Zeran frowned. "well, there's the way of the open hand, one they learned from a world called Toril, a technique called the Void from a world they never told me the name of, and a technique they didn't even name that involves harnessing the world's natural arcane energies to generate something they call balefire...... and one way to quickly master them would be to ask Etheran to transmit knowledge of the techniques into your mind"
"Pfff, that's dull. I wanna learn the old fashioned way: busting my ass under an abusive trainer. Hey, maybe I can get that dead guy to teach me EJJ!"
The stage, set up about a hundred yards from the bar, was being rigged with lighting and sound equipment by a small army of ponies. Octavia and the musician's guild had certainly come through. Deadbeat trotted over to the drums while Boomer and Riff grabbed their instruments. The sound mare flicked a few switches and nodded to Raven. "You're good to go, but I'll need to hear you sing 'fore I can mix you proper."
Asmo chuckled. "Sounds much more fun. Ooo, maybe I'll even win stuff! Do they have tournaments?" "Uhh, sure," Raven replied. "Not gonna do something lame like make me sound electronic, right?"
Zeran frowned thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "yeah, they hold one every 50 years, actually. there's one coming up 2 months from now"
The sound mare looked at her sternly. "I'm a professional. I won't alter your voice unless you're terrible." Back inside, Nightshade's ears perked up. "Did you just mention a tournament?"
Zeran nodded. "yeah, Etheran hosts one. they gather some of the best martial artists from across the known multiverses to compete."
"That's way too soon for me to learn enough!" Asmo tapped his chin. "I nominate Azrael to get his ass kicked in my stead." "Sounds fair." Raven cleared her throat and sang, giving the mare a taste of her clean vocals, actually pretty damn good. "Denying, the lying, a million ponies fighting. For lives, in strife; For hope beyond the horizon. A dead world, a dark path, not even crossroads to choose from. All the bloodred, carpets before me. Behold this fair creation of the gods!~"
"last time, they gave the winner a mythril golem. they decide the prize based on who the winner is, as well as just how amazing their performance is"
Nightshade grinned. "Well, damn, sign me up. Just... uh... don't tell my father. He'll want to fight too, and I'd like to at least have a chance at winning." She could hear Raven singing outside. "Four hours 'til the concert, by the way. If everything goes as planned, there'll be at least a thousand ponies at this thing, so... let's try to play nice with the normal pones, m'kay?"
The sound mare nodded. "All good on this end. Just needed to make a few adjustments to keep your pitch balanced with the guitars. Boomer, you've got a little whine in your bass. Check your plug, we may need to swap it out." Nightshade sighed and playfully whacked Asmo upside the head. "Seriously though, don't be a dick. I'd like this to go well."
Asmo nodded. "Fine. I'll play nice. I'll only be a dick to everypony who's in the bar right this very moment." "I should prolly hook my stuff up." Raven hooked her guitar up to an amp. "Just tell me whenever you're ready to hear something."
