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[ The video is sent from the holodeck the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen has frequented of late. A backdrop of red marble and dark metal appears for several seconds before the camera angle is adjusted. The man who appears on the screen is older, red-haired, and tremendously overweight. He scrutinizes the screen for a moment before he begins speaking, his voice a deep basso rumble.]

"Attention, Tranquility, I am the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. I have a query for those on the ship who might have pertinent information."

[One can only sit on a holodeck brooding in artificial simulations of home for so long before it grows exceedingly dull, which has grown obvious of late. The Baron suspects that there may be other things to do, somewhere, and, has begun to wonder about a subject in particular, which has not held much personal interest for many, many years. Having far too much free time on his hands, however, he has begun recollecting a certain pastime of his now rather-distant youth.]

"Is anyone aware of any musical facilities aboard the ship? Listening areas with catalogs of recorded material are of interest, but, I would also like to know if there are any facilities containing musical instruments of any sort. Also, are there any musicians aboard the ship?"

[So long as Gurney Halleck does not appear with a damned baliset, perhaps this will prove interesting, he thinks, and sinks back into his seat to await any responses, sipping from a glass of Spice-laced wine taken from one of the bars.]

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I haven't found any instruments. But I can play them, and with materials I could build them. What do you play?

Myself? Ah, strings, keys, the usual aristocratic repertoire with passable understanding- but, it has been long since I've practiced. However, I consider myself more of a singer. In my youth, I was rather well-known for it, but that was long ago, and somewhere no one here's ever heard of. And what do you play?

The piano, and the violin, and the guitar. But I can sing, too. We could go A Capella if you want.

[These are all familiar instruments, even if some have undergone design evolutions over the years that have built upon the framework of the original. And useful, too, fitting into many styles and periods of music. The Baron is pleased that this woman sounds inclined towards his notion, and replies with a smile.]

Ahhh, a good, strong core of instruments- and voice! Excellent. It would be remarkable if a piano could be located somewhere on this ship- it's big enough, that's for certain. Or, perhaps, some sort of synthetic equivalent. But indeed, if no instruments can be found, there is always a capella.

So then, if I were to arrange a meeting of musicians- would you attend? I've had the idea to put one of the ship's bars to use, as a musical lounge. They seem under-utilized, and, who doesn't enjoy music?

I would like that very much. I can dance, too; I enjoy dancing. I have a talent for it. [Well. Sort of. Talent is a very human, organic thing...but she wants to have it so badly.]

I can help rebuild the bar into a lounge, too.

Good, good- people do enjoy watching dancers, even the ones who do not shapeshift. Or do you?

[Perhaps a seemingly random comment, but, not to the Baron. Bioengineered shapeshifting entertainers are in fact a premium entertainment commodity produced by one of the Imperium's many planets.]

I do believe this idea may be coming together! Any help you could offer rebuilding the bar into a lounge would indeed be appreciated- I know how to organize, but I have no experience with the building portion itself. When it is time- whom do I send a message to?

Edited 2013-02-02 05:20 (UTC)

Shapeshift? [Well if you give her a vat of fake skin and synthetic blood...] No. Do you?

[The cautious expression melts away into another one of those smiles.] Cameron Reese. I watch the network; I'll know when you call me. And I can build fast. I don't sleep.

There is a saxophonist aboard the ship. Find him in the gardens.

[The Baron's reply is short, but, by video- talking into the camera is fare more efficient and appropriate for aristocracy than typing on what, in Vlad's opinion, is a rather tiny key arrangement.]

A saxophonist, eh? Well, that's something, whatever it is. And, there's a -garden-? Where the hell's that?

[Indeed, the Baron has yet to wander over to the Oxygen Gardens. He makes a mental note about checking this out- gardens mean potential fresh produce. And apparently, there's a 'saxophonist' there- he's not entirely sure what one is, as, Imperial instruments have evolved and acquired various new names, but, 'phonist' is enough to suggest it's probably some sort of wind or brass sort of thing. ]

[AM much prefers to keep his responses to text. Less intimacy that way, and it's simply more convenient for him. More familiar.]

You've been aboard this ship for how long and have yet to explore the Oxygen gardens? [He then explains in curt words where it is on the ship.]

A saxophonist - a person who plays the saxophone. I assume you don't know what it is. It's a woodwind instrument played similarly to the clarinet.

Edited (I spelled "similarly" wrong :[) 2013-01-22 02:55 (UTC)

[The Baron sticks with video, the edges of the frame revealing the hint of a heavy shrug in response to the comment about the gardens. They were, well, gardens. If one was on hand, he might find some appreciation for it, but they weren't something he sought out unprompted. Plants are of minor interest to him, beyond what they could provide in the way of food and chemistry. His own wanderings beyond the amenities of the passenger quarters tended to lead him to the emptier parts of the place, where yawning spaces and harsh metallic angles appealed to his sense of aesthetics.]

I never thought to look for gardens. There's more, hrm, stirring sorts of scenery on the ship, and I've kept my explorations to it thus far. Preference, I suppose. It's a primitive ship, but, the metalwork has its quality, especially in the more cavernous sections of the vessel. But, now that I know of these gardens, I'll need to wander by.

[A saxophone makes enough sense now, even without a precise picture of it.]

Ah, I see- well, if you are this saxophonist, I'm interested in arranging some sort of gathering of the musically-inclined aboard the ship. The bars need more frequent use- they tend towards emptiness, and it's a thought to remedy it.

[Or so he says, and so he'll continue to say unless, perhaps, he encounters another who sees his secondary purpose in trying to gather people in one place in the proximity of alcohol. Music was entertaining and a major part of his desire,but inebriated people could also be interesting. Bars were a font of knowledge for the attentive, not that he'd ever bothered using them for this back home. Not himself- he had people to send out for that.]

Why are you desperate to populate the bars?

The saxophonist's name is Soysauce.

Why not? There is little to do aboard the ship. Music is a good diversion, enjoyed by many.

[ The Baron is not one to disclose his deeper reasoning on a non-secure network. Anyone could be listening, after all, including potential rivals. Not that he is aware of any on Tranquility, as there seems to be little to establish a rivalry over. Still, the Baron preferred to operate under the assumption that rivals existed somewhere. It was, in his opinion, a generally wise attitude where living was concerned.]

Soy-sauce? An unusual name. This saxophonist is named after a seasoning, or am I hearing this wrong?

Fair enough.

[Though AM suspects there's something more to it, he doesn't question it. Probably of minimal concern to him anyway.]

Yes. It's his stage name I believe.

So then, he is salty and goes well with savory meats?

[An vaguely bemused smirk. He does of course wonder if this "Soysauce" is a pretty young man, tasty as he sounds- he doubts it, but, there's always the possibility. . .]

I presume he does not live in these gardens, but rather plays there. I shall pay a visit in the near future, and, perhaps meet him for myself- but perhaps if you see him, you will mention this musical lounge project.

[He ignores the Baron's joke about Soysauce's name. Even if AM himself thinks the name is ridiculous, those jokes are a little too "obvious."]

He plays there. I will mention it the next time I see him.

I don't know about any...musical facilities on the ship or anything but I can play the piano.

[Now, here's a familiar instrument- keyed instruments had developed into their own variety of new permutations in Vladimir's time, like all other sorts. But, some semblance of the originals tended to remain, and, there weren't all too many permutations on a piano other than analog or synthetic. He is unsure who he is speaking to, but, from the voice, it's obviously a female, and, younger-sounding.]

Ah, now that is a good skill to have, my dear. If it were possible to obtain a piano or other keyed instrument, would you be interested in perhaps gathering with other musicians? I have it in mind to put one of the ship's under-utilized bars to use, as some sort of musical lounge for those inclined to the hobby, or enjoying it.

Oh, well. I-I don't usually do much...performing. But I could possibly make an exception? I mean, in that particular setting, it doesn't sound like there'd be a, be a huge crowd so. I think I could manage, yes.

Also, I'm Bennett. I need to stop forgetting to say that.

[The Baron detects a slight sense of nervousness in her voice, especially given her near admission of apprehension about performance. He is sure to stick with his most patronly, grandfatherly sort of tone, the one he opts when he wishes to encourage a sense of comfort in others.]

I doubt you need to worry about a crowd- there are barely enough passengers to count as one all together, and, I suspect it would be but a fraction in attendance. And then, those would probably be mostly musicians, and their friends.

[He gives the video recording lens a well-practiced smile.]

Just Bennett? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Bennett.

[And indeed, it is a pleasure- the Baron likes knowing people, whoever they might be.]

[Oh yes, she tends to be slightly nervous, kind of neurotic and all sorts of awkward.]

Ah, well. No. It's Bennett Halverson. Or Dr. Halverson if you'd prefer to be technical. I work in the Medbay. Neurology is my, is my specialty.

...It's nice to meet you, too.

[ A medical doctor? This is a skill that the Baron can appreciate- he is, after all, over eighty, even if consumption of the Spice has left him looking younger than his age. The fact that there is a trained medical professional working in the ship's Medbay is welcome knowledge. And, neurology is admittedly a more interesting than average specialty, being concerned with the operation of the mind.]

An admirable specialty, Dr. Halverson. The mind is, without doubt, the most complex and intriguing organ. It is also good to know there is a trained doctor on staff- I for one appreciate those with technical, traditional knowledge in medicine and anatomy. Have you found it to be a busy job, here on Tranquility?

[Given some of the days he'd experienced aboard the ship, when things had gotten so weird he'd deemed it unwise to leave his room, he was beginning to suspect that it might be.]

There's a few of us, actually. Doctors. I'm the newest addition, I think. I just arrived on the last...jump. Yes, that's what they call them.

It hasn't been too busy, no. But there's another neurologist who's more experienced with the whole...everything here so I'm still in the watch and learn phase, I think. Don't want to get in the way.

Welcome to Tranquility in that case, Dr Halverson. I've been here a few months now- unfortunately, it does not grow less weird with time. Some days, however, are stranger than others. It I were a superstitious man, I'd say this ship is possibly cursed, or haunted. But I'm not, so, it's just weird.

I'm pleased to hear it has not been too busy for you- I've suspect it might be, with all the strangeness. And to hear that you're not the only medical doctor on staff, as some of them are magic doctors, apparently. And, although this 'magic' does appear to work, I feel better knowing that there are more traditional sorts around.

There's such a sad lack of musical facilities aboard. I'm no musician, but I was once a prima donna in the Imperial Opera of Warsaw.

[ A magic word has been uttered- 'opera'. Despite the many thousands of years that had passed between the time operas were being sung in Warsaw and the Baron's own time, music had only changed so much. Instruments had evolved, styles had evolved- there was even a sort of drug that utilized droning musical tones to elicit its effects- but, despite this, at their core, musical traditions remained very much the same. Anyone who'd made prima donna in an Imperial opera was someone who instantly earned some measure of respect from Vladimir. He understood and appreciated the art form.]

I believe that Warsaw was one of the major cities of ancient Earth? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, madam- where I come from, Earth is a place of ancient legend, but, the art of the opera has lasted through the millenia. When I was young, I was also a singer- basso profondo, to be precise- then I came into my position, and, it was no longer appropriate to entertain when there was governing to be done.

[ The slightest trace of a sigh- the Baron loved his governing, but, nevertheless felt a certain nostalgia for those times. He had actually been very talented, and, popular as well. A safe sort of popularity, at that- unlike the sort that came with a ruling position. As a ruler, it was best to remain just unpopular enough. It generally meant a longer lifespan.]

Now that it's clear that we are indeed lacking any decent musical facilities aboard the ship, I have a mind to try and remedy this situation by seeking whatever musical equipment may be found, and setting up one of the under-used bars as a musical lounge. Would you be interested in this, if it can be done?

[ oh, this is a glorious thing. irene had left the opera but her talents remained, and there were so few who appreciated them as she thought they should, as this man clearly did. ]

What a shame, to lay aside your voice. But regardless, it's a pleasure, my good sir, to meet someone familiar with my profession aboard this most strange ship.

[ to sing again. for so long it had only been for holmes, private and so entirely different. but she was here. what else had she to do? ]

I would most certainly lend you my voice, were you to find a space.

[ He did have to agree- it had been a shame that he'd had to cease singing, at least in public. A waste, as, he'd been good. But, also required. It was far to easy to actually like an effective ruler who said to hell with tradition in order to sing. Given the strength and wealth of his House, a popular leader would have caught undesired attention from the Emperor, just like his rivals, the Atredies, had. No, it really was important to remain sensibly unpopular while remaining extremely confident, which meant turning to more scandalous hobbies. The Baron had selected general decadence, gluttony, and pretty young men. But, he had never lost his love of aesthetics, and music. ]

Ahh. . . yes, it was indeed a shame. I still think back to those days often. Yet, I would not now have chosen differently. It was a necessary sacrifice for the future of House Harkonnen. But here, where no one has even heard of the planets I rule, there's little point to it. It's a strange ship, but, it does offer the opportunity for certain indulgences. I have already been cooking- I may as well sing.

[ Cooking was the far 'lower' pursuit where social acceptability was concerned, the domain of house staff, not nobles. The lack of a cooking staff aboard the ship had forced him into the kitchen in order to meet his own standards- and he'd found that he actually rather enjoyed it. Cooking was, after all, an art.]

I am looking forward to hearing you sing, madam, and there have been few things to look forward to here. And your name, that we may make proper introduction? I admit I am not likely to recognize it- our records are vague at best on the ancient cities of Earth, although we have managed to preserve the works of some ancient composers.

I believe that finding a space will be easy enough. The ship's builders either over-estimated the amount of passengers, or the popularity of bars, or both. One may serve- although, for the art of opera, one of the holodecks may serve better. It would be possible to create a simulation of both opera house and orchestra.

Indulgence. Yes, that's one thing this ship does offer in plenty.

[ for does irene not indulge? much less these days, but in the beginning, in the beginning she did enjoy her more frivolous pursuits. ]

Miss Irene Adler, though it would please me greatly were you to call me Irene. I'm certain we shall be dear friends.

[ because who aboard this ship appreciated opera? who aboard this ship had shown such potential? ]

Why, I believe the holodecks should be perfect, and it would hardly be a chore to find one unoccupied. What we must do is introduce you to my dear friend Effie. She's a lovely skill with organization of such events.

Indulgence, and time- so very much time. I'm not really sure what to do with it all. It's the first vacation I have had in, hrm, decades. A shame it has to be on an inexplicable ship, rather than a proper pleasure planet, but it seems the alternatives could be worse.

[ The Baron is quite certain that he was about to die before he awoke on the Tranquility- the alternatives could indeed have been much worse.]

It is a pleasure Irene- and indeed, I look forward to meeting you properly. Although I am used to my title, and you can use if you desire, you may call me Vladimir.

[ Although the Baron does take great pride in his title, he has never cared much for formality for its own sake outside of the required public situations, and the Tranquility is not one of these.]

There is one which I've taken to using frequently, over on. . .

[ He gives brief directions to one of the many holodecks in the passenger quarters.]

Do feel free to wander by. I'm usually over there in the evenings, as it is something to do- if you let me know in advance, I can prepare a meal. And do bring your friend Effie. Such talents are always appreciated. Is she from ancient Earth, as well?

Edited 2013-02-02 08:35 (UTC)

[ oh baron, talk to irene about dying. she did die before she showed up here. ]

Vladimir. I think I shall. We're to be such dear friends the formality would be useless, wouldn't it? I shall certainly come seek you out at my earliest availability.

My dear Effie comes from quite a different sort of place than I, but you'll have to ask her of it. I've not questioned her all that thoroughly about it.

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