(not at all) accidental video; @maedae

[trashmammal]

[The feed cuts in abruptly ( maybe a little too abruptly), revealing Mae sitting at the edge of her bed. Her head's cut off by the frame, leaving just a torso and a pair of fuzzy arms cradling what is probably the shittiest looking bass in the world. She plucks a couple strings experimentally, like she's still not entirely sure what to do with the damn thing.

Then she starts playing.

It's shaky as hell and she misses about as many notes as she hits and her bass is insanely out of tune, but the song's there. Kinda. About halfway through, she starts singing, just humming at first, then little "dah dah dah"'s in places where she can remember the rhythm but not the lyrics. It's only when the second chorus comes around that she really hits her stride.]

I just wanna diiie anywhere else!
If only I could diie anywhere else!
So come with me, let's diiie anywhere else!
A-ny-where
Just not here.

[Her singing voice is, ah, how you say not so good. Really it's more shouting than singing, but she's doing it with gusto. Eventually, the song comes to an uneasy finish, and Mae's left sitting there in silence for a couple more seconds before she turns and, in what's pretty obviously a prepared reaction, notices that she's recording.]

Oh, shit! [Said with all the convincing acting prowess of an eight grader.

She dips down, enough that you can see her face for about a fraction of a second, and practically slams her laptop shut, embarrassed and a little bit afraid.]

Comments

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[trashmammal]

Adult!

[Thank God Dodger can't see her now, otherwise he'd know just how much she's blushing.
The laughter doesn't really hurt as much as it would normally, cause he's her friend and also kind of an asshole anyways, so it's expected.]

It's not like I haven't tried, yknow. Stupid thing keeps fighting me the whole way. It's like that thing. Yknow, introphy. [Entropy. she means entropy.] Like when you look away and things just go to complete shit without you knowing.

[smokedout]

You're what, 20? You're still a kid.

[Ah yes, Dodger, because being 25 makes you such a mature adult.]

Sounds like you need some new pegs. Or y'know, you could ditch the thing and get one that works. [Although he gets if it's a mess because she brought it from home, and he's not adverse to helping her bring it back from the dead. He's kind of a huge nerd about stringed instruments.] Basses are like cats, you gotta give 'em some love every once in a while or they lose their shit.

[trashmammal]

Still over 18, so still legally an adult!

[This is not the first time Mae's had to make this argument, and probably not the last, so her tone's more amused than genuinely annoyed.]

Yeah, I dunno about just throwing it out. I guess see somebody about all that stuff if I got the time and the money, but it's not technically my bass? So getting it all fixed up feels kinda weird. Like, sacrilegious, almost.

[smokedout]

Sure, but you can't drink yet. Least not in America.

[He's noticed Riverview is more lenient, but they probably didn't have a really stupid history of alcohol vs parents.]

Could always keep it for display and get a new one. But it seems like a waste to have it lay around without getting to serve its purpose. [A pause.] Did you steal it?

[trashmammal]

But I can buy porn! I mean I won't, but I could. If I wanted to.

[Which she doesn't and probably never will. Paying for stuff is for suckers.]

But yeah, no. This is one of my few rare, non-stolen possessions. Like, technically it's my friend Gregg's, but I'm the only one who ever plays it 'cause he's always on guitar. So I guess it's pretty much mine by right?

[smokedout]

Or you can watch it online like every normal human being.

[He's pretty much already forgotten Mae's a cat, honestly. It's not important information.]

Well, if you're the one playing it it's your job to keep it working. [He chews his cheek a moment.] Listen, if you tell me what brand it is I can probably track down some new pegs and strings for it. Least I can do to make up for trying to smash your speakers.

[trashmammal]

[Mae almost objects, but no it absolutely is her job to make sure her bass isn't a huge shitheap, and just like every other job she's gone and bungled it. Still, the offer kinda catches her off-guard.]

Uh, yeah, alright! Miiiiight have to look it up, cause I think Gregg might've scratched the label off? [and if he didn't do it then Mae definitely did] For real though, I'd really appreciate it. Feels like a project. Like fixing up an old roadster or something.

[smokedout]

It'll be a little quicker than that, but sure. Unless you totally fucked it - warped the neck or something stupid like that. But from where I'm standing, it shouldn't take more than a couple hours to get it back in shape. Research included.

[In fact he's already replaying her video and making notes on any defining features of the bass, so he can look up the brand himself.]

[trashmammal]

Wow you are just crushing my dreams here, dude. You're a dream-crusher. We could've had a fun bonding moment and everything and you threw it all away![She tries to sound broken up about it but she's too damn happy for that to really work.]

So when're you be gonna be down to make this happen? I'm available pretty much 24/7, so whenever's good for you. [yes Mae does know she has a job that she has to go to, but that's clearly not as high on her list of priorities.]

[smokedout]

[Well... he has a flicker of anxiety for a moment, worried that she actually is beat up about it, but it doesn't show the next time he speaks.]

Bring the bass up to me tomorrow, I'll have some pegs and strings for it by then. I've got the first room on the fourth floor, it says 'DODGER' on the door so it's pretty damn obvious.

[trashmammal]

Really? Are you sure I won't confuse you for the thousands of other Dodger's that run through here on the daily?

[She's fully joking, this time, and it shows in her voice.]

For real though, thanks. I'll be up tomorrow and we can get this thing going so right.