2nd Song | Video/Action

[honokairo]

Video:

[She figures not everyone knows her name (most probably don't) so here she is again, introducing herself-]

Hi everyone! I'm Honoka Kousaka, from Caldera! I came to Union a while ago, and I wasn't sure what I would find, but what I did find was...

Singing! And dancing! And that makes people happy! [Guess who's seen some shows and went to the charity concert.]

I'm not very good, but I've been practicing. I have a Jigglypuff who's been giving me lessons, and she scolds me sometimes for messing up, but I've been working hard! And maybe one day, a bunch of us can do the same thing together.

I want to know if anyone else likes to do that too!

Action:

[Honoka can be found out in Union in various places. Idol training is hard! And Jigglypuff is making her run. She looks worn out and is whining a little about it, but she's still trying.

Later, there's dance lessons...those are going alright, but then she's not exceptionally talented at it either. It's obvious if you happen across their path.

And at the end of the day, singing lessons, right outside too- and Honoka sounds okay, but that Swellow that's with them trying to sing along is horrific!]

Comments

[cutiepanther]

I thought you said you were taking this seriously, Honoka?

[ Maki turns her back on the other girl, showing a little tough love. She does look back over her shoulder though with one eye closed, seeing how Honoka will react. ]

[honokairo]

I'm sorry Maki! I didn't know what to sing! I can sing a better one!

[She starts singing this song, which is well...not...idol like, but hey, being classically trained helps, right? Jigglypuff thought so. Honoka isn't doing the best job either.

Maybe Jigglypuff's methods aren't the best, but the pokemon is quite good at what she does. The performing part, that is.]

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki turns around fully when she starts to sing, her face turning into little less of a scowl. Honoka is trying, that much seems to be clear, but she's not anywhere near where Maki would say she could be if she worked harder. ]

You should be able to differentiate your notes better. You need to raise your singing by another octave too for that song.

[ Finally deciding to stop being so hands off, Maki strides over to Honoka, placing a hand right on her stomach, without warning. ]

Try to match me, and sing from your diaphragm. Do~ [ Maki's voice is stable and pretty, it's clear she has a lot of practice. ]

[honokairo]

[She's not so sure what it means to sing from her diaphragm, but she gives it a shot. She's a little surprised when Maki puts her hand on her stomach, but it's no big deal. She listens to Maki, and nods. She'll try.]

Do-! [Not quite, but she's not off pitch too badly or anything. It's also a little nasal.]

[cutiepanther]

[ If Honoka doesn't know, Maki will teach her. When she hears that bit of nasally sound in her voice, Maki pushes harder against the girl's stomach, trying to make her point. ]

You have to sing from your diaphragm! There's too much tension in your voice.

[honokairo]

[With the push, she stands a little straighter.]

Okay! [DETERMINED FACE]

Do~ [Much better.] Is that better Maki?

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki's eyes open a little wider in mild interest. Honoka actually can sing, can't she? Either she has a hidden talent in it, or she's been working harder than Maki's given her credit for. ]

Just because you can sing a note doesn't mean you're done!

[ Without thinking about it, Maki reaches out to grab the other girl's hand, pulling her along. ]

We'll go to my house and use my piano.

[honokairo]

Oh...okay! [Guess she's going to Maki's house for lessons! She's not going to fight it.]

Does that mean you're going to help?

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki's still holding onto Honoka's hand around her wrist pulling her along, refusing to let go in fear of Honoka simply running off and getting lost. ]

Just for a little while. I don't want you to make a fool of yourself.

[honokairo]

[Honoka's face brightens. She's very glad for that. Maki isn't saying no. Maybe...just maybe...

Maki would come...sing with them...]

Can I ask you something else? Some of us are going to have a practice at Rei Hino's shrine...would you come and tell us if we're doing okay?

[JUST A LITTLE AT A TIME, JUST A LITTLE.]

[cutiepanther]

[ It's true she's not saying no, but Maki hasn't really thought of working WITH other people, just helping them try to catch up to her. She's just not the type to think of herself playing well with others. ]

What is it? [ Maki's still walking, but listening. ]

You have a group now? Do any of you know how to create music at all?

[honokairo]

It's the start of a group! [Kind of.] I don't know if they know how to write music...they just want to perform like I do!

[Oh yeah, another aspect of this she didn't think through all the way.]

[cutiepanther]

[ Still pulling her. ]

Do you know how many people you want in the group? Or what type of music you are going to sing? Why even do this if you aren't serious about it?

[ She's not being mean on purpose, she just isn't good at this kind of thing. ]

[honokairo]

I thought we could have as many people as we can find. And I wanted to sing happy, upbeat music. [She figured at least that much.]

We are serious! This is something I really want to do, it's important to me!

[cutiepanther]

That's not a style of music, that's just a theme. You need someone who can actually create music, someone who can write lyrics, it's not easy.

[ And soon they are at Maki's place, finally letting go of the other girl's hand with a bit of an embarrassed look away. ]

If it's really important then I will help you a little. I wouldn't feel good seeing you fail right away if I can help it.

[honokairo]

Thank you, Maki! [She wonders if she can convince Maki to write their music. She is really, really good. SHE'S GOING TO TRY.]

Now that I think of it, you write really amazing music. Would you...want to write music for us?

[cutiepanther]

[ That question. That's somehow what she didn't want to hear at all. Or maybe..it's all she wanted to hear. Either way, Maki's response is the same, twirling her hair, sitting down at her piano, looking away from Honoka. ]

Let's just try to make sure you can even sing first..

[honokairo]

[She stands, prepared to try to sing again. Maybe if she tries really hard and looks like she wants it bad enough, Maki will agree to write for them.]

Alright! I'm ready!

[cutiepanther]

[ That would be a good start. Maki is the type of girl who doesn't jump into other's silly schemes after all. But so much of her wants to perform, and make friends, even if she can't admit it. ]

Just follow after me, and try to match the notes alright?

[ Maki touches her fingers on her piano, before following along with her own voice, trying to instruct Honoka as best she can. She's a stern, tough teacher, but fair. ]

[honokairo]

[Honoka sings along, trying to listen to the notes. She's not doing too badly, her voice still a little nasal from not quite knowing how to sing correctly, but she's at least in tune.]

How was that Maki?

[cutiepanther]

From your diaphragm, don't forget Honoka!

[ Maki is tough, but she feels...good teaching Honoka. Even if she tries her best to hide it. ]

...But that was better. You're getting the hang of it.

[honokairo]

[Honoka beams back at Maki.]

You don't make me sing too high or too low...you can tell what's good for a person, can't you?

[cutiepanther]

[ D-Don't smile at her so much Honoka, it's embarrassing!! ]

I-It's only natural, I've been studying music for a long time, I can tell where a person's best range is. But you still need some practice with control of your tone.

[honokairo]

Well.... I know I already asked you about writing music for us, but...

It would be more than enough if you could only listen to us sing. Then you could tell us what we should be working on!

[See, there's no need to participate, just tsun like she does best, it's totally totally totally easy Maki she promises there's like hardly any effort.]

[cutiepanther]

I feel like you're just going to keep asking me for more.

[ Maki frowns, moving the hair out of her face, opening a new page on her book in front of her. ]

Here, I'll teach you how to read this, so you can follow along with a new song.

[ Patting the bench next to her, she slides over and makes room for Honoka. ]