Work Text:
Kris's fingers carefully touched the keys of the small piano at the hospital. They didn't press any of them, preferring to simply feel the texture under their digits. You couldn't make out their expression, but they seemed eager to play. They were waiting for something.
A prompt was shown to you. It felt as if time froze.
(Play the Piano?)
Yes or No.
You chose "Yes". You were so eager to play as well! You told Kris to press all the keys.
The piano made an unpleasant noise.
Frustration washed over your "mind", if your flow of thoughts could be called such a word. Kris felt it too; they made their hands into fists and mumbled something like an apology.
You took them to the receptionist, and made them speak louder. They repeated the apology.
"Hey, it's okay, playing piano is not easy at all, don't sweat it." Kris glared at the monster in the reception, a little offended. The hospital worker added, "Say, why don't you start with one note at a time instead?"
Kris shrugged. They seemed eager to leave the situation, but indecisive too. You made them look at the receptionist again, prompting the monster to speak again.
"You can write down the notes on paper too, maybe having a reminder helps." They handed Kris a sheet of paper.
A choice was presented.
(Take the Paper?)
You eagerly said "Yes". Kris took it with a nod, added it to their inventory, and sat by the piano again. You checked their items, and used the paper. To your and Kris' surprise, another choice was presented.
(Write on the Paper?)
After getting confirmation, Kris wrote something. You checked the Paper.
"Just let me play piano," it read.
(Play the Piano?)
Yes! Kris pressed their hand against several keys.
Kris shook their head. They wrote again.
"Just one key."
(Play a key on the piano?)
Yes! Kris' index finger pressed F#. You checked the piano and received another choice.
(Play a key?)
Yes! This time Kris played the G key.
Kris shook their head. You did it again. G# A, A#, B, C, C#, slowly ascending in tone.
(It seems you can’t play this piano.)
But you went to Kris' menu and used the paper again. Kris wrote something and you checked it.
"Can you play 'C'?" They drew a keyboard, and labeled every key with a letter.
A new prompt was made.
(Play the C key?)
Yes! Kris played the key they showed you earlier. Pleased, they took the paper again and wrote a series of letters.
D - A - G -D - F# - F# - G
Suddenly, you viewed the keyboard in a different way. It seemed you could make several key choices in a row. You made your presence move over the correct notes in the order given.
Kris's guidance was a success! They nodded, content. It seemed... new ideas were coming to their head.
You used the piece of paper once again. Kris wrote: "Thank you. I think I have an idea."
They kept writing, and once they were done, you read their message.
(Learn to play piano?)
Yes.
You felt hopeful. Kris felt it too.