Week Four

[stagemanagers]

[Last week, Gershwin High School Academy University saw its very first intentional murder! What a milestone! And right after Spongebob's No Murder party, too - that doesn't seem like it bodes very well for anybody's future.

You all wake up this morning with yet another new memory returned to you. You'll also find that the school's external doors have now unlocked. Congratulations! You're free! Unfortunately, you also seem to be entirely in the middle of nowhere. So maybe it's more of a symbolic victory.

Still, you should look around and do some investigation! Maybe you'll find a fun surprise.]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( Be sure to submit your memory regains and your AC for this week! Hester's office hours and the merch booth also remain available! ))

Comments

[brokeforgood]

[Its nothing impressive in the grand scale of things, but considering she had no interest in music before this—- it’s a big deal, for Farrah at least.

She manages to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, like Varian showed her last night. Since she’s been at this all day, she can actually do it the whole way through now, without messing up, or pausing to try and remember what she’s doing. Then— after—-]

You’re always—- I wanted to learn, so I could—- Like you do——[Then, quickly, before she can chicken out, she blurts—-]

It’s Father’s Day.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri listens to her play through. He recognizes the tune, of course. It's a rather common, basic one, but she performs it well, smoothly, following the melodic line. He can't help but feel a swell of pride underneath his ribs for her; clearly this isn't something she's done before, but she's doing it beautifully, no matter how simple it is.

Farrah finishes, and he's about to give her some applause for a very excellent performance when she speaks, and he quiets, listening. There's concern, at first, for how she hesitates, and he's about to get up to steady her, and reassure her--

But then she blurts out: It's Father's Day.

Salieri goes very still in his seat--those feelings of pride that already warmed his chest now seem to expand, spreading, going tight in his throat as he feels his eyes sting. Father's Day.

He almost defaults to taking a moment to respond, but she's also clearly anxious and he doesn't want her to worry. So instead he just stands, making his way towards her, arms opening even as he speaks, voice rough with emotion:]

Farrah, my dear girl--

[brokeforgood]

[Her cheeks are flushed, and she regrets it as soon as she says it—- It’s stupid, He’s not actually her—- She doesn’t even have time to finish the thought, before he’s stood.

He’s not mad. Or annoyed, or disappointed or—- anything bad. She bolts to meet him, throwing her arms around him. Her own heart is twisted with emotion, though she can’t quite name it until she’s pressed her face against him, trying not to cry.

Safe. That’s what this feeling is. ]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri wraps his arms around her, tight, just holding her close for a moment]

...thank you. [his voice is rough with emotion] That's--[he has to clear his throat, blinking rapidly]

--I loved it. It was wonderful, Farrah, I'm so proud of you.

[brokeforgood]

[He’s proud of her. Her heart flutters when she hears those words. Before he had taken a chance on her— on a girl who took nothing seriously, who arrived to audition for the audience- she doesn’t think she’d heard those words for a while. She didn’t give anyone a reason to.

He had believed she could be better. And she didn’t want to let him down. She wanted to make him proud, and she had.

When she pulls back, and looks at him, she’s glowing.]

Really? Varian showed me a little bit, last night. But I wanted to be better, before I showed you. And... I thought—- today made sense. [The next parts harder for her to say, but it’s easier to, now that he’s expressed his pride.]

I know you’re not really my dad. And I know that my parents are, like—- they’re not the worst, or dead or anything—- they’re just also... not really occupied with me. You always make me feel like I can be more than just the drunk loser girl who messed up a basic routine.

You’re what I’d want my dad to be like, if I was picking.

[violentenvies]

[Farrah pulls back to explain further. Though it's not entirely surprising at this point, it still pains him to hear that her parents have dismissed her that much. He's angry, on her behalf, but before that emotion can even settle--

You're what I'd want my dad to be like, if I was picking.

Salieri can't help but suck in a small breath at that, feeling as though there's something tight and aching around his ribs, but it's hardly terrible; instead, it's quite the opposite. He swallows, hard, reaching up to frame her face gently with his hands so he can look her in the eye.]

Farrah-- [he's trying to keep his voice steady, even as her face swims a bit through the tears that he's failing to blink away, a few escaping to roll down his cheeks, smearing his makeup] --there is nothing that I would consider a higher honor than being a father that you chose.

[brokeforgood]

[She’s always wondering if she’s done something wrong. But he helps her let go of some of that fear. Especially when he frames her face like that—- when the tears start to well in his eyes. It’s then that she knows that it’s all okay. It seems so strange to her, that anyone would be honored by that. But she won’t fight it.]

Then... consider yourself honored.

Will you—- teach me how to do what you do? With the music?

[violentenvies]

[how can he help but smile when she asks him that, the corners of his eyes crinkling despite the tears]

I do have to fix my make up first but afterwards, I'd love to.

[brokeforgood]

[She smiles, looking pleased with herself once more. Then... a slightly more distressed look pans across her features.]

I’m... sorry I didn’t know who you were. And I’m sorry about your music. [He may or may not notice that the weird yearbook is amongst the beginners books—- like she’d been studying that, too.]

If you teach it to me, I’ll make sure to never forget it.

[violentenvies]

[...oh. Oh. He didn't expect any of this, but that he expected even less.

Salieri goes still for a moment in surprise. Then he sucks in a small breath, and has to swallow, hard]

I...that's alright. Truly. You told me that all that was left of Vienna was sausages, apparently, so I don't believe I can blame you for it.

But, ah...[hold on, he has to clear his throat and blink a bunch again]...I would love to teach you some of my music.

[brokeforgood]

Yeah, uh, about that. [Lets ruin this tender moment—-]

I’m pretty sure Vienna still exists. I was just, uh, messing with you a little bit. I’ve never been there, but I think it’s still a place.

[violentenvies]

[alsdkhfs that'll make him huff out a laugh, shaking his head]

I had a feeling you were messing with me, yes.

[brokeforgood]

The sausages are real though! [Farrah laughs, still giddy from his pride.]

I’ll be a good daughter. I promise.

1/2

[violentenvies]

Well, they are certainly a specialty there. [dryly]

2/2

[violentenvies]

[his expression does soften again]

However..you already are a good daughter. And I have no doubt you will continue to be so.