milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Max is doing the whole 'staring off into space' thing again. If you happen to be occupying said space, feel free to come tell her off for staring. Or just bother the X5 in general. She could probably use a distraction.

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Arithon is still thumbing through the musical instruments catalog.

He does nod a bit as he passes the place where Max is staring.

It takes a few seconds, but she does notice the movement, her gaze snapping into focus. "Oh. Hey. What're you reading?"

"Catalog."

He says with a wistful sigh,

"I wish I had room for a pipe organ."

Max blinks once. "Why?" She sounds honestly curious, not incredulous. "Do you collect different instruments?"

"As many as I can."

He says as he reluctantly shuts the catalog,

"I love music."

"Do you prefer to listen, or to play?" She tilts her head to one side, eyeing him curiously.

"To play, Lady."

There may be a faint laugh. There is a smile,

"One of my titles is Masterbard."

Max smiles faintly as well. "Ah, well, that makes sense, then. Which instruments do you play?"

"Harp, lyranthe, a bit of piano, flute, fife..."

And he keeps going for a while. Quite a while, really.

And yet Max remains attentive. It's a skill. "Impressive..." And again, she seems honest. "You must be a prodigy."

"Something like that, Lady."

He leans against the back of a chair,

"Would you like me to sing for you?"

"I would love to hear you sing." Another small smile. Despite having no real skill herself, Max loves music.

He thinks for a moment, then sings. Just in English, not Paravian,

"I burn with need to run
and yet I stay
Trapped between want and
need at the end of the day.
I ache for the touch of
the wind on my back
and I am trapped in the walls
of home.

I have dreams of a world
of passion
and I live a life full of
Rage.
In the heart of my motion
do you see the
secret stillness I crave?

And I scream to the sky
do not deny
me the silence
And I ache for the touch
of a safe embrace.

And I live each moment in passion
I exist in a world bright and new
And if you give me
a chance then
I will share it with
you."

The song is wistful, but strong. He knows what he wants, and he will put his wants aside (at least for now) in order to do what must be done. His voice, a baritone that is a nearly touchable rich, reaches out to wrap her up in his miniature world.

From the position of his body to the sin-and-chocolate of his voice, the song is one of barely leashed passion and desire for more than simple survival.

Her eyes might be a bit brighter than usual, but if there are tears, they don't fall. She watches him intently, for several moments beyond the song's end.

"That was beautiful." Said very softly, as though she fears breaking the spell woven by his voice.

"Thank you."

He says equally softly,

"I have always liked it."

"I can see why." Max smiles faintly. "And your voice is...amazing." Yes, she's at a bit of a loss for words.

"That is why they call me Masterbard."

He says it lightly, but is honestly pleased by the compliment. Max should ask Faith and Alanna what he can do with his voice. Really. Just for the squirming of it.

Max nods slightly. She understands why he would have been given the title, now.

"Thank you," she says after a moment. It seems inadequate, but again, she feels at a loss for words.

"At any time, Lady."

And he means it. He would be perfectly happy to spend all night, each night, singing through his shift.

"Had the world been kind, I would have been naught but a bard."

"It's sad that the world wasn't so kind." She smiles slightly. "Though it's good that you can take joy in your art still."

"It is sad, yes."

He says with a flip of his hands for a shrug. And then, in the interest of fading, he continues to sing for her until his shift is over.

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