[ and now it's done. ]

[arcanepower]

Who: Belthazar and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: The Iskaulit.
When: At a very reasonable time of morning

[video;]

[The piano's actually been built for a few weeks-- since before Winn fell asleep, actually-- but his coma left Belth needing to finish putting things together as well as the final touches. The rest has been simply... tuning. He's glad he has an ear for music, but finding a decent tuning fork was surprisingly difficult. And then, of course, he had to paint and polish the damn thing. That took another couple of weeks...

But it's done now, and he's managed to teach himself a very basic melody for the purpose of this broadcast. He turns the communicator so it can sweep over the piano in its entirety. There are a few things that set it as alien, such as the shape and the expanded number of keys, but it's recognizable enough.]

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you... the Fleet's first piano! The book called it a harpsinterian, though it's obviously related. It even has the pedals I remember from the-- I'm rambling. [Ahem.] This was made possible because of Winn's ingenuity so you may direct your thanks to him. I merely provided the materials.

[He plays his few arpeggios without any mistakes. He's been up all night getting this perfect, and he lets out an audible sigh when he's done.]

A friend told me that she longed to hear her loved one play the piano again, and that was the main reason I started this project. But music doesn't belong to just one person. That's why it's on the Iskaulit for anyone to enjoy. I hope to spend some time getting to know it from the player's chair rather than bending over it... and I wish to hear the Fleet filled with music again.

Also, if it's not much of a bother-- Nightingale? I would love to see you and Opal both, so that I may hear this playing you gushed so much about.

Comments

voice;

[nerdeology]

[!!!]

You finished it! It looks so intricate. Truly a work of art!

[A little bedazzled for his tastes, but the sound matters more than the outside appearance, in this case.]

voice;

[arcanepower]

We did! What do you think? Does it sound clear to you?

[He plays with a few of the higher keys. tink tink tink]

voice;

[nerdeology]

I can't say I know much about how a piano is supposed to sound, but I like it.

video;

[winn]

Hey it did not look this nice last time I had my hands on it, you deserve plenty of credit.

video;

[arcanepower]

[Time for a blush.]

Well-- I couldn't leave it unpainted. It'd look so... so slapdash.

video;

[winn]

[ well you know what that means. MORE COMPLIMENTS! ]

Sorry I bailed on the finale, comas suck. But you did a really great job there.

video;

[robitussin]

[She tends to respond by text to most things on the network, but this... Well. She can't help the look of surprise that crosses her face as she watches the video. Softly, after a moment, with a small smile growing on her face:]

Oh my god. You— really? Oh my god.

[Yeah, that's all she's got.]

video;

[arcanepower]

[This must be Opal. Or else some other girl is inordinately excited about a piano.]

Are you Opal? I'm Belthazar, a cook on the Blue Fish. It's-- it's a pleasure to meet you. Nightingale told me about you.

video;

[robitussin]

Uh, yeah, that's me. It's, um, nice to meet you.

[She pauses.]

You really decided to help make it just because she said that?

video

[experiencepoints]

You really did it?

[SHE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT, she just looks absolutely thrilled.]

If Opal's willing to play, I'll be there.

video

[arcanepower]

Of course I did. I said I was going to, didn't I?

[He smiles softly.]

I'd love to hear it. I'd love to learn, too, but I don't expect anyone to teach me. I know I'm a terrible student.

[Temperament wise, anyway.]

video

[deviances]

[ Holy crap, that thing is beautiful... Music dork that he is, of course he's grinning. He gives a low whistle. ]

Wow, man. That's awesome! You did it! And it sounds amazing!

[ Filling the Fleet with music? That's a wish he can totally get behind. ]

video

[arcanepower]

Does it? I admit I've only heard the barest recordings, but... I really liked how it sounded.

[His ears pin against his hair somewhat.]

You know a bit about music, don't you? Do you know how to read it?

video

[deviances]

[ lmao a bit about music... Eithan lights up a little -- a chance to nerd about music? He'll take it. ]

Yeah, I can read music. Definitely. Why d'you ask?

video.

[paraclete]

There's little chance that I can wholly convey my gratitude. [Kaworu's had absolutely zero part in any of this, but he's already 500% invested. And, while he's mellow on a surface level, it might be clear that his joy will be unbridled if he lets it burst up and out of him.] It would be good to play it, when I have the opportunity.

[Shinji's secondhand electric keyboard, purchased at an interplanetary pawn shop, has been very wonderful for Kaworu... but the chance to play at a real piano, seat and pedals and everything else, sounds miraculous.]

video.

[arcanepower]

[Belth isn't very good at reading people, so he'll just take his word for it. He's eager to believe in some appearances, anyway. Ones that aren't in a court setting...]

It's here, waiting for you, anytime. All I ask is that you leave it the way you found it.

video.

[paraclete]

I'd even be happy to help maintain it, if you care to have a hand. [This is equal parts genial generosity and the absolute delight he finds in minding a piano.]

Voice;

[servantnotserving]

[If there's one thing he has learned already, it's that he can have conversations with people he hasn't met yet much easier if he just doesn't have the video on on his communicator. Yep. But this is absolutely something of interest to him. ]

That is a most beautiful instrument! Everywhere needs a little music to lighten the mood. It makes everything a little brighter, no?

Voice;

[arcanepower]

[Oddly enough, Belthazar wouldn't even be fazed by a talking candelabra. It's called polymorphing.]

It does. There was very little music around my city, mostly hymns or harps. Nothing quite like this.

I'm looking forward to learning it.

Voice;

[servantnotserving]

[Eventually, he'll work out who is least likely to freak about this. Maybe. One day. ]

Then I am very glad you get to experience it here and now, monsieur!

Do you have a teacher? I have to admit, I can't really play either, I'm just a great appreciator of music.

video;

[geonomy]

Whoa, you helped make that? It looks incredible! I like the patterns on it!

[Reminds him of stars!]

video;

[arcanepower]

I painted it a little.

[Always downplaying his accomplishments when it counts.]

I tried to base it on what was outside the window. I didn't quite succeed, but... I think I got close?

video;

[geonomy]

Ah-ha! I thought it looked like stars! I'd say you more than succeeded if you got the spaceman to agree with you!

[BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!]

audio.

[astrobleme]

That's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

[Shinji might as well be reciting a prayer, given how hushed and reverent his voice is. And then,]

So anybody's allowed to play it? For real? Are you sure?

audio.

[arcanepower]

[He's never heard this person before, but the way he talks about the piano reminds Belthazar of himself. He is always like that when he finds an old book or a magical artifact.]

Of course! What is the point of building an instrument if not to make it sing?

All I ask is that you treat it carefully and do not take it from the Iskaulit, or else others may not be able to find it.