Testrun Meme - March & April

[bravenewmods]

TESTRUN MEME

1) With spring fast approaching, Pokémon contests have become more prevalent, and stages have been cropping up all over Union. An open mic competition is being held in the park, and a trio of Jigglypuffs can be found taking the stage. Needless to say, they probably won't be a fan favorite...

2) Refuge has opened its gates to the people of Union, Caldera and Citadel, in the most hospitable way they feel possible: A party. Some have come to explore the expansive underground city, but mostly, word has spread about how Refuge's brews are on point. They don't seem to discriminate on age, either.

3) The great tree in Citadel is blooming a myriad of colors. The people are celebrating with a great festival among the various tribes that call Citadel and the surrounding area its home. This involves flower arranging, lots of meat, and, of course, a tournament to prove one's meddle in battle.

4) The city of Caldera is starting a major production project and they need workers. The forges are constantly going day and night and the pay's good, but it's hot, hard work that'll leave you tired and achy to say the least.

5) Wildcard! Come up with a prompt!

Comments

[echoingmelody]

[Unfortunately, it would be a little difficult to carry a piano around, otherwise odds are Xiu would have that instead of the keyboard. However, she beams at the red haired girl as she answers.]

Lots of practice!

[cutiepanther]

[ That would be a problem. But that doesn't explain anything at all to Maki who just narrows her eyes suspiciously. ]

I mean, how do you play them all at once like that?

[echoingmelody]

[Xiu just looks...sort of clueless for a moment.]

I dunno. It's just sort of my thing, you know?

[cutiepanther]

[ Eyes narrowing more!!! ]

...That's not usually a thing anyone else can do, you know. Most of us just play one at a time!

[echoingmelody]

Well, I can't choose just one.

Gotta flow with the music!

[cutiepanther]

That's not how playing an instrument works!

[ She hates to think of people taking shortcuts in learning music! ]

[echoingmelody]

Why not? It took a while to learn them all, learning all their notes and keys from scratch.

[That's right, no sheet music or anything here. It all comes from her heart and soul!]

[cutiepanther]

Well...that's good... but it's still not normal!!

[echoingmelody]

There are a bunch of people who aren't normal.

I've seen guys who could control fire and stuff.

[cutiepanther]

[ That's true, she herself has cat ears and a tail, her girlfriend has wings now... Maki just sighs, and hangs her head. ]

I just have never seen anyone play music like that before. I'm kind of jealous...

[echoingmelody]

[Yeah, Maki's way weirder!]

Do you play instruments too?

[cutiepanther]

[ Rude, she is not!! She's still a normal girl...who can just transform sometimes. ]

I play a few, but I mostly sing and play the piano.

[echoingmelody]

[WEIRD. Xiu doesn't have any weird appendages or anything. Unless her instruments count.]

Pianos are nice, but a little hard to carry around.

[But she smiles and gestures to the keyboard.] That's why I have this, though!

[cutiepanther]

[ Yes, those count! ]

Most people don't carry them around. Or play without touching the keys themselves. I'm still confused how you can actually do that. Is it some kind of Enlightened ability?

[echoingmelody]

Enlightened?

[She's not quite sure what that is. Rather, she's never heard the term before.]

Hm...it's liiiiike an extension of my body, you know?

[cutiepanther]

Enlightened...like me. I can shift into a Pokemon. I don't know where I got the power but I just can do it now.

[ Really, she can't explain. ]

...I-I guess that's how I'd explain how I can play a piano too. But I spent my whole life learning how to play from a tutor.

[echoingmelody]

So we're in the same boat then. I can just play my instruments.

[HA. See Maki, she's just as normal as you. Maybe.]

All I remember is I spent a lot of time learning to play them all.

[cutiepanther]

Y-Yeah... I guess it is.

[ But she's still never seen an ability like that! Imagine if Maki had it, she could sing and dance and play music at the same time! ]

Did you grow up here in Union?

[echoingmelody]

[It's definitely an ability to be jealous of.]

This is my first time here.