Preshow
Third piece in the Cello Rat series. The Big Day is getting closer, and now the bride and groom want a show!
Inspired by this piece: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9990078/
"You look great!" Amy said. She straightened the Rat's tie. "And bowties are cool," she said with a giggle.
"That they are." TJ smiled back. "I love dressing up. I love even more that you actually followed through and asked me to do this.
"Who else would I want to play music for me when I walk down the aisle?" She put her paws on her hips, as the Lynx glared at him.
"A professional string quartet?" TJ responded. Amy's jaw fell open in surprise and she wacked his shoulder. "Hey!" He protested with a smile.
"As if I'd want strangers to do this." She hugged the taller Rat.
"I know, wifey." They were close for a few moments in silence before he pulled back. "So, how can I help you two prepare for next week?"
"You can help by staying out of my way. I don't wanna be bridezilla and bite your head off."
I held my paws up. "You got it Mrs. Taylor."
She wacked my shoulder. "You still got a week before you can call me that, Rat."
TJ grinned, knowing how much she liked the name already. "Well, I guess I can do the tourist-y thing and take in the sites."
"You mean check out your old stomping grounds?"
"Eeyup," he said, starting to unbutton his shirt.
"What do you think you're doing?" a masculine voice said, and TJ's heart skipped a beat. The Ocelot entered the guest room and placed his arm around Amy. "I wanna get a preview of the performance." An honest grin broke across his muzzle.
He still has no idea how much I like him, TJ thought. "I can't ruin the show, Henry" he said. "But, I think I can play something."
As he slid the case out from under his bed, Henry let out a gasp. "You still have that?"
"Of course," TJ answered without looking back. "It's the best case that I've ever had or used. Why not?" He pulled out his cello and rested it on its side as he pulled up a chair.
Amy and Henry sat on the bed while, in his mind, TJ started to hear a piano playing dark, heavy notes as he played along.
A storm is brewing as lightning strikes the ground. The tigers stalk their pray, crawling through the tall, dead grass. The deer don't see them coming. As the larger cats crawl closer and closer, the tension in their muscles grow as they prepare to pounce. They hold. With a loud bolt of lightning, the deer take off in surprise and the tigers spring up after them. The deer head toward the tree line, splitting away from each other and both tigers lock on to one. Running at full speed, over fallen trees and around tall shrubs, the tigers slowly close in. The deer pulls to the left and runs along a rock wall, but the tigers know they have her trapped. With a tiger on her left and a wall in front of her, she knows, too, that she is caught. Before she can react, the tiger behind her jumps to the wall and springs off, catching her around her neck, and tumble to the ground squeezing the life out of her as it starts to rain...
With the last somber note, TJ finally opened his eyes and saw Amy and Henry holding on to each other. A smile crossed his muzzle.
"That was amazing, TJ," Amy said, wiping her eyes.
"I don't think I've ever heard you play anything that intense," Henry followed. Color was returning to him. "I didn't even know who you were while playing that..."
"Sorry," the rat blushed. "It's a piece I stumbled upon and really like. It is kinda dark, but..." he shrugged. "I don't know... I didn't mean to upset you - either of you."
The felines shook their heads.
"That was amazing; don't feel bad. There was such passion in that piece." Henry, too, wiped his eyes. "If that was with a dark piece, I really look forward to hearing you play for us." He smiled and stood up, gently pulling Amy's arm. "Well, we'll let you get changed."
TJ smiled back as they left with a wave. Once the door clicked shut, he sighed.
This might be harder than I though...