★ 001 | Video

[unbreaker]

[When the broadcast begins, the young man onscreen (sporting a perfect pompadour with not a single strand of hair out of place) tucks away a comb and reclines upon the front step of one of the government houses, presumably the one he's been assigned. He seems to consider for half a second more what he's going to say, one eyebrow cocking upwards, a strong indication that there's a question brewing, while his lips pucker in a vague showing of frustration.]

Alright...

[Here we go.]

So, I'm digging all the free stuff that people seem to wanna hand out in exchange for photographs with us and whatever, and the hoverboards are really, really awesome. That said, I might actually like these new phones even better, though? They're pretty great! Slim, stylish, lightweight...pocket size. Anyway, all that's nice, but something's been bothering me and I've gotta ask...

What the actual fuck is up with these glow-in-the-dark tattoos?

[His jaw sets stubbornly, blue eyes fixating on something that lies out of view of the camera. Probably the tattoo in question.]

I mean I know what they're for, or what we're being told they're for, but like...

Shit, is this even legal?

[Actually, he's a hell of a lot more concerned with the fact that he wasn't even asked if something could be done to his body, especially as he can't fix it. Talk about invasive. Makes a guy wonder what else was done without his knowing.]

And on that note...I'm kind of curious about this whole registration deal! Anyone got a solid argument for it or against it? 'Cause right now I'm right in the middle and uh...from what I hear, that means my roommates can put me out?

What kind of asshole would do that, though?

Anyway, that's it. That's all I gotta say!

[He reaches forward as if to turn the device off but stops.]

Oh, and the name's Josuke! [Best to get it out now so he's not repeating it a hundred times later.] Josuke Higashikata!

[Click!]

Comments

permatext

[deadtective]

The registration thing is starting to look like one of those choices that don't actually mean anything to me.

[like. there's no promise that going unregistered means the government is actually going to leave you alone. all it guarantees is that you lose all the freebies.]

Anyway, if you don't register just don't tell your roommates. They can't throw you out if they don't know.

permavideo

[unbreaker]

You really think it's easy to keep something like this from people? I mean, the tattoos seem to be in a pretty obvious place if you ask me.

[And while lying about it might make things easier now, it seems kind of like the thing that'd bite him in the ass later on. Things are weird enough without setting himself up to take those kinds of falls already, you know?]

[deadtective]

I don't know about you, but people don't really go staring at my wrist all that much. Besides, you can always wear long sleeves.

[not really, no. Hazel's used to (poorly) spinning as many lies as she can in order to get by, a habit that's fueled by the fact that she no longer stays in any one place for long. boy is it going to be an awkward surprise when she realizes it's not like that here!!]

surprise action!

[friendshiprocks]

[ because hey, guess who's home as well? As she hears the sound of him recording, Hime walks over to Josuke, slight frown on her face, looking him over. ]

What are you doing here?

[ she's not very good with tact at times. ]

[unbreaker]

[Hey it's a Hime! Josuke looks up at her from where he's seated on the front step.]

What do you mean? I live here.

[friendshiprocks]

Well I live here also! And I think the government would have told me if I was getting a new housemate.

[standsproud]

I didn't register. I'm not someone's dog.

[unbreaker]

[You'd be one of the last people he'd expect to register, Jotaro.]

Run into any trouble yet because you didn't?

[standsproud]

No. They say they'll kick you out of your apartment but nobody checks.

video.

[selfequipped]

As it comes to registration, do what feels best for you. It'll be harder, but it's not impossible. I haven't been registered for what's coming on a year, and I've been doing okay.

As for whether it's legal—well, it is here. [Unfortunately.]

video.

[unbreaker]

That's bullshit.

[...]

That it's legal, I mean! [He sighs.] But I guess it's good to know it's not difficult to make your way for any period of time while not being registered.

Can I ask why you didn't register?

VIDEO.

[huitzilin]

[ like it's some kind of revelation. ]

Oh, I forgot.

Maybe you won't forget!

VIDEO.

[unbreaker]

[............]

Wait...what?

[goldenlegacy]

Registering provides security and housing and other assorted benefits.

[...]

Missions, I believe? There doesn't seem to be any harm - if they're tracking you, then rest assured they already are, whether you register or not.

[unbreaker]

Yeah, that part doesn't sound like a bad deal, but what about those missions? Are those mandatory?

[Video]

[anthropophagite]

We don't really have a saying regarding the tattoo.

And registering gives you a lot, so much that most think it's too good to be true. It provides benefits, but many feel like they will be part of something they don't truly agree with...?

It's about doing what you personally feel it's better.

[Video]

[unbreaker]

I keep hearing that. "Do what you feel is best." It's not bad in theory, but how's a guy supposed to choose? Can't trust this government, not really. Can't trust something that's forcibly brought you to another world. And those benefits, yeah...in a lot of ways they are too good to be true. Feels a lot like bait.

[But there's a lot of people not in the position to say no, and if someone's careful when taking the bait, they can definitely make sure it works to their advantage. Thing is, he's not sure he wants to get muddied up in the political affairs of people he doesn't know, in a place he doesn't belong, especially if only one side of this "war" is getting help from imPorts. It all seems kind of screwed up the more he tries to wrap his head around it.]

Video;

[trickstar]

Tch! Are you serious?? You made me jump through hoops to get your name and now you're just telling everyone "Josuke, I'm Josuke, Josuke Josuke Josuke!!" Give me a break!

Video;

[unbreaker]

...uh, you might wanna try breathing?

[Who are you, Jan Brady? Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!]

And for the record, we were face-to-face. That's different than introducing myself on some network!

totally video

[seesthestars]

[well she COULD be helpful and answer his questions about registration (seems sketchy) and give her opinion on tattoos (way sketchy, but the part where it glows is objectively cool) and the like, but instead she's just gonna stare at the screen...]

Jo...!

[and then yell really loud, ready]

Josuke!! No way! Holy crap, you're the last person I expected to see here!

video

[unbreaker]

[Why are you yelling! Quit that, Jolyne!]

Not so loud, not so loud...! What the hell?

[He rubs at one ear with the palm of his hand while studying the face on the display screen of his phone. Whoever this girl is, she seems to know him. Josuke can't seem to place her face, though. It's not unfamiliar, but he's definitely never met this girl before, so how does she...?]

What d'ya mean the last person!

video; FRESH START SINCE...the holidays were too crazy for the TDM thread sorry orz

[diociopath]

[He'd be willing to shove this in the "ignore" pile, if not for the fact Jolyne and Joseph seem acquainted with this kid, but it's moreso the former's response that got his attention. You remember, right? straight to a new arrival. That makes him wonder...

He had to be from their world, right? Acquainted with Joestars, the Jo part of that name...maybe this guy was even a stand user.

...either way, worth investigating just for that.]

Branding you with that tattoo to begin with means they already have you where they want you; I doubt registering would make too much of a difference.

Although if you stay unregistered, I'm sure Jolyne or Joseph would be willing to help you out in the event of losing your job, your housing or your income, considering you all seem...acquainted.

[He'll just intentionally namedrop to see his reaction.]

video; not to worry!

[unbreaker]

Yeah...that's kinda the impression I'm getting, too.

[After talking with several people about it, that's been a pretty glaring constant: the government is watching, regardless of whether they register, and the level of surveillance is probably the same either way, too.

He huffs, listens to the rest of what this guy has to say, and then perks up a little at the mention of Jolyne and Joseph.

Could this be that Caesar person Jonathan was going on about?]

Anyway, whether I register or not, I'm not gonna be looking for handouts from people I know. I'm sure they've got enough on their plate as it is, and if they can handle it, I can. No big deal.

You uh...Zeppeli?

video

[dionychus]

[...Weird. He was about to wonder why he looked so familiar...but then he read through/watched everything else. Goddammit, Joseph.

Interesting that his surname is Higashikata, though. That's another link to his world, then. Brando, Joestar, Zeppeli...Higashikata. Strange.]

I doubt it would be legal if we were considered actual citizens, but since we're outsiders... [Fair game. Like a lot of other things that the government here seems to foist onto the imPorts, but anyway.]

I haven't registered yet myself and while I'm not having any real problems, the unregistered tend to get the short end of the stick more often. They want to make you think you have a choice in the matter, but then try to strong arm you into it.

[But hey, that's none of his business.]

Do what you like, though. I might not register at this point out of spite, but I can handle myself.

video

[unbreaker]

[...your face.

Josuke doesn't like it.

Probably because it reminds him of Dio's, but that must mean...there's someone else from their world he doesn't know about? There's no other explanation. Because he doubts this person is that elusive Zeppeli he heard about but has yet to meet.]

Yeah, it looks like more people than not have got something bad to say about registering. I'm starting to think I'd be better off taking my chances as one of the 'unsettled'.

[Diego's not the only one who can handle himself.]

Anyway...more I hear, less I'm worried about not signing up.