R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[12d3]

[Despite saying that, 2-D grins mischievously and holds his mic out near Hank's face.]

Lemme hear somethin'! I won't believe it 'till I hear it.

[donotlick]

Aw, shit, no fucking way. I just told you—I can't just sing on the spot.

[ Hank raises his hands, refusing to accept the mic. Gotta try harder than that, 2D. ]

[12d3]

There's no one else around here! It's just a bunch of numbers -- including me!

[2-D pushes the mic cloooooooser]

I'll have 'em play Feel Good Inc. again.

[donotlick]

[ Hank groans. It's one he actually knows, so of course he can't say no. ]

....Fine. One song. And I can't do the rap.

[12d3]

[The musician practically jumps up to his feet, excitedly pumping the mic into the air.]

I can do it!

[He's awful at rapping but it's fine.]

Come on-- come up on stage with me!

[donotlick]

[ I mean, he is getting to sing a song with the leader of Gorillaz. He shouldn't complain. ]

Alright, alright... but you don't say one word about this to anybody, got it? They're gonna start thinking I like doing shit like this.

[ Oooh yes, Hank, you're a big grump for sure. And yet he's still climbing onstage... funny how that works. ]

[12d3]

My lips are sealed.

[hes telling everyone]

Though I dunno why it's a problem if people think you like performing on stage. It's quite fun!

[donotlick]

They don't. This ain't my kinda shit at all.

[ And yet, here he is. On stage. With the lead singer from Gorillaz. Dude. It's a little cool. ]

Alright, whenever you wanna get this over with...

[12d3]

[Yeah, 2-D has this little shit eating grin, despite Hank acting like a huge grump. The stage comes to life, and 2-D gives a cue to his fake band members to start, the audience starting to cheer and clap along.

Luckily for Hank it starts with 2-D's rap, and he starts it with a chilling charisma he very much doesn't show off stage. And to condense it down so I'm not just writing a bunch of paragraphs about him performing -- it's pretty freakin' cool. Once the rap ends and the first chorus comes up, he walks over to Hank with an in-character pout and passes off the mic, giving him a few seconds before his cue.]

[donotlick]

[ God, I'm not even gonna pretend Hank is any good. I mean he's not bad but this song is a little out of his range and he's forcing it a little first before he really gets into it.

Because he does get into it after a few lines. Sure, the people are fake and the venue is empty, but fuck it. They're on stage. It's a concert. This is the actual lead singer for Gorillaz and they're just jamming and.... yeah, okay, by the end of it Hank might even have enjoyed himself. A little.

Don't tell anyone!!! He's just catching his breath now that the song is over. ]

So, what'd I tell you? I'm shit, right?

[12d3]

[By the time the song is over, 2-D just has the most excited, and pleased looking grin on his face. There's nothing more fun than performing with friends, and it's been.. a while since he was able to do that last. It was exactly what he needed after how stressful and awful everything had been lately, and he just looks very, genuinely happy.]

Yeah, you gave me a real fright when you started, mate. Way off key.

[But he playfully punches Hank's arm, feeling comfortable around him enough now that they've sung together.]

But when the second chorus hit... wow! You got a grasp on it and banged it out like a natural!

[donotlick]

[ Hank snorts. He's definitely feeling pretty good after belting it out on stage, and he has to admit it's nice to see 2D crack a smile too. ]

Told ya. Singing ain't my thing.

[ Somehow the praise embarrasses him more than the criticism though, and Hank finds himself blushing and shoving 2D right back. ]

Don't gotta sugarcoat it for me. I'll stick to rhythm guitar and backup vocals from here on in.

[12d3]

[The shove knocks 2-D back a little bit, being a twig and all and he stumbles a little with a laugh. He straightens himself back up, with a very excited look in his eyes.]

You can play?

[youve done it now hank youve shown your hand]

[donotlick]

[ Aw, fuck, he's stepped in it now. ]

Eh, a little I guess. I know a couple of chords, that's about it.

[ He'll be sure to knock you down next time, 2D, don't try him!! No one must find out that Hank is actually a nice, sensitive dad!! ]

[12d3]

Some of the best songs are made with just a couple of chords! It's all 'bout how you use 'em.

[He's not about to throw a guitar at Hank though if he doesn't want to play, but he still definitely looks very excited.]

[donotlick]

I mean I can play old shit. The Beatles and stuff, I was always into the classic stuff, growing up.

[ He keeps talking mostly because it's helping 2D and mostly because when he's embarrassed he can't seem to shut up. And ohhh, this is definitely embarrassing, he was probably in a band in high school, don't ask, 2D. ]

[12d3]

[At the mention of The Beatles, 2-D's mind immediately goes to Blackbird. That execution.. the strangling feeling around his throat... he ends up clearing his throat on instinct at the image of it, and his smile looks a little awkward but it's fine this is Fine.]

I was really into the more "oldies" kinda music, too. The Human League, The Specials, The Clash... lots of bands have "the" in the name of 'em, don't they?

[donotlick]

[ Sorry 2D........ Hank's more of a Hey Jude kinda guy, he'll never listen to that one quite the same way. Let's just move on from that particular memory, eh? ]

Yeah, they all thought it was pretty cool, huh? Weren't you guys The Gorillaz?

[12d3]

[That gets an amused looking grin spread on 2-D's face, and he shakes his head.]

Nah, man. We're just "Gorillaz". But it sounds nicer with the... the "The", doesn't it?

[donotlick]

[ That's a lot of "the"s Hank snickers. ]

Makes you sound all important. Guess that's probably why all those other bands went for it.