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Out of all the people he expected to be sitting in front of the piano, Mr. Inference was low on the list. But here he was, sitting in front of the piano, hesitantly tapping on the keys as if he was trying to play a melody that he barely remembered.
“I didn’t know you knew how to play, Mr. Inference.”
Naib stopped before turning to face him. “Only a few things my brother taught me. I assure you, I'm no musician myself.”
Frederick hummed. “Show me what you have. I have some familiarity with the piano myself and can help you.”
The tidbit about the brother offered freely enticed him. Although he was fairly popular due to his solving of many notorious cases, there was little about Mr. Inference or the members of his detective agency that was freely available.
I wonder how much I can learn about you before our voyage together is over, Mr. Inference .
Naib shook his head. “There’s no need. This was merely a way to pass the time.”
“Please, I insist. At least just show me the tune you were working on.”
“I assure you, it isn’t anything spectacular, merely what I remember from my brother and the old lullaby he tried transcribing.”
“Well that’s all the more reason to hear it. Lullabies are something to be cherished.”
He studied him for a minute before turning to the piano. “I will warn you that this is hardly the piece my brother composed. This is just the melody.”
It was a simple melody, all things considered, and it only required a single hand to play. But Frederick could see how compelling it was. And if he strained his ears enough to hear over the hum of the waves against the ship, he could hear Naib softly singing to himself though he couldn’t make out the words. He wasn’t an accomplished singer, but he could hold a tune, and that was good enough for Frederick.
Some part of him wished that they weren’t opposed as detective and mastermind. He wished that it could be just him and Mr. Inference and these moments of intimacy and vulnerability. However, he couldn’t say that watching his intellect at work didn’t excite him either. What a sad sight it was: to long to be both on his accusing gaze once more but also to long for moments of intimacy like these.
Perhaps he could take advantage of this current situation to dig a little deeper.
“You mentioned a brother. Would you mind telling me more?”
“Hm?” Naib looked up from the keys, startling to a halt. “If you’re alright with me being vague.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you if you were.”
“There’s four of us in total. The brother I mentioned is the second eldest.”
“That’s quite a few siblings.”
Naib shrugged. “I'm used to it. Especially since that number may increase.”
No wonder why Mr. Inference was so separated from his family name. With a father who slept around and many half-siblings hiding in the wings, it was little wonder that he had decided not to go by his family name, instead opting for a pseudonym to go by. And naturally, the other members of his detective agency had followed in his suit.
“I'm surprised you’re close then.”
“Circumstances brought us together, and we’re all the better for them.”
He didn’t expect that from Mr. Inference, but mutual hatred for their father was a strong motivator. Perhaps their hatred for their father was greater than their desire to tear each other down.
“What about you? Any siblings to speak of?”
“No, it’s just me. Any lovers to speak of?”
Frederick blinked in surprise at his own question. Perhaps his attraction to the detective was more than just intrigue. Pity they wouldn’t have much time for such things once they reached the storm. If only they had met under different circumstances.
The familiar tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” started up from Naib’s end as he took his time to answer.
“It’s complicated,” he finally answered. “But I don’t think we’re in a relationship yet. What about you? Any lovers on your end?”
“None that I've had any serious intentions of pursuing.”
Naib had tried to do the first variation but had given up after a while of attempting, and Frederick was struck by his urge to get up next to him on the piano bench to teach him how to play it correctly. To be pressed up by his side while he gently showed him the keys to press and how to press them.
Or perhaps to have Naib by his side as he marveled at the piece he performed. It was a pity it was already too late. Any bridges built between them were quickly burned and the only thing that kept him here was his sense of obligation.
Naib had noticed the look in his eye and got up.
“Would you like to play? You mentioned you were familiar.” He gestured towards the piano.
“Sure.”
Frederick walked up to the piano, trading places with Naib. He took a breath and began through the piece that he knew like the back of his hand. He didn’t get lost in the piece like he usually was, but it was more than enough to feel his gaze on him. And if he did a few more flourishes than usual, well, that was between him and the ocean.
Naib applauded once he came to a finish. “That was a marvelous piece.”
He hummed. “I feel yours had more charm in it though.”
And it was true. His was merely something one can reproduce again and again in concert halls and parties. Naib’s was something raw, unrefined as some may call it, but he could hear the obvious heart and care he put into it. It wasn’t shrouded by the artificiality so many of the pieces he heard were.
Frederick mourned all the potential bridges he burnt between them. If only he could reach out to find out more of Naib. If only he wasn’t on the opposing end of his sharp mind. If only they met under difficult circumstances. His mind looped back to Naib’s answer to his question.
“By it’s complicated you mean…?”
Naib scowled at that question. “It’s hard to explain beyond that phrase.”
Frederick raised his eyebrow. “You mean…?”
“We’ve matched wits several times, and my siblings all have strong opinions on him.”
Frederick paused at that answer. “They’ve all met him?”
“Kind of hard not to, given they’ve been dragged into his schemes.”
Matched wits, could be anyone Mr. Inference has interacted with on a regular basis. But “been dragged into his schemes.” The only schemes Mr. Inference seems to foil on a regular basis were… ah his employer’s. Desire Melodis.
He had no idea their relationship was …like that as detective and mastermind. But Naib was firmly convinced that they were not lovers yet. Perhaps there was time for him to cut in between them and make his move.
“I didn’t know your relationship with Melodis was like that.”
“He wishes it was like how you’re thinking. Me, he’s hurt my siblings enough times that it’ll be a while and require changes on his end before I'll finally entertain the notion. What about your answer?”
“Ah a few dalliances here and there, but none that I had any intention of lasting longer than a few months.”
Until now that is. And if you’d have me.