prismatica | 001 POINTS | video | joint post with fineprinted

[ The video post flickers on to show two people, both looking rather different in demeanor. The taller of the two looks to have a scowl on his face, and eyes and hair a matching deep green. He’s not happy to be here, he doesn’t even feel comfortable leaving the apartment. Which is why he’s here with the shorter of the two boys.

It would’ve been hard to tell that the scruffy, blue-haired boy is the older of the two, but that’s probably part of his charm and it shows in how he addresses the network with a bright smile and a wave of his hand, as if he were a natural at this. ]

--Oh, I think we’re on! Hello, Lunatia! We’d like to introduce ourselves first of all: My name is Aoba Tsumugi, and this kind lad over here is my roommate! Ah, you should say hello too, Midorima-kun!

[ He gestures at the screen as smoothly as he could.

Midorima’s brows furrow before he’s even finished talking, looking mildly annoyed. What he’s annoyed about becomes apparent within only a few seconds as he doesn’t say hello and instead focuses in on correcting what he thinks was wrong with that sentence. ]

Who’s a “kind lad”? Focus on the task at hand.

[ Apparently, that’s all the greeting he’s bothering with. Tsumugi can only sigh a little before facing the screen again, smile still intact. ]

This is Midorima Shintarou, by the way. Seriously, kids these days… Um, but before I go off track, the reason why we’ve put this up is because we have one thing in common, and that is horoscopes. Luck, in general. Do you know there are apps here that tells you your daily fortune and what lucky item to bring around with you to ward off bad luck? Technology’s so amazing! Even though we’re from different worlds, it’s nice to know that there are other people who believe in them -- and that is why we are here today.

[ Midorima’s worried that Tsumugi’s going to go on for too long, so he chimes in with a much more direct demand of their audience over the network. ]

Respond with your astrological sign or birthday if you aren’t sure. We’re also looking to know what items are considered lucky in other worlds that may be incorporated into an apartment.

Y-You can just ask nicely them, you know! People wouldn’t know how to respond if you’re being demanding like that... [ why are tsunderes the way they are, man ] Anyway, it’d be very helpful for us to know everyone’s signs and birthdays to balance out of luck if it ever goes bad for a day so that we can stick with those people for a while… I’m a Leo and he’s a Cancer, if that helps.

Also! If anyone knows other forms of divination such as palmistry and tarot, that’d be greatly appreciated as well… I’m honestly more comfortable consulting with someone privately about my fortunes rather than rely on technology all the time, so let me know if it’s all right to approach you for regular sessions! I’ll pay with Chroma if I have to.

[ Midorima just decides to move on and end the video. He’s not going to give Tsumugi the chance to say goodbye. ]

We’re done.

[ And the video cuts out. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he jumps at the sudden new voice. ] Yes! Of course! [ er. ] What is it that you'd like to know..?

Start with what Aoba means by "one of those countries."

[ He's uninitiated to this concept. ]

[ ah. this explanation again.. ]

Well.. mm, it's.. difficult to explain. I suppose that we might best be compared to tsukumogami..? Save that instead of an object, we embody everything that makes up a nation. [ he clears his throat. ] For instance, natural disasters cause injury to this body-- [ he taps his chest. ] --and when my economy is in a slump, I can become ill. I also usually have a sense for my citizens. [ not always, though. it's not as easy here to tell. different, parallel worlds, maybe. ]

[ Oh okay, that actually makes sense to him. It's not something that he necessarily put stock in... at one time. Midorima tends to cherry pick what supernatural stuff he believes in and what he doesn't. He wouldn't do as well in the sciences as he did if he didn't. But he's also in another world where people have real cat ears. He still isn't sure he believes he'll get anything (he's in for a shock when Cordis moon rolls around) but he's seen others have them. He's dealt with weird dragon eyes that made him take his glasses off so he didn't invade peoples' privacy. There's a lot going on here. He can't dismiss this. ]

Prove it.

[ ...But his horoscope also says to question what he's told unless he can see it with his own eyes, so he's going to be a right pain in the ass about it. ]

[ oh dear. ] That.. would be difficult to do without the Prime Minister or Emperor here, I suppose. Not that I would wish either of them here, of course. [ he taps his chin. ] I could perhaps ask either Oda-dono to vouch for me if that would suffice.

[ he hesitates, then spreads his hands. ] If you don't feel comfortable with the idea of what I am, I do have a human name that you can use if you prefer.

[ It's less the issue of calling him that to him so much as his horoscope is undermining this entire conversation. ]

Do you know the Akashi family? Or Nakatani Masaaki? What about Kagetora Kaoru?

[ If he's Japan he definitely knows the richest family of all time or like, his basketball coach who is a former starter from the Japanese National Basketball Team.

...Not that Midorima can call either of them up to verify either but there's no way a country would be oblivious of those two names, he's certain, and the third one is made up. So if he gets tripped up then it's false!! ]

[ his head tilts thoughtfully as he considers those names, but he finally shakes it. ]

I'm afraid not. [ at least, probably not. he's known some akashis in his time. ] If they're well-known in your time, it could be that I'm from a point in your past. Or it could be that you're from another version of my lands. I've been told that nations like me don't exist in other versions of the world.

The Akashi family is one of Japan's ancient families. I know their son. [ He's his rival/childhood friend. :') ] And Coach Nakatani is a former National Basketball team starter. If you're telling the truth, you may not exist in my universe.

[ At least he's landed on something other than flat-out calling Japan a liar because Japan told the truth that he didn't know them.. even if Midorima's being harsh about it in general. That's just who he is. ]

You said you had another name?

[ japan doesn't seem offended, but that's probably not much of a surprise. it's a lot for people to swallow even here at times. ]

Yes, that's right. My human name is Honda Kiku. [ he dips his chin politely. ] It would be very difficult for nations to live in this modern world without human names to use day-to-day. [ he heaves a sigh. ] Things change so quickly these days.. I can hardly imagine how I'll have to adapt in a hundred years or so.

Honda then.

[ Is Japan speaking to a Japanese person? Yes. Is he using honorifics? No. It's not even because he's from a different world, it's because he's a butthead. ]

If you are Japan, you should know that Shutoku will become the best high school basketball team in the nation. Support us.

[ Look, if he's got a chance to pre-empt Akashi and Kuroko on getting the support of their actual country he's not going to pass it up... ]

[ what is this familiar-ass way of speaking.. but it's fine, just weird.. ]

I would be glad to support you. [ and like.. all high school basketball teams, but. you know. apparently shutoku is the only one with a representative here, so #goteam. ] I'll wish you the best of luck once we all return home.

[ Also weird is the way that he periodically peppers in "nanodayo" at the end of some of his bossier sentences ~~but it doesn't really translate so I just kind of make a note of it~~ ]

..Thank you.

[ Despite being a butt, he does appreciate support and luck. >:| ]

I intend to take first in either Interhigh or the Winter Cup by graduation, then join the national team.

[ He doesn't lack confidence. Japan is going gold in the Olympics for basketball once he's there. Then maybe he'll get scouted by the NBA. ]

001 POINTS | video | joint post with fineprinted

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