Audio Broadcast | Backdated to afternoon of March 30th

[lonelysmiles]

Salutations, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for tuning in to 666 AM with me, your host and local Radio Demon, Alastor!

Do you feel that, dear listeners? The warming of the temperature? Your sinuses starting to clog from all of the pollen? Yes, indeedy, it seems we're due for yet another spring in our charming little town! Though I suppose I should drop the "little" descriptor, shouldn't I? Reverein's grown quite a lot since our original arrival as this very radio station more than proves!

But you know what comes with April showers, don't you? May flowers! Though, in our case, the Flower Festival! As always, there will be an election for the Flower Royal Court to rule over the proceedings! This year there will be Day and Night Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses! Be sure to vote for those you see fit to wear a crown! And if you so choose, my microphone is available for anyone who might want to campaign for themselves or others! Simply send a request to me via journal or feel free to walk up and say hello if you see me out and about!

I myself plan to be among the performers as per usual, but I think I might be convinced to perform in a duet, not just playing solo. My fingers are itching to tickle the ivories again. I think if I could find a capable saxophonist, it could prove to be a rather nice change of pace!

Last but certainly not least, these large ears of mine have picked up that the Flower Festival won't be the only springtime activity poised to happen! Word on the street is that not one but two weddings shall soon be upon us, one of them being truly royal in nature! As to whom will be tying the knot, well, I think it'd be best to give them a chance to make the formal announcements themselves! Just don't keep us waiting too long, or I might be tempted to spill the beans myself! Ha ha ha ha!

In honor of the impending celebrations, I'll send you to the Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra's Spring Song!

Comments

Not Responding, but could lead to [Action]

[grumpface]

["I think if I could find a capable saxophonist".]

["Capable saxophonist"]

[...No.]

Sender: Anya

[grandduchess_anya]

Wow, two weddings in one month! That is some great timing. I would like to perform a violin solo at the Flower Festival so I was wondering where and when the sign ups are made available.

Not Responding, but could lead to [Action]

[lonelysmiles]

[Come on, sourpuss~! You know you want to~!]

[lonelysmiles]

Just need to head to the Festival organizers! They seem to appreciate volunteers!

[grandduchess_anya]

Oh gee thank you so much. I have seen the fliers being posted all over town earlier this morning. I’ll definitely need to go there and meet the Festival organizers to tell them that I want to perform in there as well.

Not Responding, but could lead to [Action]

[grumpface]

[]

Sender: Frisk

[stilljustyou]

What are ivories?

sender: Black Raisin Cookie

[cawpatrol]

What should we prepare for? What transformations are going to happen? What dangers will we have to fight?

[Action]

[lonelysmiles]

[Just gonna stop by the market and get a few things. Also a trip to the Wild Harvest for a little something special.]

[Need to feed his pet kitty, after all.]

[lonelysmiles]

Wonderful! Do let me know if you need an accompanist, my dear! I'd be happy to help!

[lonelysmiles]

Piano keys! Back in the day they used to be carved out of ivory hence the nickname.

[lonelysmiles]

Given the circumstances of the past several months, I don't blame you for your caution, but the worst you might have to contend with are allergies and getting trapped in a floral-themed outfit for the Festival itself! It's a celebration, not a battle!

[grandduchess_anya]

Why yes! I would love to get an accompanist to compliment the violin part I’m going to play with. That would be very terrific to find one.

[Action] from now on

[grumpface]

[Husk remains blissfully unaware of what Alastor is currently up to, making some last-minute tweaks to his casino before officially opening it.]

[cawpatrol]

The last time I was forcibly changed into a new outfit, my memories were forcibly changed as well. I'm still feeling very cautious.

[lonelysmiles]

I understand your concern, dear, but I assure you that isn't the case. We've been through two of these already, and it's just a bit of harmless fun. Your outfit changes but your personality and memories remain in-tact. Unless you're elected into the Royal Court where you might feel the urge to flex your power but usually for harmless ends. Last year, I was "ordered" by one of the Court to perform a song that she liked though I chose to perform it in my favored style. I think she liked it.

[Ah, he's going to miss Miss Mei among so many others this year...]

[cawpatrol]

I suppose I won't believe it until I see it for myself. And this place won't give me the choice about being there either.

[stilljustyou]

I didn't know that you could play them separate from pianos.

It'd be nice to hear you play.

[lonelysmiles]

No, my dear, you can't! It's just a charming little idiom. "Tickling the ivories" means "playing the piano".

And I do hope I impress you! I'll definitely be performing during the Flower Festival so feel free to stop by and possibly make a request. I'll see if I can't accommodate you.

[lonelysmiles]

Quite fortunate that I offered then, isn't it?

[Smug deer demon is smug.]

[lonelysmiles]

Oh, Husker~!

[Alastor pokes his head through the bank-turned-casino door.]

I took the liberty of bringing you lunch and a little treat from the Wild Harvest!

[grumpface]

[Husk had internally groaned when he heard Alastor calling for him. When Alastor mentioned lunch, he was about to roll his eyes. When he mentioned a treat from the Wild Harvest, well... Husk turned to give the radio demon his attention.]

...This treat of yours better be good.

[Except it's the wild harvest. Husk already knows it's going to be good.]

[lonelysmiles]

I'd think it is given how much you enjoyed it last time.

[The first thing Alastor pulls out of his basket is a jar that seems to be swirling with stars. You might remember this sparkly brew.]

[grumpface]

[...Well, damn.]

Didn't expect you to be in such a gift-givin' mood...

[Husk will walk over and reach for it, but not snag it from his hand.]

What's the catch?

[lonelysmiles]

Only that you hear me out. I can't exactly "voluntell" you to do something here, so you're free to tell me to pound sand once I'm done.

[He snickers as he hands over the goods.]

Not that our Deal stops you from doing so already. It's just you normally have to do it anyway.

[grumpface]

[Narrows eyes. Opens up the bottle and takes a nice, big sip.]

...Fine. Spit it out.

[lonelysmiles]

I'm planning to take a few turns on the piano during the Flower Festival. I think it'd be great fun if you and I made a duet of one set.

[He holds up a finger.]

Just the one set.

[grumpface]

...

[Husk sighs.]

Alastor, you know I ain't have played the sax ever since I entered Hell.

[That doesn't mean you're now completely unable to play it, Husk.]

[lonelysmiles]

But you do play and that wasn't a "no".

[Alastor sets out the po boys. Eat some real food, you old tomcat.]

[grandduchess_anya]

Oh yes, quite fortunate indeed. This is going to be a fun time, right?

[lonelysmiles]

Absolutely!

[grandduchess_anya]

Glad to hear that from you very much. Will be looking forward for the shared performance real soon.

[grumpface]

[Okay, that didn't work. Husk will try another feeble excuse.]

...I ain't even have a sax to play with!

[Husk eyes the sandwich for a moment before picking it up and nomming a chunk off. He was getting a bit hungry anyways and was too lazy to make some shitty bar food for himself at the moment. Thas definitely the reason/]

[lonelysmiles]

As am I!

[lonelysmiles]

Nonsense! If you wanted to, you can leave the Festival! It typically lasts about three days and most people aren't exactly thrilled at the idea of sleeping on the ground even if it is in lovely surroundings.

[lonelysmiles]

Easily-remedied! Someone's already long since set up shop for musical instruments. Even without that, I've quite the large collection of baubles since everything I want that blasted Well refuses to give me. However, baubles can be exchanged so you could easily toss it in to receive your old saxophone or a shiny new one!

[His grin widens.]

What's your next excuse?

[cawpatrol]

Celebrating for three days? That's excessive!

[grumpface]

[Husk is out of excuses. He "pokes" Alastor, except he doesn't really touch him. Husk knows how Alastor is about touching. It's annoying.]

ONE set. JUST one. That's all you're fuckin' gettin, Bambi.

[lonelysmiles]

[Got him. Alastor might not have his full Deal Making powers here, but he still knows how to strike a bargain.]

Just one. Any additional sets are entirely your suggestion.

[Which means if Alastor wants to play more with the cat, he'll need to make sure Husk has a good enough time that he'll want to keep playing.]

[lonelysmiles]

If you think three days is excessive, you've clearly never been to a Mardi Gras. That's four to eight weeks long!

[cawpatrol]

WEEKS??? You must be telling a joke!

[lonelysmiles]

I assure you I am very serious, my dear. During my time, there really weren't that many luxuries to go around, but the spirit of the holiday was observed as much as possible.

Of course, Mardi Gras is quite spread out: private parties and the like. It isn't as if the city just completely stops during that time. Fat Tuesday is the main event with parades and such. A night of revelry and open debauchery before forty days of giving up such things for spiritual reasons.

[cawpatrol]

Let me see if I have this right. You party excessively for weeks, then deny yourself anything like it, and again, for weeks? All for 'spiritual reasons'?

It sill sounds incredibly strange. I can't imagine my village ever doing anything like that.

[stilljustyou]

That's a weird way to put it.

... Okay. What kind of songs do you usually like to play on piano?