come sail away

[4thdimensional]

Who: Doc Brown Will Brandt and you! Especially if you play music.
What: Failures of scientific studies about music and the strange phenomena surrounding it.
When: Late April, various afternoons
Where: Around Vista City
Warnings: Weird old man singing. Be warned.


aural experiment #1: morning

[Doc's finally earned enough money to cobble together a few small devices. The one he sets on the outdoor café table at breakfast looks oddly like a classic record player. It plays a soft classical tune, all while the man sitting behind it appears to be absorbed in his newspaper.

The inside of said newspaper is actually covered in scribbled notes. Nothing interesting is happening yet, but he remains optimistic.

...at least, until the record makes a horrible screeching noise for some reason. Doc slams down the newspaper to hurriedly turn it off.]

I'm not sure the classics agree with me anymore. My apologies.

aural experiment #2: afternoon

[Undeterred by his earlier failure with the record-er, Doc wanders the streets in the afternoon with some strange-looking headphones attached to his ears. They cover the back half of the ear and curve outward, and he hides it, but there's a thin microphone-like device in his hands too.

Should anyone look too closely at him, he immediately picks up the 'mic' and begins to sing in a weathered and untrained voice, waving an arm like he's conducting an invisible orchestra:]

I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea...

[Those in the vicinity may want to leave it.]

aural experiment #3: night

[Doc saves his best attempt for last: a last-ditch device more compact than the previous ones. There's a lot of musical activity at night---sound pouring out of each club, each concert hall, the headquarters...he strolls around each of these places, humming quietly to himself.

He occasionally scribbles in a notebook, but his findings will have to be analyzed later. That odd thing in the air that he can't name...it bothers him deeply, and the mystery continues to taunt him. Solve this and they can free the others. Or can they?

As he strolls back to his too-small apartment, he finds himself singing once more, though this time in a more subdued manner.]

Come sail away with me, come sail away...

Comments

[4thdimensional]

[Doc's had an odd feeling about today, but he couldn't quite describe it. Of course he's being watched by someone---with the shakeups his little group is causing, the labels are bound to be on the defensive.

But this is someone he's seen in the news---a musician. The other label---Pride, he thinks. And another one interested in science. Doc looks up at him with a friendly but faintly cautious smile.]

Results are inconclusive at the moment. There's an abundance of musical energy in this town, like no other place I've ever lived. Have you noticed?

[worthlesspride]

[Musical energy... okay, that was weird, but he was going to roll with it]

I...

Well, I know something weird is going on. Something with Santiago and Blanche I'm assuming.

[4thdimensional]

[Those names catch his attention. The rescuers can't show their whole hand, of course, but he can try to help out. He lowers his voice.]

We can discuss it, but not here. Come to the garage with me?

[He points at Beekman's, a short distance away.]

[worthlesspride]

Hmm... That's not where you work is it? It'd be like leading them right to you. And I don't want to get you in trouble with them.

[He remembers all too well what they did to him when he got in trouble with Santiago.]

Is there another place we can meet?

[4thdimensional]

Not that garage, the other garage. Always have more than one base.

[He's always kept at least two. Standard procedure...though given his limited funding, the secret one is a fair bit more dilapidated and slightly dangerous than his workplace.]

[worthlesspride]

Right, of course. Lead the way then.

[This was going to be good. Tooru could feel it in nerd heart]

[4thdimensional]

[He does, trying not to look over his shoulder too many times. He casually babbles about engines as he goes, until they finally arrive at a place that can hardly be classified as a garage with its roof holes and draftiness.

But it's quiet and out of the way. Doc welcomes his new ally in and turns on a small lantern, gesturing toward the large cushions he'd gathered for sitting space.]

The managers of the record labels are after more than money and influence, you're right. Do you remember how you became involved?

[worthlesspride]

I know, the alien ghost Baryl told me as much when I asked them what they were after. They're gathering energy, and apparently have been for a long time.

[He sits on one of the cushions and rubs at the knee Santiago broke]

I'm sorry, do you have an ice pack? Or heat pack? Pain killers?

[He rubs his knee a bit, considering his answer...]

I... vaguely remember being taken.

[Flashes of Toriel, and the selfie they took together. Of Ryuko, who had fought bravely with him. Well, she fought he pointed out where to strike...]

I know... I know I'm not from this world. I'm not a musician, I'm a volleyball player.

[He stops and rubs his knee, and then sadly]

I was on the track for going pro.

[4thdimensional]

I do. Here, drink up.

[Doc quickly passes him some pain medication and whatever bottle of water he can find. Every kidnapped musician he's encountered thus far has suffered from terrible headaches, he ought to help when he can.]

The energy from your performances. My research is just beginning, but I believe this world tour plan will bring that power to a fever pitch. The final piece of their plan set in motion.

[Doc sighs. The bandmates need to be freed and quickly, that much is clear.]

We're trying to free you before that happens.

[worthlesspride]

Thank you.

[Tooru drinks it down]

It was hard on my knee, following you all day.

[He listens, yeah, that makes sense, now to get to the meat of the matter.]

Okay. How?

[He's already planning something, he just has no idea how to do anything just yet]

Are you planning a trickle out or massive break? It needs to be soon, and probably should be more then a trickle, because I know I won't leave with out my band. I want to make sure they're safe. Most of the other bands will be the same.

[4thdimensional]

We've been trickling members out so far, but the label management is already on high alert. I'd prefer a jailbreak, but we should learn as much as we can before we strike---we're up against a terrible threat, but we don't entirely know what yet.

[He frowns.]

Many of us are here to save friends who are dear to us. We know how critical this mission is...

[Then he goes off on another tangent. He'd said something else...]

...you were following me?

[worthlesspride]

I'm... I have an idea. I think that they're trying to make themselves gods.

[he pulled in on himself]

It's the only thing that makes sense to me. And I know, I've met someone from my world.

[He takes another drink of water, then gives a little smile]

I was. You're ... Well, you're not subtle. I noticed you at the cafe. Then found you again after my physical therapy.

[4thdimensional]

Of course. That was one of my leading hypotheses as well...and with the power of godhood, they could erase and reshape an entire universe.

[He laughs a little at himself.]

I've always had an unfortunate knack for standing out. But your friend undoubtedly shares the same feelings: we were summoned from across the universe to free our loved ones from an oncoming disaster. We're working on getting you out of there.

[worthlesspride]

What are you're other theories?

[Well, if the scientist is agreeing with him then Tooru is on the right track. Goodie. He likes being right, but maybe not this right.]

Refreshing-kun is more of a rival then a friend, but sure.

In any case. Yes, the faster the better.

[4thdimensional]

That they simply wish for unlimited wealth...the ultimate indulgences. Not a life I'd ever crave.

[He wrinkles his nose. No, that's definitely out.]

And we're working at it, I promise you. We're not leaving anyone behind.

[worthlesspride]

Good.