【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

[aupologizes]

I do not mind.

[ She speaks with great clarity and a calm aura. ]

I could not tell you the answer for that, as I have not met many of the Fallen Stars outside of this meeting, although I can most likely pinpoint another kami if I saw them, unless they are purposely hiding their presence.

[melancholie]

There may also be other kami who simply don't realize that's what they're called in this world... More investigations to add to the list, then.

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]

I'm not very good at that sort of thing, but I did get some journals last week.

Has anyone read anything about this tree already? I wonder if there's a written record anywhere.

[undermoonlight]

I'll ask around when the meeting is over there. If there's a way to heal it, then we should at least try that. The fact it's bleeding is... really, really strange.

[He feels like that's deeply important somehow. Trees don't bleed, after all.]

[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?

[aupologizes]

I-- I wasn't planning to...!

[ She had allowed Tau to help, hadn't she? It's fine. ]

Um, like I said earlier: food and drink would be the best. You'd want to prepare bento boxes for everyone. Generally makizushi, inarizushi, tamagoyaki or kamaboko is common... you can also have karaage, takoyaki and ebi-fry. And of course, don't forget salad, too.

Onigiri and miso is also good.

As for drinks... green tea and sake. But you need to make sure that only people who are old enough will drink the sake!

Also... sakura mochi. Um--it's a rice cake with red bean paste that's wrapped in a salted cherry blossom leaf. I don't know if there are any cherry blossom leaves up here, but we could use those to bring them down, maybe...

[ Kind of like reuniting family? They're all cherry blossoms, after all. ]

And also you want to have cameras to take pictures.

[aupologizes]

[ For a moment, Hanyuu is quiet, almost contemplative. But eventually, she opens speaks up, keeping both an air of maturity and distance. ]

Child of man.

I do not wish for any of the people here to have to suffer; I wish for those of you who come from another world to live peaceful lives so that you may be able to return back to your own worlds if that is the course of action that you wish to pursue, or even have available to you.

If in the off chance that we must destroy that child and the home it houses, I do not wish for you all to receive backlash from those in the lower areas because of it. And more importantly, I would also not wish for a divide between you of another world and the natives that reside here.

... I am not human, as you can see.

[ Not to mention, she's spoken about it. ]

Humans are prone to doubt one another out of fear or paranoia. But I do not wish for that. I would much rather you all to work together.

So, if humans need someone to blame for it all... I will take on that role.

[undermoonlight]

[Atsushi can tell that she isn't just 'playing' the part of a kami, so bristles nervously at her tone. Even so, with acknowledging what she says as true, he shakes his head to her decision.]

You're a part of that too. You weren't just sent here to become a scapegoat if the rest of us messed up. That's not what 'together' means!

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that the blame should fall solely on you.

[aupologizes]

You don't know that.

[ But neither does she, so they're at a stalemate here. ]

I have been taking on the sins of man for many years. It is my duty to take that role upon me once again as needed.

[ Her expression and words are even more serious here, and there isn't a single moment of hesitance. ]

I... have lived a very long life. Longer than most humans can recall. All I wish for is to see man live peacefully, even if it is at the cost of myself.

[ Her features then soften, her voice a touch melancholic. ]

If I had been a much stronger kami... I would have been able to grant that child's wish. But it messed up somewhere, and I can't help but think that I messed up already. That I wasn't good enough. I pitied myself for my weakness. It's why I decided that if things went wrong, I'd end it myself.

It is how I wish to make up for my own sins.

[dereban]

[ Chiming in because Inaba was the one who's read shit-- ]

Yes, hi, I have. I took photos of the book on my phone, if you'd like to see them since I didn't want to remove them out of the library.

[undermoonlight]

You did? Wait- So there were books about this tree? Was any of it useful?

[dereban]

It mostly talked about how basically hanami used to be exclusive to that specific tree a few years back.

[ She takes out her phone to show him this information. ]

[undermoonlight]

I do get that.

[Making up for his sins... That's something that Atsushi has wrestled with for as long as he can remember. He thinks that he's overcome it, but it's a part of him that will hold onto his soul with the force of a tiger's bite. He understands where Hanyuu is coming from.

But it's a lot easier to see why it's harmful for her than for himself.]

That doesn't mean it's the best way to solve it. No one else was even listening to the spirit before all of this started. So aren't we all to blame? If we blame it on someone who tried to help and failed, then no one will want to try next time..?

[He's not sure. Atsushi isn't very confident in a defiant opinion.]

[undermoonlight]

You thought of everything, Inaba-san!

[He's reluctant to touch her phone, but does lean closer to read the pictures.]

I see... That makes a lot of sense.

[dereban]

I wouldn't say everything, but I have thought about a lot... I'm sure there's also quite a bit that I've missed, though.

[aupologizes]

I don't believe it's the best way, either.

[ She smiles in a way that basically screams exhaustion, and it shows. ]

That's why I wanted to pursue other avenues, first. That's why it's a 'last resort'. They don't need to know that I tried to help.

[ ... ]

Many of us spent our time up here. Perhaps because it is much safer, or perhaps because it's easier, or some other reason. Whatever excuse that any person would like to make.

However.

Is it truly your duty to have to listen to the spirits in a foreign land? The responsibility does not lie on you, child of man. That is not the role that you needed to take upon yourselves. Not when there are other priorities to take into account, other worries.

If anything...

[ She takes a few steps towards the closest window, staring outwards. ]

You are blameless in this act for that reason. But that does not mean that we should be pinning that blame on the natives who live down there, either. As it is possible that they simply could not hear the voice of the spirit in the first place.

Not everyone has sensitivities to these sorts of things.

[veileddreamer]

...Okay...

But first...

What is the...best way to execute this plan? And by best I mean safest for Dimitrinii.

Re: Leo | Pandora Hearts

[veileddreamer]

There is a chance that it has nothing to do with you Fallen Stars specifically...

[Tau had wandered away from her brother for food and more ideas. And was snacking as she spoke up.]

It could be the rumors were already around, and whoever is behind this just...took advantage of existing rumors to...twist the spirit's wish...

...I could be completely off base though...

Re: introductions

[veileddreamer]

I am Tau and I live here and I...

[What was a useful skill that wasn't her actual abilities?]

Uhm...I can draw and paint?

[goldspecktacles]

[Ah, she looks young. And her red eyes...

Leo keeps any deep thinking out of his expression. But he can't help but feel nostalgic.]

That's a very good point. And oversight on my part. Thank you... Ms Tau, if I recall correctly?

[veileddreamer]

Correct. And you are Leo?

Unfortunately...Fallen Stars are...still mysterious to most people...It is possible that even if we solve the problem with the tree spirit...You all could still be targets in the future...Whether on purpose or...it is simply convinient.

[She yawns.]

Even after we fix the tree...I...believe it is important to keep looking into the...situation...Maybe in smaller groups though...I could see this meeting getting...unwanted attention...

[goldspecktacles]

You're probably not wrong.

[And Leo briefly wonders if he's going to bring Elliot trouble again. If Fallen Stars are being targeted, then will they be in more danger when they stay together? Or is he overthinking things?

He brushes the thought aside.]

Where would you suggest we hold future meetings?

[veileddreamer]

Uhm....

[Oh no a decision! After a few seconds of silence Tau starts looking around to see if anything or anyone can help spur along the decision making process, getting more and more nervous.]

Uhm...Well...I...Uhm...

[Quietly, while looking down at her feet.]

...I do not know...I am sorry.

[goldspecktacles]

[Leo picks up on how she is looking for someone to make the decision for her. Strange. Meek, actually. This isn't the time to press further, but time to acknowledge an unspoken boundary.

He casually withdraws the question:]

Me neither. Seems we have something in common, Ms Tau. We'll ask someone else.