Taking a seat beside the Warbler–Blaine sighed and lifted a hand, fingers clasping Skylar’s shoulder lightly to get his attention and try to offer him some form of solid support to lean against if he needed. “I understand how you feel. We all have a list of mistakes we’ve made and regret every second of. I wish I could tell you that it stops but it doesn’t. We’re human and I guess it’s all a part of the learning process.” He cracked an encouraging smile and watched his student closely. “What matters is what we do to fix them and I want to help you figure out how if that’s what you want. Or listen to you talk through it if you’d rather have that. It’s up to you. But I’m here? If that helps?”
As Blaine stood Skylar quickly followed, grabbing his messenger bag to quickly swing over his shoulder. Ensuring that his blazer was properly in place, Skylar took a moment to smooth out the wrinkles and straighten his tie. After the level of perfection he was looking for was reached, he looked up at the coach who was motioning for him to head towards the door. Following the direction, the Head Warbler listened intently as Blaine spoke. The story seemed bizarre, yet not out of character of the Warblers. They seemed to get upset quickly, even when asked if they were all gay. “It is comforting to know that others have had similar struggles.” Skylar said as the story came to an end.
Skylar noticed, he noticed the fall in the face of the older, how for one second it seemed as if something were wrong. Most of the time spent around the former Warbler he was optimistic, energetic, and wise. However, Skylar was smart enough to know that it wasn’t always the case, everyone had secrets. As much as he wanted to push and ask Blaine about his, he knew better than to cross that line. If he wanted to share, he would. “It also also reassuring to know that you all came back from it. It gives me hope that this is all temporary and we will be back to normal soon.” Skylar bit his bottom lip as he took a moment to ponder over the question. There were so many things that the Warblers wanted from this year, they all had goals as a group and as individuals. Yet he knew what the one common goal between all the members was. “We want to bring the honor and good name back to the Warblers.”
Blaine listened to everything Skylar had to say, honing in on the answer to his question first and foremost. What he heard made pride fill his heart. He nodded, skipping back a beat before addressing his purpose of why he asked what he had. “It’s show choir, Skylar. Dramatic outbursts will always be a thing,” he grinned trying to make the boy feel better as they walked towards Dalton’s cafe, “I don’t think you can have one without the other. Even in a place like Dalton.” Hazel eyes roamed over the hallway and he couldn’t help the wistful smile that curved the edges of his mouth. “As peaceful as it is most of the time–the Warblers can have their moments where a spot of chaotic arguments and disagreements can happen. We’ll always come back from whatever happens. Give it time. We’ll remind them of why we all love the Warblers as much as we do.”
“You know? I want that more than anything? To bring our name back to where it was before the fiasco that was Hunter Clarington and his insane idea that we weren’t good enough to win without,” he held up his fingers in air quotations, “help.” Lowering both hands and balling them into loose fists that were shoved into his pockets, he shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “We’re heading in the right direction. I just wish I would have been able to stop it before it ever got that out of hand. Sometimes it’s hard not to think about what would have happened if I just came back when they wanted me to.” There was no way Blaine would’ve ever let that happen. No way in hell. All they could do was rebuild after their reputation was drug through the mud the way it was in the wake of the scandal. There were steps already taken. Skylar and the others would get them the rest of the way there and having the chance to help them along? That was where Blaine’s focus, passion and drive was. “We can’t erase what happened? But I’ll help us fight tooth and nail to get back to where we used to be. I’m really proud to have you to work towards that with, you know?”
Skylar didn’t mind the councilmen and he often found himself conversing with them on different song ideas and how to get the ball rolling to get the creative ideas flowing out of the other Warblers. However, he always felt as if they were pushing themselves and trying to go over the top with everything they did. Even with something as simple as a discussion the names of animals came up when trying to decide if a girl was able to join the Warblers. Trying to prove his point by forcing it upon the rest of the Warblers, it was never a tactic that worked, especially when you bring up squirrel Warblers. Yet even after they all felt guilt and shame, somehow they drifted further apart. The Warblers still a house divided that if not brought together would fall. Skylar was hoping that with this plan they could fix the brotherhood, they had come too far to let it go now.
Skylar knitted his eyebrows together as Blaine continued talking, taking note that he waved off mid sentence. He felt as if he should question it, push it a little further to ensure that everything was okay with their coach. He never understood why he had come back to Dalton in the first place, many students talking about the time he had proposed on the staircase with several different show choirs, how he had gotten into one of the top preforming arts schools in the country. Yet here he was, the Dalton legend himself, back coaching the Warblers. Skylar wanted to know, wanted to help and make sure that he was okay, but he also knew that it was overstepping his boundaries. ‘Maybe another time’ he thought to himself. Nodding at the offer, Skylar quickly agreed. “I can get in contact with them when we are fully ready. As far as I know they are not particularly busy tonight. Coffee sounds great right about now.”
“Great! Let’s get the mechanics down and we’ll call a meeting,” Blaine smiled as he stood and walked to the coat rack near his office door. A plaid jacket was on his shoulders with a shift of limbs and he made sure the collar was in place with a smoothing of his hands before stuffing them in his pockets loosely. A turn of a shoulder and nod of his head in the direction of the door urged Skylar to go first. “I just want to let you know that this isn’t the first time the Warblers or any choir–really–went through some rough times. I mean–once when I was the lead soloist? The mere suggestion I thought we were going to lose at Regionals turned everyone from being willing to turn over the entire song list to me into an explosion of chaos until I got them calmed down enough to hear me out and make a point.”
The wistful smile that began his point faltered but the pinching together of his eyebrows and the deep breath it took him to press on was aimed at the floor and hopefully unnoticed or ignored. It was the first time he let himself think back to that day in what felt like forever. When it used to be one of many memories he toyed with on a whim to get through a boring lesson or too much traffic. His stomach sank but less than a second later–he hoisted it back up and was smiling over at Skylar as he took the lead towards Dalton’s cafe. “What I am saying is? The Warblers are brothers before anything else. Brothers fight. God, do they. They disagree. And go through horrible times.” A nudge of his elbow against Skylar’s stressed his point. “But they’ll always come back together in the end because that bond is too important to break. Okay? We’ll get them through this. Whatever it takes. What’s the most important thing about Dalton and them to you? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“I am sure they will be on board with it. Between you and me, I feel as if they constantly are trying to prove that they are just as good as I am.” Skylar had always felt as if the other two councilmen were trying a little too hard, he had never asked for all the solos, or the head Warbler position. He was voted those things, and somehow they still saw it as a competition.
“I want nothing more than for us to move past this and focus on the real end goal. A team divided like this cannot succeed. We need to be united.” Skylar hated the fact that even a simple idea can cause such chaos in the group. The change hadn’t even happened and they were already at each other’s throats, more so the council member who continually stole his gavel to bring up insane protests. Bringing his focus back to his coach, Skylar nodded in response to the question. “Of course we do. I speak on behalf of all the Warblers, you have done nothing but support us and let us learn for ourselves, while also guiding us in the correct direction.”
Blaine squinted thoughtfully. He understood the pressure that Skylar was under first hand. But when he was in that spot? Either he was oblivious to the fact that might be happening. Or they were all just in a different mindframe. Whatever it took to win was the name of the game. To perform their best, they put out their best. Just being the so-called embodiment of what the rest of them thought the best was? He loved being what and who he was to the Warblers back then. But it didn’t do much help for restful nights weeks leading up to competitions when the pressure stacked up and all eyes were on you.
Still. They were always there to support him. Lift him up and make him feel good about himself. It was concerning to hear that it might not be the case. Seeing it was one thing. Hearing it from the person in question? That was worrisome. Yet, it should be easy to fix. A matter of distract and focus elsewhere. Like on the current pressing matter of WINNING.
Relief flooded in with Skylar’s reassurance. If he was doing his job correctly so far (in spite of his brain being a muddled mess), then he’d keep pressing forward. “Good. I’m glad. It’s just,” he caught himself and waved off his thoughts. “Not important. What’s important is we get into that room and present the event to the Council. Should we call a meeting now? If you’re comfortable, I’m so on board. First? A coffee break though. Come with me and we’ll iron this out. My treat?”
( mssg » skylar | sent ) Great news! The administration from Dalton just sent me an email! They were able to salvage our piano! I know it isn’t much but it’s something. As soon as the insurance approves, we can take it! ( mssg » skylar | sent ) How about we put it in the choir room at McKinley? Since the other piano got blown up.. I want to present it to the guys as a surprise. Maybe it’ll help boost everyone’s spirits. ( mssg » skylar | sent ) While I’m at it. There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about. Whenever you have the time.
Skylar watched Blaine’s movement, noting how quickly he seemed to come up with the solution. Maybe Skylar wasn’t the only one who noticed, maybe Blaine knew it too. Which just meant that as always they were back on the same page. “A challenge?” Skylar played with the idea in his mind, the boys did always love a good challenge, having something to work towards.
Skylar nodded as Blaine suggested the showcase. It could help ease their minds, help them realize that the only members they needed were the ones they had. “I think that would be a great help. I think that all the boys need is a reminder, that with or without females, we’re still a great force.”
“I’ll put it together then. We can start by pitching the idea to the rest of the Council and we’ll see if they’re just as on board as you are,” relief could be seen in his smile that came easier and the way he relaxed against his forearms that held him up against the desk. “I’m pretty sure they’ll love the idea, too? One thing that will never change about us Warblers. We do love our Dalton performances.”
“If it helps everyone move past everything? That’s all I can ask for.” There was still a lingering guilt of feeling like he’d let Jane down in the back of his mind. Mixed with the unsure feeling that he might’ve gone too far by trying to change something so important to not only them but himself, too. In the end? It was a rough situation for her, him and them. They had to move on. Focus. Or they were going to face a failure he wasn’t going to let happen. Losing. Unable to shake one of those feelings the hardest–Blaine bit his lip and read across Skylar’s gaze. Seeming to cave into his own internal debate–he scrunched his nose and winced at the question before it came out. “Skylar? Can I ask you something? Your opinion matters. You don’t have to answer but–. You know you guys are my priority over everything, right? I need you guys to believe that.”
Skylar nodded as Blaine replied, biting his lip as he took a seat in the indicated chair. He set his bag to the side as he settled himself into a more comfortable position. Something told the leader that now wasn’t the best time, that maybe his coach had more important thing to attend to. But he also knew that he already came this far, there was no point in backing out. As he brought his gaze back to his mentor, Skylar took a breath before diving into his previously written speech.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed, but the Warblers have been a little..disconnected. Ever since Jane transferred teams, they have been upset. Which is understandable, however I need your help trying to get the team back up to par. We have so much potential, I would hate for this one incident to ruin it.”
Sighing quietly after Skylar voiced his concerns and only confirmed that they were on the same page–Blaine sat back in his chair and rested laced together fingers on top of his stomach. His thumbs jutted up in time with his eyebrows–an idea came to mind. “I have noticed. And the Warblers mean far too much to me to let this keep festering. You’re right. It’ll wreck us from the inside out if we ignore what’s going on and this team has been through too much to fall again. I think we need a challenge to focus on again.”
The Warblers thrive on the energy of performing above anything else. Why not give it to them? “What about a mid-season showcase? Assign everyone to pick their own song and perform it in front of the school? Or we could pair off. A group performance at the end could really be the kicker. We need something to work towards. Get our focus back on what means the most to us. Each other and the music and what we do best. What are your thoughts on what they need? Do you think this will help?”
Skylar gathered what was left of his papers off the table as his fellow Warblers went to leave the practice room. After hearing Jane transferred schools, most of them felt upset that they pushed her out of the school. As hard as he tried he couldn’t convince them that it wasn’t their fault, they followed the only tradition that the founder had left, it wasn’t a bad thing. Maybe it was just his point of view, but it was something he felt strongly about. Being a traditionalist wasn’t a bad thing.
The upperclassman waited for the room to empty before approaching their coach. He wanted to get a chance to talk to him, see if he would be able to use his usual motivational speeches to bring the Warblers back on track. Although Skylar was the head of the council, he still was glad to have a coach to help him. Especially one that was a former Warblers, one who understood what it meant to be part of this brotherhood. “Mr. Anderson, can I talk to you?” He asked, gripping the end of his leather bag.
Blaine retreated office promptly after practice. Glad for some peace and quiet so he could pull his thoughts together and focus. Skylar wasn’t the only one to notice the drop in the Warblers morale since Jane left. Everyone was quieter. The ones who kept stoic faces were few. Most of them felt guilty. In Blaine’s opinion–which he wouldn’t dare share with anyone? They deserved to. They needed to learn a lesson. That sometimes things have to change to become better, stronger. What he hated most about the situation other than losing Jane and hurting her? Was a small voice in the back of his head said he needed to understand the more traditional members as well. Until–maybe–one day? He might be able to lead them elsewhere.
Ugh. Everything was a mess. Much like the oncoming trainwreck of his personal life. Elbows propped on the desk–he rested his forehead against upturned palms. Damn it. Everything was out of the control he struggled so hard to get back. Out of it all? Fixing the Warblers needed to be his priority. And it was. But–seriously? Could he get a break? He barely noticed Skylar until he heard him. Blaine quickly shut down his too full brain and shifted into a welcoming, albeit still vaguely frustrated smile when looked up and dropped his hands to the desk. “Skylar. Sure. Come in and have a seat,” he nodded at the chair close by. “What can I help you with?”
pianokeysandbowties 