starsand | June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

Then fill me in on what I'm missing?

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

[... 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.

Nah.

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

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

Hold it.

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

[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?

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.]

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.

[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.

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.

[She growls. He's not wrong, and that stings, a lot. But she still has her hackles raised.]

You don't get to decide whether you'll 'cure' them or not. If you hurt her, I will break you!

[She's not attacking, yet. But, she's clearly about to, unless someone can stop her.]

[And he won't necessarily stop her. Vanitas is sure that Noe saw him use the book and that he'll receive back-up. And if not, well. It's not like Vanitas can't fight back.]

Aren't you the one deciding things for others? You've decided that I'll hurt her. You've decided to turn this chat into a matter of physical violence. And you've decided what kind of person I'll be. I'll based on the fact that I intend to save them.

[Again, he shrugs.] Changing your mind is a waste of my time. Enjoy your fantasy.

[And he moves to walk away, expecting to be attacked from behind. It's not like his words are meant to make her happy. But sugarcoating it won't help either.]

[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.

[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.

[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.

Ariel...? [Noe looks like he's about to ask more, but his face twists in annoyance, both at Fauna for jumping to fighting too soon and Vanitas for obnoxiously patting him on the back.

He just wants five minutes. Five quiet minutes and a nice, civil discussion, not all of this senseless chaos.]

THAT'S ENOUGH!

[His normally amethyst eyes glow red and he bares his fangs, reaching for the back of Vanitas' cloak/coat thing before he can run away while not stepping away from Fauna. Without any warning, he just...scoops Vanitas up in one arm, carrying him as easily as he would his cat.]

You-- [He points at Vanitas with his free hand.] are going to sit down for the rest of this meeting. I refuse to let you out of my sight! And you--

[Now pointing at Fauna.]

--You need to try and explain what you mean by endangering her again instead of assuming that we have ill intentions without giving us any context to go off of!

[She growls, hackles still raised.]

The girl in the reflection. She's not a rumor. I don't know what that weird book will do if it tries to 'cure' someone who isn't a rumor. She's been around since before the rumors started.

I'm going to talk to her, and ask her what she wants to do.

Hey, NOE!

[Wait what-

Vanitas yelps as he is scooped up in Noe's arms, flailing in embarrassment. This has certainly put a damper on his mood, Noe! Vanitas ends up having to settle for being comfortable in Noe's hold, because he can't very well free himself without severely wounding Noe.

He listens to Fauna, then snaps back.]

Then I won't be curing her, will I? I'm only interested in the Rumors. [Though. Pfft, asking her. Vanitas would not be asking before he cures someone. He's not here for their sakes.]

[Noe's frown softens. This is exactly why they should talk things out instead of immediately jumping to fighting! He keeps a firm hold around Vanitas, ignoring his complaining and flailing.]

Then I will help you! I want to find out what she wants too, and maybe if we manage to talk to her, she can tell us more about this place.

[He looks down at his ~~friend~~ problem. He knows that curing curse bearers is important to Vanitas-- calling it important would be an understatement. But spirits and Rumors are different, or that's how Noe sees it, so he plans to talk to him about it. Later, not in public.]

If you'll excuse us.

[Shooting Fauna an apologetic look, he starts to walk away, Vanita in his arm.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

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Vanitas Big Stupid Moment

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