"You still never told us what Techno is all the rage about."
DJ Suki's group were floating down the river, from Symphonyville to Lonesome Flats to eventually Vibe City. All of the members witnessed the destruction inflicted upon both homes of both different Trolls by those belonging to the genre. They searched for any potential survivors and any traces of Poppy or her group's presence. It made them realize that this threat was akin to the formerly malicious Bergens, if not more so. CJ was one of the few who remained optimistic that the mission to be accomplished wasn't an impossible one, but she wasn't sure she was being genuine in her idealistic statement or she was saying it for the sake of young Coral Blush, whom she had taken a liking to over the course of their journey.
Bless the heavens above for that girl.
"Well, you never told us what Pop is all the rage about, so I guess we're even."
Fortunately, the moments in-between the journey onward offered a hefty dose of lighthearted levity that the group knew wouldn't last long, so they decided to enjoy it while it did. DJ Suki and Trollex were engaged in a petty squabble that involved the reasons why Pop and Techno were beloved by their respective Troll Tribes. Bella Brightly was piloting the Wooferbug with the..."assistance" of a bickering Satin and Chenille and an ecstatic Techno Beat, while Gia Grooves was conversing with CJ while they fussed over Coral, whom they dubbed "cuteness overload".
"I told you already Pop has a lovable hook, an upbeat melody, AND a catchy rhythm."
DJ then realized something else, "I also know that Techno is characterized by simple sample mixing and loops in order to create a good vibe that one can jump in synchronization to the beat of. Guess there's no argument there."
"Heh. Guess not."
Trollex stood up and floated toward the DJ mixer as its DJ looked on, "How do you work this thing?"
"I take it our technology is different from our own?"
"In a way. We have DJ mixers too, but it's more along the lines of...construction junction."
"Ah. Allow me."
After a few button pressing, dial switching, and knob turning, DJ's DJ came to life, catching the attention of those previously uninvolved with their little debate.
"What do you want to play first?"
"Oh! Well..."
Trollex dug through his hair and pulled out a black-and-red vinyl disc which he slipped around the center spindle and threw the headshell over.
"How long do Techno songs last?"
"About 4 to 7 minutes. But don't worry, I'll put on a 5-minute one if you are."
"Huh. Our songs usually last about 3 minutes tops."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We usually follow a six-part structure: Verse 1, the Chorus, Verse 2, the Chorus, Verse 3, which is probably a guest Troll, and the Chorus taking the form of an Outro."
"Doesn't that get complicated or repetitive for you?"
"Not really. In fact, it helps when coming up with new material."
CJ looked up from Gia cuddling a reciprocative Coral to her aunt DJ bonding with King Trollex. No, they weren't just bonding. They were downright flirting. She may have been a young Troll, but she knew what love was when she saw it. Her crush on Keith and his requited crush on her could attest to that, but this was something else entirely. Her aunt and the Techno King had a similar affinity for the fine art of disc jockeying and both excelled at that passion with passionate proficiency. She was happy for them both, but especically her aunt, whom she felt needed a break after what happened so far.
"Okay, I think the disc is ready, but before we start, two questions: can you dance and can you swim?"
"Um, yes and yes. The latter, if the occasion calls for it."
"Oh, believe me, it calls for it."
Trollex suddenly leaped into the water below after he got the music going, catching the attention of those on the Wooferbug. DJ looked on in shock and confusion as he swam around in circles.
"The water feels a little more magical tonight, don't you think?"
DJ was tempted to change into her Techno Troll form and then join him...but she ultimately decided to take his word for it.
"Yes, it does, actually."
Trollex's eyes widened in surprise and his jaw hung agape in shock at what happened next. Unbeknowst to her, his original plan was to swim and dance to the beat of the music in the water surrounding them by himself, thereby enchanting her with the potential of Techno Music and encouraging her to join along. However, what he didn't expect was DJ joining right away...and her clothes staying behind. Indeed, DJ stripped down to nothing but a purple bikini swimsuit and set aside her clothes with the intent of joining Trollex, whose blue cheeks turned red and pink heart glowed even pinker than before. Gia could only cover the eyes of CJ and Coral as she elicited a heavy blush.
DJ followed Trollex down and swept her hair, making his heart race faster and faster. Noticing this but not telling him directly, the Pop Troll offered a gentle smile and stretched out her hand for the Techno Troll to grasp.
"Shall we dance?"
. . .
"We shall dance."
("Digital Love" - Daft Punk)
(0:00 - 0:24)
DJ and Trollex took each other's hands and began pulling one towards the other. It was less of a dance and more of a practice warm-up for the actual performance. They stretched and circled each other as CJ, Gia, Satin and Chenille, Techno Beat, and even Bella watched on in intrigue.
"Now?"
"Now."
Trollex placed his hands on her waist just as DJ placed her hands on his shoulders.
[Verse 1: 0:25 - 0:39]
Last night I had a dream about you
In this dream I'm dancing right beside you
And it looked like everyone was having fun
The kind of feeling I've waited so long
The couple spun each other around, still hesitant to escalate manners beyond that simple move. Over the duration of 15 seconds, DJ took in the lyrics that were being sung so far. The singer was currently having a dream (day or night, she did not know) about a girl who was the object of his affections. Her eyes locked with Trollex's: was she the girl of his affections?
[Verse 2: 0:40 - 0:54]
Don't stop, come a little closer
As we jam, the reason gets stronger
There's nothing wrong with just a little, little fun
We were dancing all night long
This time, the couple got a little more comfortable and twirled each other. They even dipped each other low, but not too low to where their partner was accidentally submerged underwater; when it did happen, though, they merely laughed it off. All the while, CJ watch her aunt dance with her uncle-to-be as a sincere smile grew on her face...and barely contained grins of glee grew on Satin and Chenille's alongside Techno Beat.
[Verse 3: 0:55 - 1:10]
The time is right to put my arms around you
You're feeling right; you wrap your arms around too
Suddenly, I feel the shining sun
Before I know, this dream is all gone
Using their arms to pull each other close again, DJ unintentionally bumped her face on Trollex's chest, sending them into a blushing fit and causing Satin and Chenille to burst into stifled giggles, which CJ promptly ceased by smacking them in the hair. Both refused to look each other in the eye for a moment.
[Verse 4: 1:11 - 1:41]
Ooh, I don't know what to do
About this dream and you
I wish these dream comes true
Ooh, I don't know what to do
About these dream and you
We'll make these dream come true
[Instrumental Break: 1:41 - 3:17]
DJ and Trollex didn't know to do now and could only sway back and forth, still refusing to look each other in the eyes for different variants of the same reasons. The former refused to look at the latter out of fear that she would get lost in his eyes and prompt him to ask her what was wrong, thus attracting attention to herself. The latter refused to look at the former out of fear that he would get lost in her bikini bod and prompt her to ask him what was wrong, thus attracting attention to himself. Basically, for two people known for being the center of attention, they didn't want it in this particular case of romantic dilemma.
[Verse 5/Outro: 3:18 - 5:00]
Even so, neither one of them could dare to deny the magic in the air tonight. In the days between the journeys to Symphonyville to Lonesome Flats, both of them had formed a friendship due to the similarities between Pop and Techno and worked to create remixes using their skillset and given material. The task proved to be difficult, but they had a group of musical sheets finished; the brainstorming process proved too much for them to handle and both opted to take a break for a while. It was quite possibly the best decision either of them would have made.
Why don't you play the game?
Why don't you play the game?
Eventually, Trollex took a chance first and pulled DJ underwater in favor of a dance under the sea. Catching on to his little scheme, she swam up and down in little circles with him following her. They swam beneath DJ's Wooferbug, leapt over it, and dove back down to where they started. All the while, they laughed in delight and happiness...not noticing their pixelated heart and wishstone respectively glowing bright like a diamond in the rough.
As the song closed, DJ and Trollex found themselves gazing into each other's eyes and subsequently getting lost in them.
"So..."
"So..."
"That's Techno Music?"
"That's Techno Music."
"Hey, lovebirds!"
The couple were snapped out of their romantic trance by the fact that they had a unknowing audience watching their dance of digital love play out.
"Don't forget we're on a mission!" Satin teased them both.
"And if you wanna continue on with your little dance of digital love..." Chenille snickered.
"...please do so underwater," Gia deadpanned as well.
The twins giggled in delight as DJ and Trollex blushed heavily. While they did take offense, they ultimately demonstrated good sportsmanship and laughed along with them, if doing so awkwardly. Finding themselves gazing into each other's eyes, content smiles were exchanged between them.
CJ and Techno Beat, meanwhile, exchanged knowing smirks.
"Oh, yeah. They're perfect for each other..."
"Agreed..."
A/N: You're welcome, Apple Bloom.