THIS PARTY IS OFF DA HOOK...

[implying]

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jacquese foran | all over | open

[combats]

[ Luckily for Jacquese, this isn't the first ball he's ever been to, but it's certainly the most grandest. He's wearing a typical pianist outfit with a fitting mask. His hair is in a low braid and he's not wearing his horns. His scar is also obscured by the mask so it might not be easy to recognize him without all his distinctive traits. But that's the whole point, isn't it?

He can mostly be found at the piano, playing all sorts of tunes. There's a small board on the piano that says he's open for requests as well. Just hum him something and he'll play it by ear.

When he's not at the piano he can be either found on the dance floor enjoying himself or wandering around the place admiring everything, always with a smile on his face and moving in a way that shows he's completely at ease with his surroundings. ]

[revolutionized]

[She's drawn to the sound of the piano, and for a wild, irrational moment she thinks: It's Miki! Miki finally got here! But it's not her friend that she sees at the piano, of course...and she's more than a little disappointed by that.

However, this man looks friendly enough, and he seems to be taking requests. But without sheet music...] Say, what do you mean by "taking requests?" Do you play by ear?

[combats]

[ It's wonderful to be playing the piano again, Jacquese was enjoying himself immensely even though he'd never played for so many people before and the prospect had seemed a little daunting at first. He gets a bit too caught up playing occasionally, like now, but a voice nearby pulls him back and he glances over to see who it belongs to.

The woman gets a bright smile and a nod before he gently finishes the song. Once he's finished, he reaches over and writes something on the board. ]

Just hum or sing and I will do my best.

[revolutionized]

Um, okay. If you say so...I'll give it a shot. [She can't help but smile back. Her expression is dimly perplexed at the use of the board for communication rather than dialogue, but she senses this is not something she should ask about, not right now, anyway.

Instead, she thinks on what she can request, and tentatively begins to hum a tune she knows well.]

[combats]

[ He nods encouragingly and although he notes her perplexed expression and he would have no problem explaining his method of communication, he doesn't elaborate. She doesn't ask and he's more focused on the music right now anyway.

His fingers ghost over the keys as she begins to hum and he tries to figure out what would work best before he actually presses down, accompanying her humming with the piano. ]

[revolutionized]

[After learning about Miki's struggles to find the right sort of partner to play this song for him, Utena imagines that he'd be pleased to meet this quiet man. Even with Utena's average humming skills, he seems to pick up on The Sunlit Garden with little difficulty.

It makes her hum a little more enthusiastically. She's not musically or artistically inclined herself, so this is exciting to witness.]

[combats]

[ The great thing about getting to play at the masquerade, besides just getting to play the piano again in general, was that this way he got learn many new songs. Not only that, Jacquese was well aware of how important music could be and by taking requests, he hoped he could perhaps give people back a feeling of home for a little while.

Her enthusiastic humming gets an approving nod as he does his best to keep up and adjust accordingly when needed. ]

[revolutionized]

[When the song is over, Utena claps enthusiastically. It had been as nice as Miki's playing, even.]

That was really something else! My classmate wrote that song, and he says it's hard to play, but you didn't have any problems at all.

[combats]

[ He was certain some bits could have been better, but her enthusiastic reaction makes up for it. He smiles humbly as he bows his head before grabbing the chalkboard again. ]

Your classmate must be very talented, it's an excellent song. Thank you for letting me play this.

[revolutionized]

Ah, I should be thanking you, honest. [She dips her head a little, suddenly sheepish.] It's nice to hear something from home.

[She tugs at the sleeve of her suit jacket.] Say, if you don't...mind my asking, is there a reason you're using that um...the board, I mean.

[Awkwardly motioning in that direction. She feels like a jerk asking, but she's also curious.]

[combats]

[ Jacquese doesn't look offended in the slightest (and isn't, honestly, he's had that question too many times to let it bother him) and he figures he should answer that first before continuing the conversation.

He does so by pointing to his throat before shaking his head. It's the quickest way to get the point across. ]

I am glad I could be of service. My name is Jacquese Foran.

[revolutionized]

[She looks briefly embarrassed — her cheeks color pink, and she nods quickly.]

I'm Ten— Utena Tenjou. [Saying it in Western order was so strange, sometimes.] It's good to meetcha, er...I'm not sure I can pronounce your name. Is "Foran" okay?

[She's possibly pronouncing that wrong too.]

[combats]

[ Jacquese just smiles warmly. ]

It is nice to meet you too, Utena. It's pronounced 'zhahk', but you may call me whatever you like. A lot of people say my name differently.