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[waitingforplayer2]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHIAKI NANAMI.

FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

*** galagamer has joined XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
<galagamer> This is Chiaki Nanami.
<galagamer> I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Comments

CORRECT

[figlia_morbida]

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.

[waitingforplayer2]

[ 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!!

[figlia_morbida]

[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?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ 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. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[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..............]

[waitingforplayer2]

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. ]

[figlia_morbida]

[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.]

[waitingforplayer2]

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.

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

[figlia_morbida]

[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.]