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

It would appear that those who already knew the truth were already beginning to tell everyone they could find that the tradition was false. Perhaps... take advantage of that? If we spread a counter-Rumour, for instance, that the chimes are a shallow tourist trap that don't have any effect.

You mean like people were trying to create their own fake tradition in order to make money or something like that...?

Yes, like that! If people are convinced that it not only is fake, but won't do anything, that may prevent any more ill effects.

I think that's a good idea! Um... if nobody else objects, I'd be happy with this.

Why don't some of us take over the booth and begin charging money for the charms? That would support our new story, correct? And solidify the opinion that it is a scam and a tourist trap.

Set up some rumors that thieves target the people trying to buy them, too. A few wallets go missing when people try to buy the charms, and bam.

You just want to pickpocket people, don't you?

Not really. It's a pain in the ass.

I can, but it doesn't mean it's fun.

I don't personally think a pickpocketing is necessary. Even if you carry it out yourself, it would risk creating a second Rumor who also pickpockets.

That's...

.... an annoyingly good point.

I'd like to run the booth!

[ What the fuck.

Who invited this witch. Where did she come from. ]

It would be fun to do something like that in front of a kami's shrine.

Would it really? Why so?

It would. Oh, this means that I can wear a shrine maiden outfit, does it not? I've never worn one of those before. It would be quite fun.

[ They don't exactly have those in her home world, after all. ]

But you see: there would be quite a lot of people coming around to hang those windchimes. That means that I would get the chance to meet a lot of people. And this so-called rumor is meant to have people buy the windchimes for protection and blessings, right? You can learn quite a bit about a person that way. On what name they write, on how many windchimes they buy. Ah, the same also goes for those who don't buy the chimes.

And besides that. Not many people would be willing to play the villain, would they? After everything, people would be wondering "why would someone try to put a scam in front of the love kami's shrine? Don't they know just how powerful she becomes during this month"? I want to see it. I want to experience it.

... I mean. You sound perfect for the job.

[And Dimitri is beginning to suspect that he doesn't care what happens to Dona, so..!]

[ Echidna claps her hands together, still smiling. ]

Then it's quite settled, isn't it?

[And Dimitri goes back to smiling politely.]

I believe so. Kokichi was also interested, so perhaps the two of you can pair up.

So it's like that, hm?

[ She says those words in a way that is absolutely condescending and she isn't daring to hide it. ]

Very well. If it gets rather nasty, I suppose I do not mind offering my protection. Humans can be rather cruel when it comes to these sorts of things. And I personally have no interest in seeing people get hurt at the current moment.

Yes, I'm on the same page. I worry that we may be faced with backlash from those who understand this is an insult to the kami, so having precautions in order is a must. The last thing that we need is for a member of this little group to be hurt or garner a bad reputation.

(no subject)

naturalgreed - 2022-06-09 07:10 (UTC) - Expand

I could help with the booth! I'm great at being an asshole, so I'd really manage to sell it! I'll even get a disguise!

[why

why is he honest now]

... So long as you're in disguise. I would hate for Loafy to lose faith over the incident.

Of course~! I'm a master of disguise, yeah? It's one of my tricks of the trade. And I'd never, ever do anything to endanger Loafy.

You can count on me~

[kokichi, are you sounding deliberately possibly more reliable than you are because he's a cute emo boy smiling at you.

probably.]

Perhaps the white haired lady and yourself can work together, then. It may be of benefit to have two people working the stall, so that one of you can keep an eye out for anything suspicious?

The white-haired lady, wh...

[He looks over.

He sees Echidna.

His head slooooowly tilts back towards Dimitri.]

You mean me looking for 'anything suspicious', right? That's what you mean? Because she has some bad vibes going on.

Yes, well. That's why I'm suggesting she have a partner.

I'm not sure how to feel.

But if I end up in trouble I sure hope I'm getting help.

[h m p h]

melancholie - 2022-06-09 06:59 (UTC) - Expand

violetlies - 2022-06-09 07:04 (UTC) - Expand