Mental Health Day [Ala]

[Sarie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;][bg=121212][style=font-family: arial narrow; color: #F08384; font-weight: bold; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 16px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 320px solid #F08384;]SINGING FOR YOU[/style] [style=text-align: center; color: #e4e4e4; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-family: arial;]IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE UP. THIS IS A SONG FOR YOU.[/style] [style=margin-top: 5px; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #e4e4e4; background-color: #212121; padding: 5px; border: 1px solid #222222;] [style=zoom: 1; filter: alpha(opacity=70); opacity: 0.7; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 10px; background-image: url(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy160/FireSparksCX/bth_IA-vocaloid.png); float: left;] [/style] IA sat on the side of the wooden Matsuri stage. It was the only part of the town festival that stayed up all year, and commonly Vocaloids or street performers would take advantage of it to make an extra buck or two. As much as she loved to sing, she just didnt seem in the mood today. The weather was much too nice, she would be sure to get distracted by the puffy clouds in the distance or the rays of light streaming through them. She let her legs dangle the side and eventually laid down and splayed her arms on either side of her. It was nearly 4pm and the sun was slowly getting lower in the sky. She'd done nothing all day. Honestly. Wake up, get dressed, attempt to practice, get distracted by food, find her way here, and sit down. Sometimes useless days were needed, a mental health day, it kept her mind free to wander before having to concentrate too much on a certain subject; such as the upcoming concert. Knots formed in her stomach at the mention of it. The thousands of eyes in the crowd, the possibility of a glitch mistake, the possibility of boos from the crowd... What would she do?! Her mind rambled in terrible thoughts for the next few minutes. She cringed her face before opening her eyes again. She had a long while, but it was never long enough... The nervous blonde pouted and sat up now. She needed something to do to suppress nervous thoughts. IA stared all around. What to do, what to do. She silently prayed she would recognize a face in the crowded street. [style=color: #F08384; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 1px; background-color: #121212; padding: 2px;]TAGGING: ALA | WORDS: 274 | NOTES: Finally~[/style][/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE[/style]

[Ala]

Ala had felt good that day. Because yesterday was when he was in the mall with Rin singing. It really put him in a good mood, as did a lot of things that he did for fun. Today Ala felt like going out into public and maybe get some more practice with his guitar, something he was originally interested in playing, but G had convinced him that it would impress people more if he could play the guitar and sing at the same time. So he wandered the streets just going to a random location.

As luck would have it for the white haired fellow he ended up going to the Matsuri stage, something that was up all year, but only officially used during the town festival. He was singing and playing random songs on the way there, some were japanese, some were foreign or western. The song that he was in the middle of playing as he approached was "I'm yours" by a guy named Jason Mraz.

...I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention.
I reckon, it's again my turn
To win some or learn some.

But I won't hesitate
No more, no more.
It cannot wait,
I'm yours.

He was aware that his english was a little scratchy, so some of the words came out weird, but that aside he stopped as he approached the stage, on it was a blonde girl, that from what he saw seemed upset about something. As he got closer to the girl he recognized her as IA. She was one of the newer vocaloids, but still famous none the less, maybe fate or some mysterious force was trying to change something. Maybe she heard him sing, maybe she didn't but either way Ala felt that he should do something to help.

So he got close to her, about a yard away and then asked," You seem kind of troubled, maybe sad about something. Do you think I could help you with whatever you need help with?" Maybe with her she just needed to talk to someone. Ala thought he would end up doing good with this.

[Sarie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;][bg=121212][style=font-family: arial narrow; color: #F08384; font-weight: bold; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 16px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 320px solid #F08384;]SINGING FOR YOU[/style] [style=text-align: center; color: #e4e4e4; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-family: arial;]IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE UP. THIS IS A SONG FOR YOU.[/style] [style=margin-top: 5px; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #e4e4e4; background-color: #212121; padding: 5px; border: 1px solid #222222;] [style=zoom: 1; filter: alpha(opacity=70); opacity: 0.7; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 10px; background-image: url(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy160/FireSparksCX/bth_IA-vocaloid.png); float: left;] [/style] Suddenly, out of thin air it seemed, a singing voice caught her ear. The choppy sound of the English language came to recognition. IA hummed along with the tune, somehow hearing it before. She wasn't too caught up with western tunes, but this one was a favorite in the east as well. She didn't recognize the voice right away though. It took her until she saw familiar white hair of Utau Ala. She hadn't had much to do with the certain male Utau, but she knew of him and how he sounded! Quite smooth for an Utau! IA wondered if Ala had spotted her to, and when he started speaking to her the answer was clear. She certainly hoped her pouty face didn't ward him off. She couldn't help her nerves at times, and she didn't want to be a burden on other's mindsets. "Mm no, not troubled," she spoke, a tilt of her head. "Just thoughts of our concert coming up." She offered a sweet smile to him, to show she was alright. "What brings you here, Ala?" she looked at his guitar. Utaus are so lucky to be able to perform without worry of having to give up their money, IA thought. As much as she liked her own programming, she always wondered how nice freedom must feel. "You play so well. Are you street performing?" She playfully reached a hand out and plucked the smallest string to make sound. She smiled. Instruments were like second voices; in her opinion anyway. [style=color: #F08384; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 1px; background-color: #121212; padding: 2px;]TAGGING: ALA | WORDS: 253 | NOTES: SHIPPY SHIP[/style][/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE[/style]

[Ala]

She seemed genuinely nice by her tone of voice and how she responded. She had asked him about what he was doing, asking, "You play so well. Are you street performing?" He had to think about how to answer it. Technically speaking yes he was street performing, but most street performers do it to make money for themselves. Ala however was doing it to make money to donate to various charities. He was pretty much happy with what he had, and whenever he wanted something, one of his more generous fans would find it for it, and he would end up having several copies of the same thing, but he didn't mind that, he was just happy that people cared enough to send him things.

As he was thinking, he noticed that IA had playfully strung a string . It made him smile. This guitar was another thing that a fan had got for him, and he used it alot actually. He then answered," I'm just here, I figured I would grab my guitar and make people smile today, so yes, I am street performing, but not for myself. Any money I do make, I end up donating to various charities." He then un-wrapped the guitar strap and offered the guitar to IA, asking," Do you wanna play some. If you don't know how I'd be happy to teach you." To Ala, IA was pretty, she was nice, and maybe it would help if they could become good friends. Ala thought to himself about a topic that had first come up with him when he was singing with Rin the day before, Was this what love felt like, well not love, that went both ways, maybe this was what was called a crush.

[Sarie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;][bg=121212][style=font-family: arial narrow; color: #F08384; font-weight: bold; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 16px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 320px solid #F08384;]SINGING FOR YOU[/style] [style=text-align: center; color: #e4e4e4; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-family: arial;]IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE UP. THIS IS A SONG FOR YOU.[/style] [style=margin-top: 5px; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #e4e4e4; background-color: #212121; padding: 5px; border: 1px solid #222222;] [style=zoom: 1; filter: alpha(opacity=70); opacity: 0.7; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 10px; background-image: url(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy160/FireSparksCX/bth_IA-vocaloid.png); float: left;] [/style] IA's blue-purple eyes lit up at the thought of learning to play an instrument. She eagerly put out her arms for the guitar and put on the guitar strap. How big it looked on her! She wondered if her tiny hands would be able to reach all of the strings. She couldn't help the smile plastered on her face, this was exciting. She'd always tried to learn something, usually piano since she had access to one in the Vocaloid House. But now that she could try guitar, she was hopeful to follow it through! But one step at a time, she reminded herself. IA always thought too far ahead, thus her usual downfall. "This is amazing!" she chimed with a blushed look towards Ala. She slid her hand down the neck of the guitar just to get a feel for it. It was smooth and warm from being held by the male Utau. Same with the strings. They felt very comfortable that way. She moved her hands back to the starting position. Blinking up to Ala with wide, curious eyes, she asked "What now?" Her thoughts briefly hit at how kind this Utau was. They had just met and had such a connection as to teach her guitar. Sometimes Utaus would be hostile at Vocaloids for their success, hence IA not befriending any yet. But not Ala. He seemed too kind for such petty play, and very down to earth with his personality. Plus his white hair and different color eyes were stunning. She felt a little breath-taken at the sight of him, but she tried to ignore the flutters in her chest for now. She had guitar to learn! [style=color: #F08384; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 1px; background-color: #121212; padding: 2px;]TAGGING: ALA | WORDS: 280 | NOTES: SHIPPITY SHIP[/style][/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE[/style]

[Ala]

IA took the offered guitar with a big, pretty smile that warmed Ala's metaphorical heart. After she touched various parts of the guitar, she exclaimed,"This is amazing!" and she looked at Ala with a blushed face, showing her happiness. She moved her hand back down to the starting position and then asked,"What's next?"

Seeing as she obviously wasn't going to bite, Ala moved closer. If she didn't know how to play the guitar, it would be a bit hard to instruct her on which note would play, so he put his hands on hers his face now slightly blushing, saying," Let me control your hands for a bit." He then moved her hand to the thinnest string and said," This is the E string." He moved her hand up to the slightly thicker string and said,"This is the B string." And did the same thing saying the names of the G, D, A, and the Low E strings as he went up with each string.

He then said," Each little metal bar is called a a fret, so don't fret over it." Ala laughed at his really corny pun. After that he said," So, just to make sure you understand, tell me the name of each string. And then the name of the metal bar."

[Sarie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;][bg=121212][style=font-family: arial narrow; color: #F08384; font-weight: bold; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 16px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 320px solid #F08384;]SINGING FOR YOU[/style] [style=text-align: center; color: #e4e4e4; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-family: arial;]IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE UP. THIS IS A SONG FOR YOU.[/style] [style=margin-top: 5px; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #e4e4e4; background-color: #212121; padding: 5px; border: 1px solid #222222;] [style=zoom: 1; filter: alpha(opacity=70); opacity: 0.7; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 10px; background-image: url(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy160/FireSparksCX/bth_IA-vocaloid.png); float: left;] [/style] IA's heart jumped as his hand laid over hers. His was a decent amount bigger, but at least it was warm and comfortable. She held her smile. It was a pleasant feeling. The flutters in her chest wouldn't leave her alone now. Would it be like this the whole lesson, she wondered. It would be very distracting. Yet she had trouble finding a problem with that. She watched intently as his hands guided hers over the different strings and said each name. The letters were all mix-mashed together, how would she remember each one? She did what she could to remember, but she was nervous to repeat it back like she asked. IA smiled and laughed at his clever pun. Now she could remember that! His pun was actually very helpful! "The metal bars are frets," she repeated confidently. "Uhmm.. this one," she guided his hands now, "is the E string..." she pointed out the thinnest one. "And... the D..." she said to the next one. "Then G... and A..." She furrowed her brow. This didn't sound right. He had just said it! Why didn't she remember? "Why wouldn't they put it in order like scales?" IA asked with a narrow gaze. She could repeat her scales all day, backwards and frontwards, but when they were mixed like this it was a new ballgame. "Sorry, I'm no good with this," she apologized and looked away. If the basics stumped her, how would she expect to do this? [style=color: #F08384; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 1px; background-color: #121212; padding: 2px;]TAGGING: ALA | WORDS: 247 | NOTES: SHIPPING SHIP[/style][/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE[/style]

[Ala]

Ala smiled when IA laughed at his pun. It was working. Then she had memorized frets. Then she started to list the strings,"Uhmm.. this one,"as she guided his hands to the thinnest one, "is the E string... And... the D...Then G... and A..." She messed up and she could tell. This is a good thing, not that she messed but that she knew what her mistake was. She then said," Why wouldn't they put it in order like scales?" She looked upset as she looked off and said,"Sorry, I'm no good with this."

Ala then said," It's okay you were doing good, at least you got the right letters. I tried to teach someone once and they started pulling out random words. Just remember, it's not going to be easy all at once. It actually took me a while to learn." He then thought to himself, what helped me remember what the names were called....that's right mnemonic devices, or acronyms. He then said," You know how with the scales there were things like Every good boy does fine and other things like that. We just need to think of a mnemonic device for the guitar strings. "

As he was thinking, he realized that his hands were still on IA's but he figured since he was helping her with the strings it would be okay to let them linger. He then came up with something. He then said," IA, maybe this might help out. So the strings are E,B,G,D,A, and Low E, so starting from the High E, try to remember Every Beautiful Guitar Deserves Amps Everyday or Every Beautiful Girl Deserves An Eagle."

[Sarie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;][bg=121212][style=font-family: arial narrow; color: #F08384; font-weight: bold; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 16px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 320px solid #F08384;]SINGING FOR YOU[/style] [style=text-align: center; color: #e4e4e4; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-family: arial;]IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE UP. THIS IS A SONG FOR YOU.[/style] [style=margin-top: 5px; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #e4e4e4; background-color: #212121; padding: 5px; border: 1px solid #222222;] [style=zoom: 1; filter: alpha(opacity=70); opacity: 0.7; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 10px; background-image: url(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy160/FireSparksCX/bth_IA-vocaloid.png); float: left;] [/style] "Eagles..." IA chuckled at the mnemonic device. They were both very clever, but she had to admit she liked the eagle one. She pictured a girl with flowing red hair on the top of a hill holding a majestic eagle. If she could paint, she would most definitely paint that. I need to concentrate! she reminded herself. It was so easy to get off track. Staring down at the frets with her wide blue eyes, she repeated the device. "Every Beautiful Girl Deserves An Eagle". She lead Ala's hand with hers and pointed at each string. "E, B, G, D, A, E" she spoke. Was it right? Was she pointing at the right ones for each letter? She had done the order from the string closest to her to the farthest, which she thought was right, but also had her doubts. IA wondered how she could be a decent singer, yet have trouble figuring out the basics of an instrument. It was a little embarrassing, she had to admit. The light red hadn't left her cheeks since Ala put his hand over hers. He had let it linger so long, and IA was glad. He was sweet... [style=color: #F08384; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 1px; background-color: #121212; padding: 2px;]TAGGING: ALA | WORDS: 197 | NOTES: SHIIIIIP[/style][/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE[/style]

[Ala]

IA had chuckled at some of the mnemonic devices that Ala had come up with. She obviously appreciated his random sense of humor and cleverness, though it was more of him throwing random words together.

Then IA repeated the second example of the mnemonic devices saying,"Every Beautiful Girl Deserves An Eagle". Yes, that was the key to remembering things that were hard to remember, associate them with letters or other words that you would easily be able to remember. Following her repeating the mnemonic device, she led Ala's hands to the strings, saying their names, attaching the right letter to the right string.

He then hugged IA, saying," Yes! That's right. Now you just have to memorize that." He then realized what he had done, and then quickly released himself from IA saying," Sorry, I get excited easily."