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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

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[parodeity]

[ dave can pick out john’s piano playing way too well, but then again he listens to recordings of it way too often. so he wanders out a little after they start up, snagging a break to go loiter, and luckily for everyone he isn’t in a bad sweater? instead he is dressed in theme as is required month to month by catmosphere. this month is Christmas, with Santas and reindeer and angels and everything in between.

this particular waiter got “angel” for the day. it’s a white suit with gold accents, stylized gold wings painted on the back of the suit, and a halo on a headband he’s putting up with because it’s one of the less annoying themes. Let him just lean against the building here, amused but looking neutral. ]

Hey, piano man, Nat. [ what r u doing? it has to be a charity thing and not an elaborate john thing. ]

[windeity]

[Cool what if he just dies? To his credit he knows how to play even in the most complicated of situations so even while his fingers want to completely fumble upon seeing him he corrects before he messes up and he scoots over to give Natalie half of the keyboard.

…but he's kind of gorgeous and John kind of wants to die all over again, neat. It's not an elaborate John thing but instead he grins a little while watching Natalie from the corner of his eye.]

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year…

[robitussin]

[She follows along on the keyboard and with his singing, raising a quick hand to give Dave a casual greeting. But as she goes along, she glances between the two of them as she takes note of John's almost error on the keyboard.

There is, at least, a concerted effort not to laugh or crack a smile even if that's pretty endearing. Nerds.]

Good tidings we bring, to you and your kin...

[parodeity]

[ solution: stop coming to see dave at this particular job because john kind of stared at the Roman taishou theme outfit as well? also he didn’t specifically get permission to record this so he does not, but completely predictably neutrality shifts to the very slightest hints of delight.

so mulitply the quiet delight by ten to get closer to Dave’s actual feelings? ]

[windeity]

Good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year... [He elbows Natalie a little because wow, leave him alone? But he flashes another grin at Dave because he's getting better at reading his moods, leaving them to play the song alongside Natalie.]

I am pretty much never caroling after this ever again because I have caroled a lot this week, but figured we could do an encore. Plus Natalie sings pretty well. [And that also delights him.]

[robitussin]

[She just flashes him a smile in response to the elbowing. Appreciate her??]

I literally had no idea this was happening until I showed up, but that was cool. [Wait.] Shut up, no I don't.

[Now she's elbowing him.]

[parodeity]

If snowboarding is on the table of life caroling should be always also?

[ maybe if you stopped bringing up snowboarding john would forget about it, dave? ]

He’s right, though, you do have a good voice.

[windeity]

Snowboarding and caroling are not the same thing. [There's a triumphant grin.] You really do, Natalie. I wouldn't have guessed but it's nice. [He's changing the song slowly, checking to see if Natalie recognizes the piano keys to play along for Jingle Bells.]

Any requests from either of you?

[robitussin]

[To Dave:]

I’d like to see you try snowboarding. [And then she waves a hand.] Also, no, stop.

[As for requests... She shakes her head.]

Up to you, man.

[parodeity]

I don’t want to see me snowboarding and it ain’t happening without collateral, Egbert. Bribe me.

[ it could entirely happen without bribery but let him live. requests though...? ]

Winter wonderland. Do I get to record y’all?

[windeity]

I bribe you plenty. [An eyeroll, but his hands slide into playing an opening bit for the requested song, a silent question asking Natalie if she knows this one.]

Recording will only be permitted if Natalie's cool with it.

[robitussin]

[A small shrug.]

You can record it if I get to play the piano without singing.

[parodeity]

Bribe me more anyway. [ to john. he raises an eyebrow in regards to Natalie’s thing also since he doesn’t mind but john might have more fun just singing with her sans Dave’s recording? ] Nat, has he tried to recruit you yet?

[windeity]

Okay, caroling involves more than just me singing. Just so we are clear here. [He makes a face though.] I'll bribe you later. And don't make it sound so shady, what the fuck?

[robitussin]

It depends what you mean by recruiting. He literally just texted me an address and did not tell me we were doing this.

[Gently throws John under the bus??]

Also, caroling or not, I'm not singing if it's being recorded.

[parodeity]

Never mind what I meant, he doesn’t need ideas if he hasn’t already had ‘em.

[ he leaves the recording judgement call up to john tbh. dave asked and that’s about as far as he goes. ]

[windeity]

Hey! [There's a brief pout but then he glances at Natalie again before facing Dave.] You can record a solo performance later, okay? [He just want to prove a point and also he's mostly excited to have a playing/singing partner.]

You remember the words to Winter Wonderland don't you?

[robitussin]

Guess I'll just have to watch out for this possible future recruitment to whatever it is, then. Sleep with one eye open and all that.

[But she gives a nod.]

Sure do. Whenever you're ready.

[parodeity]

I’ll hold you to the solo thing later. [ to john and he 100% means making john sing and play for him?? ]

But I’m ready to be caroled at.

[windeity]

[Whatever!!!]

Cool. Okay. [And the piano kicks in and he waits for Natalie to accompany before he starts in.]

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the lane, snow is glistening...

[robitussin]

[She puts her fingers down on the keys and starts playing, but when she starts singing, it's definitely more mumbled than it was during the last song. This is embarrassing, or something.]

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight...

[parodeity]

[ dave will just chill where he was, still in dumb angel uniform, and not recording things in any way but mentally... ]

[windeity]

Walking in a winter wonderland...

[He appreciates the uniform to be honest since it means NOT having a shitty holiday sweater today. But he also stops singing and keeps playing, giving Natalie a pointed look to start the next verse.]

[robitussin]

[She gives him a Look right back, though she does continue on as she does so.]

Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is a new bird...

[parodeity]

[ yeah whatever he’s changing back into a bad sweater after his shift? for now there’s just a very small smirk under an actual clip on halo as he watches them. presumably dave is enjoying himself? ]