to draw all creatures 'neath the sun

[Playing in Piper's bedroom at his parents' house, where he and Anne went on Christmas Day, after Piper left R1 in a wreck. They're staying through New Years, and Piper left a note on the mirror for Daniel, letting him know and giving him a contact number.]

( The music is peaceful, happy, content... )

Dad,

Thanks for not telling mom. I just don't want her to worry; you know how she is. I went to see Jack like you suggested, and he was willing to cash in the favor he owed you. I really wouldn't have bothered you, but there was a mix-up with my extermination permit, so I couldn't get another job like that. And the one with the business man, it sort of fell through.

Like I said, you don't need to worry. I've got enough saved up for January's rent, and I've got plans for Christmas. I'm sending mom's gift and your gift along with this letter.

Jack said to tell you hello. He seems really nice, and I think it'll be great to go somewhere quiet everyday and get paid for it.

Thanks for everything, dad.

Your son, who loves you,
P

[After this]

( And I wasn't looking for Heaven or Hell // Just someone to listen to stories I tell )

[Nothing]

[The night after this]

( ♪ )

[The day after this]

(  ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ )

[After waking from this dream]

( ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ )

Mom and Dad,

I got your letter and the new flute case. It's gorgeous, dad, you really outdid yourself with the woodwork on it.

I'm sorry they've been bothering you about the thing that happened in school. I don't know how they found your new address, but I'll check in with them. It's nothing to worry about, mom. Just an oversight. And everything here is wonderful, so you don't need to worry about me at all.

I've found a new job. It's for a rich business owner, running errands, and it pays much better than the other job I had. There was an accident, and a girl fell, and the landlord decided to go with another agency for pest control. It didn't have anything to do with me, but you know how business owners are.

I've been making lots of friends, and I hardly spend any time alone. I'm even not seeing someone, so you don't need to get in touch with dad's friend at the deaf community center, mom. I don't need you guys setting me up on dates from across the country.

I wish I could go home for Thanksgiving, but my friends have insisted I stick around here. Send me some of that delicious pumpkin pie you make, mom.

All my love,
Piper

( ♫ )

( ♪ )

[Piper has the distinct pleasure of having never actually known anyone who has died, so he's sleeping in his bed during ghost!plot, door open, his laptop running through music at random]

(♫)

[Nothing]

[After this and this and this]

(  ♫ And I'd be inclined to be yours for the taking, and part of this terrible mess that you're making ♫  )

( Home is not where you live, but where they understand you )

[The following song can be heard playing on the flute at odd intervals, late into the night, the sound soft but carrying]


( ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ )

[Piper is in a very bad mood. The apartment door is locked to the kids in the building, and the following version/song can be heard from his flute]

( ♪ )

Mom and Dad,

I hope things are good there. Things here are, well, noisy. I've managed to save about a quarter of what I need to start at the conservatory, and I'm going to try to pick up some additional side work to earn money faster. Don't worry, I'm getting plenty of rest and eating all my fruits and vegetables. Yes, mom, even broccoli.

I've been making lots of friends. Everyone here is really nice, and I'm not having any of the issues I had back home. Mom, you can stop rolling your eyes at any time. I mean it. Things are great. That's why I haven't written in awhile, because I've been having so much fun.

I promise to to try to make it home for the holidays. And I miss you guys more than the treble clef misses the bass clef.

Piper

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

( And he himself was tall and thin, with sharp blue eyes, each like a pin, and light loose hair, yet swarthy skin... )