Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Fushigi Otome ❯ Harper's Melody ( Chapter 7 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Minerva Blue 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Drama / Psychological | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 09.12.2002 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 263 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Drama / Psychological | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 09.12.2002 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 263 | Status: Completed
Minerva had never woken up in a bed so large in her life. The matress was huge and could probably fit a total of six people if you really tried. For a moment she had been afraid of getting lost in it, but it was so comfortable she fell asleep immediatly.
She was lucky that night, falling into a dreamless sleep. After the events of lastnight concerning Wufei, she was feeling a lot better. All she needed was a shower. As she opened the door Minerva was met with sudden shock. She dropped her towel, moth gaping wide open. Trowa had beaten her to the bathroom, and he appeared to have just stepped out. The unibanged former pilot was standing in front of the mirror, profile to Minerva. His towl had dropped down to his feet, leaving nothing but bare skin. She just stood there in frozen shock, his tall build and finally toned muscular upper body, built for the acrobatic skills of the circus. Her eyes drifted downward past his butt before looking back up for the sake of modesty. Trowa seemed to have finally noticed his audience as he turned his head around to face Minerva. His eyes widened as his face began to turn beat red. The color rose in his cheeks and he was practically glowing before he finally managed to find his towel and bring it back around his waist. He didn't waste any more time grabbing his robe and putting it on. He nodded briefly to Minerva as he passed her on his exit. "Sorry."
Minerva blinked in disbelief, unable to move for a few moments as she took in what had just happened.
*************************
< br> The chinese pilot balanced easily on one leg, sword raised over his shoulder. in a smooth movement he put his raised foor forward and swung his sword around, thrusting. The swift delicate movements of swordplay were performed like a ballet. Complicated movements were performed with practiced ease as the dark haired boy continued on through his exercises.
"Your not one to let the actions of one woman get to you Wufei."
Wufei didn't break from his excercise as he spoke to Trowa fully dressed and standing in the doorway of the fencing room. "Duo talked."
"We've never known Duo to lie."
Wufei scowled. "That girl of his then."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "What makes you certain?"
He thrust again, spinning easily to face another direction. "Strangers don't insult you on a first meeting without basis."
"Duo has never been one to speak of the past."
"Much as I hate it, you're right."
***************************
It took a lot longer to wash her hair now that it was about a foot longer then usual. She grabbed a comb and ran it through her hair, pulling any would be tangles before gathering a mass of hir on each side and pulling it back behind her head. It took a little more combing to even what she had gathered out before binding it all in a silver colored hair clip. After the incident with Trowa she had made sure the door was locked before her shower. Therewas no telling who might have walked in, even Wufei, and Minerva did not want to have another awkward meeting with the shenlong pilot.
Pulling on a pair of jeans and shirt she opened the door and ran downstairs. Duo had said Quatre owned several mansions, why he had chosen Russia for the party was almost a mystery. But Minerva didn't tolerate the cold well, maybe Quatre actually liked the snow and ice? At least the air no longer possessed the metalic smell which the colonies were known for.
With nothing better to do she chose to wander.The hall seemed to go on for miles, it made her wonder why anyone needed all this extra space. Quatre did have twenty nine sisters didn't he? The entire building seemed capable of housing twice that number. Her eyes drifted to the music room. It was beautiful, designed in the elegance of navy carpet and wood panelled walls. Against the wall stood a case of strings and woodwinds, in the corner rested a beautiful harp and cusioned seat. Making sure no one was around Minerva entered the room, nervously taking a seat at the harp. It was so beautiful, only once had she heard the sound of one play. A renaissance fair a lady had been playing near the entrance, the melodic voice coupled with the echoes of harp strings had taken her breath away and she had bought all of three tapes that the woman had been selling. How she longed to hear the chimes of the notes again. Nervously she placed her fingers gently on the harp. You plucked it just as you did a guitar right? Maybe not so hard. Experimenting she plucked a string, listening as the note rung in her ears. She had no talent for recognizing notes, only tones but so far she had managed her first experiment correctly. Cautiously she moved her fingers to try again. The short strings were low weren't they? Slowly she began to pluck the strings one by one, testing and experimenting until she felt comfortable. When satisfied she began to move onto playing a string of notes, testing the combinations and putting it together in a piece of her own composition. The music was as beautiful as she had remembered, and she was actually playing a harp!
Her elation swelled as she began to hum along with her own tune. She smiled closing her eyes as she continued to play. In an afterthought she stopped, recalling the words of a song. Gradually she began to play out the tune, testing and retesting the notes until she found the correct measure, continueing this until she had the song down. Smiling she began to play it with more ease, begining to sing the words.
"My gentle harp, once more I waken
The sweetness of thy slumb'ring strain
In tears our last farewell was taken
And nos in tears we meet again."
Her eyes closed again as she let her fingers strum across the strings, unaware as a different voice entered the song.
"Yet even then, while peace was singing,
Her halcyon song o'er land and sea,
Though joy and hope to others bringing,
She only brought new tears to thee."
She nearly froze as a new voice had entered the scene and she dare not turn around to discover it's owner. It was so sweet in gentle she chose to let it go in favor of finishing the song.
"Then who can ask for notes of pleasure,
My drooping harp, from chords like thine?"
He was harmonizing with her, refusing to pause again she continued with the song as her voice entwined with his.
"Alas, the lark's gay morning measure
As ill would suit the swan's decline.
Or how shall I, who love, who bless thee,
Invoke thy breath for freedom's strains,
When e'en the wreaths in which I dress thee,
Are sadly mixed, half flours, half chains."
Her hands relaxed to her sides and Minerva turned to look at her partner. She nearly gasped as she stared in the face of the blonde arabian. "Quatre. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to..."
The boy smiled. "It's alright. It's beautiful. You've played the harp before?"
Minerva shook her head. "No, I was just going by ear, I just love the sound of a harp.
"You have a good ear, but you choose such sad songs to play, why?"
She smiled. "All folk songs are sad."
"Not all of them."
She nodded. "No, but they're usually drinking songs."
He smiled. "The song you were playing..."
"My Gentle Harp."
"There are more well known lyrics to the tune."
Minerva nodded. "Yes, the song is called Danny Boy. A maiden's lover leaves and she swears she will wait for him. But the boy never comes back and she dies."
"It's very sad, are you sure thats what the song means?"
She smiled. "Story of my life. The ones you love leave you and never return until it's too late."
She smiled, picking up the tune again, playing solo until Quatre chose to pick up the lyrics.
"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide."
The sound of a flute began to enter the mix and Minerva glanced up slightly to see Trowa playing along. Smiling softly she continued to play.
"But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so."
A womans voice filtered through, harmonizing with Quatre.
"And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me. "
Her fingers relaxed again and she turned around to their audience. The flute player had obviously been Trowa, but to her surprise Catherine stood among the group as the female singer. Her gaze moved further back and it was clear they had gained an audience. Hilde and Duo were together by the wall and Sally had taken a position in the corner. Heero stood expressionless near the doorway, arms folded, the only one missing was Wufei, but she had sworn she caught a glimpse of the chinese pilot passing out of view from the doorway. Amazing, a single harp in one room withen a castle sized mansion had still managed to attract so much attention. She stared terribly nervous at her audience and was thankfully interupted by the doorbell. Anxiously she followed everyone else downstairs to the living room.
The former queen pulled the hood of her coat further over her head as she rushed inside the mansion. "Looks bad out, they say there'll be a blizzard."
Dorothy stepped in a few moments after, glancing around the room and awknowledging the pilots before glancing at Catherine and then to Minerva in curiosity. Quatre nodded as their coats were taken. "Hopefully the party will be over before the weather gets bad."
"Whose your new guest Quatre?"
Quatre looked at Dorothy, suddenly remembering introductions. "Oh! Dorothy, Relena, this is Minerva."
Dorothy nodded, still studying the dark haired girl in curiousity. Relena smiled politely. "Hello. We don't usually get many new guests to these parties."
"I'm staying with Duo and Hilde."
Relena nodded. "Your always welcome..." Her voice was cut off as she looked up noticing Heero. "Hello, Heero."
Heero nodded. "Relena."
The group began to disband to other activities once again as Relena and Heero both began to walk off together. Minerva watched the two leave in curiousity. "Why didn't they come together?"
"Because."
Minerva looked at Duo in confusion. "I kind of need more information then because."
Duo looked at Minerva, then shrugged, apparently seeing no harm. "Same reason a Tiger doesn't wander with a house cat."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"Sure it does. Heero is accustomed to being on his own, he's lived for battle most of his life. Relena thrives in diplomacy and peace." He sighed. "The two are polar opposites. Heero could never stand being in the public eye and Relena thrives on her responsibilities. Can't seem to find a medium."
"I don't get it, they love eachother don't they?"
"Sometimes it's not enough Min."
=======================
I have yet to know anyone who could automatically play an instrument after a few hours of practice. But this is my reality and if I say it's possible...<nods> yeah.
Minerva plays a folk song called "My Gentle Harp." You can hear the music and lyrics here http://www.contemplator.com/folk3/harp.html
A More familiar version of the Lyrics is "Danny Boy"
She was lucky that night, falling into a dreamless sleep. After the events of lastnight concerning Wufei, she was feeling a lot better. All she needed was a shower. As she opened the door Minerva was met with sudden shock. She dropped her towel, moth gaping wide open. Trowa had beaten her to the bathroom, and he appeared to have just stepped out. The unibanged former pilot was standing in front of the mirror, profile to Minerva. His towl had dropped down to his feet, leaving nothing but bare skin. She just stood there in frozen shock, his tall build and finally toned muscular upper body, built for the acrobatic skills of the circus. Her eyes drifted downward past his butt before looking back up for the sake of modesty. Trowa seemed to have finally noticed his audience as he turned his head around to face Minerva. His eyes widened as his face began to turn beat red. The color rose in his cheeks and he was practically glowing before he finally managed to find his towel and bring it back around his waist. He didn't waste any more time grabbing his robe and putting it on. He nodded briefly to Minerva as he passed her on his exit. "Sorry."
Minerva blinked in disbelief, unable to move for a few moments as she took in what had just happened.
*************************
< br> The chinese pilot balanced easily on one leg, sword raised over his shoulder. in a smooth movement he put his raised foor forward and swung his sword around, thrusting. The swift delicate movements of swordplay were performed like a ballet. Complicated movements were performed with practiced ease as the dark haired boy continued on through his exercises.
"Your not one to let the actions of one woman get to you Wufei."
Wufei didn't break from his excercise as he spoke to Trowa fully dressed and standing in the doorway of the fencing room. "Duo talked."
"We've never known Duo to lie."
Wufei scowled. "That girl of his then."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "What makes you certain?"
He thrust again, spinning easily to face another direction. "Strangers don't insult you on a first meeting without basis."
"Duo has never been one to speak of the past."
"Much as I hate it, you're right."
***************************
It took a lot longer to wash her hair now that it was about a foot longer then usual. She grabbed a comb and ran it through her hair, pulling any would be tangles before gathering a mass of hir on each side and pulling it back behind her head. It took a little more combing to even what she had gathered out before binding it all in a silver colored hair clip. After the incident with Trowa she had made sure the door was locked before her shower. Therewas no telling who might have walked in, even Wufei, and Minerva did not want to have another awkward meeting with the shenlong pilot.
Pulling on a pair of jeans and shirt she opened the door and ran downstairs. Duo had said Quatre owned several mansions, why he had chosen Russia for the party was almost a mystery. But Minerva didn't tolerate the cold well, maybe Quatre actually liked the snow and ice? At least the air no longer possessed the metalic smell which the colonies were known for.
With nothing better to do she chose to wander.The hall seemed to go on for miles, it made her wonder why anyone needed all this extra space. Quatre did have twenty nine sisters didn't he? The entire building seemed capable of housing twice that number. Her eyes drifted to the music room. It was beautiful, designed in the elegance of navy carpet and wood panelled walls. Against the wall stood a case of strings and woodwinds, in the corner rested a beautiful harp and cusioned seat. Making sure no one was around Minerva entered the room, nervously taking a seat at the harp. It was so beautiful, only once had she heard the sound of one play. A renaissance fair a lady had been playing near the entrance, the melodic voice coupled with the echoes of harp strings had taken her breath away and she had bought all of three tapes that the woman had been selling. How she longed to hear the chimes of the notes again. Nervously she placed her fingers gently on the harp. You plucked it just as you did a guitar right? Maybe not so hard. Experimenting she plucked a string, listening as the note rung in her ears. She had no talent for recognizing notes, only tones but so far she had managed her first experiment correctly. Cautiously she moved her fingers to try again. The short strings were low weren't they? Slowly she began to pluck the strings one by one, testing and experimenting until she felt comfortable. When satisfied she began to move onto playing a string of notes, testing the combinations and putting it together in a piece of her own composition. The music was as beautiful as she had remembered, and she was actually playing a harp!
Her elation swelled as she began to hum along with her own tune. She smiled closing her eyes as she continued to play. In an afterthought she stopped, recalling the words of a song. Gradually she began to play out the tune, testing and retesting the notes until she found the correct measure, continueing this until she had the song down. Smiling she began to play it with more ease, begining to sing the words.
"My gentle harp, once more I waken
The sweetness of thy slumb'ring strain
In tears our last farewell was taken
And nos in tears we meet again."
Her eyes closed again as she let her fingers strum across the strings, unaware as a different voice entered the song.
"Yet even then, while peace was singing,
Her halcyon song o'er land and sea,
Though joy and hope to others bringing,
She only brought new tears to thee."
She nearly froze as a new voice had entered the scene and she dare not turn around to discover it's owner. It was so sweet in gentle she chose to let it go in favor of finishing the song.
"Then who can ask for notes of pleasure,
My drooping harp, from chords like thine?"
He was harmonizing with her, refusing to pause again she continued with the song as her voice entwined with his.
"Alas, the lark's gay morning measure
As ill would suit the swan's decline.
Or how shall I, who love, who bless thee,
Invoke thy breath for freedom's strains,
When e'en the wreaths in which I dress thee,
Are sadly mixed, half flours, half chains."
Her hands relaxed to her sides and Minerva turned to look at her partner. She nearly gasped as she stared in the face of the blonde arabian. "Quatre. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to..."
The boy smiled. "It's alright. It's beautiful. You've played the harp before?"
Minerva shook her head. "No, I was just going by ear, I just love the sound of a harp.
"You have a good ear, but you choose such sad songs to play, why?"
She smiled. "All folk songs are sad."
"Not all of them."
She nodded. "No, but they're usually drinking songs."
He smiled. "The song you were playing..."
"My Gentle Harp."
"There are more well known lyrics to the tune."
Minerva nodded. "Yes, the song is called Danny Boy. A maiden's lover leaves and she swears she will wait for him. But the boy never comes back and she dies."
"It's very sad, are you sure thats what the song means?"
She smiled. "Story of my life. The ones you love leave you and never return until it's too late."
She smiled, picking up the tune again, playing solo until Quatre chose to pick up the lyrics.
"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide."
The sound of a flute began to enter the mix and Minerva glanced up slightly to see Trowa playing along. Smiling softly she continued to play.
"But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so."
A womans voice filtered through, harmonizing with Quatre.
"And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me. "
Her fingers relaxed again and she turned around to their audience. The flute player had obviously been Trowa, but to her surprise Catherine stood among the group as the female singer. Her gaze moved further back and it was clear they had gained an audience. Hilde and Duo were together by the wall and Sally had taken a position in the corner. Heero stood expressionless near the doorway, arms folded, the only one missing was Wufei, but she had sworn she caught a glimpse of the chinese pilot passing out of view from the doorway. Amazing, a single harp in one room withen a castle sized mansion had still managed to attract so much attention. She stared terribly nervous at her audience and was thankfully interupted by the doorbell. Anxiously she followed everyone else downstairs to the living room.
The former queen pulled the hood of her coat further over her head as she rushed inside the mansion. "Looks bad out, they say there'll be a blizzard."
Dorothy stepped in a few moments after, glancing around the room and awknowledging the pilots before glancing at Catherine and then to Minerva in curiosity. Quatre nodded as their coats were taken. "Hopefully the party will be over before the weather gets bad."
"Whose your new guest Quatre?"
Quatre looked at Dorothy, suddenly remembering introductions. "Oh! Dorothy, Relena, this is Minerva."
Dorothy nodded, still studying the dark haired girl in curiousity. Relena smiled politely. "Hello. We don't usually get many new guests to these parties."
"I'm staying with Duo and Hilde."
Relena nodded. "Your always welcome..." Her voice was cut off as she looked up noticing Heero. "Hello, Heero."
Heero nodded. "Relena."
The group began to disband to other activities once again as Relena and Heero both began to walk off together. Minerva watched the two leave in curiousity. "Why didn't they come together?"
"Because."
Minerva looked at Duo in confusion. "I kind of need more information then because."
Duo looked at Minerva, then shrugged, apparently seeing no harm. "Same reason a Tiger doesn't wander with a house cat."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"Sure it does. Heero is accustomed to being on his own, he's lived for battle most of his life. Relena thrives in diplomacy and peace." He sighed. "The two are polar opposites. Heero could never stand being in the public eye and Relena thrives on her responsibilities. Can't seem to find a medium."
"I don't get it, they love eachother don't they?"
"Sometimes it's not enough Min."
=======================
I have yet to know anyone who could automatically play an instrument after a few hours of practice. But this is my reality and if I say it's possible...<nods> yeah.
Minerva plays a folk song called "My Gentle Harp." You can hear the music and lyrics here http://www.contemplator.com/folk3/harp.html
A More familiar version of the Lyrics is "Danny Boy"