Getting Lucky

12. Herondale Instruments

(Loki)

"Herondale Instruments," I read aloud, looking at the large sign over a mid-sized instrument store. I glance over at James, who's rocking on his heels with a slightly hopeful expression on his face.

"Since I've managed to read every single one of Tony's history books, I was debating trying to learn an instrument," James explains, "Music was one of the few things that kept me sane while in hiding, so it would probably be a useful distraction."

"Instruments are good distractions. What do you think you'll try and learn?"

James shrugs, slipping his hands into a pair of gloves to conceal his metal hand, "Maybe guitar. But only as long as you're fine with it. I wouldn't want you to be angry about me filling the empty room with things without asking you first, since-"

"James it's fine," I interrupt his rambling with a laugh, "Now c'mon, we don't want Pepper to think that I've run away and kidnapped you."

"Good point," double-checking that his gloves fully conceal his hands, we enter the store.

The store is brightly lit, an impressive array of instruments arranged cleanly around the room. A wall of guitars hanging from pegs with a stack of guitar tab books on one end, most likely set up by someone with seriously impressive organizational abilities. I find myself raising a brow at the dartboard with a picture of a rubber duck taped to it behind the counter, noting the nicks in the image from sharp objects being thrown. I meet the gaze of a young man of about 18 with golden-blond hair and golden eyes standing behind the counter. His nametag reads "Jace."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"  The man - Jace - says with a smile.

James gives a quiet nod and walks over to the guitars, "What kind of guitar would you suggest for a beginner?"

Jace moves out from behind the counter, walking over to stand beside James. I stand near the door, watching them interact and looking around the room curiously. My eyes get caught on a beautiful golden-brown piano off to the side, and I walk over to admire its shiny elegant surface.

'I miss playing the piano.'

I find myself going back to subtly watching James and Jace interact. 

Jace was quite good-looking if a bit too young for me. Well built, tall, with strange-looking black tattoos along his arms and peeking out of the collar of his shirt, there was no doubt that he was the kind of person that you would put on the cover of a magazine. 

'Just not really my type.'  I conclude to myself, eyes moving to watch James. I observe his every move as he interacts with Jace, transfixed. So distracted, in fact, that I miss most of their conversation.

By the time my mind returns from Lalaland, James is picking out the items he wants to purchase. I quickly look away as he glances over at me, trying to look preoccupied with a piano book sitting on a nearby shelf.

"You play?" James gestures to the piano as he walks over to me.

"I used to. Not in a long time though," I try to sound indifferent, but part of my heart aches with memories of  learning to play piano with Mother

"Oh,"

"Do you have anyone to teach you guitar?" Jace's voice calls from across the room.

"I'm sure I can find somebody to-"

"I can teach you," I interject quickly, glad that the subject had been changed.

"You know guitar?" James asks curiously.

"I know many instruments James, guitar is easy for me. That can be your... early birthday present."

James smiles brightly, causing my heart to flutter, "Thank-you Loki, really."