open 💀 second recording | passive dream + extra

[stillarhino]

Sender: Beat
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive Dream Recording
Warnings: Some spoilers for the OG The World Ends With You. Will update as needed.

A smartphone is shoved in front of your face, and confusion takes over, not sure what exactly you're looking at. Then you realize that it's an innocuous advertisement for a piece of jewelry that had shown right before the video played. You turn to the owner, and it takes you a moment to recognize her, your sister Rhyme. She's young, with short, blonde hair framing either side of her face. Her usual beanie is absent from atop her head.

"It's cute, right?" she asks. She's never really had any interest in jewelry before, which only further added to your confusion.

She smiles back at you, noticing the look on your face. "Don't worry. I don't plan on buying it. I probably wouldn't be able to afford it anyway."

A sigh escapes her mouth before she withdraws her arm, turning to lie back on the bed as she proceeds to watch the following video that starts to play.

For a moment you wonder what that was all about before you turn your attention back to the skateboard you'd been working on.

- - -

It's morning and you've been in line since the crack of dawn. You're not a morning person and you let out the biggest yawn, not even bothering to cover your mouth.

A few hours have passed since you got here, able to get a spot in line toward the front of the pack, only beaten by those who camped out the night before. You decided to come out this early only because you learned that the item was limited. Seeing all the people in line before you makes you realize just how coveted this might actually be. For a while, you wonder if you even have a chance of purchasing it.

There are a few whispers from further back in line, and they don't make an effort in keeping their voices down.

"What is he doing here anyway? He looks completely lost."

"Stop that. Maybe he's buying it for his girlfriend or something."

A rush of heat color your cheeks, but you're quick to shoot a glare their way, baring your teeth just to drive the point further. They see you and all of a sudden they have nothing more to say.

- - -

The box in your hand is wrapped messily, the bow atop it leaning off one of the corners. Maybe you should've let someone else do it instead. But it's too late for that now. You rap your knuckles against the door.

It opens to reveal Rhyme. A large smile adorns her face as she greets you but she quickly sees the box in your hand. "Huh? What's this?"

You hand it over to her.

"For me?" She examines it for a while before looking back up to hold your gaze. "Can I open it?" You nod and she immediately begins tearing through the wrapper. When she opens the box within, her face immediately lights up, and whatever anxiety you had felt coming into this washes away.

"Oh gosh! You actually got it." She holds up a cord with a large, brass bell pendant hanging at the end. It's the very same one as the piece featured in the video ad.

Before you can even get a word out, she throws herself at you, jumping to curl her arms around your neck. "Thank you so much, Beat!" A warmth spreads throughout you and you smile, bringing your arms around her to return the embrace, hugging her tight enough to make her giggle in your ear.

And then you wake.

Sender: Beat
To: Close CR (except for Gina and Futaba)
Subject: a little help?
Warnings: Cursing. Will update as needed.

[Forward dated to the 23rd.]

yo i kinda got myself in a predicktament
and i aint sure how im supposed to

[There's a long pause before he continues writing this next part.]

deal with this one
so imma need some advice
any of ya got some time to help a brother out?

[If you're unsure if your character counts for this second part, feel free to poke me at riyuji or at Riyuji#9693 on discord.]

Comments

sender: link

[skyglider]

Yes. How can I help?

[stillarhino]

yo
have ya ever liked anyone before?

[skyglider]

[...

...

...]

What??

[stillarhino]

whatchu mean what
i asked ya if you ever had a crush on someone before

1/2

[skyglider]

Ah

[Oh no this is not the request for help he thought it was]

[skyglider]

That's

[...loooong pause]

complicated.

[stillarhino]

i hear that brother
swhy i hadta ask for help with it

[You can keep your secrets for now, Link.]

[skyglider]

I see.

[Well, just because he can't summarize his history in ten words or less doesn't mean he can't try to help, right?]

If I may, what's the situation?

[stillarhino]

dyou see those weird flying pink slugs last month
got stuck with a coupla them
and those bastards got me into this freaking mess

[skyglider]

[..........]

The pink slugs made someone like you

[stillarhino]

[...Craaaaaap. The next part is written so hastily, it's almost hard to read.]

SHIT YO
i aint even thought about that part

[skyglider]

[Squint. More ............]

What a diabolical scheme.

[stillarhino]

huh?
whats so diabetical about it
and nah its more

[If you can only hear the loud groan that he makes. It could almost put a moose to shame.]

its the other way around yo!

[skyglider]

No, it's

[Beat...]

Never mind.
That sounds difficult.
Are you... unsure of your feelings?

[stillarhino]

yeah that
i aint ever really had time to think about stuff like this you know
like how am i sure about it
dunno nothing about that

[Should he say it? He should say it. It's Link after all. He's gotta say it right. He can trust Link. He's a pretty quiet guy anyway. Crap, why are his thoughts like this. AuUuUuUgGgHhHhH.]

but also cause theres two of them

[Say what?]

[skyglider]

I understand.
It's hard to be certain.

[... A beat. Beat??!?]

Two??!
That's [........]
I see why you're struggling.

[stillarhino]

really feels like im screwed yo
aint got a damn clue what i gotta do next

[skyglider]

Hm
Well, what do you want the end result to be?

[stillarhino]

i guess its just figuring out what to do next you know
neither of them wanted to talk about it after what happened with the slugs
and i didnt wanna push it cause it was hella awkward already

[skyglider]

That makes sense.
Sometimes some space can help.
How long has it been since this happened?

[stillarhino]

bout a month
but i bumped into one of them back when this place turned into sweet central
and it looks like shorty saw my dream

[skyglider]

Do you still want to talk about it?
With them.

[stillarhino]

i guess kinda yeah
cause i dunno about them but im still thinking about what went down

[skyglider]

Talking about feelings like this requires bravery.

[That much he knows from personal experience.]

So, if you're certain you want to talk to them about it...
What I mean to say is, it doesn't sound like a passing pink slug effect.
Not to me, at least.

[stillarhino]

thats the thing yo
i dunno if im sure

[An ink blot forms on the page, growing larger and larger as Beat taps repeatedly against it on his end, taking his time with his words.]

guess im kinda scared that itll fuck things up