plasticasshole | Aefenglom IC Inbox

[Connor knows things haven't been easy for Rich, and he knows their relationship has been... tense. Pretty much all because of the SQUIP's involvement, honestly. But maybe they can just talk without the SQUIP coming up. Maybe they can get to know each other better as individuals. He owes it to Rich to try just one more time.

He heads to where he knows Rich works, and he actually has a good reason to come here besides to talk to Rich, too. He wants to buy a violin of his own so he can practice at home. He finds Rich and approaches him, giving him a small, tentative smile. If he doesn't seem interested... well, he can just buy what he needs and leave.]

Hi, Rich. I'm looking for the violins.

[Rich looks surprised when Connor steps into the store, interrupting his guitar tuning. Of course, Connor is free to shop wherever he wants but... Rich isn't used to just putting his emotions to the side for the sake of professionalism. He's sure Connor can compartmentalize but... the SQUIP was such a huge part of his life. Of course it was going to have a toll on Rich, even if he didn't want it to anymore.

Maybe it's that stubbornness that makes Rich consider speaking to Connor, though. He didn't want the SQUIP to influence every aspect of him anymore. It was obviously trying to do that to his relationship with Connor... so wouldn't it be more of a win for Rich to not let it bother him?

He keeps that in the back of his mind as he slowly sets his guitar down, trying to offer a smile back, as strained as it is.]

Uh, yeah, sure thing. They're back here. Follow me.

[Connor follows, looking around idly at the various instruments they pass.]

Do you play any instruments?

[He wants to get to know Rich outside of him being an ex-SQUIP user. What are his hobbies? What is he passionate about?]

Yeah. I do, actually. Been drumming since I was little, and my brother helped me pick up guitar. I haven't played in ages, though. Didn't... have time.

[The issue about Rich is that everything leads back to the SQUIP. That's only natural, considering two of his formative years being dictated by the supercomputer, but it certainly doesn't help alleviate the tension between them.]

[Connor looks down briefly. Ah... wrong thing to ask? He persists anyway.]

I'm learning how to play the violin here. Maybe you could pick up drumming again, or the guitar? Elliot is a good teacher.

I've been sorta picking up guitar again. I'm still rusty, but... I guess it is nice to have a hobby.

[He's not exactly sure what to say about that, though. Or if he should even continue this conversation. Connor seems alright now, but... that last conversation had made it clear how deep the SQUIP's influence was going.]

Do you have any other hobbies?

I like to swim at the bottom of the sea and collect things... shells, or pebbles. I never really had any hobbies before coming here, though.

[Hobbies also include sleeping with evil supercomputers when he shouldn't.]

I could take you swimming with me one day?

[He sounds so hopeful that he might be able to still spend some time with Rich.]

Swimming is nice... I kind of wish I was better at it, though.

[He looks hesitant at the offer, looking at Connor like he's trying to somehow read his thoughts... or read deeper than those thoughts, down the channel to where the SQUIP is examining and controlling those thoughts.

Can he really accept an offer like that when the SQUIP could be listening in?]

I... I'm kind of busy with work right now, but I mean... I guess that might be fun.

[Connor hides the look of disappointment well, but there's still a lingering sort of sadness in his eyes. He hates that he's pushed Rich away, he really does. He's not used to having to navigate this kind of situation though, and even his social relations program can't seem to help him. He was supposed to be able to integrate into any team, sure, but that never was supposed to entail choosing a side between two people.]

Well... when you're not busy, maybe.

[He looks over the violins as they reach them.]

What would you recommend?

[It's not exactly Connor's fault. Honestly. the thing that majorly pushed Rich away wasn't Connor at all... but that's something that Rich will deal with later. For now, he has to keep up appearances however he can.

He moves along the display section with a thoughtful look.]

Well, it depends on what you're looking for. Less money, more compact, better sound... all of those things are important, but it depends on the person which is the highest priority. So what's yours?

Well, I'd like it to sound nice. I don't mind investing a little more for a better quality violin now if it means I don't have to buy another one later on.

[It makes sense, after all. Plus, he's very sensitive to how things sound.]

Makes sense... well, this is one of the newer models.

[He gestures to a sleek wooden one in a display case, with a charming engraving that almost looks like waves.]

I'm not as good with this as I am with guitar obviously, but the strings are strong, and it has a nice, clear sound with someone knows what they're doing with it.

[He likes the way it looks, at least. But the important test would be to play it.]

Can I try it?

[He doesn’t want to just pick it up and start going for it without asking first.]

I mean, go for it. That's the only way to know if it's good, right?

[Rich could always demonstrate, but he's not at all talented, and just knows the instrument from the brief explanation they gave. He'd much rather hear Connor try it, so he picks the violin out of it's little case and holds it out.]

[Connor takes it, and after a moment of deciding he starts to play a song. He tries to be less stiff as he plays, and although he can hit the notes perfectly he still seems slightly frustrated after the little bit he performs. Elliot doesn't want him to play like an android, he wants him to play like a human. He still doesn't feel like he gets that, though.

Well, the violin itself sounds nice. And that was the whole point of this... not to beat himself up over not feeling like he's performing as well as Elliot expects of him.]

What do you think? Personally, I like it.

[Rich's eyes go wide and he whistles lowly after Connor performs, clearly impressed. It does sound good... almost too good, though, and Rich isn't quite sure what that's about. Maybe it's best not to worry about it.]

Wow, I thought you were just starting to learn. That sounded perfect.

Thanks.

[He seems pleased with the compliment.]

I haven’t been learning for very long, but Elliot is a good teacher.

[And being an android, he can play almost anything he wants once he’s been shown how. He just really likes the violin.]

I’m going to continue to study under him until I can make my music sound more... well, less like a machine is playing it.

[Which is hard for a machine. He’s trying, though.]

He does seem it. Maybe I will have to go to him for music lessons, I guess.

[Oh, that explains a bit of Rich's original complaint, and he's grateful for that. He offers a bit of a sideways grin.]

I think what you're missing is the emotion in it. With creative stuff, you have to worry less about perfection and just... let the feelings move you where they will.

[Rich actually wiggles a bit in his spot. Dance is definitely one of those emotional outlets for him, along with music.

I’m not really sure how to apply emotion to a task like music. It’s true that I feel it when playing, but...

[He bites his lip.]

It might sound silly, but I’m afraid of messing up. I don’t want to forget myself and hit the wrong note. So I guess I try to suppress them so that they don’t distract me from performing properly.

It's not silly at all. I think that's how a lot of less experienced players are when they first start out. It's something you have to train yourself to worry about less.

I mean, maybe you could try improvizing a song? Start with a scale and just play around with notes? I think that would be a good way to start training that worry out of you.

[It’s actually a relief to hear that it’s normal. It makes him feel less stupid for admitting it. He knows he has a problem with failure, but at least this can’t all be credited to that fear. It can get better.]

How exactly do you improvise a song?

[He seems intrigued, but confused... he’d never considered it before. How can he just play when there are no notes to follow?]

Uh... it might be easier to show you actually. Come on, I'll show you what I mean.

[He gestures for Connor to follow him back to where he had been sitting before Connor had interrupted, picking up his guitar and strumming a few chords.]

Come on, sit down. You probably know the standard scales, right?

[Connor sits, with his soon-to-be new violin in his hands.]

Of course.

[He eyes the guitar, curious to see Rich play. He sits his violin on his shoulder and awaits further instruction.]

You won’t get into trouble for doing this with me, will you?

No, of course not! I'm helping you pick out an instrument. That's part of my job!

[Mainly, his job is to tune the instruments... but he can help a customer on the side.]

Anyways. Let's start with a minor pentatonic.

[He strums a note until Connor matches it, then slowly moves up and down the scale.]

[Connor follows Rich's lead, satisfied that he's not going to get into trouble for it.]

These instruments would sound good together, don't you think?

12-09 / For Rich

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject