The Insight of Denmark

~7~

The home was silent for a moment as he moved around the place, listening in for her. A week had passed since the party and the guilt still laid inside of him. It was the worst episode he had ever seen from her, and in his mind, it was still his fault. He moved around the home, trying his best to clear his mind as things seemed to continue without him really. It was strange, she was here a bit over a month and yet it felt like yesterday he had just met her in Paris, watching her dance in the studio before him and Francis. It was odd yet relaxing, for things felt perfect  

Looking around, he found Eirik upon the couch sound asleep as the familiar count came to his ears. With steady strides, he found himself before the room she danced in. The hardwood floor gleaming as the glass panes gave him her reflection as she stretched her legs out. Gods how she awed him. For such a short stature, she was what most viewed as a perfect woman. He leaned against the frame as she finished her usual warm up, tying up the slippers as her eyes finally landed on him.

"Oh, salut Mathias."

"Hej." he smiled at her, "What are you up to?"

"Practice like usual. Although I was wondering something."

Mathias gave her a wondering eye, "Alright, should I worry?"

Annalise giggled at him as she moved to the corner of the room, "Non, unless you think you should be."

He watched carefully as she pulled out a large case from behind the chair, one that he thought was hidden away from people, "How'd you find that?"

"I was awake one night when you were sound asleep and I ended up looking around in your storage area and found this." she stated, "Why didn't you tell me you played?"

There were no words to really say why he never said anything to her. He placed that instrument away years ago, forgetting himself that he had it, yet there stood the cello. Pristine and ready for use. He knew what she was asking, anybody could've figured it out, he was more worried of himself of not being able to hold up to her expectations.

"I haven't played in years."

"I figured that with the amount of dust upon it." she walked over to him, placing those dainty hands of hers upon his chest, "Vær så venlig?"

"Did you seriously use Danish on me?"

"Maybe." she gave that damn playful smile.

That sweet little face, oh how he couldn't say no to her. Letting out a sigh, he walked over to the chair as she merrily jumped around, pulling the large instrument out of its case. He remembered playing for Sophia when she was ill or bored of the regal and wanted away from the chaos that followed them. A sort of calm overcame him as those precious memories came back to him, days when he smiled and never really worried about the world around him and trying to erase his past.

Annalise caught his eye as she moved around the room, gracing around like a feather in the wind, gently moving around as she waited for him. Tuning the piece and setting things right, he readied himself upon the chair as she waited with that excited smile that got him every time. That smile there was his proof that he wouldn't disappoint her, there was no way.

Raising the bow, he dragged it upon the strings, bringing forth the beautiful deep sound that came from it. His fingers moved with a mind of their own as the bow lead them in an intricate dance of their own, playing one of the familiar pieces he could come up with. Bach lifted into the air as Annalise began to give a small performance, twirling and moving around. He didn't have to watch his fingers or how the bow moved, he knew it all by heart as his eyes focused on her. From her slender legs, to the gentle wave of her hair, how her fingers dance in the air as her feet glided upon the floor with ease, her body fluid-like and nimble as she gave him a performance. How marvelous it was, to see her. The real her, the one that wasn't shrouded away due to her ailment, the one that smiled so much she brightened any room that was lucky to be greeted with her grace. It blew him away for how she was, and yet himself as well.