[text]

[giveuponyourself]

It seems we're all stuck here together like one big happy family, aren't we? Since that's the case... how about we play a little game to get to know each other?

What is most important to you in your entire life? What would you be willing to do anything for? And I do mean anything~

And please, nothing like 'friendship' or 'world peace.' Really dig down deep; we should all be honest with each other, don't you think? ❤

[feel free to answer the question or not, Joshua seems to just be very bored. what a chatty nerd!]

Comments

[soundsurfing]

[ 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?

[giveuponyourself]

[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.

[soundsurfing]

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.

[giveuponyourself]

[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!!]

[soundsurfing]

[ 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. ]

[giveuponyourself]

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.]

[soundsurfing]

[ 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. ]

[giveuponyourself]

[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!]

1/

[soundsurfing]

[ 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....

2/

[soundsurfing]

[ 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..

3/3

[soundsurfing]

[ 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!

[giveuponyourself]

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.

[soundsurfing]

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. ]

[giveuponyourself]

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.