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 Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:47 pm
Although it wasn’t often that the twins strayed outside to pursue anything other than their instruments, it was not surprising to discover them in a public area, practicing their cello and violin respectively. Canon had taken the idea from a television show she watched when she was younger. The main character was walking through the park when she met a boy playing a violin in front of a crowd of small children. After some quick, witty conversation the main character was also convinced to partake in the music-making. That was then young Canon had hatched the brilliant of idea of doing such a practice as well. Through out, both she and Forte could grow accustomed to practicing in front of others. Stage fright would become something unfamiliar to them.
And it did. Neither of the two ever had a case of butterflies whenever they participated in competitions. They delivered their piece with confidence and ease, showing everything they had. Sometimes it was enough. Sometimes it was not.
Despite their case of fear having been solved, they always liked to trek out towards the park and practice playing. It was always pleasing to see a crowd form, smiles on everyone’s faces.
The duo was already in the park; Forte dressed in a short-sleeved hoodie and faded torn jeans while Canon wore a pastel blouse and a matching knee-length skirt. She balanced her cello with ease as she happily conversed with Forte. “Let’s do a simple piece for warm-up,” she suggested.
Cracking his neck, Forte carefully placed the stringed instrument under his chin. “Very well.”
So they played, creating a soft, soothing melody that permeated the morning air.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:23 pm
It was a fantastic day outside - the sun was shining brightly and the fresh air beckoned to any of those trapped inside to come out. Caesar had been practically begging for a walk all day, and it was then that Ellie finally gave in and went to the door to grab the leash. She gave a sharp whistle and Caesar came running to her with ears perked and tails wagging. He barked as she clipped on his leash and grabbed his Frisbee - they were going to go play in the park! Their house wasn't too far away from the community greens, and they were there within minutes.
For the walk there, Caesar would run about and sniff at everything - time has not cured him of his curiosity. The big dog would often walk up to children to give them a good sniff and receive a sharp tug on his ears in return, after which he would flee to Ellie whining.
"You big baby," Ellie would say to him with a smile, and then continue.
There was a good sized crowd at the park, and Ellie was hesitant to throw a frisbee when there was so many people. There was a small stretch of open land, and she jogged with Caesar to lay claim to it. There was no need, however, as the people in the park all seemed to start drifting in another direction. With a shrug, Ellie threw the Frisbee with a sharp tug of her wrist. Caesar ran to retrieve it, and it was then that Ellie's ears picked up on the music in the air. It was lovely indeed. She detected the higher tones of a violin and the more bass, mellow voice of a cello. Before she could listen much closely, Caesar had returned. She threw it again, and without thinking, she put a bit too much strength into the snap. The disk lanced itself into the sky and drifted farther and farther. With a joyous bark Caesar chased after it, eyes in the sky as his paws pushed against the earth fervently. He, of course, didn't care for what obstacles in the way. As the disk skimmed lower and lower over the crowd to disappear behind them, the dog dashed straight into the throng of people and wiggled his way through. With a swear, Ellie dashed toward them.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" She apologized for her silly dog as she came, an awkward smile on her face as she ran through the already parted crowd and averted her eyes from the faces of people, so she wouldn't see how unhappy some of them were to have their pleasant afternoon so rudely interrupted. She thought she heard someone mutter "careless mutt" and frowned, but it was to hard to locate where the voice had came from.
Caesar trotted up to her as she approached, the disk clamped firmly in his jaws. He took detours to sniff at both Canon and Forte, giving the twins a complete inspection before turning his to Ellie and giving a muffled bark of approval.
"Ugh, you rascal." Ellie scowled and clipped on Caesar's leash as she looked up to the two young players apologetically, "I am so sorry that my dog killed your audience. He gets a bit... enthusiastic when we play Frisbee... or any kind of game really. It was my fault since I threw the disk a bit too far - really, really sorry." Her words came out in a string as she spoke rapidly, hardly pausing as she rattled off.
I am such a spaz. She thought as she realized how quickly she had been speaking. To reiterate the main point of her message, she added, "Sorry!" She then glanced at her dog, who was the image of innocence and joy as he barked happily at Canon and Forte, his tail wagging furiously still.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:02 pm
Before they knew it, a small crowd had formed; people from different backgrounds and of varying ages pulled into the music like a magnetic attraction. The twins paid no heed to the growing mass of listeners. All that mattered was the flow of the melody and harmony, the voices of their instruments melting into one dreamy hum.
As Canon’s cello descended into a soft whisper Forte smoothly brought out his violin without skipping a beat. Half-closed eyes directed themselves at his blond sister, observing her playing. She caught his gaze and grinned at him. Having fun? She mouthed. The boy’s lips moved to form words, but were stopped by a cry from the audience.
For the first time since the beginning of their practice, the pair turned their attention to the crowd that they had attracted with their playing. “Oh, I never realized we’d gather a group this large,” Canon mused, a prideful gleam in her eyes.
“Hn.” He was more focused on the large dog that pounced on a fallen Frisbee, diving between the parting mass of people. The show was over. A girl probably a couple years older than them came running after the animal, flinging her slender arms around it and furiously apologizing.
Canon brushed it off with a wave. “No worries! We weren’t intending to attract a crowd from the beginning, per say. It was more like practice, so to speak,” she reassured as she excitedly bounced over to Caesar, eager to pet the canine. “So he’s yours?”
“Probably,” answered Forte, trailing behind her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:59 pm
"Indeed, the mutt's mine." Ellie said with a sigh, a woeful look in her eyes as she knelt down besides Caesar and gave him a firm tug on his ears. "Bad dog, Caesar. Bad dog. Don't run into people like that next time! " When he whined, she knew the lesson had gone through - his apologetic facade did not last for long, however, as he immediately began to lick Canon. He was simply so fond of being petted by others! His tail swept back and forth behind him as he leaned into Canon's hand.
With an apologetic look at Canon, Ellie said, "And he's fond of giving kisses." She wasn't sure if the little girl would be okay being licked by the big dog - she has certainly met others before who did not. Absentmindedly her fingers scratched at a spot behind Caesar's ears as she looked between the twins. "His name's Caesar. Mine is Ellie. It's nice to meet you." A grateful smile flickered across her face as she rose back up, the frisbee clasped in her hand. The dog saw this and assumed that they were going to start playing again. He gave Canon one last big, slippery lick before trotting up to Forte, smelling him, and running back to Ellie and barked and whined.
For the moment, as punishment, Ellie simply ignored him despite all of his antics - he rubbed against her side and licked her hands, once even trying to furtively snatch the Frisbee out of her hand before she snatched it out of range. "Well, you guys are quite good," Ellie said as she deliberately switched the Frisbee to her other hand. "I'm impressed - you are so young! I tried playing the violin before and... let's just say I'm probably not meant to make music with my hands." Here Ellie chuckled a little, remember those dark days when she was made to practice that horrible instrument. "I wish I could've sounded half as good as you guys, pity that I had no such talent. You plan on being professionals?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:40 pm
Canon carefully examined Ellie, taking note of the sad flicker in the girl’s eyes as she lowered herself down to the dog’s level. Upon hearing the name ‘Caesar’, her eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh, so you named your dog Caesar?” she questioned with a grin as she too, kneeled. She held out a hand, cautiously hovering over the dog’s face for fear that he may suddenly lash out at her. One of her paranoid friends had always warned her to let a dog make the first move rather than the other way around.
Ah . . . but he looked furry and soft to the touch. She wanted to pet him! Luckily, the blond didn’t have to wait for long. The large canine craned his neck towards her, his long, bright pink tongue happily slobbering all over her face, sending Canon into fits of high-pitched giggles. Her arms managed to wrap themselves around Caesar’s neck, one of Canon’s eyes squinted shut and the other focused on the dog. Once the lick attack was over, she pecked him on the nose. “And I’m fond of kissing back!” she laughed while Forte settled himself beside his twin, legs loosely crossed.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ellie,” she answered as she pushed out a free hand for a quick shake. “My name is Canon Ricciotti and this is my twin, Forte.” She gestured towards the boy with her other arm.
Forte did a curt half-nod and a brief wave, a typical act that a majority of boys did. “Hello.” He rested his chin in between the crook of his crossed knees, icy blue pupils observing the older woman. “Thank you,” he answered after a moment of thought. “I’m sure that if you had kept up with it, you could have learned to play as well.”
Another small nod from the boy. “Yes, we both plan to be in an orchestra someday.”
Canon looped an arm around his neck and leaned her head on his. “We’re hoping that we’ll be good enough to get in as soon as possible!”
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