Lesson 2: Duets

Lesson 2: Duets


After getting all the relevant Duel Apprentice paperwork in order, I packed my things and moved into the Apprentice house Brock owned--since a Master can only have one Apprentice at a time, there were plenty of Apprentice houses in town. And every Apprentice house has the character of the Master that lives there.

I gasped when I saw the nice and spacious living room. "Wow...it's like a huge camp lodge in the forest!"

"The pleasures of camp without the Venonats, annoying bunk mates, food that comes from Arceus-knows-where, and having to get up at the crack of dawn." Brock smiled as he proudly surveyed his wood and stone domain. "and modern conveniences."

He led me up the stairs to the apprentice bedroom. "And here is your room...I've put a little welcome gift on the nightstand."

I gasped when I saw a copy of Emerald Valkyrie on the nightstand. "Wow! I've always wanted one of the Gem Valkyries!"

"Emerald's a good one to start with, particularly if you want a good Fairy deck." Brock explained. "because once per turn, she can cover one of your other monsters from an attack--and protecting your fairies is critical if you want to go toe to toe with the best of the best."

I then found the tin containing my soon to be dismantled deck. "Okay...good bye Sora the Shaky, hello Sora the Super!"

With Brock's patient yet firm guidance, I managed to construct a workable Fairy deck with Emerald Valkyrie, Aurora Paragon, and Sonata, Melodious Diva of Fantasia leading the way.

No sooner had I slipped Sonata in the deck, Brock showed me Sonata's counterpart, Aria. "I'm told that when Aria and Sonata are out on the field together with the rare Spell "Fantasia on Sixteen Melodies", something amazing happens--but every time I tag team, my partner has no Fairies, period, or doesn't have Sonata."

"I promise--if we ever get to tag team together, I will help unlock that miracle!" I vowed.

The piano at the northern end of the room made me grin--besides trombone (my main instrument), I could play piano fairly well, and had even dabbled in some songwriting.

Brock noticed my smile when I saw the piano. "Want to play a duet together? You on the piano and me on my guitar?"

"Sure!" I replied. My eyes sparkled--no one had ever asked me to play a duet before--I mainly played the piano for fun.

Then I realized--what was a song we both knew fairly well?

"I'll give you a note to tune while I try and think of songs we both would know." I offered as I hit the E below middle C for Brock's reference note.

"Well, most piano duets can also work with a piano and guitar." Brock suggested as he tuned.

I thought for a moment. "Are you singing, or am I singing, or are we both singing?"

"Either way, if we both know it, I don't have any preference as to who sings--or if anyone has to sing." Brock assured me as he strummed an expectant E chord to tell me he was ready.

"Do you know 'Just the Way You Are'?" I asked, playing the familiar opening melody on the piano.

Brock thought for a moment. "Has some really strange chords, but I can simplify it a little, with open fingerings for G minor and B minor, so the only hard chord I have to play is F# minor."

"Works for me." I grinned as I started the introduction.

Don't go changing, to try and please me,
You never let me down before... Brock joined in over the piano.
Mmm...don't imagine, you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore....

He then joined in with me on his guitar. I would not leave you, in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far,
Mmm...I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are...