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

[dereban]

[ And naturally, Inaba is here -- she's dressed simply enough for the weather, although her eyes are a little red (don't ask about it) as she waves in a rather casual manner. ]

Yo.

We can go to my usual room for stuff -- the spirits actually like me quite a bit since I keep telling them stories as payment for letting me stay here.

[ Which is why some spirits end up lingering in spite of Soma's appearance. ]

Oh, if you're asking them for a book, it's probably better to be more specific than less. It's kind of like Google searching in that way. They brought me something that I wasn't exactly looking for on my first day. Although I do sometimes like searching for the books myself. There's just something about doing that which is different -- but anyway, not the point. did you want something to drink, by the way? We should have some of the basic things: soda, coffee, tea?

[notquitedracula]

Tea's good, thanks. I'm actually looking for a copy of the book those 'ghost stories' are from, and if I can find it, any information on when, how, and by whom it was published. I believe the title is '100 Starry Mysteries'.

[He takes a seat in a comfortable looking armchair, waiting for their drinks before getting to the heart of the matter.] I wanted to talk to you about two things while we're away from potentially unfriendly eyes and ears, actually. First is the charm stall at the shrine. I think you have an idea what I was talking about when I said I had an idea - want to share your thoughts before I give mine?

[dereban]

Alright, you heard him! Green tea straight up to my room. Oh, and the book too. I'll tell you all some good stories after.

[ That's a promise to the spirits as she lets them go on their duty. ]

My thoughts right now are if anti-magic tactics don't work and it deals with the soul... we just have to go to mundane tactics. And thankfully-- I have my phone and laptop on me just for that.

[notquitedracula]

That's what I was thinking as well. Set up a net of cameras, some on triggers, some on timers, some just rolling constantly, and see what we can catch. Even if they notice one or two of them, they probably can't find them all - especially if they have no reason to suspect they've been placed and we bribe the spirits not to tell anyone.

I stay up at the shrine, right now, and I earn my keep by sweeping the courtyard and doing light groundskeeping. I should be able to get them into place without too much trouble - and I can be very, very sneaky when I need to be.

[dereban]

We can use my phone as an additional camera as well. It's... not easy to hack into this thing ever since I asked a friend of mine to tweak it. Really advanced shit, honestly.

But if we are going to do this... we should also at least ask Satou first.

[notquitedracula]

I agree. There are some other questions that come to mind as well - like whether she's feeling okay, and if this new 'tradition' is draining her. Because it seems to me like that's what it's designed to do.

[Look, he may play the dumb shounen protagonist on paper, but Dracula was a freaking polymath, and Soma is no slouch either.]