Chapter 179 Genesect Interruption Part 1

The next day, Ash and Yancy are now at the Night Club, and they decide to see the next mission, and they find the Ringmaster there.

Ringmaster: Here's a change of pace for you- security detail. So some of the others around here have apparently been practicing a music act on the side. I think it's a relatively new thing, but they've wasted no time in setting up the first show. Sort of a charity event type thing from what I understand? It's taking place over at the restored Blacksteam Shelter, and they've got a final rehearsal today.

Ash: That sounds nice, but what seems to be the problem?

Ringmaster: For a little while, we've had inconsistent energy readings from that area, and it's gotten worse recently. They asked if I wouldn't be able to send someone over just to keep an eye on things in case something goes south now or during the show. There's no reason anything should happen during the show, but... Well, let's be honest; something's going to happen. That's just how it is, you know? It's like if the dress rehearsal is a disaster, everything's gonna be fine. But if it goes off without a hitch? That's when you start sweating. Are you up to go make sure they have an awful dress rehearsal?

Yancy: That sounds pretty fun.

Ringmaster: Great! I'll tell them you're coming. Just head over to Blacksteam; I think they're meeting in the big room on the first floor.

When they arrive on the first floor, they are surprised to find Cain, Aya, Hardy, Titania, and Arclight there.

Cain: Heyyyy Ash, you came!

Ash: So I heard that you guys are starting a band?

Cain: Okay, so this is kind of out of the blue, right? But I was thinking, there's hardly anything I can see myself doing for a long time, but singing? I can do that. I've wasted enough time running in circles, so even if I'm not 100% on a path in life, I've decided I need to at least start doing something. So I started talking to Hardy about it, and he mentioned he was already teaching Aya to play, and then we asked Arc if he knew anyone, and one thing led to another and now we're here making it happen! We're not exactly rockstar material, but if we can make a few people smile for an evening, I'd say that's good enough! And these folks seem like they need a bit of that! So you're keeping watch during rehearsal, right? I doubt anything'll happen, so feel free to keep all eyes on me~

Ash: Sure.

Hardy: Glad you could make it, mate. I'm goin' over the setlist right now. Gotta practice my solos a bit more before we get goin', otherwise, I'd be helping Aya out more... Poor girl's got some nerves on her. Understandable for a first-timer, but we've had to resort to drastic measures. Pretty sure that's her middle name- "Titania Drastic Measures Andersen." She used to play bass when we were younger, so I thought she could help teach Aya, and believe me, I got a few drastic measures in my ear about it already myself.

Ash: So that's why your sister is here.

Hardy: But I've got faith in 'em both, yanno? It'll go great! Gettin' to do this has been on my bucket list for a while, so I ain't lettin' the chance slide. The only thing slidin' around here's gonna be my guitar, mark the words. But I gotta focus still, so I'll see you once the curtain drops! ...The proverbial curtain, anyway.

They decide to check out Titania and Aya, who are trying to play the bass.

Titania: Now B. E. Repeat. There.

Aya: Ugh, how is anyone supposed to remember all these finger positions?

Titania: Practice and muscle memory. Unfortunately my baby brother, in his continuing quest to embody all of the wisdom of a worn cinderblock, has not afforded you the opportunity for those things. So for today, you will focus on just hitting the first note of every sequence. If you can get the others, great. But the first beat is your default; hit it and that'll be enough to fit a legal definition of 'playing'. You can practice hitting the third beat before the next rehearsal, and meanwhile, I'll practice hitting some sense into your idiot "boyfriend".

Aya: You could stand to go easier on him...

Titania: You could stand to go harder. He only thinks about situations themselves; not how they affect the other people in them. (Turns to Ash) Hi, by the way. You're probably wondering what I'm doing here, and frankly, same.

Aya: Hardy asked her to come help me with the bass. Hardy was trying to teach me, and then suggested we make a band, and then this show happened, and...Well, I'm still useless at it.

Titania: And our friendly local cinderblock remembered that I used to play as a teenager. So I have once again been called in to clean up his mess.

Aya: Sorry about all this again...

Titania: If you're really sorry, you can start apologizing by not calling yourself useless anymore. It's not doing me any favors, and you least of all.

Aya: Right... Thanks.

Titania: And if you want to thank me, you can do so by focusing on the play so I don't get called back here. Go again; from the top.

Aya: Like this... And this... And... Tch, was it the second or third fret?

Titania: Third.

Aya: Ugh. I'm never going to remember this in time. Especially not while also having to worry about performing in front of people. Like, real, actual human people... I should just sit out before I embarrass myself.

Titania: Nope, you're in this. I don't agree with my idiot brother putting you in front of a crowd as one of your first experiences playing, and your idiot brother's not off the hook either, but if you quit now, I'll have entirely wasted my time, more importantly, if you're going to quit, do it because you want out, not because you're afraid of failing on the way in. If you do that, you'll never learn anything.

Aya: I'm beginning to think that the entire known world is conspiring to get me to make as big of a fool of myself as possible. If that's what you all want, I can just go apply to Agate Circus. I'm sure they're hiring new clowns. At least I'd get paid for it there.

Titania: I'm not here to be your therapist, girl. Cut the fatalistic act and focus, otherwise you can practice on your own.

Aya: Geez, I was just joking...

Titania: Tell a joke you wouldn't actually believe. Now get back to it; the clock's ticking.

Aya: (Turns to Ash and Yancy) It's been like this all day... Hardy conned me into playing with him. It sounded fun until I got here and saw all the people. I don't suppose you could take me out back and just shoot me?

Titania: Keep it up and I might.

Aya: ...Right. Sorry.

Ash and Yancy decide to leave them alone, and they go find Arclight, who is working on the DJ Booth.

Arc: Well, if it isn't our guardian Champion! Was stoked to hear you'd be on the security sitch' for the show. I'm out here bustin' the beats for the gig. Kids needed a drummer, and asked me if I didn't know one. I told them I didn't know a single person good for it, but that I had no shortage of machines that were. And here we are. Pulled a few strings and got us set up here as a first show. We could do with some more practice, but there's no substitute for live experience. The boys will definitely be fine, but... Can't say I'm not concerned about Aya, her being a novice and all. It's trial by fire, but the stakes are low. These folks are happy to be seen; they won't mind a few missed chords.

Yancy: That sounds great.

Ash: I'm sure you have this kind of thing back in Unova before, right? You being the idol after all?

Yancy: We do, but it will be great to take a rest and watch instead of being on stage this time.

As they are about to start, two people rush in and interrupt them.

Cain's Mother: AYA! Well, I heard you were playing and I just HAD to come see you! First a Gym Leader- then a rockstar! Imagine!

Aya: (Surprised) Mom.

Cain: (Surprised) Mother.

Cain's Mother: Oh, and you're here too. Nice of you to spend time with the family. Tell me, is one of these fine gentlemen your boyfriend, or are all of them?

Hardy: Ayo, I don't think that was entirely necessary.

Cain's Mother: Honey, you're cute and all; great for my daughter- just not for my son. I'd date you myself if I were a few decades younger though!

Aya: MOM.

Titania: (Walks in front of them) You're interrupting a rehearsal. Leave.

Cain's Mother: Touchy, touchy... I'm only kidding...

Cain's Stepfather: You will mind your tone when speaking to her if you know what's good for you.

Titania: (Turns to Aya) Should I know who this is?

Aya: That's, um... my-

Cain's Stepfather: I'm her father.

Aya: My STEP father.

Cain's Mother: This is Tez. He's been very good to me ever since the divorce.

Aya: That makes one of us...

Cain's Stepfather: Excuse me? If you have some kind of issue with me, then bring it to my face and we can discuss it like adults. But if you're just going to spew catty schoolyard passive aggression then keep it in your girls' club.

Titania: Sure, let's bring gender into this. Let's talk about how you've immediately stomped in here, bravado on full, in one breath insinuating retaliation for disrespect, and in the second demanding that your teenage ward confront you, an adult male, on equal footing, as if you wouldn't take any individual criticism she mustered as a personal attack. You consider yourself superior on a supposed moral ground that you maintain power in through brute intimidation alone, because you know a girl half your age won't meet you on it when you can make her life hell.

Ash gulps as Titania is really arguing the whole thing for Aya and Cain.

Cain's Stepfather: (Angry) What the hell are you saying? I said like two sentences and you're jumping down my throat for it?

Titania: Three sentences. It only took that much for you to make an ass of yourself. And that's in public. I'd hate to see what you're like at home.

Hardy: Heyyyy Sis, couldja maybe not go off like that on folks you just met?

Cain: It's not like she's wrong.

Cain's Mother: Aya, is this how you and your friends treat people?! You and I are going to have a talk about your influences, young lady!

Cain's Stepfather: A long, serious talk.

Aya: Can everybody just shut up!? I literally didn't ask for any of this! In fact, forget it- I'm out.

Aya then runs away with tears in her eyes, and the others can only stay in silent to think about what just happened.

Arc: Look, I don't know what's going on here, but for the sake of breaking the radio silence- Someone should probably go after her. And given that the rest of you have done your respective parts to throw oil on the proverbial fire... It should probably be Ash and the other girl. You go have a word with her. I'll try to stop everyone else from killing each other while you're out.

Ash and Yancy nod as they rush out of the shelter to find Aya.


And I'll end the chapter right here, as you can see, this is going to be the Genesect Quest, but first, there is going to be a concert with Cain's family, Titania's family, and Hardy, until Cain's parents come in and ruin it all. I hope you like this chapter.