video; un: hinokami

[zutsuki]

[He's still not great at texting, so he had Gintoki give him some guidance on how to do some fancier technological things. He probably wouldn't remember how to do it again, but he manages a video broadcast that is hidden from one specific Lunatian resident-- Hashibira Inosuke. He's quiet at first, sitting with a silly grin on his face. He waves.]

I have a special announcement! It's my friend's birthday-- I'm sure at least some of you have met him. Hashibira Inosuke, the one that runs around without a shirt and wears a boar mask!

[He holds up a sign he's drawn crudely.]

I had someone teach me how to make this post so he can't see it, but it would mean a lot to me if you guys could wish him well today! He really likes food and fighting, so if anybody wants to wrestle a guy I can tell you where to find him. Be careful though, he takes fighting super seriously and is pretty strong! He'll mostly listen if you set rules though. I think. [He frowns.]

...if you find him and wanna fight, maybe tell me so I can make him listen, actually.

Comments

[zutsuki]

[Then again, a moment later he laughs, and any trace of wariness or hackles raised from before is completely gone.] And you're right, calling him King even once might make him too much to handle.

1/2 IT'S A PATH TO FRIENDSHIP!!!!!!

[nobodylikeshim]

[ Is that so?

There are some things that are difficult to tell through a video screen, that much is true. Yet he gives another once over of the young man. The claim is clear and the voice is equally pure. Hmmm. ]

Is that so? [ He says aloud. ] I'm pleased to hear it. I was worried Inosuke would be all alone by himself without anyone from his world, but... there are people already here. How wonderful.

[nobodylikeshim]

[ Hisoka laughs in turn; it's bright and cheerful. ]

And since I only hang out with Inosuke every so often, I best not make things difficult for his other friends. So, I'll keep that to myself. [ A slight pause. ]

Hey, I wonder what would be a good present for that person. [ Hmmmm. ] You've probably already thought up lots of things.

[zutsuki]

[What a strange man. In the same way Hisoka can't quite read Tanjiro through video, though, Tanjiro can't quite decide what to think of Hisoka, so he just makes a mental note to give him a good old sniffing in person sometime that sounds so much creepier than it needs to oh my god. He echoes his laugh.]

Ah, well, Inosuke has a habit of making things difficult well enough on his own, so I appreciate not fueling his misbehavior.

[He ponders.] Well, like I said he does really like food, so I'm planning to cook for him. He's not a very material person, so I guess he's a little difficult to gift!

[nobodylikeshim]

It's true. I suppose it is that wild nature of his, but we love him all the same.

[ Oh, that scamp. That Hisoka is planning on murdering one day for his own enjoyment. ]

Food, huh? Well, I suppose I can get him something sweet to eat. [ Be like one of those irresponsible grandparents that fills a kid up on candy and then let them loose to be someone else's problem. ]

[zutsuki]

[Tanjiro will invite you to try, in all honesty, but you'll also have to go through him. So more fun for Hisoka, really? Win-win.]

Food is always a good way to go with him. And anything shiny? He liked to give my little sister acorns. Still haven't quite figured that one out.

[nobodylikeshim]

[ All the fun!! ]

He's surprisingly a very thoughtful boar.

Will he be mad that you're destroying his reputation, ah...? [ A slight pause. ] I forgot to ask your name. Sorry, sorry. I went off on my own topic of conversation without thinking of being proper or polite.

[zutsuki]

He's a little loud at first but he's honestly a very good person, and I don't plan to let anyone think otherwise.

[His face turns pink and he squawks softly, folding at a ninety degree angle to bow to the screen.] I am so sorry, oh my gosh. I have had the worst manners since coming here... [He stands up again, looking horribly chastised.] I'm Tanjiro. Kamado Tanjiro. [A beat.] ...Inosuke calls me every other name under the sun, but I promise, it's Tanjiro.

1/2

[nobodylikeshim]

Don't worry. I know he's a good person deep down.

[ He smiles yet again. ]

That's why I wanted to watch out for him in the first place... since I'm sure people would get the wrong idea.

2/4

[nobodylikeshim]

Tanjiro, huh?

[ A nod. ]

Nice to meet you.

[nobodylikeshim]

[ A much longer pause. ]

[nobodylikeshim]

He really does seem to have problems with names...

[zutsuki]

[That Hisoka keeps bringing up that he wants to watch out for Inosuke is... really unsettling? But he's not said anything specifically worrisome again, so the odd little twisting sensation in his stomach makes him squirm, but he overall feels bad for thinking poorly of someone he doesn't know. He knows he usually has a pretty good gut sense, but he's still aggressively shounen protag enough to want to find the good in everyone.]

[Good luck with this one.]

[He bows shallowly, making an affirmative sound.]

Nice to meet you as well-- Hisoka-san, was it? And at this point I'm really not sure if he does it on purpose or not.

[nobodylikeshim]

[ Hisoka is purposely trying to bug Tanjiro to see if he has any bite to him. If his friend is seemingly "threatened" or in a threatening situation, will that innocent air about him change? He can't tell. He really can't tell much through a screen so can only toss out bait here and there.

"Hello? Hello? Who are you?" His actions and words try to figure these things out. Inosuke was easy to figure out, but this one ... is he really a dud? He might be? But maybe not? Hm. ]

It's Hisoka, yes. [ His head cants to the side as he smiles. ] It's hard to tell. I'm going to say that he probably doesn't. Something tells me that he just doesn't think long enough to make sure he's saying the right name.

[zutsuki]

[Oh he definitely has bite... It's just hard to get him to show it. Part of the thing about him to fear, actually, is the fact that he rarely shows any anger or murderous intent, even in battle. He's hard to piss off, but there are a few small things that'll do it. He's yet to see, even for himself, if threatening Inosuke is specifically one of those things (hint: it definitely is).]

[He chuffs a short laugh, shrugging.]

He's mentioned he doesn't like thinking before, that's definitely true. How did you meet him?

[nobodylikeshim]

He made a post loudly proclaiming that he wanted to find the strongest person on the planet so that he could fight them.

[ his smile is like one you would share with a close friend. "oh that inosuke." but should hisoka have such a smile? should he try to share such a joke? no. and no. ]

And ... I got worried.

[zutsuki]

[He makes a face. That... definitely sounds like Inosuke, but... Hisoka's mannerisms continue to be unsettling. There's a tension to Tanjiro's shoulders, pretty consistently now.]

How kind of you. He's good for that sort of thing-- I hope he didn't cause you too much trouble with it.

[nobodylikeshim]

[ His eyes shift on the video, seemingly noticing how Tanjiro's shoulders seem to build in tension. But he smiles even as he acknowledges it. ]

It really is nothing. [ Shrug. ] No, don't worry. There's no trouble that was caused. Though, I'll be honest in saying that I haven't kept that tight of tabs on him.

[ Sometimes, it's nice to let his toys run around free. It means that they can build and gain their skills naturally rather than having him force them into line, as it were. ]

So, I'm sorry for any trouble he caused while I wasn't watching. [ HA HA ]

[zutsuki]

[He really doesn't like not liking people, Hisoka why are you making him dislike you!! He nods, keeping his overall pleasant demeanor despite that tension in his shoulders.]

It's all right, he's used to managing on his own. I appreciate you looking out for him at all. [But also, maybe, please stop.]

[nobodylikeshim]

[ Nobody likes him. ROLL CREDITS! No. ]

No problem whatsoever. [ This is a fun topic that they're on but-- ]

Hey, Tanjiro, do you also fight demons?

[zutsuki]

[This... isn't a terrible subject change, okay, he can handle this.]

I do. The Corps is how I met Inosuke.

[nobodylikeshim]

Mmmmmm, I see, I see.

[ Hm. ]

Hey. Could I ask why you joined the Corps?

[zutsuki]

[He doesn't like this question.]

That's a little personal, isn't it?

[nobodylikeshim]

Is it?

[ :) ]

I'm sorry. I'm a Hunter in my world, and so I didn't think of how personal that could be.

[ He did. He just was curious how much he could get the other to share. ]

[zutsuki]

[His mouth quirks.]

...I'm sorry, then, but it's personal for me. I mean no offense by not telling you. [Inosuke doesn't even know the full reason, honestly. It bothers him, and pretty obviously.]