waitingforplayer2

[ She's surprised at Trish's unspoken suggestion to just... not put her down.

She would worry about hurting the werebear by staying on top of her during this, but... they all have monster strength, so maybe it's not a problem? ]

Yeah... you can choose a song with the pad... and then hit the center to select.

[ She's still somewhat subdued, but right now that's the most enthusiastic yes she can muster. And if the way she settles back to rest comfortably on Trish is any indication, she's at ease and relieved about Trish wanting to have fun in a way that lets her join in too. ]

[If this were normal circumstances, it would be impossible. As it stands, she's not tired at all from the weight of the nymph on her back – it's sort of like wearing a bonsai as a fashion statement and a friendship statement, all at the same time. Except the bonsai is a palm tree. So it goes.

Once the nymph is comfortable again, Trish tosses some money into the machine. Cheers to your business, Nanami! And then she's peering at the options that pop up on the screen, but there isn't a huge list to choose from. Usually, games like this have their own songs, right? But she sees one she recognizes, and makes a soft noise of surprise.

It's the only choice, then, and Trish taps the center button, locking in Olivia Project's "Have You Never Been Mellow?" on a standard mode and stepping back onto the pads proper.

The werebear is quiet as it loads, Ready! flashing on the screen before it swaps to the proper game and the song starts in earnest. Tinny singing comes first, and Nanami can probably feel the way Trish physically perks up at the sound of it. The arrows pop up next once the beat kicks in, and Trish squeaks as she hops onto the first pad. Damn, the arrows go fast, and there's a lot of visual noise on screen thanks to the flashing background.

It's a lot for someone who doesn't play games, and Nanami probably feels like she's sitting on a very jerky car ride as Trish works through it. The game is very sympathetic about her struggles, once it's all said and done. Better luck next time!

Trish is panting a little, but Nanami can feel her bow forward to start up another round after 0.2 seconds of debate.]

I'm going to get this right or so help me...

[Yeah.]

[ Nanami kind of dances with her-- swaying a bit as she remembers the proper button combinations, gently tapping on Trish's body with her roots in time with the music.

Trish does pretty good! But the difficulty is set a little higher than Nanami would usually recommend for a beginner. Oops. Still, she knows how stubborn Trish is, so she doesn't actually suggest turning the difficulty down.

Instead she sort of twists where she's sitting a little, to orient herself and give a bit of advice. ] If you turn... just a little this way... the arrows will line up kind of like in the game. More like a straight line... see? With the up arrow... second from the right.

[It says a lot about how hard Trish is concentrating and how dense her fur is that Nanami's movements did not register at all during that. They'd be a good backbeat (literal), but the werebear is used to listening for the beat, or reading the sheet music, not watching arrows on a screen.

But they must be following a pattern, right? Otherwise this would be the most heinously bastard game ever invented, after the spine-slurping one.

The nymph on her back is bidding for her attention while she fiddles with the select screen, and fortunately she looks to Nanami with raised brows before she has a chance to jump right back into it without preamble.]

Huh.

[She glances down to her white paws, adjusting her stance. It's basically correct, but the hard part will be sticking to it, probably.

At least she doesn't seem miffed by advice. Nanami isn't treating her like she's stupid for not knowing, or anything. Not that she would, but it is nice to approach this without a lot of backseat, uh, dancing? The term backseat gaming is not something Trish will invent herself, and so it does not exist.

Anyways, she flicks her fluffy tail, briefly tapping a hindpaw on the pad in front of them for emphasis.]

Like that?

[ She peeks over Trish's shoulder at her stance to make sure it's right. Then she nods. ]

Yeah, you got it! It'll be a lot easier like that.

[ For how morose she was earlier today, she's perking up quite a bit while she's teaching Trish to play the game. She settles back in, swaying a little in anticipation of the song starting again. ]

Okay, let's try again!

Thanks.

[Trish says, idly rolling her shoulders only to square them, actions that Nanami can undoubtedly feel where she's at. This bear is determined, and with an audience?

Doubly so!

She leans forward again, starting the next round and bracing herself on the stage. It's the same as before, except it isn't. Trish hums along to the opening lyrics, getting a sense for the rhythm this time. It's weird to her, because this dance remix is centered around a later refrain, and everything's sped up, transforming this song drastically. But it's not a bad version at all, and if one wanted to get deep with it, aren't monsters just reinventions of who they used to be too? But it's the same song underneath, and she knows it well.

Regardless, the werebear is watching the screen like a hawk, and the moment the arrows pop up, Nanami will be a leafy metronome with how her fronds crest and dip with Trish's movements. The werebear is so focused it's probably comical, singing under her breath, adding a few curses to the song when she misses a prompt. It's only a minute long at least, but by the end, she's much improved. Still not perfect, which makes her grumpy, but...

They clear it!

The werebear stands back, breathing a little hard, before looking to her companion. She looks awfully smug for someone who was swearing throughout that.]

See...? Nothing to it.

[ Nanami's actually humming along this time as she sways. It's a bit of a challenge to watch the screen in front of her with how much she's moving, so instead she watches the pad below them-- she knows the pattern pretty well, and the game's good at giving audio feedback on when Trish succeeds or misses.

And it's actually more exciting as the song goes on, because-- her score's good, for a beginner, she might even be able to--

And they clear it, and Nanami hugs the werebear from behind. ] You did it! Second try! That was so good!!

[The damnable thing is that barring the frustration of a perfectionist, Trish genuinely finds it fun. How could anyone waste their time on jungle cruises "shooting" pixel dinosaurs when they could be dancing instead?! It boggles her mind, but she supposes that's why Nanami is so passionate about games.

Like songs, there's something for everyone, which means sharing them casts a wide net that could captivate anyone willing to give them a try. It's a good way to bond with friends, or make a new one.

Combining the two? That may as well be a dream for Miss Una.

The werebear laughs, swaying with the sheer enthusiasm behind Nanami's hug. That's another dream come true, because the nymph sounds so much better already.]

I like to think I've got a sense for rhythm! I'd be a crap musician if I didn't.

[This is nonsense. If you can sing well and be hot while doing it, no one will care if your dancing is garbage. But in her mind, being a good musician means being able to do it all. Good grief.

Trish touches her fuzzy fingers to the back of one of Nanami's smooth hands briefly, fond.]

Did you enjoy the show, Nanami?

[ Nanami nods, possibly brushing Trish in the face with her fronds again, and gently squeezes Trish's hand back in thanks. ]

You're really good! Some day... mm, I want to see one of your performances, too... if you're already this good at DDR... you must be amazing at that.

[ She's still gently swaying a little to the tune playing on the arcade machine - the wooden metronome slowed down, but still ticking away. ]

[Pbbt!

Trish at least anticipates getting fronds to the face, screwing her face up in advance like it'll stop the itchiness preemptively. It doesn't, but neither does she sneeze this time. Mind over matter!!

She's basking in Nanami's happier mood and compliments regardless, crossing her arms when Nanami reveals that particular oversight.

That's right, she hasn't seen a single performance from her! Nai'a has fallen by the wayside while she learns business accounting from Fugo. The rest of her free time has been pestering Hinata to help her plan out the logistics of acoustic paneling and hey, what if I have this wall knocked down to make a breezeway for outside performances too? Rest assured, he's suffering.

Abruptly, Trish says:]

Libeccio.

[Her project, and the boy's memory from home.]

I don't know if Hinata has mentioned it to you, but I'll be performing there sometime soon. It's an Italian restaurant from Naples. When I'm ready to do rehearsals, how about I give you a shout?

You can have some real pizza, too. There's really no losing with me.

[Cheeky..............]

Libeccio...

[ She's immediately curious. A little excited, even. Is it because of seeing her friend perform, or the pizza? Hard to say. Probably a little bit of both. ]

Yeah, yeah! I'd love that, please. I'll come over... whenever you have me. Um... once I can move better.

[ She has to learn now. So she can go visit Trish. ]

[Definitely both. You can't go wrong with live music and authentic pizza! The fact it's going to all be free is also thought to be understood.

It'll be a treat for the nymph doing well.

At least, Trish will phrase it that way, since she knows Nanami is the type to work hard.]

I have no doubts you'll learn to move as well as Giorno does.

But even if you didn't, I'd drag you to Libeccio myself. I don't mind. You weigh as much as a feather does.

[Having Nanami at her back is like having a friend-shaped umbrella, really.]

That's... mmm, hopefully you won't have to.

[ Trish has been unendingly kind today, but Nanami doesn't want to be a burden on her friends longer than she has to be. Her mind's made up.

She's going to learn how to be a nymph properly. For herself, and for her friends. ]

I'll ask him advice... next time I see him. But...

[ She looks down at her roots. Maybe this is the first time she's really seeing them, really registering them instead of ignoring them, instead of just dealing with them when she has to and pretending they don't exist otherwise. She leans down and touches one.

It curls easily in her leafy hand, reacting much more subtly and gently than she expected. The magic of the fog or her strange biology makes the root much more flexible than it might be if she was a normal tree.

There's something to work with, here. Her body isn't just an obstacle. It's something to be explored, just like being a merperson was before. ]

I'll figure this out.

[Trish hums, shrugging her shoulders lightly. She doesn't want to jostle Nanami too much!

Still, it seems the nymph is determined to figure herself out, and Trish isn't about to deter her. Hearing her come back to life just being out and about again...it was nice, but short term if Nanami continues to feel trapped.

No, she's got to make her peace where she can. Trish at least recognizes that much.

So she sways this way and that, like she's gently shaking Nanami out of the reverie she's wont to fall into. She thinks a lot, doesn't she?]

You will. There's nothing I believe more.

[Nanami was an excellent mer. She'll be an excellent nymph too.]

For now, though, I think you deserve some fun. Just say the word.

[More music, another game entirely? She's got a bear chauffer, the world is her oyster for today.]

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"she doesn't actually suggest turning the difficulty down" NANAMI IS SO KIND...

as if asking Trish "stubborn to my grave" Una to back down from a challenge will ever end well

CORRECT

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"Her body isn't just an obstacle." ;__; total antithesis to bear lol