Celeste had been hidden away in a nice alcove of the library, curled up on a window seat with an exquisite original edition of 19th century poetry when the noise began. She'd frowned, her teeth grinding as she clenched her jaw and pointedly ignored the staff's racket as they carried in instruments with far more noise than any library should have within it. They were out of sight at least so she put in her iPod headphones and scrolled over to her folder of classical music. She'd sunk back into the corner happily as Mozart blasted into her ears and continued reading.
It got calm in the room again and the Creole pulled out one ear bud. Blissful quiet and the smell of old parchment and leather. She'd actually smiled a little before shaking her head and resuming her normal slight frown as she read. Her enjoyment had been somewhat short lived though. The first sounds of instruments tuning caused her to start and jerk. She'd shot a withing look at the row of bookcases seperating her from the area the sounds seemed to be coming from and shoved the ear bud back in roughly, forcing herself to continue reading. Her foot twitched rapidly to tap against the bookcase. With her music blocking out a portion of the outside noise she had no clue it was making a steady thumping noise along with her finger nail tapping against the window sill.
A Sharing of Music ((open, attn: Ambrose and Ysabel))
With the help of two of the staff members, Dana carted every instrument stand and most of the instruments from her room to the library. Her quarters simply were not big enough to house more than her playing many different instruments, not to mention the acoustics in her room were abysmal.
She was meeting Ambrose and hopefully Ysabel today and share music with them. The library had a very well tuned piano, and plenty of space for them. Once everthing was deposited on the floor near a deep arm chair, Dana went about setting up each instrument, while the staff brought her four straight-backed chairs from some other room.
When she finally had everything arranged to her exacting standards, she sat down and tuned each instrument, starting with the simple guitar, to the balalaika, to the gittern, her newest acquisition the banjo, and finally her favored, very temperamental lap harp.
Celeste
14 years ago
Ambrose
14 years ago
It was probably a waste of space as he was staying at Belle's place, but Ambrose kept his rooms at the manor. He disliked being away from Belle for any real length of time but he used them as studio space. But it made it easier to get to the library.
He'd forgone the electric, this was a public space after all, but brought his favorite acoustic, some sheet music and had his harmonica tucked in a pocket. With any luck Belle would be along shortly, apparently there was something up with the waif. He hoped it wasn't more school trouble. Ambrose thought the girl was getting better, but who knew when it came to teenage girls.
Hearing what sounded like instruments being tuned he figured he was a little late, but he wasn't too worried about it.
"Evening ma'am. Looks like you've brought the whole orchestra with you."Â?
He eyed one or two of the more unusual ones before sitting at the piano. Ysabel had been giving him lessons and he was getting better.
He'd forgone the electric, this was a public space after all, but brought his favorite acoustic, some sheet music and had his harmonica tucked in a pocket. With any luck Belle would be along shortly, apparently there was something up with the waif. He hoped it wasn't more school trouble. Ambrose thought the girl was getting better, but who knew when it came to teenage girls.
Hearing what sounded like instruments being tuned he figured he was a little late, but he wasn't too worried about it.
"Evening ma'am. Looks like you've brought the whole orchestra with you."Â?
He eyed one or two of the more unusual ones before sitting at the piano. Ysabel had been giving him lessons and he was getting better.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana heard the soft rhythmic thud coming from somewhere deeper in the library and sighed. She'd check it out just as soon as she got the harp tuned.
Before that could happen Ambrose joined her, just a few minutes early, which improved him in her estimation. She looked up briefly from the harp and smiled "Good evening Ambrose."
She returned her gaze to the instrument, "I was only going to bring a couple, but I thought you might like to give them all a try even if they don't fit in with your playing style."
Finally getting the C string in tune, she placed the harp in it's stand and stood from her cross-legged position. Dana smiled at her companion. "Would you excuse me a moment? I'd like to see where that thumping is coming from? It might just be that we have interrupted someone's quiet here."
Before that could happen Ambrose joined her, just a few minutes early, which improved him in her estimation. She looked up briefly from the harp and smiled "Good evening Ambrose."
She returned her gaze to the instrument, "I was only going to bring a couple, but I thought you might like to give them all a try even if they don't fit in with your playing style."
Finally getting the C string in tune, she placed the harp in it's stand and stood from her cross-legged position. Dana smiled at her companion. "Would you excuse me a moment? I'd like to see where that thumping is coming from? It might just be that we have interrupted someone's quiet here."
Ambrose
14 years ago
I've never been against learning new things. Who knows maybe I can work the lap harp into the next heavy metal revolution."Â?
He grinned a bit, obviously teasing.
Ambrose could hear it too, he had a rough idea where it was coming from but he'd made up his mind to ignore it. He didn't blame Dana at all for wanting to chase it down and shut it up though. It could get annoying fast.
"Teach them to hang around in a library. Let me know if you need any help with 'em."Â?
It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but he had enough respect for Dana to figure she could take care of it with out him along. Instead, he started to fidget with the piano, it turned roughly into Rhapsody In Blue. A bit hesitant and amateurish but not bad and defiantly recognizable though.
He grinned a bit, obviously teasing.
Ambrose could hear it too, he had a rough idea where it was coming from but he'd made up his mind to ignore it. He didn't blame Dana at all for wanting to chase it down and shut it up though. It could get annoying fast.
"Teach them to hang around in a library. Let me know if you need any help with 'em."Â?
It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but he had enough respect for Dana to figure she could take care of it with out him along. Instead, he started to fidget with the piano, it turned roughly into Rhapsody In Blue. A bit hesitant and amateurish but not bad and defiantly recognizable though.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel hadn't questioned the location of the impromptu jam session, although the Manor did have a perfectly acceptable music room. Hopefully they wouldn't interrupt anyone. Heolfor's library tended to be fairly empty most nights. They could always relocate.
At any rate, she arrived at Heolfor as soon as she was able, after completing her shift with the historical society. She had agreed to meet Dana and Ambrose here and was looking forward to playing with them. She didn't know what kind of music they'd be making, but she had a relatively wide range of experience and Ambrose had been introducing her to more and more styles. She was proud to be able to play a competent jazz solo on the piano now, and she'd been working on her creativity. She found it fun to not have to follow the notes exactly as they were inked on the paper.
She smiled as she heard Ambrose's unmistakable tinkering on the piano. Heading over to him she bent and kissed his cheek lightly and then slid onto the seat next to him.
Dana had brought an array of instruments with her, and Ysabel noted with delight the little lap harp on its stand. Not seeing Dana anywhere in sight, she very carefully removed the harp from its stand and began to tune it, hoping Dana wouldn't mind that she had taken the liberty. She did want to do her share, after all.
Her fingers danced gently along the strings as she coaxed a soft melody from it once it was in tune. Passing up her repertoire of what she was starting to feel were formulaic classical pieces, she began a rhythmic dance piece with an Asian flavor to it which had been adapted from a simple biwa accompaniment to a far more complex harp melody. She closed her eyes as she played softly, litening for any anomalies in the pitch that would indicate she hadn't properly tuned it.
At any rate, she arrived at Heolfor as soon as she was able, after completing her shift with the historical society. She had agreed to meet Dana and Ambrose here and was looking forward to playing with them. She didn't know what kind of music they'd be making, but she had a relatively wide range of experience and Ambrose had been introducing her to more and more styles. She was proud to be able to play a competent jazz solo on the piano now, and she'd been working on her creativity. She found it fun to not have to follow the notes exactly as they were inked on the paper.
She smiled as she heard Ambrose's unmistakable tinkering on the piano. Heading over to him she bent and kissed his cheek lightly and then slid onto the seat next to him.
Dana had brought an array of instruments with her, and Ysabel noted with delight the little lap harp on its stand. Not seeing Dana anywhere in sight, she very carefully removed the harp from its stand and began to tune it, hoping Dana wouldn't mind that she had taken the liberty. She did want to do her share, after all.
Her fingers danced gently along the strings as she coaxed a soft melody from it once it was in tune. Passing up her repertoire of what she was starting to feel were formulaic classical pieces, she began a rhythmic dance piece with an Asian flavor to it which had been adapted from a simple biwa accompaniment to a far more complex harp melody. She closed her eyes as she played softly, litening for any anomalies in the pitch that would indicate she hadn't properly tuned it.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana rounded the corner of the shelf to see Celeste sitting in a window seat, buried in a book and obviously disturbed. Dana had never run into anyone int he library when ever she'd visited, even after spending and entire night in there once. It had not occurred to her that they would actually disturb anyone.
Sighing softly, she stepped into the other vampires field of vision and dropped a quick respectful curtsy. Something she'd have given Lady Erin when she entered a room, just a quick bending of her knees. Rising she waited for the raven haired woman to look up.
Sighing softly, she stepped into the other vampires field of vision and dropped a quick respectful curtsy. Something she'd have given Lady Erin when she entered a room, just a quick bending of her knees. Rising she waited for the raven haired woman to look up.
Celeste
14 years ago
She'd seen someone turn around the corner with her peripheral vision and ground her teeth in irritation. Yet another interruption. Looking up with an almost controlled sigh, Celeste laid the book open on her lap revealing her black t-shirt emblazoned with the Saint's Superbowl Championship. She stilled her twitching foot and yanked an ear bud out. Haunting violin notes from Saint-Saëns' "Dance Macabre" blared out as she reached down to press pause on her black iPod. Her ice blue eyes seemed even paler framed by her heavily kholed eyes as they looked up at the other vampire.
"Bonjour Dana. Looking for a good book?"
"Bonjour Dana. Looking for a good book?"
Ambrose
14 years ago
He knew Belle had arrived, even with out turning around. The sublet scent that was her, the sound of her step, Ambrose didn't even have to turn around, instead he just grinned, a bit of a goofy expression, oddly pleased, when she sat down.
Leaving off with his attempt at Gershwin he let Belle tune the archaic instrument. She seemed satisfied and started in on something. Whatever it was it reminded him of China Town in San Francisco. After listening for a bit, he caught on to the basics and started to follow her lead with the piano. Eventually he'd get restless, for lack of a better term, and take them in a new direction. It was something they'd done before, sort of a musical game of tag.
Leaving off with his attempt at Gershwin he let Belle tune the archaic instrument. She seemed satisfied and started in on something. Whatever it was it reminded him of China Town in San Francisco. After listening for a bit, he caught on to the basics and started to follow her lead with the piano. Eventually he'd get restless, for lack of a better term, and take them in a new direction. It was something they'd done before, sort of a musical game of tag.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana offered her a smile. "Bonjour Celeste. Non, je ne suis pas venu aujourd'hui lire."
She slipped easily into the language, it was a habit of hers to do so, when greeted in a language she spoke. Though Celeste hadn't asked her question in French. Which made her cringe inwardly and continue in english.
"We've not disturbed you have we? Usually the library is empty, so it had not occurred to me that there would be someone here to bother."
They could relocate elsewhere if it was a problem, Dana would not mind overly much. The soft strains of the harp she'd just set down met her ears, it was not a piece she recognized, but liked the sound of it, and enjoyed it more when the piano joined it shortly after.
((french translation:No, I've not come today to read.))
She slipped easily into the language, it was a habit of hers to do so, when greeted in a language she spoke. Though Celeste hadn't asked her question in French. Which made her cringe inwardly and continue in english.
"We've not disturbed you have we? Usually the library is empty, so it had not occurred to me that there would be someone here to bother."
They could relocate elsewhere if it was a problem, Dana would not mind overly much. The soft strains of the harp she'd just set down met her ears, it was not a piece she recognized, but liked the sound of it, and enjoyed it more when the piano joined it shortly after.
((french translation:No, I've not come today to read.))
Celeste
14 years ago
Here she sat, tucked away in a nice secluded corner of the normally empty library with a book in her lap. Disturbed? Her? The Creole's mind spat out multiple caustic and sarcastic replies to Dana's questioning of the obvious. But Celeste held her tongue. Inside she fought desperately to maintain a veneer of civility. Instead she plastered on a forced yet polite smile and stood. "No, no need to move everything now that you're all set up. I can understand why you picked the library, it is normally empty. And it's nice scenery."
With a mental sigh she glanced at the page number of the slim book in her hands and committed it to memory. "I can read this any time," she said and motioned to the book. "Since I prefer to read by candlelight in my room I didn't want to expose a first print Browning to the soot and smoke."
Her head cocked to the side as she listened to a pair of instruments playing. Apparently miss Dana was not alone. She thought back to the men she'd found Dana in the company of before and wondered if those two would actually be playing instruments? It didn't seem to fit. But, appearances.. deceiving.. all that crap.
"Sounds like there are a few of you?"
With a mental sigh she glanced at the page number of the slim book in her hands and committed it to memory. "I can read this any time," she said and motioned to the book. "Since I prefer to read by candlelight in my room I didn't want to expose a first print Browning to the soot and smoke."
Her head cocked to the side as she listened to a pair of instruments playing. Apparently miss Dana was not alone. She thought back to the men she'd found Dana in the company of before and wondered if those two would actually be playing instruments? It didn't seem to fit. But, appearances.. deceiving.. all that crap.
"Sounds like there are a few of you?"
Ysabel
14 years ago
Amber's silly grin made her heart flutter as it always did, and Ysabel chuckled softly when she saw it. She was pleased when he picked up the tonalities she was using, and they played in that scale for a few minutes before she made a series of soft flourishes on the small harp, bringing the tune into another era and modifying it to sound like choir music, something soft and almost angelic.
He switched paces with her easily and Ysabel closed her eyes with a pleased sigh, leaning into the lap harp and enjoying the song. She loved the fact that she had things in common with Ambrose. There were many differences between them and perhaps to the untrained eye they seemed like opposites, but they were drawn together by mutual likes. Their music, the horses, Marie... she had never heard him utter the dreaded four-letter "L" word in their several years together, but of all the men Ysabel had ever known, this was the ones she least needed it from. She knew how he felt. Who else would give her a goofy, silly grin in exchange for a kiss?
She didn't break the music to inquire about Dana. Clearly their Clanmate was nearby, since her instruments were here. She must have gone to get something or do something last-minute. So she and Ambrose played together quietly in the meantime.
He switched paces with her easily and Ysabel closed her eyes with a pleased sigh, leaning into the lap harp and enjoying the song. She loved the fact that she had things in common with Ambrose. There were many differences between them and perhaps to the untrained eye they seemed like opposites, but they were drawn together by mutual likes. Their music, the horses, Marie... she had never heard him utter the dreaded four-letter "L" word in their several years together, but of all the men Ysabel had ever known, this was the ones she least needed it from. She knew how he felt. Who else would give her a goofy, silly grin in exchange for a kiss?
She didn't break the music to inquire about Dana. Clearly their Clanmate was nearby, since her instruments were here. She must have gone to get something or do something last-minute. So she and Ambrose played together quietly in the meantime.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana smiled at Celeste, she'd recently discovered the works of Ms. Browning and had enjoyed them immensely. Dana preferred to do her reading by a small table lap next to her bed, but knew the draw of reading by candle light.
Her eyes closed briefly as the music changed and she smiled again at Celeste as they opened again. "Yes, Lady Ysabel, Ambrose and I are doing a bit of musical exchange today."
She looked toward where the music was coming and back to the woman before her. "Do you play? Would you care to join us?"
The more people the merrier in her opinion when it came to music anyway. And the people here were clan and she was perfectly safe to be herself here. It would be lovely to have another musician with them who perhaps knew different styles than they.
Her eyes closed briefly as the music changed and she smiled again at Celeste as they opened again. "Yes, Lady Ysabel, Ambrose and I are doing a bit of musical exchange today."
She looked toward where the music was coming and back to the woman before her. "Do you play? Would you care to join us?"
The more people the merrier in her opinion when it came to music anyway. And the people here were clan and she was perfectly safe to be herself here. It would be lovely to have another musician with them who perhaps knew different styles than they.
Celeste
14 years ago
Huh. Celeste made the mental equivalent of a grunt as she mulled that over. She knew of the two clanmates Dana mentioned. They'd been part of her report back home on Amberelle when she'd first come to Nachton. In fact she recalled vividly the night when she took a historical tour of the city to study Ysabel. It had been SO not her speed, but she'd actually enjoyed herself a little. The cowboy had been more interesting in her opinion, watching him had been entertaining. She made a soft hrrrmmm noise at Dana's question.
"I play the piano. Well at least I know how, we all had to learn. I wouldn't say I'm very good.." She held up her small hands as an explanation. "But I like listening." It was odd to consider being social but why not? She smiled, an actual genuine one that let her face soften and her eyes sparkle. The mirth disapeared quickly, almost as if it was afraid to exist too long on her usually cold face. "Well unless you plan to make me listen to country. Then I'll stake you out for the sun." Her face stayed neutral at the last but her eyes did crinkle slightly to show she was teasing.
"I play the piano. Well at least I know how, we all had to learn. I wouldn't say I'm very good.." She held up her small hands as an explanation. "But I like listening." It was odd to consider being social but why not? She smiled, an actual genuine one that let her face soften and her eyes sparkle. The mirth disapeared quickly, almost as if it was afraid to exist too long on her usually cold face. "Well unless you plan to make me listen to country. Then I'll stake you out for the sun." Her face stayed neutral at the last but her eyes did crinkle slightly to show she was teasing.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana had no choice but to laugh. She liked Celete's bluntness, and so far had enjoyed her short amount of company. "Well all music needs an audience, we would be happy to have you join us."
She turned away to head back to where she'd set up, but had a thought. "Do you consider Blue Grass country music?"
Grinning over her shoulder she moved out to where Ambrose and Ysabel were playing together. She picked up the balalaika, and listening for a moment, picked up the thread of their music with soft chords from the three-stringed instrument.
She turned away to head back to where she'd set up, but had a thought. "Do you consider Blue Grass country music?"
Grinning over her shoulder she moved out to where Ambrose and Ysabel were playing together. She picked up the balalaika, and listening for a moment, picked up the thread of their music with soft chords from the three-stringed instrument.
Ambrose
14 years ago
So not his speed, and she knew it, but Ambrose was learning to play nice and followed a long a bit. After a while, he found himself adding some 'devilish' harmonies to her more angelic music. It seemed appropriate. Before long he took the lead and pulled them in a more rock influenced direction.
Dana reappeared and joined in. The strange sound of the instrument she picked up gave him pause and Ambrose stuttered a bit in his flow. It only took a second but he regained his momentum. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the gaff, but in this company, he had no doubt it had been picked up on.
"I think you're missing a few strings on your guitar there Dana."Â?
He said without leaving off playing. Apparently, she had fixed whatever the thumping was and they could play in peace now.
Dana reappeared and joined in. The strange sound of the instrument she picked up gave him pause and Ambrose stuttered a bit in his flow. It only took a second but he regained his momentum. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the gaff, but in this company, he had no doubt it had been picked up on.
"I think you're missing a few strings on your guitar there Dana."Â?
He said without leaving off playing. Apparently, she had fixed whatever the thumping was and they could play in peace now.
Ysabel
14 years ago
"Rock" and "lap harp" were not often used in the same sentence but Ysabel had dragged Amber into choir music and he'd taken his own twist with it, so she could hardly complain. She changed her chords slightly, adding appropriate majors and minors, using the multiple strings of the harp to suggest the wail of a guitar.
Dana's balalaika did a much better job of it, though, and Ysabel smiled at their friend as she sat down, offering a smile and a nod to Celeste as well. Her lips twisted up with humor as Ambrose poked gentle fun at the balalaika, mischievous but not malicious.
"And yet she can do so much with so few strings," Ysabel said delicately, her eyes twinkling with humor as she defended Dana, "that clearly, quantity and quality are not directly related."
She arched her eyebrows with her subtle dig at Ambrose, for of them all, his instrument clearly had the most strings.
Dana's balalaika did a much better job of it, though, and Ysabel smiled at their friend as she sat down, offering a smile and a nod to Celeste as well. Her lips twisted up with humor as Ambrose poked gentle fun at the balalaika, mischievous but not malicious.
"And yet she can do so much with so few strings," Ysabel said delicately, her eyes twinkling with humor as she defended Dana, "that clearly, quantity and quality are not directly related."
She arched her eyebrows with her subtle dig at Ambrose, for of them all, his instrument clearly had the most strings.
Celeste
14 years ago
Thinking it over for a moment she decided why not? "Sure, if you don;t mind an audience. Could be fun eh?" Good grief her Grandmother would be proud. She was being civil, making conversation, socializing and making an honest effort. Cel was a little scared. If the skies parted and frogs rained down she wouldn't be suprised.
Celeste tried not to make a yuck face and only partially suceeded. "Blue grass? It's umm... twangy." There, she hadn't said anything insulting or too blunt. Right? She just shrugged. Growing up in the South, in a city teeming with musicians, she had heard it all. Didn't meant she had to like it. "I'm more of a Jazz person. But I can tolerate a lot when I try."
Her book still in hand she stood and motioned for Dana to lead the way to the others. Inside she hoped they were all pretty good. What she'd heard from here sounded interesting. So far. At least if it got too twangy or off key she could just leave.
Celeste tried not to make a yuck face and only partially suceeded. "Blue grass? It's umm... twangy." There, she hadn't said anything insulting or too blunt. Right? She just shrugged. Growing up in the South, in a city teeming with musicians, she had heard it all. Didn't meant she had to like it. "I'm more of a Jazz person. But I can tolerate a lot when I try."
Her book still in hand she stood and motioned for Dana to lead the way to the others. Inside she hoped they were all pretty good. What she'd heard from here sounded interesting. So far. At least if it got too twangy or off key she could just leave.
Dana
14 years ago
A small chuckle answered Celeste. "That is a very good description."
Dana offered Ambrose a wry little smile, as she executed a difficult set of chord changes. "Perhaps, but I seem to do alright."
She chuckled softly at Ysabel's rejoinder and continued to play along for a few moments. She began to grow a bit bored with this style of music, and playing a bit louder than the other two, took them into a blues riff, something close to what Ray Charles would play, if he played lap harp and balalaika.
((ooc sorry for the delay, we went out of town for Easter))
Dana offered Ambrose a wry little smile, as she executed a difficult set of chord changes. "Perhaps, but I seem to do alright."
She chuckled softly at Ysabel's rejoinder and continued to play along for a few moments. She began to grow a bit bored with this style of music, and playing a bit louder than the other two, took them into a blues riff, something close to what Ray Charles would play, if he played lap harp and balalaika.
((ooc sorry for the delay, we went out of town for Easter))
Ambrose
14 years ago
Ambrose rolled his eyes at Belle before raising an eyebrow. He had no issues with double meaning and suggestion, but out of respect for Belle and her manners he kept it to a minimum, but well he wasn't a choirboy, he couldn't pass it up completely.
"Huh. Quality rather than quantity. I'll have to remember that."Â?
Years of singing let him spin the words with just the right inflection.
Seeing the new arrival he nodded to the woman by way of greeting, but didn't stop playing.
Dana was apparently not unfamiliar with this game and took them off in a new direction. He loved this kind of jam session, it let the creativity of all the players twist up together and see what happened. Dana had picked a style he knew and knew well, although not so much with the piano. But he quickly picked up the rhythm and started adding his own harmonies.
"Or you're just showing off. It can be hard to tell."Â?
He teased her, just a little.
"Huh. Quality rather than quantity. I'll have to remember that."Â?
Years of singing let him spin the words with just the right inflection.
Seeing the new arrival he nodded to the woman by way of greeting, but didn't stop playing.
Dana was apparently not unfamiliar with this game and took them off in a new direction. He loved this kind of jam session, it let the creativity of all the players twist up together and see what happened. Dana had picked a style he knew and knew well, although not so much with the piano. But he quickly picked up the rhythm and started adding his own harmonies.
"Or you're just showing off. It can be hard to tell."Â?
He teased her, just a little.
Ysabel
14 years ago
Ysabel did not comment as Amber took her words and twisted them into what was definitely an less appropriate context than she'd originally intended, but her eyes smoldered at him as she arched her brows with an expression promising some very... inventive... punishment. Such sauciness could not go unremarked. but she could save her chastisement for a more appropriate venue. Like their bedroom.
The mood changed as they followed Dana's lead into something blues-y. Ysabel might have worried about that in the past but she'd been living with Ambrose for too long now to be unacquainted with it. While encouraging her to try being expressive with music, he'd introduced her to jazz and blues and had given her a very thorough tour through the genre. As a result she felt tolerably comfortable with the feel of it and played a little with the lap harp, letting its delicate tones add expression and lilt to a series of counterpoints to both the balalaika and piano.
She chuckled at Ambrose's teasing but held her tongue still. She was sure Dana could make her own rejoinders after her last demonstration.
The mood changed as they followed Dana's lead into something blues-y. Ysabel might have worried about that in the past but she'd been living with Ambrose for too long now to be unacquainted with it. While encouraging her to try being expressive with music, he'd introduced her to jazz and blues and had given her a very thorough tour through the genre. As a result she felt tolerably comfortable with the feel of it and played a little with the lap harp, letting its delicate tones add expression and lilt to a series of counterpoints to both the balalaika and piano.
She chuckled at Ambrose's teasing but held her tongue still. She was sure Dana could make her own rejoinders after her last demonstration.