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[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail sits at her harpsichord and waves.]

Hi.  I'm Abigail and I'm not running for anything. [She gives a small smile.]

This is a harpsichord. [She plays  a a short piece of music.  Due to her power, anyone listening would enjoy it even if they don't normally enjoy that style of music.]

I have an album coming out soon. [She considers mentioning it's because she won impovision and decides it might sound too braggy.]

It's mostly harpsichord.  There's some of me singing and some piano as well.  There's going to be a warning label on the album about my power.  Some of the music will have an emotional affect.  All good ones and all described on the label.  If you're okay with that, and you think you'll buy my album, I especially recommend the lullabies.  They can help with sleep and keep nightmares away. 

If sleep's ever getting really bad and you don't have the album, you can call me to play something for you over the phone.  I know what it's like to have trouble with sleep.  I don't want anyone to go through that.

There's more lively music on the album too - songs that'll get you energized, feeling happy.

They're already having me working on a second one.  It'll be out by the holidays. If this goes well, I might quit my job and turn this music thing into a full time job.  It's kind of scary to think of quitting.   But it's a good kind of scary.  I didn't even know that was possible.

Anyway...[She gestures to her harpsichord.]    Any requests?

Comments

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[lesterzeppelin]

I do, yeah. [ he lowers his voice, conspiratorially: ] If it existed on my world, I can play it. Which, in turn, means I'm able to teach it to whoever pays me.

Buuut it sounds like your teacher was pretty incredible in his own right. He definitely taught you well.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Is that a power thing? Or are you just really talented? It's cool either way. Did the theremin exist on your world?

He was unique.

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[lesterzeppelin]

Try the latter, and thank you. [ he mock bows to the camera, ] I certainly try. The theremin does exist, and I'm not half-bad.

[ . . . ]

Okay, I'm pretty good. Just means you'll have to hear for yourself.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Seriously? Because I'd love to hear it. It's been a long time since I've heard one being played.

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[lesterzeppelin]

Yeah? Then why don't you drop by my store sometime and let me play you a song?

[ ... the store isn't even his. technically or legally. ]

I'm over at Always B ♮ in Heropa. It's downtown, and really hard to miss. I swear.

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[am_i_a_monster]

As in sometimes be sharp, never be flat, always be natural? This place loves the pun names. I will definitely stop by.

You teach and have a store. You must be a busy guy.

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[lesterzeppelin]

They seem like pretty punny people, don't they? [ a slight frown, especially as she mentions the store - ] Oh, I just teach. I don't deal much with selling instruments or repairing them or whatever else the place offers.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Oh yeah, I worked at an art shop called Van Don't Gogh.

[She gives a little smile.]

Teaching's still cool.

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[lesterzeppelin]

[ he groans, pressing a hand to his forehead, ] Now that's just terrible.

As long as I never have to hear that one again, I can play the theremin and toss in a couple of free lessons.

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[am_i_a_monster]

[She giggles.]

It is. The shop is actually very nice, apart from the name.

Really? You think I could learn theremin?

[It's a happy surprise. Hannibal never offered to teach it, and it made it seem as if it was only for those with absolute perfect pitch.]

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[lesterzeppelin]

I don't see why not. [ very matter-of-fact: ] We won't know until you try, and honestly - you can't be any worse than some of my kids.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Then I'll definitely give it a try. How old are the kids you teach?

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[lesterzeppelin]

Anywhere from five to fifteen, usually, but I don't particularly care how old my students are.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Okay, cool. I'm not that much older than the oldest of them.

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[lesterzeppelin]

I mean, technically, [ and he gestures to his acne-ridden face, ] neither am I. But that's the best part about learning - age doesn't define you.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Maybe that's true. Someone once told me that we don't get wiser as we get older.

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[lesterzeppelin]

Well, whoever told you that was pretty darn wise anyway.

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[am_i_a_monster]

He was actually. Same guy that taught me the theremin. He was a doctor and a gourmet chef too.

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[lesterzeppelin]

[ a low whistle, ] Wise and busy. I feel like he must've had like, zero free time, to keep up with all that.

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[am_i_a_monster]

He, uh, he found time for all kinds of things.

[She decides in the case of Hannibal, it's best not specify all of his 'hobbies'.]

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[lesterzeppelin]

Sounds like it. [ beat - thankfully, Lester's too preoccupied with himself to notice a subject change, ] So what do you do outside of the harpsichord, Abigail?

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[am_i_a_monster]

I draw, usually pencil sketches. I spend a lot of time with my cats. And the dogs. I cook. I hunt. What about you?

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[lesterzeppelin]

Hm... listen to music, shoot darts at the arcade, spend time with my family, and write a whole bunch of poetry. Haikus, if we're gonna be exact.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Darts. You should see this. It's not a dart, but still cool. Watch. [She holds up a knife then throws it over her shoulder, behind her. It lands in the exact center of a bull's-eye target behind her.] By family, do you mean a family you've made here? I've done that.

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[lesterzeppelin]

[ he lets out a low, slow whistle, folding his arms. ]

Showoff. [ but he's laughing too much to be upset, ] and ah, no - I mean, my actual, blood-related family.