesilverbae]

prompt: Camila + Shannon + Piano

The music begins hesitantly, a few notes turning to quiet scales. On the mats, Shannon leans forward over her knee, sinks into the stretch until the tension in her glute releases all at once. She holds the pose a moment longer before switching legs. 

The piano bench scrapes across the stone floor, followed closely by a rustle of fabric, a thud, a soft exhalation. Shannon presses deeply into her stretch, trying her best to see around the pillar that blocks her view of the piano.

Shannon slumps onto her back, starfished across the mat, but this position doesn't afford her any better a view, just flashes of navy. She knows it must be a member of the newest recruit class, though. It's been almost three years since they'd last had a pianist among their ranks. 

The thought pinches between her shoulder blades and she smacks a hand flat against the mat in protest. The twinges have grown more common of late, unsurprising given the tension she can't help but carry in her shoulders. No amount of stretching is enough to fully free her of aches, not when the weight of the Halo is their cause just as often as not. Not when the unease is almost all in her head.

Shannon flops onto her side, stretches her arm out to make an attempt at grabbing her hoodie. She's an inch short of the fabric, though, and has to squirm on the mat until her fingertips just manage to hook the edge of the hood. She reels it in towards her and rolls back up to a seated position, tugging the hoodie on before popping up to her feet. Her back cracks ominously at the rapidity of the motion, and she has to twist from side to side before it feels quite like it's fully supporting her again.

Her soft shoes render her footsteps all but silent, so she makes a show of yawning loudly as she crosses towards the piano. The pianist stiffens, her hands going still on the keys, and then glances back over her shoulder.

Shannon smiles softly as she closes the remainder of the distance to the piano. "Camila, right?" she asks, settling herself on the piano bench at the girl's side. 

Camila nods, matches the smile with one of her own. "That's me."

"I'm Shannon," she replies, and she watches amused as Camila seems to bury an urge to respond with something along the lines of "Clearly". "Don't stop on my account," she adds, knocking her elbow against Camila's arm.

"I hadn't seen anyone else use it, so I wasn't sure if I was allowed–" Camila starts.

Shannon cuts her off with a laugh. "Oh, you're very much allowed. We just haven't had anyone to play for us in a while."

"Is that why it's so out of tune?" Camila's nose crinkles in barely concealed distaste.

"It is?" Camila nods emphatically. The smile that pulls at the corners of Shannon's mouth feels unfamiliar. "Straight-shooter Cam telling it like it really is, hey?" Camila's cheeks darken slightly, and Shannon nudges her again. "I admire that. I'll ask Mother Superion to see if we can get it tuned up for you."

"You don't have to–"

"Oh, this is purely selfish. I can't pester you for concerts if your instrument's not up to snuff, can I?"

"I guess not."

"See, purely selfish intent. We're all in the mood for a melody around here, and you'll have us feelin' alright." 

A chuckle bursts out of Camila, seeming to surprise her, and then just as quickly her face falls. "Billy Joel is my mom's favourite," she admits, and there's a heavy weight to the words. But her face shifts again, rapid fire, a cheerful mask slipping back into place. "I learned to play Piano Man sitting on her knee."

They'll tackle that conversation later then, Shannon decides, mentally adding yet another sister to the parental baggage list. "And you? What's your favourite?"

Camila glances back over her shoulder before leaning in conspiratorially. "I really like covering Frank Ocean," she admits, catching the tip of her tongue between her teeth when she grins. 

"I don't think I've heard of him."

"No? Let's rectify that!" Camila shoos Shannon down to the very edge of the piano bench and settles her hands on the keys. "This one's called Pink + White." 

And she begins to play.