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

[flamekthunder]

Yes.

[...]

So who's caught your interest?

[stillarhino]

huh?
howd you figure that out?

[flamekthunder]

Why else would you be asking your earlier question?

[stillarhino]

i

[There's a long pause as Beat just kind of grumbles to himself.]

am i that predicktable?

[flamekthunder]

Predictable.

And it depends.

1/2

[stillarhino]

[Have a large, frustrated scribble, Eustace.]

futaba

[stillarhino]

and gina

1/2

[flamekthunder]

[...

............

........................]

2/2

[flamekthunder]

Are you following in Oriphi's footsteps or are you trying to choose one?

[stillarhino]

i didnt even know ori had two boyfriends man

[At least not until today.]

i dont even know if i seriously like the two of them
thats why i was asking about you and teef

[flamekthunder]

Let's meet at the dog park.

[This is getting too complicated to just write about.

Annnnnd as tempting as it is to share this with Tifa, he will be a good bro and honor the bro code and keep it from her until Beat says something himself. So going out will be easier.]

> action

[stillarhino]

aight
imma see you there

[Beat books it to the dog park. While he enjoyed the snow while it lasted, he was just glad that he could get back on his skateboard again. It was one of the few distractions that has been getting him past the last few weeks. Never mind the slush that still persisted at the edges of the streets, Beat felt he just needed to rely on his reflexes in case he take a spill.

Which is what Eustace finds him doing when he arrives, balancing on his board as he works on a flip on a dry area of ground, laser-focused on the task at hand. If Eustace doesn't announce his arrival right away, he may even catch Beat execute one before landing back on the board.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace is surprised to see Beat already at the dog park...and even more so practicing his skateboard moves. They aren't really a thing in his world, so he can't help but watch a little curious. It's basically a snowboard with wheels, isn't it? Interesting...

So he'll just remain silent as he watches Beat perform his flip, and won't say anything until Beat finally notices him. Seems like he could use the distraction and it didn't seem wise to interrupt him in the middle of something like this.]

[stillarhino]

[And Eustace's guess is right, he needed a distraction. He's needed one for a few weeks now. So as soon as he completes the trick, he goes for another, gaining some speed as he pushed forward. He adjust his feet, and pushes down against the back for another flip, only for it to get caught at the edge of his shoe. The board slides away and Beat takes a spill, just barely catching himself on the ground.]

Dammit!

[Clicking his tongue, he pushes himself back to stand, dusting at his pants along the way. That's when he catches sight of Eustace watching him from a short distance away.]

Yo, Wolfie. Didn't hear ya get here.

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a slight cringe at the spill. Snow can be just as hard and hurt just as much, but still, ouch.

But he clears his expression before Beat notices and just starts walking over.]

You were focused. I didn't want to interrupt.

[stillarhino]

[Walking to retrieve his skateboard, he kicks it up, grabbing it by the nose and tucking it under his arm.]

It's fine, yo. It ain't like this is why we here.

[Beat's usual energy wasn't present, that was plain as day to see. Not with his current dilemma weighing on his mind.]

[flamekthunder]

Still looked like you needed it.

[Release some of that pent up frustration.]

So. What's going on with these two girls?

[And just cutting to the chase because he doesn't want to deal with teenage love affairs for very long—]

[stillarhino]

Yeah, I can do more a' it later.

[There's a bit of a sting in his hand that he feels first before he sees. He looks at his palm, seeing that he had scraped it at the bottom, but tries to shrug it off, letting out nothing more than a frustrated huff.]

Hell, I dunno, man. I dunno if it's jus' me thinkin' about it or if they's doing the same, too. Or, like, it is jus' 'cause a' those damn slugs makin' me think 'bout all this—

[Too bad, Eustace, you gotta deal with at least this teen's awkward overthinking about relationships.]

[flamekthunder]

[Ugh... He didn't sign up for this yes he did.

Seeing Beat's hand, he frowns and he's going to make Beat feel weird and probably freak out a bit by just grabbing it and holding it in his hand as the other starts to coat it with healing ice.]

The slugs?

[stillarhino]

Hey! What the hell you doin'—

[And he tries to pull his hand back, up until he feels the coolness against his skin. It's familiar, like back when they had first met.

He stares at his hand, then back to Eustace. Somehow, he's wound up having Eustace help him again.]

Yeah, the pink ones that were runnin' 'round last month. Got caught with them, twice.

[flamekthunder]

[Don't worry, Beat, he's got a nice, firm grip on your hand as he puts on that healing ice patch. But the more acceptance the better.]

...........Ah.

[Just. A very. Knowing sound of understanding. And a brief crossed expression—]

So you had to kiss them. Hopefully without too much fuss.

[stillarhino]

[It was actually a relief that he didn't have to explain himself to Eustace. Things were already awkward enough as it is. The straightforwardness of the question though was enough to make him blush.]

Kinda was 'cause we didn't know what it was until it started messin' with us. But... we got outta it.

[Which means yes, he did have to kiss them. Just staring at his hand instead of Eustace.]

[flamekthunder]

[LOOK AT LEAST THEY DIDN'T GET THROWN INTO A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION.]

And how did they feel about it?

[Just a little more...and done. He releases Beat's hand after he's certain he's put in enough dreamotion energy that will let it heal. The ice patch will automatically melt away over time.]

[stillarhino]

[The coolness on his palm is still a little odd but it does help with the sting. He gives Eustace a nod of thanks once he gets his hand back.]

I dunno. Didn't really ask them 'bout it.

[He shifts as he stands, antsy all of a sudden, now that he's thinking about it. His voice drops, a little quieter than his usual volume, not something you hear everyday from him.]

I think Shorty liked it 'cause a' some stuff she said. [He still remembers their exchange after the kiss, and the kaomoji that showed up on the journals.] And Smokes said it was like I knew what I was doin'. [Which god, he still doesn't know what to do with that knowledge.]

[flamekthunder]

[M....hm..................]

And you?