video

[arrowpoint]

[Well, somebody has a nice tan... well, maybe a bit of a burn too, but hey that's the price to pay for a nice vacation. ]

So I got this hat. Do you think it hides my ears okay, guys? I'm hoping it will last until I can start with winter hats.

[adjusts the hat on his head to demonstrate.]

Also I've been out of town for a bit, so I'm sort of out of the loop... what I miss?

Comments

[ursoreckless]

Only thing I can think of is wear something that actually covers them instead of a hat that makes them stick out to the sides like that. Either that, or start dressing like side show character.

[arrowpoint]

Well, I was trying to keep it over my ears but it keeps popping back up. Dude like... dressing up in a costume? I think I know somebody who's into that... but I think that would just make me stick out more, no?

[Yes, he was taking the suggestion seriously.]

[ursoreckless]

I do it all the time and haven't yet got the mob on my tail because of it.

[arrowpoint]

So it's like what, your disguise?

[ursoreckless]

Nah, I cosplay. A lot.

More than a lot. I just like dressing up.

[arrowpoint]

Oh, yeah, that. But... that often? Doesn't that get weird?

[ursoreckless]

Often enough. It doesn't get weird at all, although I find it funny when guys hit on me.

[arrowpoint]

Whoa, seriously?

[He covers his mouth to hold back an amused laugh.]

Yeah that is kind of funny.

[ursoreckless]

I've been told I make a lovely woman.

[arrowpoint]

Um...

[Okay, now it's getting a little awkward.]

That's nice, I guess.

[ursoreckless]

[ he trolls. a lot. sorry, but there he goes, laughing about the reaction. ]

It is.

[arrowpoint]

[Not sure what to make of the laughter, really. Liam takes an extra moment just to make sure he's not going to say something completely offensive. Not that he would ever intentionally.]

Well... whatever floats your boat, I guess.

[ursoreckless]

One of these years, I am taking you to a visual kei concert. Mebbe if Kamijo is touring close by.

[ because seriously it is a funny reaction, you crazy Americans and your whole thing about how people should look.]

[arrowpoint]

Okay, I'm kind of afraid to ask, but... what's visual kei?

[ursoreckless]

Imagine if the rock band KISS decided to go on stage in full drag as well as their glam makeup. Or switch it around and make the members of Heart look all like guys.

[ he is still grinning. ] I could show you pictures, but not too sure if you're ready for it.

[arrowpoint]

[The look on his face suggests that he's having a hard time wrapping his head around this concept, and the bits he does get are kind of alarming.]

Uh, no thanks... I think I'm okay for now.

[Pause.]

But... whatever you want to do man, I don't want to judge.

[ursoreckless]

[ he hums for a moment or two, looking something up on his tablet, and then he turns his phone so all that can be seen is this image. ]

Actually I think that even KISS would have a hard time looking like these guys.

[arrowpoint]

...Those are guys?

[ursoreckless]

They are guys.

[ another quick scroll, and now he has a music video playing on the screen. ] They're pretty good though I'm partial to the girl visual kei bands like this one.

[ and there he goes, pulling up another music video. ]

Sadly Liam's idea of cosplay is only "halloween costumes not on halloween" >>;

[arrowpoint]

[Liam takes some time to poke through the videos with a blank expression on his face.]

...The guys look more like girls than the girls do.

[That is, if he got the video order correct.]

So... what language is that?

[ursoreckless]

That's the point. Visual kei bends the visual senses of those people watching the show; so men become women, women become men, human becomes monster and monster becomes human. The costumes are part of the music and the music is part of the costumes.

Japanese, though there are a couple Chinese visual bands underground and I have seen a Swedish visual kei artist.

sorry for the delay!

[arrowpoint]

[Liam looks up with an obvious "thinking" face. It was a little hard to get a grasp on.]

Okay, so... it's just a visual thing, right? The clothes aren't part of the music part?

[Pause.]

Eye music instead of ear music, maybe? Is that kind of the point?

that's okay :3

[ursoreckless]

Well... In a way the clothing is part of the music because the style is suppose to reflect the music. Like Versailles is very much into a symphonic metal style to fit in with their glamorous clothing and their lyrics reflect a story about aristocratic beings with various things happening to them. Another group may have a cutesy style with a music that feels more like pop rock from the sixties with lyrics that reflect school days and beach parties.

It's a kind of exchange and people can tell what band is going to play what style of music just by their clothing style and level of genderbending they're doing.

[arrowpoint]

Okay, you're loosing me, man. But hey, to each their own, right?

So you dress up - do you sing too?

[ursoreckless]

It's not something you Westerners get so it's okay.

Sing, play several instruments, and compose. Mother thought at one point in time I was gonna follow her footsteps.