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[dow]

Recently, I bought a personal item from one of the auctions in Markutte. In light of recent network posts of a festive Terran nature and having been exposed to Christmas before with far more ceremony, purely out of deference for a family member, I am aware that giving is very much in the spirit of the season. As purchasing gifts for a wide range of individuals would be a waste of resources and time which I must covet for my scientific studies, I am instead inclined to use the instrument in my possession.

It is a Vulcan harp.

[ Instruments, literal instrument ... Get it? Whatever, his attempts at humor are golden. Straight-faced, Spock leans back in his chair and settles it against his right shoulder, beginning to play. His left hand is bandaged, but he pays it no mind; after the post, green blood will have bitten through and the wraps will need changing.

Firstly, Brahms Intermezzo is played to invest people in the music he studied intently during his recreational time as a child. Shortly after that lulls to a close, you might think this stuffy Vulcan has nothing more interesting to offer but, son, you would be wrong. Music is mathematics, after all, and Spock adjusts the knobs on the instrument to alter the octaves and sounds to more of a guitar-quality. That's when he delves into an improvised piece still kicking around his memory, composed long before he set foot on the Enterprise. His final performance is a gentle carol he is very familiar with, for his own personal reasons, and he doesn't rush it into the previous natural rhythm in the slightest, almost playing for someone ... who has expressed their preferences on the matter before. (Perhaps the family member he mentioned at the start, for attentive listeners.)

The song is Silent Night. ]



( OOC: Vulcan harps/lyres are ridiculous, but these are the sound ranges, for reference. )

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[dow]

[ For a moment, he's struck still by the sight and sound of her applause. It passes swiftly, within a handful of seconds, and he nods. ]

You are most welcome, Clara. Was the carol's rendition accurate?

[parallels]

I think so. Or at least it sounded lovely and that's plenty enough for me. I'm really not particularly musically inclined beyond being able to bang out a few songs on the piano. Couldn't ever play anything like that.

[She nods at the harp.]

[dow]

A handful of people here play the piano. Perhaps it would be prudent to build one to maximize positivity over the season.

[parallels]

I wouldn't really consider it "playing" what I do, more like banging. But I wouldn't mind practicing a bit. Something to do.

[she shifts a little in her chair, moving her chin from one knee to the other.]

Could you build one?

[dow]

I am discussing the matter with Tony Stark. [ SCIENCE!PIANO, that's what. Given Spock is trying to tear a hole in space-time to get them home, he doesn't think it will be terribly difficult to put together a rudimentary instrument. ] It is possible.

[parallels]

Tony's clever. I'm sure you two can figure it out.

[She grins at the idea of Tony and Spock working together. A clash of personalities but a genius combination.]

Put me on the testing team.

[dow]

I will notify you when the project is complete.

[parallels]

[She nods quietly. She's really not much good at piano. She just likes being around them. It reminds her of her mum.]

Do you play piano as well?

[dow]

I do. Mainly classical Terran music, especially Brahms whose original manuscripts and handwriting I am familiar with from accessible programs to a private PADD. I am familiar with his complete works.

[parallels]

Brahms is pretty brilliant. Mum used to play him a lot.

[She drums her fingers against her knees.]

You must have been studying playing and music for many years then. To be familiar with all his work, I mean. It's not exactly something you can pick up in a day. ...Can you?

[dow]

It is not. I practiced for some time, before entering any competitions or challenging my father's prowess.