[Chloe doesn't look much like herself when she finishes tapping in the required lines of code to ensure her call is secure. Her hair's slick from lack of a proper upkeep, bangs covering her face in a way that she hasn't worn since the fiasco in Tibet came to a close. The dirt and grime of the underground still sticks to her skin, stays firmly wedged beneath her nails. If she has priorities at the moment, a polished appearance isn't one of them.

Either way, the details are (fortunately) hard to make out in the poorly lit place she's chosen to call from. Nothing but a few dark patches of rubble sit behind her, about as indistinguishable as any backdrop gets, and she prefers it that way.]

Talbot, we need to talk.

[The sound of guitar song drifts over the wireless, a lovely sound. It's a bit different for everyone, and whoever can here it likely finds themselves warming up to it. It's a wee, bright song, and maybe even the most grouchy will find themselves smiling, even if for a moment. Good memories override the horrible, recent events, and hatred sizzles and goes out, only smoke for the wind. It's temporary, as long as the player plays, but maybe it'll stick around for some. Gods know, people need it right now.

[The music seems to fade, quieter and low in the background. Humming accompanies it for a moment, then the voice speaks. Remember that odd Scottish bloke? No? Ah, well.]

I still dinnae know why they brought me here. The Initiative, or whatever it's called.

[He's not angry. Swann's voice is as pleasing as the music, a rich, deep song in itself that rolls over the listener.]

I remember the Great War, and coming close to nearly being blown to hell and back. We kept our distance from the cities at first, but it was hellish for people. They might of lost their home, their beau, a child or perhaps all of them. Maybe they saw friends leave and never came back. I dinnae. We werenae soldiers, though a handful of the young men went to join up. Maybe I should'ave as well.

So, we took our wee carnival and without talking about it much at all, we started visiting the outskirts of cities. Never entered 'em proper, then or now. Local constabulary didnae like us much. But we gave the people something to focus on other than such things. Cannae say it was out of the kindness of our hearts, not all of it. Ye have ta live, and it's what we knew.

[He goes silent for a moment, letting his fingers speak.]

Maybe that's why I'm here, aye? Either that or I'm paying for not puttin my neck on the line all those years ago. No matter--I'm here now and that's all what matters.

Tell me what's botherin' ya, if you like. I'm nae a bad listener. And if that's not to yer liking, ask for a song. I know a few.



Right! Swann's music affects people as he wishes, and right now it's a soothing, perhaps even joyful, something to take the edge off of what has happened. It will last as long as he continues to play. Permissions, and please please please do not hesitate to ask questions.


ALSO--some threads I will be slow on answering. I'd like to link to music, but I found the sites are blocked here at work, so answers won't be until tonight. :(

Oh, sure. The one time I take off the damn mask, that's when they decide to pull me back here. That's just fantastic.

[Tali's voice is a touch nasally as she waves a three-fingered hand at her omni-tool. It looks like she's recording from bed; the quarian is all bundled up in blankets. Someone caught a cold after coming back from her canon update~] So, hey. I'm back, for better or worse. Mostly worse. Did I miss anything while I was gone? Keelah, it feels like it's been ages. So much has--

[Achoo! She cuts herself off with a sneeze, after which she groans irritably. Stupid immune system. >:(]

...Also, does anyone know where I can get some antibiotics? Or just some plain old cold medicine? Dextro-friendly, of course.