[Video]

[chalicejoker]

[There's Hajime, looking human and not at all like he's in the mood to be trolling people as a giant bug. He should probably get some sleep, even if he claims he doesn't need it anymore. He revealed way more than he ever wanted the public to know in Japan, and now he's got to deal with that on top of remembering a bunch of very unpleasant things at seeing Tokyo a wreck.]

Three things: one, I'm done with the Lord of the Bugmen crap. I'm not taking that form again. Not if I can help it. It's more than just the whole everyone knowing who I am thing, it's...more than that. I guess you could say I know too much about it now. It's...I don't want to say it was ever fun, but it sure as hell just got less appealing. I've got a different armored form to fight with, and I'm going with that instead.

[He runs a hand through his hair and looks worn out.]

Two, so I'm famous now, I guess. People keep bugging me for stuff, they had to shut down the restaurant for a couple days because the media was kind of going nuts. How do you even deal with that? Do you have any idea how many exterminators I've had calling wanting me to do endorsement deals with them? How do famous people do it and not lose their minds? Or tear a paparazzi's arm off? And three...

[He leans forward a bit and actually looks a little anxious.]

This is a long shot, but...does anyone know someone named Kazuma Kenzaki?

Comments

[Video] > [Private]

[chalicejoker]

Depends on which cartoons. And hold on...

[That he's even agreeing to that with minimal fuss is probably not a good sign, and he switches it to private.]

I remember trying to destroy Tokyo. The world.

[Video] > [Private]

[oncedevil]

Whatever you like. You pick.

[Yes, yes that is strange. It'd make sense from Shou or even L, but Hajime? Something is definitely getting under the bug's chitin.]

You-- really? Your Other, you mean?

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

I...don't really think I know any.

[More proof that his agreement is strange, really.]

Yeah. My other self. He...didn't want to, but he couldn't help it.

[Private]

[oncedevil]

We'll find something.

[Very strange, but Tony's going to roll with it for now. He's not always the best at being comforting but he tries.]

Is that something to do with what he was? The bug thing?

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

Something appropriately mindless. Nothing involving the fate of the world being at stake.

[There's a nod.]

Yeah. The bug thing, he...he was supposed to end the world. That's what he was meant to do all along.

[Private]

[oncedevil]

Sure, that's easy. So you probably don't want the dragon one then.

[Because that's appropriately heart-wrenching and fate of the worldy.]

Huh, I wonder what for? I mean, you gotta have a motive for something like that don't you?

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

Nah, not the dragon one.

[He winces.]

There wasn't much of a motive. He was just...driven by his instincts. Couldn't stop himself even as much as he might have wanted to.

[Private]

[oncedevil]

Yeah that one's a little too heavy for right now.

Huh... [He scratches his chin thoughtfully.] And you're worried that might happen to you?

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

Pretty much. My other self...he didn't want to, either, but he couldn't help it. What if I get to that point? Seems like it'd just be one bad pulse away...

[Private]

[oncedevil]

I won't lie, it could still be a risk but... you're not your other. You know? Don't write yourself off before you've even got a chance, alright? Besides, like we'd let you go that far.

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

Yeah. Yeah, I know, and I...I'm glad you guys are there.

[Private]

[oncedevil]

[A small smile.]

We're here for you, dude. We'll figure it out, yeah?

[Private]

[chalicejoker]

Yeah.

[And there's a more genuine smile.]

Thanks. I mean it.