I just realized that I set it up so that I can't do the Floor Is Lava episode until after Virgil fully heals, otherwise it just won't work the way I planned. So have another interview-esque episode with some guest characters to tide you over. Enjoy! (Also, I realized that I labeled the last chapter as "nine" again, but it made me laugh so I'm going to leave it.)
Chapter Eleven – I Mustache You A Question
It was a few weeks before another video was posted on the ThunderbirdsAreGo channel. All of the comments coming from the channel were centered around "get well" and "we love you", so Penny didn't think that the break was anything to worry about. Everyone just wanted International Rescue to continue on with what they were doing, and for Virgil to heal quickly and completely.
On the flip side, Fischler Enterprises stock had crashed spectacularly, and as such there had been many layoffs. Tracy Industries as offered jobs to many of the suddenly jobless scientists, and those who could had taken the offer immediately. It wasn't a foreseen outcome of the last video, or the lawsuit that had come from it, but it was a fortuitous one.
The screen came up with Lady Penelope pointing the camera at herself, with a small smile. "Hello world," she stated calmly, standing in the lounge at Tracy Villa. "We're on the hunt for an elusive Virgil today," she said. "I've been told he's around here somewhere."
She panned the camera around the room. "Clearly, around here doesn't mean in the lounge." She started making her way to the back hall. "And I know he's not in his studio, as he can't yet paint or draw for long stretches, and he's not in his room. So where could he be?" She peeked into the gym, and into Scott's office—for whatever reason—but Virgil wasn't there.
She found him in the theater room, seated in a massive beanbag with Brains sitting next to him, close enough that their shoulders were touching. Two other people were being projected onto the wall, along with a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo. Clearly, the four were in the middle of some sort of meeting.
"Hello darlings," Penny called as she stepped inside. Virgil and Brains looked up at her, smiling, and the technological formulas disappeared from the wall. "Oops. Am I interrupting something?" she asked.
"Not at all, honey," Virgil said shifting just a little. His left arm was still in a sling, but the bruising was all but faded from his face. A tablet rested in his lap, a stylus in his hand. "Just a little bit of work for TI R&D."
"Moffie darling!" Penny said happily, focusing on the two people on the wall. "And Tycho! How good it is to see you two again! Are you joining Brains and Virgil with the work then?"
"Oh yes," Tycho said with a grin, pushing his glasses up his nose. "They offered me a job with R&D and it's just so fascinating!"
"And you, Moffie?" Penny asked. She was clearly smiling, and the camera changed position to indicate that she had seated herself on one of the couches that lined the wall.
"Uh huh," Moffie nodded with a happy smile. "Hiram talked me into joining. The work that TI does is fascinating and diverse enough that it can keep even me entertained for some time."
"Plus," Virgil said with a slight laugh. "If they're working for us, we'll hopefully not have to rescue them again."
"That's true," Brains said, laughing along. "What, uh, what can we do for…for you Lady P?"
"Well, darlings, I have more questions," Penny said, and there was a rustling of papers.
"What about?" Tycho asked, setting aside a tablet and leaning forward.
"Oh, all sorts of things," Penny replied. "They're for another Q and A video for Youtube. Would you two lovelies like to join in?"
Moffie nodded and Tycho gave a bit of a shrug while Virgil nearly slumped against Brains. "Penny, honey, love-of-my-lie, those questions are so weird though."
"I am not the love of your life and you know it, Virgil Tracy," Penny said sternly, although the humor was clear. "And of course they're weird. I'm getting them from random people off the internet. Now. All four of you choose and number from one to ten."
"Six," Brains said with a confused blink.
"Two," Virgil murmured.
"Eight," Tycho shrugged again.
"One," Moffie grinned.
"Oh good," Penny said. "The order of answers will be Brains, Tycho, Virgil then Moffie, okay?" There were murmurs of assent and Penny cleared her throat. "Hmm. Is there a hole in your underwear right now?"
There was a shocked pause and then Moffie and Virgil burst out laughing. Virgil's died quickly with a pained grunt as he moved to hold his ribs, but Moffie continued for a bit. Tycho gave an amused smile, sending a sympathetic look Virgil's way, and Brains just patted his friend on the shoulder. "No," the scientist said, shooting Penny and the camera an arched look.
"Maybe," Tycho grinned, tilting his head. "I haven't checked." It was said in jest, of course, and the others all gave snorts.
"No," Virgil replied, finally leaning back again as the pain in his ribs ebbed off. "I would have to be wearing underwear for there to be holes in them," he smirked, raising an eyebrow at the camera. It shook as Penny tried to muffle her laughter.
"Oh really?" Moffie drawled, waggling her eyebrows at Virgil from her screen. "You know, if your snuggle-bunny isn't giving you enough-ehem-cuddles, I'm always free," she said, and the others all laughed again. "And yes, I do have a hole in my underwear right now. Would you like to see?"
Penny's laughter finally broke free and she nearly dropped her camera. "Oh no, dear. That's quite alright." She cleared her throat, taking a few steadying breaths. "Okay, do you sing in the bathroom?"
"Not, uh, usually," Brains said. He shrugged then. "Sometimes though."
"Oh, all the time," Tycho said. "But you wouldn't want to hear. I sound like a dying cow."
Virgil tilted his head a bit. "Yes," he commented.
"And in the kitchen, the um bedroom, the of-office, the lounge, uh your Bird, your brothers' b-Birds," Brains counted off, to the snickers of the other. "The uh, the question should, should be does Virgil ever, uh, not s-sing?"
"Thanks," Virgil said, nudging Brains with his shoulder gently. The scientist nudged him back, taking considerable care not to jostle him.
"I sing," Moffie said with a smug smile. "And I don't sound like a dying cow, thank you." She sniffed, tossing her hair. "I sound like a dying cat."
They all broke out into sniggers again, and Penny waved a hand, barely caught by the camera. "Next. If you could be reincarnated as any animal, what would you be?"
There was a pause, everyone blinking at her in confusion, and then Brains shrugged. "An otter." It was said decisively, with no explanation and at the expectant pause he just stared at them, refusing to comment.
"Okaay," Tycho drawled, twisting his lips in thought. "I'd be a cat," he said slowly. "I think I would like that."
"Caterpillar," Virgil stated. At everyone's questioning "what"s he smiled serenely. "Eat a lot, sleep a lot, wake up beautiful. That would be the life," he replied.
"You do know that they only live for a few weeks at most, right?" Tycho said, his eyebrows raised nearly to his hairline.
"Ohh, perks!" Virgil said happily.
"Virgil," Brains groaned, dropping his head to his hand as Moffie giggled. Tycho shook his head and Penny gave a soft laugh.
"I'd be a tamarin," Moffie said, still giggling a little. "Cute, little and still with opposable thumbs."
"A must," Brains agreed. "Next?"
Penny's paper rustled. "What would your theme song be if you had one?"
"Oh oh oh!" Moffie exclaimed, jumping up and down in sudden excitement. "Virgil has actually written all of us theme songs!" Virgil groaned, flushing red and sliding down in his beanbag to hide somewhat ineffectually behind Brains.
"Oh really?" Penny asked, and her surprised glee was clear to all that were listening. "Everyone?"
"Apparently," Tycho said with a fond smile, "Virgil writes music for the people he considers his friends. Which includes everyone currently in this conversation."
The camera shook a bit, as though Penny were copying Moffie's earlier bouncing. "Oh, I just have to hear this!" she exclaimed.
"Can't play right now, Pen," Virgil pointed out, motioning to his arm, still in its sling.
"Oh Virgil," Moffie responded with an amazingly bright grin. "I've got all of them recorded."
Virgil rolled his eyes, letting his head drop to Brains' shoulder. "Of course you do," he muttered.
Moffie turned so that she was facing the camera, typing something into her computer. "Now, he didn't write a song for himself, but he has one for each of his brothers. I'll send those to you at some point. But he does have one dedicated to the Thunderbirds." She pushed a button and piano music played out. It was a jaunty tune, exciting and energetic. (1)
Virgil, if at all possible, turned even more red. "The next piece is for you, Penny," Moffie said happily, queuing up the next piece of music. It was bright but had an air of elegance and aristocracy. There was a fondness to the music, and the earlier theme of the Thunderbirds tied into the song, as though to hint of her part in the organization. Penny gave a smile, turning the camera so she could show the world how pleased she was with the song. (2)
"Now for Brains," Moffie said once the music had ended. And this song was calming, soothing and very lyrical for all that his had no lyrics. It told of a friendship that was deep and long and telling. Brains was smiling, again patting Virgil's shoulder, but his fondness for the large man was evident. The song died away and the room was silent for a moment, as though to give reverence to the piece that had just finished. "And Tycho," Moffie murmured.
This piece was fast paced, a little jumpy and very technical. However, it captured the man on the screen perfectly, and he clearly liked the way the piano sounded as he smiled and rested his chin on his folded hands. It was a short song, and sounded a little unfinished, as though their friendship was new enough that Virgil hadn't had time to figure out an ending yet.
"And myself," Moffie said with a pleased smile. And this song was a mix of chaotic elegance that was so Moffie that she couldn't help but be happy with it. There was a very scientific undertone to the music, although she couldn't explain what it was. When the song finished, she smiled at the embarrassed man. "Virgil, love, you shouldn't be ashamed. Your music is amazing, and we all love the pieces."
There was consent all around and Virgil sighed, finally straightening to show himself again. "Yeah, well…" he muttered. "It's different when you know that everyone and their dog is going to be listening."
"At least you weren't playing, uh, live," Brains commented, and Virgil could only nod.
"Well, that was lovely," Penny said, sitting back a bit, the camera jostling slightly. "But on to the next question, shall we? Do you sleepwalk?"
"No," Brains answered. "I sleep talk. M-math usually."
Tycho shook his head. He didn't give a verbal answer, but one wasn't exactly needed.
"No," Virgil replied. "I sleep like a rock." He gave a sudden, self-conscious grin. "Or a bear, as my brothers say. But Alan used to sleepwalk. We'd find him all over the place. The worst was when he tried to fly Three in his sleep and John only just caught him at it. He's stopped recently, although he's started sleeping on the floor instead."
"I sleepwalk," Moffie admitted. "Not much, but I woke up to find myself doing the dishes once. Only I wasn't washing a dish, but a disk from my computer instead." She shook her head. "That was a day, let me tell you."
Penny huffed a small laugh. "I can imagine. Now, have you ever kissed someone of your own gender?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Well, that's ayes all around," Penny muttered, shuffling her papers again. "And no elaboration? I suppose not. Have you ever faked being ill?"
"I uh, didn't want to, uh go to p-prom," Brains admitted. The others ahh-ed, and he gave a small shrug, flushing slightly. "Didn't have a, uh, date."
"That's too bad," Tycho said, frowning at his friend. "Well did you have fun anyway?" At Brains' nod he quirked a smile. "I've actually never faked sick before," he admitted. "Been tempted to, though. Especially when Universities ask me to lecture. I hate lecturing."
Virgil was blinking tiredly. "I don't have time to fake being ill," he muttered. "And honestly, I generally have some excuse or the other to be off active duty if I want or need. We have decided that mental health days are important and if you need one and we're not understaffed, then you should take one."
"That's probably a good concept to live by," Moffie said, nodding thoughtfully. "I've faked ill before, but I'm not going to tell you why or when." She grinned, eyeing Virgil. "May need to use those excuses at TI sometimes, you know."
Virgil rolled his eyes. "I won't tell if you don't," he responded, and she laughed.
"You okay?" Brains asked Virgil softly when the larger man shifted again, wincing a bit. Virgil gave a half-shrug, careful not to move his left shoulder and Brains huffed. "We may, uh, need to c-cut this short, Lady P."
"Oh, Virgil, dear, why didn't you say anything?" Penny asked, sounding just a little dismayed. "You are looking a little peaked."
Tycho checked his watch. "You're about a half hour late on your pain meds, Virge," he said. "We probably should cut this short. Moffie and I can continue working on what we were talking about earlier."
"Say goodbye to the world, dears," Penny called, aiming the camera their way again, and both Moffie and Tycho waved their goodbyes before their feeds cut off. "And you too, darlings," she said to Brains and Virgil, the former carefully helping the latter to his feet.
"Goodbye world," Virgil grunted, and Brains just gave a little bit of a wave.
"Until next time," Penny said, turning the camera to herself with a smile. "Perhaps I'll corner Gordon or Scott again."
And the screen went black.
HammyHelper00 12 hours ago
Lots of techies answering random weird questions. My kind of video.
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Samantha Riley 11 hours ago
Holy cow that piano was awesome. Man, that boy can play!
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RobertRice234 10 hours ago
I really want to know who Virgil's snuggle-bunny is. Though he'd be cute with any of those nerds, to be honest.
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SoLongThanksForFish 9 hours ago
Poor Virgil. That still looks painful. But at least he's having fun with his friends.
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CameronCanCan 8 hours ago
Caterpillar. Lol. That's a mood if I've ever heard one.
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Author's Note: Song (1) is the Thunderbirds Theme, obviously. It can be played on the piano, and sounds quite nice. Song (2) is Lady Penelope's theme from the 2004 movie, if it could be piano-ized. As for Brains, Moffie and Tycho, I didn't have any exact music in mind for them, although there were pieces of piano music running through my mind at the time. I just couldn't figure out what they came from. If I ever figure it out, I'll let you know.