Transcendence

The Color Of My Chord

Snow gently drifted down from the grey Lantonian sky as Lily the Floragato sat next to Alex on a weathered wooden bench, nestled in a quiet park square. The cobbled path shimmered with frost, and streetlamps flickered with warm light.

Lily pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders and looked at Alex, who sat relaxed, gazing ahead at the peaceful flurries.

"So... you're really not gonna help me write a hit, then?" Lily asked, a playful pout in her refined, crisp accent.

Alex glanced over. "Lily, I'm no musician. I don't even know what key your old hit was in. I'm probably the worst Lucario you could've asked for this."

She let out a soft chuckle before turning her gaze away. "Aye, maybe. But honestly... I just wanted to be closer to you."

Alex sighed. Not out of frustration-but because he knew this conversation was coming. Again. "Lily... my heart already has an owner."

"Right, that Vexus lass," she muttered, brushing some snow off her lap. "Still don't get why you're not in Siril. You've got more than enough dosh to go there. So why stay here in this little corner o' Lant, eh?"

Alex paused. He stared up at the snow-filled sky, silent for a long breath.

"... I don't know. Maybe I just want to enjoy being who I really am. Not some weak hobo everyone avoided in the human world. I've grown to love Lant-for what it really is. One day I'll make the plunge and go back to Siril. But not yet."

Lily exhaled, a mix of frost and breath in the air. Alex suddenly perked up.

"Oh! Before I forget... here."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a modest, mini microwave. "Fixed it. Arlo kept bugging me not to forget."

Lily blinked in disbelief. "You actually fixed me microwave? Stars above... you really are full o' surprises."

"I did pick up a thing or two in the human world," Alex replied. "Used to fix or refurbished stuff. Sometimes played as a clown at birthdays. Didn't get many gigs though... not like anyone was hiring a hobo..."

Lily snorted. "A clown? You? You're havin' a laugh."

"Swear on it. Balloon animals, face paint-the works."

"You've lived the strangest life I've ever heard, Alex."

They sat in silence for a moment. Then Lily spoke softly. "You know... I still dunno why my first hit worked. What made it click, y'know?"

Alex folded his paws and leaned back slightly. "Maybe it was the emotions."

She looked at him, intrigued. "You really think so?"

"Yeah... maybe it's time to try something new-but real. Tell you what... there are songs I remember. Real classics from the human world. They don't exist here, so no one can say anything about it."

Lily's ears perked up. "Oh? Well then, Mr. Clown Lucario... give me the lyrics. Something dear to you."

Alex grinned faintly as he nodded. Remembering one particular song.

"Alright... it goes like this..."