maskormenace | 03 ♥ audio (late night)

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There are still different types of sadness, is what Manolo wants to say. But in the end, it all goes back to that core feeling of loss, doesn't it.]

I guess that's one thing that's the same across different universes. [A pause.] I like to think love is another one of those things too.

Love is more important than sorrow. I like to think.

[Winry considers.]

You can feel sad because you're missing someone but know there's still a connection, somehow, between you and that person. Even if they're not here in this world.

[Like Ed. Her grandmother. Alphonse.]

I know exactly what you mean. Back home, we celebrate the Day of the Dead every November. The feeling behind it...it's a lot like that.

That sounds like a good ceremony. We don't have...any memorial days like that back home.

Really? [He sounds genuinely surprised by that.]

No. Nothing like that.

[A smile though you can't see it.]

There should be. We've lost a lot of people in wars.

[Manolo understands losing people to war a little too well.]

Well...even if there's no official day for it, I think the most important thing is that we never forget the ones we've lost.

I haven't. I couldn't.

[Her parents and her almost-foster, not-quite-adopted Dad.]

That's good. I'm sure they'd be happy to know you're keeping their memory alive, then.

I'd like to think that.

[Really she would.]

Maybe you can tell me a little about them someday.

Ah...are you sure you want to hear that?

[She might cry.]

Of course! It doesn't have to be now, though, if you'd rather wait.

That's probably for the best!

[A reprieve. Not that she wouldn't love talking about her parents and Mr. Hughes...and Ed and Al.]

I understand. Another time is okay too.

I'll invite you over for tea and pie.

Coffee and pie?

[She's good for either.]

Either of those sound great. [There is a definite smile in Manolo's voice.] I could try bringing something too, but I can't promise it'll be amazing, hahah.