Voxophone 6/?? - Voice

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[Another late night, and he's volunteered to make a pot of tea as he and his "sister" work.

So, in the kitchen, he opens the journal. It's still as good a place to store his thoughts as it is a method of communication, especially late at night when few are likely to be actively listening.]

There are constants and variables. That is the crux of our work. Constants that are measurable -- the laws of physics, for instance -- are, naturally, the more scientifically sound.

[Book in hand, waiting for the kettle to whistle, he wanders into the main room and puts a record on the player procured some time ago. The other residents of the house have proven themselves able to sleep through it when he's done it before, so he doesn't hesitate to let the sound come.

A familiar song can be heard after a moment of the player warming up.]

However, there are other constants. Things that cannot easily be measured. Things which can be relied upon to comfort, rather than affirm.

[He pauses and makes a quiet sound that's almost a chuckle.]

"A middle C vibrates at 262 Hz, no matter what the universe."

[Then, another remark, said more softly, almost to himself:] Perhaps I'm merely sentimental.

Comments

voice;

[unfringed]

[Equally distracted, Walter responds because he hears music and a language he understands: science.]

261.625565 to be precise.

I still haven't found the pitch this universe vibrates to - it changes, constantly, as if the influx of intermingling peoples trapped within the barrier here is interfering with the ability to gain an accurate reading.

The other universe was a G.

I never tested the machine, perhaps, like Vivaldi, it was E major. It would link--

Is that vinyl?

voice;

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A pitch for the universe. Very curious.

[And an idea that intrigues him greatly.

It inspires a great many thoughts, as does the indication that this world alters its tone frequently. It makes sense. The universe, speaking musically, must be trying to harmonize a million discordant notes into something that resembles music. Something recognizable even though it's not familiar.

But what he remarks on is the last thing to catch his attention and hold it.]

Yes -- it's a vinyl record. I'm afraid I lack any sort of aptitude or willingness to acquire one in the new technology when this is available.

voice;

[unfringed]

Every universe vibrates at a very specific frequency. Mine, for example, was C - middle C. Theirs, a G. This one, however, defies logic. I can't get a correct vibration no many how many times I try. One day it is E, the next it's F minor, as if it's toying with me.

And good. Vinyl is the only true way to listen to music. I regret that my collection has yet to arrive in full. I'm missing several of my favorites and my tuner. It makes for a very difficult workspace.

voice;

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My sister [because it's still the safest thing to call Rosalind, as well as being an old habit] prefers to work in silence, and I can work just as well without music as with, so it doesn't play when we're working.

At present, I'm only waiting for the kettle.

[Though, it's a chance to discuss a theory in mind.]

I don't believe the universe is toying with you. I think it is merely attempting to keep itself in balance, while, at the same time, reacting to a constant imbalance.

We come and we go, without reason. The worlds vary from extremely similar -- so much so that they seem almost the same -- to vastly different.

It would not surprise me that if the universe were to stabilize to a singular pitch, for instance, we might find our minds and bodies destabilized to account for the change.

Action, reaction.

voice;

[unfringed]

Perhaps then, I should be checking for a harmonic resonance - several frequencies or even entire chords and octaves resonating at the same time. It would explain it, yes, the dissonance I get when I try only one. However, it would take time for the universe to stabilize to the come and go - a day or even a week before it finds the right resonance to keep everything held together.

[A microwave beeps and Walter scuttles away from his journal, still talking as he goes for his popcorn.]

To aim for a universe crossing would mean having to wait for a stable period and then accounting for each separate resonance in the village. Maybe this is why previous attempts have failed. The number of machines, all vibrating at once to create a portal to travel between this world and each individual's world would be--

[He sits back down at his table, munching on popcorn as his pencil scribbles notes on a different piece of paper.]

-- astronomically difficult to obtain with the level of technology available.

voice;

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"The notes were correct; the instrument was not."

[It's a simple thought, yet he comes to mind in full force now.]

A series of tones to create a chord. When all three strike the perfect pitch, harmony is achieved. And when one knows only one note of the chord and must test the others -- with seemingly conflicting notes -- until the perfect balance is struck...

[Yes, it can all be explained in musical terms. At least Robert's mind can sort it in such. Rosalind could likely understand it all, but she wouldn't feel it the same way.]

Unfortunately, we aren't given any sort sheet music here so that we might know our key, at least, to begin guessing at chords.

voice

[iwannabethegai]

That song that's playing...[It catches his attention and he feels more relaxed after hearing it.]

What's it called? And it's okay to be sentimental I suppose.

voice

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"Spring" by Vivaldi. Part of his Four Seasons.

voice

[iwannabethegai]

I see. Thank you. I'm always interested in hearing new songs.

Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. Um...I'm Shu.

It's nice to meet you.

voice

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I have quite a record collection if you're ever interested.

Robert Lutece. Nice to meet you.

voice

[iwannabethegai]

I wouldn't mind checking it sometime.

Lutece? [Where has he heard that name before? It's familiar. Oh wait. Now he remembers.]

Are you Elizabeth's guardian?

voice

[ablankpage]

I... am one of her housemates, yes, and I do try to look after her.

Though I cannot say I am much of a guardian.

[Voice]

[voidseeing]

Survival of the fittest.

[That is the one universal truth that Gai has lived by, the one constant he's seen at work both on the battlefields of Africa and the streets of Japan under the GHQ. The strong survive; the weak get selected out. It's more than just the law of nature-- it's the will of the universe itself, as he learned when he wasn't even allowed to remain dead.]

[Voice]

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Constant.

[He won't argue with it. It's true. But--]

Variable: what "fittest" means.

[Voice]

[voidseeing]

Usually something having to do with strength or adaptability, depending on where you are. Those who aren't able to fight don't last long.

[He'd seen that much demonstrated with brutal clarity in combat. It was that knowledge that had hardened him into a skilled, ruthless fighter.]

[Voice]

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But in times of peace -- or supposed peace -- that does not always work out as it should.

[Voice]

[voidseeing]

You're assuming that peace ever lasts for very long.

[Voice]

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It can last long enough that the requirements to survive change.

action

[quantumgrammar]

[Sometime between cups of tea, when the latest record has begun to run down and, perhaps most importantly, eyes have begun to blur and itch with strain, Rosalind emerges from their rooms of her own accord. Silently, she sets aside her cup and ruffles through their collection of records, gently re-sleeving the lastest offering and replacing it with one of their later acquisitions. Something slow and warm, sufficient to counterbalance the dim, chilly hours before dawn.]

action

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[Robert follows a few moments later, finishing transcribing the rest of what remains on the chalkboard. It ins't getting erased, but anything can happen here.

So, best to write everything down.

He joins her where the record player is and smiles faintly, taking a seat on the sofa. Soon, they'll have to give in and get a few hours of sleep. Numbers are starting to blur together, but they need a few moments first, a bit of time to actually work on relaxing.]

[Voice] sorry this is so late

[geniustheveil]

[Ami is definitely interested. She still believes the best ways to move forward are by analyzing and learning more about the full situation. After this long, she is less confident of finding the answers... but somehow, she doesn't want to give up entirely, either.]

I'd like to discuss your experiments and observations so far, if it's alright.

[Voice]

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There have been few experiments here. Our research in this world is very inadequate for any experimentation to be tried.

Our main focus so far has been recollecting our prior work, as we, unfortunately, do not have our books and notes.

[A minor setback, in his opinion.

They'd done it once, and, knowing that, could proceed with the knowledge first of recreating then adapting, rather than having to start without an inclination as to where to begin...

They'd done that once, and that was enough.]

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

[Ami would very strongly disagree that there hasn't been much experimentation in Luceti, after all the shifts she's experienced over her years here; but after a second of surprise, she realizes Robert must mean his own private research, halted and slowed by the circumstances in this world.]

Do you mean your prior work from your home? [It still doesn't do to assume, after all.] Or do you have notes on what you've been able to accomplish so far here as well?

[Voice]

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As I said -- all we have accomplished here is beginning to rebuild our research.

It will be a long time before the Lutece Field can be found again. From there... From there, we may begin to learn how this world reacts in comparison to the ones we knew.

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

Do you believe there will be a possibility of using that research to begin to develop a means of travel between them?

[This is, of course, the true and chief and real question.]