★ 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

[trickstar]

Holy shit! If this was supposed to be a secret, you're the worst secret keeper ever!

[unbreaker]

The only person I didn't want to know about it right away was you, though!

[And that was going pretty great, too. Until he stuck his foot in his mouth.]

I mean, Jonathan and Jotaro said they'd wait to talk to you about it until I filled you in! So I can't be that bad if you didn't find out until just now! And if you hadn't gotten me flustered...!

[It'd probably still be a secret. Which maybe isn't something he should be boasting?]

[trickstar]

Why didn't you want me to know!

[It's... it's pretty obvious why, Joseph...]

And they promised not to tell me?! What the fuck!!

[dont swear in front of your son, joseph.]

[unbreaker]

Uh, this? This right here is why!

And it's not like they were gonna hold off forever, just until...you know. We talked. About it. Which is fair because of the...the stuff. With you and my mom!

I really didn't want it to turn out like this!

[trickstar]

...

[That's fair. He'd probably do the same. He's, uh... lying to Jonathan, after all. And making everyone else lie.]

This isn't really... I didn't want it to be like this either.

[unbreaker]

[Way to be a hypocrite, Joseph.]

Maybe we should...do that then. You know, talk about this?

Someplace where that douche isn't gonna butt his ugly head in.

[He's referring to Dio. Obviously.]

[trickstar]

[Story of his life, to be honest??]

... You want to talk in person. Uh- alright. Yeah. Good idea. Want me to meet you or ... ?

[unbreaker]

Only if you do.

[He's not gonna twist your arm into meeting up with him. He just figures...well, he should offer.]

And uh, maybe your place? I mean I don't really know much about my roomies yet, so I don't wanna say too much around 'em. But if your place isn't any better, I'm sure we can just meet somewhere else. No big deal.

There's parks around. And a donut shop I wanna go check out.

[trickstar]

I don't live in Heropa anymore, so uh, maybe let's just go to the donut shop.

[unbreaker]

Well, the donut shop is in Heropa...

[Whatever, not gonna argue. He takes a minute to text the address before he responds again.]

So, like...it's got this cute mascot thing? I guess? That's how Hazel described it to me, anyway. How soon you wanna meet?

[trickstar]

I don't mind going to Heropa.

[He has enough practice so he probably won't barf when he shows up in Heropa after using the Porter.]

Whenever you want. I don't have a lot going on right now, so...

log? action spam?

[unbreaker]

Alright, so how about I meet you there in about an hour?

either works!

[trickstar]

Yeah, alright. See you soon, uh... S... Son.

ACTION!

[unbreaker]

[WASFKDFHDSG

Don't make this more awkward than it has to be, Joseph!]

You don't have to call me...I mean, just use my name, it's less weird!

[Josuke hangs up pretty much immediately following that remark so he can make his way to the donut shop.

It's his first time there, so he waits for Joseph outside, hands stuffed into his pockets, back up against the brick wall and ankles crossed. He should be planning what he's going to say and how he's going to say it, but he's not. Instead, he's doing his damn best not to think, because he knows the moment he does, all the discomfort's going to come rushing back in.

Like he told Joseph, it's different talking to someone over the network. It's...easier! This face-to-face stuff is hard because the moment you opt for meeting with someone in person, you give up the ability to shut them out with the push of a button. There's no more running away. Well, not unless you're Joseph, but he'd better not because sasfkdjghadfgfdg...]

[trickstar]

[ They meet an hour later, and did you know your dad kind of dresses a LITTLE like a stripper? Sorry. He really can't help it. He just likes... to feel the sun on his skin?? Maybe?? Who knows why he dresses this way. Maybe it's for attention. Either way, here he is at the donut shop. Might have been a little less awkward when he first met Josuke, but well... he didn't know, then.]

...Hey, Josuke.

[Since he's not supposed to call him son, now.]

[unbreaker]

Hey...

[Joseph? Dad? What the hell does Josuke call his old man, now? Since he can't decide, he just leaves it at that and tugs one hand free of his pocket so he can wave halfheartedly at him.

At which point he gets a look at what Joseph is wearing and his face. Kind of. Contorts a little in horror? Revulsion? Something like that, lips curling, brows knitting inward upon his forehead, and shoulders hiking upwards.]

...the hell are you wearing?! you look like you just stepped out of a Spice Girls video!

[trickstar]

... What's a Spice Girls?

[Although, now he's questioning the jacket. Was it too much?]

[unbreaker]

It's a pop band!

[An arguably good one? Maybe? Whatever, he's not admitting anything!]

You've never heard of them...? Where the hell have you been the last decade?!

[Oh. Right.]

Forget it! I'll just... [Stare at your forehead. WHO WEARS PANTS LIKE THAT TO HAVE DONUTS WITH THEIR SON?!] ...never mind. Let's just go inside already.

[He shoves away from the wall and heads for the shop door. Maybe once they're sitting down he'll feel less like people are looking at him like he's hanging out with a call boy?]

[trickstar]

Alright.

[Whatever. Son acting weird but whatever... Joining him for donuts!! Family bonding!! Weird... family bonding. But none-the-less... Donuts. He's down with donuts.]

I wonder how they can have a whole shop dedicated to donuts, here. I didn't think there were that many kinds?

[unbreaker]

[Josuke tugs open the shop door and lets Joseph head through first before following suit. Inside, the air smells overwhelmingly of sweet confections, coffee, and tea. At the counter, a small line moves forward, while the glass display showcases a wide variety of donuts, tarts, muffins, and other delights.]

Man, you're missing out if you don't have shops like this where you're from. There's a lot you can do with a donut!

[A beat, and then...]

Take Giorno's hair, for starters!

[trickstar]

I'm from 1938. Not a whole lot of this luxurious stuff that the future here has. Like, we had- phonograms! And that as a big deal! Now there's portable, hand-held music players! It's so weird.

[Even though Joseph steps through first, once Josuke is inside, he's the one doing the following. He's a leader when he needs to be, but if someone knows what they're doing... well, he'd rather follow, thanks. You wanted to visit the donut shop, man, so you lead with the ordering, alright??

It smells extremely good in here, though. He doesn't have to think twice about that.]

...Wait, why are we talking about his hair? Don't remind me! I made a bet with him once that I could flick an olive into one of his hair donuts- and that's like, one of the only bets I've lost!

[unbreaker]

I'm starting to think I should make it a mission to introduce you to more of the 21st century...

[Josuke leads the way up to the display, but halfway through trying to decide what to order he starts picturing Joseph trying to toss olives into Giorno's hair holes and bursts out laughing.]

His hair looks like three donuts! That's why. Anyway...how the hell did you manage to miss? Those things are pretty big! ...didn't bet nothing embarrassing, I hope?

[Or is that why you're dressing like a hooker, Joseph?]

[trickstar]

[Please do. He's been asking as much as he can, but there's still so much he's missing out on.

...But, he's definitely not-so-secretly glad his son is laughing at his sort-of joke. It's a nice sound.]

His Stand flicked it away. Should have seen that one coming, though.

[But it did give Joseph the hint that Giorno's stand is an automatic one.]

Oh... Yeah. The bet was about clothes... He made me wear suits for a whole week. It was totally embarrassing.

[...no. No, it wasn't. No one thought it was embarrassing but Joseph.]

[unbreaker]

[...he missed you wearing a suit? Aw man, what gives. That would have totally earned you cool dad points. Guess you'll have to earn them by being extra studious when the time comes to learn about modern music and the like, because you can damn well count on Josuke filling you in a little.]

So, he used his Stand? Isn't that cheating though? You shoulda called him on it!

[Not that Josuke has any idea that it wouldn't have made a difference even if Joseph had.

As they get in line and move forward, he pulls out his wallet. That's when he remembers something...and shoots a sidelong glance at his old man.]

Damn, all I've got is yen right now...and they don't take that here.

[trickstar]

[They were some damn nice suits, too. Giorno made sure he wore only the best.]

I didn't say he couldn't use it, so... that's fair enough. And I cheated him at a game of cards earlier, so I wasn't going to push my luck.

[Joseph shrugs, and sticks his hands in his pockets. Which reminds him of where he put his wallet, as Josuke seems to remind the both of them that food costs money. ...Well, he's not exactly rich himself, but he can afford this. Joseph pulls out his wallet, looking at the bills. ]

Oh, right. I got enough for... eight regular donuts, and four of the fancy donuts. And two small drinks.

[YEP LET'S JUST HAVE DONUTS FOR DINNER SEEMS LIKE THAT'S THE PLAN RIGHT NOW.]