TheApricornTimes-Issue1-Musical Muse

Charles: fav.me/dbnvvul
's Horace and Gary: fav.me/dal7qxj

Next Issue: fav.me/dbo3095

My net was out for most of the day, so I couldn't do other work. Here it is! TAT Issue 1.

You can read the actual interview here!
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The quiet sound of writing signaled the Growlithe as he scribbled away at a desk, working on the draft of what would be his first issue. A nervous look followed a scowl, and he scrunched it up, tossing it away.

“This is so difficult, things would be so much easier if someone would just walk through my door and offer to help.” He sighed, getting back to work.

_

“Hello? Is anyone there?” The door swung open, revealing a Treecko and a Bidoof. “We heard that you were looking for apprentices to interview and had some time off, so we decided to stop in. I hope you don’t mind.” The Treecko said. His partner nodded nervously.

_

“Gah!” A wobble and a tumble sent the Growlithe rolling backwards and out of the chair as it flipped. He jumped to two feet, and rapidly dragged over two chairs for the guests.

“Great great! Take a seat and we can get right to it!” He righted his chair, and snatched a quill and pen from his bag, spinning around.

“Thank you! Thank you,” he jolts.

“Oh er. I mean hello!” He bows. “I am looking for apprentices to interview yes, would you like to be one?”

_

The Treecko nodded. “Yes, that was the general idea. My name is Horace. This,” He gestured to his partner, “is Gary. Together we form Team Harvester, one of the more recently formed teams in the Guilds.” Gary waved awkwardly. “H-hello.”

_

Charles began to write that down, swinging into a seat and nodding. “What brought you to Tabira?”

_

Both interviewees shifted uncomfortably. “Well, that’s a bit of an… interesting story.

I was mostly just trying to get away from home after my mother died. Too many memories there.” Horace’s eyes turned sad..

Gary also looked a little hesitant. “W-well, I was bullied a lot b-back in F-Fernfrond Village, s-so I left to find something better. W-we met on the way here.”

_

Charles nods sympathetically, “I understand. Sometimes memories don’t fade, and can become ghosts that haunt us more than any ghost pokemon could.” He writes for a moment, and then nods.

“What do you hope to find in Tabia?”

_

Both of them took a moment to think. “I’m just looking to make a name for myself, really kind of find my own identity.” Horace responded.

Gary nods. “I-I guess I’m j-just looking for something d-different.”

_

Charles nods, smiling, “Those are some interesting goals indeed. What would you consider the point when you’ve accomplished them? For example Mr Horace, what sort of name would you consider a satisfactory ‘end’ to your goal?”

He leans forward, tapping the quill to his mouth. “Perhaps you wish to be...a hero?”

_

Horace rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know if hero is really something I’m interested in. I’d like to help people, that’s true. But I’m not that great… I’m looking more to be a musician, or maybe an actor.”

_

“Oh a performer?” Charles leans back in cheerful surprise. “Do you know an instrument as of yet?”

_

Horace pulled out a small flute, made of leaves and tied together with blades of grass. “My Grass Whistle is the only one, but I suppose I could learn something else if I really tried. This one’s special to me though.”

_

“Oh?” Charles smiles warmly. “What makes it so special? Was it a gift from someone special?”

_

Horace nodded wistfully. “Yeah, my dad gave it to me when I was young. He had one too, and he was really good with it. We would play sometimes, and my mom would sing, and…” He trailed off, his expression turning sad. “But that was all so long ago.”

_

“Would you play for me?” Charles offers a comforting smile.

_

Horace shrugged. “Sure, I can do that.” Placing the flute to his lips, he began to play. A slow, sad melody, that made eyes tear up just a bit, thinking of times gone by. He pulled it away from his mouth and stopped playing, and both listeners shook their heads to clear the sensations.

_

Charles wipes his eye, smiling. “Truly, you are a beautiful player, it is a shame so few have heard of you yet.” He writes down a few more notes, and rises, offering a hand. “Thank you for your time, it was truly eye opening to hear of your experiences. Stay tuned for the issue coming soon, that will feature your interview.”

_

Both Pokemon shook his hand. “Sure, anytime,” Horace said. “We’ll be sure to pick up an issue when it comes out.” Waving farewell, they walked back out the door.

_

End