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

[stillarhino]

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

[flamekthunder]

What do you do?

[stillarhino]

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'?

[flamekthunder]

Just a few more.

Are you happy around them?

[stillarhino]

Yeah, I like hanging out with them.

[flamekthunder]

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

[stillarhino]

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

Really, yo?

[flamekthunder]

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

[stillarhino]

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.

[flamekthunder]

[Slight arch of the brow.]

I see.

[Interesting taste you got there, Beat—]

You said these potential feelings are new, correct? You only became more self-conscious after the kiss?

[stillarhino]

[Look, man. he doesn't know how to explain it any better.

But he nods anyway.]

Yeah, like, it was too bad kissing them. But ain't like I really got anythin' to compare it to either. [Which goes to say that those were among the first kisses he's ever had or given.]

And I kinda wanna do it again...

[Beat's voice gets lower and lower as he eats his words towards the tailend of that. He's just gonna not look at Eustace at all, his blush starting from his ears, and reaching his neck.]

[flamekthunder]

[...

Eustace watches Beat, and while his voice grows quiet, he can hear it quite clearly.]

...If either of them got hurt or were in danger, what would you do? Would you drop everything to run out and save them?

[stillarhino]

Hell yeah, man! I ain't jus' gonna sit my ass if somethin' happened to 'em.

[His answer is instant, despite how embarrassed he still was.]

[flamekthunder]

And how's that feeling compared to anyone else?

[stillarhino]

I... [The query gives him pause as if he had forgotten that he shouldn't be thinking about this too hard. But though it takes him a little longer than the rest, he somehow finds a way to give an answer quickly.]

I wanna help everyone that I can, yo.

[His resolve when it came to these sorts of things had always been the same, unwavering regardless of the danger. It was why he had been gutted when he saw everyone on the ground after Eustace's own nightmare episode. Not being to help those he cared for had always been his biggest fear. Especially those closest to him. That alone shapes his answer.]

But I'm prob'ly gonna make sure they aight first.

[flamekthunder]

[This time he doesn't press him and waits. And the answer is about as he expected.]

I think that's enough.

[Congrats, Beat, you passed the interrogation—]

It's clear you like the girls and there is some interest. However, you shouldn't rush into it.

...Especially if you may have to choose one. I don't know how it was with Ori, Thoma, and Diluc, but it seemed all three of them had interest in each other. That would be the only way for such a relationship to work, if that's what you're interested in.

Regardless, you need to consider the thoughts and feelings of each girl separately. I don't want you fooling around with either of them because of your own uncertainty.

[stillarhino]

Wasn't sure when you was gonna end, yo.

[It might look a little strange to Eustace, seeing Beat this attentive as he speaks. But the usual restlessness is still present, his leg bouncing against the ground the entire time. When he finishes, Beat lets out deep sigh.]

That's the thing, yo. I know I probably gotta choose one a' 'em. I ain't got no plans on messin' 'round. I ain't like that.

[flamekthunder]

And if they both like you?

1/2

[stillarhino]

...If they both like me?

[This had crossed his mind too, but he hadn't dwelled on it for too long.]

[stillarhino]

There ain't no way that they both like me, right?

[There's uncertainty in his tone as he says that, like he believes something like that seemed impossible. ]

[flamekthunder]

Whether it's likely or not, you have to consider all possibilities.

[stillarhino]

[Not his strong suit in the least. All he can do is roughly scratch the back of his head, messing up his hair in the process.]

I dunno, yo. I don't even know if they knew each other. So Ori's set-up prob'ly ain't gonna work.

[flamekthunder]

[This is why he's grateful he only fell in love with one person—

Ugh he's getting a headache for you, Beat.]

...Given that you've only realized these feelings, the best course of action is likely to first take a little more time. Continue spending time with them, get to know them further, and see if there's anything more that attracts you to them, preferably one over the other. If you're lucky, you'll get signs they have similar interest.

But at some point, you're going to need to make several decisions.

[He then leans back against the chair and sighs.]

Or let them fight it out.

[He's saying that in jest. Mostly. Jeez, Beat, living the teenage dream, huh?]

[stillarhino]

[Beat was so used to crashing through things that he sometimes forgets that he can slow down sometimes. And this, even if he had no experience in it, seemed to be something that would be better done slowly.]

Nah, you's right. I'm jus' freakin' out a little 'cause there's two a' them, you know?

[The weight of what Eustace says feels heavy, especially hearing it said aloud like that. But he catches the joke and scoffs at it. Somehow that brings a small smile to his face despite himself.]

Didn't think you had a funny bone in ya, Wolfie.

[flamekthunder]

Woof.

[Yes.

That is his answer.

Enjoy it.]