Something was keeping her there, as she was getting to upset to focus. She assumed it was Tempest, or her pride, that was keeping her from getting up and storming off. She just hoped it stayed long enough for her to get the notes right.
"Are you okay babe?" he gently asked as he nuzzled her shoulder a bit
She rested her elbows slightly on the keys, and pressed her face into her hands. "I'm just frustrated."
"About what? The piano?" he asked, a puzzled look on his face
“Yeah, it’s just-“ She huffed, and rubbed her temple. “I don’t know, I’m just frustrated.”
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked gently, rubbing her shoulder
“No, I don’t think so.” She mumbled, against the palms of her hands. A sigh escaped her lips, and she leaned back into his chest.
He let out a tiny little whine and held her close "Just let me know if I can okay?"
“I’ll do that.” She whispered, shutting her eyes. Slowly she began to relax, her frustrations melting away.
He started to hum softly as he held her in his arms, soon becoming unfocused and in and in a pleasant state of bliss.
"I love you lots." She mumbled, lacing their fingers. She felt calmed now, resting into him.
"Me too babe." he whispered into her ear. There was a little knock on the door and Gavin peeked in "Hey you couple we need Temp…one of the game themes is gonna be a pure piano track." he told them
Joanna sighed, getting off of his lap. "He's all yours'." She told Gavin, with a light smile, before turning back to Tempest. "I think I'm just going to explore the studio, if that's OK."
"Go crazy…just don't break anything." he chuckled and went off with Gavin to provide his piano expertise
Joanna was left alone, and she frowned slightly. 'Come on Jo, you know he can't be with you always.' She scolded herself, as she walked out the door.
"So…this?" He asked flipping through the rough draft sheet music "No. no, no let me…" he edited the sheet, played a bit and soon had a neat little music piano piece (https://www.soundtrap.com/play/unrH-RntT4OQG2Bl2cnYTA/opening-theme-for-theos-game/)
Joanna traced her hand along the wall, hearing the piano from one of the other rooms. She let a smile come back, knowing that was Tempest playing.
Soon he finished the piece and clapping was heard from the other room. Tempest was planning some other tracks with his workers putting the same spin he liked to in each of his tracks.
Hearing the applause, she turned the corner to the room the music had been coming from. She stood in the door frame, looking around the people to find Tempest. If she didn't, it wasn't that big of a deal.
He was there in the middle of the room with a huge white board you would see in a college campus as he wrote down potential titles and other things "This is gonna be our huge break guys…if we do this right…people will know who we are."
Silently observing, she bit her lip as Tempest spoke. 'Oh, I hope this works out for him…' She wished, crossing her fingers. He deserved it, for sure. He worked hard.
"Oh and…" he looked to Jo "How you guys feeling about our little trip to the bar?"
There was an excited muttering going around everyone
Joanna blinked, feeling her face warm up. Was this something else, or was this meant for new years? Not sure, she walked through the crowd, over to Tempest.
He smiled over at her and waved "And speaking of Jo…"
Joanna felt her face flushed more, and she took his hand in hers'. "You did mean for New Year's right?" She asked him softly, running her thumb over his knuckles.
"Yep and I already called…aaand he said yes-"
"Definitely not after some sweet talk from me." Lexi added
"Oh dear, what on earth did you do to convince him?" She asked, rubbing her face. "Whatever it was, I bet I could have gotten it easier, without you guys sacrificing anything."
"Don't worry this'll be far worth it." Tempest assured her as he rubbed her hand back
"Tempest…" She said, in a rather strict tone. "What did you two do?" She inquired again.
"Nothing big we just have to give half what we make that night through tips back into the bar." Lexi waved it off
"But money isn't the reason we're doin' it. One we're doing it cause of you sweetie with the added bonus of publicity" Tempest told her