Moving into their new lodgings wasn’t difficult, since neither Gemma nor Skyler had much of anything to move. They had ordered furniture to be delivered straight to their new apartments, and Gemma had gone shopping the day prior for other staples.

“You made a great choice,” Skyler said, as their furniture was moved into their respective apartments.

“I’m glad you like it,” Gemma said.

In the past two days Skyler had been busy, working on leveling his Furrier Class—something which he had managed to do.

Gemma hadn’t had much luck in that area since the single level she’d received after Nellie’s huge tantrum. Not that she had performed much after that day she’d bought the instruments. She was busy making sure their apartment would be habitable.

She’d brought up the issue with Skyler since he’d had such resounding success in leveling up.

“I think you should find a job performing somewhere. That’ll have more weight than just street performances, from what I’ve heard,” he said. He then listed some places she might find useful resources.

“And also, there might be more weight into playing the instrument you already know,” he said.

“Hmm,” Gemma said, “I’ll look into it.” Gemma wasn’t sure Skyer was right about that second half, since Musician was a catch all term, not to mention her first Skill was about screaming.

After they were all set up in their new apartments, Gemma searched the sites Skyler had suggested she check out. There were whole online communities dedicated to cataloguing existing Classes and associated Skills.

Gemma realized she could spend hours reading through all the material, something which wouldn’t be a bad idea anyway, but that it wouldn’t line up with her priorities.

One, she wanted to level up her Classes. High cumulative levels were synonymous with power. There were places you couldn’t gain entry into without those levels, people who wouldn’t bother talking to you.

And secondly, she needed to locate who to beat up for answers on getting back to Earth. Which took her back to priority one, gaining the power to find that knowledgeable individual, and then making them talk, one way or another.

The problem with finding a venue to perform was that many had a minimum Class level required, and requested the player had certain skills, like Heartsong, Colorful Notes, or Beautiful Performance. And Gemma only had Horrific Scream, which was not a selling point.

Gemma rubbed her head, “I should’ve spoken to Skyler about this first thing. I’ve been neglecting focusing on my Classes and Skills, but without them I’m not going to get anywhere.”

According to the online communities, the most popular Skill for Musicians was Colorful Notes, and if Gemma wanted to tip the odds that it would need to be her next Skill.

The most common way to encourage the acquisition of that Skill was to perform while wearing ostentatious, bright clothes. It seemed silly to Gemma, but many a Musician swore by that method.

There was some correlation to the Skill itself, Gemma supposed. Colorful Notes was reported to form wispy rainbows, and at high levels, even images that related to a piece of music being performed. It made the audible a visual treat too.

Gemma layered on random pieces of her clothing. If she played for Nellie, that was performing, right?

“Here goes, Nellie,” she said. Gemma pulled out the gloxzine and practiced Marion’s Lullaby like the boy from the park had taught her. She missed several notes, but Nellie didn’t mind. She smiled and clapped once for Gemma.

Gemma played and played until the pattern of Marion’s Lullaby was etched into her fingers.

Gemma put the instrument away, and checked her phone, “Oh, come on!”

Musician had stayed static at level one, but Babysitter leveled to four.

Congratulations on reaching cumulative level five!

You have gained the Skill, Tender Loving Care!

:)

Administrator Wiley

Grumbling, Gemma checked the Skill’s description.

Tender Loving Care (Babysitter): You are attuned to the needs of anyone under your watch. When sensing an acute need you are able to find a way to accommodate it efficiently, one way or another.

“Lovely,” Gemma sighed, “That’ll be five more levels before I can get a useful Skill.”

Suddenly, Gemma felt a physical tugging, and her body moved of its own accord.

She blinked as her hands lifted up the gloxzine and played Marion’s Lullaby again. Nellie looked up at her, eyes bright.

“That...was freaky,” Gemma said. It seemed Tender Loving Care had activated and made her play since Nellie wanted her too.

“Forget about getting my next Skill,” Gemma shuddered, “We’re going to have to work on the ones I already have. I am not a puppet.”