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IC INBOX - kaisou
I'm busy. Make it quick.
(or just don't leave a message at all.)
(or just don't leave a message at all.)
username: dark slayer | ✉ ☏ 📷 |
username: dark slayer | ✉ ☏ 📷 |
no subject
Jazz can be remarkably emotive and especially creative when it comes to time signatures. There are few kinds of music that I won't tolerate, but I digress.
I'm looking for a particular instrument that was seized during a Prohibition-era raid in New Orleans. It would have been taken in the early to mid twenties by my estimation. It's a Buescher soprano saxophone with a brass finish, with a dragon engraved on one of the buttons. I wouldn't be surprised if it also had the name of the instrument engraved upon it as well: "Der Messingdrache".
Something that unique wouldn't have been discarded so easily, especially back then. It might have resurfaced in the decades since the raid after passing through several hands.
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The man was ancient, a fact they both knew. He could probably use his own connections to find such an item, surely? and yet he's asking vittore.
he's already up and turning on his laptop to start sending out emails to people. ]
It is also music that is quite easy to dance to, yes? Something I, personally, do not engage in, but it is popular due to that. It is a little outdated in this day and age, though, isn't it?
An antique saxaphone with some fascinating engravings. Was it made by a reputable manufacturer? Such an item, I would assume, would not be mass produced. In such a case, there is no possible way an item like that would be in a landfill.
[ the question is, Who has it, Where is it, and if it's even for sale. If it was an item in a collector's hands, it may be hard to get, but... he's hoping that, perhaps, it's being held in storage somewhere and could easily be coaxed into being sold... ]
no subject
That's right, though I'm not the dancing type. [lmao] It is somewhat antiquated, as I've been told, but it still has a loyal following many decades later.
There could be records of the engraving somewhere, but I doubt they would have survived until present day... Still, an instrument with a striking appearance and presentation wouldn't end up in a landfill, as you say. An instrument is a musician's livelihood, after all.
I thought perhaps it would suffice simply to gift my old friend with an instrument of the same make and model, but the custom engravings have changed the game entirely. I should have known better... All of his instruments are very special.
no subject
after a bit of a pause, he takes the phone up again. ]
I am wholly unsurprised to hear that. While your grace and elegance with a spear is much like dancing, I cannot see you actually partaking in recreational dance.
If it had special engravings and the instrument was a make and model that is worth some measure of money, I can almost guarantee it is being held somewhere.
The only question bearing is that if it is an item that is held by a collector.
Procuring items like these off ... clingy folk who like interesting things in their collection more than money can be a hassle.
This is a gift for an old friend, then? Sentimental, more than anything else?
no subject
That's simply how we were taught back then.
[He dodges compliments even if he doesn't dodge mechanics.]
I will find some way of paying the bill, even if it isn't all at once. I have a job, I just have difficulty keeping track of my earnings.
[That's what we're calling it? Okay then.]
It is. This instrument meant enough to him that he still mourns it decades later. I'm not sure "sentiment" covers it.
He recently came back into my life after I thought he had passed away.
It's only fair that I return something dear he also thought lost.
no subject
vergil doesnt have many magic wind powers, but since he got the one he has, he's abused it every day of his life for the stupidest things. just like this. ]
You are my oldest friend, and this item is something that is important for you.
I am determined to find it already, but I can assure you that even if you cannot pay the bill all at once, I am not concerned.
It is not like you're going anywhere. [ fuckin ancient-ass rock dragon. ]
It sounds something beyond sentiment. A treasure, perhaps. I have more than one of those myself, so I can understand his
wish to have it returned.
...
He thought you had passed away?
I know you are quite long-lived, Zhongli, however, I am not sure how someone can make that sort of mistake.
[ small warflashbacks of himself leaving his phone in italy for a week when he visited berlin... ]
Did you forget to telephone him for a few years.
[ THIS IS A JOKE ]
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Even if I am taken off my assignment, I would like to continue living here. So... you're likely right about that.
Thank you for your kindness.
[He'll certainly be around a While.]
Communication was difficult, and things were quite tumultuous in his area at the time, so I made that assumption myself. I wouldn't have blamed him for assuming the worst in my case either.
[Just how much longer does he want to keep this up? Is it even worth it? Would Vergil even believe him?]
... Ah. I only received a phone in the past few years while working for the Order.
[....... fuck it, he already knows he's old.]
Telephoning him would have been particularly difficult seeing as they did not yet have phone numbers in the era of the French Revolution.
1/2
2/2
...
I see. Cell phones have existed for quite a number of years, but. The French Revolution was in the late 1700s, whereas the first long-distance telephone was not created until the late 1800s.
...
One would suppose being able to tell if someone is dead or alive, due to that circumstance alone, may well be difficult.
[ you goddamn old people use a carrier pidgeon or something ]
no subject
[Vergil is definitely taking the time to talk himself through it, which means this probably hit harder than he meant it to oops.]
Yes. Yes it is.
We had our ways of passing messages, but... there were extenuating circumstances around that time. So it goes.
[As casually as anything. Like he's talking about missing a football game and not five hundred fucking years of friendship.]
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[ friendship is weird, he's getting used to accepting it--it's a bit easier if it's someone he's known this long, at least. ]
I would not know how it goes. Unfortunately. However I can understand the difficulty, at the very least.
Sending letters was not always reliable back then, either. And I can imagine there is certain information you would not want... found.
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Indeed. We were cautious; the last thing we wanted to do was draw attention, lest we go the way of the old legends.
[Maybe a little too late for Venti, though.]
Do you need anything else to begin the search?
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Casual life does not sound easy for the long-lived.
[ being a demon is fine but he cant imagine living as long as zhongli has. ]
For now, I think the details you gave me are more than enough. I merely need to get in contact with some people who are in the same line of work as me, and see if they have heard tell of such a musical instrument.
If not, it'll just be a matter of browsing old collections.
This is the sort of work I enjoy, so worry not.
Once I find something, you will be the first to know.
no subject
[He has lived far too long and he will readily admit that if asked. It's rough out here.]
Thank you again for all of this.
[Neither of them are counting favors, as favors are neither fair nor are they contracts, but one day Zhongli hopes to do something monumental for Vergil, too.]
no subject
But of course.
I will update you as soon as I know anything.
I bid you a pleasant evening.
[ as if zhongli hasn't already been an asset to his mental health since he's gotten here. fool. ]