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

private; audio

[driftsintobuffetline]

Yes, Hermann, we really do.

[He tries to mute the mic on their end. Maybe he succeeds. They'll still be able to hear Manolo on their end, but until they turn back on the mic, he won't hear them.]

Look. We don't have to do pet-names, but can you at least introduce me as your Best Friend, if not your Boyfriend? I know that we're lab-mates and have been for longer than shit and that's unchanging, but I'd like to think Best Friends isn't changing either so, you know. "My Best Friend and Colleague, Newton Geiszler" is fully acceptable, totally professional.

private; audio

[mathemagier]

[Hermann's abruptly nervous, as he always is when they take the time to really Talk about personal things like this]

...Yes, I can do that. 'Boyfriend' really just sounds so juvenile, but I could work with 'partner' at points as well. You're free to introduce us as you'd like, of course.

You know why I introduce you by title, don't you?

private; audio

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ He bristles at boyfriend being called juvenile, even though he agrees, but he still likes it. ]

Because it's what you prefer?

private; audio

[mathemagier]

No, it's.. I simply want others to be aware of your achievements and qualifications, of a sort. To understand that although you may not act it at points, [read: ever] you are a very intelligent and highly capable scientist.

private; audio

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ Aw, no, Hermann. You humble him. He leans up and kisses his forehead. He doesn't really know how to put into words any of this, so he flounders.]

You...you're bragging about me? ...showing me off? I--

[Manolo's voice interrupts, and Newt flails a little, flustered by the moment and the emotion, but he unmutes the mic and goes to reply to their friend.]

private; audio

[mathemagier]

Well I..

[Not exactly, but sort of] Yes, you could say that.

[And now to handle Manolo's teleportation]