Week One

[stagemanagers]

[Yesterday, everyone woke up in a strange place and realized that they'd been kidnapped, and also that everyone else around them may or may not be kinnies? Wow, what a weird escalation of kin drama! Given what some people have seen of Spongebob's freaky arm thing, though, maybe it's not that at all?

Your Assistant Director, Hester, showed off her stuff and immediately had her life threatened by Lumpy Space Princess, who got her life threatened right back. Maybe you should keep that in mind if you decide to pay Hester any more visits! She won't be making another public appearance this week, but as promised, she'll be available for visits and consultation in the Principal's Office during business hours.

If you don't want to chat with Hester, there's always the school to explore! Some of you might also be receiving mysterious coins next to your bedside this week - those must be useful for something, right? There's lots to do, and you all seem like a group who can make your own fun, so enjoy your first week of school!]


Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday


(( OOC: This will be the last mod post for this week! Feel free to start submitting regains for any threads that aren't with Hester. Remember, song threads mean an extra coin! This is a peace week, so get all that CR while you can! ))

Comments

[violentenvies]

Of course. I enjoy composing opera in particular.

[he looks quite pleased at Orpheus's enthusiasm]

Now, keep in mind it'll be an octave up when the soprano sings it, but...

[and he's going to start to play (hover translation enabled)]

Par les larmes dont votre fille
Arrose en tremblant votre sein
Mon père de votre famille
Ne devenez pas l'assassin!
Mon père, Mon père...ne devenez pas l'assassin!

[A song about a daughter begging her father not to become the killer of his family. That sure is what he's composing right now. Salieri'll let the chord die away for a moment, before he breathes out]

...that is what I have so far.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Well, it's apt?? In its way. Orpheus listens with rapt attention and an almost childlike look of wonderment, eyes wide and shining. When the man finishes, he applauds enthusiastically. ]

That was wonderful! I'm sure the commissioner will love it. [ he says, beaming. ] I've always wanted to see a real opera. I have a few records, and I've met people who played in the orchestra who were willing to teach me their parts, but I don't live anywhere near an opera house.

[ Also, it costs money, and which he has basically none of at any given time. ]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri is a little startled at the applause, but can't quite help the immediate flattered smile at the praise that accompanies it.]

I'm glad you like it. [he considers for a moment, playing a couple notes on the piano] It's a shame you haven't had the opportunity to see an opera, considering your enthusiasm...

[he tilts his head a bit, giving Orpheus an almost conspiratorial smile]

I'll tell you what. I don't think I could get an entire opera done anytime soon, but I could flesh out and finish this scene. Perhaps there are some singers and performers among us, and we could stage it, at least? Then you will have seen at least part of it.

[themuseabandonsyou]

Really? You'd do that? [ Orpheus looks shocked, but pleasantly so. ]

Opera is really difficult to sing, but I bet we can find at least a few people who are willing to try! I can ask around. And I bet at least a few of us play instruments that would work for this.

[violentenvies]

Opera can be difficult, yes, if you're singing to a big stage. A room such as this or such as the Lobby or Cafeteria, however...that is much more feasible for untrained or smaller voices.

[he considers again, tapping a finger on one of the keys]

Depending on what skills we have available, this is certainly something that could be workable within a week or so. [he seems to be thinking rather hard about this, but eagerly. Having a project to work on really helps distract from the Everything of this place]

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus nods enthusiastically. ]

Let me know what I can do to help, and I'll do it. I'm sure at the others will be interested too! [ It'll be good to focus on something that isn't how they're all trapped in a mysterious building being monitored by what might or might not be a wrathful god, being gently nudged into considering murdering each other. ]

Oh, um. What did you say your name was, again? [ Orpheus realizes suddenly that he doesn't... actually know, and isn't sure if that's because the man hasn't introduced himself yet or if he just forgot in all the excitement. ]

[violentenvies]

[at that, Salieri chuckles] Forgive me, I've forgotten my manners.

Maestro Antonio Salieri, at your service, Monsieur Orpheus.

[he considers the music on the piano still]

Perhaps...it might be helpful to post some sort of notice tomorrow about putting this scene together. [he glances back at Orpheus, then] You said you've written some music before...I'm assuming you play an instrument, then?

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ That name sounds vaguely familiar, but Orpheus can't quite put his finger on it, so he just puts that aside for now. ]

It's nice to meet you, [ he says, not sure if he said that already but pretty sure that it doesn't hurt to be polite twice. ] And I play a couple of different instruments, yes, but mostly the lyre and the piano.

[ Growing up he begged lessons off of any musician passing through town who would indulge him, so he can do a little bit of a lot of different things, but those are the main ones that he's actually confident in enough to play in front of an actual professional composer. ]

[violentenvies]

The lyre, really? [Salieri does look rather impressed]

That's both appropriate and impressive.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus nods enthusiastically. ]

My mother taught me how to play. It was her favorite instrument.

[violentenvies]

I see. [he can't help but look a bit amused, perhaps with a touch of admiration] She must have been a talented woman, to be so knowledgeable of Greek myth and the lyre. A blessing that she passed such traits on to you.

[themuseabandonsyou]

She is. [ he says, smiling, though there's a touch of melancholy to it. His relationship with his mom is a bit of a complicated subject. ]

She takes her duties and role very seriously. Knowing the history and how to tell it is her calling.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri notes that melancholic note, though...Orpheus speaks in the present, so he can at least parse that his mother isn't dead.]

Oh? That is quite a duty for one to take on.

[themuseabandonsyou]

She was born into it, I think?

[ Actually come to think of it, Orpheus doesn't really know how most gods get their domains. He'd never really thought to ask. Anyway. ]

She's a muse. She presides over epics and storytelling.

[violentenvies]

[....what what

Salieri stares a moment, then opens his mouth, and closes it]

....I beg your pardon, did you say your mother is a muse?

[themuseabandonsyou]

Yes. The muse Calliope? I guess you'd already know her, if you work in theater.

[ Even if plays and operas specifically fall more under the purview of her sisters' domains. Anyway, he doesn't sound like he's too enthusiastic about it, like he's namedropping or anything. It's just a fact about himself. ]

1/2

[violentenvies]

I...I know of her, yes.

[Salieri is going to just...lean back a bit and fold his arms over his chest, doing his best to school his expression into something a bit less telling to the absolute circles his mind is running in. He takes a moment, then--]

2/2

[violentenvies]

...well. [if there's a person who is literally a Narrator, why not Actual Orpheus.] I suppose I should've guessed, what with your talent. If you'd be willing, I should be rather curious to hear you play sometime.

[because honestly, what musician in their right mind would pass up a chance to hear Orpheus play.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ That's a bit of a confusing reaction, and Orpheus blinks owlishly at Salieri as he seems to think about it. Maybe his mom is an even bigger deal than he thought? ]

Of course! There's a song I've been working on, too, if you want to hear it now. I just have to find a lyre.

[ Honestly among the ocean of upsetting things going on right now is not knowing where his lyre is. He's used to taking it with him basically everywhere he goes. It was a gift! It's very important to him! It's probably just back home, but not knowing for sure makes him kind of nervous. ]

[violentenvies]

[your mom is kind of a big deal, Orpheus, but you are an even bigger deal, Buddy.]

I would very much like to hear what you've been working on. [he's kind of maybe actually internally starting to just kind of

fan boy

a little

internally. internally fanboying because he just might get to hear a song from Orpheus himself. Fortunately, he's well practiced at keeping more of a neutral disposition, and boy is he employing that here.

He glances around the room, frowning slightly]

Ah...I don't know if I've spotted a lyre amongst these instruments, but I'd be happy to help you look.

[ please let there be a lyre please let there be a lyre please let there be a lyre]

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus is casually oblivious to all of this, and just smiles at Salieri before turning to look through the cabinets. There's a lot of brass instruments lying around, a cello, some drums - oh, there it is!

Emerging from instrument storage with what is definitely a guitar and not a lyre, Orpheus says, ]

This will work!

[ And slings the strap over his shoulder, starting to tune it. ]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri had just stood to start looking through the instruments when Orpheus proclaims he's found something that works--and Salieri turns, startled and pleased, expecting a lyre...and sees Orpheus tuning a guitar?? A larger than normal one at that. He frowns, folding his arms over his chest, observing for a moment]

A...guitar?

[themuseabandonsyou]

If you want to be specific! [ says Orpheus, strumming an experimental chord to make sure he's got it tuned correctly. When it comes out sounding right, he smiles, and looks up at Salieri. ]

Are you ready?

[ The idea of performing for an actual professional composer is a little nervewracking, especially since his song isn't finished yet, but Maestro Salieri was nice enough to share his work, so he feels like it's only fair. ]

[violentenvies]

[Normally, he might argue about the lyre thing, but Orpheus asks him if he's ready, and Salieri sets his bewilderment aside for now, instead folding his arms and leaning against the piano a bit, though he does gesture with a hand, encouragement]

Please. I am ready whenever you are.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus nods, grinning nervously, and takes a deep breath before beginning to play. ]

King of shadows
King of shades
Hades was king of the Underworld
But he fell in love with a beautiful lady
Who walked up above in her Mother's greenfield
He fell in love with Persephone
Who was gathering flowers in the light of the sun
And he took her home to become his queen
Where the sun never shone
On anyone

The lady loved him and the kingdom they shared
But without her above, not one flower would grow
So King Hades agreed that for half of each year
She would stay with him there in his world down below
But the other half, she could walk in the sun
And the sun, in turn, burned twice as bright
Which is where the seasons come from
And with them, the cycle
Of the seed and the sickle
And the lives of the people
And the birds in their flight
La la la la la la la...
La la la la la la la...
La la la la la la la...
La la la la la la la...