VIDEO

[warandpeace]

[Kaz almost never does a video post, but today is an exception. The view opens up with him positioning the camera on a level surface (a stool) and he backs away from the view to settle on his own seat. Behind him, the wall of the stage in the Hall of Music, and he has his two commissioned speakers and the special guitar gifted to him by Eggsy a full two years ago settled in his arms loosely, though his hands aren't in position yet. He has a half-full bottle of something he's already drunk too much of on one of the speakers. Hence why this is a video post, and he's willing to do this in front of people and trying to provoke some help.]

I was hoping that a friend of mine would turn up late. No such luck.

[Kaz has been feeling his friendships slimming again, through whichever misfortune is at fault, and he's very guilty of keeping people close to his chest. A constant sense of loss that he can never quite shake, because the world always feels a less for not having them around. One less rich accent to complain about mild inconveniences in a humorous, dismissive way. One less person to fuss over the quality of fabric or the quality of character. Losses that leave gaping flaws that Miller is constantly aware of.]

I realized that I didn't have the chance to tell him about one of my favorite musicians. I don't know that he would have enjoyed his music, but I think he would appreciate the man's undefeatable outlook on life.

So this is for Dorian. And I need some back-up from anyone who knows this battle song of my culture.

[Nyx probably would have appreciated it, too. For people who know it, it's probably obvious what he's about to do when he starts the Stomp Stomp Clap. Stomp Stomp Clap.] Buddy you're a boy make a big noise. Playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day...

[He'll go to the very end, thank you. And while he's no Freddy Mercury and could use the help singing, even if he's drunk he'll rock that guitar solo at the end.]

Comments

[petridish]

[You keep on with your sound, old roomie, and she'll keep on with her text because she worked hard on that keyboard software.]

Battle songs are fun in your culture?

[So confused.]

[warandpeace]

I'm just talking about 1980s Earth. Or the decades surrounding it. [Or apparently the people from other years that are fond of it.]

And as a military man? Music can be a fantastic rallying cry. I grew up watching USO shows on the base in Yokosuka. I'd sit on the roof and watch the soldiers cheer, stand up and yell for the people on stage.

Music can bring life to people that know nothing but death.

[He's not so drunk that he can't get ramblingly philosophical.]

[petridish]

Interesting. [A genuine assessment, though she doesn't really get it.] Music wasn't mentioned in my 2180s human military training.

[Which may admittedly be because this was compressed into largely neural implant learning with a big focus on combat in the space of six months.]

[warandpeace]

In Japan, we have a word. "Kotodama". There's no equivalent in English, but it's basically a "battle cry", a word that infects the spirit and gives it strength. But it can go the other way. What of a thoughtless remark that cuts the legs out from under you? Leaves a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach?

That's what it means.

Music can do the same thing. Listening to an energizing song during a battle can help you hold the line. Or similarly, a song meant to mellow someone can help them find a place to lose their thoughts in.

[He's saying this while drunk, though, so he's still thinking carefully on his explanation. It's taking a little longer than usual, hoping he's getting it right.]

Not exactly standard education.