maskormenace | 01 ♥ Video

[It's hard to type with little stone fingers, so he's trying to use the voice function for the first time.

Too bad he accidentally activates the video option instead. And also makes this public. Oops.

The communicator shakes, and though the image isn't entirely clear, anyone watching can see couple of dark sockets with glowing pupils and what appears to be a skull with ornate carvings and distinctive hair. Sunlight spills through what seem to be leaves in the background, and it's obvious the person on the screen is crouched down somewhere, trying to hide. He's not looking directly into the camera.]

Hey. Joaquin. It's me, Manolo. So, uhhh...[How do you even put this.]

Funny story! You know how I said my powers were music-based? That's actually half of what I can do. I can also do something else. I think it keeps me from dying, which as far as powers go? Not a bad one, if I do say so myself! [Because he's already dead in this form, but like hell he's going to say that, hah hah hahhh.....

Maybe if he sounds upbeat enough he can bullshit his way through this.]

The only downside is that people shouldn't see me. Don't ask why, it's just...a power thing, you know? So maybe you could come down here with, like, a...sheet? Just toss it in my general direction, and we'll be good to go. Everyone will think I am dressed as a ghost. Perfect disguise, yes?

[He is grinning really hard and hoping all this optimism and false confidence will be enough. But then he notices something and now he's looking at the communicator like it just ran him through with a sword.]

Oh no...

[Oh yes. And now everyone can see exactly what this power actually is. Good job, Manny!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Naw. There are lots of guys around who get paid the big bucks for doing nothing but sitting on a stage with a guitar and their voice. If you don't sing and you only play guitar, then you might need a band, but people do the whole music thing on their own all the time.

[After considering this for a moment, Jaime admits,] I like bands more, though. [He taps one hand against the table.] But that's probably 'cause I like the drums.

[Music with a beat's pretty much all he asks for.]

Oh, I definitely sing. [He's still not sure how he feels about sitting on stage by himself, though.] Mariachis don't do drums, though. Mostly strings and trumpets.

Right, right, Joaquin mentioned something about you doing mariachi. You're gonna have a heck of a time finding anyone to play that with you, though. It's not exactly popular here.

[Jaime will listen to it if it happens to be playing at an event he's attending - back home, of course, but not here - but it's certainly nothing he seeks out. He just turns on the radio if he feels like listening to music.]

Let me guess. By "not exactly popular", you mean it's better suited for a museum.

Not quite that bad. Sometimes they're still hired for quinceañeras and stuff like that. But... they're usually not the main event.

Oh, well...it doesn't have to be the main event. As long as people are enjoying themselves, then I'm happy to play.

Then you might be able to get a couple gigs in here and there. I dunno how many, but it's gotta be worth a shot.

I have to find a mariachi band first. Either way, though, it sounds like it's only something I can do on the side. Maybe I can try other things with my music too.

Yeah... maybe you could give guitar lessons? I'm sure people'd love those.

Wow, I didn't even think of that! Helping people learn to play sounds like a lot of fun, actually. You really think people would want me to teach them?

Yeah! It's a whole business, you know. There's a bunch of schools around that are just for teaching people music, but if you don't wanna bother with that, there's tons of people who just advertise lessons online.

So I could either work for a school or post a message on the internets. Huh.

[But then a thought occurs to him, and he suddenly looks a little less sure of himself.] I, uh...can't exactly read sheet music, though. That might be a problem if I'm supposed to be the teacher, hahah.

...maaayyybeeee just stick with performing, then.

Okay, yeah, that's what I thought. [He sheepishly runs a skeletal hand through his hair.] I just do things by ear most of the time, so I've never had to learn.

[His father never allowed him to formally study, either, so there was also that.]

Edited 2015-11-11 22:06 (UTC)

Well... would you ever want to? We were talking about what you could do for other people, but this is something that you could do for yourself.

Hey, that's an idea! I could actually write down my own songs.

Exactly! I have a friend who's going to college for music, actually. You want me to ask him where he's applying, see if you can too? If you're registered, the government will pay for part of it.

You mean he's going to college to study how to play? [Manolo leans forward, clearly intrigued.] Sure, I'd love to know! Not that I could afford it since I'm unsettled, but I'm still curious.

No saying you can't still go for it! It'd just take a little more time... or maybe a scholarship, if you're good enough. Take it as a challenge.

A scholarship? [His mouth hangs open a moment as he contemplates the possibilities.] You mean, it's actually possible to convince someone to help me pay for it?

Yeah, exactly! Usually you gotta have a certain GPA -- uh, you gotta have good grades for it, or something, but in music school you could probably get by just by being really good at your instrument. You're not really from this place, so... if you decide you wanna go for it, let me know and I'll help you look up all the paperwork and junk. I'll make Minato help too.

Hey, that's really nice of you! Thank you, Jaime.

[And Minato too, if he's the type who lets himself get roped into helping other people, but Manolo doesn't really know him yet.]

I wouldn't even know where to start, hahah. Have you done any of these college things before?

Sorta. I was planning on doing it back home, but I didn't really see the point in doing it here, y'know? All the people I'd be doing it for are over there. But I'm taking on college course now. I can get a raise if I get some certification for fixing up cars.

Wow, great! How long will it take for you to get the certifications?

'Round the end of the year, I guess? It's a one year course, so it's not like it's a huge commitment or anything.

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