Crushed on the Rock by a Siren

[hombrenuevo]

WHO: Chico Libre hombrenuevo and Klavier Gavin gitarre
WHERE: Heropa boardwalk
WHEN: Friday night
WHAT: Klavier passes the Bar exam and his co-workers take him out to celebrate. Lucky for Chico he is just the air guitarist of legend he's been looking for.
WARNINGS: None


And you are sure? [ All of his information on this elusive UMA is eye-witness testimony. Chico's got to make sure what they're recalling is the truth. It won't do to have two different stories. But the woman is adamant. "Yeah, definitely! He made the most beautiful music out of nothing! Gosh, it was hard to resist." ]

So it felt like a pull? You know, like he was seducing you? [ Immediately she shakes her head. "Oh yeah, he was totally singing that song just for me! You could tell. The lyrics were like my life!" ] Okay. One last question. Where did you last see him?

[ "Last night. That's why I sent your show that email. I knew I was onto something big! It was on the boardwalk by the ocean..." Ha, of course! By the sea is where those cryptids live—At least they're supposed to. This one seemed just as comfortable on land, and it was a man. A very beautiful man, as the rumors kept telling him, but a man nonetheless. So that's where he decides to set up his sting operation for the night. With his recorder in hand, he waits by a cantina on the boardwalk, where several beautiful women are wining and dining. Perfect bait for a siren! ]

It is twenty-one hundred hours. I am in Heropa where the latest witness states she heard the siren's alluring call. Now, we wait...

Comments

[gitarre]

...[Straightening his shoulders and hooking a thumb into his pocket, he smiles at the boy.]

At any rate, good luck solving these mysteries of the universe. That's no small task for anyone, let alone someone as young as yourself, ja?

[hombrenuevo]

I may look young, but I'm no child! I'm a man. And this is not the sort of work for a civilian.

[ AKA YOU! So, if you'll EXCUSE HIM, he'll get back to reconning for an imaginary mythological creature of the Greek type. ]

[gitarre]

[...Ah. It seems Klavier unintentionally struck a nerve.

The frustration in the boy's voice takes him back to a time when he'd yet to receive his prosecutor's badge, surrounded by law books, loose pieces of sheet music, and a burning desire to be acknowledged by a man who had no intention, ever, of calling him his equal.

His expression falters for just a moment, but Klavier easily fixes his smile back into place.]

A man with a mission, ja? Well, in that case, I will leave you to your important work. Gute Nacht, Herr Detective.

[With a wave, he makes his way over to one of the patio tables and shakes hands with the small group that had been waiting for him.]

[hombrenuevo]

I'm not a detective! I'm a hunter! [ There's a big difference, although most civilians probably didn't know it. But at least the man's left him to his own devices finally. Now there'll be no distractions! ]

It's now twenty-one thirty-four. Still no signs of this male siren.

[ But the nightlife is going on strong, which Chico hopes will be the perfect bait for a seducer like the siren. He's confident he'll be able to stop it from tempting any of these lovely ladies to their doom. Although Blondie might do that first. It's not long before he's struck up a conversation with them, much to Chico's chagrin. Must be nice having the age and experience to confidently talk with women. ]

Cabrón presumido...

[gitarre]

[They've been through a couple of rounds of drinks already, and the pleasant buzz that follows leaves Klavier as bright and sunny as ever.

"Hey, Gavin," one of his co-workers says. "Do the thing!"

Excited agreement washes around the table before someone, confused, asks,"What thing?"

"Man, I can't really explain it. Just watch. C'mon, Gavin! Please?"]

...Ach, I could never say no to such an earnest request. [Klavier gives a small chuckle, brushing his blond hair away from his eyes.] Very well!

[He places a leather boot on top of one of the chairs and dramatically thrusts his index finger at everyone in the room.] Achtung, baby! Are you ready to rock?!

[He's met with cheers from his tablemates, and some alarmed expressions from other people on the patio. When Klavier repeats the question, though, he gets a much louder response from just about everyone, earning them one of Klavier's weapons-grade smile...and a killer guitar riff made with nothing but thin air.]

[hombrenuevo]

What is he doing?

[ Chico turns his recorder back on to catch this strange sound emanating from, well, nothing but the air around the man. What a weird ability to have! Although, the women around him seem to be crazy over it.

"His hair was like spun gold! And it shimmered every time he combed through it."

"All I remember was how handsome he was! I couldn't look anywhere but his face!"

"He was definitely European, that much was obvious!" ]

Dios mio... It's the siren! He's here!

[ Scrambling up onto his feet, Chico tucks the player into his back pocket to continue recording as he sprints the short width of the dock toward the patio. There he points dramatically at Klavier with all the viciousness of an irate chihuahua. ]

Ladies! Step back from him! He's not what you think!

1/3

[gitarre]

[He may have put his rock god days behind him, but the rush that comes from working a crowd never gets old. For a moment, Klavier just loses himself in the music. As his fingers dance across the invisible strings, he can almost feel the weight of an actual guitar in his arms. Lyrics to a song begin to form in the back of his mind, he parts his lips, takes a deep breath, and--]

[gitarre]

...! [That voice breaks him out of his beautiful reverie. It's that boy, Klavier realizes. The confused crowd suddenly looks over at the intruder, and Klavier himself can't help but shoot a perturbed look in his direction.]

[gitarre]

[But just as quickly, Klavier's mouth curves into a curious smile, and his arms drop down to his sides. As much as he daydreams, he's more than capable of setting aside fantasy for reality.]

...Ah, yes. The man on his Friday night routine. Is something the matter?

[hombrenuevo]

Yes! You! You're the siren that's been hounding Heropa!

[ Unfortunately, no one else seems to be buying what Chico is selling. The women look at each other and then back at Klavier for what to expect next. ]

Your music... It's mesmerizing the women. You—You've got the golden hair, the kind the witnesses were describing!

[ The more evidence he sets down, the less confident the young boy sounds. His green eyes waver between each adult, looking for some kind of recognition in their expression. ]

[gitarre]

[What on earth...? A siren "hounding" Heropa? Is that what they were saying about him? Maybe he ought to consider hiring a publicist...

Despite the mounting confusion from the onlookers, however, Klavier's smile remains fixed in place, pleasant and easygoing, as if they're chatting about the weather.]

Ach, you truly flatter me, Herr Detective! I've been called many things, but never a siren. [He brushes some of the fringe away from his face.] Do people really find my voice that divine?

[Despite the numerous chart-toppers in his discography, Klavier will be the first to admit that his usual music doesn't have the same universal appeal as Lamiroir's captivating ballads. So, honestly, he's going to play this up as a compliment for as long as he can get away with.]

[hombrenuevo]

I haven't heard it. [ And Chico would rather not! The last thing he needs is to be put under the spell of some blond hot rod. So how is he supposed to unveil this guy? He looks like a normal person! He never figured it'd be this tricky.

As the tense stalemate wears on one of the men behind Klavier interjects. "You're likely mistaken, kid. This is our newest prosecutor at our law firm. He's only come from the Porter a few weeks ago." ]

The Porter... You're an imPort?

[gitarre]

That's right. [He leans forward with a bright smile.] The same as yourself, ja? If I'm supposed to be a siren, what does that make you, I wonder?

[hombrenuevo]

I'm a monster hunter! [ But the last of his conviction is spent with those words. His whole body deflates like a balloon. ] With no monster, I guess. Mierda!

[gitarre]

[The way he deflates kind of reminds him of a certain defense attorney who's just had one of his arguments torpedoed in court.]

...Is that really such a bad thing, though? That I'm not a monster? [It's an honest question.]

[hombrenuevo]

... No, but my episode is useless now! All the research and recordings I did, it's all for nothing.

[gitarre]

Well, you investigated a claim and found the truth, ja? Maybe the truth is not what you were hoping for, but I wouldn't say it's all for nothing.

[He meets Chico's gaze, and the smile from before softens into something a little more genuine that reflects in Klavier's eyes. For all his teasing earlier, that sort of sincerity and earnestness is something he honestly appreciates in others. He hopes it's something Chico will keep with him into adulthood.]

The word "monster" can take many meanings, Herr Detective, most of them bad. For some people, it's a relief to know that there's at least one less monster in this world to be afraid of.