Kevin Tran | 002 | Video

[vates]

[ Kevin's grim-faced when he looks into the camera, the neck of a cello extending up past his neck. He'd like to be happier about what he's about to do, but it's pretty bittersweet, especially coming on the heels of everything that's gone on lately, but... Well. Thanksgiving just happened, and he always heavily associates birthday cake with turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie. His birthday comes close enough on the heels of that holiday that his family would celebrate it all in one go, so it's weird, spending the day without hearing anything about it.

He knows time isn't really passing here, but he feels a year older, and it's not like he'll ever have a birthday again back home. Why shouldn't he take the opportunity to celebrate it now, here, with his new family? He doesn't really want to make it all about him, though, which is why he's here with his cello. ]

Hey. So... It's my birthday. I'd be 19 today if I actually aged any, but since I'm dead back home... I'm just going to go ahead and call this one an official birthday.

[ He picks up the bow for his cello and starts to move into position, holding it against the strings. ]

I know there are others of you out there who can only look forward to more age-less birthdays, so this post is about wishing you guys either a belated happy birthday, or a happy birthday in advance, if it hasn't happened yet. Or maybe we're birthday twins?

[ He starts to play, but then stops. ]

And it's for you guys who are still alive back home, too. Not to discriminate against anyone.

[ And then he moves into playing, and singing, the happy birthday song. He hasn't been practicing every day like he used to, but he gave himself a few warm up rounds before starting the broadcast. ]

Happy birthday to you; happy birthday to you; happy birthday, dear everyone; happy birthday to you.

[ Next comes the sound of a lighter, and then Kevin holds up a cupcake with a lit candle on it. Leaning over, he blows it out, and then gives the camera a small smile before he cuts the feed. ]

Comments

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[eatsyourscience]

[Souji claps a little for the cello playing.]

Happy birthday.

[He doesn't know Kevin, but it seems polite to day it.]

[vates]

[ It's nice to play the cello again, and even nicer that people enjoy it. He'd thought it'd be a nice touch; it's been so long since he even thought about playing it. He forgot that he sort of liked it. ]

Thanks. Any requests?

[ Of course, he has a limited range of song knowledge, and who knows if this guy is even from his world. ]

[eatsyourscience]

I don't want to put you on the spot.

[Souji considers.]

It seems like there are a lot of people here who play something. I wonder why no one's thought to start some kind of ensemble.

[The defunct glee club doesn't count.]

[vates]

[ Kevin wouldn't be opposed to that. He has his classes, and Jo and Natasha have been training him, but it's never bad to find more things to do. He was always so busy at home, cramming for school or translating tablets, that all the free time has felt a little weird, never sitting quite right. ]

That's not a bad idea. I don't think I know anyone else who plays an instrument. Do you? Play, I mean.

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji is likewise used to always having something to do. In Wonderland, he largely does all the things he did at home, just by himself.

He nods at Kevin's question.] Mm. I play the trumpet. I don't practice as much as I should, but it would give me a good reason to if we got people together.

[vates]

[ Honestly, it hadn't even occurred to Kevin to put together an orchestra or anything -- he guesses "band" would sound cooler -- but now he has to admit that it's kind of an intriguing idea. What kind of music would they even play? He gets weird fantasies of some kind of band that's half human, half alien, and they play like, "Sweet Home Alabama" and then some alien classic. ]

I'd be into that. Do you think we should put out an open call or something?

[eatsyourscience]

That'd probably be the easiest way to see if there's any interest. I know at least one person who'd join us.

[Souji and Minato have practiced together so many times, adding more people to the group just seems like the next logical step.]

[vates]

Oh, really? Who?

[ Kevin's into the idea of having some kind of a band. ]

[eatsyourscience]

Arisato Minato. He plays the violin.

[vates]

Oh! Hey!

[ Kevin brightens considerably. ]

I know Minato. He's great. Yeah, we should totally do something with him!

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji smiles. Minato is pretty great.]

He and I have practiced together before. You're always welcome to join us. It will probably be easier to find music with parts for cello and violin than for trumpet and violin.

[vates]

Yeah, probably. That sounds really fun.

[ It's probably nice to branch out of his other groups that meet regularly, which mainly boil down to Jo and Natasha teaching him how to fight. This seems a little healthier. ]

How long have you played?

[eatsyourscience]

Three or four years at home, and on and off while I've been here.

[So seven years at most? Yikes. That would sound impressive if three of those weren't years that don't really count.]

I don't practice as much as I used to, but it's been easier to keep up with it with other people to practice with.