dreamcrystals | open 💀 second recording

Entry tags:

open 💀 second recording | passive dream + extra

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

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

And you?

...I dunno. That's why I asked ya how'd you know.

[Just gonna let out a loud, frustrated groan. He starts pacing making his way to a nearby bench and taking a seat there. There's a bit of grumbling on his end but he doesn't say anything coherent until Eustace joins him.]

I ain't ever felt stuff like this before, man. Ain't really had time for it. So I dunno what I'm supposed to be doin'.

[And Eustace will just be a little slower to follow before sitting next to him.]

I didn't really know, either. Rather, I thought it would be better to not form any relationships so it was never on my mind to begin with. So I can understand your confusion...and why I need you to not think and just answer in one second the following questions I ask you. If you take too long, I'll dump snow down your back.

[Most times, he was quick to do or think that first thing that came to his head. This, however, felt different for many different reasons. But he doesn't fight the suggestion. He finally turns to face Eustace]

Aight. One second. Hit me.

What are the girls' names?

Futaba and Gina.

How long have you known them?

Futaba back when the wind was blowin' crap all over the place. And Gina, back at the beach party.

[...When the wind was—okay whatever.]

How often do you meet them?

Once or twice a month?

[He actually sounds a little unsure about that one. It's not like he's really been keeping track.]

Do you enjoy spending time with them?

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

What do you do?

With Shorty [A pause, then he corrects himself.] Futaba and me just kinda hang out, you know? We talk 'bout music, animé and whatever. We're supposed to watch an animé that she likes on her laptop sometime.

[While the two of them had a couple more things planned, he shifts over to Gina instead.]

Me and Gina's always fighting though. But, like, for fun, you know? Who's gonna win at water balloons, or who can finish a bowl a' curry or pasta the fastest, you know? We also sorta tried bungee jumpin' back in the carnival.

[Sorta because there's so much more to the story. But he stops here, too, looking over at Eustace.]

Yo, are these gonna keep comin'?

Just a few more.

Are you happy around them?

Yeah, I like hanging out with them.

Do you find them attractive? Not necessarily physically, but also in their personality and character.

[This question actually makes him recoil into himself a little, coloring his cheeks as he thought about it.]

Really, yo?

[Oh look is that snow forming in his hand?]

Aight, aight, fine. Chill out, man.

[A huff but the blush persists as he scratches the back of head.]

Futaba's cute. And she's really smart, helluva lot smarter than me. But she's kind of an airhead too. Like, it's real easy to yank her chain. Ain't really sure how to explain it...

And with Gina... I just started thinking about after the slugs, you know? Like I ain't really thought 'bout if she was cute or nothin' 'fore then. But she's one helluva fighter, yo. Kinda like a "fuck around an' find out" kinda girl.

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