Afterparty 5.0

[forcegalactic]

[There's not much that can be believed about that trial. Or that execution. Still, like before, two hours after everyone leaves, they'll find a note slipped underneath their doors.]

We have to stick together. The dining room is there for anyone that needs a quiet space, and I cooked dinner.

Hibiki made some coffee and dessert for all of us.

-Mordecai Benmont Jiminy and Hibiki Ganaha

[Today's selection includes potato pancakes and a light coffee cake. Hibiki has lit two more candles in the dining hall. It doesn't take long before Mordecai lights a third.]

Comments

[oftheland]

...oh, well, that's always true. Still, I feel like we should recruit someone with a decent voice, at the very least.

[forcegalactic]

No, that ain't the point of singin' for dead friends. You gotta give it your all, and you'r feelin's will come out true.

...Which, when I think about it, sounds awful lot like what my piano was sayin'...

But I can at least show you got it goes. We could use a bit of singin' in these parts.

[oftheland]

...wait, your piano was saying it? Is this a Mars thing?

But... I don't know. I guess it can't hurt to give it a shot.

[forcegalactic]

The one upstairs in the bar. It used to have an AI, but it's been shot to death before I came here.

Sure...but I much rather not cause a ruckus while everyone else needs the peace and quiet. Wanna try the ballroom, in case you know how to play the piano?

[oftheland]

Oh, I see... well, that sounds pretty helpful, at the very least. I'd assume it had a database of songs it'd play?

...and no, I don't know how to play the piano at all. I'm really not musically inclined.

[forcegalactic]

Well, that too, but the AI was there to come up with its own songs from time to time. The plan to create radiation to force us to sing along was unintended.

[The necessary pause everyone required when Mordecai talks about Thrilling Adventure Hour.]

Well, don't mind me if I feel a bit nervous hummin' the melody, then. As catchy as it may be, I don't much like rememberin' the time I started singin' it out of nowhere.

[oftheland]

...Oh, I see. I guess that's just the risk you take with an AI, huh? Although, I really think it depends on the programmer.

[...he's a bit less fazed by that than one might think.]

Well, it's not really out of nowhere here, is it?

[forcegalactic]

[He likes that, Giovanni. You don't make him have to tell you about Thrilling Adventure Hour.

He really appreciates that.]

...When you qere liftin' that glass, that was prime time for a song about how much we miss 'em. But anyway, I'll hum the tune for you, you can think of whatever words you want, alright?

[oftheland]

[hey, he's been asked about Pokemon a lot.

he understands.]

Sounds good enough for me, then. Whenever you're ready.

[forcegalactic]

[As they walk out of the dining hall, Mordecai begins humming a little tune softly, as if he doesn't feel like singing it much. Once outside, he remembers the emotion of the song and hums the verse a little louder. It's simple, repetitive, but once he gets used to it, he sings one verse and the bridge quietly.]

Trouble won't leave me alone.
Botheration dogs my bones.
I guess I'll reap just what I've sown,
Poor me, pour me another!

Heaven help all these sad souls, the bottle's their damnation
But what's inside it soothes my woes, so serve up some salvation!

[And he hums the verse one final time before turning to Giovanni expectedly.]

Kinda easy to come up words for, right?

[oftheland]

...Yeah, it is.

[...oh god that was kind of expectant but he can't sing. he just can't. let him take a drink.]

It doesn't seem terribly related to any of them, though...

[forcegalactic]

[You asked him, alright? He didn't ask for the music life. At least drinking songs give Giovanni an excuse to drink to forget.]

But now you got the song, at least.

[oftheland]

[you staaarted it...]

I do indeed. Maybe I ought to work on it... or someone ought to work on it, anyway.

[forcegalactic]

Well, ask the Conductor, 'cause he's the one who likes workin' with music in the first place.

[oftheland]

He doesn't seem to actually like playing it, though, or I imagine we'd get a musical treat over the intercom one of these days.

[forcegalactic]

Then we can ask him to arrange it for Susan or Logan to play. It shouldn't be that hard for him to write something based off an existing melody.

[oftheland]

I guess the biggest question there is "will he do it," but I suppose it's worth a try. He can be cooperative on occasion.