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]

Because I do this in my home world as well.

[Vanitas holds up the book for Fauna to see.]

You see this? It's called 'The Book of Vanitas,' and with it, I can rewrite the formula of this world. Yes, I've tried and yes, it seems to be working.

Do you know what an inverse operation is?

[nightwild]

"Rewrite the formula"?

No. Never heard of it. Is it math?

[ofthebluemoon]

Yes, it's math. Unfamiliar?

[nightwild]

Not really my thing, no.

[ofthebluemoon]

Fear not, Mademoiselle, because I can explain.

My book allows me to reverse an action in the world. For example, let's say that becoming a 'Rumor' means that a spirit is painted from red to blue. Normally, a person might think to correct that by then painting blue back to red, hm?

But I can make it so that the blue paint goes back in the bucket. As if it never touched the red spirit.

[nightwild]

What the hell's a mad... mad mussel?

[she's trying.]

Anyway, that sounds convenient, but it sounds too good to be true.

[ofthebluemoon]

It really is, isn't it?

[There's a darkness in his eyes now. Vanitas has many reasons to hate this book. Her reaction is more closely aligned to what he's used to.]

Fortunately for you all, only I have the ability to open it. So it won't fall into the wrong hands~.

[nightwild]

Sorry, but I don't exactly trust your hands to be the right ones.

[She's giving him a look...]

I don't trust you or it. What's the catch?

[ofthebluemoon]

That I have the book. That's the catch.

[nightwild]

And we've established that I don't trust you. You don't exactly seem trustworthy.

How do we know that you're really going to do what you say? Seems safer to me to take that thing away from you.

[ofthebluemoon]

Unfortunately, [He tugs a chain into view. It attaches the book to his belt.] If this chain were broken, then the book would go out of control. It cannot be destroyed without bringing with it all of the people within a mile radius. So I would not advise taking such action.

[This is a lie. But Vanitas says it without missing a beat, his confidence as obnoxious as ever.]

But how do I know that any of you will do as you say? From my understanding, a kami had to intervene last month.

[nightwild]

So then I just take it away from you without breaking the chain. Easy.

[She cracks her knuckles.]

Yeah? She did. Means we've got resources other than you.

[ofthebluemoon]

Then aren't you the reason she's got a target painted on her back now?

[He puts the book back in its place.]

If she hadn't intervened, whatever 'they' are would have won, wouldn't they? So now they're probably thinking "if only that kami weren't a threat!" and they've decided to take her down. I've been listening. I know about the charms and false tradition.

[nightwild]

Maybe you shouldn't talk so much shit, when you weren't there.

[ofthebluemoon]

Then fill me in on what I'm missing?

[nightwild]

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

[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.

[nightwild]

Nah.

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

[ofthebluemoon]

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

[nightwild]

Hold it.

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

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?

[nightwild]

Wild Change!

[Fauna steps back, and lets the armor cover her body. This time, rather than her normal fox-themed armor, she's gone straight into her owl form.

She steps back, and tosses a knife at the book, testing it.]

[ofthebluemoon]

That's enough. [And now he sounds irritated.

The reality radius expands to include Fauna. Everything within the radius is nullified. Of course, this includes Vanitas' ability to use the book for attacking. But he's not interested in a fight.

Calmly, he repeats himself slowly to Fauna:]

I told you what I intend to do. I've shown you now what I can do. And whether you like it or not is of no concern to me.

I will not warn you again. Back off.

[nightwild]

[Fauna's armor disintegrates, and even reverts her back to her normal form. She growls, taking a stance, ready to fight even without her armor.]

I don't care. I don't trust you, and if you plan to do whatever to all of them, I will stop you. The girl in the reflection is no threat, and if you hurt her, you will regret it.

[ofthebluemoon]

To be quite frank, I don't trust you either.

A short-temper. Unthinking. Violent impulses. No mind for her surroundings, no care for whether she starts a fight and draws bystanders in... You've given me no reason to believe you won't be the one to hurt them.

[He closes the book again, which releases the nullification around. Vanitas begins to tuck it away, pretending not to look at Fauna. He wonders what she'll do if his back is turned.]

Anyway. I'm not deterred in the slightest. I'll cure them as much as I like. I don't care what you want. And it seems that feeling is mutual.