03 [Text]

[stridercentric]

[It's been over four months since Bro had that unfortunate incident with Jack Noir in the Medium. Four months since he arrived in Hinoto-Ri, because apparently that's the only damn place he gets to go. From one monster-ridden videogameish hellhole world into the next.

What sucks most about Hinoto-Ri is that there's a severe lack of Striders. In fact, ever since his alternate universe teenage self left, the city's gone even further below the minimum of required Strider. He knows Dave can take care of himself, considering Bro taught him pretty damn well, but there comes a time in every dude's life where he misses his family.

Especially when said family is prooobably still stuck in a monster-ridden videogameish hellhole. Lil Cal's a great bro and all, but talking to yourself can get old after a while.]


so.

you guys all have family back home right? siblings and parents and annoying aunts who like to pull your cheek even though youve grown to be twice their size? grannies who send you itchy socks for christmas each year?

so tell me about 'm. who do you miss most?

would you have 'm here if you could?

Comments

[ text ] 1/2

[thirdarrow]

He answers in kind. While he hadn't met Bro in person, it seemed as if the man wasn't faring very well.

I assume we all have no news about our families. I pray that mine are still alive. Is there no way of knowing?

Two are already dead.

2/2

[thirdarrow]

He realizes his mistake a moment after he hits send.

I'm sorry.

How cruel his first message must have sounded... didn't Bro recently just lose someone?

[Text]

[stridercentric]

[Bro sincerely doubts there's a way of knowing. At least, not in the current situation. Maybe if one of those family members was to show their face in Hinoto-Ri, you'd get more news than you bargained for. That's the risk, really.

The apology causes him to frown.]

the fuck. whatre you apologizing for? i asked. you answered.

anyway. i wasnt asking about news. i was asking about olds.

anecdotes. tidbits. stuff you wanna share. you know.

Re: [Text]

[thirdarrow]

[ Bro's use of language surprises him greatly. He is definitely not used to such coarse words - the culture of his homeworld placed great emphasis on politeness - but he decides not to comment on it. Nevertheless, there is a delay before his next message is sent. ]

well.

I have two older brothers, if that counts. My father instructed us on the importance of being united. Even though we were quite different in demeanor, I suppose our time together had been fun.

Though having more children than three is the norm. I count myself blessed to have had a greater portion of his attention.

[ He isn't sure what else to say, so he stops here and hits send. ]

[Text]

[stridercentric]

[The importance of being united, huh? That sounds legit. Not exactly the philosophy he tried to teach Dave, but close enough.]

yeah? your pops sounds like chill dude then. he knew what was up.

how many kids is the norm? like. five?

also. how much older are your bros?

Text

[unbroken_chain]

...you know, I only just now realized that being here is the longest I've ever gone without talking to Mom. Back home, I'd call her every day and we'd chat about what we were doing...I kind of miss her, but the stuff that's happening here is pretty important.

Text

[stridercentric]

maybe you can find someone else to chat with every day. a wannabe mom.

unless youd rather have your real mom here. would you?

[unbroken_chain]

I've got friends here. No one motherly, though.

I think I'm happier knowing Mom is safe back home, honestly. I got all my adventure genes from Dad - Mom's too much of a pacifist to really be happy here.

[stridercentric]

right right. pacifist is a good thing for a mom to be i guess.

so how about your old man? would you want him here? if hes the adventurous dude hes bound to be happier here.

video

[tyrantball]

As the feed opens up, Desco is practically vibrating with excitement, her red eyes casting a hellish radiance over the COMP's screen.

"Oh! Oh! Desco has lots of family! Desco has her Daddy - his job title is Mad Scientist - and he made her from demon DNA to be the perfect little sister for Big Sis, who is very beautiful and strong and smart! It was in Big Sis' name that Desco conquered the Earth! Desco also has a younger sister - Desco is the enhanced prototype version, while her little sister is the production model - and her name was Des-X, but that was back when she was terrible, but ever since she became Earth-X, Earth's Guardian God, she has been much less of a murderous Electra-complex hussy, so Desco doesn't mind her as much anymore! Also, while Desco was working as a teacher at Netherworld Institute Evil Academy, the Dean ended up obssessed with her genetic structure, so Desco gave him a small sample of her flesh and he cloned her lots and lots of little sisters! And then Desco came here, and she met Uncle Otoha and Uncle Johnny, and also Big Bro Sam, and Sis Nano, but Uncle Johnny and Big Bro aren't here anymore and Uncle Otoha is spiraling into alcoholic depression, so Desco spends more time with Sis nowadays. Also, also, Desco filled out all the right forms and stuff, so her full name is now Death/Extermination Submersible Combat Organism Kazamatsuri-Shinonome, because that is how much Desco loves Sis!"

video

[stridercentric]

[... What. What even. He's not even going to bother with a text reply. This one definitely warrants a reply with video.

The feed opens with him lowering his shades to peer at the camera, an expression of shock on his face that's so overdramatic it might be obvious he's just kidding. If Desco squints, she might notice that Bro's eyes are orange. Not that such a thing is out of place in Hinoto-Ri, but where he's from it's pretty darn uncommon.]

Great googly moogly, that's a whackjob family! I mean, I get the clone thing. Really, I do, but conquering Earth? Wow.

And uh... You might wanna talk to your Uncle Otoha 'bout that alcoholism. Just sayin'.

[tyrantball]

"Big Sis wanted a little sister with advanced functionality to help her take over the world!"

A slight pause as a nictitating membrane sweeps over the golden eye set in her forehead.

"...would that help?"

[stridercentric]

Uh... It wouldn't hurt? Probably? Unless he's the kinda uncle who's a mean drunk. Then you might wanna contact local child support or some shit.

Text

[electricyousei]

I had family back home, they're dead now. In theory I have another family, but I hardly know them.

I'm not sure its good to get that attached to people, especially how they go away.

Text

[stridercentric]

[... Uh.]

what. thats like saying you can stop breathing because youre gonna die anyway.

the point of getting attached to people is so youll enjoy yourself while they are around. i mean. yeah. it hurts when they leave you. but uh.

ok. i could say something hammy like. better to have lost love than to never have loved at all. not really my style though. so im just gonna say YOLO.

Text

[electricyousei]

Well, it could be argued that Akito and Yurika are dead because of my negligence. As for the other, its more a matter of being a prize than a person.

What language is Yolo? I'm not familiar with the term.

[istotesbatgirl]

Probably Oracle.

My real family died in a fire, and Oracle took me in. I wish she could see how well I'm doing here.

[stridercentric]

oh uh. my condolences.

would you want her to really be here by your side? fending off demons and shit?

[istotesbatgirl]

I don't really want her here. I just wish she knew that I was doing okay and carrying on her legacy.

[text]

[hachitaro]

I got adopted by a family, but I left them when we immigrated to America. I wish Toshiko was here, though. We've lived together for like... fifty years.

... We're just friends, I swear. It's just hard to find other supernatural creatures you get along with sometimes.

[text]

[stridercentric]

supernatural creatures. right.

theres more of those here in the city right? ive seen some weird guys pass me by on the street sometimes.

and i mean weird in the nicest kinda way.

[text]

[hachitaro]

Yeah, it's kind of weird seeing so many of them out in the open, but it's kind of nice, too.

... Until they start making trouble for people. Then it just makes everyone look bad.

It's probably a big change for you, so I understand why you'd think it's weird. Honestly being back in Japan - any Japan - is weird for me. I'd been in America for over a century before I ended up here. I thought of myself as more American than Japanese in a lot of ways. A lot of modern Japanese customs are kind of strange for me.

I mean staring at cherry blossoms is nice and all, but I miss Superbowl parties and March Madness. Not so much because of the sports, just because of the parties and people you share a common culture with.

[Text]

[cykedfists]

Well... I have aunts and uncles in Europe, but aside from that they're all I have. They're okay, but... I think I missed Simon the most.

He's not technically my blood family, but he's the closest thing I have to one. Him and Aura.

[Text]

[stridercentric]

oooh family abroad. those are the best kind. they never really bother you but you still get to use 'm as an excuse to travel.

[He's heard of Simon, but...]

whos aura?

Re: [Text]

[cykedfists]

Simon is here, but Aura isn't. She's Simon's older sister and she was like an older sister to me too.