After learning about the details of their work as the Steering Committee, the boys along with Briar and the others find the instruments.
"The headmage said the instruments were in a brick warehouse around here..." Jack says.
Floyd scoffs, "Pfft, Professor Manta Ray split right after he dumped this concert gig on us. I swear, that guy... Always gone when the work starts."
Then Ruggie finds the instruments, "Look, there are a bunch of instruments. We've got a flute, trumpet, saxophone..."
Floyd grins, "Hey, nice! I'm feelin' this. Let's give 'em a whirl."
"Oui!" Rook says.
"Aw yeah!" Jack says, excited.
The boys gather the instruments and begin to play the music. However, Briar and the others end up covering their ears due to how they play the music. However, Floyd actually played the saxophone pretty good.
Seeing the results, Floyd says, "That...was..." and shouts with a smile, "AWFUL! Like, so bad! Absolutely hilarious!"
"Come on, what do you want from me?! I've never touched an instrument outside of class in my life!" Jack cries out, "I figured I'd at least be somewhat decent since I've got solid lung capacity, but man, that was rough."
"I haven't really played any instruments either," Ruggie says, "Even if I'd had the time to learn, I would've had to spend it finding ways to earn cash. But I'm surprised a classy-looking guy like you CAN'T play an instrument, Rook."
"I love few things more than beautiful art. I adore music, of course, and have attended many concerts," Rook says, "However, I have little interest in playing instruments myself. I have no need, you see, as merely listening to skilled performers is enough to fill my heart and then some. This was my first time playing, and it was, in a word, difficile! What a rare experience!"
Floyd continues laughing, "Bahahahaha! You guys are such dorks. You were all like, 'aw yeah!' and 'oui!' but you can't play a note! And you looked so serious too! It sounded like a drum kit fell down the stairs! Oh geez, my stomach hurts from laughin'."
Jack shouts at Floyd, "Shut up, will ya?!"
"I mean, what did you expect? The headmage volunteered us for this without checking to see if we could play," Ruggie says.
"Oh là là! This is quite the predicament," Rook says.
Jack scoffs, annoyed, "Tch. Okay, so what do we do, then?"
"Do? Learn how to play, duh? Practice, maybe?" Floyd suggests.
Ruggie then says, "We've only got about two weeks. How could we learn that fast?"
"Relax, it's simple. You just move your fingers with the rhythm," Floyd says, "Gimme your flute, Sea Urchin."
"It's all yours," Jack says and passes him the flute.
Floyd then begins to play it, and he actually plays it well.
Jack is surprised, "Whoa! That was good!
"Très bien! Truly masterful!" Rook says, impressed.
Ruggie responds in shock, "Are you tellin' me you can play the sax AND the flute, Floyd?"
"I can pretty much play any brass band instrument. I used to play a lot to pass the time back in the Coral Sea," Floyd says.
"Really? That's impressive," Briar says.
"You are truly a lover of music, Floyd! Marvelous!" Rook says.
And Jack says, "I seriously hate to give you any props at all, but... yeah. You've definitely got talent."
"It's just moving your fingers in the right order and blowing," Floyd says, making it sound easy.
"It's really not, though," Ruggie points out.
And Jack says, "...He does have a point."
"Uh, what?" Ruggie responds, confused.
Jack says, "We can't play, so we should practice until we can!"
"Dude, are you kidding me right now?!" Ruggie asks, shocked.
"Not at all! That's how everything works," Jack says, "Practice hard, and someday you'll be able to do it!"
"Yeah, SOMEDAY. We barely have SOME DAYS until the festival!" Ruggie shouts.
Jack then says to Floyd, "Floyd! Will you teach me how to play the flute?"
"Sure. But if you don't get any better, I'm gonna put the squeeze on you," Floyd says.
Jack smiles, "Awesome! Nothing to do but put in the work now!"
"Just ignore me, sure..." Ruggie says.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland - Port Fest: A Striking Performance
FanficA festival is being held at a Sage's Island harbor, and it's called Port Fest! Briar, and her friends, and the students of Night Raven will be running food stalls, but Jack, Ruggie, Rook, and Floyd have something else cooking...
