savetheearth | 04

[The webcam feed opens to show Hajime's darkened apartment. The lights are off, the curtains are drawn, and a hulking figure can be seen moving around in the shadows. He's moving too fast and too much to get a clear look at him for very long, though the green orb on his chest is slightly luminescent. He's so distraught, he hasn't realized he even activated the webcam. He thought he was just switching on the mic for audio.]

I...I can't stay here. I can't let anyone find me like this. But I don't think I can get out of here on my own without anyone seeing me...

[Hajime is doing his best to keep his voice calm, but there's no denying the fact that he sounds quite shaken. It's still recognizable as his voice, although it sounds a little rougher than usual.]

I changed. I...tried to fight it, but...it...it was just like I remembered...and I can't hide the belt anymore, not that it matters...

[He is this close to having a massive freakout right then and there. Staying calm after turning into some kind of a bug monster is really hard, especially when you were normal--or as close to normal as Hajime gets these days--an hour ago. He's going through the room, trying to figure out what, if anything, he'll be bringing with him when he leaves. It's at this point that he realizes the webcam's on, and a green, clawed, and definitely inhuman hand will reach out to cover it.]

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[Takayuki liked to browse the network for anything interesting enough, and this was sure as hell interesting. Okay, more horrifying. All the more so when he recognized the voice coming out of the bug-thing. Holy shit, that's Hajime?

He doesn't know what to say, but he's got to say something, so goes to voice.]

Shit... Hajime? Hey, you still there? You okay? You... holy fuck, man, this's....

You get out okay? You still... need help, or something?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. They got me out without too much of a fuss.

[Really, of all people to show concern...Hajime's actually a little surprised. Then again, he would have been concerned if the situation were reversed. It didn't matter who was turning into a giant bug, that just wasn't right.]

I'm not sure there's anything anyone can do...I keep trying to turn back, but it's not working. At least, focusing on becoming a human again isn't doing much of anything.

Good, good, that's good...

[They were all in this big stupid number-remembering boat together, weren't they? The difference was that he actually knew Haijime, and knew that he wasn't supposed to be a giant bug-guy, and... and it didn't feel right to somehow not address this.

And besides, who knew what might happen to him further down the line?]

Maybe... maybe you're not supposed to turn back? Maybe you're supposed to be a big giant bug thing?

[Takayuki, no. That's not going to help.]

[That is most certainly not helping. Especially with that one memory where he saw himself changing and knew that this form was the truth, that this was his original form, and that the human disguise he had taken on just wasn't enough to hold it back.]

No, I'm not.

[That possibly came out to sound a bit more defensive than Hajime would have liked.]

I'm going to find a way to change back.

[The memory still pulls at him, taunting him with the knowledge that he was only pretending, wasn't really human, could never be one, Joker's instincts were too strong...]

Okay, okay, you're not, you're not...

[Hajime was pretty scary when he was angry, that much he remembered.]

Yeah, hey, if things are crazy enough to change you into this, there's gotta be something to change you back. Just... if it takes a while, you got enough stuff to hold out where you are?

[Hajime settles down a little at that, at least. He's still somewhat wound up, but at least there's no sign of a really worked up bug-man.]

I'm...kind of not sure. I grabbed some stuff before I left, but I don't know how long I'll be here...

[There's a pause.]

I'm also not really sure if I'd still eat the same stuff or what...haven't had much of an appetite.

[Let's face it, turning into a giant bug is enough to turn anyone's stomach for a bit.]

04 | [Video]

Audio | Slightly backdated to be more timely? D:

Audio | That works!

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