can't stop the beat | gus + hanz

[hanna horváth]

Broken guitar strings were a musicians worst enemy. There was no way to repair a broken string or instrument with magic - and if you did - it would never play like new again. Stringed instruments were finicky like that. They never felt or tuned proper after being tempered with magic. Well, they sure didn't play the same way for Hanna. There was always a rumble or strange twang behind the strings. The night before she fled to London, Hanna had played until her fingers bled. Out of frustration she'd broken her top and bottom string. While messing around with it earlier that morning, she broke a third string and momentarily lost her shit. Now, she was incapable of playing anything, and it only made her feel worse when she realized she ran out of extra strings from her last meltdown.

It had been two nights since she showed up at Lyra and Rob's place unannounced. Later she learned it was her boyfriend Rob's place, which made things rather awkward, but she'd rather sleep on a strangers lumpy couch than stay alone at a hotel. As much as she'd love a girls weekend at the Ritz Carlton, Lyra never wanted to leave Rob's side, and when she did, she seemed like she just wanted to get back to Rob. Sure, he was great, sculpted like a Greek God and dimples that made her want to trust him, but what the fuck. Everything just seemed to be Rob this, Rob that, Intense Love Making...Rob, Rob, Rob!! It was annoying and only made her feel more empty and lonely. She just wanted her best friend slash partner in crime back!

Deciding not to cry about broken hearts and guitar strings any longer, she located the closest music store in London on her enchanted cell phone and marched over. Much to her surprise, it was a block from where she was staying, so that was a lovely surprise that already started to perk up her mood. Just a tiny bit. 

The blond stepped into the music store with her head down, guitar case slung over her shoulder as the bell chimed above her head. Usually her head would be held up high and her shoulders back, smiling at anyone who would look at her, but she felt like she could barely force a smile. She didn't know why she brought her guitar because she'd be too embarrassed to bring it out today due to the abuse it had endured, not to mention the tear drops stained on the wood. She appeared to have herself together on the outside, with a bout of sadness, but she was slowly losing it all.

@auguste
(mentions: Lyra Horváth & EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK  2nd paragraph)

[Deleted]

Gus liked visiting the music store. He'd been coming there for quite some time and the owner wasn't one to instantly break out the moment the musician entered the store. He'd bought many instruments here and the amount of times he'd had strings replaced on his guitar or hired them to repair his piano was insane. Not to mention all the other instruments he'd bought for sake of his amusement. He even had a few violins, although he used those least of all the instruments he had. He clearly did have a strong preference for string instruments. It was always where he went first whenever he came to shop. So as he looked once again at the many guitars in front of him he looked hungrily at their curves in a way he never seemed to save for people. Instruments, yes. People? Well by now people were boring. His broken heart struggled still to accept the loss of Sienna but surely buying a new instrument would make him feel better.

He heard the familiar chime as the doors opened and briefly glanced at the woman that had just walked in. She looked tired and defeated almost, something that he could empathise with. He wondered about the state of her bagged guitar. He knew some of his were clearly used a lot and currently not in the best shape. Upkeep had either not been a priority or they had bene used so much there hadnt' been time for upkeep. He'd often enough played until his fingers bled and more than once almost destroyed instruments when his emotions got particularly heavy. His poor piano had to have suffered most there. Still, he wondered what brought her, as he casually picked up a guitar and strummed on it a little, testing out the sound. Beautiful. He closed his eyes and sighed contently for a moment. He was bringing this beauty home. Yet another one for the collection today it seemed.

He then walked over to the woman and guitar, smiling slightly at her. "Looks like both of you had a bit of a rough night." He said with a gentle and compassionate little smile. "You have good taste in instruments with the guitar though, do you play?" He figured that would do as a conversation starter, should she choose so. If not he'd just buy the guitar and be well on his way again. Or well, at least before Charlotta found a reason to call him into the office. With little time between his debauchery album dropping and the next one set to be released he had quite the busy schedule. It was probably for the best, as it left him with precious little time to actually make more dumb choices out of self pity. He seemed to be rather good at that after all.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

The blonde was standing in front of a wall of guitar strings when she felt foot steps approach her. At first, she felt a moment of dread, wishing she could hide under a rock or be invisible. Those were foreign feelings for Hanna, she loved to be noticed and complimented. Especially for her efforts of ensemble or beauty. A mans voice caused her head to shoot up, blue eyes falling onto who addressed her. Hanna's hand gave the guitar strap handle a squeeze, wishing she hadn't brought it. He told her she looked like she had a rough night and she couldn't help but frown. Suddenly, she could feel herself choking up, but she wasn't going to do that there; not at the beautiful music store gem she had just found. Hanna wanted to be able to return.

Hanna looked over at the familiar looking man, "I'm still deciding if I should be offended by being told I look "rough", or flattered by good music choices.." she started, her painted lips slowly breaking into a smile. She froze, and the smile it grew a bit more when she got a flicker in her eye, realizing who was standing in front of her. That was Auguste Courtemanche. She'd briefly worked with him, or his people, in France. He was a superstar back home. Honestly, she didn't expect him to remember her. Not with his reputation.

She swallowed, feigning a relaxed expression as her excitement started to boil over inside her, "Sometimes I just walk around with a guitar hoping rockstars will stop and talk to me. Looks like it was successful today." she joked with a giggle, looking up at him through her thick lashes, suddenly feeling like less of a deflated balloon. She adjusted the strap awkwardly, "I'm just kidding, if you can't tell." she said quickly, cocking her head to the side with a sweet smile, "Wouldn't expect someone like you hanging out here...and to be quite honest, I'm trying not to FanGirl all over you right now." she admitted, attempting to keep her cool.

@auguste

[Deleted]

It was remarkable that she was more bothered by the fact she maybe looked rough than anything else. Luckily he'd been smart enough to join that with a compliment it seemed. He shrugged with a crooked smile as he motioned to himself. "Don't worry, I love a good rough edge on anybody." He said with a quick cheeky little wink. Then he laughed a casual little laugh at his own antics. "I'd honestly prefer you'd be flattered by both." He said, having the audacity to actually admit that part as part of his natural charisma.

The recognition in her eyes was like a drug to him. He loved his fame and fortune and the fact people knew him that he'd never met. Still somewhere in the back of his mind itched that he'd seen her before, although he was having trouble placing her. She didn't really sound like she was from the UK though, which left an option or two open. Her attempts to not FanGirl, as she called it, were interesting to him. He smiled and nodded slightly before a short look of confusion passed over his face. "What?" He asked with an easy smile spreading over his features. "You didn't expect a musician in a store that sells instruments?" He teased her easily. Then he raised the guitar he'd fallen ever so in love with moments ago into his arms and played a few notes from one of his new songs. "Always sounds different on a new instrument, doesn't it? Or on new strings." He said as he inclined his head towards the wall of strings she was standing in front of. "If you ask me it can really help to fall in love with old music all over again." He said, hoping that she wasn't just here to get rid of the guitar she had with her. That would make it rather awkward that he presumed she knew a thing or two about music and how much the instruments could change the feeling for the artist behind a song.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Hanna stayed quiet when he said that he preferred she liked both. Any other man who wasn’t a world class celebrity would get a retort of some sort about how it didn’t matter what he preferred. However, Gus had the personality where it didn’t offend her. Maybe he meant it in a poetic ‘Diamond in the rough’ kind of way. She was okay with being a diamond.

When Auguste smiled at her, questioning a musician in a music store, she couldn’t help but smile and nod. ”Yeah, that was kind of silly of me to assume.” she agreed with an awkward laugh, blue eyes flickering to the wall of beautifully displayed guitars. “With all due respect, I meant that I thought someone of your caliber would prefer to have them custom made.” she told him, feeling a little shy because she didn’t want to sound rude. Hanna smile sweetly, ”It almost makes you seem like a normal person..” she mused at the thought. 

Then, it was like one of her Teeny Bobber dreams were unfolding in front of her. Augustus started to play something she had never heard before, explaining his love for new instruments. She nodded her head up and down fervently, "Nothing beats that new guitar rumble and twang...new guitar is my favorite smell." she gushed as she watched him adoringly, feeling like her heart may flutter out of her chest and explode. It was like having a personal show from Auguste Courtemache all to herself. Dear Merlin, she couldn’t wait to tell Lyra about this.

Her icy blue saucers continued to watch in a quiet admiration as his hands moved up and down the guitars neck, playing a lovely melody. Kinda wishing she was that guitar in that very moment. "Wow, that sounds beautiful. Is that something new you've been working on?" she asked him, smiling up at him with interest. Already wanting more. She wished her guitar wasn't in such bad shape because she wanted to play with him.


@auguste

[Deleted]

She had a fair point in guitars for the more famous people often enough being custom made. He had multiple of those as well. He shrugged then. "Well, humble beginnings. I started out with a guitar like this many years ago. Some of my fondest memories can be traced back to a very simple acoustic guitar that wasn't made with me in mind. Not a single custom made guitar has that simple magic of being made for just somebody that wants to play guitar, experienced or not." He said, a smile on his lips that was uncommon these days. Not only due to the heartbreak but more so because he wasn't trying to be charming. He was simply enjoying the moment for once. He wanted to remember fondly and stop letting the pain that came with the past guide him too much. It was more than time to grow. if he was able. That remained to be seen in the end.

She praised the smell and sound of new guitar and he grinned like a misbehaving little kid for a moment. Oh he felt much the same and part of him just wanted to play all the instruments in the store, running around like he was six years old again. His hands were itching to play but the choices were many and he had a desire to play every single instrument in the store, even if he knew he couldn't. So he caressed the guitar he'd decided he was going to buy, gently coaxing out some notes from one of his oldest songs that had never actually been released to the public because well, it was too personal the moment the notes came to join the melody. She asked about the other one and he chuckled and nodded. "Oh yeah, that one is actually on the new album. Not the one that got released a while back but the one that's due in March. This one...." He said as he motioned to the guitar as he continued the melody he started playing only moments ago. "...is a lot older. But I never finished it so it's little more than a melody." He lied easily. It was a lie he'd told his manager before Charlotta countless times and he would just as easily tell the same lie to anybody that heard it. Maybe one day he'd release it but he didn't actually plan it. He played it very often at home though, with Phillipe as the only audience. The tiger had long since decided that it was his favourite song and whenever he was sick or weary Gus would bring out his old guitar and play the song for Phil. It seemed to soothe him.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

The blonde cocked her head to the side to watch Auguste in complete adoration. It wasn’t a lust driven adoration, though he was obviously a breathtaking man, she actually enjoyed the words he was saying. It was nice to talk to someone about music. Not about followers or likes, fabrics, or the newest trends. For a moment there she felt like she had a friend.

”Ahh, yes,” she nodded sympathetically, showing that she understood the struggles of unfinished work with a soft smile. ”I was experiencing my own writing woes the other night…hence my trip here today. Sometimes it’s hard to get the words off of paper into a melody because it hurts too much.” she said softly, suddenly feeling like she was being too honest, so her face started to go hot. A part of her felt like he’d understand, considering the music that he wrote for a living, but she couldn't be too sure..

Hanna listened to him with unbroken interest as he played another beautiful melody. Her eyes watched as his long fingers glided down the fretboard with purpose. She felt the FanGirl starting to boil over inside of her again. The blondes hand squeezed the strap around her arm, she was itching to sing and play now. Who knew, this could be her only moment to ever play with Auguste-effin-Courtemanche! She smiled lightly, attempting to feign a relaxed demeanor, but she thought she may explode at any moment. ”All of your music is like, phenomenal, but last years album was my all-time fave you’ve released. I’ve learned a couple of your tunes. Reworked one into a ‘pretty’ version because I couldn’t get it outta my head, you bloody devil...” she shared, feeling herself becoming a blabber mouth because she was admittedly a bit nervous in his presence.

@auguste

[Deleted]

Sometimes words, expression or emotions resonated. He understood perfectly what she meant when she said that writing could become difficult when actually writing down how one felt hurt so much. He personally often had the opposite, in writing ever so easily as a method of dealing with the pain (other than excessive drinking and flirting of course) and the amount of songs he'd written over the last few weeks was insane, even though many of them were not good enough for him to wish to publish them. Yet he felt the pain of his break up and wished very much to erase it in the only way he knew how. Not really all that healthy. So he paused and nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, although sometimes writing can help. For me it just takes the edge of a bit, like a good glass of whiskey or a smoke." Or an apple. Not that he was going to say that one out loud. "But that usually only works for a little while anyway. Halfway through the song and the bottle the dizzy part kicks in and then it's lost for the rest of the night." He said with a laugh, since that had happened to him more often than not. Although it was usually more than just a single bottle to get him to that point. He maybe had a tiny bit of a problem.

She mentioned her favourite album had to be the one he had most recently released (well, before shameless debauchery). She mentioned reworking one into a so called pretty version and he pulled up an eyebrow at that. "Are you saying my music isn't pretty?" He asked her with a grin on his face and a troublesome gleam in his eyes. She was probably right, considering his songs were not written to be pretty so much as his. Yes, some of his songs were heartwrenching and beautiful but none of them were supposed to be just pretty. It just didn't really suit his genre. Though he definitively did consider the part where she couldn't get it out of her head a compliment. "Which one did you end up reworking?" He asked curiously, although he wasn't fully sure if he wanted to hear what that would sound like. He figured it mostly depended on the song itself. There were a few he didn't really like seeing covered and some that he just cheered on whenever he was shown or accidentally came across a fan cover. Depending on the which song she'd chosen he quite possibly would be interested to hear it, although this probably wasn't really the place for it.

He pursed his lips for a moment as he thought. "Did you get the new album yet? Or is it not really your style?" He asked curiously. It was the same style of music but the topic of the entire album was quite a deviation from his usual stuff. He had quite enjoyed the songs he'd written for it over the course of several years and while he also had another album due to release soon that was far more in line with his usual work he was still curious about how fans received the other album. "I presume you play." He then said, nodding to her wrapped instrument. "Care to share a tune?" He asked with a smile. While he mostly meant that she'd play and he'd listen he was willing to chime in if that made her more comfortable. Still, he was quite.. curious.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

”Oh, I totally agree. It helps sort of purge those icky emotions, it can be very therapeutic. she told him with a laugh. Hanna’s expression brighter when he asked if his music wasn’t pretty. She raised a dainty paw with a giggle, shaking her head fervently, ”No, no, you and your music are pretty. I just floofed it up a bit.” Hanna giggled, feeling her heart jump out of her chest. Shit. Maybe that wasn’t something that was to be said to Artists. She’d have to look into that later.

When Auguste asked her what song she had reworked, it was like her biggest dream and nightmare came to reality at the same time. Her face dropped for a second at the thought of playing for the super star. What if he hated it and cursed her out of that music shop, telling her it was an utter disgrace of his art. ”One night at a time…” she said quietly, feeling kind of embarrassed.

Then, he asked if she purchased his latest album. Her expression pulled downwards, ”I’m not even going to lie to your face and tell you I bought it because I didn’t. But not due to it not being my style...I hate to admit it but I’ve been a bit of a workaholic these days so I haven’t had any time to myself to enjoy music or travel until recently.” she admitted to him. Feeling herself talking too much but she could literally chat all day about nothing, ”I’ll get it today if you promise sign it!” the blonde chimed eagerly with a smile.

Auguste asked her if she wanted to play a little snippet of the 'pretty version' and she felt a sudden wave of shyness rush over her. Her eyes softened as she looked up at him through her lashes, ”Only if you promise not to judge me by this atrocity dangling behind my back. She endured a bit of abuse the other night after my most recent ‘therapy sesh’.” she joked lightly, ending with a chuckle. Hanna had a way with self deprecating humor, it was a bit of a defense mechanism. Sometimes she had to laugh to prevent from crying. For some reason, she felt like he always had to appear to be happy for everyone. Even when she wanted to cry her eyes out.

Before he could answer she cracked open the guitar case. Realistically, she was being a little over dramatic, but she liked to keep her possessions nice. She quickly but carefully fastened the two broken strings, praying he didn’t notice the spotty finish on the instrument. Those tear drops probably made her look like a silly little girl. She hated that. ”My name is Hanna, by the way.” she introduced herself, feeling kind of funny she didn't do that already. Obviously, she already knew who he was.


@auguste

[Deleted]

She'd chosen to rework one of the oldest songs he'd written and part of him almost wanted to cringe at the mention, even though he didn't actually think the song had aged badly. It was a proper reflection of how he'd been back then but the painful part was that he felt it was too recognisable now, ever since his break up. Taking things one night at a time wasn't a very productive way to live and he thought he'd gotten far. He'd clearly been wrong, but that didn't have to be a bad thing, maybe? Although in his eyes it certainly was. It was awkward she'd chosen that song out of all the options but well, he'd take it. At least she must have liked the song in order to choose to cover it.

She said she'd buy the album if he promised to sign it and he chuckled. "Well if that is the only reason you'd buy it then perhaps I should say no." He teased her for a moment, feeling she'd earned that at her audacious suggestion. "But maybe I'll feel generous and sign it anyway if you can truthfully say you intended to buy it if we hadn't met today." He said with a twinkle in his eyes. He wanted her to buy the album because she wanted it, not because she'd encountered him and now felt somehow obligated to purchase it. It wouldn't be uncommon to him but well, he actually didn't care why she bought it or wanted it signed. If she wanted to sell it that was none of his business after all.

She mentioned her instrument had taken a bit of a beating and he shrugged with a smile on his face. "I once punched a hole in a guitar. Luckily a good mending charm helped fix it but the poor instrument still has that little edge of hurt to it that only I seem to hear. Considering yours can still be played by the sound of it I suspect the she doesn't mind too much. At least her detriment was due to love and attention and not violent outbursts." He said with a chuckle. His violent outburst had been caused by grief and very swiftly followed with intense regret that he still felt when he played it. He'd been angry with himself and had taken that anger out on something that he considered a part of himself that had not been good enough. A part of him that had failed. There was little logic in there, but he'd only been fourteen back then. It wasn't particularly fair to assume that he'd been reasonable after losing his mother at such a young age, even less so considering the circumstances.

She unpacked her guitar and it didn't look all that bad, except for the broken strings that she fastened so she could actually play. Painful day for the poor instrument indeed. She then introduced herself as Hanna and Gus inclined his head slightly. "Pleasure to meet you Hanna." He said kindly as his eyes were intent on her, curious to see what she'd done with the song. Perhaps it'd give him some inspiration for some new music to hear his old stuff in a different setting. She probably couldn't give it the usual rock flair considering the guitar wasn't exactly built for that. Apart from that she'd mentioned pretty and floofing it up so he presumed it would sound a bit more poppy or like a balad. It made most sense, even though he knew there was more than that possible. He waited patiently for her to start playing and hear what it'd sound like. It was almost enticing, knowing somebody would take something he'd made in order to change it to their own style. It made him a little apprehensive but he felt he had to give it a chance at least. He couldn't stop it either way.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Hanna felt like she had word vomit. She kept saying stupid things to the rockstar that probably made her sound like a stupid little girl. Ugh, she felt herself welling up with shyness, but she also desperately wanted to push it aside. She wasn't going to allow a sudden burst of shyness to lose chances at opportunities. The comment about getting his autograph was definitely out of line. She felt her cheeks go red,  ”Oh, no. I understand why you would say that.” she agreed, ”I will buy It because I want it, but be happy with a candid encounter instead.” the blonde smiled sweetly, looking at him through her lashes as she blinked.

Then, she remembered she agreed to sing for him. Like an idiot. She gave the guitar a brisk strum after getting the strings fastened to her satisfaction. Hanna gave a small look around the empty music shop before looking at Gus, ”You can tell me if you absolutely hate it. I can take constructive criticism, or even the deconstructive kind.” Hanna chuckled, rambling awkwardly with her guitar in her hands. She was happy there weren’t many people in the music store, which she already considered a once in a lifetime experience. She took a breath in before she started, deciding she would sing to Gus, and not the clock on the wall, because it would be more fun that way.

The first couple of measures started with a gentle melody and slowed down lyrics that eventually picked up into a lively, acoustic, pop version accompanied with a guitar breakdown. She knew it wasn't perfect because she hadn't practiced it in a while, but she put her all into it for Gus. Hanna hoped she didn't completely butcher the song to pieces. Hell, she knew it wasn't his 'style' in a traditional sense, but he was an artist so he understood music.  She finished the song with a final strum and breathing smile, feeling like she may pass out.

If this was all a dream she was going to be fucking pissed.


@auguste

[Deleted]

She was a sweet girl, it seemed, as she understood he didn't want his albums sold out of guilt or to 'prove' somebody liked his music. Sometimes that was just a cover because they wanted something signed so they could resell it for a higher price. It was a vulture move he did not appreciate being complicit in.

She told him she'd be able to handle the feedback he gave her, positive or negative and he smiled, nodding. That at least was a good thing, provided she lived up to it.

He listened intently to her as she sang, his eyes primed to take in every minute change in expression on her face, every small detail, no matter how unexpected or small it was. He wanted to see how she experienced his music, because that was what mattered most to him. How people experienced his music, although hearing the song as a cotton candy type pop song was weird at best. Definitively not something he'd ever have released himself.

He nodded for a moment and shrugged. "Well....."

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Hanna felt like she had word vomit. She kept saying stupid things to the rockstar that probably made her sound like a stupid little girl. Ugh, she felt herself welling up with shyness, but she also desperately wanted to push it aside. She wasn't going to allow a sudden burst of shyness to lose chances at opportunities. The comment about getting his autograph was definitely out of line. She felt her cheeks go red,  ”Oh, no. I understand why you would say that.” she agreed, ”I will buy It because I want it, but be happy with a candid encounter instead.” the blonde smiled sweetly, looking at him through her lashes as she blinked.

Then, she remembered she agreed to sing for him. Like an idiot. She gave the guitar a brisk strum after getting the strings fastened to her satisfaction. Hanna gave a small look around the empty music shop before looking at Gus, ”You can tell me if you absolutely hate it. I can take constructive criticism, or even the deconstructive kind.” Hanna chuckled, rambling awkwardly with her guitar in her hands. She was happy there weren’t many people in the music store, which she already considered a once in a lifetime experience. She took a breath in before she started, deciding she would sing to Gus, and not the clock on the wall, because it would be more fun that way.

The first couple of measures started with a gentle melody and slowed down lyrics that eventually picked up into a lively, acoustic, pop version accompanied with a guitar breakdown. She knew it wasn't perfect because she hadn't practiced it in a while, but she put her all into it for Gus. Hanna hoped she didn't completely butcher the song to pieces. Hell, she knew it wasn't his 'style' in a traditional sense, but he was an artist so he understood music.

She finished the song with a final strum and breathing smile, feeling like she may pass out.

@auguste

[hanna horváth]

After Hanna finished the bubblegum pop version of the song, the look on Gus' face made her stomach sink. Everything started to feel hazy and she could hear birds chirping over her shoulder.

Suddenly, Hannas eyes pried opened to the sight of bright light streaming in through the curtains of Rob and Lyra's living room. The blonde was instantly greeted with a pounding headache and dry mouth. She laid stiff on the lumpy pull out mattress, one leg dangling off the bed while she rubbed off last nights crusted make up out of the corners of her eyes.


“Noooooo” she whined dramatically, pulling the covers over her face with a defeated sigh.

Hanna hadn’t met a sexy rockstar. It was all a dream.


@auguste

[END]