• Published 20th Aug 2014
  • 897 Views, 49 Comments

Rez: Eqstr[Tera] - NiGHTcapD



Crossover with a game. The hacker from "Rez" finds his network connected to a completely different world, yet physically they remain separated. Connections are made and things are learned on both sides.

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14: Interplay

I'm crying at my desk.

I never thought I'd be crying at desk, or crying for these reasons, ever. But I gave information to these guys and something snapped inside me. Confound these ponies. They make me feel extremes, good and bad!

"Rez? Are you okay?"

"Friggin' Buster Wolf Do I sound okay to you?" I invisibly scan the area, just so I know who's watching, 100% scan 0% laser. Turns out, my breakdown attracted close to the whole town; at the very least, everyone I've met is watching and listening, but no one wants to interfere. Especially when the niggling sensation of melodic words is becoming slightly more irresistible. "Yes, I needed to tell someone eventually, I guess. No, I don't think I'll ever be able to tell my friends on my world who I am...who I am. But I just want them to...you hear it too, don't you? All of you?"

Everyone nods. "You don't have to do it alone, Rez. I have an instrument too, remember? You have us. Someone knows."

"Not someone who has any impact on my life! And as much as anypony wants to give me a feel-better hug, or anything of the sort...you can't..." And my voice switches seamlessly into the song.

But I'd give up forever to touch you
since I know you guys feel me somehow.
You're the closest to heaven I've seen from my hell
so yeah, don't want solitude right now.

Their faces tell it all. They get the tone, but are humming along anyways. I feel like my synth/piano is playing a different cover than Lyra's harp, even though it all sounds just like it should.

And all I can taste is this moment,
And all I can breathe is the life. Literally, as the harmony is beginning to play off my synesthesia. Is this how Eden felt during the reboot?
Although sooner or later it's over,
I just don't wanna miss you tonight.

But I don't want the world to see me,
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand...
When everything's made to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am. Bam. That's the message. That's my one wish, that I've never been able to fulfill. And not one of them misses it. Some of them get closer, and Fluttershy specifically goes over wholesale to the bench and hugs my avatar. I simply take a deep breath though, as the next verse is allowed up my throat.

And I can't fight the tears that ain't coming Except they are...
or the moment of truth in the lies, No lies. Just incomplete data.
but when everything feels like the movies... Or the books...
I may bleed just to show I'm alive! That got a reaction. A cryer or two, or at least a wince. A few more huggers, even though we all know it's futile. But the message is clear: they feel sorry for me. The alien. They truly believe friendship is a strong force, magic or not, and you know what? I'm inclined to agree with them.

And you don't want your world to see you,
'Cause you fear that they won't understand...? There are no words to describe how good it feels that she sang with me, even for just that one bit.
But when everything's hopeless and broken,
I need someone to know who I am...

And then the solo. Three sets of three sets of "banged chords" in rapid succession, all leading up to a rather intricate interweave of strings and keys. But during the last few bars before the last chorus, I find myself not playing an essential part...the six notes that originally sounded like they were played on a violin. An odd silence with no leadup? Must be another verse.

"Don't you worry about it, dear. If you need us, we're all right here for you."

You don't have to give up just to touch us,
we all know you can feel us from home! Pinkie manages to wave a banner in front of me, and suddenly I feel all warm and fuzzy. Like I'm being hugged. That magnificent pony is smarter than anyone gives her credit for.
You're the best kind of guy we could have as a friend
You don't have to go through this alone.

Silence before the storm, as I play the quiet bars. This time, the rising notes come 1...2...3......1...2...3.

And I can't let the world to see me!
Still, I hope someone will understand.
But when everything's made to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am.
I just want you to know who I am.
I just want you to know who I am...

*sniff* "I...don't feel so bad anymore. Nothing personal though, but I'm going to stay away from this area of the net for a bit...I have some stuff to catch up on in my real life."

"Come back anytime. I'm always okay to play more, and you're welcome here anytime."

I log out.



Smiling.

Author's Note:

Two versions, official and cover, because different quantities of strings and piano. Even though I attached them to the opposite ones, the originality of them is correct, that's what I based that off of.
Iris, by the Goo Goo Dolls. KiritoAsunaSAO9 is to thank for ending my indecisiveness on the song choice. (This was the other one.)
I think I'm going to go on hiatus...not for as long as others, and maybe not as long as last huge wait, but intentionally this time. Stuff for other stuff, but don't think I'll have ever forgotten about this. In the meantime, feel free to ask me or Rez anything in the comments.
Also yeah, I could have made bits of this more smooth, lemme know how and I'll fix that much immediately.
Thank you guys. For everything.