How to Win an Election Without Even Running

[not_over_yet]

[ So. Many things have been pretty awful lately. But Randy gave Basil a very unique opportunity, and. Well. Freddie had always been as much for showmanship as their first host--down to the execution: she went out on her terms, with very impressive results. Basil's not about to pass up the closest thing to a victory they've had so far.

He can't do much on his own, but he finds a few others willing to help ok so they did the majority of the actual work. Point is, there's something to celebrate, and they're going to do just that.

Going through Freddie's room (of course he's looting it, she told him to) and setting things up both take time, but eventually the others will find handwritten invitations slipped under their doors.
You Are Cordially Invited To The
~INAUGURAL CELEBRATION~
of
Manor President
~ Freddie Facilier ~
( Dining Room; bring your own liquor, due to compromise )

Hanging on the wall opposite the room's casino-side entrance is a large blue banner--oddly on-base as far as matching the color of that wand-splosion--which sports metalic-gold lettering, declaring:

winner of the 2018 Manor-Presidential election
~ FREDDIE FACILIER ~


Vice Presidents
MABEL PINES and ACKBAR THE PIG
will act on her behalf during our president's absence

...That may be the most tasteful decoration in the room, as Basil told VP Mabel to raid both the sewing and art rooms for "anything in colors that would remind one of our president". There's a lot of extremely vivid violet everywhere.

There's food, naturally--provided by Lekmet--and. Well, technically no alcohol served, but as the invitations stated, there's nothing preventing you from bringing your own. ]

Comments

[bayoublues]

[Uh.]

Your...?

[Sorry, Gaston, he's just not getting it. It's not often you meet someone with their own theme song.]

[athleticallyinclined]

My song?

[ Surely he knows it. If nothing else, Gaston's probably been humming it to himself on and off since day one. ]

The one in the foyer?

[bayoublues]

Oh. Oh! Oh, yeah. Your song. The song that belongs to you. That song.

[To be honest, it's been a while since he's pressed any of the buttons on the bios, but he thinks he can remember what it sounds like. It was pretty catchy, after all. He thinks about it for a moment before lifting the trumpet to his lips.]

Okay. But, lemme warn you, it might not sound too good. This is my first time playin' it.

[And he launches in to a shaky cover of Gaston's song. It...sounds less impressive without any other backing instruments, but overall, it seems good enough. He plays a few rounds of the chorus before stopping.]

...Does it just keep goin' like that, or...?

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Gaston starts out by nodding along to the beat, then humming. By the time Louis pauses, he's tapping his foot. ]

Yes, yes! [ He waves a hand irritably. ] Don't stop now, this is the good part!

[metal gear noise] !

[bayoublues]

Oh. Ooookay!

[He hastily begins to play again--this time, correcting any mistakes he made during the chorus. He begins to branch out into the actual song once he starts to remember the melody.

He manages to play through the whole song with only a few mistakes. He dramatically pauses before the last note and plays the finale as loud as he possibly can.

Despite the fact that it's about Gaston, of all people, it's a pretty nice song!]

Uh, um, sorry, but--who exactly wrote this song for you?

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Now he's in a good mood. He actually starts singing along near the end, up to and including the big finale. Everything is great and normal and just like it should be, with nobody punching him and people playing songs about how amazing he is. Until Louis asks that question.

Instantly, Gaston's happy expression disappears, and he snorts in disgust, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at nothing. ]

...It doesn't matter.

[bayoublues]

[Hmmm. He probably shouldn't push his luck with someone like Gaston, but his reaction leaves him curious. After a moment of consideration, he takes a careful step backwards, out of grabbing distance.]

Oh? I'd, uh, figured you'd appreciate 'nd remember someone who wrote a song 'bout your greatness 'nd stuff.

[He wants to add, 'Did they realize how much of a moron you were?' but he definitely knows if he says that, Gaston would probably threaten him or even punch him. He's not that dumb.]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Smart move, Louis. Gaston's scowl deepens. ]

I didn't say I didn't remember!

But apparently he's done with me. Apparently he has new friends, and he doesn't need me anymore.

[ Can you hear the sarcasm. ]

So I'm done with him, too.

[ Despite the picture still crumpled up in his pocket. He's just going to keep pretending that doesn't exist. ]

[bayoublues]

[Sort of a sensitive topic, huh? He studies Gaston for a moment, tapping his claws together.

God, he really doesn't wanna do this, but it might help make Gaston slightly less...murder-y and feel better.]

Y'know, it's okay to talk about your feelings and stuff, 'specially when you're upset. Kim told me to talk to other people about my problems. [Or something like that.] That way you can get it off your chest, y'know?

[athleticallyinclined]

[ He gives Louis an offended look. ]

Are you saying my chest can't handle all that...stuff?

[ He's not about to say feelings. ]

[bayoublues]

N-No! I'm just sayin', sometimes it's hard to get it all out, y'know?

[Lord, does he know.]

Listen, just admitting that you have a weakness makes you stronger, y'see? 'Cus, like, you're...acknowledgin' it, I think. And, uh...tryin' to make it better, and then you become a better person.

Probably.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Admitting...to a weakness? ]

That doesn't make any sense!

If I don't admit I have a weakness, maybe it's because I don't. Did you ever think of that?

[bayoublues]

[sounds fake but ok]

Oh, come on. Everyone has a weakness. That's what makes us all livin' beings, y'know?

[A thought occurs to him.] I-I mean, just last week, when Randy was givin' out those photos. You obviously have someone you care for, right? That's--I mean, I guess that's sort of a small weakness.

[Is he pushing his luck? Most definitely.]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Big mistake. Gaston growls deep in his throat, speaking through clenched teeth. ]

That picture...was a mistake.

[bayoublues]

[Yikes. Talk about emotional baggage. Louis shrinks away from Gaston, trying to avoid eye contact with him.]

O-Oh. O...Okay. Sorry. Won't talk about it any more. No sir! Not a peep from me!

[uhhhh how to make this better]

Uh...h-how 'bout another song, huh?

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Avoiding eye contact and cringing away from him. That's better. He sighs loudly obnoxiously, but waves a benevolent hand in the air. ]

Go on.

[bayoublues]

[doot doot. He plays Gaston's theme, perhaps a bit more frantic than earlier. Yes. This will help placate him.]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ This is better. Gaston clearly still isn't happy, but he leans back in his chair, listening to the music and eventually starting to nod and hum along.


You may be safe for now, Louis. ]