( VIDEO. 002 ) @2cool — BACKDATED: 07/17

[glitterpants]

<sub>[ Despite being relatively quiet on the network, Karamatsu has been keeping up to date with what has been happening in Riverview. Well, what was important to him, anyway, and what was important to him was the fact there was going to be a masquerade this week. Going to bed every night and knowing there are people out there who don't have perfect fashion for this sort of thing was making him feel determined, and dare I even say.. proactive.

Unfortunately, when Karamatsu becomes inspired, it's usually pretty bad.
Today, he's dressed in this and seems awfully proud of it.

He strikes a pose, spreading the wings out to show off all of the colors with an exclamation of "bang!" which is nothing like the sound a bird should make (was he bird or just being extra??? we just don't know.) Then, he relaxes, cupping his chin with one hand. ]</sub>

Heheh. It seems there's going to be a party on Saturday. If you want to look as perfect as me, I will be happy to help and tailor you an outfit if you do not have one. Please, no payment is necessary. Take it as kindness from my own heart, as I do not want anybody to have an insufficient costume for such an event.
Thank you.
_{[ And that's it? He also ruined his identity by posting this early, but hey, that's fine. ]}

Comments

[glitterpants]

... Is there something wrong with that?
_{[ He'd dress in drag if given the opportunity.
.. well.. no, he probably doesn't need an excuse to do that either. ]}

[smokedout]

[Dodger resists the urge to say "What are you, queer?". Dodger. The man who's been screwing other men since day one.]

Yes, there's most definitely something wrong with that. This is a serious event, give the poor folks at Gramarye some peace.

[glitterpants]

_{[ He thinks for a moment. Dodger can probably see the gears obviously turning, and then: ]}
Ah, but don't you want to stand out? To be yourself? To be unique!

_{[ He then waves his hand for a moment. ]}
Oh, never mind. I do have a suit if you want to see that instead.
_{[ why is he concerned about your approval suddenly... ]}

[smokedout]

"Myself" ain't a peacock, I'm good.

[He tips his head lazily.]

Does the suit have sequins? Because if it does I don't wanna see it.

[glitterpants]

I do have one that is made entirely from sequins, yes.
_{[ Oh god. ]}

But that is not the one I was going to show you. Here, give me one moment..
_{[ And he'll step out of the feed. What's he going to come back wearing? It could be anything. Really. Anything. ]}

[smokedout]

You do this just to hurt me, don't you.

[At least there's no heat in his voice... but there's still a healthy level of apprehension as he waits for Karamatsu to come back.]

[glitterpants]

<sub>[ You do this just to hurt me. There it is, again. The implication that he's unintentionally hurting somebody because of him being so outrageous. It makes him consider for a moment that maybe he should be this way anymore.

.. but it's a passing thought.

When he comes back into the picture, he looks like this, cigar and everything.
He throws his arms out and shifts his weight to one side. ]</sub>

Ah?
_{[ nope, still too much. ]}

[smokedout]

[Well... Dodger actually can't help laughing again. Okay, that's actually kind of adorable. Particularly because he can tell it's some attempt to impress him, in his weird Karamatsu way.]

Lose the scarf, overcoat, earrings and cigar... and don't slick your hair back, you can't pull that shit off at all. Then we're talking.

[Pinstripes on the other hand, those look good on him. Color him impressed.]

[glitterpants]

_{[ Karamatsu makes a face at Dodger's suggestion. ]}

Lose the scarf? The accessories? Do you not know fashion at all?
_{[ oh, we got snarky there for a second. He's not parting with those! ]}

They are essentials; the finishing touches! The cherry on top of the ice cream sundae.. which makes it more appetizing! The accessories, they make me more appetizing.
_{[ gross. ]}

[smokedout]

Accessories are for women, kiddo - you've got all the accessories you need between your legs.

[He shrugs lazily.]

You got a specific look going, and I respect that - but you're not Marlon Brando, you ain't pulling off the mafiozo look. So ditch the accessories, and be a guy rocking pinstripes. Not some dumb kid trying to cosplay a mobster.

[glitterpants]

I understand that, but if I tried to show off those accessories, I would get arrested.
_{[ It sounds like he knows from experience? But.. let's.. let's just hope not, okay. Anyway, he looks particularly fussed about having his attire criticized, which is funny. Wasn't he originally asking for an opinion anyway? ]}

I will.. consider. But I cannot promise I can take to heart your suggestion.

[smokedout]

Then don't, it's not my problem if you want to embarrass everyone who associates with you.

[He's not sure why he's getting invested in this debate, but his tone is pretty harsh as he speaks to him.]

But hey, maybe that's why Sombra didn't follow you here - she might be into men.

[That's... completely uncalled for? What the hell, Dodger.]

[glitterpants]

_{[ For a moment, only a moment, Karamatsu believes Dodger. It's not exactly crystal clear on his face, but there's hesitation— as if he doesn't know how to reply. He's really thinking about this, okay.
She obviously disliked him to an extent, but in the long run, she protected him the entire time he was on the Eluvio. There was one thing Sombra made evident about herself to him before he never saw her again: ]}

Ah, no.. I don't think so. It is just easier for her to hate than it is to love.

_{[ Where as he told her it is easier to love than it is to hate. She's a secretive girl, but Karamatsu is a blabber-mouth.
Back to the original topic, though: ]}

Do you so easily change yourself to impress those around you?
_{[ Because one time he tried to do that but his only big brother told him he was better off staying how he was because at least that was honest. ]}

[smokedout]

[He notes that hesitation... and honestly, it makes him feel a little bad for preying on insecurities like that. Karamatsu's sort of like an estranged brother to him, after all.]

...It's not about changing yourself. It's about knowing what parts of yourself to show.

[He tips his head as he watches him carefully.]

Appearance sends a message - and what you send is 'I feel like nothing if people aren't complimenting me. I can't love myself so I need others to do it for me.' I'm guessing what you want to send is 'I'm comfortable in my own skin, I love me for me and I want others to feel good about themselves too.' Right?

[glitterpants]

_{[ That's advice he was never given— and Karamatsu isn't sure he exactly likes it even if it sounds effective. He looks irritated, but can't exactly make direct eye contact at the feed again. ]}

Ah.. are you a professional from personal experience, then?

[smokedout]

It was part of my job back home, yeah.

[His tone becomes firm - he doubts Karamatsu will listen to him if he tries to be a friend about it. If anything, he sounds like a stern parent at the moment.]

You might have noticed I don't look much like the other people around here. [What with the bandages, tattoos, scars, missing eye that he still hasn't had the decency to cover with an eyepatch...] My appearance serves a purpose - it makes sure people only approach me if they know what they're getting themselves into. If I wanted people to come near me, I'd change how I look. It's all about know what cards to play, just like everything else in life.

[glitterpants]

_{[ He thinks about this for a moment, then purses his lips curiously. ]}
Oh.. so you remain gruesome looking.. to keep people away?

_{[ WHERE IS YOUR TACT. ]}

[smokedout]

Exactly.

[Dodger's got no time for tact, anyway. It's part of why he likes Karamatsu.]

[glitterpants]

_{[ And here we go, a topic he can talk more about. His lips twitch upwards, eyebrows lifting. Look at that dumb, optimistic face. ]}

Aah, but the outside doesn't always reflect on the inside! Surely, there is warmness in your heart, and that is what people will see.. and that is why people will want to be around you. People can hurt you, sometimes, but those that can set aflame the lighthouse in your soul.. they are worth your while.

[smokedout]

[...Dodger's brow furrows slightly.]

Trust me, I can count the people who see that shit on one hand.

[And, once again, he's only about half sure he knows what Kara's talking about.]

Besides, people that want to hurt you won't go for people that look dangerous. They look for weaklings that need reassurance and friendship. Those are people that are easy to prey on - the innocent and the generous.

[glitterpants]

That is O.K. Some people.. they do not have anybody to count. That only means.. you can build a stronger bond with this small friends if that is satisfactory enough and you do not need more.

I am happy to know you are not alone.
_{[ He's just gonna not comment on that second part. ]}

[smokedout]

Sometimes you make me wonder how Reaper puts up with people like you...

[There isn't much heat to his comment, though. He may hate altruism but he appreciates someone who rejects cynicism so effectively.]

You remind me of my little brother.

[glitterpants]

_{[ Without hesitation: ]}
Is your little brother handsome, then?

[smokedout]

Sure, last time I saw him. He was 15 then, though.

[S h r u g.]

[glitterpants]

I see.
_{[ He doesn't ask further simply cause there is something he's noticed about Dodger from the start: ]}

You remind me of my little brother at times as well.