Welcome everyone! |
Quick Links, Announcements & Affiliates |
|---|---|
|
The Rules How To Play
Mibbit: #thelegacy - Register Profiles | Homebases Active Topics & Active Users Looking for RP References Calc Maps: Region | World | Area | Landmark |
| Dancing Through Sunday | ||
|---|---|---|
| Topic Started: May 23 2008, 10:26 PM (157 Views) | ||
| Melody Hargrave | May 23 2008, 10:26 PM Post #1 | |
|
Pidgey
|
"But Mom, you know my favorite show is on tonight! It's down to the last two contestants on Opaddeka Idol and I have to see it!" argued a girl. "Melody, you remember that dance contest is tomorrow. You need to get a good night's sleep so you'll be at your best for it. A few producers from a studio are supposed to be there watching for talent, and I know how important it is for you to show them how good you are. If they like your performance enough they could even sign you on with their studio and you can become a pop idol like you've always dreamed." said her mother. Melody stood in their kitchen, arms crossed, and a withering stare aimed at her mother. She was dressed in a too-large teal tshirt and baggy black shorts, with her tremendously long hair hanging straight, down her back and almost to her ankles. "Please Mom? I swear it won't be a problem," she pleaded. "No deal, kiddo," interrupted her father, looking up from his computer screen. He was an amateur composer, and often spent a lot of time on the computer late at night. It was good for his inspiration, he said. Others thought it was because his wife snored, but that's really only rumor. "Aw, Dad! C'mon!" A flat "No," was his response. He glanced back to his computer, plugging away at a composer program. "All right, how about I record the show for you, and then you can watch it after the recital, okay?" hedged her mother. Melody kept glaring at her mother for a few moments, before sighing and starting to walk off to her room, the glare discarded, "Yeah, that's fine, Mom. I'll go to bed now." "Oh, and one of your friends called earlier, while you were in the shower. Renee, I think it was. She wanted to check if you'd gotten the steps for your dance down yet," added her mother. Melody stopped abruptly, and half-turned to look at her mother, "Yeah, I was just having some trouble with a couple of steps when we were all practicing earlier. But I worked on it a bit more after they had to go home, and I'm all set for tomorrow," she said, a small grin playing across her face, "G'night Mom, Dad." ****** Melody turned over in her bed, and feeling the morning light on her face, opened her eyes to the new day. She yawned, and slowly rubbed the sleep from her eyes, sitting up in her bed and tossing the covers over on the bed. Just then her alarm screamed out its own wakeup call, jarring her out of bed and onto the floor. She gave out an exasperated sigh, stood up, and turned off the alarm clock. It was 9:15, and the contest was just a bit more than an hour away. "Stupid thing... That always happens," she muttered, before walking down to her bathroom, humming softly to herself. Rushing, she washed her face and brushed her teeth, then headed downstairs to the kitchen. There was a plate with some food on it set out for her; obviously her mother was already awake and getting things ready for the contest. Melody was supposed to head over to the dance hall in half an hour with her friends, the twins Renee and Luke Kiernan. She grabbed a muffin off of the plate and bit into it, chewing it slowly and enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning. The phone rang, and Melody headed over to pick it up, "Hello? Melody here." "Ah, hey Mel. It's Luke. Renee and I were just getting ready to head over to the dance hall, and wanted to see how much longer you were gonna be," came Luke's voice. Mel was the nickname he'd used for about as long as they'd known each other, somewhere between a thousand years and forever. She was never terribly fond of it, but getting annoyed at him just made him do it more, with that playful smirk he always had that made it impossible to stay mad at him. She smiled, "Yeah, I'm just having a bite to eat, then I was gonna get dressed and head over to our meeting spot. Couldn't take me more than ten minutes." "All right. See you then, Mel!" "Yeah, see you Luke," she said, hanging up the phone a moment later and finishing off her muffin. She bounded off back to her room to get changed out of her pajamas and into her outfit for the dance: a light gray sleeveless dress shirt with a teal tie, a short black skirt with teal trim, and black boots that came up her legs almost to the end of her skirt. Her sleeves were down at the hall, getting the final touches put on them by her special effects crew. That meaning, a couple of her dad's friends that were good with electronics. She didn't have her headset or ribbons either. They were with her makeup artist, a friend of her mother's. With that, she headed back downstairs, grabbed a light jacket, and headed out the door to meet up with her friends. The three met up a few minutes later and after exchanging hugs, headed to the dance hall, talking about the recital the whole way. Once they arrived, Renee and Luke had to go and find their parents, whom were already waiting in the auditorium with their seats saved. They gave Melody a few final hugs and wishes of luck, and then she was carted off to her dressing room, where her parents and their friends waited with the rest of her gear. She pulled on her sleeves, as the tech crew explained the new functions they'd added to the keyboards woven into them. Following that, her mother's friend went to work on makeup, adding some light blush on her face, jade eyeliner and teal eye shadow, and teal nail polish. "All right, are you ready Melody? You're the third act. The first one is up now, a group doing a dance from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Following them is a couple singing and dancing the Caramelldansen," said her mother, watching as Melody got her makeup put on, "You should be pretty well off after those two, since you're doing an original dance with a remixed song. There's one I'm worried about though, goes by the stage-name "Akita Neru." I don't recognize her name at all, or the song and dance she's doing." "Mom, please," Melody cut in, "You're getting too worked up. I'll be good with Dad's remix of that song and the dance that Renee and her mother helped me make. No Akita Neru or whoever will get me worried about this." After her makeup was done, her mother's friend held up a mirror to show her how it'd come out. Satisfied with the result, Melody kept herself busy practicing the dance steps and humming the song, mouthing out the lyrics as she did so. Occasionally her mother would voice another fear or worry or other such nonsense, which Melody would quell with a few reassuring words. Soon enough, it was time for Melody's performance. Her mother stuttered out a few more worries, and what might have been a "Good luck," before she realized she wasn't making any sense and just stopped talking, took a deep breath, and smiled, motioning her daughter toward the stage, a mix of emotions flowing across her face. She made it to the stage just in time to see the couple that had done the Caramelldansen walk off the stage, to a fair amount of applause which could arguably be either the full applause dying off or just all the applause they'd received at all, Melody couldn't tell. The curtains closed and some backstage crew began moving some equipment around, preparing for Melody's dance. A large battery of flat-screen televisions was wheeled out and placed at the back end of the stage, and a small pearl-white platform was brought to center stage. It had four columns, about two feet high, spaced evenly around the platform in a square formation, around four or five feet apart, and a slightly sunken teal-colored ring just around them, as well as a teal edge along the outside. Melody gingerly stepped onto the platform as if thinking it might break underfoot, and glanced around to see if everything was set. She made sure the microphone on her headset was in a good spot by her mouth, and nodded to the stage crewman who was waiting nearby. A few quick words from him, and the rest of the stage crew finished what they were doing and cleared off of the stage. A few moments later the announcer walked onto the stage in front of the curtains, and began the introduction to Melody's act. "Ladies and gentlemen! For the next dance, we have a young lady singing a remix of Naturally by Ayumi Hamasaki, and performing an original dance routine. Now, give it up for... Hatsune Miku!" The curtains drew back and the music started playing moments after, giving Melody only a few moments to smile and wave at the audience before her dance. The music began as a fairly light piece, a mix of pop-ish and electronica sounds in the airy tune. Her dance reflected the calm, even tones in the music at first, and slowly drew into more complex steps as the music grew into a heavier electronica sound. "In gathering, displaying, and viewing only beautiful things and seeing only beautiful dreams, I was only ignoring reality," Melody sang out, her voice echoing the upbeat tone of the song. The dance brought her around the four columns, with Melody waving a hand over the top of them causing each one to light up in turn and project a column of teal light to the ceiling. Each column's top then began pivoting and widening, spreading the teal light out as it circled around over the audience. Behind her, the television screens were blank, showing only blackness up to now, as Melody came to the center of the platform and brought both hands over her head, stealthily keying in a few commands on one of her sleeve keyboards. Her voice sang out again as an explosion of colors washed over the screens, almost like fireworks, "I want to go to that place. I've prepared for my journey, all that's left is to start running. The closer I get, the more I seem to understand, but I still pretend not to see. But I've come to the point where I can't turn back, and that's where I hesitate. Even stopping scares me. Fragile and crying, you said to me: 'Being sad is the same as giving up.' In gathering, displaying, and viewing only beautiful things and seeing only beautiful dreams, I was only ignoring reality." As the lyrics from the first verse ended, the fireworks faded away and the screens turned into a ferris wheel mock-up, with teal lights firing off in various patterns on the wheel. Melody was at center stage again, spiraling around in a ballet-esque spin, one leg up and bent back to her other knee and her arms still above her head. She slowed the spirals until she finally stopped, in a half bow, half curtsey position, facing the audience. The ferris wheel disappeared in a flash of rainbow colors, and at the same moment as the flash, Melody launched herself upwards and into the air, back-flipping off of the platform and onto the stage between it and the screens, recovering just in time to sing the next verse, "Trying to give a shape to happiness is the same as saying there's no reason behind love. Yes, I've been thinking too hard, in my head. I've been searching for answers I don't expect to find. I'm tired of those days of meaningless fun. While chasing and being chased, I've lost sight of my home. So as not to be hurt any more, I closed my eyes and turned away." The song picked up its pace even more after the second verse, almost as if it were hurrying Melody to the final part of the song. And just as the song sped up, so did her dance. "In gathering, displaying, and viewing only beautiful things and seeing only beautiful dreams, I only ignored reality. No matter what this place is like, no matter where I go next, I'll share my freedom and loneliness. I think I can make it as I am now," she sang, ending the song with her arms held out the audience, fingers spread. The curtains closed in front of her, a thunderous applause coming from the audience. ****** After the show, Renee and Luke made their way to Melody's dressing room and walked on in. Renee ran forward and locked her arms around Melody's neck, half-squealing with joy, "Melody, you did great! I'm sure the producers will sign you on after that!" Melody squeezed her friend back, smiling widely, and gave her a friendly peck on the cheek, "I'm glad you think I did that well, Renee. Now we just have to hope the producers watching think the same about my performance out there," she replied. Just then there was a knock at the door. Luke, not having run forward like his sister, was still near the door and opened it for the visitor. Melody's mother came through the door, trailed by her father, Renee and Luke's parents, and a man in a sharp black suit. "Melody, this is one of the producers that was watching the show. He ran into us after it was over, and he said he wanted to talk to you so we showed him here," she said, trying not to seem too excited. The man gave a polite nod and smiled, offering his hand to Melody, "Hello there, Melody, I'm Mr. Oppenheimer. I saw your performance earlier, and I must say it was most amazing." Melody could almost feel what he was going to say next. Her life's dream was about to be fulfilled with the next sentence. "But, while I would love to have you sign on with our studio, the others have decided on another performer from today, someone they believe the populace of Opaddeka can relate to, a Pokemon Trainer. You might have seen her act yourself even, hers placed second in the contest." "Akita Neru?" her father hedged. Her mother cringed a bit. "Yes, that's the one. A nice girl, about your age, Melody. You two wouldn't be friends at all, would you?" "No, I hadn't heard of her until my mother told me her name earlier. If she only won second, who won first place?" Melody asked, doing her best not to seem too disappointed that she wasn't going to be signed on with the studio. It was silent for a few moments, everyone staring at her like she'd just spoken another language. Luke laughed, and his sister broke the silence, "You mean you don't know?" Luke laughed harder. "Er... No. Should I?" she asked, tilting her head quizzically. Luke found this even funnier, laughing even harder. He stopped for a moment, "Yes, you nitwit, you should," he said. Melody stuck her tongue out at him. "It's you. You won first place." She was silent, Luke's words sinking in. "I... did? I won the contest?" "Yes," said Mr. Oppenheimer, producing a golden trophy from behind his back. "I asked if I could bring this to you myself. The front desk will have an envelope with the ribbon and prize money. I know it's a small consolation for not being signed on with the studio, but it's the best I can do. Though I do have a suggestion if you perform again in the next contest. If you became a Pokemon Trainer as well and perform as spectacularly as you did today, I think any studio would be happy to sign you on with them." Wordlessly, she took the trophy, not even looking at is as she considered his suggestion, "A... Pokemon Trainer?" she muttered. She didn't know very much about Pokemon, having focused on her dancing and singing all her life. It wasn't an alien thought, though, she'd seen a number of Trainers pass through the town or at her dances, but she'd never actively thought about becoming one, "I think... I think I'll do it." Renee had since detached herself from Melody, but now she wrapped her arms around one of Melody's arms, squealing again, "That's a great idea! Melody, you should do it! It'll be so cool!" Luke moved closer to the pair and playfully hit Melody on the other arm, "Yeah, Renee's right. It'd be weird without you around here, but we'll make it through. You should do it, Mel." Her father came over and clapped a hand on her shoulder, "I think it's a wonderful idea. You've lived sheltered here for long enough, it's time you should go out and see the world. The house will be pretty quiet without you, though." Teary-eyed, her mother spoke next, smiling and choking over a few words, "Our little girl, all grown up now. About to go off on a journey around Opaddeka to become a Pokemon Trainer." Melody smiled, "I'll do it." "Ah, this is great news, but I must be going. I wish you luck Melody," said Mr. Oppenheimer, giving her another handshake, and then walked out the door. "All right, it's settled then. Mel, you want Renee and I to come over and help pack?" "Sure, guys. It's gonna be different without you two always around," she replied, wrapping her arms around the twins' shoulders and starting to head for the door. Their parents waited a few moments before heading out after them. Melody picked up the envelope with her ribbon and prize money on the way out, handing it to her mother to put in her handbag. ****** The trio sat in Melody's living room, munching on some sandwiches and watching the recording of Opaddeka Idol on her TV. They'd finished packing about half an hour ago and made some lunch for themselves, and were relaxing for a while before Melody set off to the Pokemon Lab. After the show was over, they checked through her duffelbag one last time, to make sure they weren't missing anything. Some extra clothes, a parka, some hygiene supplies, a one-man tent, a pair of flashlights, various foods, and some other generic camping supplies. Melody stood up from the couch, followed by Renee and Luke a moment later, "Well, I think it's time. Before I convince myself this is a bad idea," she said, looking at the twins, barely holding back a stream of tears. Renee and Luke couldn't speak, the weight of the situation holding their tongues. Renee wrapped her arms around Melody's neck again, hugging her close, and Luke followed suit moments later. They hugged for what seemed like forever, but after the hug was broken, didn't feel nearly long enough. "At least let us see you to the Pokemon Lab?" pleaded Renee. "Sure thing, Renee. You guys can even help me pick out a Pokemon," she said, chuckling nervously; she really had no idea about Pokemon. She hefted the duffelbag, and the three headed to the door. There was a small package on top of an envelope sitting in front of it, with a note posted on the door above it. It read "Forgetting something? I got this for you earlier, it should help you on your adventure. ~Mom" "Hm? I thought we packed everything you needed, Mel," said Luke, "Open it and find out what it is." Melody nodded and tore the brown paper wrapping off of the small box. It was a PokeTech. Her mom must have gotten it after the show and left it for her here. She strapped it onto her left wrist, and picked up the envelope that was under it. It was the envelope she'd picked up earlier at the dance hall, with her prize money in it. Renee opened the front door and all three of them shuffled through, Melody tearing off the top of the envelope on the way out and looking inside it. |
|
![]() Where's Melody? Current Team: Cayman - Totodile Lv. 7 14/14APL: 7 GenEXP: 3.6 | ||
![]() |
|
|
| KJ Edge | May 24 2008, 01:23 AM Post #2 | |
|
Donatello
|
The envelope was teal, and when she opened it there seemed to be sheets of teal paper inside. Oh right that was money. Four thousand zenny for her efforts, not bad, and seeing this cash her friends were green with envy. Teal even. There was also another box she didn't manage to spot that the envelope had been sitting on. Probably because it was a teal box, on a teal dresser. Man does this family love frickin teal or what eh. The box contained a device known as an escape rope, which looked nothing like a rope, and came with three charges. It fit in her pocket. And so she was set, ready to go out under to greenish-blue sky, walk across blueish-green grass, and reach that teal horizon. 4000 zenni get x 3
|
|
|
How are you doing that with your mouth?
|![]() L|E|N|B|T 40 frm mods19.7 frm mods ~ 44 MP --- 11.9 from Little Cup~ Forte ~ | ||
![]() |
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | ||
| « Previous Topic · Your House · Next Topic » |
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
6:12 PM Jul 10
|
A big thanks to all the mods and admins who freely volunteer their time and energy to this RPG to help it grow and become awesome.
Hosted for free by ZetaBoards · Privacy Policy





Lv. 7
14/14



4000 zenni get
x 3
: 10

frm mods ~ 44 MP --- 11.9
6:12 PM Jul 10