Video | Open to All!

[odd_jobs]

[A video clicks onto the network. Tadashi flashes the screen a wide grin and then a peace sign.

He's been watching and commenting a little here and there, but time to finally really say hello. He brandishes what looks like a colorful, big buttoned remote control. He clears his voice and puts on his best infomercial voice.]

Today in Tadashi's Inventions, a made-up-right-now program, I have a solution for those of us who can't spring for a cell phone contract and the computer's being tied up by annoying little brothers.

THIS! One universal remote, though any old one in your couch cushions will do the job. Any surface that can catch and reflect infrared seems to manage it just fine. Like right now, I'm using the microwave door. Cool, huh? You don't have to all praise me at once, but you can if you want.

Lets talk practical AND convenient, this is now being broadcast while I nuke a potato! Advantages, delicious and timesaving, as well as the convenience and privacy of being at home. Disadvantages, if caught, talking to your microwave is ridiculously hard to explain.

So, hey, use it at your own risk.

Okay, opening chat! That'll be your mute button if you use it. [He levels the remote at the screen and presses a button.] How ya doing, world?

Comments

Video

[reckless_fire]

[Kenji usually sticks to voice or text because he knows fuck-all about using a webcam. But this. He'll make an exception for this.

So here's Kenji, standing in front of a mirror, looking stunned and a little shaken from a particularly vivid...memory? vision? Whatever the hell these things are.]

...Kimishima.

[No, that isn't the guy's name. What was it again? He'd just said it, hadn't he? Tadashi. Right. Taking a step closer to the mirror, he scowls, but more in confusion than anger.]

I know you--right? And not just from that day at the beach. From... [He shakes his head] But I couldn't, though--I mean... [He takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly with a shaky laugh.] Hell, I dunno what I mean.

1/2

[odd_jobs]

[There's a long moment when Tadashi looks just as shellshocked.

The name... didn't ring any bells at all, but it seemed a rather remote concern to the jumble of questions going through his head.]

[He takes a quick step back, pointing a finger at the microwave...]

Kazuma... It's Kazuma isn't it? I KNEW IT! Do you know how crazy I thought I was going?

[odd_jobs]

[And in the next moment, his face gets really big as he grabs the microwave by its corners and pulls it towards him.]

More importantly! Why the hell didn't you say something?!

1/2 because why not?

[reckless_fire]

Kazuma? Who the hell is Kazuma?

[He shakes his head stubbornly. The name means nothing to him, although he has a sneaking suspicion that it's somehow connected to that other guy. The one whose life he somehow keeps seeing flashes of. BUT IT'S NOT HIM, DAMMIT!]

No. I'm Kenji. Kenji Kobayashi.

2/2

[reckless_fire]

[The question strikes Kenji as an accusation, and he glares back through the mirror at Tadashi. If he could reach through the glass and shake the guy, he probably would. Instead, he leans in toward the mirror, his eyes narrowing.]

'Cause I didn't know 'til today! If you knew, WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING?!

[odd_jobs]

But y-...

[He puffs out defensively. His arms go wide, hands far out of sight of the microwave door.]

WHAT THE HELL COULD I SAY? What if I was wrong?

[odd_jobs]

I had a dream about you?

That sounds creepy no matter how you say it. There's no right way to say it. The words don't exist.

[reckless_fire]

[He opens his mouth to say something. But yeah, what can he possibly say to that? So, he closes his mouth again.]

Yeah, you're right. There's no good way to say that, man.

[After a few moments, he shakes his head, a little surprised to find himself laughing.]

And here I thought I was starting to get used to all the crazy shit--and then this happens.

[odd_jobs]

I still have no idea what all this shit is.

I've watched a bit, naturally. It's weird how much seems to happen in bathrooms. But...

[reckless_fire]

[Okay, the bathroom comment cracks him up completely.] Yeah, no shit, man. At least I'm using the mirror in my closet.

We...should probably talk, though--but not here. Wanna meet up somewhere?

[odd_jobs]

Huh, yeah sure. I could- [There's a BEEP! BEEP!... and you can see Tadashi reach past your view to press a button. The view swings out and pans across an extremely tiny, if tidy, economy kitchen... and back. Tadashi's dropping a potato on the counter to cut up.]

There, finally!

Ah... considering it's gonna be crazy talk... Are you far from school? Gonna be dead this time of night.

[reckless_fire]

Yeah, that works. I'll meet you across the street from the main entrance, in about an hour? That good with you? [He figures that will be enough time for Tadashi to eat his potato. He also sends this text for your reading enjoyment.]

In the meantime, you might want to look over that text I just sent you. It'll explain some stuff. Not everything, but...some.

[odd_jobs]

[He levels the remote control at the microwave door and presses the play button. The text box springs up, blocking the lower half of the screen. Tadashi gives it a quick look, skimming without reading anything just yet, and lets out a low whistle.]

Looks like a lot, anyway. Yeah, sounds good. I'll be there.

Switching to action

[reckless_fire]

[And at the appointed time and place, Tadashi will find Kenji pacing back and forth like a caged lion. Well...perhaps more like a slightly nervous high school sophomore. Upon hearing approaching footsteps, he glances over, and after determining that it is, in fact, Tadashi, he waves the other over.]

Yo, Kimishi... dammit. Uhh...Tadashi, right? So, did you read it?

audio

[angelskills]

I'm doing well, thank you!

You're nuking a potato?

[odd_jobs]

Smelling pretty good too.

Not to worry, in the interest of network safety, I've cut vents in it.

[angelskills]

Ah, right! They can explode.

[odd_jobs]

Boy do they! Knocks the door clean off and across the room. Probably would give anyone watching a good case of motion sickness.

Heh, anyways, it leaves the far more important questions of the evening. Your name, and your vote on toppings.

[angelskills]

Oh!

[ She laughs a little. ]

My name is Colette. As for toppings... well, sour cream is classic, isn't it?

[odd_jobs]

Pleased to meet you. Tadashi Takahashi, here, but Tada's fine.

Hmmmhmm, not a bad choice, simple, sensible. [In the background of the audio, she can hear something beep cheerfully, and some less distinct clattering.] Definitely a top contender.

[angelskills]

Tada... it's nice to meet you too!

[ Woahhh so it really is a microwave. ]

I guess it's true, as long as you can write a number somewhere you can connect to the network.

[odd_jobs]

Yeah. I imagine people have worked out some better ways, but I couldn't help nosing around myself.

It's kinda... eh, a bit unreal still.

[angelskills]

Yeah... believe me, I've been connected for over a month, and it still feels unreal! Though I'm very grateful to have met everyone I have through this.

[odd_jobs]

Haa? That long? ... Hey, mind if I ask something?

[angelskills]

Of course not! Please do.