【OPEN FALLEN STARS MEETING】

[aupologizes]

It had been less than twenty-four hours since the cherry blossom's tree became even more unstable, spewing out dangerous goo that frightened many of those who lived in the lower level.

...However, if now wasn't the time to hold a gathering, then when?🗈

Hence why Hanyuu puts up the big sign at the bakery - it may be devoid of the owner, but that doesn't mean that she won't take care of things there as well as using her powers as a kami to have her voice reverberate throughout the upper levels.

There is no sign of the childish tones that those may be familiar with as she speaks.

Instead, it is replaced with clear power, and a serious edge to them, booming like a broadcast through a megaphone:

"Fellow Fallen Stars, citizens of Starsand, if you can hear my voice, then I implore you to help. I wish to find a solution to our current issue, so I would like to work together with all of you.

We shall meet at the bakery to discuss the more intricate details of the current situation; there will be food provided to everyone. I will also offer my personal protection here as well.

There is no need for those of you to get involved if you do not wish for it. However, I would like for you all to listen, at the very least."

That is all she can ask for, really.

And of course, her words ring true: the bakery is open for this purpose as Hanyuu stands tall in her miko garb with serious, but determined eyes, feet several inches off the ground.

But as promised, there is a variety of food as well, stemming from actual meals that could be found for a picnic to cute desserts such as creampuffs.

OOC: This is an open mingle meeting log to discuss the current rumor and is open to all characters involved. As this is a mingle log, please do not hesitate to threadjack or tag around as needed.

Comments

THE CURRENT SITUATION

[aupologizes]

[ To anyone that manages to arrive, Hanyuu bows politely before ushering them all in. She'll let people gather and mingle for a good short few minutes, keeping an eye on the doors.

When it seems that people have stopped gathering, Hanyuu clears her throat to call for attention before speaking up. Her voice isn't reverberating as it was before, but it is no less serious, not to mention that she doesn't seem to be hiding her appearance for once. ]

Thank you everyone that has shown up. And... I apologize for calling this at such short notice.

I wanted to discuss our options regarding the tree down below before we made any rash decisions, and having all the knowledge when it comes to the situation would be in everyone's best interest, too.

As far as I am aware, this is what I know of our situation. I speak of the events that led up to this point so that those of you who are unaware may have some further context on the matter.

I do not know if any of my other fellow Fallen Stars have the same experience, so please speak up if you do. Prior to arriving in this city, I was in a mysterious space with what seemed to be another person in between worlds. We spoke for a bit, but then they were gone, and I was here.

The natives of this land then noticed that many of the Fallen Stars had received markings after arriving, which I can only assume came from that encounter. They then started speaking about how it may have been a kami who marked the Fallen Stars, which soon, in turn, led to rumors about Fallen Stars potentially replacing the natives. People began to see illusions of other Fallen Stars doing such a thing, but upon approaching those illusions, they soon turned into the goo that we are all familiar with.

It is only my assumption, but most likely much of this has to do with the currently empty Spacetime shrine, given the shrine's state as well as the liquid that spewed out from it.

[ She pauses momentarily, shutting her eyes to mull things over before continuing. ]

... during Maid Week, I had learned that the konpeito, the currency in this land can be eaten. It is 'faith' made form, if I am understanding correctly. And it gives me a temporary boost in my abilities.

[ There's implications here about that which she isn't saying, though. ]

It was when I had done this that I heard the sound of a spirit crying out. That spirit was of the cherry blossom tree in the lower levels. That child, as I found out was rather lonely--and envious of the trees that had reblossomed in the upper levels.

That is why I chose to grant the wish of that child for a short time. I turned back the hands of time for that tree and made it reblossom. Of course, it was only a temporary measure. I knew that eventually its blossoms would die out again; thus is the natural course of things.

It is very likely that something happened after I had completely finished my work and left that tree.

Which leads us up to now. I have heard from another that there definitely seems to be something tied to a wish here. I do not know if the spirit is trying to grant its own wish or someone else's.

When I had returned to the tree, it was in excruciating pain. I heard their voice, screaming that it did not wish to be forgotten.

And... that's all I know. If there is something that you would like to add to this, the floor is all yours.

In terms of "what to do", I personally would like to save that child. However, time is of the essence. There is someone there currently halting the spread of the dangerous liquid that is spewing out of the tree. However, they can only do it for one day [ IC, not OOC ] so let us do this promptly.

Worst case scenario, however, is destroying the tree itself. I plan on taking responsibility for this course of action if we need it, so that you all may not be concerned with the consequences; I wish for my fellow Fallen Stars to be able to live relatively normal lives, especially since the situation escalating may have been because I reblossomed the tree.

Thank you for listening.

[nightwild]

[Fauna is... not her normal self today. Rather than her usual anger and bravado, today she just seems... cold.]

I've been here longer, but I met that spirit too. Touched the space-time shrine and it sent me there. Met the spirit. The spirit didn't exist before our conversation, and died when it ended, seemed like. All they knew was that someone was angry at them, about not having a shrine.

[Fauna takes a pause here to take a bite of some bread.]

... As for the rest. We kill the tree, or grant its wish. Will either course bring back the people who vanished?

[dereban]

I'd like to avoid killing the tree as much as possible, but it's not like I have much in the way of ideas at the moment, myself.

[ At least, not right now, anyway. ]

But I'd like to at least put it out there that the shit that's been showing up? You know, the goo? Yeah, I took a look at it under a microscope. It's fucking blood. Magical blood, but still blood.

If it's coming out of the tree, I'd say that "putting a bandage on it" would be the best idea, hypothetically, but I have absolutely zero supernatural healing abilities.

re: Tree's Wish

[melancholie]

... Now that you mention it, it would have been the only tree that didn't rebloom throughout the month. And it's not like it could uproot itself to get out of the lower level.

[undermoonlight]

How could we grant that kind of wish? If they don't want to be forgotten... Would writing about them help? Or do you think they meant it in another, more immediate kind of way?

[fifthdomonion]

Hooo boy... Sounds like you were off on the little journey. My head's still trying to process all of this.

[Kevin takes a moment to let out a soft sigh whenever she's finished. Those horns of hers were the first thing that he notices before speaking up.]

Hopefully, this doesn't lead to a "good intentions, bad results" situation. Personally, I wouldn't wanna off the tree... But still, don't ya think that you're jumping the self-sacrifice gun a little too quickly there, Hanny?

[protectshope]

A corrupted wish, huh... That's so unfair. The spirit did nothing wrong. It just wanted some help...

[Madoka weighs her options, then speaks up again.]

I might be able to help... if their hope was corrupted, I mean. There's something that I can try.

Dimitri | NPC | re: rumors

[melancholie]

[Other than a few words here and there, Dimitri initially stays quiet. He doesn't want to interfere too much with the initial proceedings. Violet eyes observe them carefully, judging how much trust to put in this group. And after the first round of conversation begins to die down, he raises his hand to get everyone's attention. He's made his call.]

Please listen up. I have something to share about this world. But it cannot leave this place carelessly.

[Lowering his hand, he continues;] You're all aware that faith becomes power in this world. The kami here are spirits whose power becomes stronger enough to manifest miracles. The common belief is that kami make their own power and use that power, willingly, to help the humans who believe in them.

But that's not entirely true. Humans can influence what power a lower kami has and how they manifest in this world through their faith. And~. Some humans who understand this abuse it and create kami through Rumors. They entice spirits who have a wish and create a rumor that initially grants it... then twist that Rumor into a curse and use the spirit's power for their own wishes.

[That's it. He's pretty sure they can piece together the rest of his theory.]

[aupologizes]

That sort of thing --

[ Yes, hello, local Fallen Star kami here who was just composed .05 seconds ago starts to tremble, her violet eyes starting to wet with tears as her fingers curl into tight, balled fists. ]

Humans shouldn't be using kami for such awful things!

[ She hates it, she hates it, she hates it, she hates it. ]

Re: Dimitri | NPC | re: rumors

[marshmallowpurgatory]

[Pidonus listens, but her concerned look soon becomes one of anger.]

So someone who wants to profit from this, or benefit, somehow. There's... A disturbing number of possibilities for who could be so evil, if we're being honest.

My question is... Who do we have to fight, or what do we have to do, to fix it? Or failing that... Where do we start finding out?

[nightwild]

So, then, if I understand your theory... A human who resented the Fallen Stars enticed a spirit, and used its power to start the rumor, that caused people to vanish?

[fifthdomonion]

Well, that's a kicker. Are you saying that there might be a group or even an entire organization who might be profiting from abusing kami?

Fauna | OC

[nightwild]

[Fauna hates everything about this. Ever since her last fight with Flora, she tried to do better. She wanted to be better. But this place? Faith, gods... Power, wishes.... It's back to normal. It's back to how she was before.

Fauna can't save the people who were taken. But maybe, Night Wild can.

When Fauna walks into the bakery, gone is her normal sense of doubt, of anger, the fire that burned inside her. Instead, there's nothing but cold confidence in her stride, as she walks in, with the self-assurance of someone who is ready to hurt everyone who gets in her way.]

I'm not new here. I've been here a while. But I still found that spirit the horned one spoke of. I was sent there when I touched the space-time shrine, and they told me that someone was angry, for 'not having a shrine'. And then they died as soon as they were born.

Beyond that, I can tell you that there is a strong wish within that tree on the bottom level. I cannot tell you if it belongs to the tree, or to a spirit within the tree, but there is a wish there. If granting that wish caused these problems, then perhaps it is better to destroy that tree, and whatever spirit caused this.

[melancholie]

Both, most likely.

The spirit is likely using the tree as a 'shrine.'

[... also:]

What do you mean, about the shrine? It's never done anything before now.

[fifthdomonion]

Heeey, that's pretty interestin'! Makes me wonder if there's other ways to interact with kami other than givin' shrines a knock-knock.

[protectshope]

Destroying it would be so...

[Madoka's voice trails off. She's not as naive as she used to be. When it came to deciding if wishes should cause pain or be put to rest, Madoka chose to put them to rest. Having a wish turned into something that causes pain hurts everyone involved.

So, thought reluctant, she nods to Fauna's idea.]

I think... If it comes down to it, that would be the best option. But I'd like for the spirit to be able to rest peacefully. Maybe we can show it something uplifting in the end, so that it doesn't die full of hatred.

CAT HERDING....

[aupologizes]

[ With her geta, Hanyuu takes two stomps on the ground to gather everyone's attention before clearing her throat. ]

Okay, so we've spoken about a multitude of things, so let us recap a bit to both provide clarity and make sure that we're all on the same page regarding where to go from here.

First of all, I will preface this by stating that this Rumor spread by utilizing the wish of that lonely child. They simply want to be remembered. Given that we do not have much in the way of time to change the Rumor itself, the best solution here, personally speaking, is to grant that wish.

It is a cherry blossom tree.

Therefore: the idea is to set a hanami viewing party right in front of the tree as soon as possible. Craft new memories with the tree and make something tangible with it. It will show that we remember tradition, as well as give that child some peace of mind.

In the off chance that does not seem to work, or something goes wrong in the occurrence of it happening -- I want those of you who can fight to stay sharp.

I know that some of you [ not explicitly naming names ] were also thinking about laying 'bait' of sorts in order to catch the perpetrator. There is a possibility that they may not show up, as we have not seen hide nor hair of them in the disappearance ocurrences.

And I believe there was also talk on allowing the tree to also grant its own wish as well, somehow. Feel free to re-elaborate on the details on that if needed.

Another thing that was also brought up was to move the tree. That can also be looked into if needed, but I think this would be the most difficult option to take here.

In any case: my priority is to help the spirit, first and foremost. Anything else can come afterwards.

Our last case resort will be to destroy the tree, and as I've said before: I will take full responsibility for it. And... if that child really is a kami, I have something that can take of it.

[ Sometimes you're someone that has basically a kami killing sword, it's fine. ]

I think that's the gist of everything. If I've missed anything vital that needs to be brought up, or anyone has any questions, feel free to bring it up.

Re: CAT HERDING....

[have_hat_will_travel]

[Pidonus jumps in surprise at the loud clop of Hanyuu's geta, but nods and turns to focus on the plan.]

... Pity we don't have much time for coordinating tactics if it does come to a fight, but... I'm in.

I just hope we can save everyone, honestly...

hanami planning

[melancholie]

So. A picnic it shall be.

What all do we need to gather? You can't expect us to leave all of the preparations to you, Hanyuu. And we have an entire kitchen here to borrow.

[undermoonlight]

You keep saying that you want to take responsibility for it, but what does that entail..? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I still don't think you've done anything to warrant that. It's all of our responsibility now, isn't it?

[fallmushrooms]

[Velda raises her hand from the back. Was she there before? It's fine.]

I mean, that does make sense. Of course a tree will be remembered, it's a tree, right? Whether it's got flowers or not.

[nightwild]

Letting the tree grant its own wish is me.

I'll give it power. It will, probably, turn into a monster. We lure the monster away, then I beat the monster, and it turns the tree back to normal, in a new place. Problems solved.

Leo | Pandora Hearts

[goldspecktacles]

[wow is this a popular face or what.

Leo had stuck to the back, seated with his notepad and a cup of the freely supplied tea. He'd known that there were more Fallen Stars than himself and Elliot, but this was a lot more people than he'd expected. Just what was going on to cause so many people to slip between the cracks of their realities into a new one?

Well, he reasoned. He wasn't anything as spectacular as a kami (thank goodness, because that sounded tiring,) but he was Glen. That meant that dealing with these 'stories' was vaguely within his job description. He listened, nodded a few times, and then finally spoke up. A certain thread of discussion needed to be pulled up again:]

Regarding this idea of a third party being involved. Do we have any idea what makes a Fallen Star such an interesting target for them?

If they could turn spirits into Rumors and twist them to their will, then what makes all of us so special?

[dereban]

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I can offer a few theories, if you'd like to hear them.

[ As someone who's thought enough about this sort of thing that she can easily discuss it without breaking a sweat. ]

re: rumor prompt a

[goldspecktacles]

... If I may. There's another topic I think is worth our time?

[Leo is talking a lot more than he'd like to. He's chalking it up to his new role in life.]

Does anyone remember being drawn to that shrine a few nights ago? By voices? I saw a few others who seemed to be experiencing something similar.

[dereban]

They were voices of people's memories, yeah? I will say that I didn't hear any of my own, but...

[ She shrugs.

She knows her ability might be the reason why, in that case. ]