11th Mistake; video

[moralperil]

[Hello network, you might know this one: small framed with long, dark hair, violet eyes, perpetually clueless expression, dressed in a soft blue sweater, hair pulled back with long bangs free. Mahdi's voice is airy and nervous.]

Hey, um! It's me, Mahdi. I'm really sorry to do this when everyone else is making really good posts about important things, or going through really difficult things, but I just have some stuff I need to say and I think doing this is better than like, dropping off a dozen notes to individual people's inboxes. I kept putting it off, but there's probably never gonna be a good time.

[Mahdi pauses for a long moment, fussing with long strands of hair in nimble fingertips, frowning. The angel takes a deep, nervous breath.]

The thing is... I'm not a boy or a girl, I'm just me, sort of neither and both. I guess if I really thought about it, I'd say I'm a little bit more of a girl than a boy, but I'm still in between. Where I'm from, that's not as uncommon as it seems to be here. It's also - [Mahdi clears hir throat] like, it's not a big deal, because it's just an ordinary part of life. If someone realizes one day that they are a girl when they were a boy before, or they were a girl and now they are androgynous, or whatever, it's just a part of life. Like it's not any more interesting than someone picking a new style of dressing, or a new hobby. If that person changes their name, everyone does their best to learn it. It's all about just accepting people for who they are, whoever they are.

I know it's different for a lot of people and cultures. Even though genders other than male and female exist in many human cultures, and have throughout history, it seems some cultures are just as invested in the idea that there are only two. And that there are rules about how those two kinds of people should behave. I don't know anything about cultures other than human ones, I mean, aside from mine, though. So. Um. [A shrug, and Mahdi glances off-screen awkwardly.]

I don't mean to inconvenience anyone, or make it awkward, since I know this stuff might be confusing for a lot of people, and others will be like "why is that even worth saying anything about". But, I just wanted my friends - and future friends! [smiling] - to understand me a little better. So, in conclusion: [Ze points to hirself] not a girl. Not a boy. Just me.

If anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them as much as I can. I'm gonna take a quick walk to the observatory and if you want to talk to me in person, we can do it there!

[A bright, if a little forced, smile.]

Thanks everyone!

[The video ends.]

[TEXT ADDENDUM]

IN terms of pronouns I prefer 'hir' instead of 'him or her' and 'ze' instead of 'he' or 'she'. If that's too hard to remember, just using my name or 'they and their' is acceptable. Please and thank you!


[OOC: just let me know if you'd like to do an action thread here or if I should open a log post!]

Comments

[moralperil]

[warmly] Thanks, Hisoka.

How have you been lately?

[deathofempathy]

I've been better. Mostly with the whole mutiny and all.

[For. Obvious reasons with his empathy, yeah.]

What about you?

[moralperil]

Just trying to stay out of trouble. [A tight-lipped smile.] Trying to figure some stuff, and deal with these close quarters... the usual, really.

[deathofempathy]

I know I would be glad for larger accommodation myself. I've never been one for crowds. But I'm pretty sure I've probably mentioned that. It has been....much more...lively to say the least now that Watari-san and Tatsumi-san are here as well though.

[moralperil]

Right. I remember.

Some of your friends from your home arrived? That's so exciting! [Mahdi claps.]

[deathofempathy]

Yes. I suppose it could be worse. It could have been a certain doctor. Regardless, they are here now so I suppose in some ways it's helpful.

[moralperil]

You wouldn't want a certain doctor coming here? [headtilt] Is it something I should be on the lookout for?

...If you're glad your friends are here, you should just say so. Otherwise, they might think you don't like them.

[deathofempathy]

Probably. His name is Doctor Kazutaka Muraki.

Everyone has times they don't like or argue with people, even friends. Of course they know.

[Hisoka's affections and such might be more subtle, through his actions rather than his words but they are there and obvious for those that know him well.]

[moralperil]

Kazutaka Muraki. Got it.

[Mahdi looks thoughtful.]

Maybe they do and maybe they don't. I hope they do. After all, we don't know what's gonna happen these days.

[deathofempathy]

Be careful if he does show up, is all I'll say.

[Since Hisoka wouldn't want to go into detail about why unless absolutely necessary, in regards to his curse and rape and how he got to Tsuzuki.]

I might not necessarily say it, but they know.

[moralperil]

I'll keep it in mind. And um, if you're ever worried about that kind of thing... you can come to me, okay? If he's just some guy who bugs you, or if he's some kind of enemy, or worse, whatever the case, just let me know and I'll help.

[Mahdi smiles. Ze considers Hisoka a friend, however reluctant.]

Because I care about you.

See? It's not that hard to just say it.

I hope your friends know. I don't mean to get on your case but with everything that's happened lately... if we die here, we might not come back. Just makes you think.

[deathofempathy]

It's....complicated. Probably better if I explained it in person. If you really wanted the fuller details regarding him and me and Tsuzuki.

[The admission brings forth a slight tinge of pink at his cheeks, Hisoka's gaze lowering and lips almost pouting a little at that.]

I have no intentions of dying. But I suppose. It's worth at least thinking about.

[moralperil]

I'd love to listen if you want to tell me. I know a lot of us here have been through really hard things, not just the war, and I've found it's easier not to suffer on your own. I probably wouldn't be to this point - ready to become more free with my identity - if I didn't have someone who'd listen to me about all the garbage I've been through.

It really helps, knowing you're not alone. And you're not.

[deathofempathy]

We've been talking about telling those closer to us anyway. Just let me know when and where and we can talk about it in person.

...I know I'm not. I have Tsuzuki now.

[moralperil]

Cool! I'll probably be free tomorrow, would you like to meet up in a VR room or something?

I'm glad you have him. He seems really great.

[deathofempathy]

Tomorrow is fine if you just let me know which one and what time.

He....He is.

[When not ruffling his hair or teasing him or devouring sweets and insisting they eat out when on a budget and--....yeah.]

[moralperil]

Sure! How about tomorrow afternoon, say two-ish?

You really gotta introduce me to him sometime. What does he like to eat?


[OOC: I went ahead and threw up a log go ahead and tell me if I should change anything!]

[deathofempathy]

Sure.

....Basically, if it is sweet, he'll probably eat it. I think cinnabons are probably one of his favourites though.

[ooc: yay log! Looks good to me!]