dragging muse back from grave; rehabilitating voice

[butmodernly]

....surely you jest. You wish to put me back into use? Is your brain so incapable of learning, pray tell?

The manner of how you handled my break from 'active service' the last time was less than laudable, if you would recall. Yes, things in your life, so on and so forth. If excuses are worth anything, your history books will be about twenty pages long. You were a student then. You're in employment now. What makes you think you will have the time to devote to these...pastimes?

No, 'but the opportunity to see you think Jamjar X is Tirol!' does not make a good reason. Also, my sense of direction is not that horrible. It really isn't. Failing to make the distinction between Munich and Salzburg once does not render you incapable of telling the difference between worlds!

.......Very well then. If you must, then I suppose drastic measures must be used.

If I tell you what they are, it won't be an ultimatum, will it? It's not because I haven't thought of anything, I assure you.

You don't even remember how to write me.

Comments

[potatomasher]

Why am I hardly surprised to see that the first thing you do upon being brought back is to complain.

[butmodernly]

Of course there's no reason to be surprised. Making valid complaints is merely the sensible thing to do, after all.

[potatomasher]

Because you believe it will improve your situation. [Beat.] You are aware that handing in a proper improvement suggestion may be more efficient?

[butmodernly]

[The sad thing is, you're right. He really believes that it will.]

....Perhaps, in terms of efficiency. Such a thing is easily misconstrued as an expression of enthusiasm, however, and I am trying to dissuade the Mun from this fool's game.

If you have suggestions regarding that, I am quite open to hear them.

[potatomasher]

If they already decided to send you someplace there is little you can do. In fact, most mundanes seem to even enjoy our resentment and open displays of disagreement. If you are lucky, though, they may be open for compromises.

Where do they intend to send you anyway?

[butmodernly]

I suppose you have a point. [Be proud, Germany. You're one of about three people in the universe Austria says that to, and one of them is Mozart.] ...they do have a tendency to display a rather disturbing smile whenever I talk.

As for the location...the Mun is considering several places, I believe, though nothing concrete at present. The landscape for such things seemed to have changed since we switched from...[hand gesture that may mean anything from 'pastries' to 'crocodiles'] the old website. There appears to be much to re-learned.

[potatomasher]

Hn. [He's secretly praising himself on that.] Sadistic tendencies seem to be common for them.

From what I gathered the differences aren't that massive. It's merely about getting used to them.

[butmodernly]

Even yours? [There is a moment of silence.] Do have my condolences, if that is the case.

It seems to be more about the pacing of those 'games' being different after the transition, as far as I know. The Mun is used to large and fast-paced ones, but now that there is little time something more moderate appears to be in order. After being away for so long, it's difficult to tell which is which.

[potatomasher]

Ah... Only at times. We have a set of agreements worked out.

But as a suggestion from their side, they ask me to direct your mundane here. It may give a vague idea on what happens to be around as they are trying not to suggest something too definite.

[butmodernly]

..Oh. The Mun was not even aware that the place remains! This should prove useful, if only to keep them from leaping to inane suggestions. It will help my sanity, at least.

You have my gratitude. Thank you.

[potatomasher]

[A nod.] Good luck with your mundane. Maybe they find a place that you can compromise about. Whatever they have in mind for you can get more bearable that way.

[gminor]

That's quite a threat, if I might say so.

[butmodernly]

[He stares at Mozart for a near ten seconds, all sorts of things not-very-obviously flashing across his face most of them of the fanboy variety. In record time, however, Austria does manage to settle into a passable composure.

Really. He should've gotten used to these things by now.]

Well---yes, I suppose it is. The Mun is a rather difficult person to handle.

Do you, ah, find it excessive?

[france]

The cynicism, I understand, but I do not understand why you are unhappy that your mundane is paying attention to you. I would think that to be a reason to celebrate, non?

[butmodernly]

[Why yes, France would think that, but not everyone is an exhibitionist. He doesn't say so, though.]

Having attention from the Mun means that I am likely to get sent to a place without any decent piano. I fail to see how that would be a reason to celebrate. [He never has much reason to celebrate anything, mind you, except maybe wedding anniversaries and religious holidays.]

[france]

[ Hey buddy, if people wanna love him, who's he to say no? Francis smiles at Austria's whinging regardless. ]

Peut-être, peut-être pas. It depends. If you were sent to where I am currently, oui, you would likely be without a piano. But there are some places that have many things, wonderful pianos as well. You should not be so, aaa, pessimiste.

[butmodernly]

[People with a sense of decency, maybe. Also, he is not whinging, he's making perfectly sensible complaints.]

If I know my Mundane, I would be sent to somewhere without one. [pause] Or if there's one, it would be the sort of piano that turns into a man-eating piece of furniture in the evening. I would think both are rather unpleasant.

[france]

[ Like they say in the Producers, if ya got it, flaunt it. Right, sensible. Complaining that his Steinway might have a scratch on it, and that would just throw the whole sound off, wouldn't it? ]

Well that does sound like the places I have went! Except the one in which I was a prostitute. I think you had a piano there, a very nice one. One of you. But if you are nice to your mundane, and you ask nicely, perhaps she will send you somewhere nice. There is no harm in trying, oui?

[butmodernly]

Prosti--

[Okay, Austria doesn't think he wants to know about that one, or the fact that he also apparently existed in that world. Doing something decent, likely, but ewww brain scrub.]

I'm afraid of the possiblility that it might just be the reverse. The Mundane makes birdlike cooing sounds when I speak nicely, which is quite disturbing. Honestly, Freud would've loved to have a conversation with them.

wanna pretend this isn't late

[france]

Aaa oui, a prostitute. It was fun, but I did not get to stay very long.

[ Totally not bothered by this. He should probably tell him that he was going to purchase a night with that Austria and his wife, but for now, he'll refrain. Brain breaking is fun but not when you're trying to have a conversation. ]

I do not understand why this is a bad thing! If they are affectionate, why is there reason to complain?

this is pretendy funtimes, why not

[butmodernly]

[Austria is never going to bring that up. Ever.]

It is disturbing. Is that not reason enough?

or maybe it's real life, you never know

[france]

Ouais, I could see how someone delivering affection to you could be disturbing. After all, you are so very difficult to be nice to.

[butmodernly]

Only if said display of affection is done in a less than regular manner, although I suspect you would know better than me about that.

[france]

So at first you were complaining you had too much attention, now you are complaining you do not get enough?

Oooh laa, Autriche, but I would not wish to be married to you.

[butmodernly]

How on Earth did you get that from what I said!? I was discussing the manner of said affection, not the amount!

And do rest easy, Frankreich, marrying you would be the last thing on my mind when pigs start flying. You have essentially no risk of being inflicted on me at all.

[france]

Attention is attention! J'sais pas why you are so picky!

[ That just gets a look. Oh Austria, how the modern years must have taken their toll on you! ] Well of course it would be the last thing on your mind. There would be flying pigs. [ Sorry Austria, you'll have to go with the "when chickens have teeth" to get him to get that one. ]

[butmodernly]

'Picky' is such an vulgar word. 'Tasteful' would be much more appropriate.

[But chicken had teeth in the Juras---oh, never mind.] I meant it would be the last thing on my mind at any given point possible. Honestly, has it ever occurred to you to be easier of understanding?

[Says he who swears by how-to manuals.]

[si_espana]

Austria! Welcome back!

[He can't recall meeting this Austria, but it's nice to see one around.]

[butmodernly]

....back?

Thank you, I suppose. I am not sure if I have seen you around before, however.

[si_espana]

Probably not. I haven't been around this place in a while, too.

[butmodernly]

Six months, in my case. There appears to be fewer of us around as well, although I have yet to completely look around the various locales.

In any event, I suppose I ought to say it's good to see you again.

[si_espana]

It's been a while for me, too! My Mundane has been busy with her other Muses. It's okay. I get to come out now and talk to you and everyone else. And yes, it's a bit sad that it seems like not a lot of us are around anymore...

It's nice to see you too! Does your Mun have any plans for you?

[butmodernly]

Send me to a place, it seems. It seems that they're still 'shopping around', as if this is supposed to be a supermarket. Apparently finding one with the right size and the right type of inhabitants has been tricky. Quite neurotic of them, honestly.

Until then, I suppose I'll be frequenting this place. The Mun has to remember how to handle me, after all.

[si_espana]

I think my Mun understands how it is, though she hasn't had me in a game forever or for too long.

I hope you have fun while you're here.

[butmodernly]

If 'fun' is descriptive of the things that go on around here, I suppose I shall have it.

[si_espana]

[Spain chuckles softly.] It can really be fun, though! You never know who you'll see dropping by.