Peek: Slash (Patreon)

The Composer is close to finishing the Axe.  Ever since his creation, Slash had at least a vague idea of what the Axe would look like, would sound like.  He has longed to be able to actually bring some of that music to reality.

He quietly watches as Thing and Queen put the finishing touches on the Axe and hat, wondering for a moment if that's the last thing he'll ever do quietly.  He chuckles at himself and discards that idea.  While a lot of the music is loud and energetic, there are also more quiet and subdued pieces, no less beautiful for their lack of volume.

No, he'll still do a lot of things without actively playing music, he decides.  While the Composer has an odd idea of background music, songs to be played to simply fill a silence, it's also close to an even stranger concept of music: one to be played in an enclosed space, with everything interesting removed.  The music of boredom.

The earth elemental suppresses a shudder at the very concept, but even that helps emphasize the power of music.  It enhances emotions, even boredom, no matter how ironic the concept of being actively bored is to Slash.

It takes him a few moments to realize the mood in the room has shifted, and a few moments more to see Thing and Queen step back from the Axe and hat.  He can feel the guidance of the Composer as he simply takes in the sight of the completed Axe.

Take.  Yours, whispers the will of the Composer, and Slash wouldn't refuse even if he could.  He first takes the hat, a strange style and strange make.  And yet, it feels right in his hands, and perfect on his head.  He supposes it's heavier than most delvers would want to wear, thanks to the odd metallic disks around it to help channel the thunder.  For an earth elemental like him, though, it's no problem at all.  A strange idea of a wig drifts through the bond with the Composer, and after a few moments consideration, Slash refuses.  It might look interesting, but hair like that would get in the way if he's in a fight.

He eyes the Axe, wanting to simply snatch it up and hold it close, but he resists.  It's no simple treasure, and he's no delver to just grab what he can.  The Axe deserves his reverence, so reverence he shows as he gingerly picks it up from the table.  From the first touch, he wonders if the lighting isn't properly channeled, but soon realizes it's not a malfunction in it.  He feels... whole.  A piece he never knew he needed, but now he has, he wonders how he lived without it.

He holds it just as he should and plucks a few simple notes, his new hat crackling with energy as wonderful new music is brought into reality.  It's harsh and jagged, yet somehow perfectly tuned as well.  No... not quite perfectly.  He carefully adjusts the knobs to adjust the pitch, and smiles to himself as he gets it just right.

Now, he needs to practice.  The Composer intends to do battle, soon, and needs Slash's help.  This will be his debut, so he needs to be certain he's ready.  There are so many songs that he could play to help inspire the Composer's denizens and scions, and he needs to be certain he can play them all.  There's no telling what kinds of emotions will need to be stirred to ensure victory.