Can't you taste this gold? (backdated)

[detectiveofthewest]

Some time after the swordfight with Hershel, Heiji returned to the scene of the crime the lounge, shinai propped up against one shoulder. The room was in complete disarray, and while he hadn't actually meant for that to happen, well... it was partially his fault anyway.

And he did feel a little bad for ripping up one of Snake's only magazines. So he started putting a few things back where they belonged, starting with the various videos of horrible experiments. Stanford Prison Experiments, those obviously went under 'S', and -- hm? One of the videos was unmarked. Out of curiosity, he hauled the TV back upright and turned the movie on.

Five minutes and a few bad decisions later, Heiji was alternately lip-synching and bobbing around to something that sounded an awful lot like this in between his practice swings.

"I'm so fancy~
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo..."

...He might also have been singing along to the chorus.

Comments

[puzzlinglad]

"We certainly did, they- what?" Hershel stopped as he caught the tail end of Heiji's request, putting his hands up. "Oh, no no, I couldn't- I don't think I'm half the singer you are."

He was pretty convinced he's a bad singer I mean why would he be a good one, look at him. Will he cave? Spoilers yes, probably, he's a doormat.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Aww, come on," said Heiji, putting a comradely arm around Hershel. "It ain't how good a singer you are, it's how much feeling ya put into it!"

Cave, Hershel, or he's going to do the face thing!

[puzzlinglad]

You're worst than Randall, Heiji you traitor. He clearly looked like he was already starting to get swayed and eyed the tv with trepidation. "I probably don't know any of the songs but I guess if I do it couldn't hurt..."

Knowing his luck someone was going to walk in and ruin his sterling reputation, I hope you're happy sir.

[detectiveofthewest]

With a great big smile on his face, Heiji sat down on the couch. "There are a bunch of songs on here! Just choose one ya like and wing it!"

Yes. You were now his partner in crime, Hershel. AGAIN.

[puzzlinglad]

You're history's greatest monster, Heiji. Hershel sighed and sort of looked through the list, making faces at various titles. "None of these look familiar..." Hershel was under the distinct impression he wasn't very 'hip' when it came to music, or at least whatever music scene this was.

He just picked a song, sighing a little as it came on. He stared, completely confused at what seemed to be happening in it, before the music actually started and- "They're not really... singing?"

Then the chorus came on with a few 'motherfuckers' and Hershel looks scandalized. "My word!"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji, on the other hand, looked like he was enjoying this enormously. "Didn't know you were a hip-hop fan! C'mon, let's hear ya lay down a beat!"

History's. Greatest. Monster. "Hey, this is actually pretty tame. I think, anyway."

[puzzlinglad]

"This is barely music!" So insulted and british. Hershel huffed as he changed it to the next song, making another face.

"What exactly is a G-6? Is that slang for something?" He's so, so bad at this.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Some kinda car, maybe? No, that's G36." Heiji was clearly not up on his hip-hop slang, alas.

"Guess you and I ain't big audiophiles!" He did, however, seem to find this much funnier than Hershel. "There's gotta be somethin' on here you can sing to. The anticipation is just killin' me."

[puzzlinglad]

"It's probably slang then..." But for what? Hershel doesn't know and doesn't want to know. He changed the song and ah ha ha. For a moment he was hopeful this wasn't terrible.

"Well, this doesn't seem so bad-" Like a virgin that's it kill him- "Heiji, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"Hey, you're the one changin' the songs, right? If ya wanna blame someone, blame Calhoun!" Whoops his hand slipped and wow nostalgia; he must have heard this song before! Heiji just couldn't help singing along. He wasn't as good as Colette, but he could stay on-key, and he made up for it with exuberance (i.e. loudness and a total lack of shame).

"If you wanna be with me
Baby, there's a price to pay
I'm a genie in a bottle
You gotta rub me the right way~"

These are the people you're stuck with, Vivarium.

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel just watched him, somewhere between amused and I-can't-believe-you're-real-life. He sighed as he looked at the screen, not really knowing the song but trying at the 'I'm a genie in a bottle' part because he said he would, ok, and that part he sort of remembered.

He's too quiet and his 'singing' is more like embarrassed mumbling, but close enough. Yes murder game, this is one of your participants. There are two seventeen year olds doing this in the lounge, are you happy.

[detectiveofthewest]

Perhaps predictably, Heiji was just getting more into it and was now determined to make Hershel have fun with this, dammit. Which was how he ended up belting out the lyrics to the next song and elbowing Hershel to encourage him to sing louder.

"Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated~!"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel still looked like a fish flopping around out of water but at least this song didn't talk about rubbing people or motherfuckers so he was a little more willing to sing it. He was even pretty sure he vaguely knew it.

He gave Heiji something of an exasperated look but tried his best to join him on the chorus- at least he could get the 'beat it's.' When it got to the next 'No one wants to be defeated' he remembered enough to actually kind of sing it. He's not bad by any means but he's still too quiet and nervous to really be called good and boy does his accent not go away and make the song sound a little weird.

Despite himself he seemed to be warming up to this whole singing thing, even tapping his foot along. Heiji was winning the war and the battle.

[blind_badass]

*Unknown to either of them, Snake had walked into the hallway and just stood there, listening to the two of them sing the most ludicrous songs. When it gets to the last two, he's trying to fight a huge grin. It really called for an appropriate comment. Ah, he had one.*

I think Freud would have a wonderful field day examining your choice of "Like a Virgin" next to "Beat It."

[detectiveofthewest]

Oh, god. Worst case scenario, and Snake probably didn't even like MJ. But at least neither of them had to face the music alone. Heiji put his arm around Hershel's shoulder and leaned in, covering his mouth with his hand like he was imparting a secret but not actually bothering to lower his voice.

"Don't worry about it, Hershel. He's probably just mad 'cause he can't carry a tune in a bucket."

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed when Snake came in. "S-Snake-" Nothing's happening! No singing! You didn't hear anything right?

When Heiji put an arm on his shoulders suppresses a sigh, he knew this would happen. Still- "Well, there's one way to find out..."

Have an expectant look you can't even see, Snake. Let's hear you sing about being touched for the very first time.

[blind_badass]

I am not singing ridiculous songs with either of you. I'm adept at many things but I suspect singing isn't one of them, so why embarrass myself? But do continue your karaoke night. *He leaves the room then, but not before they hear him do the one thing he had yet to do in this game: LAUGH.*

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji rolled his eyes as Snake spoke, sarcastically lip-synching the next song at his back as their fellow test subject turned and left.

YOU SEE WHAT HE HAD TO DEAL WITH, HERSHEL?

Once Snake had left and the unexpected judginess front had moved off to the hallway, however, he seemed to cheer up. "Get a load of the fun police, huh? How long you reckon he was standin' there, thinking of something to say?"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel couldn't help but look terribly amused at the choice of song. Poor Heiji, what a life he lived.

"That's a shame, I really am curious to hear him sing a tune." It'd either be princely and great or utterly terrible, Hershel decided. One day, Snake, one day.

"Well, probably for far too long. You realize he won't let you live this one down."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Right? It's only fair."

Heiji shrugged his shoulders, obviously a bit miffed. "Aww, I bet he'd be too stiff to ever be good at it. Guy looks like he hasn't had any real fun in twenty years -- 'cept from bagging on other people, that is. I didn't figure on him being a pervert, though. That's sekuhara."

He grinned. "Anyway, maybe we can ask other people if they'd like to do it. We could see if Zelos really is a rock star!"

[puzzlinglad]

Don't mind him, amused at how miffed you are Heiji. "Maybe you should try challenging him to a singing contest. It worked with kissing, didn't it?" Being a little shit was fun sometimes.

"Maybe we should, it might take everyone's mind off things." Because this motive stuff was the worst thing that could possibly happen right.

[detectiveofthewest]

Uh oh -- Hershel was learning. "Wh...! Whatcha keep bringing that up for? Anyway, I'm regretting ever agreeing to that."

Heiji yawned widely. "Man, what time is it? I can never tell around here."

[puzzlinglad]

He's evolving there's no hope. "I'm sorry, was that too much?" He doesn't look sorry, he even bumped Heiji's shoulder in a friendly way before going over to the TV. "Regardless, we should see if we can convince him someday. I think Snake could use a bit of fun here and there."

Boy, it was getting late. His good cheer dampens a little, soon they'd fail Calhoun's dumb shit and everything would be awful. "Late enough... you should get some sleep, Heiji."

[detectiveofthewest]

Evolving... into rude. Look at him, bumping people's shoulders! Obviously he'd grow up to be some kind of delinquent in his old age.

"Yeah, maybe. I am kinda tired. You gonna stay up?" Heiji hit one of the sofa cushions a couple of times, but it remained Uncomfortable.

[puzzlinglad]

Oh my god yeah there was no hope now, he was practically an American, soon he'd be drinking coffee and riding in bike gangs, I'm sorry Heiji.

"Yeah, I'm not very tired." Meaning he had stuff on his mind he didn't have a lot of time to resolve. He offered Heiji a smile. "You're not going to try to sleep on that, are you? Sometimes I think the floor is more comfortable."