the library. thats where you found yourself, perusing the castle library as you do; perhaps in search of a new read, or for research, or just cleanup. in whatever case you found yourself here, lifting a candlestick, you graze your fingertips across the dusty backs of hardcover novels in an attempt to make out the words painted on them.

out of the blue, you hear a noise. its unrecognizable at first, but it doesnt alarm you. more sounds follow in an uneven fashion, resonating from a distant room. it sounds… like music—albeit off-key with some wrong notes. you decide to put a hold on whatever it was you were doing to go investigate.

the notes quickly gain confidence, you notice, as you climb down the sliding ladder. the tune evens out as you set the candlestick aside and make your way out into the hall, following the melodic sounds. each beat gets louder and louder the closer you approach the castle’s music room.

turning into the doorway rewards you with the sight of adrian, the lone dhampir of this inherited castle. he sat at the grand piano with his long blond locks tied back, his molten gold eyes focused on the keys, and his hands poking at them with a rusty yet seemingly practiced touch. standing there long enough would prove that his hands just needed some time to warm up and allow muscle memory to take over.

the sight makes you grin. stepping closer, you hover at the piano’s side and watch as the dhampir’s hands flow across the keys.

“youre a pianist?” you finally ask, a bit astounded yet you still try to tease. you never would have guessed this be a hobby of his. you werent sure if he looked the part.

“i am not,” he responds with mirth in his eyes, though he doesnt look up at you yet. “but i dabbled. once upon a time.”