[network][Day 138|video|@hotstud_xxx] You Get What You Need [open]

[rubikscomplex]

[There's no pithy commentary from House as is more common for the introductions to one of his piano sessions. It's also on video at the moment because House... can't figure out how to change it to just audio. He really hates this particular effect. So, anyone in Snowhell who has yet to actually see Dr. Hotstud House will get a view of him. He's a haggard, middle-aged man who's looking closer to just plain 'aged' after more than three months in Norfinbury. He has the tablet propped up where the sheet music would usually go, and keeps his eyes down or closed as he begins to play. He mouths some of the words, brows furrowed and body swaying to the music.

He runs through that. And then, because he's not going to be able to play and 'talk' to people at the same time, he moves into another tune before stopping and checking for responses.]

Comments

[deus_ex_phs]

[Deal with it, House. Kunsel can appreciate verbally he wants.]

Do I play? [He echoes the question half in surprise, then follows up with a shake of his head.] No. That's not what I was interested in as a kid, then later I was too busy with the army. Best I can do is sing a few pub songs and cadence calls, maybe fake my way through a couple pop tunes.

Why? You want to hear music from my world?

[rubikscomplex]

[House makes a small, sweeping gesture toward the tablet, brows still up. Go on. Impress him with your singing, K-man.]

[deus_ex_phs]

Alright. I'm not necessarily the greatest singer, mind you, but here goes. This one's called Chocobo Bros.

Here we go, oh let me know
If you've been to the racing stands
If you seen two men and their chocobos
Cheered on by their racing fans!

[The song has almost a country sound to it, peppered with a bit of pop rock, and goes on to tell about the hilarious antics of the two men and their chocobos as they cheat, bet, and race their way to the finish line. Kunsel's voice isn't that terrible, but it's clear he'd never have a career as a singer.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House raises a hand, holds it parallel to the ground and twists a few times.

Eh....

It's okay. Cute in a folksy way.]

[deus_ex_phs]

[Kunsel hadn't really been expecting any resounding praise anyway, so he just shrugs pleasantly.]

That's about the best you'll get from me, sorry.

[Unless you count the questionable soldier songs below.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House sighs. Heavily. Then, he begins to play a tune Kunsel won't recognize, but it's more or less in the folksy spirit along with being something he could imagine some random private singing in the communal showers at the base.

Soldiers are a ramblin' lot.]

[deus_ex_phs]

[Kunsel listens, and at some point starts humming along, but sadly the message of the song is lost. On the other hand, House's body language speaks loud and clear for itself. At the end, Kunsel laughs softly.]

Not exactly a fan of that style, huh? Hey, it could have been worse.

[He pauses.]

Actually...

[The feed cuts out on that mischievous note and several minutes pass. When he comes back, it's still with video.

But also with Zack, who he just finished coercing into helping with this acapella treat.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House shuts it down halfway through. You're being cut off, Kunsel, and he's cleansing his brain from that earworm with some Pink Floyd, thanks.]

[devoutish]

Know any soldier songs?

[deus_ex_phs]

A few. Would it matter if they were specific to wars you wouldn't know about?

[devoutish]

They wouldn't mean anything to me, no. But good to know the idea crosses universes, eh?

[deus_ex_phs]

I suppose soldiers everywhere figure out how to make their own entertainment when they're deployed.

[Which is a kinder way of saying that it's a tried and true coping mechanism, so no, it's not surprising at all.]

Want to compare? I'll share one of mine if you share one of yours.

[devoutish]

Most of mine aren't fit for mixed company.

[deus_ex_phs]

Most? Or all?

[Kunsel's voice is wry.]

[devoutish]

Nearly all. But I think that was warning enough, eh?

[And so he sings, quietly, in a voice that's wholly average. He can carry a tune well, but that's about it.]

Do your balls hang low?
Do they dangle two and fro?
Can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow?
Can you sling 'em on your shoulder like a lousy fucking soldier?
Do your balls hang low?

[deus_ex_phs]

[That song earns a snort of appreciative amusement, the kind from someone who understands.]

I'll have to try to remember that one.

Alright, a bargain's a bargain.

We march all day and don't get paid
Sleep alone and don't get laid
Fight and die with every raid
When ShinRa says there's war!

[And a few more verses in a similar vein that Alfie probably understands all too well.]

[devoutish]

[Yup. Very familiar.]

Last night as I lay on my pillow
Last night as I lay on my bed
I dreamt our old sergeant was dying
I dreamt that the old sod was dead
Send him, oh, send him
Oh, send our old sergeant to hell, to hell
Oh, keep him, oh, keep him
Oh, keep the old bastard in hell

@jwatson; audio

[jumpthegun]

[Okay, he's trying not to snicker at some of these, but he should probably be a responsible adult.]

Think you might like to take it to private for the kids, lads?

[devoutish]

They'd have to listen past the warning to get to it.

[Which, okay, a kid would totally do.]

video --> [private audio to John and Alfie]

[deus_ex_phs]

Right, sorry.

[Not too sorry. He's still amused as hell.]

I'll be good now.

[He switches over to a filter.]

Though I have to ask if you've got any of your own to share.

@enhance; audio; let's see if i can manage not to typo at you this time

[plundering]

You're not going to sing for us, John?

[video - filtered from the kids, but visible to everyone else]

[deus_ex_phs]

[Oh hell, that one definitely scores a grin from him. And now he switches back to video because this one needs it.]

When Sergeant Tom comes marching in,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We all stand up and sa-lute him,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
He turns and shouts and chews us out
And then the sergeant marches out
And we all sa-lute a-gain!

[The first time the song calls for a salute, he actually salutes, but the second time...

Well, the actual gesture might not be universal, but the rude nature definitely is.]

[video - filtered from the kids, but visible to everyone else]

[devoutish]

Nobody likes their sergeants, no matter the world.

In reality, ours wasn't bad.

[totally not here, of course not]

[heroproceeding]

[ If you listen really hard, you might be able to hear someone belting out the next set of lines in the distance.....

Really.

Badly. ]

[totally not here, of course not]

[devoutish]

[HE TOTALLY HEARS THIS]