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

text | UN: textbookTestimony

[pishirogane]

I'm sure it's been explained to you but that's chain mail text. It's posed in a way for you to purposely send copies to other recipients almost like spam. No harm actually comes out of ignoring it.

[zutsuki]

I have, but I'm glad everyone seems to be saying the same thing.
That makes me worry a lot less about it.

[pishirogane]

Good. Also, for future reference, Bloody Mary is an urban legend and has nothing to do with text messages. If I remember, the whole thing deals with mirrors, and even then, there's too many legends with mirrors as a focal point.

[zutsuki]

[He considers that for a moment-- someone else had mentioned a mirror with runes carved into it. Taking mental note...]

Thank you, that's helpful! I'm very new to texting at all, so I didn't really know what to expect.

[pishirogane]

It's fine. You're doing well so far, and there's no harm in asking for help. However, a few people will attempt to take advantage of your naiveté so just remain aware of that.

[zutsuki]

I'm prepared for that, now that I've been made aware of at least some of what to expect. Thank you very much!

[pishirogane]

You're welcome. Though, now I have to ask, how long have you been here?

[zutsuki]

A little over a week, now, I think.

[pishirogane]

Alright. Has it been explained to you what happens during the various moon cycles?

[zutsuki]

Not explicitly! It's been mentioned a few times that the moons are very important, and there are strange effects that come from them, but nothing more specific than that.

[pishirogane]

I see. I'll warn you then that the effects are both mental and physical. A simple way to put it is: Red Moon, Combat; Blue Moon, Companionship; and Purple Moon, Comfort. It's more complicated than that, but you'll understand in time. I mainly inquire because during the moons, the physical changes can make individuals look less than their usual selves. Please refrain from attacking unless in self-defense or they're being actively aggressive towards another.

[zutsuki]

Oh.
And... does that apply to everyone equally? Or... how do we know which moon will... change us?

[He feels like he should be taking notes.]

[pishirogane]

It does. When you arrived for a physical, the doctors should've mentioned which one you're 'Blessed' under. Did you hear them say Sanguis, Cordis, or Iris?

[zutsuki]

Oh! Yes, Cordis, I didn't know what that meant at the time but they were saying so many things I think I stopped hearing everything after a while...
So what does that mean? Companionship? What is that... going to do to me?

[One fear.]

[pishirogane]

I see. 'Companionship' is putting it mildly. The longer version is that Cordis seek to garner attention and attract people to themselves. They also appear to have a higher metabolism than the other Blessings so if you find yourself eating more for instance during your cycle, it's normal.

Now, as for any physical changes, I've seen plenty of people gain feline features with a few growing feathers. Foxes are also associated with the Moonblessing, but I have noticed pincers and butterfly wings as of late.

[zutsuki]

[B o i.]

Goodness, that... sounds like a lot.
Feline features? You mean people turn into cats?

[He's taking note of the important things, really.]

[pishirogane]

Just some of the many things you become accustomed to here.

Partially, but I think some people have transformed into actual cats.

[zutsuki]

Oh wow...

Well, thank you, being informed will hopefully make it easier.
I wasn't really paying enough attention to what they told me when I first got here...

[pishirogane]

You're welcome, and again, don't worry about it. If you're unfamiliar with electronic texting, I assumed everything was overwhelming on your arrival. Retaining the finer details would be difficult.

[zutsuki]

Yeah, uh.
These little things you guys use for communicating are definitely something I've never seen before.
They're super convenient!
I just take forever to use them.

[pishirogane]

It takes practice like with everything else. Though, until you feel comfortable, you can stick to audio and video messages.

[zutsuki]

Yeah but if I practice now, it'll get easier faster!

[pishirogane]

It will. Good to know you have the resolve.