Stitch Nine - [Visual]

[topgun_textiles]

[Hey, it's this guy again. He'd traded an acoustic guitar for electric, and for a moment he's strumming a note or two to test the richness of the sound. It's just right. Well, he's clearly about to do a little ditty for everyone, but what on earth for? Was this another accident, an entry meant for someone? Don't want a song? You're welcome to close the scroll. He won't blame ya.]

[Still here? Cool. Thanks. But something's not right. Kanji does not look happy. And when he begins... he just sounds angry. Here goes.]



I've got another confession to make, I'm your fool
Everyone's got their chains to break, holdin' you

Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose
You gave me something that I didn't have, but had no use

I was too weak to give in, too strong to lose

My heart is under arrest again, but I break loose
My head is giving me life or death, but I can't choose

I swear I'll never give in, I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

[A short break here. He's focused on the guitar, having practiced every day. But the strums are hard, the sound of someone trying their goddamned hardest not to quit in the middle. He'd come this far.]

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I've got another confession, my friend... I'm no fool.
I'm getting tired of starting again, somewhere new.

Were you born to resist or be abused?
I swear I'll never give in, I refuse.

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

[The song demands a wail and he gives one in spades, hammering out the final notes before he grit his teeth. If he keeps this up he might wreck the poor instrument...]



[Then, he stops. He looks away from the 'camera', took a breath, and sets the guitar down a little less than gently- the amp makes a brief and terrible sound from the impact vibrations over the strings, and Kanji simply walks out of the frame. The feed dies a moment later.]

Comments

[verygassy]

[She brightens at the question.]

Yeah, that's me!

[topgun_textiles]

How's it work? I mean, was it somethin' you always had?

[verygassy]

Well, yes and...no. I've had it for a long time - guess you could say its something born in my spirit, but I just never realized it until a few years ago. And it doesn't work too well for certain...parties.

[Like her.]

Its complicated and...I'd say you would find it unbelievable, if we weren't in Equestria...but it probably still would sound silly?

[topgun_textiles]

Nah... I think that kinda power would be amazing no matter where you go.

People can talk bullshit about love, but I think it's pretty important! Doesn't needta be romantic, neither; love comes in tons of different ways.

But I just happen to like the first kind the best. It's cu--

[Oh. He lifted a hoof to cover his face. Then he hesitated, lowering the hoof again. None of that. His voice was more gruff than normal, but proud.]

Ahem, s'cute. Cute as hell!

[verygassy]

...Really? You do?

[HE THINKS ITS CUTE!

And in that moment, Minako can't help it.]

Ah--! That's so cool!!

[topgun_textiles]

[He smiled briefly.]

H-heh... wow, I never really got that kinda response before.

[verygassy]

Really?

But its true!

[Seriously a guy who likes cute things? SO COOL.]

[topgun_textiles]

Thanks. My schoolmates didn't really think so for a while. But it feels nice just... bein' me.

[verygassy]

Of course its nice!

Also, your classmates are jerks if they thought that.

[topgun_textiles]

They seriously were! But once I got more comfortable with myself I started givin' less of a shit.

I was planning on joining the Sewing Club at school at the start of the new school year, too. No more starin' at the windows n' doors, wondering 'What If', y'know?

[verygassy]

WOAH! You can sew, too!?

[ARE YOU A UNICORN. Well, obviously not, but, well. ARE YOU. Because whoever ends up with this guy not her, not her, he'd end up hurt or worse, don't make that move is going to be the luckiest. person. ever.]

That. Is amazing.

[topgun_textiles]

Huh? I-it's just a hobby...

But it's helped a lotta ponies here so far. I do like that everybody's been pretty good about that. Not a single "ew, gross" or a "which chick friend of yours taught ya?"

[verygassy]

But its still amazing! I mean, I know plenty of people who can't sew or even hold a needle without looking like they developed stigmata afterwards.

[...Er. No offense, Usagi.]

And why would anypony make fun of it? Its useful too, you can fix clothing or make clothing, or even make an escape parachute if you ever get imprisoned in a high tower and there aren't enough sheets to rappel down!

[topgun_textiles]

Guys don't sew n' paint. Some stupid crap.

It's real hard with hooves, but it's a new challenge to see if I can't pick up my speed to what it used to be. But the paintbrush in the mouth thing's kinda cool. It feels kinda liberating to keep the 'hands' free.

[verygassy]

You...you can paint too? Man, is there nothing you can't do?

[No, seriously, are you like a male Michiru? Because that's still amazing in Minako's eyes.]

I thought most guys were painters? Like Michelangelo, or Vincent Picasso...

[topgun_textiles]

U-uhhh... rr- I can't rub my stomach n' pat my head at the same time. 'Specially not now that I'm a pony. I also suck at jump rope. Double dutch? Forget it.

[He sagely nodded.]

Oh yeah... man, I ain't that good though. I wish!

[verygassy]

You're probably way better than me, that's for sure!

[...No, really.]

But yeah, actually, its still amazing what you can do. And I'm glad you're not embarrassed by it!

[topgun_textiles]

I was before, but I learned not to be. My friends make fun of me for it sometimes, but they never found it weird or gross or nothin'.