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[fractaljesus]

Who: Joshua Kiryu (fatgun) & Yaha-kui zaShunina (fractaljesus)
What: Housemates sharing interests
When: A few days after getting settled in as roomies
Where: Their shared house
Warning(s): None. Two nerds being nerds.


There are books everywhere. On the shelves, on the floors, the countertops--it would be easier to list where books aren't. Even one of the beds is covered in them, completely disused otherwise. However, despite the mess, they are all stacked up in neat towers, perfectly balanced like pillars stopping just short of holding up the ceiling.

In one corner of the room, seated in the one chair not weighed down by tomes (though it had been, he'd just moved them to the floor beside it) is Yaha-kui zaShunina, nose buried deep in a hardcover volume. The Natha had promised him books as their incentive for cooperation, and he was making good on that promise.

It may be difficult to believe it, but there are two other people who also live in this cramped house (well, one person and a dog). zaShunina doesn't even look up from his book when one of said housemates comes through the door, but he does acknowledge his arrival.

"Welcome back."

Comments

[fractaljesus]

He could point out that the bird is an avatar of Zeus, and what that could mean, but what Joshua says next interests him more.

"Music?" zaShunina pauses in his scrutiny of his collection, peering around a tower to make eye contact with his housemate. "An arrangement of tonal beats into a composition that follows a set rhythm." He's never really been able to appreciate music for what it is, instead analyzing every aspect from a mathematical standpoint--a collection of aural formulas. He never just listens.

"These rhythms can affect emotional states based on their composition. Moreso if vocal channels are present."

[fatgun]

Oh. Oh, wow. Joshua lets him go on about what music literally is, since that's always fun, but he's already pulling his phone out of his pocket and flicking through the menus to access his brand new, kind of weird music library. Some boy calling himself after breakfast sent him a lot of playlists, so it's not exactly what he'd have chosen for himself, but it's something.

"Hee hee, very good." He holds the phone up, wiggling it significantly before he offers it out. "Here, pick something and listen to it. Don't tell me about the arrangement, tell me what you think. The best approach is a hands-on one, after all!"

[fractaljesus]

But overanalyzing things is how he functions, Joshua!

Rather than dodge books to make his way back, zaShunina detaches an arm, plucking the offered phone from Joshua's hand to bring it back to the anisotropic being. Awkward though he is, he does know the proper use of a phone, and so scrolls through the list of titles that mean nothing to him. There's a thoughtful hum as he scrolls back up to the top. If the names mean nothing to him, may as well begin with the first one on the list--a song called "Drive it Like you Stole It."

zaShunina remains perfectly still and silent as the song plays, considering the lyrics and composition despite Joshua. Well, he just said not to tell him about the arrangement, he never said anything about not breaking it down to its basic parts at all. But he wants an opinion, and that takes zaShunina a few seconds to decide upon after the final note fades away.

"The percussive line is strong, and the lyrics are intended to be uplifting." Oops, he's analyzing it. "It is not unpleasant to listen to." But he can't say it's to his taste.

[fatgun]

Nice arms, always a treat. Joshua simply leans back on the couch to watch zaShunina and listen to the song. This is... fascinating, honestly; the song isn't to his tastes either, really - not much of Eggsy's playlists is, but having the noise is better than nothing. He can't say he finds anything there truly abhorrent, the same way he'd go stir crazy in the complete quiet.

But great analysis of the drum beat, zaShunina. Joshua grins, shaking his head in put-upon disbelief. "You almost had it!"

How does he explain the incredibly profound effect of music to someone who says things like "it is not unpleasant," hmm... He gestures for zaShunina to pick something else while he speaks, "How much do you know about Imagination? Or maybe we should go backwards a little and ask if you even feel inspiration. How about it?"

[fractaljesus]

Almost had it? zaShunina's not entirely sure what he'd almost "had", but he does as bade and scrolls through the list again, settling one a random one in the middle, but doesn't let it play yet for the sake of the conversation.

"I do feel inspiration." He confirms, though he's aware that his definition of 'inspiration' might vary a bit from Joshua's. A sudden idea or extrapolation upon an older idea. Something may inspire something else, but he has yet to be inspired by music. Some tell stories--is that what he meant? Should he feel an especially strong emotional response when listening?

"Imagination is the formation of ideas or concepts not physically present. Inspiration and imagination often work in tandem." A beat. "Books often inspire me. It is the same for you with music, I assume." Maybe he just hasn't heard the right music for it to 'click' yet.