In Which Things Happen

[seventhsong]

Who: Lorelei seventhsong, Anyone
What: Roaming, and later monster hunting
Where: Various floors!
Summary: Unable to come to grips with one of his isofons being missing, and being unable to even know what the future holds, Lorelei sets out to find something to distract himself with.
Warnings: Standard Tower Warnings apply. Gratuitous monster violence on floor 64.

There were only so many floors that would block Lorelei's ability to sense his isofons, and he'd scoured them all. All the ones he had access to at any rate, and it had taken a few weeks to do. But determination ... hadn't paid off. The little gravestones had meant nothing to him and still meant nothing, but not being able to find his missing other-self meant a lot.

something's missing, something's wrong with me/him/us

Before the Tower, nothing had ever occurred without him being aware it would happen. There was a comforting certainty in always knowing, always remembering what would happen and when and where. It eliminated all doubt; nothing was unexpected, nothing was a surprise. Lorelei hadn't ever hesitated because there was no reason to ever second-guess. Things would proceed as forseen.

Here they didn't.

Lorelei didn't see any of this coming.

It seemed the Tower found ways to make its captives suffer, when just monsters, physical injury and death didn't work. The effort to shake off the relentless impression of terrible loss and uncertainty meant further wandering. He knows Luke is gone.. one of them, anyway. It doesn't stop him from continuing his search, if only for something to do with himself.


[Floor 92]

The pyramid-floor wasn't one that shut off one's powers and thus would have hid his isofon from his senses, but Lorelei's there anyway. There's other things to poke and prod at, to try to decipher. It was a good enough distraction from the other bits of strangeness in the Tower. That the entire place is surprisingly well lit is just a boon to his explorations, studying statues and heiroglyphs (and then attempting to carve his own into the wall with the thinnest bead of glowing golden light, in the flowing, spiralling script of Auldrant), and the occasional monster passing through.

The monsters are easy enough to find anyway, dead by some sort of bladed weapon. He's conserving his power for later; the sword will do til then. It makes for an easy trail to follow, at the least.


[Floor 82]

A masquerade that provides its own masks is a completely new experience. He would have left sooner, but there wasn't a soul here he knew (were they monsters? illusions?), and the mask was a pretty thing of crimson and gold and feathers. It's a good place to linger for at least a little while, and admire the brilliantly colored and expensive dresses and suits others wore. Anonymity has its.. benefits, it seems.


[Floor 28]

Once more finding himself on the floor full of instruments that somehow play themselves, Lorelei ... doesn't admit he's hoping to find a familiar face. But finding himself alone for the moment, it's only a matter of time before all those instruments are put to use.

The Seventh Aggregate's control over sound is perfectly flawless. Though he settles at the organ and delicately picks out a melody on it, it's the manipulation of raw sound that turns one instrument playing into a symphony with no origin, two songs at once, woven neatly into each other so much as to be nearly indistinguishable. The song played on the organ might be beautiful, but it's also painful to listen to. It calls to the empty places in the mind and heart, places left hollow with friends missing and loved ones dead. The other, played on no instrument at all, is a constant and relentless aria of bright, happy, hopeful notes. Music shouldn't evoke memory so easily, but it does, even when such memories may be at odds with each other.

He'll be at this for a while.


[Floor 64]

By the time Lorelei ventures into the desert, it's after hours and most sane people are in the dorms. But he's here for a purpose, by the markers he leaves to find his way back: markers set a good hundred or two meters away from each other, a good three meters tall and thin and seemingly composed of glass. They're a visible enough path back to the stairs, if one looks. One of the thin obelisks even bears a sign.

[Monster baiting taking place. Be cautious.]

Lorelei's further out yet, waiting in the sand, partly hidden by sand dunes. There are monsters here dead, and blood in the sand - not all of it theirs. He was terribly rusty with his swordsmanship and needed the practice without relying on hyperresonance to fight - which means patiently luring in monsters to attack and kill and nearly get killed by, over and over. How he's luring them in is audible from a distance, a cruel thing to those who aren't even monsters:

It sounds as if there's a child out here, sobbing and terrified, among the shiftless sands. There is no child, it's only manipulated sound, and it draws in monsters like blood draws in sharks. Approaching to see what's going on may mean tangling with some of the creatures Lorelei's baiting in, and chances are good he's luring in far more than he's going to be able to handle anyway.

This could go poorly.

Comments

64

[monstrueux]

Most sane people are back in the dorms, but that description doesn't apply to Gilles, who wanders the Tower freely, often in spirit form. In the desert, Gilles hears a child crying out.

Much like the monsters (being a kind of monster himself), Gilles is drawn to the sound and approaches. Not to harm the dear child. No, surely not! He doesn't think so... If he helps, then Jeanne will be pleased, and his enemies will realize his sincerity and be proven wrong. Not that it isn't a pleasant sound. He enjoys listening it as he draws nearer.

When he arrives, he's surprised to find not a child, but Lorelei, besieged by monsters. He hesitates for a moment, entertaining the thought of watching Lorelei being ripped apart, to see what's inside a creature like him. It's not as if death is permanent here. But no, this is his friend, of course he won't do that. He approaches, not appearing to be particularly worried by the monsters. "My friend! Are you in need of aid?"

[seventhsong]

Sanity is overrated. Hunting monsters at night a good distance from safety is perfectly ordinary!

At least it's pretty obvious that although the sounds seem to be coming from Lorelei, he doesn't seem either terrified or much distressed. All his focus is on the next beastie that might roll in, and whether or not he might be able to kill it before it kills him. So far he's managing pretty well - it's the ones further out that are still coming in that'll likely get overwhelming pretty quickly.

This in no way keeps him from startling visibly when Gilles appears and then speaks up, the sound of terrified child suddenly stopping; his current monster, a vaguely humanoid thing with a nasty, filthy looking sword, takes the opportunity to attempt a strike. It disappears in what looks awfully like a puff of gold light.

"Gilles! What are you doing out here?" No, in spite of the blood and mess, it doesn't seem like Lorelei's particularly under any form of distress. Just surprised. "--Ah! Not yet, no! I'm terribly out of practice and thought I should get some uhm, monster killing in!"

And he's using a sword with no sharp edges to do it. It has to cut somehow, given some of the dead things around here. As the next ugly, foul thing begins working down the sand dune, accompanied by a few friends, he turns right back around. "Though if you'd like to play too, you can! Company's always fun, isn't it?"

He really has no idea how many are on their way.

[monstrueux]

When the child's cries cease, it's too bad, but Gilles recognizes that they weren't real.

"I was exploring!" He had had no goal in mind. He's a restless man who likes to keep himself occupied. Killing monsters isn't as entertaining as other things, but it provides some amusement and fuels him with the necessary flesh and blood sacrifices he needs to summon even more monsters. The more monsters, the better, because that means more power with which he might assist Jeanne and protect the others in the Tower.

"I would like to play, yes. Do you enjoy killing, too?" This is excellent news. Gilles so likes to meet others who share his interests. It's good to have understanding friends. "Yes, I will join you." It sounds like fun, although he would also like to play more music with Lorelei, too. But that can wait. Slaughter can come first. "It is better to kill with someone else, I agree."

Gilles doesn't question Lorelei's calm or his unusual weapon. He brings forth his monsters, his beautiful monsters, all tentacles and barbs and unnatural biology. They don't hesitate to rip into the Tower's monsters as they approach. Gilles stands watching them, approving. He could fight, himself--he is a knight--but for now he chooses not to. He watches his summoned demons to their bloody work. It's a lovely sight.

[seventhsong]

"Exploring's fun! There's a maze floor somewhere in this tower I think you'd like, it's a real puzzle!" He wipes a sleeve across his face, but fails to actually remove any of the little bits of debris there. Fighting is dirty work! He'd managed to somehow misplace all the memories that told him how dirty it could be.

The matter of enjoying killing draws a moment's pause, as the monsters charge down the sand dune. "No," he concludes eventually, tone thoughtful. "I think I like things alive more than dead, dead's so ... soundless. But sometimes things just need killing." It's a pretty practical way to look at it, without getting too indepth on why. "And everything's better with friends along!" Somehow the fact that Gilles likes killing just doesn't seem to bother him at all. Humans were like that.

As Gilles summons up more monsters, it's pretty clear Lorelei's uncertain which ones he should actually attack, but as Gilles' critters don't seem interested in killing him - yet - he refocuses neatly on the ones that DO want to. And of course the more blood and mess they make the more monsters are going to be drawn in. It's something of a recursive, bloody loop. To someone raised and trained as a knight, Lorelei's swordsmanship really does need a lot of work, but he's got the basics down. "How are you making all these other ones?"

How he can TALK in this bloody violent mess probably relates directly to being the fonon of sound.

28

[unlikelyfarmhand]

Although Hachiken is trying to be as cautious as he can when wandering the tower, he can't help but be drawn to a room full of beautiful music. He never had much of a relationship with music, he cannot play an instrument nor did he ever spend a lot of time listening, beyond whatever popular songs were on his mp3 player at the time.

This kind of music however was a whole new experience. It was hauntingly beautiful to hear the organ, the sorrowful notes drawing out deep seated feelings of pain and regret. It was enough of a surprise to draw him in, each footstep taken with curiosity, and reluctance. Hachiken will not interrupt him while he is playing, but he feels compelled to sit and listen.

[seventhsong]

There's a lot to be said for the humble MP3 player. Not being tied to a room full of instruments is an amazing thing when it comes to listening to music! Lorelei has no idea such things even exist and this is probably for the best.

As it is he's not entirely preoccupied. The sound of footsteps, of even another heartbeat is enough to tell him he has company. The nice thing about inventing one's own song is he can end it any time he chooses; it's not long after Hachiken turns up that the part that's played by organ draws to a close. The rest keeps playing seemingly of its own volition.

"Would you like to try?"

It's a strange question, probably. Everyone wants to play music, right?

[unlikelyfarmhand]

"Oh! Um, no, I don't think so. I can't play any instruments." Hachiken gave him a nervous little smile. "I didn't mean to interrupt but I could hear the music and I was just admiring it."

The other song he could hear now, focusing on it. It was nice too, but nothing like the music Lorelei had been playing.

[seventhsong]

"Have you ever tried?" To the nervous smile is given a bright, friendly smile in return, as Lorelei raises one hand and beckons lightly. "You didn't interrupt anything. See, it still plays itself. Part of it."

He didn't believe anyone couldn't play. Play at the level humanity thinks is good might be a different matter, but he liked all sound. Any music was good music.

28

[ambassadorasshat]

At least there's only one isofon missing out of the trio, right? There's still two left, and it might make Lorelei happier that at least one of them visits the music room fairly often.

Right now, in fact, though he's not doing anything with the instruments at the moment. Rather, he's trying to figure out what the source of the depressing music--he just got back from his world recently, depressing is something he's not too keen on listening to.

Lorelei'll probably know Luke's there even before Luke approaches him, hands in his pockets.

"Can't you play something different?"

[seventhsong]

Two left; he'd prefer three. Actually he'd prefer a whole lot more than three, he liked the idea of having more around. But what he had.. he'd make do with. That it's the one he had the least contact with that crops up in the room full of instruments is pleasing in of itself. Did Luke frequent this place?

If so, maybe Lorelei would have to visit more often.

And there's absolutely no doubt that he's very aware Luke's even there, though he waits with utmost patience until Luke approaches. Approaching means risking hugs, which is exactly what the Seventh Aggregate immediately goes for as soon as Luke's within range. But he won't hold on too long, music doesn't play itself normally! At least the melancholy notes stop as soon as he abandons the organ, though the other song keeps piping along without him happily.

"Of course I can. I can play anything. Can't you?" His smile is brief and sharp. "Organs are made for depressing or impressive music however, we'll have to switch to something else. It is good to see you are well, my isofon." And not missing. Not missing is the important part here.

I hate when my active icons are the weird ones

[ambassadorasshat]

He can't dodge the hug as well from his current stance, and had forgotten about the possibility of it even happening, so he allows himself to be hugged. Lorelei's likely pinned his arms to his sides, so hopefully he's not expecting a hug back.

"Uh, hi..." He doesn't try to wiggle out this time. "Is that what that is, an organ? Who makes an instrument just to play depressing music on? That's kinda stupid."

[seventhsong]

Thankfully for Luke, Lorelei doesn't seem intent on holding on too long, plunking back in front of the organ again after a short amount of time. Contact was reassuring in of itself; he's not just hallucinating Luke being there.

"It's an organ, yes. Otherwise known as a pipe organ, you can see all the pipes there." He points. That Luke really doesn't already understand all of this stuff is accepted without a problem. When would he have gotten the chance to play around with an organ? "It's also used for many melodies and songs in the services of the Order, I believe. Depressing /or/ impressive, remember. Sometimes people just want sad music. Or very dramatic music!"

To prove the latter, the Aggregate picks out a brief song on the massive instrument, forgoing sadness for something he remembered from the Order of Lorelei's favored melodies. It's far more ominous sounding, but definitely not depressing.

"But really if you want more variety a piano is better."

Floor 28

[thelordsage]

Sephiran enters the music room upon hearing music coming from it. He was really hoping to have a little time to himself in here, but this music... are that many instruments really playing themselves at once? He feels slightly relieved upon seeing that it's just Lorelei.

"Hello again."

[seventhsong]

"Hello!" In odd discord to such miserably unhappy music (and its bright counterpoint), Lorelei sounds as cheerful as ever. It's always good to have company, isn't it? Especially when one likes distractions from the less pleasant things.

"You did mention you don't play very often, but would you like to try this one? It might be fun." The song of loss trails off into silence, leaving the other playing on its own. Anyone who liked music was good in his book, and Sephiran seemed to appreciate it. What else could he hope for?

[thelordsage]

"Hmm." Sephiran eyes the organ for a moment. "I generally prefer the piano, but I can try the organ as well. Most of the time, I'm just playing notes to sing along to." He sits on the bench next to Lorelei, and pressing one key, humming softly in harmony with it.

[seventhsong]

"They're quite similar in principle I've found." Lorelei is quite happy to scoot over a little further and give Sephiran plenty of room to work. Most organists, he knew, began with the piano and advanced from there to the more complicated organ, but that didn't mean instant familiarity.

Besides, if it gives him opportunity to listen to someone else play, or sing, how can he resist??

Floor 28

[technologic]

April tended to gravitate to the music floor when she needed to calm herself down; she had always liked music, and at least the tower gave an opportunity where she could hear all kinds of music. Such as now, she she pauses at the entry to the floor as she listens for a moment.

She's never heard music like this before though, so while she hates to intrude or possibly interrupt, she just has to stay so that she can keep listening to it, even if the music somehow makes her heart hurt.

[seventhsong]

Lorelei has company!

It's difficult for him to miss, the quiet sound of footsteps, the sound of breath, the steady beat of a heart. He didn't recognize the sound right away, however; was it someone new? Or a friend he simply hasn't paid enough attention to? As April stands at the entry to the floor, Lorelei glances up and back to see who it might be, his careful work with the organ not stopping. No, he didn't think he's met her before. A new person then?

There's no break in the melody as he raises one hand to beckon her further in. Lurking in doorways never helps. "Am I bothering you?"

The question is quiet but sudden, out of nowhere, and doesn't seem to be coming from Lorelei himself, as he's across the room - but it still has the sense of being from the redhaired man.

For now, it doesn't stop his playing. He had countless centuries of losses to consider, deaths to weigh, to try to grasp for the first time in all that time that perhaps they're really, truly, forever gone. It's.. unpleasant, but he's very good at putting it to music.

[technologic]

April tenses up in surprise when he turns around, she thought she was being quiet, but relaxes again when he beckons her in. She certainly isn't new, but her nervousness around strangers still made it hard for her to approach them sometimes.

Though the sudden question gets her to blink, and her expression turns into a mix of curious and sheepish as she steps more onto the floor. "Um, n-no, not at all! I f-figured I should be a-asking that."

Despite her apparent nerves, she still gives him a small smile as she keeps listening to the music. "... Um, I-I couldn't help but stop and l-listen to the music. It's r-really amazing."

92

[terreifying]

[Rei, upon getting on this floor, could see the monster corpses. And as she goes deeper into the pyramid, she can see more and more of them. She follows the trail until she approaches the one who slew the monsters.]

...Was this all your doing? Great job! You're good at killing monsters, aren't you?

[seventhsong]

[When Rei turns up, Lorelei's attempting to add his name into the jumble of heiroglyphs onto the wall, very very carefully. He's not making a whole lot of headway but he's trying, expression one of UTMOST concentration. When she suddenly speaks up, it's a testament to how little he was paying attention to his surroundings by the way he nearly jumps out of his skin with a startled yelp.

..At least he regains his composure fast.]

Hello! Uhm.

[He glances around. Yes, dead monsters. He did that, didn't he. He looks a little guilty.]

Yes. I did. I .... don't really think I'm all that good at it, but these ones kept attacking one by one so it was easier!

[terreifying]

Really?

[She giggles. It echoes through the halls of the pyramid.]

It must have been like a game for you, then.

[She peers at the hieroglyphs on the wall.]

Were you trying to add something extra here too? Like your kill count?

Floor 28

[crouching_sin]

There's someone else haunting this collection of strings and keys, brass and bells. Quietly at first, and then a little louder, a song weaves its way into the symphony Lorelei is conducting on his own. The deep and sorrowful notes are somehow tinged with a bite of sarcasm, the edges of the sounds being cut off slightly too early for a full sound to develop. Naoya walks out towards the organ, still playing the viola.

As long as Lorelei keeps playing, he will, too.

[seventhsong]

For a little while nothing really changes in Lorelei's music. He notices immediately as soon as there's a foreign sound beneath his work, but figuring out the song, and how it's being played, takes longer. It's completely unfamiliar.

Naoya's appearance doesn't stop him either, though the secondary song he'd been working at, played on air alone, goes quiet after a few minutes. It does become apparent quickly however that the redhead at the organ is adapting his own music to suit what's being played on the viola. Imperfectly at first, as it's an unfamiliar song and unfamiliar player, but he's adapting with unnerving swiftness.

[crouching_sin]

He's pleased with the results of the notes mingling, and adjusts to suit what Lorelei is playing as well. It's a little bit of a challenge, since it's been some time since he's picked this instrument up, but it's not too bad. He's at least catching his less strong notes and trying to fix them.

It's almost soothing, to simply make music. It lets him forget himself, at least for a bit.