Day 57: Music Room (Fourth Shift)

[human-sponge.livejournal.com]

While Peter was glad that he had been able to meet not one, but two new patients and give them some advice, he had to admit that he was itching to see a familiar face by now. Actually, it was one in particular that he was looking for, and one that most people who knew him would have been able to guess on the first try. In others words, he hadn't seen Claire all day and he was worried about her.

It was possible that she was tied up with a visitor, which worried him. While he had been through it himself and had come out of it okay despite the fact that he'd had to face both his brother and his mom at different points, he didn't know how Claire would be able to handle it. What if one of her family members showed up? Or a friend of hers?

Even though he was close to Claire, the fact was that he still didn't know that much about her. Where would she go, if given the choice? It seemed like outside would be far too cold to go by choice, so where did that leave him? He hadn't seen her in the Sun Room, so he decided to search the Music Room next. Teenagers were usually interested in music, weren't they? Granted, he didn't even know what Claire liked -- pop, rock, maybe even country?

However, as he walked into the room in question, there was no sign of his niece, which forced a sigh out of him. He figured he'd probably be best off searching elsewhere (maybe the Game Room next?), but decided to pause and give the CD collection a glance over. It was usually too crowded to get a good look at them, but not today. Maybe he could take a walk down memory lane...

[Free!]

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[age-of-kings.livejournal.com]

Stranger and stranger. Just when Tolten was certain that he had been taken for every surprise, encountered the crowning of bizarre and inexplicable, the strange institute managed to outdo itself.

At least this time, Tolten was able to offer up some input as to what he wanted to do or where he wanted to go. The nurse (or solider, or guard, or whatever it was) was rather like having one of his attendants. In fact, if he tried hard enough, he could pretend that she was. And so with an authority and a presence he didn't entirely feel, the young king had informed her that he wished to repose in the music room, thank you very much.

The woman gave him a mildly amused stare, and began to lead the way. That was when she produced the letter (http://age-of-kings.livejournal.com/1354.html).

"How lucky!" she had said, handing it over. "Already getting mail from home!"

And then she had deposited him outside the music room, leaving him to gape without comprehension at the envelope in his hands. The sheer absurdity of anyone from home sending him a letter....

He opened it as he entered the music room proper, pausing a moment at the sounds issuing forth. Well, it seemed as though there were instruments, that was nice. His eyes were staring at the letter in his hands, however. He was aware that the words were going into his mind, and that they were all perfectly normal words that he understood entirely. They were even in proper sentences that made perfect sense and conveyed complex ideas in a simple to understand manner.

They were also written by what could only be described as a madman attempting to pass themselves off as his teacher, father figure and eventual usurper. The sheer insanity of it was all that kept Tolten from shaking in his slippers or vomiting just inside the music room door.

"This...well, this can't exist," he mumbled to himself. He looked up, trying to push it away. Suddenly, he felt reality sort of shift and thin. He felt like he was in a waking dream, and he looked upon the music room with distant eyes. There was the source of the noise, a white haired man attempting to coax music from one of the saddest looking little pianos Tolten had ever seen.

Letter held loosely in one hand, he crossed the distance between door and man-at-piano. Even the instruments weren't right here. For the moment uncaring of how rude and uncouth he was being, Tolten simply stood, looking down at the piano thing as the man played, a look of incomprehension and loss evident on his features.

Super late to this! I am so sorry! orz

[gargantuanlaugh.livejournal.com]

It was a little hard to get into the groove of the music when it wasn't the full, vibrant sound of a stationary pipe organ, so large the pipes took up the entire wall. Music like that just filled the air with energy. The sounds coming from the small speakers on the keyboard were just pathetic. It almost wasn't worth it. Almost. Not luxurious, certainly, but at least it helped Gant relax a bit. He missed the days just pounding out deafening melodies on his pipe organ in the office. People always complained, but he didn't much care to listen. They just didn't appreciate true art.

After a while, Gant realized that someone had entered the room and actually walked towards him. How very odd. Normally, his peons at the precinct were pretty keen to walk in the other direction when he was playing. Perhaps he had finally attracted the right sort of person, someone who understood high art in all its grandeur. There wasn't much that was grand about the keyboard, but perhaps this fellow at least had a head for finer things.

Refusing to let up on his playing, Gant turned his head to the side and grinned. He had to speak loudly to be heard over the keyboard, but not as loud as he might have with a real pipe organ. Good thing the Chief didn't mind speaking loudly even under normal circumstances. "Thought some tunes would lighten up the place. Fond of music there, kid?"

No worries, it happens! :D

[age-of-kings.livejournal.com]

The letter still held in Tolten's hand but willingly ignored now, the young king watched the man's fingers moving over the keys. He was both fascinating and bothered by the little piano instrument that made such twanging sounds.

And then he realized he was being spoken to.

"Yes..." he responded in his lilting accent, nodding slowly. "I quite enjoy music. I took lessons as a small child, and my mother played the harp." At least, he thought it was the harp. She had played something, he could remember that much. She would play and sing him lullabies. But perhaps he was simply getting confused, as he played string instruments and Her Majesty favored the harp.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you," he went on. "But today has been very strange and a small bit of normal familiarity...." he gave a weak smile as he trailed off. Tolten's head still felt light and strange, and he couldn't shake this sense of being in a dream. "Er...what manner of instrument is this? I've never seen a piano or an organ quite like it...."

<3 I appreciate your understanding~

[gargantuanlaugh.livejournal.com]

Hmm, an Englishman, no doubt about it. There weren't too many with that sort of accent around these parts. How interesting...

Gant had to focus a bit to listen and keep up his playing, but he found the music hadn't left him. He had excellent muscle memory when it came to his favorite old tunes. Listening was what took most of the energy. He didn't like listening much, but sometimes it was expected to form stronger bonds of companionship, which could often lead to more useful alliances.

Gant had to approve of the woman who instilled music in her child at a young age. He was sure to go far in life with an extra skill up his sleeve, and there was always room for people with a mind for music. He nodded to show he was still listening.

"No, not a problem at all! Not even a little one!" Gant chuckled, though his mind was whirling in curiosity. Second day in a row the Chief had run into someone with a slightly more dated view of the world, though not recognizing an electrical instrument was definitely much more acceptable than not recognizing an honest to goodness grocery store. Maybe the kid's parents were old fashioned and kept him sheltered from electrical instruments. Or else, he really wasn't from modern times, like Gant was slowly beginning to accept from some of the patient body. Well, putting that matter aside for now, Gant focused on the question at hand and answered gamely.

"It's an electric keyboard," he began, slowing the speed of his playing down just a smidge. "It synthesizes music and can play just about any instrument's sound imaginable. And it plays some sounds that aren't necessarily instruments either, but that's kiddy stuff. Personally, I like the old fashioned piano and organ much better."

Kid seemed a bit spacey right now. Probably was a little overwhelmed, if his fascination with the keyboard was any indication. What better way to ground someone than a polite introduction? "Name's Gant, by the way. Damon Gant."

[age-of-kings.livejournal.com]

He was glad that he wasn't interrupting. Tolten hated bumbling or putting his foot in his mouth, though he did so too often. He listened to the explanation of the instrument, recognizing that word, 'electric'. He understood now that that was the power that lit and ran the building and it's mechanics. It was, as far as he could tell, remarkably similar to magical energy.

It was used for practically the same things, at least.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, nodding. "It runs on a current! It's not really a proper piano at all. Well, I suppose I oughtn't say that, it isn't an improper instrument.... Though that must make it rather difficult to keep in tune..." Laughing nervously, Tolten began mentally kicking himself. Delightful. Clearly insanity for him was simply babbling like...like an idiot.

"You'll have to excuse me. I'm having an odd day." Which was an understatement, and something he found himself repeating far too often. "And once more, I've forgotten my manners! I swear, this isn't like me! I'm Tolten, Mr. Gant. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[gargantuanlaugh.livejournal.com]

Tolten needn't have worried about being inconsiderate around Gant. Brash was what Gant was all about. People who stood up for themselves went far in the world! But kids that were willing to be unassuming and make themselves useful were always welcome.

A current. That was one way to think of it. "I wouldn't call it a proper piano either. Definitely lacks the warm sounds of a true piano. But as for tuning, that's all pre-programmed." How did he explain this? If the kid really didn't know anything about electronics, then he probably shouldn't use too much technology lingo. Though Gant wasn't too tech savvy himself. "I guess you could say it's impossible for it to fall out of tune."

He wanted to show off the instrument's capabilities a bit, so he ceased in his playing altogether and started fiddling with the numberpad. Now, what digits did he need to change it to play the harp? That would likely leave a good impression on him.

What a polite kid. More needed to learn to follow his example. But maybe he should make the kid sweat it out a little, just to keep him in line a bit. Quieting, Gant turned his stare to Tolten, looking over the rims of his clear, institute-issued glasses. And he stood there quietly for a minute, just blinking. Then, without warning, Gant let loose a chuckle and grinned again, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Really, it's no problem at all! Good to meet you too, lad!"