[At that, Minato leans over to look at the title of the song. He sees Snoop Dogg, and he vaguely knows who that is, mostly that he did a lot of drugs and sang about it, so he carefully pulls one of the headphones off of Alucard's ear and scoots a tad bit closer, so he could put it on his own ear and hear what he was hearing.
What he hears is... he isn't sure what he expected. But it makes him laugh, the airiest and quietest laugh, and he covers his mouth behind his hand to try to cover it up.]
[The closeness doesn't bother Alucard, but he pauses when he watches Minato laugh. Well, if nothing else it's brought him some amusement.
So he remains close, letting Minato listen along with him.]
Mm, if you say so.
[There's a pause at the next song. It's still a strange sound to Alucard, but this one isn't unpleasant? He blinks as he considers, then closes his eyes as he listens. It sounds almost leisurely. He isn't too sure how else to describe it.]
That is... quite nice, I think. Nothing like that exists where I'm from.
[Minato has a Thing about personal space, so he's only just close enough for the headphone to stretch along to his own ear, and not an inch more than he had to. Any closer and Minato would probably find himself being more than a tad uncomfortable, but this was just teetering on the edge, though enough that he was acutely aware of the fact someone was closing in on his personal space. While he had taken great leaps and bounds to be more social and talkative, there were still certain boundaries and walls he'd established over the past 11 years that had yet to break.
Listening to the song alongside Alucard, he draws his legs up to sit cross-legged on the bed, one elbow propping against his thigh as he presses his face against his fist, head tilted to look in Alucard's direction. Music was a big passion of his, so he was pretty excited to get to share this moment with him, and watching his reactions was very interesting. He peeks at the song title listed on the ipod — he'd have to remember this one, he liked it. While he had his own particular Brand(tm), he tended to listen to all sorts of music too, so having all these new songs to listen to had been something fun to occupy his time.]
There's so many different sorts of music out there when I'm from. I think it's pretty interesting how people have their own distinct styles and preferences.
I can only dream of it. I have traveled to various places of the world, but nothing has quite sounded like this. I suppose with the continued development of technology, it was only a matter of time for instruments and cultures to evolve as well.
[Alucard pauses, taking the time to listen to this track.
This one isn't so bad either. Even if it's not what he expects or prefers, but he thinks he's starting to have a feeling what Minato's tastes are like. That, and he can see how important music is to him.]
Were I to have a violin or piano, I would play for you. Though I don't know if it would be suitable to your preferences.
Some of the music you'll hear isn't even played on live instruments anymore. They're electronic, making it easier for independent composers to be able to create their pieces without needing to coordinate groups of people to play for them. Anyone can create music, even from the privacy of their own home.
[He just!! Really likes music!! It's enough to have his face lighting up a fraction.]
I appreciate all sorts of music, even if I have my preferences. I'd enjoy hearing you play — though, I actually know how to play the violin, myself. Maybe we could play together instead.
[Minato is so shocked by what he's hearing that it takes a long moment to even fully process it. When it finally does, the expression on his face morphs into one of utter horror, mouth agape. He dives in to snatch up the ipod, fumbling with it for a moment before finally hitting the next button, utterly mortified. In the end, they probably heard much more of the song than either of them probably wanted to.]
[Alucard folds his arms, but he doesn't look annoyed at Minato specifically. Rather, it's a bit like one of those self-contained silences where the person in question is thinking how perhaps the human race is not a species meant to last after all.]
I believe you.
[The next song is... a little better? Less crass anyway.]
Less favorable on the lyrics, but the sound is not terrible on this one.
[Minato presses one hand to his face to suffer silently as Alucard contemplates existence, though he's relieved to hear he wasn't gonna peg... whatever that was... on him. The last thing he needed was to immediately ruin a potential friendship over some weird sex song he was almost definitely gonna delete ASAP. The catchy upbeat song playing is enough time for Minato to get up the courage to look Alucard in the eye again, still slightly embarrassed -- he'd have to make a separate playlist with specific songs once he went to show Giselle his music, least he repeat this experience.
[Fortunately, Alucard doesn't seem to think any less of Minato. If anything, he still feels pretty fond of him in this moment for sharing the music at all and showing him how it works.
The next song is odd to him, peppy really. Cute probably is the best way to put it.]
Odd lyrically speaking, but yes. I think you're right.
Sometimes you'll find that lyrics don't really need to always make sense in music, so much as supply an aesthetic and mood... if that makes sense. It's more about the beat in those cases.
I'm starting to understand that. I come from a place where operas were the norm, or ballads from traveling players. This seems almost more... recreational by comparison? If that makes sense.
[Alucard pauses, listening to the next song. It's another jovial tune, simpler lyrcis. It's actually quite nice.]
I think I'm noticing a common audio preference to what you like.
[It'll still take sometime for him to get used to, but it's endearing to learn more about Minato this way.
[Minato nods a little. He's gravitated back to his relaxed position now that things have settled down and it appears as though they might be slightly safe from horrible songs (for now), and a smile gently quirks on his face for a short moment as Alucard speaks.]
Some of them aren't things I had on my original mp3 player, but a lot of it does seem to be tailored towards my tastes. And... some not...
[He goes straight faced, thinking back on the unfortunate one. At least the weed song had been funny, to some degree. This new song has him bobbing his head along though -- catchy. This is a good opportunity to teach him another thing. also!]
A DJ is a "disc jockey", they play already recorded music for live audiences. Sometimes they also mash songs up together to create new songs. I'd look for a mashup to show you, but it probably wouldn't be very interesting if you hadn't heard the other songs first...
[Instead, he lets the song shuffle onto the next. It's a song he knows! His face lights up a small fraction, and if Alucard listens, he'd be able to hear Minato gently rapping along under his breath.]
[He tilts his head slightly at Alucard as he comments on his rapping, rubbing his chin in contemplation. He's obviously being silly in response, even if his face is mostly straight.]
Hmm. I am a master at karaoke...
[A short pause.]
...That's singing along to an instrumental track of a song, where it's missing the lyrics so you can sing instead.
It's a group activity, usually. Everyone can have fun and let loose, and sing along to songs they like either alone or together. Usually people drink while they do it, so everyone gets really relaxed and into it, but it's not necessary.
It would definitely be fun, though. I like karaoke, most people do where I'm from. You shouldn't discount yourself, though -- if it's about singing ability, no one cares whether or not the person can actually sing. It's just about having fun.
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What he hears is... he isn't sure what he expected. But it makes him laugh, the airiest and quietest laugh, and he covers his mouth behind his hand to try to cover it up.]
It's not one of mine. Here.
[Next song. Also not one of his.]
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So he remains close, letting Minato listen along with him.]
Mm, if you say so.
[There's a pause at the next song. It's still a strange sound to Alucard, but this one isn't unpleasant? He blinks as he considers, then closes his eyes as he listens. It sounds almost leisurely. He isn't too sure how else to describe it.]
That is... quite nice, I think. Nothing like that exists where I'm from.
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Listening to the song alongside Alucard, he draws his legs up to sit cross-legged on the bed, one elbow propping against his thigh as he presses his face against his fist, head tilted to look in Alucard's direction. Music was a big passion of his, so he was pretty excited to get to share this moment with him, and watching his reactions was very interesting. He peeks at the song title listed on the ipod — he'd have to remember this one, he liked it. While he had his own particular Brand(tm), he tended to listen to all sorts of music too, so having all these new songs to listen to had been something fun to occupy his time.]
There's so many different sorts of music out there when I'm from. I think it's pretty interesting how people have their own distinct styles and preferences.
[Next!]
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[Alucard pauses, taking the time to listen to this track.
This one isn't so bad either. Even if it's not what he expects or prefers, but he thinks he's starting to have a feeling what Minato's tastes are like. That, and he can see how important music is to him.]
Were I to have a violin or piano, I would play for you. Though I don't know if it would be suitable to your preferences.
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[He just!! Really likes music!! It's enough to have his face lighting up a fraction.]
I appreciate all sorts of music, even if I have my preferences. I'd enjoy hearing you play — though, I actually know how to play the violin, myself. Maybe we could play together instead.
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[Alucard sounds a little more pleased, definitely a step away from his usual stoicism.]
I would enjoy that.
[The next song comes on and--]
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[not great!!]
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That's not one of mine.
[Neither is the next, for that matter.]
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I believe you.
[The next song is... a little better? Less crass anyway.]
Less favorable on the lyrics, but the sound is not terrible on this one.
[what about the next one huh]
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This next song, though...]
...Cute.
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The next song is odd to him, peppy really. Cute probably is the best way to put it.]
Odd lyrically speaking, but yes. I think you're right.
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[Next?!]
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[Alucard pauses, listening to the next song. It's another jovial tune, simpler lyrcis. It's actually quite nice.]
I think I'm noticing a common audio preference to what you like.
[It'll still take sometime for him to get used to, but it's endearing to learn more about Minato this way.
NEXT]
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[Minato nods a little. He's gravitated back to his relaxed position now that things have settled down and it appears as though they might be slightly safe from horrible songs (for now), and a smile gently quirks on his face for a short moment as Alucard speaks.]
Some of them aren't things I had on my original mp3 player, but a lot of it does seem to be tailored towards my tastes. And... some not...
[He goes straight faced, thinking back on the unfortunate one. At least the weed song had been funny, to some degree. This new song has him bobbing his head along though -- catchy. This is a good opportunity to teach him another thing. also!]
A DJ is a "disc jockey", they play already recorded music for live audiences. Sometimes they also mash songs up together to create new songs. I'd look for a mashup to show you, but it probably wouldn't be very interesting if you hadn't heard the other songs first...
[Instead, he lets the song shuffle onto the next. It's a song he knows! His face lights up a small fraction, and if Alucard listens, he'd be able to hear Minato gently rapping along under his breath.]
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[He wonders about the nature of these things and creatures that appear. But it is not a mystery he can solve at the moment.]
Hm. So it's something like a minstrel or bard, or more like a conductor? But with prerecorded songs, like your MP3 player.
[The new song catches his attention, but not as much as his observation to Minato's very quietly singing along. He smiles wryly.]
You should just sing it yourself to me, if you love the song so much.
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[He tilts his head slightly at Alucard as he comments on his rapping, rubbing his chin in contemplation. He's obviously being silly in response, even if his face is mostly straight.]
Hmm. I am a master at karaoke...
[A short pause.]
...That's singing along to an instrumental track of a song, where it's missing the lyrics so you can sing instead.
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I suppose that would be very useful for people if they don't have anyone who can play instruments nearby.
A shame we have nothing like that here, but I also suspect I wouldn't be able to participate much.
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It would definitely be fun, though. I like karaoke, most people do where I'm from. You shouldn't discount yourself, though -- if it's about singing ability, no one cares whether or not the person can actually sing. It's just about having fun.