Scenario:The Doss! End of the Line Farewell Tour - Chapter 2: Bloody Garden - Episode 3

The Doss! End of the Line Farewell Tour - Chapter 2: Bloody Garden - Episode 3

During group rehearsal, Aoidos forces Rackam to play the same phrase repeatedly in order to draw out a vital component for the new song. Misinterpreting Aoidos's actions, a discouraged Rackam wonders if he should quit the band; Vyrn also expresses his own feelings about leaving. Before Aoidos can reassure his two bandmates, he's briefly overcome by a hallucination of his past. When he snaps back to reality, both members have left the practice room.

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Aoidos: Let's take that phrase one more time.

Rackam: Huh? S-sure...

After their group practice, the band members are now working on their parts individually with Aoidos keeping a sharp eye on each one's progress.

Rackam: ...!

Aoidos: Dah, dah, da-daaah...

Aoidos, eyes closed, waves his finger in time with Rackam's bassline.

Aoidos: Stop there. Go back and do it again.

Rackam: Er, was it that bad?

Baal: He's following the music as written, Aoidos.

Aoidos: I'm looking for pathos.

Aoidos: Vermillios is going to keep playing until that dormant pathos awakens. Got it? Again.

Rackam: You're the boss...

Rackam starts to strum.

Rackam: ...!

Aoidos: Again.

Rackam: ...

Aoidos: Again.

As Aoidos listens attentively to Rackam's notes, the composer feels something in his chest tighten.

Rackam: ...!

Aoidos: ...

Aoidos: (Almost...)

Aoidos: (His sound is still finding its footing...)

Aoidos: (Is it the rhythm, or is it the melody that's off? For one bar it works but derails on the next...)

Aoidos: Once more.

Rackam: Yeah.

Rackam: ...

Aoidos: Try it again from the top. You need more practice, Vermillios!

Woman 2: That bass guy... A beginner at his age...

Rackam: Nrrgh!

Tedium from repeating the same phrase over and over invites other thoughts into Rackam's head.

Aoidos: Dah, dah, da-daaah...

However, Aoidos is too engrossed in capturing the essence of his new song to notice the changes in Rackam's attitude.

Aoidos: (Hammer it hard... Now drop down to largo... Keep those notes crisp...)

Aoidos: (There we go! It's coming into focus!)

The image in his head gradually takes shape until the bass suddenly cuts out.

Aoidos: ...?
Why did you stop, Vermillios?

Rackam: Hey, um... I know how much this festival means to you and everything. The song has to go off without a hitch.

Rackam: My crappy playing isn't gonna cut it. I'm like a thousand hours worth of practice time behind where I need to be.

Aoidos: What are you trying to say?

Rackam: Look, I wouldn't be makin' this suggestion if I didn't have to, but...

Rackam: Have you thought about findin' a different bass player?

Aoidos: I don't understand. Why are you bringing this up?

Rackam: It's like the manager said: the crowd is king.

Rackam: I think you're better off pickin' up someone without two left hands instead of waitin' for me to get good.

Rackam: I know you've got a good eye for talent. All this repetition is your way of weeding me out, right?

Aoidos: Wait, Vermillios, that's—

Vyrn: Hey, can I say something too? I've been thinkin' about something lately.

Vyrn: Some people have called me a distraction, 'cause I'm a dragon and stuff, and I don't want that.

Aoidos: I can't believe I'm hearing this from you too, Dandelios!

Aoidos: First of all, I—

Aoidos: I simply haven't found my pathos yet! It has nothing to do with me being disappointed with you guys in any way!

Aoidos: ...?
Where am I?

Aoidos finds himself shouting into empty space.

???: Ben... min... are you ou... your mind?

???: Who said you could define who I am? Crawl back...

Aoidos: ...

???: Doesn't need...

Aoidos: Where have I seen—

Aoidos: ...!

Aoidos: Vermillios! Dandelios! Where are you guys!

Baal: They both asked for some time to think and left.

Aoidos: Urgh!

Aoidos: ...

Whatever that vision he saw was, it seems to have robbed him of the chance to set the record straight with his bandmates. He clutches his head in silence.

Baal: What's the status of our rehearsals?

Aoidos: They asked for some time, didn't they? We're going on indefinite hiatus.

Aoidos: Vermillios is our bassist. Dandelios is our drummer. I'm not making any personnel changes.

Baal: Why didn't you stop them from leaving if you feel so strongly?

Aoidos: Good question. No one understands the real me. Not even myself...

Aoidos slumps into a chair and sighs softly.

The practice room remains silent, waiting for the next band to breathe life back into it.