Hear Nothing [action]

[mother_of_god]

[OH GOD OH GOD SCARY SKELETONS EVERYWHERE

[Alessa (in projection mode) has fled the terrifying and noisy dress-up corpse parade by hiding in the Concert Hall. Having calmed down slightly, she's been exploring and encountered one of the numerous pianos in a practice room.

[She plinks a note experimentally, then spends a moment trying to recall her (sadly brief) lessons.]

plink plinkety plink plink

[A very simple melody echoes faintly down the hall. It's inexpert, but the player has a little smile on her face.]

Comments

[mother_of_god]

[Instant silence. A few moments later, the uninjured Alessa appears, shaking.]

i'm sorry...

[tosaveyou]

[Kariya's eyes widen. Her own injuries are less extensive, after she died and was brought back. ]

Alessa? What happened? You don't have to be sorry.

[mother_of_god]

[She relaxes a bit after seeing it's Kariya.]

i... wanted to get away from the skeletons. and... there were pianos. It's been a long time since i could play.

[tosaveyou]

I didn't like the skeletons much either. I don't blame you.

I didn't know you played piano. [Kariya: believes in encouraging young people. She smiles.] That sounded good. You should play more often.

[mother_of_god]

i can only do it like this. When I'm asleep.

[She frowns at her hands.]

It's been a really long time. i'm not very good.

[tosaveyou]

Oh--you're asleep now? But you're here?

[Alessa must be a powerful magus, by her world's standards.]

I wondered why you looked different. That's an amazing ability.

[She shakes her head.]

It sounded nice. What matters is that you have a good time playing.

[mother_of_god]

i... can leave my real body behind. Like when i made Cheryl. Part of my soul.

[Her lips quirk in a tiny, shy smile at the compliment to her playing.]

i like it. i like... how it sounds.

[tosaveyou]

I've heard of things like that before. There are people where I'm from who can that, but I can't.

[Her family was once a great Magus family, and her uncle--or at least that's what she calls him--is capable of feats like that.]

Then you should play. Would you play for me some more?

[mother_of_god]

[A nod.] It's rare. Mommy wanted me to use it for God.

[She nods again, smiling shyly, and shuffles back onto the bench.]

i only know a few songs...

[The tune is basic, played with careful movements and a slow tempo as she tries to hit each note precisely.]

[tosaveyou]

Now you can use it for yourself.

[Kariya listens to the song patiently, smiling as Alessa plays.]

What's that one called?

[mother_of_god]

"Wind in the Willows." It's pretty hard, so i practiced it a lot.

[tosaveyou]

I like it. It's pretty.

Maybe they have music in the library that you can use to practice. You could learn more songs.

[mother_of_god]

[Her breath catches, and she whispers:]

There's a big, scary bear in there!

[tosaveyou]

Oh... It won't hurt you. Or I can go and look for music for you, if you'd like.

[mother_of_god]

[Nodnod. The prospect of confronting the bear- even from far away- is extremely frightening.]

[tosaveyou]

I'll have to do that for you soon. There's a second library too, isn't there? There might be some music there.

[A project, to help someone: that's just what Kariya likes.]

[mother_of_god]

Are there bears there, too?

[As far as she knows, bear librarians could be just a Thing here.]

[tosaveyou]

I don't think so. Not that I saw. I haven't spent much time there, but I didn't see anyone there.

[mother_of_god]

[A nod. That probably means it's safe; bears are not notorious for stealth.]

thank you.

[tosaveyou]

You're welcome. If there's anything I can do to help, you only have to ask.

[She smiles.]

[mother_of_god]

[She returns the smile, shyly, and puts a slim hand over Kariya's.]

[tosaveyou]

[Kariya takes Alessa's hand. It feels good, to be able to help.]

Is there anything else you need, Alessa?

[mother_of_god]

[Her breath catches for a moment. She shakes her head, too happy to speak.]

[tosaveyou]

I don't need anything either. Sometimes I think I could like being here. If only certain things didn't happen... But I don't want to think about that now.

[mother_of_god]

i hope... it gets better here. For you.