Spoiler free post

[saladino]

[Honestly, of all the things mun took interest in the game was the music. The licensed 80's jams that made her squee of joy because of her love for that music. Eventually, Boss had to look extra hard for each one of them, bringing all the music to Mother Base.]

[Unfortunately, they weren't enough for mun. She wanted more. More music. And so she held Boss a tape with suggested songs that were left out of the game.]

Need a radio to play this thing.

Comments

[qlippoth]

I would be happy to make suggestions, you know. Why didn't you come to R&D to ask before? [Huey smiiiles, all enthusiasm and eagerness.]

[saladino]

[First things first. The mysterious tape labeled as 'Suggested Music' ends up placed in his desk, his eyes straight staring at the engineer's. You know the deal: get a radio, place the tape.]

[qlippoth]

[Huey rolls his eyes, fondly.] Let me see if I have one for those here. We can hook it up to the record player's speakers.

[For all his show of being too good for cassete tapes, he actually doesn't take long to find a walkman. He efficiently hooks it up to the speakers with an adaptor.] Need vinyl for Hi-Fi, you know? But, let's hear what you have. I'm interested in your taste.

[saladino]

[If only it was his taste. This was something only a girl handed him after a long rant about 80's music and the lack of greater hits he didn't manage to find during his missions. He's a soldier, not a music producer, what the hell. Whatever was the case, they were about to find out which mysterious songs the tape held.]

Kinda hard to find vinyls in the middle of Afghanistan. We'll have to go with tapes for now. [And there you go. Tape placed and the very first song that pops up is this one.]

[qlippoth]

[His back turned to you, Huey looks concentrated on the music as he carelessly let's an opinion slip.] Of course, of course. But I imagine Miller would let you use some of the budget for quality music, yes? It's not like it would be the first... extra-curricular use of GMP money we ever have.

[Cheerful] Huh. Olivia Newton-John, isn't it? And you found it at Afghanistan? Wouldn't have pegged you for a pop enthusiasm, Snake.

[saladino]

[He's not really fond of of background music, to be honest. Picking up tapes from the battlefield is something he does for the women and men working at the Mother Base. And paying for vinyls isn't something he'd invest in. At all. And he doesn't really have anything to say regarding your comment but only give you a long, judgmental look.]

Not my choice. I was given this tape by someone in Afghanistan. Pop isn't my thing. [What the hell was she thinking? That song was absolutely suggestive!]

[qlippoth]

[Snake, you didn't take the hint on Miller redirecting budget and now he'll have to let it drop and do as if he had never said a word. Why are you so dense?]

[Is he even something other than perpetually happy though.] Oh? And, what is your thing then? I'd bet you have a lot of catching up after those nine years, but I'd want to know. I could add speakers to the D-Walker, that would be fun.

[saladino]

[Actually, he DID get it, and it was why he was staring at you like that. Be it true or not, he doesn't get involved in money business regarding the Mother Base at all, unless its strictly necessary. He'll let it slip this time though, considering it's music their subject right now.]

Don't know. I don't have an specific genre that I like. [This song, though. 'Let's get physical'? Was this because of his CQC maneuvers? Probably it was, considering the most he did to take over bases was CQC everyone.]

[qlippoth]

[But he thinks you didn't get it. Because he's arrogant like that, but also would never say it out loud.]

An eclectic type, huh? But don't worry. I can help you figure it out. Pop is not my style either, I'm more of a progressive rock guy, myself. But I have to admit, this one is pretty catchy. What else is on the tape?

[saladino]

[Huh, is that so. You didn't get it when he looked at you, right? Guess not.]

Just let it roll, see what we get. [… and if things couldn't get any worst, this one starts booming through the speakers.]

[What. The. Hell. Worst timing to wake up from a coma. This was a joke, right?]

[qlippoth]

[Underestimating people: A natural part of hubris.]

... Jeez. Is that-- [Excuse him, but he is literally unable to not laugh. He starts by snickering but as the song progresses, it becomes guffaws] Looks like someone is trying to send you a message, Snake~

[saladino]

[Huh… he realized that.]

[He's staring at the radio, deadpan. Did that girl seriously thought it was a good idea to put that one too? It was just sick. Dark humor at its worst. And to think it came from a war refugee. And you, laughing at the irony too. It almost makes him want to press the 'fast forward' button right at the moment.]

[Instead, you should do that.] Fast forward it to the next song. Now.

[qlippoth]

[Not to play devil's advocate, no... But, did the girl know about your coma? Why won't you give her a chance, Snake?]

[But, he heeds your order and immediately stops laughing. Serious, he nods and presses the button, cringing at the noise the cassette makes as it fast-forwards. He mutters:] One of these days I'll invent something so it just skips right to the next song...

[saladino]

[In all honestly, he doesn't really believe the music will get any good. And yes, it makes him wonder… although, apparently, everyone knew he was in a coma, and that everyone wanted him dead. Maybe she knew too.]

[The next song that comes up is a completely different style from its previous. The change of genres almost leaves him startled. And, of course, he pays attention to the lyrics on it.]

[Huh…]

I don't think these were picked randomly.

[porta_abyssus]

[A bar materializes out of nowhere - don't ask - and two things are slid down to Boss; a shot of whiskey, and a radio. Rodin doesn't say anything, just keeps staring at the book in his hand.]

[qlippoth]

[Huey blinks. Depeche Mode is more in line with the sort of music he apparently enjoys, because he is not complaining or subtly trying to ask if you'd like to change this one too.] Huh? Why do you say so?

I honestly can't see the pattern, so...

[likemy_sunglasses]

You got a tape? Your iDroid should be able to play that, Boss. Why don't you give it a go. [Because that's what it's for, right?]

[saladino]

[Nor he is complaining. Actually he's enjoying the dark feel of this particular song. First two were a tad annoying. And hopefully, the next choices wouldn't make him regret receiving the present.]

[Still, he doesn't mention anymore about the alleged hidden message of the songs. It makes sense to him and him only and that's enough.] Doesn't matter.

Guess is just my imagination playing tricks on me.

[saladino]

[A bar? Now that's interesting. After years of isolation, being able to go outside the Mother Base sounds like a plan. Even if it was a… bar that popped out of nowhere.]

[And the radio. Perfect. After placing the tape, the first song of B side of it starts humming while analyzing the free drink before taking a shot.]

[saladino]

I was thinking of sharing the find. [It is, but listening to the tape together is what makes it a enjoyable experience.]

[likemy_sunglasses]

A nice idea. I think I've got a ghetto blaster around here somewhere....[He will likely have one around the base somewhere. Perhaps, the one in Quiet's cell.]

What sort of music is it?

[saladino]

Assorted, I guess. [The tape is labeled as 'Suggested Music', so he assumes they really are assorted songs that girl liked.]

Need help finding the blaster?

[qlippoth]

[Does it suit you? He was wondering if you'd like something with a folksier feel to it, but.]

[His interest remains piqued, but he lets it go. He changes the subject:] You know, Snake-- Since there's so much catching up you'd do, you really should make a list. Music, movies... There's even some good science fiction you absolutely should watch that just came out this year. I've been left all alone and neglected inside this building, wouldn't mind having you over.

What do you say? [Meanwhile the song keeps on playing.]

[saladino]

[Maybe. A little.]

[Taking aside the fact he doesn't really trust you, he can't ignore the fact your advice is a good one. Wasting nine years of his life due a coma was frustrating, to say the least. And even when he has never been a huge fan of any sort of media, it still seemed right to catch up on what had been going on with the world while he was gone on his slumber.]

[It's a subtle nod, but he agrees with your advice.] Any suggestions of how to start catching up?

[qlippoth]

[Why not trust him? He loves all of you, come on, he wants to take care of his friends. Let him! Don't you see how pleased he looks once you nod and accept his advice?]

If I were you, I'd look on which kind of stuff I'd like to see first, of course. And then make the list. [He furrows his eyebrows for a second or two.] I remember you being into poetry, actually. Or was that Miller?