Chapter Text
By the time Earth had managed to put her violin away (precisely, carefully, tenderly) and reach the academy field a good forty five minutes of training had already come and gone.
"It couldn't be helped." She'd insist to her trainer today, yesterday, and every day from now. "When one is in the throes of a passionate melodia, espressivo and dolce, why it becomes almost unbearable to tear oneself away. Which is why, trainer, I hope you can understand why it is that I am late."
The comment would usually be met by one of Nice Nature's own, about it being like this everyday, and Twin Turbo wracking her brain on what the words meant despite also having heard them every day. Along with her trainer, an easily flustered yet good natured man, saying it's all right as long as she tries her best tomorrow. Which, for the record, she does do her best. Forty five minutes really is no time at all when one is composing.
Would you try and create the greatest piece of art on a bargain with no time at all? No, you would want the best colors, the best ambiance, the best atmosphere, the best everything. And you would sit down, and you would take your time, because what you have to contribute to the world is nothing short of bellissimo. Ah, to say she hadn't tried. Not one among many could claim that.
Except, things were different today.
When she had gotten to the field, it was not her trainer and the rest of the team she'd find, but one.
A single Matikanetannhauser, Omachi-san or Machitan as they liked to call her, was there instead. She was one of Earth's teammates and was currently standing in the bleachers with a notebook open, pen in hand, as she watched the girls from Team Spica have their practice. But it wasn't their running she was taking notes on. You could see that in the way she hadn't looked towards the track at all. Her gaze was primarily focused on the interactions between Gold Ship and McQueen. So much so that she hadn't realized Earth was even their until the fellow umamusume was right beside her, breathing almost heavily into her ear.
"Saluti, amore mio."
Suffice to say Matikanetannhauser was completely broken from her trance, squealing in surprise and even dropping the notebook she had in favor of covering the ear that had just became twitchy and agitated by the intrusion. Tannhauser's face turned a faintly bright shade of red, and her tail had shot up completely straight before settling into its rhythm once more. All things Earth's blue eyes took in completely. Of those she admired Tannhauser had won a high place on that list. She could never miss anything the other girl did. She could never even bare the thought.
Earth gave a low chuckle as she knelt down to pick up the notebook Tannhauser had dropped, though she did not stand up when she offered it. Choosing instead to kneel, on one knee, before that beautiful and melodious soul.
"Forgive me, Machitan, the way you looked so-" beautiful, mesmerizing, dazzling "concentrated. I just could not help myself."
With an even more pronounced blush Tannhauser took the notebook from Earth's hands, though not without Earth managing to let the skin of their hands brush with the lightest of exchanges. Light enough to be unnoticeable, but not enough for Tannhauser to not feel it's effects. Of course she knew what Earth was like, she was her teammate, she's had her share of 'interactions' with the coquettish musician. Never like this however. Tannhauser chalked it up to the fact that they were relatively alone in this area. The bleachers empty save for a few groups a long ways off. Something Earth also did not miss.
"Earth-san!?" She said, her voice slightly higher than usual until she managed to get a hold of it again. "What are you doing out here?" The question felt foolish even as she said it, Earth had a right to be out here just like she did, but she didn't know what else to say. And while Earth did like running like most umamusume did, even a stranger could see she loved music even more. On a day like today she'd expect Earth to be inside with her violin...unless.
"Why, what an interesting question mademoiselle, do we not have training?" Earth asked as she brought herself back up onto her feet, dropping her earlier boldness in favor of genuine curiosity. "Where is everyone?"
Tannhauser looked at what she had written in her book before closing it and, after pocketing her pen, holds it to her chest. Her sunflower colored eyes rising slowly to meet Earth's own blue as she replies. "There wasn't suppose to be any practice today." It was meant to be a free day. Not just for Canopus but all teams. The members of Spica just tended to be a rather special case in many regards. Though there weren't just them, there were a few others who refuse to take a day off, like Narita Brian. And if Narita Brian was running you knew that her sister, Biwa Hayahide would be for sure. And if Biwa Hayahide was running you would undoubtedly see the rest of BNW with her. And if BNW were running then...well you get the idea.
No runner worth her salt would usually even consider taking a break, if it weren't for the simple fact that there was only so much track to work with. So, in favor of that, Canopus did agree to take it easy. If just that Team Spica does the same come next 'free day.' Somehow, Earth had managed to miss all this.
Not all too surprising really. Earth noticed sounds and people as if her eyes and ears were radio frequencies tuned in to her favorite station. Everything outside of that could be called static. But no one was going to say that out loud to her, not even Tannhauser. So instead she follows up with "mandatory free day."
Earth closed her eyes and crossed her arms as she nodded once, twice, and then "Ah, I remember now."
"Hai." Tannhauser looked down towards her shoes. She was, unsure of how she should interact with Earth. They'd always interacted as a team, she'd never been alone with her before. Never really been alone with anyone aside from her roommate, Fukukitaru. But Matikanefukukitaru and Sounds of Earth were different people.
Both passionate people, yet still Incredibly different.
Earth opened the eye closest to Tannhauser so she could look at the girl and, seeing that look in her eyes, hearing the confusion coming from her louder than any trumpet played right next to the ear could be, she reaches out to place a finger beneath her chin. Raising her head up just a little so their eyes could meet again. "Machitan, is everything alright?"
Tannhauser's eyes widened but she could not answer, could not make a sound even if she wanted to. That was alright, Earth could hear it all anyway. Once she swore she could even hear the hearts of others. She could imagine Tannhauser's being at a presto right now, much like her own. The thought had her smiling in that lightly smug way that has already driven many wild. She's seen it's effects after all. Not only in person with the Umas she's interacted with but in the many pictures she'd seen taken since her debut. Coming across them on sites and seeing 'those' comments has never failed to boost her ego.
If she wanted to, she could even-
"Omachi-chan." Her voice so low it was a wonder Tannhauser could hear it even with how close they were. "Amore mio." Her fingers travel up from Tannhauser's chin to rest beside her lips. "Do I frighten you?"
'Yes, you frighten me.' Tannhauser wanted to say, and also 'No, we are teammates, you could never.' but all she did was slightly shake her head, mindful of Earth's touch still on her. Her ears and tail twitching harder than ever before that she was sure her hat would fall from her head any second now.
Yes, any second now. Earth's gaze flicked down to her lips and up to her eyes once more. "Ah, the sounds you are making right now. If only I could compose a symphony of it. It would be the loveliest piece anyone had ever heard. But I fear, even my talent wouldn't suffice."
Was she actually making sound? Tannhauser couldn't hear anything. Not even her own breathing. The only thing able to break through the barrier her sudden deafness created was...Earth.
Earth's deep, melodious, beautiful voice was all she could focus on. In fact, she hadn't even realized that she had dropped her book again.
Earth did though.
She slowly removed herself from Tannhauser, bending to one knee as she picked it up once more. It took a moment for the one still standing to realize she was chuckling again. Then again she was busy trying to get her senses back so anyone could perhaps forgive her for that.
"Should be more careful with this, my lady. I know it's as important to you as my violin is to me."
Tannhauser nodded violently and quickly grabbed the book before scurrying off. Frantically as if she were a mouse being chased. Though, not exactly the furthest thing from the truth.
It almost had Earth feeling bad as she stood up to watch her friend, (yes, they were friends, it would do well for her to remember that) leave. But then, when she had gotten halfway back to the academy building, Tannhauser stopped and turned to look back at Earth.
Earth looked at her in turn.
She saw wonder, curiosity, and yes slight fear in those eyes, but no distaste. That actually had her smiling. Something a bit softer and more genuine than she had worn earlier.
Tannhauser returned her smile shyly, before turning around once more and, very nearly tripped over her own two feet but managing to save face, entered the academy.