★ 008 | Text

[unbreaker]

[Josuke's first strictly text broadcast to the network. The occasion? Well, if he's honest, human hearts weren't meant for tug-of-wars and Josuke's is exhausted from the seemingly endless pull on his at the moment. Things are much simpler if people can't see or hear his distress.

Never mind that it might be identifiable to those who know already his texting patterns, which are markedly...different from what follows on screen a moment later. For one, he rarely uses caps, and for another, the number of abbreviations that would appear if he were feeling better would be too numerous to count.]

For those who're interested, PAINTBALL is still on for tomorrow. So pay attention if you wanna play! This is what you need to know.

1. You need to be in Maurtia Falls by 7 PM at a place called All Star Parking - it's an out-of-use parking garage near the east end of town that you can't miss.


2. The game is played solo, in pairs, or in teams - it's up to you. Just remember, there'll be only one winner by the end of it.


3. Hisoka (my partner) and I got some protective gear for you, but it's first come-first serve, so you might wanna bring your own padding if you don't wanna get a little banged up.


4. Powers are allowed, but anyone caught pulling lethal stunts is gonna need a ride straight to the emergency room when I'm finished with them...I guarantee that.


5. It's 1 round played until there's only 1 person left 'standing'. You're out if you get shot 3 times - which should still be a challenge 'cause of peoples' powers.


6. Sorry, there's no prize, just the glory - but that's all a real champ needs, right?

I guess that's about it. If you're a new face around these parts and you're feeling up to playing hard with the big boys, you're more than welcome to join in. Don't expect anybody to go easy on you, though.

[In any case, that's appears to be all he has to say today about...well, anything. There's nothing to signify he's been following the network posts (even though he has been) or that he cares what's going on (he does) and that he's bothered by certain events (an understatement). In sum, his post might as well read: IT'S PLAYTIME BITCHES, GET YOUR GAME FACE ON AND PREPARE TO LOSE! ...even if he feels a lot more like calling the whole thing off and calling up his biffle for a cheesy movie night.]

Comments

[textualhealing]

Did someone say paintball?!

[unbreaker]

Bingo. You got spunk enough to play? Because I think we've got enough sideline huggers right now.

[textualhealing]

I won more tournaments than some guy who's won a whole bunch of tournaments. You don't stand a chance.

video;

[friendshiprocks]

[ she can tell that something's a little up with Josuke...but she's gonna try her hardest just to perk him up a little bit. As shown by a big grin on her face. ]

Hey Josuke, when we play paintball, you better be hungry.

[ this....is entirely the set-up for a really bad joke. ]

text;

[unbreaker]

[He's going to stomp on it, Hime. I'M SO SORRY HE HAS NO IDEA IT'S A JOKE SETUP.]

I think Chrollo's providing dinner for people after the game's done and over. The Munchbox isn't far from where we'll be, after all.

video;

[friendshiprocks]

[ paaaaaaaause ]

You were supposed to say 'why do you ask.'

video;

[bindsthedead]

Hime, would you like to team up?

video;

[friendshiprocks]

[ HELL YEAH SHE DOES. ]

You bet! We're gonna wipe the floor with everybody! Sabriel and Hime, team supreme!

permatext

[deadtective]

Oh man, a numbered and indented list of rules? You're really serious about this. We get sent to the paint gulag if we're late?

[this is probably the most oblique way of asking if he's alright, but with Hazel there is rarely any sort of moderation - it's either this or blunt and tactless. considering everyone she remotely cares about seems to have decided to have emotional episodes recently, this low energy approach seems more viable for the long term.]

[unbreaker]

I'm serious about winning, you bet.

[Which is true, but he has a multitude of reasons for having written this post the way he did, some subconscious and others not so much so.

In other words...he's dealing with how he feels. A bit poorly, but still dealing. He should be alright, right? ...if something else doesn't happen to knock him back down when he thinks he's finally climbed up out of this hole.]

Didn't think about if people show up late but I kind of figure they lose out if they do. It wouldn't be fair if they join in when some of the competition's been knocked out already.

[deadtective]

I don't know, it worked out pretty well for America during WWII.

[Hazel, you're making it REALLY OBVIOUS you watch lots of weird educational documentaries during the bleak hours of the night. stop.]

A late game ambush might be kind of fun if they decide to be super fucking dramatic about it.

[Text]

[rassera]

NOW we're speaking my language!

[Kaneda was starting to get bored (already, sadly).]

[Text]

[unbreaker]

You're so toast.

[Josuke can text this, at least, with genuine enthusiasm. Kaneda's newer, but he is also someone Josuke's own age and seems like someone who might be fun to get to know.]

[Text]

[rassera]

We'll see about that. I don't like to brag, but my aim's pretty spot on.

[As long as the battery doesn't die.

But hey, having fun with a fellow teenager? SIGN HIM THE HECK UP.]

text; comm ID is just "Spider-Man"

[shutterbugged]

Thanks for the offer, but after last year's Paintball Death Simulator, Courtesy Your Local Government, I think I'm off paintball for life.

text;

[unbreaker]

[Seriously? Spider-Man? Josuke blinks a few times at that before shaking his head. Some people pick the weirdest aliases for themselves!]

Says a guy in a suit and mask. Probably. Don't you risk your life on a regular basis? Not that I'm asking you to do that for paintball, I'm just saying it's kind of extreme to let one bad experience sour something for you forever! Especially when I've said I'm trying to AVOID shit like that. Plus there's that whole MY NOT BEING THE GOVERNMENT thing. You know, that's kind of important, too.

text;

[shutterbugged]

[ It's just how things are done where Spidey's from! Way to let the other crazy diamonds shine on, buddy. ]

Hey, I'm not saying YOU'RE trying to trick people into playing murderball. Just that somebody already did and it's going to take time for the shine to come back on. And also that hyperbole exists. I promise I'm not actually in need of paintball desensitization therapy, if it makes you feel any better.

text

[burnmetwice]

[this was kind of surreal; Kazu was still new enough that the whole 'suddenly in an alternate dimension America' thing hadn't really sunk in. But paintball. It probably wasn't too surprising people still did normal... things]

It's really alright if we just show up?? Even if you don't know us?

text

[unbreaker]

Can't see why not! There'll be more than enough guns to go around I think.

[Some people might have reservations when it comes to strangers, but not Josuke. He's always been the type to let people prove on their own the sort of individuals they are.]

voice

[bindsthedead]

Well, this should take people's minds off of the latest idiocy, at the very least.

And I'll certainly be joining in the fun.

text

[unbreaker]

[The 'latest idiocy' and any of the 'latest disappearances' not to mention everything else awful that takes place here and knocks peoples' feet out from under them.]

cool cool

[He wonders if Hazel'll be alright with that? If she'll fly off the handle...]

the more the merrier?

[heavyhitter]

so what kinda powers are u expecting here anyway

[unbreaker]

[He's expecting a number of different powers based on the people who've expressed an interest in playing so far; everything from his own 'fixing' abilities to fire-based powers (if FP's abilities are anything like her name) to...well, wasn't he talking to a guy a few minutes ago who could actually fire paintballs from his fingers? Yeah...the variety is huge.]

oh, i'm expecting a lot! but why would i just tell you what kinds? that'd be handing over an advantage and maybe i don't wanna do that

text;

[cartesianspidertank]

HMMMMM I wonder if I could get a modified paintgun installed on my tank body...

text;

[unbreaker]

[...]

TANK BODY?