[And indeed they do go find Laios around the Canopy! Once they catch up to him they are quick to say:] Okay, check this out.
[They close their eyes to concentrate and then, after a second or two, start letting off little arcs of electricity that curve toward anything conductive nearby... and also happen to make music! Laios is treated to roughly ten seconds of it before Siffrin's precision slips and the music goes awry, which is the point at which they drop it - but there!]
[They open their good eye to see Laios's reaction, sparks of static still bzzting between points on their fur.]
[ Laios would be the dog to come back home happily covered in Joltiks after a walk. ]
Oh! Sure, I'll wait in the Canopy. [ Not a move? Now he's somehow even more curious. Laios sits patiently where he is, and when Siffrin finally comes into view, his tail starts to wag excitedly. He stands up when they get closer, head tilting to watch — or rather, listen to the demonstration. His eyes grow wide until the sound stops, and he simply lets out a soft gasp.
[Siffrin flips their tail, maybe a little bit pleased with themself. Yeah!! They thought Laios would like it!]
You can!! Um. I don't completely get why it works, but. I'm stopping and starting making electricity really fast, so fast it looks like I'm just making sparks the whole time. And the faster you do it, the higher pitched the sound is...?
Joltik said it was good practice for controlling electricity, in general. Useful for a bunch of moves.
joltik: it's just all about the right Vibe Frequency friends
[ His tail is wagging in unison with Siffrin's now. Just like them, the actual mechanics would go right over his head, but Laios nods at their simpler explanation. ]
That makes sense! Sparks do make a bit of noise normally.. [ The fact that it's good practice too makes him even more excited, but he straightens himself, trying to hone in on what the Shinx is saying. ]
So, something like... [ He takes in a deep breath. His fur starts to bristle with growing static, until — a small chirp, followed by two slightly higher chirps. It's not exactly music yet, but it's enough to make him beam regardless. ] You heard it, right? That feels so weird! [ He's laughing a little, still feeling the residual bursts of energy. ] How long did it take you to finally make a melody?
[Siffrin bounces in place encouragingly, two hops, at Laios's successful chirps.] I heard it!!
[They are maybe exaggerating their reaction a bit (or a lot). But they're putting in an effort to seem like they're all better from last month - that's part of what this was in the first place. And they really are excited for Laios, anyway! So it's not really a lie, right? Just... a bit of acting.]
[Laios's second question makes them pause to think, for a moment.] A few hours, yesterday, I think? I lost track of time.
Joltik said I got it pretty fast, but that most Electric types are learning that kind of control when they're much younger. [So maybe it's just that they're an adult?]
[ Siffrin's affirmation is enough to get him hopping too, but with no exaggeration on his end to speak of. Despite having dwelled on their conversation last month, he never quite picked up on Siffrin's own dilemma. End result? He is currently unable to see the Shinx's reaction as anything but genuine. ]
I should have expected that! You're pretty quick picking up Electric moves. [ Whereas Laios still very much prefers defaulting to physical attacks himself.
For good measure, he goes quiet again, concentrating on making a longer buzz this time. ] ... That does make sense, though. It's a lot less straining to practice this way. [ He laughs a little, tail wagging at the thought. ] It must be cute to see a bunch of young Electric-types trying this out. I wonder if they made songs together, too.
[That does sound cute. Because they learned from Joltik, Siffrin is immediately picturing an entire array of the little spider-ticks on a web, all sparking away. A Jolchestra...]
[They start to open their mouth to share that (not actually all that good) pun, then pause. Hang on, what type of Pokemon was Laios again...?]
[Oh, that's right.] Sounds like you'd be interested in starting a Boltband.
Eh? [ He gives Siffrin a blank stare at first while that pun processes. Props to them; it's Laios who's not quick on the uptake.
When it finally lands, his doofy smile gets a little bigger. ] Oh! You mean like— [ He laughs a little in between his words ] —I get it, I get it. Yeah! Or maybe even, um, a Shinx... phony. [ Absolutely terrible. Do not let him try this again. At least his tail is busy wagging nonetheless. ]
Wait, try to start another song! I'll follow your rhythm.
A Shinxphony. [No that's perfect. No notes from Siffrin! They grin back at Laios, canines poking out.]
[Okay, okay, let's see... then start absently sparking away at the first tune that comes to mind. This one's a little slower paced, hopefully easier to keep up with - and it means Siffrin can also maintain it for a bit longer without messing up.]
[ His tail wags a little when he sees those canines poking out. He knows, on a deep, instinctual level, that is not response he should be having. But it's too endearing not to!
He lets out a quiet gasp of excitement as Siffrin starts up another tune. After a few moments, he sways to the rythmn, before carefully starting to follow along with his own buzzing. It's not quite in unison, and he misses a few beats, but it's close enough to make the music even louder, their sparks joining together to seemingly brighten the whole area. That surely won't cause any problems with the neighbors.
When they both finally come to a stop, his tail starts wagging even more furiously. ] Did you feel that, Siffrin? It was like my whole body was vibrating! And I think it was easier following your lead this time, too!
[Advantages of baring your teeth while cat-shaped: if you want to, it's very easy to keep people guessing if you're pleased (human) or fuming (kitty)! But in this case they really are smiling.]
[They nod emphatically. They did feel it!!] I think you'll be able to get it louder than I can, if you try! Since you're bigger.
[As if it's not already loud and bright enough! It's only a matter of time before they get a senior Cheri Berry called down on them or something...]
[ Speaking of senior guild members, there might be some faint rustling up in the leaves nearby during their interlude. ]
Hmm... let me think of a real song this time! I'm not much a musician, but... [ His eyes close, head tilting side to side as he tries to think of some sort of tune to buzz out loud. Then, suddenly, a vision appears — which he promptly blasts out in full electric glory.
Only to come to a sudden stop when he sees a thwip of a String Shot zip past them, narrowly missing. ] Did... did you see that?
... S-Siffrin? [ Like some kind of horror movie, he slowly turns to look at the Shinx, his face filling with dread.
They’re fucking under attack. ] Siffrin! [ Another String Shot fires in their direction, this time at Laios. It smacks him right on the side of his face, making a mess of his fur and one of his ears. ] Wh-what is — we need to — run!
[ There’s more shots incoming, and with little time to look for the attacker, he quickly nudges Siffrin to find cover together instead. Band practice is over! ]
ribombee immediately turning in one of the new rewards for string shot. no raves allowed
Mmph! [That was probably an attempt to say something like, "I'm fine!" but their mouth sure is still glued together, even if they're not hurt!]
[Siffrin dances aside a few steps on three feet, pawing at their mouth with the fourth. It... mostly just nearly gets their paw stuck to their face too.]
[They break into a zig-zaggy run when Laios nudges them. Time to go!]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[2/2]
[They close their eyes to concentrate and then, after a second or two, start letting off little arcs of electricity that curve toward anything conductive nearby... and also happen to make music! Laios is treated to roughly ten seconds of it before Siffrin's precision slips and the music goes awry, which is the point at which they drop it - but there!]
[They open their good eye to see Laios's reaction, sparks of static still bzzting between points on their fur.]
(1/2)
Oh! Sure, I'll wait in the Canopy. [ Not a move? Now he's somehow even more curious. Laios sits patiently where he is, and when Siffrin finally comes into view, his tail starts to wag excitedly. He stands up when they get closer, head tilting to watch — or rather, listen to the demonstration. His eyes grow wide until the sound stops, and he simply lets out a soft gasp.
That's... music. ]
(2/2)
I can make a song! [ There goes the tippy taps. ] What do I do? Can I try too?
me desperately googling like "wait how DOES this work anyway. and how would Pokemon explain it"
You can!! Um. I don't completely get why it works, but. I'm stopping and starting making electricity really fast, so fast it looks like I'm just making sparks the whole time. And the faster you do it, the higher pitched the sound is...?
Joltik said it was good practice for controlling electricity, in general. Useful for a bunch of moves.
joltik: it's just all about the right Vibe Frequency friends
That makes sense! Sparks do make a bit of noise normally.. [ The fact that it's good practice too makes him even more excited, but he straightens himself, trying to hone in on what the Shinx is saying. ]
So, something like... [ He takes in a deep breath. His fur starts to bristle with growing static, until — a small chirp, followed by two slightly higher chirps. It's not exactly music yet, but it's enough to make him beam regardless. ] You heard it, right? That feels so weird! [ He's laughing a little, still feeling the residual bursts of energy. ] How long did it take you to finally make a melody?
no subject
[They are maybe exaggerating their reaction a bit (or a lot). But they're putting in an effort to seem like they're all better from last month - that's part of what this was in the first place. And they really are excited for Laios, anyway! So it's not really a lie, right? Just... a bit of acting.]
[Laios's second question makes them pause to think, for a moment.] A few hours, yesterday, I think? I lost track of time.
Joltik said I got it pretty fast, but that most Electric types are learning that kind of control when they're much younger. [So maybe it's just that they're an adult?]
no subject
I should have expected that! You're pretty quick picking up Electric moves. [ Whereas Laios still very much prefers defaulting to physical attacks himself.
For good measure, he goes quiet again, concentrating on making a longer buzz this time. ] ... That does make sense, though. It's a lot less straining to practice this way. [ He laughs a little, tail wagging at the thought. ] It must be cute to see a bunch of young Electric-types trying this out. I wonder if they made songs together, too.
no subject
[They start to open their mouth to share that (not actually all that good) pun, then pause. Hang on, what type of Pokemon was Laios again...?]
[Oh, that's right.] Sounds like you'd be interested in starting a Boltband.
no subject
When it finally lands, his doofy smile gets a little bigger. ] Oh! You mean like— [ He laughs a little in between his words ] —I get it, I get it. Yeah! Or maybe even, um, a Shinx... phony. [ Absolutely terrible. Do not let him try this again. At least his tail is busy wagging nonetheless. ]
Wait, try to start another song! I'll follow your rhythm.
no subject
[Okay, okay, let's see... then start absently sparking away at the first tune that comes to mind. This one's a little slower paced, hopefully easier to keep up with - and it means Siffrin can also maintain it for a bit longer without messing up.]
no subject
He lets out a quiet gasp of excitement as Siffrin starts up another tune. After a few moments, he sways to the rythmn, before carefully starting to follow along with his own buzzing. It's not quite in unison, and he misses a few beats, but it's close enough to make the music even louder, their sparks joining together to seemingly brighten the whole area. That surely won't cause any problems with the neighbors.
When they both finally come to a stop, his tail starts wagging even more furiously. ] Did you feel that, Siffrin? It was like my whole body was vibrating! And I think it was easier following your lead this time, too!
no subject
[They nod emphatically. They did feel it!!] I think you'll be able to get it louder than I can, if you try! Since you're bigger.
[As if it's not already loud and bright enough! It's only a matter of time before they get a senior Cheri Berry called down on them or something...]
no subject
Hmm... let me think of a real song this time! I'm not much a musician, but... [ His eyes close, head tilting side to side as he tries to think of some sort of tune to buzz out loud. Then, suddenly, a vision appears — which he promptly blasts out in full electric glory.
Only to come to a sudden stop when he sees a thwip of a String Shot zip past them, narrowly missing. ] Did... did you see that?
no subject
[They sure did see it!! If only because it went by the side of their head with the good eye.] What... what was -
[The next String Shot gets them right in the mouth.] Mmmph??
bets on if it’s ribombee all along
They’re fucking under attack. ] Siffrin! [ Another String Shot fires in their direction, this time at Laios. It smacks him right on the side of his face, making a mess of his fur and one of his ears. ] Wh-what is — we need to — run!
[ There’s more shots incoming, and with little time to look for the attacker, he quickly nudges Siffrin to find cover together instead. Band practice is over! ]
ribombee immediately turning in one of the new rewards for string shot. no raves allowed
[Siffrin dances aside a few steps on three feet, pawing at their mouth with the fourth. It... mostly just nearly gets their paw stuck to their face too.]
[They break into a zig-zaggy run when Laios nudges them. Time to go!]