Level 14

[whats_a_paladin]

[Strange sounds can be heard in parts of White Chalice. Following them reveals Raynor, sitting behind a (borrowed) electronic keyboard, and practicing music... If it can be called that. He's trying to play Amazing Grace, but is a complete amateur about it... Or rather, amateur would be a big step up. At best the music is awkward and stiffled, with half of the notes missing or wrong, at worst it's a horrible, ear-rending cacophony. And he seems to be completely aware of that.]

Damnit... Is it because of my robotic arm? No, I wasn't any good at it before either...

I must try to honor their memory! Again!

[Horrible sounds from the tortured instrument continue.]

Comments

[over_under_being]

Ugh! What is this terrible sound? Is this how humans torture people?

[whats_a_paladin]

I'd never torture anyone! Not intentionally at least... I'm not very good at playing music, I'm afraid.

[over_under_being]

I can hear that.

Why are you playing this music if you are not good at it, then?

[whats_a_paladin]

I want to get better at it, and that won't happen on its own. I need to practice.

[over_under_being]

Why do you want to get better? For fun?

[zaku_for_xmas]

Bernie couldn't help but become curious. He followed the sounds, until he found Raynor at the kyboard.

"Paragon?"

[whats_a_paladin]

Oh, Bernie... Hello.

[He seems a bit awkward now that he has audience.]

[zaku_for_xmas]

"What are you up to?"

[whats_a_paladin]

I want to honor everyone who died recently by playing for them... But to do that, I need to at least get semi-decent at this melody first.

[paladin_robot]

Exactly whose memory would you be honouring with this?! If you needed tunes, the arm should've been fine!

[Given a degree of bedhead, Richard probably isn't getting much sleep at the moment, no thanks to stuff like this.]

[whats_a_paladin]

I don't want to use a recording, I want to play it myself. And play it decently, so I have to practice...

[paladin_robot]

Argh, but do you really have to do it right now? Trying to sleep here...

[Richard grumbles a bit... before realising something.]

...Wait, is it for... them?

[He briefly gestures at the mechanical arm with his head. Indication is pretty clear.]

[whats_a_paladin]

Sorry. I didn't know anyone is sleeping at this hour...

Wait, do you mean... No, it's not. It's a song for everyone who died in Madrid recently. It's not the time for the Shadow Knights' dirge yet.

[themomentoftherose]

Don't listen to those jerks. Oenone sings along with his playing, and although her voice is quiet, the emotion in it is clear.

[whats_a_paladin]

You don't have to humor me, doctor. I know well how bad I am at this. I'm not going to honor anyone if I don't get better.

[themomentoftherose]

"Your technical skill lacks. I'd expect so, with that new arm. But hearing the melody was nice anyway." She unconsciously fingers the cross at her neck. That might explain it a bit.

[whats_a_paladin]

No, it's not the arm. I was always horrible at playing music - which probably explains why I like listening to it so much.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Raynor Joz!" Matthew exclaims, charging into the room. "You will not honor their memories like that!"

[gurrenbrigbonded]

He strides forward...and pokes two fingers under Raynor's hands gently.

"Arch your fingers up, as if you're carrying an invisible ball under each hand. Do not worry about playing the melody fast. Start slowly, playing the right hand, then the left hand melody seperate. Master each component, then put them together when you have."

He smiles. "Learning this melody with patience and care...that is how you will honor their memories."

[whats_a_paladin]

I... didn't know you're playing key instruments, Matthew.

[Following this instructions helps Raynor play a bit better. Just a bit - he's still awful.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Before Haman and Char departed for Axis Zeon, I was helping a young cadet of theirs learn the violin. While digging through Resnick's old things, I found and memorized some Neo-Suzuki songbooks, some of which talked about piano playing techniques."

Matthew shrugs and smiles sadly, thinking of departed comrades. "I am by no means an expert on key-based instruments, quiaff?"

[make_history_chew_scenery]

[Even the man of ham isn't immune to the dissonant melody being choked out of the piano. However, he has a suggestion for Raynor!]

I mean no ill will in this suggestion... but perhaps there are better ways of going about this task.

[He gestures at Raynor's robotic limb.]

Your newfound arm can have actions programmed into it, yes?

[whats_a_paladin]

I see what you mean, but that would be cheating. I want to play it myself, not with the help of a computer.

[make_history_chew_scenery]

An admiral desire, Raynor... and your limb may still be of use in that endeavor!

Even a function as mundane as a metronome could be of great use then, and from there you could work to learn the melody one finger at a time!

Your determination is admirable, and I have no doubt that once you establish a foothold you will have no trouble performing music!

[whats_a_paladin]

All I need to do for now is perform this one song decently. You can even train a monkey to do that, right?

[Ping. Another key hit wrong and too late.]

I guess it will take a while for me to reach that level. But don't worry, I won't let monkeys beat me.