June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

[bluemackerel]

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.]

Comments

[ofthebluemoon]

Then fill me in on what I'm missing?

[ofthebluemoon]

Okay, then I'll do the same~ It was nice talking to you.

[nightwild]

That I'm going to kick your ass if you keep acting like you're so much better than the rest of us.

[noetetaking]

Don't you fucking dare!

[That isn't directed to Soma, but rather Vanitas. Noe looks back over his shoulder sternly at his friend. Don't try and run away now. He's certain that they can settle this if everyone just calms down for a minute.

Turning to take the notepad, Noe's frown morphs into confusion and surprise. He doesn't quite understand what Soma is implying about a therapist, but did that man's eyes--]

Wait--

[stavros]

Very well. I do hope not to see you again.

[noetetaking]

N-no! You smell wonderful and your makeup and skin look lovely as well!

[He answers, completely sincere. But now that he really needs to clarify, he looks down shyly.]

I only ask because my eyes-- they do that.

[He might as well show her to avoid any confusion. When Noe looks up again, his eyes are glowing red.]

[ofthebluemoon]

Noe.

[Vanitas grabs his friends' sleeve to anchor him in place. Watching Soma calmly, without so much as a flinch about the comment.]

Later. We're here for the Rumors. And he has no more information to offer after them. Don't let him separate us just yet.

[noetetaking]

I'm already familiar with my limits and what I can do. And I have abilities that aid me in battle that still work here.

I'd rather no one else put themselves in danger, if we can avoid it.

[ofthebluemoon]

[... She's useless, then.

Vanitas shrugs, clawed palms turned upward, and smiles.]

You're reading into it. But if that's how you are, then I think that we're done here.

[ofthebluemoon]

Feeling's mutual~

[And he'll take his leave, returning to Noe's side.]

[nightwild]

Nah.

We're not done until I'm sure you're not a threat to the spirits under the Rumors.

[violetlies]

[Noe you're going to make him cry. Kokichi is, in truth, a tiny little gremlin man much like your beloathed, but you've hit his weakness for massive damage.]

I have! His name is Loafy. He's a spirit made from goop from the tree last month and also bread crumbs. He formed into a big beast...but I formed a contract with him thanks to the Kami of Curiosity stepping in at the right now. He's asleep gathering energy, but.. [He takes out his school ID card.] He's in here. I think he'll come out soon. But this makes me a 'Sacred Child'.

[....how is this man so pure and sweet he's a giant puppy dog given human form. he can't remotely be mean to him. he's too wholesome.]

...Nee-hee-hee. You're a flatterer, too, Noe. And you're not wrong! But I'm also a Supreme Leader, and I know potential when I see it. I wouldn't be friends with anyone who didn't have it~

[notquitedracula]

I think they have an open spot around an hour from now. Meet me at the cafe up the street - I'll show you the way.

[Soma waves over his shoulder - his business with the two of them can wait til later.]

[dereban]

I'll look and see if there's anybody that I can find as well on my end. I plan on putting more than a hundred percent into all of this, after all. That's why I'm already coming up with other countermeasures, too.

[ofthebluemoon]

[Nope, too bad. Vanitas is already walking back to Noe! He's done here.]

[forced_error]

[ Given what the others have said, he's just doubtful there will be a peaceful solution, but he lets the clarification ease his tension a little bit. ]

Right. I'll only fight if we get in over our heads.

[ He smiles, if slightly ]

Maybe one of us will make a new friend this time?

[nightwild]

Hold it.

[Fauna's going to reach out and try to grab Vanitas by the shoulder. She's not done yet.]

[mothornly]

Your eyes...?

[ Oh. That makes sense. ]

They're really pretty!

[ She is also just as sincere. ]

I was born this way, actually. Both me and Yuri have them.

[ofthebluemoon]

Good. I'm glad we're on the same page.

You may call me 'Vanitas.' And my associate back there is 'Noe.' I'll inform him of our agreement later tonight. He'll be coming along, but I will keep him out of the radius as a back-up.

[violetlies]

E-xaaaac-tly! You're with the guy who already befriended one spirit!

The three of you have better odds getting a spirit contract than anyone else, probably! I know how the ritual works, too, so as long as the ghost cooperates, we can maybe hack it all into a coherent solution!

Just make sure to keep a trinket on you that you can use as a shrine and a name at the ready. They might not end up as strong as Loafy...but, well, no one will be. He's the strongest.

[dereban]

[ Mentally, she wonders if all men named Vanitas act like jerks externally... ]

Got it. And it's Inaba, by the way.

[noetetaking]

Are they your friends?

[He asks innocently, but then the memories in the blood hit him and he simply freezes in place. By now he should probably have learned to lie down before doing this.

Bits and pieces are blocked out, but everything Noe sees and experiences feels as if it's happening directly to him. In the spirit's memories, he loses complete sight of himself, his past, feeling untethered and absorbed in it. All of it. The spirit's compassion and worry, their pain when they saw the human girl cry, their desire to help--

And then how that compassion gets corrupted into something malevolent. Noe tries to open his mouth and beg that the spirit stops, that he stops, but he can't, he can only stare in horror, feeling every ounce of the Rumor's anguish and regret, their devastation when they see her body--

Noe screams. He screams until his throat is raw and collapses on the ground, begging that the Rumor he be let go.]

[nightwild]

Okay, but last time I fought the lie monster, it literally killed itself against my armor. I barely did anything.

I think you're kind of making a big deal out of nothing.

[dereban]

Holy shit-- hey, are you alright?!

[ She doesn't know if he pushed himself too much with that, so she's going to try placing her hand on him, having her nullification on in case it's needed to cut off any abilities. ]

Vanitas Big Stupid Moment

[ofthebluemoon]

[But he's done. Quite done. There's nothing to gain from this conversation. He can tell that Fauna has made up her mind about mistrusting him and she's not going to stop wasting his time until she's shown everyone that she's right.

So fine.

He'll let her be right. It'll help him quickly sort out which of these people are worth his time.

When Fauna grabs him, Vanitas swiftly removes the book from its pouch and turns to face her. The book flips open, its black pages lighting up with strange writing-- Glowing sparks that look like constellations leap from the pages to force Fauna back a few inches. Some of the lights dance around Vanitas, creating a barrier that only extends two feet in either direction around him (except his height.)

It's a small radius. It's not here to harm anyone. But anyone who approaches him will feel their supernatural powers dissipate when the enter the radius of his new reality. Most importantly, it's there to answer Fauna's question.]



... If you want to turn this argument into a fight, then by all means. But I'd like to warn you not to touch me, unless that is your intention. [Vanitas' tone is cold. He's not threatened by her, nor is he particularly angry nor venomous in his speech.] There's your proof. Are you satisfied?