Audience: Mahito

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

I've been dancing since I was really little. This is pretty easy for me. [haha.]

[touchups]

[POUTING ABOUT IT as one does when they lose.]

Ugh... Well, fair's fair, I guess! But we should compete at something I've got the edge in sometime.

[He doesn't know what the fck that might be, it's fine.]

Why've you been dancing for so long?

[probe]

If you ever figure out what that is, tell me! It'd be fun to compete in something new. [haha.]

What do you mean why? I just like it a lot, so I started doing it all the time before making it a career.

[touchups]

[PUNK. There's just a little hum of acknowledgment though, because he sure will do that.

As for the second part:] Oh... I figured maybe there was a reason for you to start so early. [A little shrug! He does not know how humans work perfectly.] It's pretty rare for humans to find something they're good at and really like enough to stick with at a young age.

[probe]

You think? [they hum to themselves, doing another neat little spin.] I don't really know why. I've always just liked moving my body even if there isn't any music. I don't think I can imagine not dancing, even though I think my producer wanted me to focus more on my singing now instead.

[touchups]

Huh... Are you some kinda idol or something?

[Have they already told him this?? i aki do not remember but fortunately Mahito has holes in his brain anyway.]

[probe]

Yeah. I'm most famous online right now, but I've been trying to get more work for myself.

[they don't seem to mind sharing that.]

[touchups]

Oh! [...] Ooooooh.

[As some of the things they said in their first few conversations finally click into place... God.]

Isn't that a hard job? Is it fun?

[probe]

It can be hard, but it's really fun! I love my fans and getting to do my live streams and stuff, but trying to get other work is taking a long time. I don't mind though.

[touchups]

What other work are you trying to get, anyway? Just stuff that isn't online?

[probe]

Yeah. Even getting a gig for being a back-up singer takes a lot of effort. But I don't mind the extra work if it means I can make it happen.

[touchups]

[GIVING HER A THUMBS UP.]

Sounds like a real mountain to climb! But, I mean - that's what makes this kind of stuff satisfying, right?

[probe]

Yup! And it's sort of like what you guys are doing here, isn't it?

[touchups]

Sort of, yeah! I guess you die a metaphorical death when you fail at reaching your goals, too.

[Is that what they were getting at.]

[probe]

Something like that, yeah. [hm.] If you don't reach your goal...it's kinda like what's left, you know?

[touchups]

Yep. It's pretty sad, but a lot of people die that way, don't they?

[He says "it's pretty sad", but they'll be able to tell it's just a reflection of The Proper Words Normal People Use In A Situation Like This.]

[probe]

Yeah. That's the thing about dying though. Most people never know when it's gonna happen to them.

[touchups]

That's true, that's true! I wonder if it would make things better or worse if they could see it coming.

[He says, leaning against his DDR bar like this is a normal casual conversation.]

[probe]

I think...maybe a little worse. If you knew that your death was coming, wouldn't you think that the person who knew would only be filled with dread waiting for it to come? Even if they managed to do everything they wanted to do in their life, they would still know how close the end is. That's a lot of pressure for some people.

[touchups]

Yep! I think you're right about that. More people would have trouble with that, probably. [...] Then again, there are some places where death row inmates aren't told when their execution is until the morning of. I bet that's a pretty awful feeling, too.

[probe]

Yeah, but even those on death row would know they're gonna die soon. Is that the same thing as someone being told specifically how long they have?

[touchups]

No idea! Maybe? Knowing you're gonna die soon but not knowing exactly when, and knowing it could be any second... That might be a little scarier.

[probe]

Yeah...maybe. [...but anyway.]

Wanna go one more round? [they are still standing on the ddr machines.]

[touchups]

[There's a brief pause, but then he's nodding.]

Yep! You can pick the song this time.

[and since i have trapped you in this thread for a full week, we can just say they did so merrily.]