(18) Driven to Distraction [Filtered from Joker]
[The PCD comes on, showing Oliver. It is sitting in his lap, looking up at his face. The wooden flute he got during the festivals in in his hands, and he is playing, though not as well as he played the piano. There are notes that come off wrong, and even if he isn't really playing any particular song, just 'jamming', they are still a bit jarring, considering who is playing them. He looks angry, possibly at the musical failures. Oliver's voice, or so it seems, is panting, heavy, pained, somewhere off camera, though he is clearly still playing. It sounds like he is struggling for breath to say something, but can't quite manage it. A soft, feminine chuckle can be heard]
It's alright, Wyatt. You did well. You may have the night to as you wish. Oliver, too. I expect him well rested, in the morning. I wish him to play for my client while we conduct business. Tell him, won't you?
Yes, Mistress. Thank you, Mistress. He'll sleep well, I promise.
[Footsteps, then, silence, save for the flute playing. After a time, he stops playing, and lowers it, taking a sharp breath.]
That was beautiful, pet. You really are as talented as you two have told me, aren't you?
Go away, Nica. Please?
You asked for your brother.
Yes, but where is he?
On his way.
[He swallows, and lets out a breath. Looking down at the PCD, he offers a little smile.]
Anyone needs company, I'm around. Let me know? They's just voices, however hard listening to 'em may be, and they en't real, and they en't here. So just...just remember that, okay?
[He sighs a little.]
Unohana, may we have tea tomorrow morning? I'd like to work on the radio list a little, if that is alright, but otherwise, I've nothing else to do that would distract me.
Oliver.
[His face changes, and from looking like he may have been a touch angry, he goes to sadness.]
Just a second, Wyatt, please?
Yeah. Don't take too long, Mistress wants you to sleep, tonight.
I will.
[he pauses and gathers himself]
I've no other engagements that are pressing, so if you need something, I can put off patrolling the fruit trees and everything. Oh, Ryoji, Jowy, if you two'd like, I will be doing that, this week. If you two want to join me, let me know.
Miss Murrue, I haven't seen it yet, and I'm sorry. I'll go out looking again this afternoon, maybe, alright? I'm sure you miss it terribly. I'll do my best to find it.
[a breath, and sets the flute down and picks up the PCD]
Ed, Al, I've a question for you two, eventually. And who is it what has th' greenhouse? I've some questions on that, too. Thanks.
[he smiles]
Wyatt, are you still there?
'Course I am.
Good.
[The feed cuts out]
((Native American Flute))
It's alright, Wyatt. You did well. You may have the night to as you wish. Oliver, too. I expect him well rested, in the morning. I wish him to play for my client while we conduct business. Tell him, won't you?
Yes, Mistress. Thank you, Mistress. He'll sleep well, I promise.
[Footsteps, then, silence, save for the flute playing. After a time, he stops playing, and lowers it, taking a sharp breath.]
That was beautiful, pet. You really are as talented as you two have told me, aren't you?
Go away, Nica. Please?
You asked for your brother.
Yes, but where is he?
On his way.
[He swallows, and lets out a breath. Looking down at the PCD, he offers a little smile.]
Anyone needs company, I'm around. Let me know? They's just voices, however hard listening to 'em may be, and they en't real, and they en't here. So just...just remember that, okay?
[He sighs a little.]
Unohana, may we have tea tomorrow morning? I'd like to work on the radio list a little, if that is alright, but otherwise, I've nothing else to do that would distract me.
Oliver.
[His face changes, and from looking like he may have been a touch angry, he goes to sadness.]
Just a second, Wyatt, please?
Yeah. Don't take too long, Mistress wants you to sleep, tonight.
I will.
[he pauses and gathers himself]
I've no other engagements that are pressing, so if you need something, I can put off patrolling the fruit trees and everything. Oh, Ryoji, Jowy, if you two'd like, I will be doing that, this week. If you two want to join me, let me know.
Miss Murrue, I haven't seen it yet, and I'm sorry. I'll go out looking again this afternoon, maybe, alright? I'm sure you miss it terribly. I'll do my best to find it.
[a breath, and sets the flute down and picks up the PCD]
Ed, Al, I've a question for you two, eventually. And who is it what has th' greenhouse? I've some questions on that, too. Thanks.
[he smiles]
Wyatt, are you still there?
'Course I am.
Good.
[The feed cuts out]
((Native American Flute))