Day 36: Music Room

[tony-castaway.livejournal.com]

He must have eaten, because he wasn't hungry, but Tony didn't remember eating. He'd been too excited about the ideas that Fwiffo had given him. But he was sitting at a cafeteria table alone with an empty plate in front of him when the announcement came on. Other rooms? He stood up and started that way before the nurses arrived. When his caught up to him, she made him backtrack and put up his tray, then tried to get him to go outside, but no, he wanted the music room.

Once there--it was still empty--Tony went straight for the box of small musical instruments and plucked one of the recorders he and Kvothe had left behind the other night. He didn't want to risk the one he had already safely hidden. Satisfied that he was just going to sit and play the plastic wind instrument, the nurse left Tony alone. He cleaned the entire instrument outside and as far inside as his fingers could reach using the hem of his shirt, then put it to his lips.

Before long, he was lost in the haunting melodies that poured out of his head and into the breath the blew through the instrument. Nothing magical happened when he played--he didn't feel the stir or pull of objects wanting to dance around--which disappointed him some, but this is what he wanted most: the music. Music had been a friend to him and Tia since before he could remember clearly.

(for Takaya)

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[showtime-matsu.livejournal.com]

Brunch had been pretty good, Matsuda supposed, if a bit quiet. It was probably better, so that he could at least come to terms with the fact that right now he couldn't rely on L, but he really wasn't much of one for quiet. So when given the choice to go anywhere he wanted, within reason, Matsuda made a beeline for the music room.

By his logic, which he knew wasn't always right, it was probably the loudest room available. After all, he had to make up for the lack of conversation at brunch. Not only would there be people to talk to (maybe), but there were instruments. He could probably distract himself with that, and maybe even get some practice in for his band with Demyx. They still needed to find more people for that, too.

Matsuda was thrilled to find that there were some small drums in the room. Hadn't he told Demyx that he could probably play something like that? It seemed pretty quiet so far, though, so he went over and picked up the sticks, set on figuring out whether or not he really could play them.

[sitard3d.livejournal.com]

Demyx could hardly pass up a chance to go the music room when it was offered him, could he? Even though there was a frustrating lack of any sort of stringed instruments there, any sort of music was at least something.

He brightened up considerably from his aggravation at wondering what sort of decent music room didn't even have a guitar when he saw that one of the two people in the room was Matsuda - and that he was by a set of drums. He had to be practicing for their band!

"Hey!" he called happily, trotting up to him.

[showtime-matsu.livejournal.com]

It was easy enough to keep a simple rhythm on one of the drums, but it sure didn't take long for Matsuda to realize that it was going to take a lot more practice before he was band-worthy, and he didn't know where to start.

That was, of course, until he heard Demyx calling and looked up, grinning. "Hey!" he replied, waving one of the drumsticks. "You've got good timing." He still had several things he'd wanted to ask him about music, especially since the guy actually knew how to carry a tune (or so he claimed); not to mention Demyx had been one of the first few people Matsuda had met here who had been nice to him. Him and...Keman, wasn't it? He still needed to find him, too, and apologize for having been tossed at him by the nurse.

"I was just trying to see how much I need to learn," he explained, laying the sticks across one of the drums and smiling up at Demyx. "How's it going?"

[sitard3d.livejournal.com]

"Pretty good," Demyx replied happily. "I've made some more friends. And I invited another guy to join our band! He's really cool." Anyone who'd offer to help a Nobody had to be cool. "What about you? You having any luck? I can show you a little, if you want - the drums aren't really my main thing, but I took lessons when I was a little kid. You know, when I was still human," he felt compelled to add. Nobodies didn't really age, or at least not that any of them had noticed; the only 'kid' Nobody he'd ever met was Roxas, who'd probably complain about being called a kid anyway.

[showtime-matsu.livejournal.com]

"Oh, ah...I think I've got a long way to go," Matsuda admitted sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his head. "Lessons would be great." After all, he really had no clue what he was doing, and Demyx did.

At least the drums were something he could hopefully pick up quickly. Matsuda sure as hell didn't want to be left behind by the other band members. Speaking of which... "And it's great that you found someone else for the band!" he continued, grinning again. "I was gonna say that we needed to keep an eye out for anyone who might be interested."

Really, Matsuda wasn't sure what was cooler about the whole thing: that it had started up on a whim, or that they were seriously considering it and finding other people to help. No one had ever taken him this seriously about a whim before. It just proved what a great guy Demyx was, human or not.

[forgot-my-life.livejournal.com]

Takaya had wanted to go back to his room. That got a no. He'd then "suggested" the courtyard. No again. Apparently, he wasn't going to be left alone, but he ALSO could be anywhere he might get 'worked up'. The stupid chick started in on how he would be having plenty of excitement later, but she wouldn't say more.

Screw her.

So now, he stood outside the music room, with it's grand total of shit to do, and glared at the woman shoving him towards the other people in the room. Fuck that. He walked over towards Tony (at least it was someone he knew) and sat down on the floor near him, shooting the woman a look that clearly said 'Happy?' She seemed to be and left him alone.

[tony-castaway.livejournal.com]

Tony didn't even notice Takaya approaching with the nurse, but the other's single bitter word got his attention. He brought down the recorder and raised his eyebrows at Takaya. "Are you okay?" A quick glance after the nurse didn't show her to be particularly spiteful, for a nurse. "Did she do something to you?"

[forgot-my-life.livejournal.com]

"She brought me here," Takaya said without looking at Tony. "I'd rather not be around fucking people right now." He picked at the splint on his wrost. The cast had come off at some point, and it was now wrapped tightly in a splint. The bones were only fractured now, rather than crushed, and it itched like a mother fucker.

[tony-castaway.livejournal.com]

"Well since I'm just your friend and not anyone like that, you'll be fine," Tony said. He tried not to grin too widely, because he thought it might annoy Takaya, which isn't what he wanted to do at all. "Where have you been since the other night?"

[forgot-my-life.livejournal.com]

Takaya glanced over at Tony, then back to the ground. "Tried to get outside last night. Didn't work. Never got past the hallway. You?"

Not that he was concerned or anything...

[floraltempest.livejournal.com]

When given the choices, MOMO chose the music room without any hesitation. Even if the keyboard was always taken when she got there, she still enjoyed spending time in the room whenever she was given the opportunity. It was always nice to simply listen as others played the various instruments that were provided.

It was a surprise, however, when she arrived at the room and discovered that the keyboard was actually free. MOMO couldn't help but smile at that, and she quickly moved to take a seat at it. Between everything that had happened at home and ending up here, it'd been a while since she'd last played. And the fact that she was still somewhat wary of playing in front of Juli didn't help much, either.

The realian shook her head slightly, not wanting to let those types of thoughts distract her, and then let her fingers move over the keys. Satisfied with the way the notes sounded, she began to play a soft melody.

[udo-retrovirus.livejournal.com]

Free shift to Junior was just like brunch, he didn't know where to start. As long as he'd been here, they'd had every shift spelled out for him, and even his nights had plans, even if it didn't always work out the way it was supposed to. Much as he might hate this place, he did like this bit of freedom that they were given. Now if only this bout of benevolence in keeping the patient body happy would extend into everything else, including the removal of the nightshift. He could deal with everything else if there weren't monsters running around and looking to tear them apart.

The redhead had briefly considered heading into the game room before he spotted MOMO heading into the music room. After a quick check of the bulletin board, he followed her inside, and stopped when he saw her heading over to the keyboard.

Well, this was familiar, and it made sense that she would play the piano. He stood back for a moment, listening to her as she started to play. It brought back some nice memories, and he thought that Juli would like it, had she been around to hear it. It might be tough for her, with the memories of Sakura, but Junior was confident that she would also appreciate it. He also really wished that they had a harmonica lying around that he could use to practice along. Sure, they had recorders, but he was better with a harmonica and it just wasn't the same.

After a moment, Junior walked over to stand on the other side of the keyboard. "Sounds nice," he commented, giving her a smile. "Have you been keeping up practice here?"

[floraltempest.livejournal.com]

She hadn't expected to see Junior, and she'd kept her attention on the music while she played. When he came over and spoke, MOMO nearly jumped, and she hit the wrong notes before pulling her hands back.

"I don't think that last part sounded very good," she tried to joke, giving a slightly nervous laugh. "But, um, thank you." She'd only been thinking of her mother, but with the redheads appearance she had to wonder what he thought. Thankfully he didn't seem to be put off by it, and that was a huge relief.

"No, actually," She shook her head and glanced back to the keyboard before turning to him. "The keyboard is usually already taken whenever I get here. This is the first time I've been able to play." Hopefully it wouldn't be the last. As nice it was listening to someone else play the keyboard, it was nice being able to play it herself too.

After a pause, she resumed her playing. She wasn't sure whether or not Junior would mind, but it didn't seem fair for her to stay seated at the keyboard and not play. The realian did still want to talk to him too, though, so she kept the melody light. "Um, you play an instrument too, don't you? Have you been able to practice lately?"

[udo-retrovirus.livejournal.com]

Oops. He hadn't meant to make her mess up. "Well, maybe not that last part," he teased, chuckling slightly. "But really? You could've fooled me."

He was glad when she resumed playing, though. He'd interrupted her, after all, and didn't want her to stop if she really wanted to play. MOMO was good at it, and it was something that she and Sakura would have really gotten along about. Junior wasn't sure if it was because she had Sakura's memories or if she just really liked it, but he wasn't complaining and didn't plan on bringing it up. Whatever made her happy was okay by him.

"And I do play, but I don't think they have it, so no." He glanced around once more for good measure, but nothing jumped out at him. It was a pretty obscure instrument, anyway, so he shrugged. "It's okay, though. I hadn't practiced in a while even before this, so a little longer probably won't hurt." Junior rubbed at the back of his head, giving his own nervous laugh at the admission before continuing. "It's been a while since I just listened to someone else play, anyway, so I'm glad I was able to catch you. How've you been?"

[floraltempest.livejournal.com]

MOMO giggled, unable to help herself, at his teasing. The fact that he could tease was a very good sign, at least in her mind.

"That's too bad." She would've liked a chance to hear him play. Things back home had been too busy and frantic for anyone to really take some time to relax and enjoy something as simple as music. Even after everything had calmed somewhat, everyone needed time to readjust to everything. And then, of course, Junior had gone with Shion and the Elsa's crew when they left. "It would've been nice to be able to hear you play too, but... um..." She dropped her gaze to the keys and donned a mildly bashful expression. "I'd be happy to play for you again sometime, if you'd like."

MOMO glanced up briefly again before continuing. "And I've been fine. I was able to rest most of last night, so I'm sure that'll make things easier tonight. What about you? How have you been doing?"

[kanpekinasenshi.livejournal.com]

Seiya had immediately answered yes to the music room, although it wasn't quite what she'd expected. Maybe too much time spent around professional studios and their apartments' soundproofed smaller studio had spoiled her. Besides, it seemed as though people were occupied... someone was sitting at the drums, and she tried not to get jealous. A girl was playing the keyboard, a gentle tone. All of that was perfectly nice, but Seiya needed music.

If she wasn't going to generate it, she could at least listen to it. The nurses directed her to the headphones. As much as they played love ballads and pop songs, and as much as she loved a good beat, she still liked classical music as well, and was perfectly comfortable with listening to that to try and relax a little. Sitting around worrying didn't help anything. She just wished she could turn the sound up a little more, and really drown out everything else in the room.

[byname-bynature.livejournal.com]

There weren't many places a wheelchair-bound boy could go. Especially one with tubes shoved up his nose. Artemis' nurse gave him the options of the Music Room, or the Library ("Going outside? Out of the question!"). Artemis decided he'd had his fill of being intellectual at brunch, and opted for the choice that would allow him to simply sit back and vegetate.

He blamed Near. After one's been stabbed in the chest, being intellectual while pumped full of painkillers wasn't high on the priority list. Now he was thoroughly aggravated, and had plotting to do. He couldn't very well let Near continue to think he had healing ability. Which, of course, he didn't. Not anymore. Not after Mello killed it instead of him. Just wonderful. Now he had to be safe until the full moon came. No more fighting with reckless abandon.

The nurse set Artemis up with a CD player and some classical music. "You'll have to bear with it, Sean. Upbeat music could aggravate your heart."

What a stupid idea, Artemis thought with a smirk as she walked away. Doesn't she know that things like Dvorak, and Toccata and Fugue can increase one's heartrate drastically?

Apparently not. But for now, Artemis looked through his options.

(For Obi-Wan! ♥)

[braidless.livejournal.com]

It was always a little jarring to find they had a free choice in where to go, especially when every other day had such a strict schedule. Between that and visitors, the patients were generally more scattered through out the building on "Sundays", which made it more difficult to find familiar faces.

That's why he was surprised when he chose to go to the music room, and found none other than Artemis Fowl sitting with one of the Earthian music devices. What was more startling, however, was his condition. While it wasn't unusual for patients to be sporting bandages or fresh bruises, becoming wheelchair-bound and hooked to other devices was considerably more severe.

It looked like the boy had definitely seen better days.

The Jedi approached him. "Artemis," he said quietly, "what happened?"

[byname-bynature.livejournal.com]

Artemis looked up from his CDs, immediately happy to hear Obi-Wan's voice. But once he took note of his friend's tone, he felt more guilty than happy. His expression fell a little.

Unlike Haku, Hitsugaya, and Near, Artemis trusted Obi-Wan not to endanger the situation further. Obi-Wan, if Artemis knew him, would keep the information to himself. He could trust him.

"A patient... finally decided to take out his frustrations on me. We never got along to begin with."

[braidless.livejournal.com]

So it wasn't a monster who had attacked Artemis. Sadly, it didn't surprise the Jedi to learn that another patient had done this to the boy. He'd been here long enough to know that some of the beings trapped among them were mentally unstable, or had malicious intentions of their own.

It looked like it'd been a vicious attack, and if it'd been carried out during the night, then it reduced the chances of someone intervening. Not to mention he knew combat wasn't the young Earthian's strongest point.

"That's...unfortunate," he said softly, and he crouched down to where he was eye-level with Artemis. "Are you able to tell me who it was?" He had no intention of intervening or meddling in his affairs, or divulging the information to anyone else, but if there was someone who wouldn't hesitate to turn on another patient, Obi-Wan wanted to at least be aware of them.

[byname-bynature.livejournal.com]

Artemis smiled, "I trust you not to do anything rash, unlike some of the people who have expressed dismay over my condition. So, I will tell you who it was, but I must ask you not to tell anyone else who may attempt to do something."

The boy put the CDs aside. "His name is Mello. He has blonde hair about to here," Artemis put his hand to his chin. "And is about 21 years old. He's frustrated, and tried to psychologically strip me. I'd finally had enough and tried to leave the room he was holding me in. He slashed me here," he indicated the bandage on his right hand. "And stabbed me here." Artemis laid his hand just to the right of the center of his chest.

"But my associates came to help before... well, I'm fine now."

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

[waiting for a handsome warlord~]

Just for a change of pace, Orihime asked the nurse to let her go to the music room this shift. No one she knew was here, but at the moment she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She was tired. Not physically tired, just drained in a way she hadn't felt since coming here.

She was happy to be helping everyone, she really was, so even though she was tired and upset and scared in ways she hadn't even tried to understand she didn't want to go to them and drag them down with her problems. It would pass, wouldn't it? After a little time to let her mind rest, she would be back to her usual self, and when she said they would find Rukia and Ichigo and everyone they'd lost already she'd believe it 100%.

Someone was playing the piano already. The music was soothing and lovely. Orihime wondered a little further into the room, uncertain of where she wanted to be and what she wanted to do with herself for now.

[deathandfudge.livejournal.com]

Rainier had a lot on his mind after his meeting with Daemon. The tangled web that he'd woven had given them some information to go on at least, but it was useless if they couldn't follow through on it. But they had a direction now. Upwards, always upwards to get vengeance, or at least, to make sure that this place couldn't be used again.

The nurse had offered him a choice of rooms and there was only one place that he would choose, of course. The music room was rather more rudimentary than he was used to, teaching in many of the Aristo houses in Dhemlan, not to mention SaDiablo Hall, but he could adapt easily enough. Someone was already playing music, a good tune for a dance.

He spotted the young woman easily enough. She seemed rather lost, and it pricked at him to see a lady looking upset like that. He approached her, smiling warmly, and held out a hand. "Would you care to dance, Lady?"

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

For once, Orihime hadn't been able to get lost in her thoughts, so when the man moved towards her she was curious at first. He looked like the sort of man who came from the cover of romance novels. Maybe his world was even something like that.

"I don't know - I mean, I don't know how to dance very well. I'll probably just step on your feet. Maybe someone a little more graceful would be better?"

[deathandfudge.livejournal.com]

Something like that indeed, if you added in a lot of killing and temper.

Rainier just smiled at her and shook his head. "I might not look it, but I'm a dancing instructor where I'm from," he said. Among other things anyway. "Why don't you let me teach you? You look like you could use something to take your mind off things for a while."