♪ It's Like a Giant Party!

[these_balls]

Who: Anyone and Everyone!
Where: Olivine City
When: April 1
Summary: NO FOOLIN' Benefit Concert is underway!
Rating: PG? If it gets worse, throw a warning in the header!
Log:

It's a day full of fun, friends, and festivities! The NO FOOLIN' Benefit Concert has been set, the microphones tested and on stage, the sound running smoothly, weather cooperative. Food stations are everywhere, ready to feed and rehydrate everyone who's in the area, and the musicians have been given free reign to everywhere.

Throughout the day, live footage will be broadcasted on TV Channel 14, and video and CD recordings will be available for purchase at the end.

So swing your Gear at a donation station and enjoy the concert!


[Format can be whatever you choose. Just have fun!]

Comments

[saxsongs]

[So that's what it was all about. He probably should have guessed; the idea of them traveling together had been around a while. Ren just didn't feel comfortable about it. May it be because of fear of Team Rocket or because he had other things in mind, or just the fact that there were too many guys in the same group, or the sole fact that Ren had become a -semi-lone wolf during the time he was alone in the world. It could have been a mix of every theory as well.

The problem was explaining this to any of them. Ren wasn't really the best in explaining his feelings (to guys) so it was difficult.]

I don't have any intentions of coming with you.

[... well that explained everything. Thanks Ren.]

[pianosongs]

[There's just another sigh. As usual, Ren doesn't just explain anything. Not that Masato really expected him to just volunteer information, but that was a cold cut-off. Unfortunately, he's stubborn enough to not let this go.]

Of course not. But I was hoping to persuade you into at least considering it. I'm... worried. About you, I mean.

[saxsongs]

[Hijirikawa was... worried? Ren slowly turned to look at the guy, frowning. This had never happened before. At least not so that... he's told.

Man, this is awkward.]

Why? I've said I'm perfectly fine.

[pianosongs]

[Masato didn't look up. It was hard enough actually admitting this. Feelings are weird.]

I can't say I completely believe you. You're hiding something, always. Always running. You're hurting, I know you are, but... you won't tell anyone why. At least, none of us. And we can't help.

And frankly... This is difficult. [He just takes a deep breath, looking over at the door.] I don't want you getting in some trouble you can't get yourself out of by yourself.

[saxsongs]

[It felt weird to hear Hijirikawa say things like that. Though it was also a little frustrating that he was mostly right. Ren had issues he didn't want to share with any of them. They would cause too much unnecessary worry or... the issues were just too private to be heard.

Technically some of them were Hijirikawa's business, but he was the last person Ren wanted to open up to. He could talk to Haruka, but... he didn't want to make her worry.]

I think everyone has a secret or two up in their sleeves... and even if I'd be hurting, it's none of anyone's business. I've learned to cope with it by now.

[Doesn't that sound reassuring and... yeah, it doesn't really fix any of the problems at hand.]

I'm not getting into any trouble.

[pianosongs]

[So all in all, Masato was right and Jinguji was still holding everything inside. It wasn't that he expected him to just start explaining everything, but it was frustrating to know that there were just some things about Jinguji that Masato couldn't guess, things he couldn't assist with.]

Yes, but that doesn't mean you need to cope alone. Just remember that.

...I'm always willing to lend an ear if you need one.

[And with that, Masato finally looked over.] But don't get arrested again.

[saxsongs]

I know I don't have to, but I'm coping like that anyway because that's what I want.

[That's slightly a lie. It would be nice to get the feelings out, but... this just wasn't the time or the place. Hijirikawa's offer to listen is ignored, since Ren doesn't have enough energy to make an insult of it.]

I'm not getting arrested or caught by Team Rocket... even though they've probably already stopped pursuing, thankfully.

[pianosongs]

...Understood. I just wanted you to know that there are other options, should you wish for a change.

[There's no convincing Jinguji, is there? Masato was a little disappointed, but he knew better. It took a lot more to break his old roommate's resolve than just a simple offer and being locked up. That was partly why Masato was so worried over him, but... He could only trust Jinguji knew what he was doing.]

I think they have. I'm... relieved the escape went well, in the end.

[saxsongs]

Thanks... I guess.

[He's not really sure if he should be grateful or awkward or indifferent or a little of them all.]

Yeah. Though I won't take any risks now.

[pianosongs]

[He just nods. He'll accept it. You're welcome, you troublesome child.]

I'm glad. I imagine this means you can spend more time doing things you prefer. What do you think you'll do with your newfound freedom?

[saxsongs]

[Who are you calling a child?]

I don't know. Music, I guess.

[pianosongs]

[You, because you're practically 12.]

Music... I'm glad to see that drive never left you.

[saxsongs]

Of course it didn't.

[He's not stupid to make the same mistake twice-- well he is, but not with music.]

[pianosongs]

[Masato's relieved by that. It means you're not a complete waste of talent. Just an idiot, but he's still that idiot Masato can know and mostly respect. So he just falls silent again and reaches for his gear... only to realize he doesn't have his on him.]

...I wonder if they plan on searching for us anytime soon.

[saxsongs]

I hope so. I don't want to be stuck in here forever.

[pianosongs]

Same... That concert was actually rather exhausting.

[As was this conversation, but they were both a good and satisfying exhaustion. He decides he's just gonna sit now.]

[saxsongs]

At least it went well.

[Even their performance went well. Though it reminds him to ask about... things.]

Was this your first time on stage?

[pianosongs]

[Masato nods, looking ahead. There's that odd swelling sensation in his chest over this. He's... quite happy, despite the lack of a full smile.]

It was. I was rather stunned by it all. But... this wasn't your first, was it, Jinguji?

[saxsongs]

[As he thought. Then again he might have asked about it before... but he can't remember right now.]

It wasn't. I was on stage just before I came here... with everyone.

[pianosongs]

[Well, while they're both still there, they can have a longer conversation over it. Masato honestly would not mind that.]

With everyone... As in the six of us, singing Haruka's song, right?

[saxsongs]

[At least that's better than talking with fists.]

Yeah. We were able to debut together with her. As a band.

[pianosongs]

[Ten times better and far less painful.]

As a band... It's a little surreal to think about. How was that performance?

[saxsongs]

It was really... energetic. The audience loved it and I think the teachers were proud as well.

[pianosongs]

I'm... quite glad to hear that.

[saxsongs]

It was a wonderful moment for all of us.

[Yet he's the only one who knows about it, which is a little sad.]