video; un: hinokami

[zutsuki]

[The feed is horribly wobbly at first, the device obviously in motion in fumbling hands as it's set lengthwise against a surface, propped up. Tanjiro takes not-enough steps backward from it, leaving the video to be mostly awkwardly focused on his chin and shoulders. He has no frame of reference for how this works, let him live.]

I'm only about half sure I'm doing this right, but I really hope I am because I have something really important I have to share. I'm sorry-- for sharing it, because it's probably putting a lot of people in danger, but!! I'm Kamado Tanjiro, and I'm here to pass along a really unsettling message my friend received, and I hope you'll all pass it around and hopefully we can find a solution.

[He turns to look off screen for a moment, says something that's muddled by his facing the other direction, and then walks back to his own device with another one in his hand. He then proceeds to turn the other device toward the video of his own, showing a too-close view of what is ...still clearly a chain letter text message. He leaves it there a moment, as if expecting people to read it, before stepping back again.]

I don't know what it means, but if anyone has any details on this Bloody Mary, which I'm pretty sure is probably a demon, please let me know! You can also contact Hashibira Inosuke, this was sent to him first! I'll read it, too--

You are now cursed! You must send this on or you will be killed. Tonight at 12:00am, by Bloody Mary. This is no joke. So don't think you can quickly get out of it and delete it now, because Bloody Mary will come to you if you do not send this on. She will slit your throat and your wrists and pull your eyeball out with a fork. And then hang your dead corpse in your bedroom cupboard or put you under your bed. What is your family going to do when they find you dead? Won't be funny then, will it? Don't think this is a fake and it's all put to scare you because you are wrong, so very wrong. Remember, Bloody Mary can do anything!

[He's still too close to the video feed to really be seen properly, but he's also taking this entire thing Far Too Seriously. His grip on Inosuke's phone, which is the most visible thing at this moment, is even white-knuckled.]

Everyone please be safe!!

[Someone please help this poor idiot country bumpkin. Or at least laugh at him.]

Comments

[zutsuki]

[It's fine, Marie, he didn't know any better.]

[He looks pretty solidly embarrassed at the further explanation.]

...oh. I-- why would someone do that?

[ringlette]

I am not exactly sure, but when I asked the same question, they told me those people are generally bored, and also called them trolls.

[ Thank you, mysterious friend X, for leading her down the right path. ]

[zutsuki]

[He looks vaguely mortified.]

Why would you use boredom to potentially curse someone...? Maybe it's... are trolls not human?

[ringlette]

I am not certain about their nature. [ Now she's seriously considering the possibility those spammers are not human... ]

However, spam does not seem to contain curses, and nothing happened to me when I deleted the message, so you should be fine!

[zutsuki]

[He sighs, visibly relieved, and shifts his phone again as he moves to sit on the floor.]

Well, that's good... I'll probably still be on edge until after midnight, though.

[ringlette]

Please, do try not to concern yourself! Being anxious about these things is normal, but it is not healthy to overdo it!

[ She beams a reassuring smile at the boy. ] You could perhaps drink something warm or eat something you like? It usually helps against stress.

[zutsuki]

[He smiles at her, and it's equal parts a horribly warm, unconditionally kind thing and entirely too tired for the face of a teenage boy.]

You're right... I'm still gonna think about it until after midnight, but I'll try to not stress too much. [Thanks, it's the trauma.]

[ringlette]

[ She nods at the camera, though not completely convinced, and the thing he keeps mentioning about midnight is oddly specific. ]

May I ask why you must wait until midnight to feel better?

[zutsuki]

Oh! The letter said Bloody Mary would come at midnight.

[His smile becomes apologetic.] It's not that I don't believe you when you say it's a joke, I promise. But I'll feel a lot better when it's past the time it says we'll be attacked.

[ringlette]

Ah, I... forgot that. My apologies. [ It was so silly she totally forgot the details. ]

I understand. It may be difficult to stay reassured that nothing wrong will happen. Do you have a friend that could keep you company tonight?

[zutsuki]

[He shakes his head.] No, it's okay! I read it probably way more times than most people did.

Oh, I'll be okay! I have Inosuke and Zenitsu, we're usually in the same place most of the time. [It's... not been formally decided if they all live together or not but, probably, or at the very least they probably just stay at each other's places often enough.]

[ringlette]

That is excellent! During moments like these, the comfort of your friends is highly important to keep your spirits up.

[ He's going to be fine! Marie can be a worrywart over strangers, but she's relieved now. Young people like him don't deserve to get themselves literally sick from anxiety. ]

I hope you have a serene night and you can sleep peacefully after midnight.

[zutsuki]

[Marie is pure, he likes her. His whole face gets kind of soft and he chuckles, nodding, before bowing forward toward his screen.]

Thank you for your concern, --oh! I didn't get your name, I'm so sorry.

[ringlette]

[ Out of respect, she'll bow in return, mindful of her hat so it won't fall on the camera. ]

Right, my apologies! You may call me Marie. And you said you are Tanjiro, correct?

[zutsuki]

Kamado Tanjiro, yes! You can just call me Tanjiro, though. It's very nice to meet you, Marie.

[ringlette]

Pleased to meet you too! [ Fixing her hat after the attempt of a bow. ]

If you need help concerning the city, you may contact me through your device. There are also several people who would be more than glad to guide you should something happen. For all its diversity, the community of Moonblessed is one of the best I have ever been in!

[zutsuki]

Well that's reassuring, thank you! The same for you-- though I'm not sure how helpful I'll be unless you need help cooking or something involving a sword.

[ringlette]

I cannot handle swords at all, so help regarding that would be really nice! And in regards of cooking, I am still learning on my own, so I am not perfect at it...

[zutsuki]

Oh! Well-- I'm not perfect, by any means, but I've been trained by really talented swordsmen, so I can at least try! I'm pretty good at cooking, but-- a lot of modern cooking confuses me, so I'm a little old-fashioned about it.