[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

@itsybitsy; audio

[redrooms]

[The songs Ivan's unit sang during the war were different, of course, but this is similar enough to make her feel strangely nostalgic.]

It's unfortunate that the sentiment is universal.

[devoutish]

The human condition, eh?

[redrooms]

It seems so.

[Speaking of weird connections.]

A little bird told me you speak Russian.

[devoutish]

Was that bird named Dr. House?

[redrooms]

It was. He's well-informed.

[devoutish]

He tried it on me once, assuming I couldn't understand him. I gave him something of a surprise, I think.

There's not a lot I could sing in Russian.

[redrooms]

No? You aren't fluent?

[devoutish]

I don't know a lot of Russian songs. Lullabies, mostly.

[redrooms]

[Hey, whatever. Sometimes it's nice to remember the pleasant parts of her childhood, the parts not touched by the Red Room, so Natasha will try one softly, in Russian:]

Sleep, good boy, my beautiful,
Bayushki bayu
Quietly the moon is looking
Into your cradle.
I will tell you fairy tales
And sing you little songs,
But you must slumber, with your little eyes closed,
Bayushki bayu.

[devoutish]

Yeah. I know that one.

[Hearing it makes him a little homesick.]

[redrooms]

Do you have Russian family?

[devoutish]

Yeah, my mum's Russian. Her and her family.

[redrooms]

Did you all leave together, then, or is she still there?

[devoutish]

I've never been. She came to England before I was born. Fell in love, had us kids.

[Fell in love with a gangster, and then the kids became gangsters. What a heartwarming tale.]

[redrooms]

[Well, being a Jew in Russia, especially during World War II, isn't the best fate. Being in Russia at all in his future isn't, so Natasha is glad in a way.]

London is beautiful. It was a good choice.

[Not that much of Europe escaped the war unscathed, but hey. There's no way she's going to talk about it.]

[devoutish]

Mm, yeah. Only home I've ever known.

[redrooms]

That isn't such a bad thing.

[Belonging somewhere, she means. She's not sure she's ever considered anywhere "home".]

[devoutish]

Not in the fucking least. I'm never leaving.

[If he ever, you know, makes it back.]

[redrooms]

[There's a slight pause.]

If you ever visit America, I guarantee you'll have a better experience than this.

[devoutish]

I'll make a vacation of it someday. New York, Chicago.

[redrooms]

San Francisco, too. They're going to build a bridge in the late thirties. The longest suspension bridge in the world, for a while. It's worth seeing.

[And she has a major soft spot for San Francisco, shh.]

[devoutish]

California?

[He's getting the state right, isn't he? You guys have SO MANY.]

Bit hot for me, I think.

[redrooms]

Yes. The heat isn't so bad. You'll like it, trust me.

[devoutish]

How many degrees of not so bad?

[redrooms]

The ocean keeps it much cooler than you'd think.