etraya | un: jMan93

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un: jMan93 | video

[ The video starts with a boy in a baseball cap, wearing a bright grin and lifting a hand in greeting. An I-come-in-peace kind of greeting. He's in his bedroom, sitting on his unmade bed and while his room isn't messy per se (he hasn't been here long enough to accumulate a mess), there are a few shirts haphazardly draped over the back of his headboard. ]

S'up, Etraya? The name's Junpei Iori! I'm pretty new here. Still getting the lay of the land and all, but uh...

[ He rubs the back of his neck, glancing past the camera for a moment. ]

My birthday's on the 16th. Which I guess is operation day? So I'm thinking of celebrating early. Anyone wanna maybe...hang?

[ God. That feels so pathetic. Like coming on here and pretty much announcing he's a friendless loser. Junpei quickly pivots: ]

Or I guess you could just give some recommendations of good places to check out and party it up? What place has the best food or where can a guy get a good cake...that kinda thing? Yeah, sure. I can probably go find somewhere on my own, but the best reviews are usually word of mouth!

[ Junpei shifts, palms planted on his knees as he leans forward. ]

Sooo, lay it on me, folks. Where would you spend your sweet seventeen in this place?

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[ Oh no. It's perhaps because of that look of surprise that cool glasses guy is gonna go from someone Junpei wants to hang out with to his new very best friend! After all, Junpei is drawn to those he believes could use a friend.

Whether or not he's the type of friend they want is up for debate! ]

Hey, I never thought of it that way! Look at us, broadening our horizons by reaching across the pond. Sounds like a plan! What's your name, my guy?

[Did he really just make a new friend right now?? After talking for just a couple of minutes? That must be a record for him, because even though he's getting a little better at the friendship thing, it doesn't mean it really comes easy still. It probably has to do with the other teen's charisma, the he's just easily smiling in such a way that Scott can't help but ease up too.

Alright, yeah. Karaoke and hanging out actually sounds good.]

I'm Scott Summers, your new American friend and representative. And you said your name was Junpei, right?

Yup! Junpei Iori, your new best bud and ambassador to all things Japanese and cool!

[ He tugs at his baseball cap with a faint smirk. ]

Well, I...uh, guess all things cool circa 2009. I met at least one guy here who's from waaay back Japan...so his definition of cool is probably like not getting merked in his sleep by another swordsman or something. I'll take instant ramen and online games over that any day!

[ Junpei brightens. ]

But, dude! I love American movies! With the jacked heroes and the explosions and they always got this music that hypes you up. It's so badass. Annnnd I guess since you're here, representing America in this weird ass place, that must make you pretty badass, too! Scott Summers, official American badass!

[2009? That feels like the far out future! Damn, he can hardly imagine what his world is going to be like around that time. But really... there is something undeniably charming about his new Japanese friend here, his overall enthusiasm and gusto infectious enough to even get Scott smiling in return. He seems like a pretty cool guy overall anyway.

Calling him an 'official American badass' too, something that Scott doesn't feel half the time but it's hard to really refute that right now, not when he's easily falling into that same energy he's displaying. It's clear that Junpei isn't mocking him or anything, just simply encouraging just because he's that kind of guy.]

I'm from 1983, so not the super distant past, but still trailing a couple of decades behind. But hey we have good movies and stuff out-- please tell me that you've seen Star Wars at least, otherwise, we definitely have to get that fixed since you clearly know what's good out there and I'm now your official American ambassador and badass.

[ He's pleased when Scott not only seems to welcome on the title, but says it himself. American ambassador and badass. That's the spirit!! When he first started this conversation, he'd seemed so sullen. Or maybe it was just an attempt to look too school for cool or whatever. But Junpei's genuinely glad to see the guy smiling and joining in with his nonsense. It makes the weight of this whole world saving thing a little easier to bear when you could find a friend in the middle of it. ]

Duuuude, it's gotta be a crazy culture shock, winding up in this place. Especially when I tell you not only did I see Star Wars, but they literally just finished up Episode III a few years back. There was a marathon at a film festival in town where they showed all six of them in a row. Shit, if they have the movies all here, maybe we oughta make our own marathon!

[ It'd be a great way to kill the day. ]

Isn't it wild we can not only be from different worlds, but different periods of time, too? I guess they really do need a diverse group to take on this...universes ending thing, huh?

Edited 2026-01-20 01:57 (UTC)

Wait, seriously man? They made more Star Wars?? That's like totally unnecessary though! God I hope they didn't ruin the series.

[Oh yeah he's 100% that kind of Star Wars fan. BUT he's also kind of intrigued... he wonders if they're any good. There are a ton of James Bond films after all, but they're sort of their own contained story. Guess if there was a new trilogy based on new characters it would be pretty interesting.]

I'll watch them, but I'll say now, nothing will ever beat the original.

[He will not hold his criticisms back either. Yep this kind of fan--]

Yeah, but sometimes they like taking multiple people from the same world. [Or in his case, take two versions of him, but he doesn't want to get into that right now-- something that makes his grin falter for a moment before pushing forward.] There's like 4 mutants from the same world and two of them have basically the same powers.

[Telepaths, they sure are common--]

[ ........Bro. Junpei has some bad news about Star Wars. But it's fine. It's good. Sometimes you just gotta watch a movie to make fun of it a little, right??? It'll be a bonding experience! The expression on Junpei's face might say it all without saying it, but no backsies! Scott already agreed to watch them so he's obligated now. ]

The way it's set up, technically the new movies go first in the series and the ones you already seen are the sequels. So in a way, we're going.....Back to the Future, yeah?

[ He grins expectantly. Back to the Future, right??? Because that's ALSO an 80s movie, right??? Get it?? But after a momentary pause, his expression sobers a little. ]

Anyway! I'd guess if they take multiple people from the same place, then your world probably has a pretty good shot at making it. They must like something about what they've seen so far. Whether that's the whole cool mutant thing or whatever else.

[ Junpei can't even hazard a guess right now as to what motivates Echo or whoever it is...but ugh. Seriously. Everyone here is so much cooler than he is! ]

As your new BFF, you better put in a good word for me to our captors when it comes down to picking and choosing worlds to Death Star, alright?

[Prequels of the original trilogy? Seems unnecessary, but kind of cool. So maybe stuff about Obi-Wan and Darth Vader? Okay yeah, color him a little interested! Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to recognize or react to the Back to the Future joke, but they're already moving on and... yeah. This talk.

A small snort leaves him, maybe just a little derisive.]

Or their world just needs that much help.

['Their' world, like he's not a part of that reality-- and he's not. There's a sort of bitterness that colors his voice before he waves a hand in dismissal, like it's not actually a big deal. It's not, really, and the other mutants have been... they've been accepting towards him, more than that honestly. Just sometimes it feels like he's an outcast amongst mutants, if just because he really doesn't know their world or the stuff they've been through.

And that's not something anyone can really solve, it's just their circumstances. Maybe he just needs to hang out with more humans, like Junpei here.]

Hey if it's up to me no world is gonna be Death Star'd. We'll just find the weak point and exploit it, just like the Rebels.

[ A lot of people are pretty quick to brush Junpei off as an idiot, but he actually is fairly observant. Scott does his best to wedge a distance of some kind between himself and the problem -- acting dismissive, but it's pretty plain something bothers him. What? Well, Junpei doesn't know him well enough to puzzle out that part. The 'what' of the equation doesn't really matter, though.

The important thing is something bothers the guy and if there's one special skill Junpei has... it's being a goof to lighten the mood. So he offers an enthusiastic smile, latching onto that rebel talk. ]

We? So we're a team now?? Ooo, who gets to be leader?

[ He pulls back from the screen to jerk his thumb toward himself. ]

Not to brag or anything, but I did pretty much lead the team I was on to fight the monsters back home. So if you're looking for a handsome, charismatic leader...look no further!!

[ No one from home is here to refute this claim so Junpei can make it canon!! But he leans forward once again with a wink. ]

Of course, you're not so bad yourself. Plus you got the cool sunglasses and everything. And you haaave been here longer...I dunno. It's gonna be a real tough one to figure out team leader when you have two very strong contenders!

Wait, you really fought monsters back home?

[Surprise there, and maybe just a little impressed too. Junpei is around his age and yet he's actually had experience fighting things. It's just like Maelle... teens actually doing important shit back home. At least it makes sense for them to be chosen, Scott still doesn't fully understand why he's here and not his brother, for instance.

He still thinks Echo or whoever made a mistake, but he's not going to say any of that out loud-- instead trying to play along with the other teen.]

I mean, it sounds like you probably have more experience with this kind of thing, so you can be the leader for now. You know, until like I have to step up and take leadership because uh... you just want me to get more experience and stuff.

[He doesn't want to say because Junpei died or something, because isn't that how it goes in movies?? HE'S NOT ASKING FOR THAT. ...But strangely enough, a part of him actually does want to lead in some way, he can't explain it and it doesn't make sense, but that feeling is there.]

Sounds like a plan, my dude. I'll take you under my wing like a senpai and show ya how it's done!!

[ Junpei says, as though he's not mildly freaking out about being willingly given the reins. It's not like the team is anything serious -- just a team in name only. But there's a mild worry Scott will see through him for the fraud that he is.

J-just gotta fake it 'til ya make it, right??? ]

Anyway yeah! Fighting monsters! We're kind of a secret operation, but since that threat's pretty contained to my world, I don't think there's any problem tellin' ya about it! Every full moon these big monsters we call Shadows come out and try to mess things up. Me and my team go out and fight them. Thing is, it happens at a time no one even knows about called the dark hour and only people with special powers like me can even stay conscious. I guess there's only twelve of these Shadows in total and at the time I got here, we got about four left?

[ He rubs the back of his neck with a faint laugh. ]

Guess that's why I had to graduate from saving the world to now saving the universes! But with you in my party, there's no way I'm gonna fail. So help me, Scotty-wan, you're my only hope!

[Well, that's definitely different. Huh. Guess the French have weird monsters known as Nevrons and the Japanese have Shadows-- but still he gets the gist here. Junpei and his friends fight against Shadows to save the world basically. At least it sounds like it's going okay unlike the stuff that's happened in Maelle's reality. He's glad. They just have to defeat four more and the threat is gone, probably.

Although a cynical part of him can't help wonder if that would truly be it. Like maybe there's something more, but he doesn't say. Scott doesn't want to be a spoilsport right now-- especially since he's too busy snorting at the nickname Junpei just gave him. Wow dude, really?

He's smiling though.]

Yeah sure man, I got your back. Hey if we're actually including other people in this team, I suggest Maelle-- she's a fencer and fighter from another world too and around our age.

[ Junpei's smile fades ever so slightly at that. The thought of forming a team is great. Genuinely. And Junpei has wanted nothing more than to be given a chance to lead something important -- to do something meaningful. Just hearing the elevator pitch for Maelle makes her sound a lot like Mitsuru, though. Someone probably smart and capable. A badass fencer who takes no shit.

...Someone not likely to listen to an idiot like him. ]

I'm cool with it. It'd be a pretty sad team if it was just us two and all.

[ His smile is back to full power because as Scott's new best friend, that gives Junpei the right to tease him a little. ]

Is she your girlfriend?

[He notices the small frown and he wonders what's up, but just as quickly he's smiling again. A part of him wants to prod at that just a little more, although...]

What-- no! We're not like that!

[It's true but also there's a fluster to his voice, maybe hinting that he does have some amount of feelings for her... but there's no way he's going to talk about something like that right now!!] We're just friends! And she's used to fighting like you!

[ Junpei nods, wise and knowing. He is an expert when it comes to the matters of love. And because he likes Scott, he's more than happy to offer his services free of charge!! ]

Mmmm. I see. We got a case of just friends on our hands.

[ He shakes his head as though this is the greatest injustice. Maelle HAS to see what a swell guy Scott is! ]

Fortunately for you, my badass American friend, I happen to be pretty great at playing wingman. With Valentine's Day only a month away, you gotta secure that date! You don't wanna be stuck hangin' with me that day. That'd be a sad Valentine's for both of us...

[ No dates. No chocolates. Just two lonely dudes, commiserating. ]

[Is it too late to revoke the friendship card--]

Dude. [Okay, he's got nothing, slightly embarrassed and slightly annoyed about this whole thing, even though deep down, he also kind of appreciates Junpei's whole enthusiasm about wanting to help him. He's just uh, he's totally got this!! But wait he wasn't even thinking about asking Maelle out for Valentine's--]

I uh, we're really not like that, okay? I don't think she even wants to go out on dates!

[......He really isn't sure about that.]

[ No exchanges or refunds on this friendship. Sorry, bud. Social link established. ]

And have you asked her that?

[ Junpei levels him with a skeptical look. The most skeptical look. And then he holds up his hands, admitting defeat. For now. ]

Look. I won't push it. You gotta go at your own pace, I guess? But I don't wanna hear it if someone else swoops in and takes her out before you get a chance to ask.

[ A pause for dramatic effect. And then Junpei adds: ]

'Course, I'll totally help you kick his ass if that happens. No one messes with my boy!

[ He's got your back, bro! ]

[...Is this what it's like to have a dude friend that always has his back? Like sure he's interacted with other teens his age, but usually they were even more awkward than him. It's nice.]

Look, I have it handled-- I mean. Yeah. I'm just. I don't know.

[BUT OTHER THAN HIS FAILING LOVE LIFE-- he decides to put the topic back on Junpei.] Come on man, aren't we gonna go celebrate your birthday anyway? Before the mall decides to close at this rate.

What? You mean it actually has hours?? I thought it'd be a 24/7 kinda thing! Not like there's any real people here besides us that need to maintain business hours or whatever.

[ Junpei frowns. If that's the case, though, yeah! They need to get going. Karaoke isn't gonna sing itself! And Junpei absolutely can't wait to get Scott on a DDR machine. ]

Anyway yeah! Meet ya over there?

[It might actually be 24/7, but change in topic was successful and that's what he was going for anyway. No more talking about this!! For now--]

Yeah, see you there.

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