halfbloodhill | IM | 3rd Proclamation

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IM | 3rd Proclamation

[Here's Mary, throwing a question out to everyone in camp.]

I know that there's a custom of having sing-alongs over the fire in the evenings, and I know that there are a great deal of musically inclined campers.

Often times my father would host musicians over a weekend and they'd form a band just for the visit, and play for everyone at night. Those were lovely times.

Would anyone be interested in forming a band? Nothing formal and obviously we likely only be playing at camp functions at best, or for own pleasure if nothing else. Rock, pop, I'd be up for anything save rap, really.

No one wants to see (or hear) me rap.

Just to have fun and make a bit of noise. I can offer guitar, piano, and singing, myself.

Any takers?

Oh, and we shan't be called 'Free Beer' or 'Live Nude Girls'. Obviously.

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[Facepalm.]

It's an old joke. If a band's called 'Free Beer' or 'Live Nude Girls' it will trick people into coming to their gigs.

[Rhys laughs.]

I must have missed that one. I doubt Mr. D would be too pleased about it here, so good thing you ruled it out.

Well, he's a bit of a fuddy duddy.

[She glances at him sidelong.]

Do you sing? Or play? Or both?

[Rhys can't help laughing. Dionysus, a fuddy-duddy. Man, he's gone down in the world.

Then he makes a face.]

Not where anybody can hear me.

Would you let me hear you?

[She's in earnest.]

Uh.

[He doesn't want to say no, but he feels weird about singing for an audience. Even an audience of one.]

I haven't sung anything in a while, I'd be crap.

Everyone's rusty when they don't use their instrument for a while. It can only get better if you use it.

Please?

All right, all right. Not at the campfire, though.

In private, of course.

[She expected no less. Just getting him to sing at all will be an achievement. Baby steps.]

I'll probably be out in the woods if you want to come find me.

Now? [Surprise. And then, determination.] Alright. Send one of the ravens to guide me if you'd be so kind? Unless you're someplace I'd know to go, like the tree?

The ravens are still out. I'll meet you by the tree.

[Well, might as well get it over with, right?]

[It's a gateway drug, Rhys. A baby step to eventually get you singing in public! IT'S A TRAP.

She gives him a sunny smile and then the iris message winks out. And of course, a few minutes later, Mary's arriving at the tree.]

[Rhys is leaned against the trunk, wondering how the hell he let Mary persuade him to go along with this. She's way too good at making him do things.]

You got here fast.

[At least she's a benevolent dictator?

She flashes him a grin, moving to lean against the tree as well, and sliding her back down along the trunk so she's seated beneath it.]

Perhaps I was worried you might think it over and change your mind.

I wouldn't dare. What do you want me to sing?

[He has a few songs he could do, though he is rusty.]

Whatever you feel comfortable singing. I'll return the favor, if you like.

[She definitely wants to hear him sing, though won't twist his arm for him to listen to her. She's definitely more invested in the former.]

If you really want to.

[He is quiet for a moment, thinking, then starts singing this. Minus about sixty years of grit and whiskey, because he is not quite old enough to be Leonard Cohen.

Still, he does a pretty good job, despite fumbling on a few of the words.]

[Mary is regarding him as if impressed. Which she is.]

You're not that rusty. Your voice is so deep. Like...dark chocolate, or black velvet.

[Rhys is blushing. He'll never admit it, don't even try to spread it around, Mary.]

I'm a little rusty.

But only a little.

[She can't help but add,]

You know if you practiced a bit, you wouldn't be rusty at all. I could help you. We could sing together. It doesn't have to be in public.

I'll think about it. But I haven't heard you yet, come on. Turnabout is fair play, right?

[Her mouth quirks into a faint smile.]

It is indeed.

[It takes her a moment to think of something; and then she takes a breath and sings something a bit more recent than Rhys' choice, humming the bridge when she gets to it, and the parts that are more of a belt, she sings more quietly.]