10th Grail [Video/Action for Olivine]

[dressofheaven]

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

[As the last strains of "Angels We Have Heard on High" leave Ilya's lips, she picks up a nearby mug and nurses at it a bit, kicking her legs and seemingly oblivious to the fact that she's being taped.

But not for long. She turns her eyes to the side and blinks in surprise.] Orpheus, you weren't supposed to turn that on yet! I'm still warming up!

[But with a little sigh and a soft smile of amusement, she shrugs it off.] Oh well, I guess I'm about ready. Most of you probably don't know this but I've been... complaining a little about the sort of music they're playing and some of us are singing about now. Not that I don't like Christmas or anything, I just don't like most of the songs.

But there are a few good ones out there, and so I decided that I'd sing all the ones I know that I actually like tonight. Sort of like caroling only I'm doing it over the network instead of door-to-door. As such, if you'd like to hear one, you can just respond and I'll sing one for you. You can either pick one or let me do it, I don't mind either way.

Just don't ask me to sing something like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" or "Santa Clause is Coming to Town", alright?

[Her message sent, Ilya takes another sip and starts to sing again.]

I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning

[The feed clicks off after that line.]

Comments

video;

[pipers_son]

[Now there's some music he's familiar with... It makes him feel nostalgic and homesick, although you wouldn't be able to tell by Joker's expression. He keeps himself looking fairly calm, reclining a bit with his eyes closed and a faint smile on his lips.]

[He won't make any requests just yet himself, but he will hum along to "I Saw Three Ships".]

video;

[dressofheaven]

[Only when she's finished with the song does she acknowledge the audience that's showed up over the network.]

Hello there! Did you have a request!

video;

[pipers_son]

Well, since yer offerin'! I didn't think I'd get ta hear any songs I'd recognize. Rather nice, I won't lie. Do ya know "O Holy Night"? Ya know-

[He clears his throat and sings out a few lines. Joker isn't exactly any sort of choirboy so no training, but he has a good enough voice and some vague idea of how to use it.]

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining ♪
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. ♪
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. ♪
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. ♪

That one.

video;

[dressofheaven]

Indeed I do! Ahem...

[She takes in a deep breath, and croons out the song in quite a lovely Soprano.]

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til he appeared and the Spirit felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine.

video;

[pipers_son]

[He'll just sit back to let the professional handle things, don't mind him. He'll still hum, but that's it. At some point, he welcome a little Mime Jr. onto his lap so that she can listen too.]

[ audio ]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake lets out a "hnn" of interest. ]

You're pretty good at that. Unfortunately I'm not the most Christmas-y guy around... Don't really know what kind of request to give you.

[ audio ]

[dressofheaven]

That's alright. I can just pick one myself if you don't have any preferences.

[She sips a bit at her cider as she tries to decide which one to go with.]

The first "Nowell" the angels did say
Was to poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sleep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

[ audio ]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake is quiet as he listens, and when she finishes he speaks again. ]

Ever thought of making a career out of this?

[ audio ]

[dressofheaven]

[She blinks in surprise at that question, then titters a bit.]

I didn't know I was that good. I don't know, though, most of my skill is in classical music and I don't think that's all too popular these days.

[ audio ]

[imthe_shit]

Hhn, I don't know about that. Classical music's not bad.

[in_praetego]

[ Now this brings him back... actually, it makes him a little homesick. He can't help but think of Christmases past -- the chapel decorated with lights and a humble tree, the carolers, the choir for Christmas mass... ]

You're really good. Were you part of a choir back home?

[ And a beat. ]

If it isn't too much trouble, do you know The Carol of the Bells?

[dressofheaven]

No. I would have kind of liked that, but I wasn't allowed out of the Castle. I only sang for myself.

[Deliberately avoiding why she wasn't let outside, or why she lived in a castle.]

But of course I do! That's a great one. [She takes a breath, and:]

Hark, how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away

Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

[in_praetego]

[ Definitely brings him back. Suddenly his upcoming birthday isn't looking so grim.

Though he can't help but wonder if his brother can hear this. That bit about not being let out though.. ]

I'm sorry to hear that... but I guess it isn't so bad now. You can go around wherever you want.

[dressofheaven]

And I've been taking advantage of that, believe me! It's just been me, my partner, and our Pokemon for some time now, going all over Johto. It's been very nice. I hardly remember what it was like to be cooped up.

[That last part is a bit of a lie. She certainly tries to forget, and sometimes she succeeds, but when she's got nothing else to think about... well, suffice to say she won't stop feeling grateful for her freedom anytime soon.]

[in_praetego]

That's got to be a welcome change.

[ A pause though. ]

So... you're probably one of those who would prefer being here to going home...

video;

[ghostytrainer]

[John's gear is propped up on what appears to be the top of a baby grand piano, which the boy himself is seated in front of.]

You have a very pretty voice...Ilya, right? [Some of his memories of the whole castle thing are a little hazy. He can't remember her full name at all, but the nickname stuck with him a little better. Mostly, though, he's been waiting to see her face pop up again on the network. Because that, at least, John did remember.] Remember me?

video;

[dressofheaven]

[She stares at the video for a few seconds, that look in her eyes that people get when they're seeing something that's familiar, but they can't quite put their finger on how...

Until they light up and she beams.] John! It's so nice to see you in the waking world...

[She trails off a bit as she realizes what it is he's sitting at.] Is that a piano?

video;

[ghostytrainer]

Hehe, same to you! And yes, it is.

[He beams.]

I need to do a little warming up myself, and when I saw that you were doing network carols, I thought that might be a good way for me to do that. Hehe, if you don't mind, that is!

[Somebody has to provide some REAL Christmas music for this party at his house. Sorry, Dave, but it can't all be your dubstep/rap/techno/whatever style it is you do.]

video;

[dressofheaven]

[Her eyes light up at the offer.]

Well, I certainly won't object to an accompaniment, but be warned, John, I have very strict standards. I'll go easy on you to start, but I do hope you're skilled with that piano.

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

If I may say, you have a wonderful voice.

Care to share another with someone who knows little more than "Wonderful Christmastime"? I'm afraid the holiday was never quite so celebrated where I'm from.

[video]

[dressofheaven]

Of course you may say that! And I'll say thank you in return.

[She giggles a little and bows just slightly, accepting the compliment.]

But that really is a loss. The holiday itself I mostly only celebrate as a formality, but some of the music, especially the older music, is truly lovely. Here's one of my favorites.

Here we come a wassailing
among the leaves so green
Here we come a wandering
so fair to be seen.

Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you
A happy new year
And God send you a happy new year.

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

Just as lovely as the other, indeed. How many songs are there? You seem to have no shortage of them.

[video]

[dressofheaven]

Oh it's over twenty, easily. You'll never hear them over the radio, though. I don't even know if this world has them.

I guess it wouldn't make much sense for them too, they are mostly religious in nature after all.

[sitdownbecider]

[Hm. Well that's not a language she recognizes. Either that, or it's some really fancy singing.]

I had no idea you were a singer.

[dressofheaven]

I've never had a reason to show it off to you before. Did you like it?

[Not that she expects any answer other than "yes" or better yet "absolutely!"]