01 // video forever

[presto_presto]

[The wall communicator flickers on by itself, as they do sometimes. It reveals someone new: a middle-aged, moustachioed man whose face is caked in stage makeup, and whose suit is torn and scorched in places

Comments

[audio]

[worldentire]

[He takes note of the new video feed and just about chokes on his cigarette, as he's apparently apt to do these days. His eyes widen and he grins slightly, half out of dread and the other out of the possibilities.]

Say, is that Sander Cohen I hear?

Re: [audio]

[presto_presto]

[He glances up, although his look is gratified rather than confused. Apparently there is nothing strange about random voices coming out of the wall.]

But of course it is!

[worldentire]

[watches the feed, snickering. He's very careful to get rid of the laughter before speaking.]

Well, hell. And here I thought I'd be trapped in Wonderland without some decent entertainment. And how're you doin' today, Mr. Cohen?

[video]

[presto_presto]

[He puffs out his chest, in a manner not unlike a peacock fanning out its tail.]

Aren't you lucky I'm here? My performances still go on, as long as there's a pair of eyes, a pair of ears, a pair of hands to appreciate them...!

[Voice]

[skater_lynx]

Hey what's that you're singing?

You do know that you can get a real piano right? We have a music room too.

Re: [Voice]

[presto_presto]

[He pauses in his rendition, glancing around for the source of the questions.]

Rolf's solo from the second act of Honesty and Subterfuge. He's trying to save O'Rourke from the wasteful lifestyle of Shawn and his gang.

...A music room? [he says it in the same way a starving gourmet might say 'a banquet?']

[Voice]

[skater_lynx]

Never heard of it. Sounds interesting and sort of familiar~ Maybe the vendors will have it. I like old movies and show music.

Yeah! It's somewhere around the first hall. There's a piano in it but I think that's it. Maybe it's just a piano room, I've never been but its got to be better than pretend games.

[Video]

[presto_presto]

On the contrary, it's cutting-edge.

[...actually, it wasn't all that original even in 1960, but Sander likes to believe the very best of his work.]

I'd be obliged if you gave me directions.

[ACTION]

[echo_of_utopia]

[Sofia is wandering the halls, making notes of the house's layout. A difficult task, considering some of the stairs and corridors seem to move or even vanish ever so often.

She isn't even sure which floor she is on right now, but as she passes a door she hears a familiar clanking sound tune and voice. Could this be...?

She decides to knock on the door.]

Hello?

[More knocking.]

Is somebody in there?

[ACTION]

[presto_presto]

[Who interrupts his practice? Voices in his room are allowed, he supposes, because voices don't make a mess and disturb his delicate artistic balance. But the threat of actual physical intrusion is less welcome. Is that voice familiar? It will be if he spares it some attention.

His answer is impatient:]

Don't disturb me when I'm rehearsing!

Re: [ACTION]

[echo_of_utopia]

[It is him. Lamb hesitates and considers her options. Conversations with Cohen were a challenge before he went off the deep end and the stories she's heard about him since then are... well...

Still, Father Wales has taught her that nothing's quite as valuable as having an overly obsessed and spliced-up lunatic on your side.

She knocks again.]

Mister Cohen. Mister Cohen!

[Again, louder]

Mister Cohen, whyever would you leave your fans waiting in a place like this?

[ACTION]

[presto_presto]

[He hesitates. That's a good point. That's a very good point. In Rapture's heyday he would have been strict on his point, but times are different - his Moth aside, the fans just doesn't come to him any more, and they should be preserved when they do.

A moment later, his tone suggests this was his plan all along:]

Of course, of course! Come in! [He looks about; there's not really much he can do to make the room more presentable, so he settles for straightening his jacket.] I can always spare a few moments for a loyal fan.

[Five minutes in Wonderland and he's already being played by two different people. Cohen's doing well for himself.]

OH GOD OH MAN OH GOD OH MAN OH GOD

[kindly_done]

[The feed opens on a pair of anxious brown eyes, and then the face jerks away from the camera, coming fully into view, and well, if it isn't the moth himself.]

...shit.

WELL IF IT ISN'T MY FAVOURITE TEST-TUBE BABBY

[presto_presto]

[Cohen's eyes move to the screen, and they light up with a spark that's usually reserved for sold-out concerts or sculpting in plaster. The silent tune his fingers are playing falters, then he rounds it off with two quick chords as he smiles covetously at Jack's image.]

I knew I'd see you again before long, little Moth.

WHY AM I EVEN ANSWERING YOU

[kindly_done]

[Jack shudders visibly.]

Knew I should've...

BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME, DEEP DOWN

[presto_presto]

Tell me, did you complete your own personal masterpiece...?

[He did wonder, but news travels slowly when people would rather hit each other with pipes than pass on gossip.]

[jesusing_clown]

Sir? Um, would you like to know where the real pianos are?

[video]

[presto_presto]

[he stops singing, although his hands still waver in the air.]

I would be indebted if you could show me.

[Video]

[jesusing_clown]

[I have no idea what to make of you]

It's no trouble, where are you now? The music rooms are on the first floor.

[Video]

[presto_presto]

I'm...

...not sure where I am.

[he frowns uneasily; the fact seems to have only just occurred to him.]