When the silv'ry moonlight gleams, Still I wander on in dreams

[laminae]

Who: Fern Fun laminae and open.
What: Trickster mode player plot.
When: Early December.
Where: Around Trench.

Content Warnings: Forced emotional stability, invasion of personal spaces, body horror.

Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you [Closed to Varian]

[Fern has adjusted to the Omnis very quickly, so it isn't unusual for him to give his a quick check for messages early in the morning when he's still half-asleep. Especially in the wintertime, when the lack of sunlight makes it a bit harder for him to get going.

That's what he does this morning. He untangles one arm from around Varian, reaches for his Omni on the nightstand and, still mostly asleep, opens what appears to be a message from Karkat. It's weird and brightly coloured, but he isn't overly concerned or anything, so he goes ahead and clicks on the first link in the message.

And then he's candy.

He doesn't really remember the change. One second he's grass and sleepy and about to curl back up with his boyfriend in bed, and the next he's candy and just bursting with love and happiness? Emotional volatility? Nosir, only sugary sweetness can be found here! He curls back up with the sleeping Varian, and much like when he's grass his hair is everywhere. Now, however, it's more of a cotton candy texture, and lollipops and candy canes and other assorted sweets are growing in it. He grins widely at his boyfriend, poking at his cheek.]

Heyyyy, wakey wakey wakey....

Let me hear you whisper that you love me too [Open to disaster house and friends] 

[Eventually, Fern - Fun makes his way downstairs to the kitchen. What better way to start the day than to cook a wonderful breakfast for his friends? They'll wake up the smell of pancakes and muffins and all kinds of delicious things! It'll make them so happy!

Of course, Fern has never been much of a cook, and Fun certainly isn't. He proceeds to utterly trash the kitchen in his quest to do something nice for everyone. He cooks breakfast, yes, but everything - absolutely everything - is loaded with sugar. Even if you've got a big sweet tooth, even if your mouth is nothing but sweet tooths, you're going to find it all way too sweet.

But hey, he's having fun! He's humming to himself as he dances around the destroyed kitchen, plating everything up. Hopefully Trench has figured out how insulin works because yikes.]

Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true [Open to all] 

[After destroying the house's kitchen, Fun gets bored and manages to evade the other residents, wandering outside into the city. He isn't looking for anything particular, he just feels like exploring Trench with fresh candy eyes. And oh, is it ever worth it! The fresh coating of snow blanketing everything makes the place look magical! With a body made of candy the winter weather isn't affecting him the same way it did when he was grass, so he's out there enjoying the snow to its fullest extent!

He can be found in various parts of Trench building snowmen and making snow angels. And if he sees you? He'll be racing over to try and yank you into a happy hug. Hello friend!! Hope you enjoy the invasion of your personal space! At least he smells minty fresh?

Unfortunately, he's also wandering in more dangerous sections of the city. Maybe he comes upon a monster, though that shouldn't be a problem, he can always make a sword and fight it -

Except no. A monster is just a friend he hasn't made yet, obviously! Please stop him from trying to hug the angry monster and getting his shit wrecked. He could really use some help right now.]

Comments

[entreats]

[ Whew. There sure is Some Energy going around here, isn't there. Ange doesn't even have to be the observant type for it, but since she is, she's picking up on even more of it. The way Fern looks so nervous, and she doesn't even have to guess as to the exact reason for that. The way Varian suddenly shuts his eyes, looking so pained, or perhaps worried..

There's a lot going on here, and none of it seems good. In a way Ange is a little glad to be here, since she doesn't think Varian's current state and Fern's nervousness about it would bounce off each other in a good way. They might just make each other's feelings escalate at this rate. And while Ange can feel the same concern on the inside as clearly shows on Fern's face, she hopes to at least bring some calm to this situation. Even if she can't be here forever. ]

Hey, that's okay. You don't have to be anything right now. [ She shakes her head, looking over at Varian. Low expectations are probably good when the other already looks stressed like hell, right? ] I mean.. we don't mean to pressure you into anything.

[ She glances at Fern, as if to confirm, or perhaps because she would like to keep him from flipping over the edge of the worry abyss here too. It's not just Varian that she's here to help. ]

But it would be nice to hear, if you're up for it at all. Like Fern said.. It might be kind of fun. But even if you don't want to sing, I'm just glad to see you guys again after being stuck in bed for weeks.

[laminae]

[When Varian just pauses and shuts his eyes Fern's worry goes straight into overdrive, and it's plain as day on his face. He's chewing on his lower lip, trying not to freak out and ruin everything. The glance Ange gives him as him nodding his head vigorously, and he lets go of Varian to scoop up his guitar. Yup yup yup this is totally fine, tooootally fine. No pressure at all.]

Yeah, Ange is right. If you don't wanna sing we can just hang out, and I can play. Or something.

[No pressure! Just fun friend hangouts involving music here.]

[droptheious]

[Ange is a very much needed medium right now. As solid comfort as Fern and Varian usually are for each other, when both of them are breaking, then they have a tendency to feed off one another's anxieties and make everything a hundred times worse for themselves. At the reassurance that he isn't expected to do anything, he does relax a small bit. He nods, moving to go and sit down.]

Okay...sure. I... let's ease into it, okay?

[He glances over at Ange, concern etching into his features.]

Oh jeez, that's right. You've been in bed for a while. How are you feeling? Are you all healed up? I...I can get some painkillers if you need them.

[entreats]

[ She waves a hand dismissively. ]

I'm fine. [ Whether that's true or not is.. honestly hard to tell. Ange doesn't look like she's in pain, at least, but on the other hand, Ange is amazing at hiding this kind of stuff. No one would ever be able to tell what really is or isn't going on.

She does look a little tired, though. That's much harder to hide, mostly because of the way the fatigue settles in her face. ]

The wounds are pretty much healed up, though they're scarring in annoying ways. [ THANKS FOR NOTHING, ZEALOTS. ] But it's nothing that could keep me from getting out of bed and hanging out with you guys.

[ It's all said in the same chill and casual way. It's ok, boys. Ange is here to try and smooth out this anxious atmosphere a little. She looks around a little, her gaze ending up on the guitar Fern is holding. ]

Do you two often make music together?

[laminae]

[Just a smidgen of Fern's nervousness abates when Varian agrees. It isn't a full agreement, nor does it hold his usual fondness for music (or at least, indulging his boyfriend's fondness for music), but it's better than nothing. It's better than him retreating back to his lab.

He absently plucks at a couple strings on his guitar, taking the time to tune it. If Ange says she's fine then she probably is, and they aren't going to do anything too strenuous, so hopefully if she isn't she'll feel a little bit better when they're done. Really, both of them could use a nice time to just chill with each other's company.

He does give Varian a tiny glance when she mentions the scars, but he doesn't say anything about it, choosing to remain awkwardly silent and focused on tuning his guitar.]

[droptheious]

[His worry remains even after her assurances. He was in that farm, he remembers how awful it was. He's got a new scar of his own from it- not that he can see it anymore. He supposes the one good thing about his current corrupted state is that his scars are hidden underneath a solid layer of rock-skin. He can pretend they're not there.]

...Yeah. This...this place is pretty good at leaving us with some nasty scars.

[He catches the look Fern gives him, he can't miss that, and he knows why it's there. He knows he needs to be more open about the scar thing. ]

I'm glad to see you anyway- thanks for...uh coming. I'm glad you're feeling better.

[And knowing she is here and she's brought herself here while she's still recovering does at least put out any ideas he has of just...bolting.]

Oh yeah. I can play the piano too- it's nice sometimes. To just sit and play. Both of us are from pretty musical worlds. It's like a way to get some...normalcy, I guess.

[entreats]

[ Ange does catch the Look these two are sharing with each other. And while she doesn't know the exact reason for it, she could make a few guesses..

Though she's too polite to do so out loud, especially when Varian is already in such a state. It's better to remain considerate. To try and keep things light - so they can get Varian's mind off whatever is stewing up there, and so Fern can also feel like he's able to worry less for a moment. ]

See, that's why I'm here. There's music in my world, but.. it's not exactly everywhere. If someone burst into song on the streets, people would think that person was crazy. [ ... ] Or a street performer. Some might say those two things are the same.

[ It's a dumb little light joke, but Ange shakes her head and continues. ]

So surely you guys can show me some nice music, right? Otherwise you might have to suffer through my 'amazing' rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

[laminae]

[Fern isn't going to say anything, since it's Varian's personal obstacle to overcome, but yeah. It's totally about certain scars that the other boy is insecure about. He hopes that Ange being so chill about her own helps a little. Maybe hearing that from a friend will help him see that he might be able to handle his own, too.]

Man, that's lame. It sucked in Deerington, I can't imagine being stuck in a world where no one ever sings when they want to.

[Spontaneous singing is great! He misses it so much.]

Aw, I'm sure it's not that bad. [Though once his guitar is tuned he'll start plucking the chords to Greensleeves.]

[droptheious]

[Ange is genuinely the hero of the day, and he's endlessly glad about her being here. And Fern is right. Seeing her be so...easy about them does ease his worries a little more. He's not quite ready to open up about them completely, but this is a step in the right direction. ]

Hah, yeah, that seems to be the case in most worlds. Which is...so weird to me. Like no one would even think about anyone singing back home. I swear sometimes it's like music just comes from nowhere, too.

[Living in a Disney Princess world is something else. He smiles as Fern starts playing. ]

And hey, Fern's right, there's nothing wrong with a classic. Do you play the piano, too?

[entreats]

[ A part of Ange thinks that she's honestly glad to live in a world without random song, just because it'd be so embarrassing to constantly have to deal with that...

But, being tactful around people she cares for, Ange wisely keeps it to herself. The two of them seem to enjoy singing and music a lot, after all. Instead she glances over at Varian at that last question. ]

Only a little bit. Orpheus has been teaching me, since I was kind of interested and asked him. [ And there's no bigger musical prodigy in this place than that guy, Ange thinks. ] But.. I'm seriously nowhere as musically inclined as him, or as you guys must be. It's a huge uphill struggle.

[ Ange shakes her head though, her tone and attitude about this relatively light. She's not too bothered by it, since it's not like she expected to have some sort of hidden musical talent. ]

So look at me, being all brave, and coming to hang out with my two musical friends. [ It's a joke! Just a joke. She even smiles a little.

Sure, she's definitely being more jokey than usually, but it has become easier to let her guard down a little around friends.. and if she has to be the one to pull the mood up from the mud here, then she has to work a little harder than usually anyway. ]

[laminae]

[It's something Fern definitely misses, despite his own reluctance to do as much singing as he did when he was Finn. Sometimes you're just feeling a whole lot and just talking about it just doesn't work. Singing does.

He perks up a little at the mention of Orpheus.]

Hey, he's been teaching me guitar. If anyone can teach you how to play an instrument, it's gonna be him.

[He might not be all that familiar with Orpheus's story, but the guy is super nice and obviously a musical virtuoso. How many people can make flowers bloom just by singing??

He keeps on strumming, and he grins a little at her and Varian.]

Well hey, maybe we'll be able to help you find some inspiration. Or something.

[droptheious]

[Sometimes, singing really did make things feel a lot better. Emotions were a lot, belting them out made them a little...lighter. Still, he knows Ange is extremely introverted and won't press her on this matter. The fact she came here at all speaks volumes. ]

Yeah, he really knows his stuff when it comes to music. You'll be a pro at this in no time.

[He offers Ange a smile.]

You were pretty brave coming out here, but I'm sure you'll do absolutely fine. Fern's right. Maybe we'll...uh inspire you.

[And seeing that this seems to be doing Ange some good is pulling him a little out of his anxiety shell.]

S..so. What sort of song would you like?

[entreats]

[ Ange smiles a little at Fern. Partially since it's nice to hear him agree about Orpheus - that guy is crazy good when it comes to music - but also partially since it seems like they are managing to draw Varian out of his shell a little bit over here.

Though she knows that they shouldn't push their luck, not when it comes to this sort of thing. It's all about gently coaxing the other guy into managing to let loose and enjoy himself here for a moment. ]

Hmm.. [ So Ange just hums when Varian asks her that question, like she's thinking. ] I'm not too picky.

[ Which is true. Mostly. When it comes to music, anyway, since she knows so little about it. ]

Is there some song you guys usually play together? [ She lets out a chuckle, like she's about to add a joke: ] Unless that's awkward with me present.

[ You know. Ange's very presence interrupting some romantic mood, or whatever. ]

[laminae]

[It's really, really encouraging to see Varian starting to relax a bit. This isn't a full fix, but it's a good step in the right direction, and Fern is feeling less nervous as they talk.

His strumming dies down as they talk about Ange's taste in music. Yeah, it's probably better to start with what she's into, and that offers Varian even more of a distraction.

He can't help laughing at Ange's comment. They totally have romantic music jams, it's one of Fern's favourite things.]

It kiiiind of would be, but it's cool. We got loads of other music we can play.

[He's going to switch over to another song he knows Varian knows. Maaaybe to nudge him into singing. Just a little.]

[droptheious]

[They're definitely going a good job of slowly coaxing him out of his shell. He blushes a little- even if it's almost impossible to see under the rock skin.]

Hah, okay, not everything we do is a romantic song y'know. Just...an extreme majority.

[Maybe they know like...three non-romantic songs they sing together. But hey, this is working out well for them, and Varian does eventually relent and start singing. As Fern advertised, his voice really is very good- even if he sings in the way of someone who doesn't find it a big deal at all. Natural as speaking, back home, really.]

[entreats]

[ Thanks goes out to Fern and Varian today, as they spare Ange from the intense, and I repeat, intense social awkwardness she would experience from sitting there and watching a couple perform a romantic song...

This is so much better. It's not just tolerable - no, it's in fact kind of nice to see.. and to listen to. Ange patiently sits there, maybe even closing her eyes a few times during the song so she can listen to it even better, fully focus on it. With her eyes closed, it's almost as if she's just listening to a song someone might hear on the radio.. It's that level of quality. Fern wasn't kidding when he said Varian could sing well.

Not that she thought Fern was kidding, but.. well, Ange thought that there might be a bit of bias slipping into his description. And while she doesn't doubt that was there, it's also just objectively true that Varian is good.

Good enough that, once the song is over, Ange actually claps her hands to give the two of them applause, a faint smile still playing around her lips. ]

Wow, that was pretty great! You guys could totally form a professional music duo. [ And that's not an exaggeration on her part. ] I can't believe you're just a scientist where you come from, Varian. You'd be on the level of a professional singer in mine.

[ Then again, maybe musical talent is rarer in a world where it's not as big of a deal.. ]

And you're good on the guitar too, Fern. [ Which is also something Ange can appreciate, especially with what kind of uphill climb she has found learning how to play a musical instrument to be. ]

[laminae]

[It's all good, the two of them might be disasters but even they have enough social awareness to know that focusing on romantic songs would be really fucking weird in a chill friendship music jam.

At any rate, Fern is happy to accompany Varian on the guitar. For a few minutes he can feel normal, like nothing is wrong and it's just the  three of them hanging out, enjoying each other's company. No corruption, no Trench horrors, nothing like that. Ange closes her eyes and he does a few times as well, focusing on the music and nothing else.

So when the song finishes he's feeling pretty chill, and he hopes that Varian does as well.]

Geez, I don't know about being professionals. I'm still learning. [Varian totally could be a professional singer though, he isn't going to argue that.]
Thanks, though. I got Orpheus to thank for learning so fast.

[droptheious]

[They have rescued her from intense embarrassment this day. For once they have managed the bare minimum of normal social interaction. Be proud of them!

As is usually the case when his singing is praised, Varian raises his shoulders in an awkward, embarrassed little shrug. ]

Everyone can sing like I do back home, it's not a big deal. [He'll never understand how good he sings, it's a tragedy.] And science is so much cooler, and helpful! I can help people much better with science.

[Science is the best. ]

But Fern's really good! Don't let me tell you anything else, he's been getting better and better. And I bet you'll be amazing on piano too, with Orpheus' help.

[entreats]

[ Ange pauses for a moment.

But then she actually laughs. Partially in relief, since it's good to see these two just enjoying themselves for a moment, regardless of the state Varian is in.. but it's mostly very genuine. It's not even an attempt to try and keep the mood up, it just rolls right out of Ange's mouth before she even fully realises it.

In fact, that makes it a little embarrassing to her, and she quickly covers her mouth up behind a hand as she shakes her head. ]

What is this! Can neither of you accept a compliment? [ Pot, kettle. Such a pot, kettle situation. ] You're going to make people who aren't good at music like me feel bad at this rate!

[laminae]

[Ooh, an Ange laugh! He knows how rare those are, so he grins a bit wider. Things are going well, Varian seems like his usual self and Ange is having a fun time.

Even if he has to deal with getting compliments that he totally doesn't deserve. It's fine, he can handle that.]

Aw, don't say that! Varian's right, you'll be amazing. [It seems like it's impossible for someone to be bad at music when Orpheus is their teacher.] You wanna try playing something for us? It doesn't have to be complicated, music jams are just for fun.

[droptheious]

[An Ange laugh IS such a rarity that it even pulls a smile out of Varian. Regardless (or possibly because of) how embarrassing it is for her. ]

Hey, I take my compliments when it comes to science where I have to exert an actual effort.

[Which could be constituted as a brag if Varian hadn't just said how normal it was for people to be able to sing like angels all the damn time. ]

And yeah! Please something for us, we really won't mind what it is- like Fern said, it's supposed to be fun.

[entreats]

Okay, fine, fine!

[ It's not an agitated 'fine' at all though, Ange still seems amused. If not just because Varian is saying that he has to put actual effort into science, and apparently not into singing in a way that would land anyone a record deal in her world..

But she figures that it'll forever be hard for these particular two boys to understand, really. It's hard to wrap your mind around how a world that's so intrinsically different from yours would work, so she doesn't blame them. Instead Ange turns around to face the piano while she's sitting there. ]

Let's see how much 'fun' this still is after I blast your ears off. [ .. that definitely is a joke on her part. She thinks her piano playing is way too simple, sure, but it's not like it sounds awful.

Which is evidenced when Ange starts playing a moment after. It is, indeed, a rendition of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' but in the most simple way possible. It feels sort of dumb to Ange, right after the way Varian and Fern sang and played, but whatever. She's doing it. ]

[laminae]

[Fern lets out a little scoff and rolls his eyes good-naturedly at Varian's remark. Even when it comes to compliments he's focused on science. It's endearing and aggravating at the same time. This guy, just busting out a beautiful singing voice with no effort and not even caring.

At any rate, Fern sits back and listens to Ange's rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle. He's just glad she's comfortable enough to play something, even if it's simple. It's still nice, and he's grinning by the time she finishes]

I'm not deaf, so congrats! You did great! [He's joking, he's joking.]

[droptheious]

[Sorry, guys, Varian will always deeply underappreciate his own singing voice. It's a horrific tragedy, truly, it is.

And yet, simple as Ange's rendition is of Twinkle Twinkle, he listens, rapt and with a little smile crossing his lips. Once she's finished, he comically reaches up to pat his ears. Okay, so they're stony now but the point is still being made. So there.]

Hmmmm, still attached, I think you're good. [Then, more sincere.] Seriously, give yourself some credit, that's really good. You're trying and learning and that's what matters. You'll be playing like a pro in no time.

[entreats]

[ There's definitely an eyeroll on Ange's part too when both of them start joking like that - though it's a playful one. It's not too surprising to see Fern joking along with that, though it does feel more genuine rather than just to try and boost up the mood for Varian's sake here, and then when Varian jokes right along..

Ah, well, that's not really a joke she minds being the butt of, especially since she offered it up herself.

It's making things better here, after all. ]

Hmm, I'm not so sure about that 'no time' part.

[ But she is learning. She won't deny that. Though it does make her think - and glance over at Fern. ]

How long did it take you to learn how to play guitar? [ Look, she'd ask Varian how long it took him to learn how to sing, but apparently that's just some natural god-given ability. ]