maskormenace

[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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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'.]

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?

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

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.

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.

[ 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.

[Abigail giggles.]

Nah. Showing off would be juggling three knives and throwing them over my shoulder.

[She pauses.]

Is that - Are you okay with them being here?

Um, yeah. [ headtilt, ] Why wouldn't I be? They're family, and you don't just turn them away.

It depends on the family you have. Some families are scary.

[ a long, contemplative pause . . . ]

I get that. But you said you found a family here, right? They're more important than whoever you left behind.

[She nods.]

Yeah, they are.

Then they're all that matters, point-blank. [ beat ] So come in next week and I'll slot you in, and whenever your album comes out... I'm hoping you'll save me a copy.

I'll do that. See you then.

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