snowblindrpg | [network] @hotstud_xxx; voice; Morning 047; Musical Interlude [open]

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[network] @hotstud_xxx; voice; Morning 047; Musical Interlude [open]

[Have an actually chipper-sounding House on the network, everyone. Why, he's almost downright giddy. Someone has bounced back a bit from the says before. Music helps immeasurably with that. He's had a chance to play a little this morning and now discovered there's additional musical accompaniment playing from nowhere. Creepy as all hell, but who is he to deny the Six Feet Under Snow Band?]

Good morning, Snowhell. Or Vietnam. Whichever. Basically the same thing, but with cold instead of heat, right? With all this talk about people being eaten, rising from the dead, ghosts from the year 2050, and rousing pleas for camaraderie, I thought we could all use something to lighten the mood. So this one goes out to my darling Clementine. Unless your name's short for Clemydia or something. Then your parents suck.

[He begins to play the school piano, other phantom instruments joining in. House doesn't actually sing, but he's thinking the lyrics.]

Actually, that one goes out to most of the chicks here. You girls seriously need to simmer down. But here's a little something for my main man Hiro.

[This time something slightly less snarky.]

And last for this first round before I take requests from the listeners, two songs from Dr. Clayton Epps for his sweetie, Jane. Those crazy kids, getting up to all kinds of things! At least they must have been from the moaning I heard in the other room. Oh, cover your ears if you're under ten here. This is grown-up talk about romance.

[And there will be two more incredibly snarky instrumentals in honor of the pair of them.]

If you recognized none of those songs, you're a loser and need to be educated on Earthian musical history. Luckily, I'm here to take your questions and requests. Or make up requests for you.

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Yes.

[And it's really as simple as that.]

I'm not going to let Horror Show Henry and his Phantom Band freak me out, kid. How are we supposed to learn anything if we don't take risks? I'm not asking any of you to be here. I'm not even forcing Mr. Mustache to wait inside with me. I get killed, it's on me. I hereby absolve you of all guilt and sin. Go forth, my son, and care about someone else who wants it.

You can't be that much of an idiot.

[He refuses to believe it, surely not even Mr. Irritating himself would willingly put himself at risk just to play a few tunes.]

It's not about being afraid, it's about being smart. But I guess if you're not that smart...

[Can he goad House into leaving? It's worth a try.]

[He... he can try. It's true.]

I'm sorry, but are you the only one allowed to explore and check things even when it might be risky? I mean, I guess with your history, it's okay. And after just having your brother die. Well, I mean. I'd feel guilty, too, if I were you.

[Each word feels like a physical blow. His history, said in that dry tone of voice, and then his brother... He does feel guilty, of course he does, but he's not letting it rule him.

He switches over to a private filter just in case this jerk decides to casually spill details to go along with that, voice shaking with the effort of staying calm.]

I don't know why you're so determined to drive away anyone who wants to help you, or do you genuinely like causing people pain?

Because I don't need your help. Or want it. Is it physically painful for you to hear that?

No.

[House is the first person Al has genuinely considered hanging up on and ignoring for good, but he won't let himself do that. Just because he doesn't like the guy, it doesn't mean he doesn't deserve help. He's not evil (probably), just an ass.]

But it would bother me if you did get hurt, so that's why I'll keep trying.

[Wait, don't want House to think it's personal.]

I don't want anyone to get hurt, not if I can help it.

Why do you care so much? I get it. The guilt gnawing at you. You failed with mommy, you crippled your brother, and you've been here since the start without actually finding a way out in almost two months.

[He's a really big ass.]

Like I said. I'm not your responsibility. I'm not your friend. I'm pretty sure you don't even like me, and if you do, you need help. A lot of it. Let me be the one who got away, huh?

[And let him privately prove his theory right that anyone can be turned away with enough effort.]

You're right, I don't like you. I don't like you at all, I don't trust you, and it would be easier to not talk to you.

[Somehow, even saying mildly insulting things, he still sounds warm and determined.]

But that doesn't mean I think you deserve to die, or that I'll ever turn my back on you and refuse to help. Your life is worth just as much as anyone else's, regardless of how you behave towards me, so you're not going to stop me trying.

[He can't deny he's close though, closer than he's been with anyone else. To have his mistakes with his mother and Ed thrown in his face hurt deeply, and he's still terrified of House's reaction after he was abruptly hung up on after showing his biggest secrets.]

[God. There should be some sort of upbeat and motivational song playing in the background.]

You should really think about a career in motivational speaking, Lelly. Everybody has their breaking point. Fifty bucks says I can make it to yours before we leave this place.

[The sound of metal hitting metal is fairly obvious as Al facepalms. Really, House? Really? He'll take a different tactic in tackling this bullheaded meanness this time.]

I'm sorry for whatever happened to you that made you feel you had to treat people like this, but it's not going to work.

[Especially because House could only find Al's breaking point if he went on a killing spree or started to make philosopher's stones.]

Nothing happened to me. I was just born an asshole. Even less of a reason to care.

[He was also born a liar, but that's everybody. So.]

[He snorts audibly.]

I don't believe you, not that I thought you were going to tell me anyway, you seem far more interested in forcing other people's secrets out of them and then not believing them.

Hey, it passes the time. Got anything else you wanna get off your chest, little buddy? Or out of your empty chest cavity?

[He starts to play the piano as he speaks. The song will mean nothing to Al without the words to go with it, but it amuses House given the conversation. It's a way to make fun of himself, granted, but again... not like Al knows that.]

[That's actually really pretty, and he has no idea of the significance behind it, but it annoys him a little because it means that House is still sat at the piano despite all the warnings. If only he knew what it was like to be the bad man, to be the sad man...]

You already know everything.

[Jerk.]

You probably won't listen to me, but you might meet my brother here and you shouldn't bring those things up with him like you have with me. He's a lot less patient.

[Namely, he'll punch House until he can't stand up, and Al is too nice to let it happen.]

He's the short one who gets killed a lot, right? Or was it only the one time?

[Nope, not going to listen, and absolutely going to dig the knife in.]

[The sharp intake of breath should tell House that he's hit his mark and scored a wounding hit.]

Stop it! I know why you're saying these things, and-- [Or he hopes he does, it's either this or House really is a sociopath.] Stop trying to hurt me just so you can prove I'll walk away from you and not care if you get hurt, it's not going to work.

Really? 'Cause it seems like we're-

[There's a muffled shout from House's end.]

Oh, come on. Don't be such a baby. Aren't you a necromancer? The guy who plays with dead bodies.

[It's clear House isn't actually talking to Al at the moment. As there's further irritated sounds. House huffs a sigh of irritation.]

People just don't appreciate art like they used to. Am I right, Lelly, or am I right? As the fun police pointed out the day's getting on I guess I'll be leaving. Don't worry, I'll play you another song when I come back to stock up again, Tin Man. Catch you later.

And give your regards to my brother if you can keep him around for more than a week or so.

[You know what, he's just so relieved that House is leaving and he doesn't have to talk to him any more without abandoning him to the mercies of the school, that he won't even rise to that ending barb.

The only response from his end is the click of the tablet turning off. Screw you, House, screw you.]

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