[ Open ]

[abhero]

Who: Hamel and YOU
What: Music in the streets
When: Day 398
Where: All around the city
Rating: PG


Of all the things Hamel does to make some extra cash, street performing is probably the least morally questionable. This is especially true in Asgard - back home he would use magical music to compel people into throwing more coins and force his friends into the miserable job of a dancing assistant. Here he only has skill to rely on, not that he lacks anything in this department. Hamel is a gifted violinist, his music filled with emotion and technically flawless, and he doesn’t need magic to stand out.

Still, old habits die hard and Hamel knows it always helps to have something extra to catch people’s attention. Dancing assistants are sadly hard to come by, so he has to get creative.

Usually he has a storage chest open for people to throw change in. Today, though, he leaves the lid closed and sets three jars on it, labeled fast forward, slow down and change song. People like to participate; He figures some of them would be willing to spend more runes to see him go faster and faster while shuffling through pieces.

He’s pleased to find out that yes, it gets him more money than usual, from the natives at least. But there can always be more, so whenever new people pass by, he shoots them meaningful looks and calls out every now and then.

"Come on up! Show some appreciation for the arts, will you?"

Comments

[notsogrimreaper]

Ryoji had been hurrying past without paying too much attention to his surroundings, but two things made him pause. The music was certainly beautiful, and the pleasant tune made him slow down, and once he recognizes who was playing, he completely stopped. He remembered meeting Hamel back in that alternate world. He's not sure if the boy will recognize him, since he was in a very different form, but he tries not to be too worried, and listens attentively. Eventually, he makes a comment.

"Sorry I don't really have any money to spare. I'm trying to save up until I can find a job. I really like your playing, though! You're very talented."

[abhero]

Hamel is many thing but observant isn’t one of them. Ryoji looks too different now and if there are any other clues indicating he’s the creature he met in the mirror world, they go unnoticed. As far as he’s concerned, Ryoji is just another Traveler he’s never seen before.

He’s a little irritated at flat out being told he’s not getting any money from this guy, but letting it show is bad for business. And praise was still praise, Hamel knows he’s awesome but it’s always nice to hear others acknowledge it.

“Thank you,” he says and lowers the instrument. “I take requests, too.”

[notsogrimreaper]

The clues are few and far between. Ryoji’s hair and voice are really the only aspects even vaguely reminiscent of the Avatar. His friends could recognize him because of just the general aura around him, that unignorable feeling that someone important to them was there, but Ryoji and Hamel don’t share that relationship.

He seems surprised at Hamel’s comment.

“Requests? Are you sure that the popular songs in your world are the same as the ones in other worlds? Either way, I don’t know a lot of music anyways. Whatever you want to play is good with me!”

[abhero]

“Why not? Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, they exist in a lot of places,” he replies. “And it’s not like requests have to be specific. People can just ask for something happy or romantic or what have you. But if it doesn’t matter to you…”

He settles on Dvorak’s Humoresque Number 7. Short, elegant, nothing too heavy.

[notsogrimreaper]

“Ah… I guess I recognize those names, so you might be right. And I didn’t realize you’d take requests for something non-specific.”

Maybe he’ll request something in a little bit, but for now, he’ll smile and listen to the piece Hamel’s chosen, letting his imagination run wild with it.

“Hm… do you ever make up a story to go along with a piece of music? Maybe that’s just me, but I like imagining something to go along with the song.”

[abhero]

“Sometimes there is a story. That’s what program music is all about,” he says. “To convey a story, or an image, or ideas. And then you have ballets and operas...”

Hamel has to stop himself from rambling on.

“Actually, there’s always a story. What the composers have been through, the feelings they put in the music. So no... I don’t make things up because I already have something to go along.”

[notsogrimreaper]

“Ah! No, that’s not exactly what I meant. We have the same opinion, about the feelings of the music. You just put it in a much more eloquent way than I ever could have… you really care about music, don’t you?”

Ryoji smiles again, but it’s respectful and admiring now.

[saving_sound]

"Hamel-san! You're playing music today?"

She still remembers the melody in the mirror world well, even if it wasn't during the best of times. Clearly curious, she shuffles up to the box and peers at the jars. "What are these for...?"

[abhero]

He greets Hibiki with a short nod.

“These? It’s audience participation,” he says, clearly pleased with his brilliant idea. “If someone gets bored with what they can put a coin in this jar and get a different song. And those jars are for when they want me to change the tempo.”

[saving_sound]

"Tempo...? That's what the speed is called?"

Her experience with music is fairly limited. Had Rutherford mentioned something like that before...?

"Then... Is it okay if I put one in 'change the song'?"

She's already fetching out her purse, dropping a decent sum into the jar. She's normally careful with her money, but since it's a friend's music, she can afford this much...!

[abhero]

“Yeah, it’s Italian for ‘speed’”.

He grins a little at the coins. What a success!

“Of course it’s okay.” Money is always okay. “Thank you for your donation!”

He bows a little, playfully. Figuring he should pick something cute and short, he plays the Nutcracker suite.

[saving_sound]

Ahhh, what a lively song! She clasps her hands together with delight, even bouncing in place a little as he plays. However, she's careful to keep silent the whole time - it wouldn't do to interrupt a musical performance!

[abhero]

Somewhere, in a corner of the lump of coal he has for a heart, Hamel is glad to see she enjoys it so much (but if you asked him, he’d say it’s the money.).

“Have you heard this one before?” He asks when it’s over.

[bythewaves]

Maglor, of course, is passing by (isn't he always), and his eyes laugh as he reads the labels. He digs into his purse, then opens his hand to show Hamel the handful of coins he has. He's a fair ways back, but he has good aim and a direct line of sight to the cans.

"Have you a preference for where I aim, Master Hamel, or prefer you a challenge?"

[abhero]

Hamel grins. Man this guy is better than the bank.

“Ha! Do your worst,” he says and twirls the bow. Like he cares what jar the money goes as long as it goes. “Costumer is always right.”

[bythewaves]

Don't get too excited Hamel, there are a lot of coins but they're small change. Maglor's eyes gleam with challenge. Hamel is good, and the part of him that has always wanted to stretch his art wants to see how good.

"Very well then, let us begin!" He begins by flipping a coin into fast forward, and then in quick succession, change song, and then fast forward again.

[abhero]

Whatever man. Small change, big change, Hamel loves it.

The first fast forward catches him in the middle of Danse Macabre, which he actually started slower than usual (the natives and Maglor would obviously not know it, so why not cheat?). Then he switches to Monti’s Csárdás - the fast part - and accelerates even more.

He quirks an eyebrow at Maglor. I’m not breaking a sweat, buddy. That the best you got?

[bythewaves]

Hamel gets a grin in return, he's only getting started.

A pause then - change, slow, fast, slow, slow, change.

[abhero]

He follows suit, sticking to showy, dance-likes pieces. This is actually pretty fun, he should come up with more labels next time.

[true_renaissance_man]

"AHA a street performer!"

The happy exclamation proceeded the arrival of enthusiastic Leonardo. Here he had thought this would be an average day as he took his usual afternoon walk around the city, but no! There was something exciting and new to see!

"Asgard does not have very many of your sort around. A shame really, music can be so uplifting. Do you sing your own songs, ones you make up as you play? You know, as a minstrel might?"

[abhero]

Well, here’s an excitable guy, surely he would love to donate for a talented young artist. Hamel puts on his nicest face.

“It is a shame, isn’t it?” He doesn’t really mean it; he doesn’t need more competition! “It’s a great way to bring back color. But I’m not a minstrel.” Even though he’s kind of dressed like one. “The music speaks for itself, I’m not gonna make up words.

He’s a little baffled at the suggestion, really. Sing along a Bach partita? Please.

[true_renaissance_man]

What is a Bach? That particular composer would have been born years after Leonardo's time! He would have more luck with a Paolo da Firenze ballate or a Giacomo Fogliano madrigal.

"There is no reason to say it as if that is beneath you, if you can not sing you can not sing."

A coin appeared from a pouch and was dropped down into the change song jar. Leonardo did like to support other musicians when given the opportunity and was curious now what kind of song might be chosen.

"Why not play something you enjoy?"

[abhero]

Something he enjoys? Hamel wouldn’t play anything he doesn’t enjoy in the first place! But with no other conditions, he picks a personal favorite - Schumann’s Traumerei. Part of a set called Scenes from Childhood, it’s indeed very nostalgic to him. His mother played it often and he’d always interrupt, reaching for her violin and asking to try it himself.

It’s a peaceful, gentle piece that he clearly loves a lot, and a nice break from the more showy music he played earlier.

[true_renaissance_man]

The song was appreciated for what it was, a simple heartfelt moving piece. He could see that song being played in a chamber while an elegant lady of leisure posed for her portrait to be painted. Leonardo often paid musicians to play while he worked, it made it easier for those sitting for him since it gave them something to occupy their minds.

"Molto bello. You are a very skilled musician, messer! I wonder..."

He glanced around but seeing no familiar hoods continued speaking.

"Would you ever consider going to a place of business and playing for those inside? If you were paid ahead of time, of course! I have some friends who..."

The assassins had been through a great deal lately.

"Well, they could use some cheering up."

[abhero]

Paid. You said the magic word, Leonardo. Hamel is the kind of person who would do anything for money, he’d even lick your boots if you paid him, so playing in a business? Something he’s good at and enjoys? Of course he’d consider. In fact, he considers and agrees before Leonardo even finishes speaking.

“Sure! I’d love to play for your friends.”

He smiles, the very image of a nice, helpful young man. He’s not usually like this, he’s difficult and uncaring most of the time, but now he has every reason to be agreeable.