【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

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. ]

[goldspecktacles]

By all means, then. Theories are the start and end of all good mysteries~.

[dereban]

The first thing that I can think of is obvious: "fear of the unknown". Fallen Stars are people from different worlds, and humans are naturally inclined to be scared of things that they don't understand.

[ She clears her throat before shifting her voice a few pitches, not really mocking anyone, but rather trying to make a general 'impression' of a person. ]

"Who are these people?" "Can we trust them?" "What if they have some super scary abilities that can hurt us...?"

Honestly, it's pretty surprising that this layer is the way it is; I didn't expect it. But I suppose it's through the help of the kami that live here that makes this place the safest for Fallen Stars. Which is why, if I had to guess: the culprit might either be someone from the lower layers who has that kind of fear...

Or.

And here's where we start to shift to other ideas. Of course, I don't know all the history of the Fallen Stars. That's something I have to look into a little more, after this. But not everyone who comes in from another world will necessarily be 'a good person'. [ She speaks this from personal experience. ] The culprit could have also had a bad experience with a Fallen Star and be bitter about it and therefore have an association with that bad experience and all Fallen Stars.

But that's obviously the problem with grouping all of us like that. It sometimes bleeds through and people will see 'Fallen Stars' as a group, a whole, instead of as individual people.

Sorry, I ended up rambling a bit, in spite of not actually having been here all that long. But that's my thoughts, anyway.

[goldspecktacles]

No no, it's not a ramble at all. You're very insightful.

The initial rumors did seem to be about our trustworthiness, didn't they? And if the concern there was that we might 'replace' people, then I suppose that theory deserves a second inspection:

Is the person spreading these Rumors the one who brought us here? Or is that yet another entity that we need to be accounting for?

[dereban]

Yeah, that's right. They were most likely spurred on by the fact that many of us newcomers arrived with various markings which were assumed to be done by a kami.

I can't say for sure whether or not that is the case, however.

Actually. There's a thought. It could also be a -- I guess it'd be the kami equivalent of a wota? [ She pauses, realizing that might not be understood. ] A kami idolizer. Kami obsessive? Basically someone who is in too deep with, "kami culture" to the point where their mentality is twisted. I don't think this is necessarily the case, but let's throw the spaghetti at the wall and see where it falls regardless. When it comes to theorizing, you need to keep your options open, after all.

Unless there's definitive proof otherwise, many things can be considered as valid.

[ ... ]

In terms of the culprit being the same person as the one who might have brought us here...

Given my understanding of what I know so far, I don't think that's the case. I think the figure that I saw before coming here was the one who brought us here, and they didn't seem... malicious. Instead, they seemed like... how do I put this. One of those goddesses in a video game that goes and decides on picking a "chosen hero" or a few and then sends them off into a foreign land to defeat the great evil demon lord. That's the kind of feeling I got from the conversation I had with them, anyway.

Well. I guess the exception would be is if the villain spurred the goddess on themselves for one reason or another to actively bring people from other worlds. But then it wouldn't make any sense to target otherworlders if you're the one bringing them in the first place, in my opinion.

[goldspecktacles]

... We have some theories in common, then.

If this third force is indeed manipulating spirits, I see no reason why that mysterious 'goddess' you speak of can't be another one of their victims. Though, without concrete proof it that will only be a theory. It's a shame that not all of us got to meet this person.

[dereban]

Basically. It could easily go one way or another, though. But the fact that someone met them through touching the spacetime shrine is a bit...

[ Hm. ]

[goldspecktacles]

Yes. There's a lot to look into after this 'rumor' dies down.

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...

[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.

[veileddreamer]

Okay...I am Sorry...

[She took a deep breath to stop herself from apologizing again.]

Yes...We could ask...

I just was...concerned...that such a large scale gathering of Fallen Stars in one place...Might lead to more gossip...

[goldspecktacles]

Ah, yes well...

If we can make a happy ending of it, maybe it can be good gossip?

[nightwild]

Have you gone deaf, Dimitri? I already covered it all at you.

[Giving Leo a judgmental look...]

[goldspecktacles]

[Leo bites his tongue before he can say "I wish!"

But he recalls seeing both her and the other dark haired boy talking together. So his name is Dimitri? It doesn't sound like Fauna is incredibly fond of him either. Hm.]

... Lovely to meet you. My name is Leo.

[nightwild]

... What are you talking about? You-

[And then she glances back.

And sees Dimitri.



Hold on, she's just looking back and forth between them.]

Twins?

[goldspecktacles]

Hahaha. Can't two boys share a style?

[He shrugs it off. He's not ready to have a twin, thanks.]

And your name is?

[nightwild]

That's more than sharing a style.

... Fauna.

[goldspecktacles]

Ms Fauna, then? Now that we know each other's names, we can call each other by them.

Do you know the boy over there particularly well?

[nightwild]

Not at all. Just enough to know that he doesn't like me, at all, and it's mutual.

[goldspecktacles]

Good to know. I hope that we can start off on unbiased footing, Ms Fauna. I don't want to be on anyone's bad side.