La Maison 3: Pretty (Complete: mxm)

Chapter 7: Bonita

A/N: no drawn out side quests here, the resolution of one of River's problems

Gabe wouldn't leave River's side, for which he was eternally grateful, even if he suspected it was mainly because Gabe thought he'd do a runner if he was left unattended.

"What's going on?" Ellis approached, but River didn't want to him to get caught up in this. Alongside Gabe, Ellis was the top student. He deserved to have peace before his big performance. It was bad enough Gabe had already been dragged in-

"David stole River's composition."

"I knew it was too good to be his. I figured he'd paid someone to write it for him, that would be his style."

"It would?" River looked up with watery eyes.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Babe. I didn't want to say anything because it looked like he was treating you right. He's always been an entitled little shit, though."

River snorted weakly.

"How did he even know it, though?' Ellis continued. "I know you hate people watching you practice."

"I let him watch. He was so sweet about it. I thought- anyway, I guess I know why, now."

"It's okay though, you're a better player than him."

"I can't go on. He won't back down, and I have no evidence I wrote it."

"You do," Gabe interrupted, "we've been practicing together for weeks. I bet he doesn't realize that."

"Yeah, but he'll probably just say I stole it before then. You never saw it being developed. And my tutor hasn't even seen it."

"They know it's your style though. They've seen your other work," Ellis insisted.

"Sort of. Except this is a bit outside my normal style. It was, erm, like really personal. When it comes down to it, it's going to be my word against his. And it's like he said, who's going to believe me over someone with his money and connections? And something like this? It won't even be my tutor, who I do think would back me. This will go to the Dean, who doesn't know me, but knows all about him, and his loaded father and family alumni history..." River sank his head back into his hands, vaguely aware of soothing hands on his shoulders and whispers above his head.

"Riv, I've gotta go on. You're next, get ready," Gabe ran off, but Ellis was still there, and River leaned into him.

He listened to Gabe playing, accompanied by Eli on the guitar. The piece was technically accomplished and pretty upbeat for Gabe, but River knew he was saving his best for the violin and cello. Poor Gabe had had to compose three separate pieces of music for this final, and was helping River out, but he had the skill, in spades.

"You ready?" Ellis whispered.

"No."

"You gotta, Babe, please. Don't give everything up because of that dick."

"I just- what's the point? Maybe I can speak to Professor McNally..."

"Riv, you're stronger than this. I know you were proud of what you'd written, even if I hadn't heard it, but you're going to rock it. You are so much better than him, and you feel it. He had no passion for it – he didn't understand its power. You do. Get out there and show them what you're capable of."

River wasn't sure if it was the pep talk that gave him what he needed – Ellis was good at them, sure, but this situation was bigger than a 'go get 'em champ' could overcome. But maybe it was the specific words he chose. Yes, River did feel it. He'd tried to hide from the feelings that writing the music had brought up in him, but now it was time to stop hiding. The audience couldn't read his mind, but they could feel the emotion. He could make them, in a way David hadn't had a hope to.