melodicnocturne | Twelfth Melody [Text]

Twelfth Melody [Text]

Jack, made it to Goldenrod this morning. I'll be around the stores looking for costume ideas, so feel free to look out for me if you're around there today.

If you see a guy in a coat with long red hair and black tips following me, don't worry. His name's Fugue and he's a Zoroark. He's really good at transforming and likes to show off sometimes. A lot of people have asked about him before, so I wanted to give you a heads-up.

Sorry if this is a bother, but I'm looking for someone by the name of Other Father. Jack told me to try and contact you once I got to Goldenrod City, I'm a traveling musician and I plan to attend his party. I can give you a show of my skills if you'd like, as I was wondering if you'd be open to a second act performing with you. I can do other things if you'd prefer to play solo, though.

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I'll ne~ver turn down a jam session, if that's what you're offerin'.

[His grin is wide, really quite happy at the idea of performing with others! A one man band is never quite as great as multiple people.

He gives a little half-circle wave, before pushing his glasses back up his nose a little.]

I'm the Other Father.

Oh, hey there. Nice to meet you, I'm Demyx. I guess you could say I'm a big fan of Jack's work, I knew a lot about him in the world I'm from.

[He waves back, grinning sheepishly as he explains.]

I'd love to jam, I'm a guitarist and partnering up with other instruments definitely brings out the best qualities of a good acoustic. What's your instrument of choice?

The King mu~st be popular.

Pluck those stri~ngs, Mr. guitarist; bass or lead?
I'm a piano man myself, but throw me an instrument and I'll give it a shot.

[He was made to be a musical genius for his daughter, so he picks them up pretty quickly. Jazz instruments are his forte, though.]

Whatever suits the moment, but I'm used to the lead.

[Musically, at least. Considering his lazy, mischievous way of handling things it's just about the only thing he used to do the lead for. Not as much of a problem these days, though.]

A piano? That's great! We could play off each other for some Jazz or Folk style. Are you good at improv? Freeform Jazz would be good for a party scene.

Improvisation le~ads the way to endless possibilities. But I'm sure we'll see that at the party?

[AKA Yes, yes, and freeform jazz. Other Father doesn't really get excited ~~because he's too smooth for that~~, but he was definitely happier when you mentioned jazz.]

Totally! It'll be nice to work with somebody else for a while. I've been going about on my own for too long, playing off a partner will be great. I'll see you there!

[...wait, he has absolutely no idea where 'there' even is.]

Er...I just remembered. Where's the party going to be hosted at? I think I forgot to get the location off of Jack when I was speaking to him... Whoops.

[Demyx reaches up to scratch the back of his neck nervously. Oh, the awkwardness of being a fanboy and forgetting things when you're talking to an idol.]

The mo~re, the me~rrier the mu~sic.

[He attaches the address he's been given in text.]

I'd say get there for set-up, so we can give some of the pre-written songs a whirl. We can see if Jack's got some songs for us.

'Kayo. I'll see if I can't find Jack today and talk to him about that. Knowing him, he probably already has a lot of ideas. Nobody does Halloween like Jack, after all.

In the meantime, I'll be around the shops looking for costume ideas grabbing some things for the boys. If you see us about don't be a stranger, yeah?

Try the Breeding Center. I'm workin' there later; sing me a tune if you come on by.

[He chuckles.] At what he does, he is the best- or so I hear.

[He was bit... preoccupied last Halloween.]

For the boys? [He figures you mean your Pokémon, but he doesn't want to be mistaken.]

Breeding center, gotcha. I'll come around later today.

[Demyx shifts the gear in his hands and points it over to the pair behind him. A Gallade and a Zoroark walking along with Demyx both look up to the camera and acknowledge that they are being observed momentarily before the view returns to Demyx.]

The 'mons, sorry. These two aren't the only ones, but I've got a pair of eggs and a Growlithe that's resting up from the trip here.

Ca~n't wait!

Restin' up, hm?

[That triggers a thought.]

Where're you staying, Demyx?

...I... have no idea, actually. I only got here this morning, so I haven't even put thought to it. Jazz, the Growlithe, ran us here from Ecruteak, and before that I was in the caves trying to get from Mahogany after the film party. He was tired when we got here, so I've got him resting in the ball for now.

[He turns back to look at his partners, then considers his options.]

We stayed at the center for a few days while I was here last. I guess that's normal for trainers, though. Never have been in one place for too long.

[Not since his traveling companions vanished, at least.]

We've got a spare room at home. For the moment, it's just me and my kids. You could stay for a while, if you'd like?

There's a music room, too. Though some of the instruments are off-limits.

[Only because they belong to the kids. The baby-piano, turntables and Violin aren't his.]

Really? Wow...that's really nice of you.

[Excuse him while confused blinking because how does respond to generosity.]

I...I won't just loaf about. If you need help with anything, I'm your man. Just let me know about the rules of the house and you can count on me to follow.

There's no~ need to do anything; it'll be my pleasure to have you.

[Although...]

'Though, if you're any good with food, I couldn't say no.

[No seriously. His cooking is atrocious. Children have cowered from his dinners, so he just tries not to cook.]

O~nly house rules are to respect everything and everyone; the kids don't like their stuff bein' used either, but I'm pre~tty sure that comes under respect.

I guess I'm okay with cooking...I mean, I used to cook sometimes while I was staying with some friend, and I haven't poisoned myself yet on the road. I must be doing something right. If you've got cookbooks, I should be able to manage fairly alright.

[In his head, the situation adds up fairly quickly. He feels kind of bad for the man when he considers living with a house full of kids and being unable to cook well, but at least it seems they manage well enough.]

Okay, easy enough then. Could you give me the address there?

_{[Ever since Jack got wind that Demyx had arrived, he set out from the Breeding Centre and took to the shadows. Behind buildings, through alley ways, across window sills, on roof tops. He was bound to be everything the boy imagined him to.]

[And that meant scaring the shit out of him.]

[He eventually spotted Demyx on his way out of a Goldenrod shop. Jack descended like a vulture in a windsuit and melded with the shadows cast by a Dragonair-shaped shrubbery. He had to wait for the perfect moment.]

[When said perfect moment came, Jack made his move. He sprang from behind the pokemon-shaped greenery and let fly a scream that would put most banshees to shame.]}

So, that's for Jazz. I got supplies for the week...And, what did you want us to go check out, Fugue?

[Demyx had only just left the mart on his way back to the Department Stores when he paused to stop and look over to the figure he had described to Jack earlier in his message. A Gallade nearby glanced up to Demyx and relayed a quick message through telepathy to which the blond nodded in understanding.]

Okay, so...you're serious about this?

[Fugue nodded in response, adding a 'Zoro-zoro' in a firm tone.]

Alright, we'll go look at some training books before-

[Before he could finish that sentence, however, he heard something coming behind him and whirled around on his heels. What greeted him was, of course, the frightful sound and sight of Jack scaring the shit out of him. The blond flew backwards in fright, nearly three feet off the ground as he went straight into his companions. Demyx screamed, his face went pale from fear and shock while Fugue rushed forward to catch him.]

[The blond landed in his partner's arms and was cautiously placed behind the tall male, only for the figure to fade back into his natural form and growl menacingly back at the enemy. The Gallade was right beside Fugue, its elbow-blades extended defensively and ready to strike.]

[That moment never came, however, because once Demyx was able to come to his senses he did the most natural thing imaginable to him. He burst into a fit of side-splitting laughter, nearly doubling over on the ground.]

Oh, man! That was great! Picture perfect, just what you'd expect.

[It was astounding that he managed to keep the words together in his state, still pale faced despite the fits of giggles escaping him with intermingled words. The 'mons stood dumbstruck at their partner, each slowly letting their respective guard down again and returning to the blond male's side. A few minutes later and Demyx had managed to more or less compose himself again, though he was still slightly pale and giggling every few moments under his breath.]

Ya got me, Jack. Oh, man, did you ever. How long have you been following us?

_{[Jack recoils, but only so Demyx's pokemon don't outright attack him. He grins broadly and holds up his hands in a universal 'no weapons' gesture until the possible danger has passed.]}

Oh, long enough. I'm glad to see you arrived in one piece!

It's okay guy, it's cool. It's Jack, he's...a friend. I think...

[And he does have to think about that, actually. The concept of friendship is new to him all over again, even now, and having the heart to forge bonds with others. He knows that his partners are all his friends, and that he's made a few friends along the way during his travels...but, being a Nobody still has him left with mixed feelings.]

Yeah, we made it into town earlier this morning. I was just going shopping now that we've all had a bit to rest.

[At the center, which is certainly better than nothing.]

...Y'know. It's weird, meeting you in person finally. Out of all the worlds I could ever get the chance to do it, I'm actually kinda glad it's this one. I mean...we're both human, and that might be strange to you, but where I come from...it's, well...it's something that you can miss being if you aren't a lucky guy.

[Vague, sure. But he didn't want to bring the mood down any more than that already had. Sure, if Jack wanted to know more Demyx would be happy to add on whatever, but that was for him to decide.]

Oh, yeah. So I caught Other Father on the network, he's an awesome guy. I'm gunna be staying at his place for a little while. It'll be nice to have a real bed for a while after spending so long passing between the centers and a tent. Traveling's been great, but man have I missed beds...

_{[Jack tilts his head a little, but doesn't push the subject.]}

Well, to be honest, I could have done without the eyeballs, but you can't be too choosy!

_{[ :I One of his best friends used to be a vegetable. Literally.]}

Oh, that's fantastic! Hah, I don't blame you. I'm no fan of camping myself. If I see another cave again, it'll be too soon.

_{[Jack's entire face blanks for a moment. He remembers Union Cave. He remembers the close quarters, savage pokemon, and the unending garbled ODDISH ODDISH ODDISH of his broken poke'gear off the stone walls.]

[He shakes himself.]}

Once I got here, I never left! I don't see myself leaving any time soon either.

Oh, man, you too? We had to trudge outta Mount Mortar on the way back from Mahogany after the movie party. Worst week ever.

[Demyx huffs, because he is done with caves forever too Jack. Card carrying member of the 'done with every cave or cavern in existence they are nothing but trouble' club. But he grins again quickly to cover things and sweep the mood away with a joke.]

Y'know, they say it's the best feeling when you can find a place to rest your weary old bones. Guess that's Goldenrod, then.

[Let it never be said that Demyx refrains from the opportunity to make any pun available. No matter how miserably bad. The dirty blond shrugs, and motions back towards the two 'mons. First to the Zoroark, then to the Gallade.]

Jack Skellington, meet Fugue the Zoroark and Alto Clef the Gallade. Jazz the Growlithe is sleeping from the trip up here. Big guy carried me the whole way here in record time.

[Including musical puns for all of his 'mons. The two 'mons wave at Jack, then carry on as they were before having gone on maximum defense mode. Fugue silently fades into a shadow-like ripple, then blinks back into existence as the humanoid shape he had been holding previously.]

...Fugue's got a nifty trick, as you can see. Apparently his whole species is like that, pretty sweet. Alto over here's a telepath, too. I'm surrounded by awesome!

_{[Jack lets out a 'heh' at the mention of bones. Demyx and Heather are going to keep him on his toes with the great pun war. The ex-skeleton regards each pokemon wtih a broad, curious grin. He's never seen a pokemon pull a trick like Fugue's. Jack's brows drift upwards as he allows himself to be fully impressed.]}

That's fantastic! A friend of mine has a ditto that occasionally pretends to be a pair of glasses, but I've never seen a pokemon take on human form.

_{[Something like that...would come in amazingly handy in the haunting department. It wasn't quite a werewolf, but it was close!]}

Where did you find such a pokemon?

[Fugue for his own part at this moment? Loving the attention more than he probably should. So much so that he actually grins a bit, which then shows off that under his human lips are a perfectly Zoroark set of chompers, sharp and canine. However, once the Zoroark realizes he's grinning he quickly looks off and straightens his expression. Gotta look cool, gotta look cool.]

Here, actually. At the breeding center. It was....actually probably a few weeks after I arrived, I wanted to find some other 'mons to start off with besides Alto.

[Demyx had been watching Fugue the whole time, entirely amused at how much of a show-off the little Zorua he had months and months ago has grown up to be. Then again, he wasn't going to let the moment slide without a quick quip.]

Y'know, I always figured you loved an audience.

[Fugue quickly bristles, then looks over grumpily toward Demyx. A half-hearted growl and some flailings of his arms are aimed toward the offending blond, but the disguised Zoroark makes it clear he isn't very flustered by his trainer's chiding.

Demyx chuckles and steps out of the way of the arms, raising his own jokingly to guard.]

Hey, c'mon, just kidding... Grump!

[Fugue rolls his eyes and grins again, then settles down again and decides to watch Jack out of curiosity.]

When I started out, it was me, Alto, Fugue, and Capello the Murkrow. Then, I caught a Solosis during the psychic swarm...Then Courage the cowardly Onix. Then Jazz...Heh, 'Courage' the cowardly Onix and Jazz the Growlithe of 'Justice.' Man, I attract the weirdest friends...

Anyway, the Zorua are illusionary species. They have the power to transform themselves using illusions into other pokemon or human shapes. When they evolve, that power gets super-strong. In fact, the 'gear says some Zoroark are able to make illusions large enough to disguise entire dens. Like...house sized illusions, just from one of these big guys. Can you imagine? Bet you could make one heck of a haunted house with that power.

You don't say.

_{[Jack grins at the two of them. It made him happy to see trainers so close to their pokemon. He was a little sad that he didn't spend nearly as much time with his younger pokemon as he should have.]

[Demyx read his mind. If it weren't for the inevitable insanity that came with Halloween (and not the good kind) he would have asked to borrow the illusionary fox.]}

You know, I work at the breeding center and I never thought to look in on them. I'll have to fix that! So! Have you decided what you're going to be for Halloween?

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Twelfth Melody [Text]

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