Rodrigo Cantor

Lithia’s eyes widened in surprise when the pianist tapped a finger against his throat. Not only did he play the piano, but he sang as well. It shouldn’t be a surprise considering most can play an instrument and sing. Hell, she once saw a video of a woman dancing and playing the violin at the same time. It was amazing. “It’s nice to meet you Rodrigo, I’m Lithia. Are you sure? I don’t want to distract you from practice” 

Conflict brewed inside, should she stay or leave him to practice? The young woman was curious as to what he was going to play and sing. Yet at the same time, she did not want to intrude on anything out of politeness. 

Chewing on her lower lip, Lithia shifted on her feet a bit before nodding as if having made a decision. “Are you practicing for a recital or some exam?” She did not see any announcements for a recital on the bulletin board, exams or tryouts for more prestigious schools and professionals that were looking for new talent. But it never hurt to ask, plus, she had nothing else to do once she went home. Unless vegging out on the couch counted as something productive. 

No problem. This won’t be the first time I’ve played for somebody. It’ll be fun!

“Me? Oh, no, I don't actually take any classes here,” Rodrigo explained with a shake of his head. “I mean, I did, but back when I was a kid. I just come here sometimes to practice and, you know...get away from it all.”

It also might have something to do with the fact that he was an evil son of a bitch secretly in league with a world-destroying demon, of course. That tended to lend a man confidence, and confidence was something Cahill had in spades.  

“I’m sorry, please forgive me. You’re Rodrigo, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He offered the kid his hand, then led him into his office. “There’s a water cooler if you’d like. It’s hotter than hell out there. So.” He walked over to his desk, glanced down at the notes left on it, and quirked an eyebrow. “My last intern, Dana, is apparently taking some unexpected personal time in the desert, on some quest for a blinking light or something. Her messages were vague. Anyway.” He unbuttoned his jacket and sat down. “She won’t be joining us again, which leaves me with you. Now, I hate to say this, but nobody’s told me anything about you yet – which leaves you very much on the spot. So. Take a load off and tell me about yourself, hm?" 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Senator Cahill,” the new intern replied, shaking the other’s hand firmly. As Rodrigo followed Cahill into his office, he took a few seconds to admire the room’s fixtures and decor. One day, Rodrigo hoped to have a similar office of his very own in Starling City.

Gratefully taking a cup of water, the young man raised an eyebrow at the mention of this “Dana”. From what the Senator was saying about her, she seemed an...interesting individual.

Rodrigo accepted Cahill’s invitation to sit down, a little nonplussed that the Senator hadn’t received any information about him before he’d arrived in Gotham. However, he figured Cahill had been occupied by more pressing matters during that time, if the stacks of paper on his desk were any indication.

Standing up, the young dancer dusted of the black mesh wrap skirt that reached just below her knees. Not that the floor was dirty, it was a habit that kept her hands busy when around strangers at the school. Other than her teacher and the occasional student, there were many students that came and went that Lithia did not know or only met for a brief moment. Turning to make her way toward the small duffel bag she brought in, her eyes landed on the stranger, taking in his appearance and noted the thick book under his arm. Unable to fully read to know what kind of book it was, she guessed that he was either a composer or a pianist or both. Not that she knew much about music, just enjoyed it. 

Flashing him a smile when he took a tentative step toward her and made a query concerning her well being. “I am, just haven’t the freedom to choose the style of dance and music in quite some time. It was…liberating?” Lithia’s nose scrunched up as she couldn’t quite find the right word to describe the feeling she had felt earlier. It was definitely freeing and exhilarating. Hands on hips, the young dancer shook her head and shrugged. 

“You’ve picked the right room for your practice. Out of all the pianos here, I rather like the sound of this one…Not sure why, I just do.” It was half a lie. There were certain instruments that invoked strong feelings inside of her or helped her get lost in the feeling they were trying to convey through musical notes brought to life by a myriad of instruments. Some had a sound that just created a much stronger feeling by themselves. Granted, it had been quite some time since the last time Lithia heard the piano be played, so it made her wonder if it had changed or not. Perhaps it was her child like mind that found some sort of magic in it. 

He hummed in agreement as he moved to sit before the piano’s keys, setting his book on top of the instrument. “Instruments can have that effect on people. Each has its own unique sounds and tones that become familiar after a while, like the voice of an old friend.” His fingers moved involuntarily spoke, a soft arpeggio ringing about the otherwise empty dance studio.

“But the piano is only my second-favorite instrument. That honor goes to this one, right here,” Rodrigo grinned, tapping a finger against his throat. “My name’s Rodrigo, by the way. I wasn’t expecting an audience, but you’re welcome to stick around, if you want.”

Lithia Rahn had a tendency to get lost in the music. To let it take hold of the strings attached to her limbs and guide her like a puppet, thus letting her mind seek a brief respite from the on goings of the world around her. Even more so whenever she had to dance at the club, entertaining all who laid eyes upon her like some prize they wanted to grab hold off. It helped her get through the motions as she danced on stage to whatever music was decided upon. Usually it was something that never increased in tempo and left her moving in a succession of slow, soft, lyrical and continuous movements, giving the illusion that each position flowed from one into the other seamlessly. Even more so with the flowing white dresses she had to wear. 

At least, in the safety of the school where she learned to dance, she had the choice in music. Ranging from simple piano medleys to more upbeat rhythms that rose and fell like a leaf carried by the wind. 

The rhythms continued to rise, getting ready to reach the climax that left any who heard it with a sense of freedom. Pulse mimicking the beat and leaving the listener with a wide smile. For the lone dancer, it meant fast and dynamic movements with an array of sequences that was filled with energy. Bringing forth the hidden smile and light back into her eyes. With one final jump, the music ended and Lithia was left panting in the middle of the classroom. Without the gracefulness that she exhibited moments before, the young woman plopped onto the floor and fell onto her back. 

Enjoying the cool feeling on her back, she closed her eyes and let out a content sigh. For the first time in months, her mind was clear of troublesome thoughts. No fear or worries clouded her and left her wanting to cry at every little thing. She wanted this moment to last for a lifetime. To enjoy the peace, smile, laugh and go about life without a care in the world. To join with fellow dancers and perform in front of a proper audience. Perhaps go to school and get a degree. 

Although the University offered a well-equipped facility for the use of its musically inclined students, it just didn’t provide the same comforting warmth from his childhood, when the world seemed brighter and he could grow up to be anything he wanted.

Rodrigo paced down the halls with a thick piano book in under his arm, greeting and passing his former choir director as he hunted for an unoccupied classroom. There was one in particular that he knew housed a piano used to accompany the dancers’ routines. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be trespassing on a dance class in session.

“There it is,” the student murmured under his breath, twisting the doorknob and entering the empty dance studio. Empty, that is, save for an enervated girl sprawled out on the room’s floor.

“Oh, um, that’s alright,” Rodrigo stammered sheepishly, feeling foolish for having intruded on…whatever the young woman had been up to. “I can go find another place to practice.”

And he would’ve turned tail and scurried out of the studio if concern and perhaps a bit of curiosity for the fallen girl hadn’t begun nibbling at his thoughts.