starsand | 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

I am Tau...And "Never have I ever"...

Uhm....uh...Oh!

Never have I ever had a "crush" on someone...

[She did do airquotes when she said crush.]

[ almost raises her hand but then notices the airquotes ]

How are we defining 'crush' in this context?

Like...A romantic interest in someone, but before you...date?

[She really just doesn't know why it's called a crush.]

Oh, okay-- I'll raise my hand to that, then.

Yay. One point for me...

What is...having a crush like anyway? It seems like...it would be a pain...

Huh?

Well, it can be a pain -- but it's mostly like nice? Like you really enjoy their company and want to be with them more. A yearning to want to be more than just a friend. It can be painful though when you hit the 'wanting to confess'... but both of the stupid idiots I'm dating kind of, uh.

Confessed to me?

(no subject)

veileddreamer - 2022-06-08 23:58 (UTC) - Expand

dereban - 2022-06-09 00:02 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 00:35 (UTC) - Expand

dereban - 2022-06-09 01:06 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 01:29 (UTC) - Expand

TAU! Tau, this one isn't fair!!

All is fair...when I want to win...

[She also didn't know what to admit to that would get her points other than this.]

You have had crushes...So now it is time...to get crushed...

[Leo's smile becomes fake as he raises his hand. Why that question, Tau? Why do you tempt him to be a liar?]

Is that something you hope to experience, Ms Tau?

Edited 2022-06-08 23:41 (UTC)

Well...I would not be opposed to experiencing one...I want to try a lot of things...

I do not know how to get one though...And I do not care enough to thoroughly research it...

Do you just...pick a person?

[It's easiest to smile and relax when Tau is being so genuine. Leo laughs a bit before answering her.]

No, it just happens. Unfortunately it picks you more than you pick it. But it'll be easier if you meet interesting people.

Meeting people is hard...

And that seems...very inconvinient...

[Tau sighs.]

Perhaps I should...stick to art...

Yes, that does sound far more convenient. And myself to books.

But the world is coloured much differently when you've found one. Perhaps it would be advantageous to your art.

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 00:34 (UTC) - Expand

[ actually doesn't raise her hand ]

My former husband kind of... fell in love with me at first sight... so I didn't really have a proper crush on him...

So... he was the one with the crush?

He was, yes.

[Fauna is keeping her hand lowered.

This is definitely not true for her, but fortunately, she has no idea what a crush feels like so she thinks it's true.]

[ IT WOULD BE REALLY BAD IF SHE DID NOT RAISE HER HAND HERE SO

Yor raises her hand. ]

[An adult who has had a crush. Surely this she will be perfect for understanding things.]

What is it like? What... made you decide to crush on the person? Are there...specific qualities you look for?

[ Oh no, this was a mistake and Yor immediately regrets everything. Maybe if she uses what she was told to say during the interview she can get away with it? ]

Well, that's... it's... nice?

[ Nailed it. ]

It's just that, when I met Loid, I felt that he was the only person who would understand me. The more we talked, the more that became true.

I see...So you like him because he understands you...That is...sweet? Right?

I would like that...

mothornly - 2022-06-09 00:45 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 00:50 (UTC) - Expand

mothornly - 2022-06-09 00:54 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 01:26 (UTC) - Expand

Hmm... I think so? Maybe. Sometimes it's hard to tell.

It is....hard to tell? I thought...you could just...choose?

I mean, if you could choose who you like just like that, there'd be a whole lot fewer people pining after someone who's out of their league or taken or something.

Out of their league? ...What does that mean?

fallmushrooms - 2022-06-09 00:34 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 00:37 (UTC) - Expand

fallmushrooms - 2022-06-09 00:55 (UTC) - Expand

veileddreamer - 2022-06-09 01:23 (UTC) - Expand