(太宰治) Dazai Osamu | Bungou Stray Dogs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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starsand2022-06-07 06:20 am
bluemackerel) wrote in starsand2022-06-07 06:20 am
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.]
no subject
Well, it's not exactly a mirror... but I suppose that's a good enough explanation for you to take. It's not magic, though. Or fairy tale. Just technology, plain and simple.
no subject
[Oh. The shirt! Noe shoots her an apologetic look.]
I'm sorry. I got distracted by the amazing technology. [And then he just...casually licks the blood.]
no subject
[ She says that fondly, but with tinges of nostalgia.
But then he licks the blood and she almost jumps out of her skin. Okay, no, this-- this is probably important. It's not the first time weird shit's happened, but hopefully this is fine?? ]
Memory for Noe
The memory that Noe finds himself in looks like old film. It's grainy, with parts completely blocked out. He's in the place of a spirit, who has no form. They're not seen, not heard, and they cannot feel or taste. They watch a human girl who has curled up in a park. She's crying, face in her hands, and wailing; "They lied to me. Why would they all lie to me? I can't help them if they don't tell the truth... It hurts. My friends are suffering and I can't do anything to help them!"
The spirit bobs closer. It wants to help the human girl. She's nice, the spirit thinks. She always looks after the garden. She reads us stories and makes my lonely life more bearable.
Then a voice rings out behind the spirit-- You could show her the truth.
And everything goes black. The spirit screams out in the darkness, its words warped and difficult to understand. Flickers of its new existence are shown to Noe in rapid succession. It can now stalk liars and write their sins in blood. But this is hurting people. The spirit has hurt the human girls' friends and she's hurting even worse. The friends' crimes are revealed and the human girl says that she regrets learning the truth if it put her friends in danger. But then she also lies and says that she forgives them. The Rumor stalks her and leaves her body in an alleyway. It cries and screams and begs to be released, but it's too late.
Let me go. I'm sorry. I won't try to help anymore.]
no subject
[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 Rumorhe be let go.]no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[That scream makes Vanitas' blood run cold. Whatever he was doing before is irrelevant. His plan to distance himself from Noe is also thrown aside. Noe is too strong and this place too peaceful for that to be a scream of physical pain, which narrows down the culprits significantly. He rushes to Noe's side and drops down next to him, joining Inaba in putting a hand on Noe's back.
Concern is dangerous. Caring will only distract them. Vanitas sees the bloodied shirt and immediately knows what's happened. He knows that Noe would have done this willingly to help, so smothering him with pity is worthless. Instead, Vanitas gives his shoulder a shake and prompts him:]
It's over, Noe! What did you see?!
no subject
But he’s no longer a scared and confused child, and it’s helped people before, so maybe he can help someone again. Even if it means losing sight of himself temporarily—
Someone always brings him back. Noe can’t quite tell what’s his own pain and what’s the warped spirit’s, the Rumor’s, but he hears voices and slowly the scenery starts to return in his vision. There are two different hands he feels on him, one familiar and one less so, but it helps him look past the Rumor’s anguish and he looks up while tears continue to stream down his face.
There is the kind and intelligent girl from before, and there’s Vanitas. Brilliant, bright as the blue moon itself, yelling at him and keeping him anchored to the present.
It takes him a moment to find his voice and he just stares up gratefully, his words hoarse from screaming when he answers.]
They— they didn’t mean to. Someone corrupted them. Vanitas, it’s like before with Naenia, they were trying to help and someone hurt them—!
[But it’s not Naenia, is it? The words stream out of his mouth in a panic, and not wanting to alarm either of them he tries to calm himself down by breathing, looking at Inaba apologetically.]
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m fine.
no subject
Wouldn't be the first time that's happened when it came to this sort of thing.
But, pressing her lips together, she'll let Vanitas take care of commenting on that part.
Instead, she runs fingers through her bangs, speaking up. ]
It's fine -- just came to me as a bit of a shock. You don't need to apologize to me.
no subject
But this certainly changes things.
His concern expression cracks in a wide grin. Vanitas pats Noe on the shoulder again before standing, expecting his associate to follow him. Noe is strong and Vanitas isn't his babysitter. No, the roles are reversed there.]
Well! Isn't that just wonderful news, Noe?
I guess I'll be saving them all after all.
[He looks to Inaba, but addresses poor Noe.] Noe. You had might as well fill her in when you're ready. The three of us are going to have a 3am picnic.
no subject
[Honestly, Noe had his doubts his abilities would even work with blood that old. He looks embarrassed as he stands up, wiping at his tears and blinking at Vanitas gratefully when he just...doesn't make a big deal out of it. Vanitas doesn't treat him like something to be feared, he doesn't make a big deal of his Archiviste origins as long as Noe doesn't mention the human's blood--he doesn't pity Noe, and he appreciates that.]
I'll come with you.
[He nods, able to find his determination to help and save the spirits again in the human's selfish grin that never reaches his eyes.]
Ah-- Right. [He looks back at Inaba. Time for an explanation. He doesn't want to keep thinking about it, but it has to be said.]
I don't know exactly how it happened, but the spirit was hurt by something else. They wanted to help a girl who was sad about her friends who were hiding things from her... But the spirit's desire to help her became corrupted, and instead of helping her they stalk people and write their sins in blood, and the girl, she--
[He puts a hand over his mouth, biting back a sob. He doesn't want to keep talking about it.]