03 ♥ audio (late night)

[matadorable]

[This is the first time he's ever made a top post with his guitar, and the second time he's ever publicly played anything over the network.

After seeing how everyone reacted to Dorian's version of "Wonderwall", he wasn't in a hurry to put himself out there, least of all with something as intensely personal as his music.

But he's feeling pensive tonight, and he has too much free time on his hands now that the holidays are over and Heropa has been rescued. At around 1:30 in the morning, he starts a live audio feed. Without any words of introduction, an uncharacteristically melancholy guitar piece floats through the network. There are no vocals, no words -- Manolo's guitar does the singing for him tonight.

Music buffs will indeed recognize it as a rendition of "Caroline, No" by The Beach Boys. The interpretation is Manolo's own work, done entirely by ear (not an easy thing to do with a guitar solo, considering the complexity of the original source material). But even those who are unfamiliar with the song may feel quiet pangs of sadness and a sense of longing for simpler, happier times...

Once the song reaches its conclusion and the final notes gently fade into silence, Manolo simply closes the feed.]

Comments

audio; private

[sidecars]

[ Bucky is not much of a sleeper, so he's up and always scouring the network for entertainment during the late night and early morning hours. This, though, isn't exactly entertainment.

He mutes his television so he can listen, but frankly, it's probably the last thing he needs to be listening to after he found out Steve returned home. ]

You sound like you could use some ice cream, pal.

audio; private

[matadorable]

...hah, maybe so. I don't exactly have any lying around, though.

private; audio

[driftsintobuffetline]

[The time difference means this actually mid-afternoon for Newt and Hermann in Hong Kong, but they're awake and in the hotel and Newt listens. Newt knows a sad song when he hears one, even if this particular Beach Boys song isn't one he's familiar with. He just has a feeling something went very wrong after Manolo went to Heropa.

Is Joaquin alright? Is their friendship?]

Hey. What happened?

private; audio

[matadorable]

[He's a bit surprised to receive a message from Newton. They're still out of the country, as far as he knows, which means they ought to be having a good time with each other instead of bothering with him.

He didn't expect anyone to directly ask him what's wrong, either, but part of him is relieved that he has a chance to get it off his chest. Still, Manolo's throat closes for a moment, and he struggles to get the words out.]

He's...really angry with me this time.

[And it's Maria's birthday...]

audio;

[brushoff]

[ Dorian does indeed recognize the song because his taste is permanently set in the 1960s. There's a pause while gets his guitar set up and then responds with a Beach Boys song of his own. His rendition is a bit more stumbling (Dorian's not as good at this as Manolo is) and during one messed up chord, there's an audible "shit" said under Dorian's breath from hie end.

Dueling banjos this isn't, but hopefully this guy will appreciate the sentiment. He barely knows Manolo but feels a little guitar solidarity here. ]

audio;

[matadorable]

[Manolo vividly remembers the first time he ever heard "God Only Knows". He probably cried for a solid five minutes.

Recently, he's been listening to certain Pet Sounds songs over and over again, breaking them down piece by piece and deconstructing them on the guitar. "God Only Knows" is, naturally, one of those songs. The process takes hours and a good amount of patience (which is honestly the biggest reason he can play "Caroline, No" as well as he does), but Manolo feels himself slip into another world entirely whenever he devotes time to it.

While this rendition isn't as polished as Manolo's performance, he still genuinely appreciates Dorian's attempt. Before he responds, he tries to stave off the tears threatening to prickle at his eyes by rubbing them with heels of his palms.]

...I love that song.

text;

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya's up late as always, and that song practically calls to her. She listens to the whole thing before she finally texts Manolo, not willing to wake the others in the house with her own talking... and, well, if he sticks to text maybe she can review the recording more than once.]

that was beautiful, Manolo.

you're up pretty late, though

text;

[matadorable]

thank you Maya
im glad you liked it

i feel like its hard to
do the original justice

and yeah i guess
it is pretty late

i couldnt sleep so

[Audio]

[monge]

[Komasan is not a music buff, he's also not a technology buff. Mix that with the fact that he was sleeping and not at all coherent right now, you get nothing but confusion. Don't get him wrong, the song is very pretty...if not really sad, but he has no idea why his "phone" has started singing to him. Without words...

His only answer is to shake it in his half-asleep daze, accidentally turning the thing on in the process.]

Magic music phone, zura?

[His phone is very talented, but-]

Sh-Shhh! Y-You need to be quiet, p-people are trying to sleep, zura!

[Audio]

[matadorable]

[Oh no, who is this, and why do they sound so cute??

Manolo drops his voice to an whisper.] Oh. I am very sorry for disturbing you.

[oathkeeping]

That's really pretty.

[And...sad. He doesn't know the song, but he his heart echoes with the emotion on it. Funny that that should even be possible.]

[matadorable]

Thank you. I...tried to do justice to the original.

Video

[whitequeens]

[Euphie, not being from this world, doesn't recognize it at all. She listens, pensively. It speaks to her, in a way.] It's strange... it's very beautiful, but I can't help but feel a little sad after listening to it.

Video

[matadorable]

That's actually how I felt after listening to the original version. It's...about growing up, and the heartbreak that can come with change. The lyrics are sad, but I think the music by itself does a good job of expressing those feelings.

[audio]

[hands4healing]

[The music is bittersweet and Winry doesn't recognize it at all. Anyone creating music always startles her - surprises her in a good way because she doesn't know anyone who's musical, at least, not back home.]

That's really...

[Sad? Pretty?]

Amazing.

[Not what she'd wanted to go with but a familiar accolade from her.]

[audio]

[matadorable]

Thank you for your kind words. I remember how I felt when I heard the original version, and I've been trying to translate that feeling into guitar music.

[voice]

[timecapture]

That was amazing!

[She really needs to get a guitar again so she can start practicing.]

[voice]

[matadorable]

I'm happy you like it. I was hoping to capture at least some of the feelings behind the original version.

[text; id reads "Mewtwo"]

[thelimitdoesnotexist]

[Mewtwo doesn't consider himself a type of beast soothed by music, but...when he's alone and thinking about everything that happened it helps to have something that takes the weight off his mind. He switches on the feed to send a reply.]

there are some from my world whose song can put people to sleep or heal.
are you trying to heal with your song?

text;

[matadorable]

its true my music
can do those things
and apparently other types of magic
as well

it felt natural
for me to play this
song in particular

i wasnt necessarily
aiming to heal anyone just then
but
if people find it
cathartic or it helps
them forget about life for awhile
then i would be satisfied

[audio]

[alittlebitfiery]

[Yang was sprawled out on her bed when that came on, and it wasn't for a good couple minutes after it ended before she managed to pick up her phone.]

That was pretty chill. Kinda sad though.

[audio]

[matadorable]

The original is kind of sad too, actually. I was trying to translate that feeling with my guitar.

audio;

[bassriff]

[It's... obvious the guy isn't doing so well, just from this. She recognizes the Beach Boys there, the soul behind the playing--he'd described his power as Heartsong, and this fit the bill. Something stirring, that longing, the melancholy - god, she can relate. It takes her a solid few minutes to get ready to respond.

She won't say anything, even as she starts playing in return on her electric. No powers to back up her guitar, but she strums it out anyway. Marceline knows all too well that sometimes, music is all that can speak to suit the moment. For this one? "Plainsong" will do just fine.]

audio;

[matadorable]

[Manolo sits propped up against his pillows, communicator resting beside him as he listens to Marceline's song. He's never heard it before, but the music is like a soothing balm for his aching heart as he lets himself just relax and forget about life for a few minutes...

When it's over, he opens his eyes and softly smiles.]

Ay, that was beautiful, Marceline.

TEXT

[htespagheti]

:(
:( :(

YOUR GUITAR IS SAD!

[Look, Manolo, you made him have to type through his tears!]

TEXT

[matadorable]

sorry papyrus
i didnt mean to
be a huge downer

its just
such a beautiful song
and it kind of matched
how i was feeling
tonight