★ 018

[boutant]

[ It's early in the morning when Ariadne makes her network post and she's obviously still tired, nursing a cup of coffee. The reason she's awake might be obvious -- in the background, even though there are no speakers anywhere nearby, a song is playing. ]

You know, I've never heard this song before in my life.

[ There's a pause so she can yawn into her cup of coffee. ]

But I think I like it. I'd like it even more if it didn't wake me up, though.

Comments

[onlyholey]

I like that one, actually.

[boutant]

It's a good song.

[ Just, well, there are the lyrics. ]

Your heart’s a mess
You won’t admit to it
It makes no sense
But I’m desperate to connect
And you, you can’t live like this.

[onlyholey]

Oh.

Sounds... deep.

[boutant]

It does.

[ And... it's still going. Okay. ]

You have lost
(Too much love)
To fear, doubt and distrust
(It's not enough)
You just threw away the key
To your heart

You don't get burned
('Cause nothing gets through)
It makes it easier
(Easier on you)
But that much more difficult for me
To make you see…

[ INTERRUPTING THAT NOW-- ]

It's been changing a lot.

[onlyholey]

Bit like having your own personal radio, innit?

Yours seems a bit downbeat.

[boutant]

[ As if in response, the music changes. It's certainly faster. ]

Yeah, except I can't change the channel or control the volume.

That's when she said I don't hate you boy
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save
That's when I told her I love you girl
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have.

[ Why. ]

[onlyholey]

Tried earmuffs?

[boutant]

I heard they don't work.

[ And another new one. ]

Hey there it's good to see you again,
It never felt right calling this "just friends".
I'm happy, if you're happy, with yourself.

Take off your shirt, your shoes,
those skinny jeans I bought for you.
We're diving in, there's nothing left to lose.

I'm gonna break down these walls, (down these walls) I built around myself.
I wanna fall so in love (so in love), with you, and no one else,
Could ever mean half as much, to me as you do now.
Together we'll move on, just don't turn around,
Let the walls break down.

... This is getting a little ridiculous.

[onlyholey]

It's not so bad, love. It could have stuck you with Celestina Warbeck.

[boutant]

Who?

I can't breathe, my body's shaking.
You've got a way with the way you take me,
'Cause you break me down,
You know you break me down...

[onlyholey]

She's this witch singer Mum's well into. Plays her all the time.

[Slight uncomfortable silence, there...]

[boutant]

That must [ be time for a new song ] get old.

And it's beginning to get to me
That I know more of the stars and sea
Than I do of what's in your head
Barely touching in our cold bed.

This music is beginning to get to me.

[onlyholey]

Hold on a tick.

[George fiddles with the volume on his device. A song is starting to come in from his end.]

[boutant]

... Are curses contagious now?

[onlyholey]

I think it might be, love. This bloke doesn't seem to be stopping.

[boutant]

[ Her music's changed and gotten quieter, which means Ariadne can make out the lyrics in his. One hand goes to slide through her hair, but it ends up stilling on her forehead instead, holding her head up. ]

Mine have been changing depending on who I talk to.

[ Meaning it's not random. ]

[onlyholey]

Mine didn't even start up 'til I started talking to you.

[boutant]

... Sorry?

[onlyholey]

I didn't have any of this music until right now.

[and again...]

[boutant]

I think yours is more depressing than mine.

[onlyholey]

Well this one's not bad.

[His changes into something distinctly 90s pop-rock sounding.]

[boutant]

[ Ariadne laughs. ]

I remember that song.

[ Hers changes into something more upbeat to match. ]

[onlyholey]

Much cheerier. I'm almost enjoying it now.

[boutant]

The cheerful songs are definitely my favorites.

[ Pause. ] ... Still, they make sad songs for a reason.

[onlyholey]

I suppose they do.