starsand | June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

June had been an active month for everyone in Starsand. The fake tradition at the Shrine of Love, the three ghost stories, and still no way home. Knowing this, Osamu Dazai decided the only thing to do was to organize a meeting for the Fallen Stars and citizens alike...🗈

[Dazai had set up a gathering at the park with a small podium. This would do until they'd gotten an official meeting hall. Atsushi, Fauna, and Akutagawa had probably all been tasked with putting up flyers earlier advertising the meeting. He approached the podium, clearing his throat.]

Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen, Fallen Stars and citizens of all shapes, sizes, and gender persuasions. This is the first meeting held by the Armed Detective Agency to discuss recent events and to set up plans for the future ahead. Let's go ahead and go over what we already know, shall we?

[He shuffled his cards at the podium, flicking one aside. Tellingly, if anyone picked it up...it was blank. Showoff.]

First off. The 'protection charm' so-called tradition. This, as some of you may know, is not an official tradition sanctioned by the Kami of Love. We're not certain who started it, but my guess is that it's for nebulous purposes. If you've tried to 'protect' someone, you had better let them know. And if you've been 'protected', prepare for whatever may come. We'll be doing what we can to decipher the intent behind this and the perpetrator.

[Fwip. Another cue card to the side. This one, if picked up, has 'Chuuya Nakahara has a stinky butt' written on it in red crayon with a chibi drawing of Dazai's face winking with his tongue out next to it.]

Now, let's get into the meatier situations. I believe we've had three curious spirits haunting our dear city as of late, and I'd like to go over each. If anyone has any relevant information pertaining to any of them - encounters, confrontations, simply details you've overheard - please do feel free to contribute to the discussion after the overview is finished.

The first of these is Bloody Mary. The Armed Detective Agency - meaning, my team - Atsushi, Fauna, Akutagawa, raise your hands. These three and myself have looked into this incident in particular. We intend to look into all of them, but this one was our first priority. We regret to inform you that she is quite real. Do not attempt this ritual. She will chase down whoever summoned her, and attempt to attack. She left us with the warnings that she 'learned so much' and that she'd be 'stronger next time' before melting into a puddle of blood. I repeat, do NOT summon Bloody Mary. We will not be discussing how to summon her in the interest of less people doing it...but you've been warned.

[Fwip. Another cue card to the side. This one, if picked up, has 'YOU CAN REACH BLOODY MARY BY SPELLING OUT ICUP AND PRAYING IN FRONT OF YOUR TOILET' written on it in blue crayon. Off to the side, it has the word 'spooky! do not attempt!' written on it. And a little drawing of a bedsheet ghost seemingly dripping blood.]

The second is the Footsteps Behind You ghost. Much like Bloody Mary, I've looked into this one on my own. It attempted much the same. An assault, a promise that it had learned, and a declaration that it'd be stronger next time. It, too, melted into blood. Do NOT summon the Footsteps Behind You ghost, either. Once more, no discussion as to how to do so will be taking place for your personal safety.

[Fwip. Another cue card to the side. This one, if picked up, has 'DON'T TELL THEM THE FOOTSTEPS BEHIND THEM IS ACTUALLY A LARGE HAMSTER WITH SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES. THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.' written on it in green crayon. The giant hamster is drawn on it looking sad.]

The third and final spirit that has been spoken of is regretfully the one I have the least amount of information on. The girl in the reflection. I made an attempt to summon her as well to no success, but the important thing about her is she made no attempt to attack. Unlike the other two spirits, the potential harm of this one is undetected. Still, you should not make an attempt to reach out until further information is given.

[Fwip. Another cue card to the side. This one, if picked up, has 'Potential Reminder: have ADA attempt another summoning. Certain issues may have gotten in my way.' Unlike the other cards, this one was written in pen in fairly elegant handwriting.]

With that, I open the floor to you, meeting participants. If you have any further information, feel free to share with the rest of us and talk amongst yourselves. The purpose of this meeting is to gather information and perhaps get to know your colleagues a bit better.

[And then, suddenly, he brightens.] Of course, after that, if anyone has any way to brighten the mood, we may all need it! So feel free to contribute that, too!

We at the Armed Detective Agency thank you for attending. We'll appreciate your cooperation in the future and know that we are looking into each and every incident with precision and care. Good night, tri-state area~

[And then he just. Drops the rest of the blank cue cards on the podium, folds his arms behind his head, and walks back.

The floor is yours, other participants.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Thanks.

... And you too. I don't know all your details, but it doesn't seem like it's been easy for you, either.

We can split the work between three groups, then. Everyone else who isn't in the three groups can work on figuring out the windchime stuff.

[ Inaba says this as if she doesn't have a Date with Danger at 3 AM. ]

I have my laptop on me, so writing an article should be pretty easy. It was kind of my job, back home. Rumors are pretty similar to SCPs in this sense.

.... I don't think we should. Not about Ariel. Not until we've asked her about it- She's not a threat, and she's not like the others.

[Noe saw the whole thing. He stayed on the sidelines to give Vanitas a chance to handle it, but his gaze never strayed away, nor did he allow himself to get distracted as he witnessed the conflict escalate. Fauna reminds him of himself when he first met Vanitas. The conclusions he jumped to, the ideals he unfairly projected onto him, before he tried to truly see Vanitas and learn about him. There's still so much about the vampire doctor that remains unknown, but he's been through enough with him to know that he trusts him and cares about him.

And he despises violence. Noe has seen enough violence, he doesn't want to see anymore if he can avoid it. In a barely perceptible movement, he increases his speed to run between them, stopping to guard Vanitas as he alters the world formula that increases his strength as he reaches in an attempt to hold Fauna's arm and keep her still, the previous innocent energy gone from his voice as he speaks politely but with a threatening edge in his tone.]

Please don't jump to conclusions about him. It sounds like we all have the same goal in mind, but we have different ways of going about it and the discussion seems to be over with.

Based on my run in with the footsteps rumor I'd say the less we give 'em the better off we are. In my experience gathering that kinda information is used to counter our strengths. Y'know?

Thank you for taking the lead for that first half, Atsushi. Now, back to me! As Atsushi said, the other thing we have to focus on is the Windchimes. Now, we don't want to jeopardize the faith of the Kami of Love, so we perhaps shouldn't go smashing them willy-nilly. However, Hanyuu has reported that they seem to be funneling energy - stealing it from her, perhaps.

I've overheard people getting knocked out at 3 AM when they try to catch the perpetrator, which may be a problem. That may be when they're checking if their plan is working, but if we're all getting knocked out and helpless...that's worse than anything. I theorize we may have until the end of the month to take action.

So! Let's come up with some ideas.

.. It's more like people who are beyond the ordinary seem more likely to become Fallen Stars.

... That sounds boring, honestly. I mean, magic's not easy to learn, but why would you...

Never mind, own question answered.

[Fauna growls, pulling away with her arm. She hadn't considered Noe- Rather, she hadn't known he and Vanitas knew each other... and she hadn't considered that Noe might have a spine under there. Dammit. Is it going to be two on one...?]

He's the one jumping to conclusions about what Ariel is. I am not going to let someone go endanger her again, no matter who I have to fight to do it. Or how many people.

That's probably easier, yeah.

[Hand down!]

Yup. And it seems to continue, for sure.

... This seems to be a newer-world thing, but it seems like that could be fake? Not sure.

I'd be willing to tackle one of the stories.

[Monika hesitantly speaks up.]

I was the Literary Club President at home, so I've got a sense of familiarity with the concept. Perhaps I can tackle Bloody Mary?

It would appear that those who already knew the truth were already beginning to tell everyone they could find that the tradition was false. Perhaps... take advantage of that? If we spread a counter-Rumour, for instance, that the chimes are a shallow tourist trap that don't have any effect.

...that would make more sense.

I...agree. She's not a threat. She's trapped. Perhaps if we get her permission, we can try something, bud I'd rather ask her first...

Maybe she hasn't thought of it yet.

I know it's not a normal thing, but we're not normal people either.

... They turned out to be a vampire and attempted to eat me, actually. Didn't go well for him.

So not really. Was nice to see that damned paladin going for someone who wasn't me, though.

[Vanitas does not immediately move. He can feel Noe rush passed him and knows that he will be protected, even if he agrees that he doesn't entirely deserve it. Vanitas is purely selfish in his decision to save Rumors. There's nothing kind in his reason for offering salvation. Only hatred and revenge motivate his acts of heroism.

He appreciates Noe's back-up, but he also saw Noe making friends earlier. This world is a dream come true for Noe and Vanitas doesn't see any value in shattering that. So he turns not to speak to Fauna, but to pat Noe's back. In what seems like an act of cruel abandonment, shoving his problems onto Noe, Vanitas decides to cut their ties and try to salvage Noe's reputation.]

I'm going to sit down. Have fun.

I would have suggested "never have I been outside of Starsand City", but, if you want to hear about my world?

Medievalish, wizards, and a large army of people unnaturally inspired by a wrath demon to become a horrid rampaging army. He was only just recently started, so hopefully they're calming down now.

Wouldn't know. Different issues on my end!

Means more people to help when fights break out at least, so that's nice!

I think that sounds perfect. The rest of us can figure out how to spread your new version of the story. But then the question remains: What should we change it to?

I do agree that she's not a threat now, but...

[ There's the huge 'but' here.

The fact that she's attached to the idea of that story in of itself is a concern to her. ]

Well. If either of you want to see about going back to ask her about it, I'm not opposed.

... Hopefully when things are a bit calmer we can put some time into that, yeah.

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June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

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MEETING: Theories and Planning 2

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