keepsmehonest | 2nd Tune [action/voice]

[Geordie hasn't been here very long, not when he thinks of it in comparison to Jilly and some of her friends. But every day without his fiddle has felt like a lifetime. Barely a day had gone by before his arrival here that he hadn't had his instrument by his side. It's gotten him through both good times and the bad, especially the bad. So long as he was able to pluck a tune from his old Czech fiddle and lose himself in the music that filled the space around him, taking what he wanted from the notes and chords, he could survive anything.

He had his voice. That was an instrument no one could take from him. But it wasn't the same as his fiddle. His fingers longed to fly over the neck of a fiddle while the bow moved in a furiously fast tempo or glide in a languid slow dance with the fiddle strings. His performance at the wedding had been adequate with a borrowed violin, but Geordie can't help but think it would be better if he had his own familiar instrument. He would have played all of Jilly's favorite tunes during her amnesia, hoping one would've piqued a memory. And every day it was clear skies, he would've been out by that fountain, busking his time away.

It's not being so far from Newford that bothers him. Not even being so far from his brother and his friends. Not the shifts of even the depressing draft system that reminds him all too much of Vietnam and the luck that somehow held for him and Chirsty both. It's that lack of a fiddle - his fiddle - that really felt as if it would slowly drive him mad.

He had taken to haunting the items shop every day since his arrival. And today, for whatever the reason, his search has finally paid off. The case might be missing (much to his disappointment) but at least his fiddle and bow have finally made it here.

For the rest of the day, you can find him by the fountain, playing the fiddle without a care in the world. Eventually, a tune can be heard through the journal.]

I'm taking requests, if anybody has any.

[A few seconds pass in which he plays another quick piece before falling silent. He sets down his fiddle and picks up the journal, regarding it somberly for a moment before asking,] So just how often do these drafts occur, anyway?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Understood. I really don't understand the point of taking noncombatants, it just seems like they're doing another experiment and want a control group.

Which war back home was it?

Some experiment. [The words are muttered under his breath, disapproving. Even if Jilly and others have taken the time to explain how things work in Luceti, he's still not pleased by what he's heard. Then, in a louder and clearer tone, he answers her question:] Vietnam.

I see. Troubled times indeed.

You must know a lot of the protest songs from back in the States though, right?

I know some. It was hard not to hang around the musicians in Newford without picking a few up, even if it has been a couple of years since anyone's really played them with any frequency.

What really? No more Woodstock enthusiasm?

[He chuckles.]

There's still some. I was only sixteen when Woodstock occurred. Curious but I couldn't afford it. [Not some kid barely earning enough to move off of the city streets yet.] The music's still there, but I've always preferred the Celtic scene.

Tell you what. You stick to what you do best. If you do get drafted, keep your head down and try to stay by the camp. We have enough fighters in the village that they should understand, and supplies really are the most important thing to look after. And if you ever get drafted at the same time as me I'll make sure your back is protected.

What's your favorite fiddle song right now?

[For a moment there, he's ready to insist that it should be the other way around. If they ever get drafted at the same time, the chivalrous thing to do would be to make sure she has her back protected.

Then, Geordie remembers Jilly's friend Amelia and decides to keep quiet. Better to devote his attention to her question instead.

There's a teasing note in his voice when he replies,] You expect me to pick just one?

[Oh Geordie. If you ever see Fujiko with guns, you'll probably just pity anyone she decides to fight.]

[She giggles cheerfully in return.] Top ten you can think of off the top of your head then!

Before I came here, I had been working on a collection of sea shanties. Let's see...

"Whiskey in the Jar," "Wild Rover," "Donkey Riding," "Shiver Me Timbers." Tunes like that.

[Oh her gosh. Those are all awesome. And she laughs with delight.]

Think you could play those first three for me? [Acts extra cute and bats her eyelashes for the camera.]

[All that extra cute and eyelash batting is completely unnecessary. He would have agreed to the request regardless.

But in response, she also gets a slightly nervous giggle and what would be a bashful smile if the camera was recording. He's a lot like any other red blooded American: cute, flirty girls are definitely a weakness.]

Sure.

[And he starts in on a lively version of "Whiskey in the Jar."]

[Taps her foot along with a grin and clearly enjoys herself.]

That was wonderful. I should learn the lyrics so I can sing along with you next time~

If you wouldn't mind a little accompaniment that is.

Why would I mind? [Asked once the song is finished.] I can write the lyrics down for you, if you want. I know a lot of them.

Yes please!

It's... been awhile since I really did any singing for people, but I think I want to try to get back into it. And maybe practice guitar again. [She laughs softly.] I guess it must seem silly to be nervous about it to you, because you're so good at this!

I don't think it's silly at all. Playing in front of others is one of the hardest things a musician can do.

[And he remembers his own youthful bouts of stage fright. Even playing in Newford's streets, at age fifteen, he had been terrified of rejection. But the music compelled him, bewitched him years ago when he still resided in his parents' home. To not play his fiddle would be like cutting off a part of him.]

I'll get you those lyrics as soon as I can, then.

I'd appreciate that.

Maybe we should try opening Cloud Nine again. It couldn't hurt to give the performers a place to practice and perform, hm?

[There's almost a teasing note in his voice when he replies:] This fountain makes for a great performance spot.

But you're right. It's going to get colder. An indoor spot wouldn't be a bad idea.

And you wouldn't would to accidentally fall in or get icicles all over your fiddle now would you?

Besides, the Cloud Nine stage already has mikes and equipment set up.

Icicles on my fiddle? Now that would be a shame.

Unless it creates a new form of music I suppose, but that would be weird.

Better to just stick with electric.

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