acatalepsy_rpg

[Joshua simply let out a chuckle at Beat's continued insistence, and the very rude assault with the handle of grass. He idly kicks at some of the blades as they fell, but they're pretty much already on the ground.]

Exactly. If she really needed my help, she wouldn't have dumbed me down to this form. I don't even have all the powers I had during the Game. [He was going to spare Beat the pedantics, and not point out that he meant 'witch' as in, actual factual magic lady.

He reaches into one of his pockets and retrieves his old, orange cellphone. Unfortunately much more useless than he had during the Game, but it was still good to fiddle with.]

As it stands, all I can do is some telekinesis. [To point, he tossed the flip phone up into the air, spreading his fingers open and 'catching' the phone in the air above his palm, surrounding the device in a light blue aura as it remained suspended.]

A pitiable pittance, compared to what I could do. So as far as I'm concerned, this is all just a power trip for her.

[ This makes Beat sit up and focus more, watching as Josh floats his phone above his hand. Well, it's something and look at Beat, not mocking the fact that Josh can't toss cars and vending machines around like he used to be able to. God that fight was a pain.

Instead he stands and brushes himself off, thoughtful. ]

Maybe it don' work proper cuz we ain't in Shibuya but here? She might not of tried to break it. Can you float anythin' bigger? Not that I wanna be on that end of yer powers again but that aint really gonna help you much. Oh! Unless we get you some knives to float and throw! Can you throw shit still?

[ Look at him, offering to be your target, Josh, how absolutely sweet of him. He moves back a few paces and spreads his arms with a grin in an obvious 'come on, hit me' way. ]

[It was admittedly a... sensible idea, that the reason he was so depowered here was because his powers were connected to Shibuya, and not because the witch had taken them away. But what in the world was he supposed to be if he wasn't Composer? Living through the hell of being a human teenager again?]

Not really. I tried to lift the bed in my room, but no dice. [Which SHOULD'VE been easy-pickin's for him!! Come on!!

Still-- if Beat was just going to stand around and be a target for him, Joshua was more than willing to oblige him. The orange phone still in "hand," he shifted his gesture to swirl it around himself a few times, picking up speed before he stretched his hand outwards and flung it right towards Beat's head. At least it wasn't terminal velocity.]

I suppose I could gather up a few knives to keep for myself. I hope the kitchen staff won't mind.

[ Really, Beat should have seen it coming. The fact that he didn't is testimony that he's an idiot. So the phone suddenly whizzing right at his head has him yelling and flailing in a bad attempt to block the incoming projectile. He doesn't think to duck, maybe.

He fails.

It clocks him pretty decently right in the forehead, congratulations on your superb aim, Joshua. Yelping dramatically, because that hurt, Beat claps his hands over the spot and sits himself right on down on the grass. ]

Dude!!! Shit!! No knives! I take it back!!

[ Yeah his eyes are watering a bit, that hurts, he's hearing stars. Seeing birds. ]

[At least this time Joshua didn't let out an insidious chuckle, but more of a genuine, annoying laugh. At the expense of Beat's pain.]

That's for the punch from last time.

[He shrugged his shoulders, walking over to retrieve his phone from where it had landed on the ground.

And he was still totally going to consider the knives thing.]

So, how 'bout you? Any exciting skateboard powers, or are we truly on a plane other than the UG?

Ugh... I said I was sorry, yo!!

[ Rubbing over the growing egg on his forehead, Beat watches Josh pick his phone up, half expecting him to chuck it at him again, but thankfully he doesn't seem to be thinking that.

The question makes him frown and he shrugs his shoulders, dropping his hands to stop poking at the bruise. ]

Honestly? Ain't sure. No skateboards 'round to check it out an' I ain't able to do anythin' cool like create fire. [ Might have tried. ] If I got somethin', I ain't sure how to trigger it.

Actions speak louder than words~ [Bold words for someone who never shut up, and would probably contradict that exact sentiment at a later date.

But regardless, Joshua indeed keep the phone in hand and did not attempt to throw it again; instead he just flipped it open and closed a few times as he continued to speak.]

Perhaps it's for the better. We might have a serious case of deforestation if you were suddenly pyrokinetic. [He's not defining that word.] Still, that's not much insight. I guess we really are in an RG...

[ Beat can agree with that, really, that action spoke a million words. Ugh his head is going to hurt for hours now. Warily watching the phone open and close, Beat gets back to his feet, just in case he does have to dodge.

Deforestation? A pyrowhatnow. God, Beat isn't going to even try to figure that shit out. Too much head pain already. ]

So, what yo, that just means we aint dead, right?

That's my theory, anyway.

[Josh flips the phone open and closed a few times, before he finally closes it with a bit more finality, and tucks it back into his pocket with a sigh.]

It's impossible to say for sure, but everyone here seems to be alive. This could be some different plane in the afterlife, run by this Astoria woman-- [See, he didn't say witch that time--], but there doesn't seem to be any of the general rules in place here. It's most likely we're just in an alternate world, but alive and well.

[Of course if he knew Beat really had a power and that other people did too his theory would be different, but he's working with what he's got.]

[ It's strange but in some part of Beat's brain, Beat really had been hoping this had been some sort of Game by Joshua again, because it meant at the end he'd get out and get to see his sister again. Hang out with Neku and Shiki, go about his life.

But it's just now actually really sinking in that Josh is just as much a pawn as he is, and they really did just get kidnapped from their home and plunked down in some new world to be some Warriors of Light or whatever. Joshua had no say in the matter, it was all up to AstroGirl and she didn't seem to be talking much.

It's actually rather disheartening. ]

... You think we ever gonna be able to go home?

Hm?

[Beat's not a hard person to read-- and the way his tone seems to change to a bit more... serious does catch Joshua's attention a bit more than before. Back home?]

...Who knows. Travel between ours and other parallel universes is doable, but it's difficult, even for me. In a world of infinite probability, there's always a chance we can get back to our own Shibuya, but the likelihood of it happening... without even knowing where or what this is, it's impossible to say.

[He's not even sure if he has the same attachment to 'home' as Beat did. Sure, he'd softened on Shibuya, been glad to see the group of friends reunite in the RG, but... well, as with most things in Joshua's life, it was bittersweet. He'd like his seat on Shibuya's throne back, of course, but...]

[ Whoa big words again. It's not so bad when they're spaced out and surrounded by small normal words but no, Josh has to go and make a big word triple layer cake. Blinking hard, he waits until Josh finishes, then frowns at him. ]

Yes or no, dude, that's all you had to say. Yes or no. Or "I dunno" or "maybe" or somethin'.

[ A big sigh follows the words; it's obvious Beat's not mad. ]

We gotta teach you how to talk like a normal person, yo. You gonna get stuffed in a locker somewhere if you keep up wid the nerdy words.

[ Stretching his arms over his head, Beat settles back to think. ]

Why us three, though? Kinda weird group to bring from home. ... Oh, yeah, you know Sho's here? Tabooty?

[This time Joshua just goes ahead and actually slaps his forehead with his hand in frustration.] Maybe I should make you learn more than a second grade vocabulary. [Ugh!!!]

It's possible we can get home, but I don't know how likely it is. That simple enough for you?

[He sigh to let out his momentary frustration, runs a hand through his bangs.] Yes, I'm very aware he's here. [And judging by that tone, he's not extremely happy about it!!] And I have... no idea why it would be the three of us. For all we know, it's a purely random selection.

Hey!! My words is fine! [ Really?

He's taken by surprise to the hostility in Joshua's voice about Sho, before remembering that Tabooty was week two's GM. Oh right. For a moment Beat's simply silent before snorting out a little laugh and smirking at Josh. ]

Maybe this is yer personal hell, dude. Both Tabooty an' I foughtchu and Neku durin' that week.

[Uh huh. Sure Beat. Joshua simply gives him a Look, with deadpan eyes and an expression that says he's not believing that even for a second.]

Trust me, you're not the one I'm worried about. [He shifted his weight to one side, slipping one hand in his back pocket.] I just wanted to keep you from totally thrashing Neku. But if this was someone's idea of Hell, I certainly wouldn't dispute it.

[He didn't even believe in Hell! He literally ran part of the afterlife! Come on!!]

[ Oh, uh, hm. Good point. Though Joshua had said he de-powered himself, right? Or did Beat make that up in his mind. He has no clue anymore.

Though the agreement makes him huff another laugh, scratching at the bruise on his forehead. It's looking lovely. ]

Well, whatever the place is yo, Ima make the best of it, or try. You should too. Ain't gonna get us no where if we mope an' whine. Kinda wish Phones had popped in too.

[ It was easier having someone you fully trust take the lead. ]

Don't we all? He'd certainly make much funner company than you.

[He's back to his usual dumb smirk; at least with Neku not here he didn't have to actually think about what he'd say to him.]

Although I'm not entirely sure how we're supposed to make the best of this if we've been brought here to help that Astoria woman. But I guess a vacation now is better than nothing.

[Even though this was... a SUPER lame vacation.]

[ Look at this sure sign of maturity as Beat sticks his tongue out at Josh for that. Yeah take that. ]

At least when we get back home [ yeah he's going to be optimistic about it ] you'll be happy to see Shib- bro, what's gonna happen to it wid you gone?

[ The sudden realization that time might be marching on still over there makes Beat suddenly worry. Especially since Josh hyped up his position as Composer and the importance. ]

[Oh.

Joshua... hadn't actually... thought about that? Before?

His entire life had been in Shibuya. Born, raised and died there, and because of his choices he'd always been bound within the confines of the Shibuya district. He'd grown so complacent of Shibuya being a fact of life that he'd grown resentful of it-- and tried to destroy it. He'd changed his mind, obviously, for reasons he himself wasn't even entirely sure of. Shibuya still Was, and it was pretty much always going to be. He didn't even imagine what he would do when Shibuya was gone, despite his vehemence in destroying it.

But now he was here, in a place that was definitely not Shibuya, and was possibly another realm or place of existence altogether. He'd already seen all the trouble that his absence had caused for the the higher ups during his game with Megumi, so-- what was happening if he was gone period? The game couldn't run. The dead couldn't be judged. The Reapers would be directionless, and in certain aspects, powerless.

The realization that this was a thing-- that the world didn't just stop because Joshua wasn't around to attend to comings and goings-- was enough to visibly surprise him, and he didn't even bother to cover up his moment of silence or the frank expression on his face.]

I... I don't know. I've never left the city before. [Even when he was in an alternate universe, he'd still been in Shibuya!]

[ You know what's not confidence inducing? When the guy who proclaims himself Near Omnipotent and All Important to Shibuya as Shibuya Is To Him, has a moment of pure silence with the most shocked looked on his face Beat has probably ever seen on someone.

And then says I dont know. ]

Bro....

[ Oh god what if Shibuya is GONE, what if Shibuya just ceased to exist the moment Joshua popped out of it!?

A slightly more panicked: ]

Bro..

[ Worse, what if every bad thing to ever happen is now happening and it can't be stopped because Joshua isn't there to stop it?!

Full-blown panicked: ]

Bro!! We gotta get home like right now, yo!

Well I wouldn't still be here if I knew how! [Joshua was hardly one to get caught up in the moment, but, admittedly, he was kind of caught up in the moment with Beat panicking and his own existential dread. So he was a little worked up.]

I can't exactly travel to another universe without any of my powers.

We gotta find Astrology girl, yo, we gotta find her an' then maybe we can punch her into sendin' us back.

[ Huh, this sounds suspiciously like the plan Beat had in punching the Composer to take over and bring everyone back to life. ]

Ugh, is that your answer to everything...? [Oh, he remembers Beat's original plan all too well. It was funny! When he had god-like powers still.]

Loathe as I am to admit it, I don't think this is as simple as finding her and taking her seat at the top... Although... [Oh no. He's thinking about it.]

...Perhaps not as different as we thought.

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