Don't say that. You can easily be the man that Lil Nas X needs you to be. I believe in you.
I mean.... they probably rather you didn't set the theater on fire. But I bet you could think of something you could do. Even if it's just roasting people verbally.
Exaggeration sounds more appealing, I suppose, but I'm not really sure what that would be. I've spent many years doing my very best to be unremarkable.
[The truth is that even signing up to do something like this is fighting against instincts that have kept him alive. He knows he needs to grow beyond that environment, but figuring out how to do that is harder than it seems like it should be.]
[Harumasa doesn't tend to start discussions in this group chat. Mostly because he likes being on relatively good behavior in a chat watched by Wriothesley and Maxima. Plus, he's doing his best to fight against his hospital trauma and music is usually a good idea.
However.
His luck is insanely bad this time and he has to complain about it. It's the best distraction from The Horrors.]
What do you mean, Spotify?
What do you MEAN that the one time I have to withdraw from the drag performance because I'm in the hospital is
THE YEAR IF NOT MONTH
THAT OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN HAS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY RERELEASE?!?!
I don't know what you're in the hospital for, but here's hoping you can get back home soon.
[... That's worrisome. Sure, if Harumasa had the energy to be this mad even in text he must have been... well enough. Sure there's a tinge of panic in Lighter's chest amidst the worry.
[He takes a selfie of himself with half of the cat ears pose and a grin. Only half because his other hand is holding the phone. Harumasa honestly doesn't look great, but at least he's conscious?]
I'm fine! Getting some tests done since. Well. This morning was unexpectedly and exceptionally bad.
Definitely can't participate in the performance, though. My body won't be able to handle the strain.
[ At least he's got most of the stress out of his system now. He's still anxiety ridden and sleepy but there you go. He's probably still in the hospital after heading there in the wee small hours when Jun texted him, but: ]
Harumasa. I say this with all the love in the world for my dear, beloved brother in law:
I'd say probably another phone charger, but I dunno how much longer I'll be here. We're good on food....
Oh.
Actually.
Can someone bring me a fresh change of clothes or something? I just realized that my pajamas got ruined and those were what I came in with. I'd rather not leave the hospital in bloodstained PJ's.
[Harumasa flashes Varian an impish grin as he texts him back silently.]
I love you so much, dear brother-in-law~
But, alas, I can't sleep. Not when this is an injustice. Sure, I was literally a baby when that song hit peak popularity, but this would've been the perfect time to bring that song back in a drag performance! And now I'm missing it!!!
I see. That's never nice to hear. Whatever the doctors say, it's best to do it and take it easy for a while after that.
I was four. That song came out before I went into the foster system. The passage of time is really something, isn't it? Didn't think I'd have to worry about feeling my age today, but here we are.
How's the new version sound, anyway? I might have to give it a listen.
[His God Given Right as a Gay Man is to listen to it.]
[Varian is sandwiched between a sleeping Ana and Jun, he doesn't want to wake them up so he's just going to cant his head to one side, widening his eyes incredulously. His free hand, he raises slightly into the air. What the fuck? ]
[ A few days after Harumasa's hospital visit, Varian will finally address the group chat. When Ruddiger didn't show up at home for the first day, he wasn't overly worried. Ruddiger was, ostensibly, a wild animal. He came and went as he liked. But as one day turned to two, and then three, the worry started to set in. Ruddiger might be a terrible, self-serving beast, but he was devastatingly loyal to Varian. He loved the raccoon deeply, and something feels wrong about this. Haru's health, Jun's teleportation. Something is happening. ]
Hey. Has anyone seen Ruddiger around the fortress? I haven't seen him for three days now and it's really not like him to be away for this long. Is he just sleeping in someone's room and stealing their food or something?
I'm getting worried. Please let me know if you see him.
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