prank #32 | accidental audio + action for the other house

[ghostytrainer]

[Sometime in the afternoon, there's a random audio broadcast from one "John Egbert." Judging by the fact that it opens awkwardly in the middle of some random piano scales, John has no idea that it's on. And why should he? After all, he didn't turn it on. That would be his Litwick's fault, who didn't really mean to either. But hey, accidents happen.]

[Between on-and-off sick spells as well as his inability to speak clearly thanks to the lingering effects of last month's breakout, John hasn't exactly wanted to go out and do a whole lot. Hence why he's been spending a vast majority of his afternoons (like this one) in the Other House music room instead of leaving the house to go train or work or something.]

[In fact, you could say that he is effectively.........homestuck.]

[After a couple of minutes of what is clearly random warm ups, John starts banging out a tune that absolutely nobody will find familiar, save for perhaps residents of the Other House who may have overheard bits and pieces of it during John's other sessions over the past week. It doesn't sound quite complete with just the piano, unfortunately, which is a bit of a shame but there's really nothing John can do about it. If only Dave were here to spin out some ill beats to fill in the gaps]

[For a while after that, there's just random key-pressing as John seems to be at a loss for what to play next. Barring the fact that the piece clearly needs another instrument or two; overall, John is happy with how it sounds and it needs no further work in his opinion. Eventually those random key presses lead into a possibly familiar haunting piano refrain. Halfway through, however, John changes his mind and switches to one that's slightly more haunting and likely even more familiar.]

[A few more scales at random before John decides that that is more than enough random composing and haunting piano refrains for one day.]

[It's time to play something fun.]

[He still has no idea that the feed is going, so until a message or a knock at the music room door distracts him, he'll just keep playing whatever random tunes pop into his head.]

Comments

[usedshooshpap]

I see.

[ this is his 'i'm slightly judging you for that' tone. ]

[ghostytrainer]

[He hears that tone. He's not entirely sure what it means but...he doesn't like it.]

what?

[usedshooshpap]

Nothing. Just leave it alone.

[ hey man. he just misses his Lusus and thinks poorly on anyone that tries to stand in. ]

[ghostytrainer]

you know i can't do that.
did i say something wrong?

[usedshooshpap]

No, John. You aren't really the one that shit should be aimed at.

[ it's the creepy guy. ]

[ghostytrainer]

[Oh come on, Kakrat. Other Father's not so bad once you get to know him! Sure he's a little creepy at first but...it's not bad creepy. More like...too happy creepy.]

[Or something.]

but i'm the one you're talking to.

[usedshooshpap]

[ but he's had a crabdad.

not everyone has your capacity for acceptance, Johnny boy. ]

But it's not you I'd be leering at?

[ghostytrainer]

[Acceptance is great though!]

who is it then?
dad? other dad, i mean.

[usedshooshpap]

[ you get a slow clap for your brain power. ]

[ghostytrainer]

[It is truly amazing brain power.]

what about him?
i mean i know you guys don't have parents the same way as we do but...

[Vriska seems to get along with him just fine.]

did he do something culturally offensive?
because if so i'm sure he didn't mean it he's just...kinda...working with what he knows?

[usedshooshpap]

You don't try to replace someone's Lusus, that's all. Good intentions or not, it's something that just doesn't happen. It's weird and fucking unnatural.

[ghostytrainer]

oh...

but i don't think he's really trying to replace anybody.
i mean my dad is still my dad. and nobody can replace him.
but it's nice to have something that's close to that sort of relationship, you know?
he's not a replacement dad so much as he's a second dad.
that's how i think of it, at least.

[papshooshing]

NO, I DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S WHY IT'S CREEPY.

[ghostytrainer]

well...

ok i'm not entirely sure what else i can say here.
because i don't think i fully understand what's going on.
but he's not trying to replace your lusus. i mean not in the permanent sense.
maybe filling in temporarily is a better word for it.

[usedshooshpap]

DO YOU KNOW HOW A LUSUS AND A GRUB COME TOGETHER, JOHN?

[ghostytrainer]

sort of.
vriska and i talked about it once but i'm still not sure i really understand.
the mechanics behind it weren't really the focal point of the conversation.

[usedshooshpap]

THEY SNIFF US OUT, JOHN.
HERE THESE BEASTS ARE, GOING THROUGH ALL THESE GRUBS
BUT THERE IS *ONE* AND *ONLY ONE* THEY CHOOSE.
ONLY *ONE* GRUB DO THEY SCENT OUT AND DECIDE THAT'S THE ONE FOR THEM.
THEY WILL NOT CHOOSE ANOTHER.
WE ARE DISTINCTLY AND UNIQUELY THEIR GRUB UNTIL THE END OF THEIR LIVES
OR OURS.

[ghostytrainer]

well don't think of him as a lusus then.
he likely doesn't even realize the implications of claiming to be an other lusus.
he just wants to make sure that kids are taken care of and have a place to stay and someone to turn to if they need it.

[papshooshing]

WHICH IS COMPLETELY CREEPY.
MAYBE HUMAN ADULTS MIGHT BE LIKE THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS
BUT USUALLY ADULTS ON ALTERNIA
WELL GUESS THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY ON ALTERNIA UNLESS THEY WERE DESERTERS.

[ghostytrainer]

i wouldn't really say it's a typical adult human thing either.
not to the level that he goes with it, at least.
still though, what harm will it do to give the human parent thing a try?
who knows, you might actually like it.

[papshooshing]

BECAUSE WHAT WOULD I NEED ONE FOR?

[ghostytrainer]

because maybe one day you will find yourself in a situation where you aren't sure where else to turn.
dads are good at being there for that sort of thing.
and there are other, less drastic reasons too.
kind of hard to explain though. it's just one of those things you have to feel for yourself.
if nothing else, you could consider it an exercise in xenocultural exploration.