Mission 006 | Video

[brandnewshoes]

[For the last three weeks, Estelle Bright hasn't been seen much. Sure, she's answered by the communicators in her Warp Band, sometimes. But she was out on a mission.]

[It maybe hasn't gone so well, because she appears abruptly; she's covered in mud. A few tufts of grass stick out from her hair, and she's more mud and dirt than Calderan Enlightened at the moment. She tries to wipe some of it off her face.]

[It doesn't work.]

Public service announcement, people! The wetlands are more like the MUDLANDS. Thanks and goodnight!

[An exasperated sigh later:] I need like fifty million showers.

Comments

[brandnewshoes]

That's what it was like for me, kinda. My dad uses a staff, too--uh, he's an Enlightened like me, and he taught me since I was little.

[She pauses for a moment.]

I guess not quite, I didn't have a tutor, but... similar idea? You stuck with playing, right? Otherwise I just said a bunch of nonsense.

[cutiepanther]

Really? I've never heard of anyone's parents being Enlightened too.. That must have been nice..

[ Her own are not, and she's not sure if any of her friend's parents are either. ]

Yeah, I never wanted to do anything but play music. It's the most important thing to me.

[brandnewshoes]

I heard it's just luck or... something. I'm not sure. It was kind of nice, though.

[She tilts her head, but she smiles; playing music definitely sounds nice to her. It seems like a good thing to want.]

I've never been any good at music, but... it's really nice. I like it. A friend of mine played it a lot, growing up.

[cutiepanther]

I think it would make explaining why I had cat ears suddenly a lot easier...

[ Maki had put that day off for a long time before she told her parents. And it had not been easy for her, even if they seem to be happy for her now. ]

What did your friend play?

[brandnewshoes]

Yeah, that makes sense... and I guess Dad understood better when I was thirteen and I kind of broke a wall once.

[More like twice.]

Harmonica. I know it's not as, uh, hard as a piano, but he was pretty good!

[cutiepanther]

That sounds like something Chie would do.

[ Breaking through a wall on accident. At least, she hopes on accident. ]

It's not any less impressive. Being able to make any kind of music, even if you can only sing without instruments is still important. [ She just loves any and all kinds of music. ]

[brandnewshoes]

It kinda does, doesn't it?

[She knows Chie is pretty tough, after all.]

Yeah... I always liked it. And good music comes from the heart, right? I think I heard that. So the instrument's not as important as that, or... something.

[cutiepanther]

Honestly, I'm pretty sure she has.

[ Maybe...she shouldn't be talking about Chie like that...given that Maki just broke up with her a little while ago. ]

You're right. As long as you love music, it doesn't matter how you make it!

[brandnewshoes]

[Estelle grins and nods -- but then she laughs, sheepish but not embarrassed.]

I usually leave making music to other people, though. It's nicer to the music that way. But I like to listen!

[cutiepanther]

You should come listen to our group sometime. We're still trying to plan a performance, but I hope you can be there!

[ When it comes to something like this, Maki actually sounds full of confidence. ]

[brandnewshoes]

[Estelle doesn't even need to think about that one for long.]

That sounds like fun! I'd love to.

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki looks...a little surprised to hear Estelle's enthusiasm. ]

Th-That's great! I'll make sure I call you when we have our first show.

[brandnewshoes]

[She likes concerts. And seeing people she knows -- or kind of knows, anyways -- play. Win-win! Plus, it should be fun.]

Yeah! I can't wait!