A Musical Practice

[honokairo]

Who: The Love Live! Girls, anyone who lives at Hikawa Shrine, and anyone leaving and entering the shrine! And stalkers. There are stalkers.
What: Practice for performing on stage! Their first practice ever.
When: Sometime in the afternoon, after school is over.
Where: Hikawa Shrine, Union.
Summary: Honoka has finally managed to amass a group of people to get together as a little musical group to perform. They are going to try to practice together for the first time, and that could go any number of ways.

"Hello everyone!" She shouts once all the girls who she expected to come to practice arrive. "I wasn't sure where we could practice, but I'm so glad Rei let us come here and use the courtyard! So!"

She stands, feet at shoulder width, in front of the girls, looking determined as ever.

"We'll do some singing first! And after a little break, we'll try dancing! Someone will need to clap for us to keep time, but we can alternate who does that so everyone gets to practice dancing. And then! We can get something to eat when we're done! If there's someone you don't know, get to know them a little bit before we begin our practice!"

"Okay! Let's start!"

Comments

[nicocism]

There, that's great! See, you just have to pay more attention to the details. If you can't get it all in one go, then break it down.

[Yes, she totally didn't come here to teach any of you]

[honokairo]

Okay! I had problems with this next part! [She starts to perform it for Nico. A turn here, a twist and a part where she crosses over from her spot into another, but her steps are too shallow and it's really obvious that she'll screw up the window if she does it like that.

However, she really can't tell without her dance partner next to her, and they're off doing a different part with someone else.]

[nicocism]

[It's pretty obvious to Nico, though she doesn't fault Honoka - it's hard to tell without a reference point things like that. She waits for her to finish before speaking up]

Yeah, no, you need to take bigger steps... You're trying to take them evenly, right? But while you're worrying about that you're making them too small.

[honokairo]

Bigger ones? [She looks at the ground, trying to imagine taking bigger steps.] Okay, I'll try it again.

[Starting the music, she begins her dance and makes the exact same mistake, the steps being too small and thus ruining what would be the window to the back row of girls.]

I did it again, didn't I.

[nicocism]

Yup. Here, match me.

[Nico walks over so she's right in front of Honoka, and this time when the other girl goes, Nico mirrors her. Her moves aren't quite as practiced but she has the right timing and spacing, demonstrating the correct step sizes for hopefully the other girl to follow.]

[honokairo]

[When Honoka does it with Nico in front of her, she does it perfectly. She waits until Nico steps back to watch again, to perform it again herself. But it's the same mistake. Steps either too small or too big.]

Nico, I don't know how big it needs to be if I don't have the person I need next to me! [She points to her left, where Kotori usually is.] I never know how far to go!

[Inexperience is the culprit, for sure. And removing the point of reference, whether its in front of her or to her side, is really messing her up.]

[nicocism]

It's definitely harder without a person... but that's why you need to practice. Here, I'll stand in for her, but you need to start getting a feel for how big the steps your taking are; you can't always be looking over at me or at your feet.

[honokairo]

[She nods, feeling a little bad that she can't do it on her own, but accepting the help. Letting Nico take Kotori's place, she tries again. She is glancing over to the side to keep her spacing, which she knows she isn't supposed to do, but she can't help it. She hopes Nico doesn't notice.

But, at least she does it right. Having the other person that sort of as a guide in her peripheral vision helped a lot.]

Thanks, Nico! I think I have a better idea of how to do it now! [Not really that much better, but she's going to try as hard as she can.]

[nicocism]

[Nico does, but she knows Honoka isn't going to magically get it right on the first try.]

Make sure you think about how your legs feel and how wide your steps are when you do it, so you can do that without me.

[honokairo]

Yosh! [That determined look again from Honoka. She's going to think so hard about those steps there's no way she'll screw it up.

She dances again. It's better, but it's still not right. Honoka knows she messed up again. She droops, not happy with herself. She needs to get it right! So they can look good and go out and perform...]

[nicocism]

Well, you're getting better. Here, let's alternate with and without me.

[Somehow, despite all her claims to not want any part of this, Nico is now helping Honoka through several reps of this dance]

[honokairo]

[Gladly accepting the help, she dances with Nico one time, another time without, another time with. Over the course of several minutes, Honoka almost has this perfect, even though she will take maybe one step too shallow every now and again, but it's not too bad.]

Nico! I did it! Look! [And then she dances the part just about perfectly. It took a bit of practice, but it worked!]

[nicocism]

Good, finally! Now you just have to be able to nail it the the next time, and the time after that, and the time after that...

[You had your moment of glory now face the harsh reality]

[honokairo]

Ah...

...........

[Oh boy the pressure]

Y-You make it sound so easy-!

[She can do it she knows she can oh god oh god]

[nicocism]

That's what being an idol is! You can't just get it right once, you have to know you'll get it right the next time! You can't get up on stage not knowing whether you'll do it right or not.

[honokairo]

[Wow that seemed like a lot of responsibility, but she'll do it, she'll try, she'll do her best to be as good as she can.]

If that's what being an idol is, then I'll make sure I get it right every time! Thank you, Nico! It sounds hard, but I know if we all work hard enough we'll get it!

[And with that, she continues onto the next part, and despite the fact that she makes a few mistakes in the routine here and there, she looks confident doing it. Like she's having fun, like she'll accomplish this goal she set out for herself and everyone else.]

[nicocism]

Of course it's hard.

[Geez, just what did you girls think you were getting into? This is srs bsns okay?

She watches, occasionally pointing out slips. At least Honoka learns fast.]

[honokairo]

[Honoka tries to fix those slips as best she can, taking all of Nico's advice seriously. Nico does know better than her, and appreciates the help.]

The next time we have a practice, do you think you'd come again? We do need someone to lead. [One that knows what they're talking about.]

[nicocism]

[The idea of admitting she'll be coming again makes her grimace a little, but "lead" has this nice ring to it...]

W, well, I mean, if you're really that stuck for need of help, then I guess I might be able to spare some time for it...!

[honokairo]

[She goes to grab Nico into a big hug.]

That would be great! You know more about this than anyone else I know, it would be a huge help!

[nicocism]

[WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO HER]

H, ha, well, it wouldn't be fair if I just left you all completely in the dust...!

[oh right because she's a sucker for flattery]

[honokairo]

[Honoka knows that of Nico. It's way too obvious. But she's glad that Nico will come back, she truly is more than welcome.]

Next week then! [And by then maybe Honoka will work her magic and get Nico to join huehuehue]

[nicocism]

Well, I'll see you girls then!

[She is so smug and not going to realize how badly she fucked up until she gets home]