maskormenace | 003 ♣ VIDEO ♠ Change (Age Plot)

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003 ♣ VIDEO ♠ Change (Age Plot)

[A shirtless boy of about twelve appears on the screen, eyes bright gold, lips puckered in a smirk below a light amalgam of freckles dotting his nose and cheeks. Familiar to some but it might become a lot more apparent who it is once he speaks.]

How long do you think I would be able to manage dealing in my casino like this, hm~? [A chuckle, the boy's tone sly- sultry. A tone a twelve year old really shouldn't have, Hisoka'a voice definitely higher than his usual but pulling in the same seductively coy way it always has.]

[He glances down, inspecting his hands unseen off the video. While this is certainly strange and he'd like to know why the hell he's this age again, it is a bit entertaining.]

Mmm... Will flirting at this age become cute now? What do you think I could get away with saying? I certainly have to continue to please my players.

[Another pause before he switches to text.]

but i definitely think emoticons like this r much cuter being used by an adorable boy

o u o

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[Hisoka will move to follow, his pace keeping up with the other boy, lack of long legs now aside.]

How lucky for you though, nothing seems amiss. [Smiles, his gaze looking up Josuke slowly.]

I wonder if there's a reason for who was affected, and who was not?

There's probably some kinda reason, like contact with somebody or something, maybe even the nanites the government put in us buggin' out or whatever.

[No one's been hurt by it so far, not that he knows, so it isn't like the alterations are all that problematic...but even so, it makes Josuke uncomfortable. He really is grateful to be unaffected by the changes that have taken countless others, though he appreciates less how much money it'll cost him trying to help out his friends.

Once they're away from the Porter base, Josuke pulls his communicator from his pocket to doublecheck one of the addresses Hisoka gave him earlier. He picks one and takes a right, heading in the direction of what is arguably the nearest mall given their present location.]

...how're your feet, by the way? It's warmer in Heropa than it is here.

So many things seem to tie to those, they're more trouble than I've been willing to deal with. Hasn't anyone found a way to remove them yet? [A smirk, shrugging a little.] Not that the sped up healing isn't nice. But I'm not so used to feeling so...

violated.

Mmm... they kiiinda hurt. [Said with a fake sigh, walking a little lighter.]

[Hisoka lifts his arms.]

You should carry me. I doubt I'm too heavy for you Josuke.

I don't think it's possible! At least...not without knowing how dependent we might be on 'em here. I mean, what happens to a person who's been here for a year or so if the nanites are removed? It'd be pretty frightening if normal functions ceased because the nanites were doing things more efficiently.

[He almost shudders just thinking about it! Sure, there are perks, but Hisoka's got the right of it. It's a very...violating feeling.

He sighs...and then stops long enough to crouch down a little.]

Alright, I mean...I could patch up sore feet, but I can't repair the damaged eardrums I'm sure to get if I just let you wander around like that. Hop on.

[Piggyback time! ...just this once.]

It's frightening enough to think our bodies rely on them that much... [He actually- really dislikes that thought as well. He's gotten himself in or near his top condition, to think he's on some unseen crutch now...]

Ah-? [Stops abruptly, arms going down again as he stares. Honestly he didn't... expect that at all, for Josuke to so willingly give into the idea of carrying him. He visibly pauses, staring.]

...How? [A blink. Hope on makes a lot more sense to someone who 's actually been given a piggy back before.]

[Really, Hisoka? After spending so much time around him, you didn't expect this? He might think you're a brat, he might think you're a pain in the ass, he might even think you're a big giant weirdo...but you're still someone he considers a friend, and you're still someone inconvenienced right now. And he doesn't like to see his friends inconvenienced.]

You know...just hop on.

[How does he even explain this? Sigh. Better not to, then. To just stand back up and take a step toward Hisoka, to grab his arm and, leaning down, carefully hoist him up on his back, legs situated on either side of his waist, arms over his shoulders. And once he's sure Hisoka's not gonna squirm and fall back? Josuke will support him with his arms wrapped around Hisoka's legs.]

Just like this! Seriously...you never got carried before? What the hell kinda childhood did you have!

!

[Lifted up a different way and instead of getting on some defensive Hisoka just goes a little slack, letting Josuke pick him up with ease. Definitely lighter, so not a problem at all. Infact really light. He was a small kid.]

[It's a weird sensation, almost laughs with his front so close to Josuke's back, rubbing up against him. But he won't ruin it, being up here's actually rather fun and he wrangles his arms around the other boy's neck.]

Quite a suffocating one. Perhaps my parents loved me so much that carrying me just sounded too dangerous!

[Much, much lighter without all of that muscle and height to weigh him down, not that Josuke would have much trouble lifting Hisoka at any age if the other man wasn't resistant.]

I get the feeling it's probably more that you were the independent type, right?

[As Josuke starts in the direction of the mall once more, he tilts his head back as if to try and get a look at Hisoka. He can't imagine what Hisoka's parents were like. In fact, the harder he tries, the more he thinks that maybe he shouldn't even ask about them. He's not sure why, just a feeling, and it could be a totally off point one too, but he goes with it. Turns his attention back ahead and smiles a little, seeming content to let his irritation melt away for now.]

I mean, you're probably okay with this because it suits you right now, but if it didn't? I think you'd be more content to stand on your own two feet.

[Hisoka has always struck Josuke as the sort of man who likes to be in control, after all. He probably wasn't much different as a child, especially considering how childlike Hisoka himself can be as an adult.]

[Not much trouble, but a bit less awkward, miles of arms and legs and this would just be a bit... more difficult? And stranger. Definitely stranger.]

I wonder what gave you that idea.

[Chuckles, squeezing onto him a little with both his legs and arms. He's right though. Not that Hisoka makes it hard to guess that he's more of the independent type. Still, not so independent that he can't enjoy playful things like this. Being carried? it has it's merits. He sure would keep lying if Josuke touched on the 'parents' issue even more. The more and more you think about him having parents at all... the more it seems almost- impossible? At least that they were around anyway. Unless his parents are just like him.]

I think I'm allowed to indulge. I have never been carried like this before. And you surprised me by offering! [A chuckle, giving him a smile, not that Josuke can see it very well from this angle.]

[...definitely stranger.

In any case, that Josuke could do it doesn't mean he would. Besides, he knows Hisoka well enough by now to think the other man would probably do something to make him regret having tried, whereas right now it's just like Josuke said: to Hisoka's advantage. So why ruin a good thing?]

You're not the only one who pays attention, you know! [And he knows you do. Someone as good at gambling as Hisoka has to have keen powers of observation, and someone with Hisoka's personality? Could hardly resist exercising those powers!] But I guess if I'd shrunk down like you...I'd probably wanna indulge, too.

[Knows himself well enough to know that he'd be playing all the pranks he could think of on people and putting on his cutest face to get away with shit, too. And that doesn't even begin to cover all the kids discount stuff he'd take advantage of! The only downside to it would be possibly not being tall enough for certain rides at parks or old enough to see movies, but it wouldn't stop him from trying to sneak into all those things because when you're young you get in less trouble if you're caught!

Just the thought puts a silly smirk on his face.]

Anyway. [He gives Hisoka a bit of a bounce, less for fun and more to keep him from sliding down.] I'd make you walk, but you don't got shoes...and I really don't wanna get yelled at by strangers.

[Plus this is great practice for when he goes back home one day and finally gets to meet a littler Jolyne! He'd feel less bad about dropping Hisoka, you know?]

[Possible glue himself to the boy, yeah, there's a lot of things Hisoka could do to make him regret it, most of which he could actually do now too, if he wanted to.]

Are you suggesting I've underestimated you? How rude, Josuke. [A smile, moving to tap at Josuke's nose once.]

Ah- Heh. [The bounce is thought of a lot less innocently when the front of his body rocks up against him. Hisoka's expression getting almost devilish, but again he'll make sure not to really comment on it. Not wanting to be dropped where they stand, because that most definitely would happen if he made some comment about how good that little jump felt. Instead he moves his legs up a little, kind of crossing them over Josuke's chest, no problems with flexibility here.]

They surely would make you the bad guy. It's all right, we know the truth.

[That's true, there's nothing stopping Hisoka from misbehaving. Except maybe the prospect of getting dropped on his ass or missing out on free stuff. If he actually cares about any of that.]

I'm not suggesting anything, I'm just saying!

[Saying that for all that he acts simple quite often, he still has the potential to be pretty sharp! When he wants to be.

But for now...? He's just going to blink at...at being booped? Did Hisoka just fucking boop him??? Oh my god he did.]

Ah...I think that's the mall up there, right?

[He switches the subject and nods in the direction of the large facility ahead with an enormous parking lot hugging each side.]

[Well he doesn't want to get dropped on his ass! He likes this piggy back ride quite a bit already.]

[He seriously booped him, yep. Almost attached Bungee Gum to his nose and snapped it too, but decided against it.]

Ah- yes. You're correct. [Looking ahead, smiling. His arms and legs tighten a little.]

How fast do you think you can clear between here and there?

[A cough!]

Hey, hey! Not so tight around the neck!

[But he's looking ahead, gauging the distance between them and the mall and looking faintly contemplative. It's not far. He could clear it pretty quickly if he ran, but if he runs, Hisoka'll have to shut up or risk biting his tongue. Or bite it and put up with Josuke laughing at him.]

Hm...depends! How fast you want me to get there? And what's in it for me if I get there faster?

[...addicted to competing? Maybe.]

Mmmmn, isn't the run fast enough. [A pout. Gosh, always with the contests with you.]

[Can you really blame him? This excursion otherwise is all for Hisoka. What other way is there for Josuke to have some fun along the way?

But rather than argue about it, he just rolls his eyes and mutters...]

Don't bite your tongue!

[...before taking up a light jog.

It gets them to the mall quickly enough, although once inside Josuke's pretty eyes-wide-open at all the shop windows they pass, registering all the things he wants to get...but probably can't afford to if he's buying for somebody else (or two people) right now.]

What kinda shoes do you want, anyway?

[He won't! Bite his tongue anyway. His teeth clamp shut and he links on a little tighter, suddenly feeling them take off.]

[Hisoka can't help his urge to smile. He's still got the mind of an adult but he gets excited like a child might. Even easier than he does as an adult, and at little things. The sudden movement, rush, he grinning wide as they move, laughing behind him before taking a big breath as they slow down.]

Haa- I suppose heels are out of budget? [And might get some weird looks.]

I'm not buying you heels...

[Budget or no, Josuke doesn't want to deal with the looks they'd be bound to get attempting that. It's nowhere near close enough to Halloween to pull it off.]

...can probably find some nice dress shoes, though. I mean, kids shoes aren't as expensive as adult shoes, so...how's that? You think that'd be okay?

Mmmn, sneakers are fine. [As long as they're bright.]

I mean, if you want sneakers instead...

[He nods, eyes forward as they approach a trendy looking store, its front all glass windows and its interior as deep as it is wide, not to mention brightly lit. Tall aisles of shoes stretch from the midway point to the back, and front and center stands the checkout as well as a number of other displays showcasing new arrivals and various accessories.

An employee immediately gives Hisoka's bare feet a raised eyebrow, which Josuke's quick to defend with...]

Some kids stole his shoes! So I'm helping him find a new pair!

Mm- [A wide eyed look to the employee of the shoe store before laughing and nodding, raising his feet.]

I was walking on grass and took them off and he just stole them! This guy helped me out, he's so nice. [A big grin. Haha okay sure, he can lie too.]

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003 ♣ VIDEO ♠ Change (Age Plot)

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