Sixteenth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[For most of the summer, torturous sounds have been coming from the music room of the school during the late afternoons.  After deciding the recorder was a bust, Lucas had moved on to the violin, the trumpet, and the flute, passing through each one and deciding in short order that he had better stop for the good of humanity.  It was only about about three weeks ago that he had decided to try his hand at the piano sitting dusty and forgotten in the corner.

He had seen something like it before, with the DCMC.  Duster had taught him a little about instruments while they'd been traveling -- He'd even been allowed to pluck a little at Duster's bass.  And, of course, there'd been that whole business with feeling the beat of the enemy's life force.  This didn't mean that he knew anything about playing instruments.  The futility of the summer had proved that.  Yet . . . when he'd begun to plonk away at the keys . . . something just clicked.  Sure, the torturous sounds continued.  But after a little while . . . they at least began to resolve themselves into something vaguely resembling a song.

It was a song he wouldn't forget soon.  The song that had played in that room . . . The song that meant . . .   And with his last meeting with Vince still fresh in his mind, Lucas somehow thought he knew what the song was trying to say.]

Do you hear me call to you?  Can you even hear my heart's cry?
Still I call out to the wind . . . Even as it flows on by, for
I believe our dreams can still come true.  I'll always keep my faith and trust in you

Even if I'm a fool, I'll always feel the same about you.  I believe in friends and laughter and the wonders love can do; I believe in second chances and that's why I still believe in you.

 . . . . . . i . . . believe in second chances . . . . . . .

[Later that night, he returns to the park and sings his song quietly with a good sense of pitch.  He is wearing his school clothes from last year.  They are too small for him.
Time moves on.]

((Feel free to comment while Lucas is practicing on the piano as well. He will sound pretty awful unless he's playing this song.))

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Though Vince is partly the reason he felt compelled to sing this song, there are a few other reasons to his strange bout of melancholy. Lucas doesn't notice for a little while, but breaks off when he does.]

. . . Hi, Mi -- Hi, Vince.

[He's quiet, but he doesn't sound very upset.]

[resurrectinto.livejournal.com]

If you want to learn how to dance, I can show you how. I think it's... I think it's pretty old fashioned for this world -- waltzes and stuff, but it's a good skill to have and I'm not bad.

And don't go saying that. It's other people's fault if they can't be bothered to get to know you. You're wonderful, Lucas, really.

[wolf-faerie.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely song. Where did you learn it?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

All the times we laughed and cried
Even if they're so far gone, oh
In my mind I still recall
The mem'ries that we made together

Let's begin our lives afresh, anew
Why shouldn't I believe the same of you?

[Lucas doesn't notice.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . I kind of made the words up. The melody is something I heard back at home.

[kimitoaruiteku.livejournal.com]

Of course it wouldn't be a bother! It's no trouble at all.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

You didn't really owe me anything. . . . I think I'd be dead if I weren't for you.

[wolf-faerie.livejournal.com]

Back home?

Do they sing a lot there?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . So you'd still rather be a robot?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That'd be great! But I don't want to be a bother . . .

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Then thank you . . . I'd really appreciate it.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind. I'd like to learn as many things as I can while I'm here, actually . . .

Ah, thanks . . . But I meant it's my fault if I don't try and talk to other people, too.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

My mom liked to sing a lot . . . She taught me and my brother a little, but we didn't do it a lot, either.

[numanstan.livejournal.com]

... I'm sorry.

[and then he looks on expectantly

because it's totally all better now right]

[wolf-faerie.livejournal.com]

Your mother? My mother taught me to sing too.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

You could have told me nicely if it bothered you that much.

[bluecapboy.livejournal.com]

[Luke passes through the park, avoiding home at the moment, before the song catches his attention.

He doesn't say anything, just listens.]

[an-zero.livejournal.com]

Yes. I would. Anything you think is strange about that?

[kurasuprincessu.livejournal.com]

I have never taught before. This will be exciting!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I've never met any robots who were normal people before I came here. Most of them just wanted to kill us.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

If you really don't mind, then thank you.

[an-zero.livejournal.com]

[. . .]

You remind me a bit of a friend back home.

[. . .]

Do you want to hear something a great hero once told me?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I believe in skies forever blue
Why shouldn't I believe the same in you?

[Lucas doesn't really notice, but after a while, his voice begins to soften into a hum.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Do you like to sing? Would you sing a song for me to hear? I'm not really all that good . . .

[numanstan.livejournal.com]

It doesn't. I was just... ill that day. Really ill. And it made me say stuff I'd never say to anybody 'cause I don't think it... But, if you'd like to secretly resent me like everybody else is, that'd be alright.