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.]

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...

[Vanitas starts laughing.]

Ahh perfect! Yes, perfect. If that Domi of yours were to arrival then she'd kill me on the spot for letting this come to pass! So yes. Yes, Noe. You're not necessarily wrong. It's good for a country bumpkin such as yourself to expand his vocabulary.

[He pats Noe's shoulder, snickering the whole time.] And no. I am not going. You can go by yourself if you like him that much.

...But you didn't do anything. [For once. He's so accustomed to the insults now he doesn't flinch or react, only presses his lips in a thin line, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.] Why do I feel like I'm missing something?

[His laughter, on the other hand, is starting to wear down his nerves.] Fine. I will do as I please and find out what he wants.

If she should arrive, maybe she'll explain it to you.

[But Vanitas will not.]

You do just that. It's not my fault if you end up wasting more of your time.

[...] Vanitas, may I ask you something?

If we're doing the 3am picnic, I might be tired. I should take a nap sometime in between!

So? You want to take a nap in the grass or something?

No, it's fine. [Not unless Vanitas would let Noe hug him seeing as Murr isn't around and there are no pillows.]

Vanitas...do you think I'm in love with Domi?

[Vanitas almost chokes on air.]

Why are you asking me that?! I don't care! [But he looks very interested in why Noe is bringing it up.]

Domi is very dear to me...but I don't usually feel sick around her. [He admits. He's never felt the same type of anguish he saw Vanitas display in front of their friend Roland, but it has him thinking.]

And someone very wise told me you can date more than one person, and I think Domi likes Jeanne. Do you think there's something wrong with me? Is that why I don't feel sick around her?

... First you learn the word 'fuck' and now this? Noe, just what kinds of people have you been associating with at this gathering?

[Never mind that even Vanitas can tell Domi has feelings for Noe. She had might as well wear a sign. But Vanitas isn't here to defend Domi's love life.]

They’re all very kind and intelligent, aren’t they?

[Noe was about to lie down, but he jumps up, excited to gush about his new friends.]

Vanitas… sometimes I feel sick by the things you say. Does that mean …

[Vanitas doesn't find this funny anymore. Of course he should have been more cautious..! They're in a city with a love kami, whatever that means, running the show. Noe is naive and impressionable. It was only a matter of time before he got sucked up in whatever bullshit the kami is peddling.

He draws one of his daggers in an empty threat;]

I can put you out of your misery if you like.

[Unimpressed and not deterred, Noe calmly pushes the dagger away. Maybe he went to far with his questions. Best to change the subject.]

I don’t mind being in love, but I find the concept very confusing. Maybe it’s that everyone handles love differently and that’s why Domi makes me feel warm and fuzzy instead of sick. What would you do if Jeanne were to show up?

[Vanitas freezes. All Noe has to do is say her name and he remembers her stupid smile and the feeling of her fangs on his neck. It makes him feel like he's caught a fever and causes the gears in his brain to turn backwards.

He has to grit his teeth when answering.]

I'd stay as far away from her as possible. She's of no concern to me in this place.

[He knows that isn't true. And it's awful.]

[Noe is fully aware Vanitas is lying. But he doesn't call him out on it, only stares at him thoughtfully before he looks up at the sky.]

Hmmm. I don't know about that. I think it would be nice having her here.

If you say it too many times then it's going to happen!

[So keep going?]

[Noe's lips curl into a fond smile, his tone more playful as he takes the challenge.]

Is that how it works? Very well. I wish Jeanne and Domi were here, I wish Jeanne and Domi were here, I would fucking be happy to see Jeanne and Domi here--

[If Vanitas doesn't say anything he's just going to keep going with his mantra.]

[Vanitas can feel his temper rising with every repetition. Unhelped by how Jeanne's image keeps flashing through his mind, along with the awful question of "Do I miss her?"

He throws up his arms.]

Enough, enough! Do you believe every word that you're told or only the stupid ones?

[Noe closes his mouth, his normally innocent expression now a teasing smirk when he sees how Vanitas reacts. Maybe he's been spending too much time around Vanitas.

But his friend is a terrible liar.]

Vanitas, if I believed anything stupid I was told, I would have believed you when you said you'd stay away from her in this place.

[And he freezes. Shocked that Noe, of all people, has called him out on something so... so..!]

This place is awful for you.

[He turns away, glaring at nothing in particular.]

Stop getting distracted. We- I have a job to do here.

Maybe.

[Noe's smiling. He doesn't sound concerned at all. But Vanitas is right, and that gets him to sit back up.]

Have you discovered anything new?

That the people here don't trust doctors.

[That's a non-answer and he knows it, even shrugging it off.]

And you? Have any of your little 'friends' actually had useful things to say?

[Noe frowns and elbows him, but he brightens when Vanitas says the f-bomb.]

You won't believe it! I've met some people with red eyes like a vampires, but they're human! Isn't that extraordinary?!

... That is odd, yes. And means that finding vampires won't be as easy as looking them in the face.

[Even if the red eyes aren't permanent, it was a tell when you saw it. That won't work anymore.]

And that makes you happy somehow?

I just thought it was interesting. …And maybe less people here will mind that I’m a vampire.

Perhaps. But the stigma against vampires had nothing to do with your eyes, did it? Humans will find a reason to hate your lot so long as you're different and powerful.

[vanitas coming in with no social graces.]

At least I've confirmed that the Vampire of the Blue Moon means nothing here. tch. [He needs new hate earning tactics.

like his personality or something.]

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noetetaking - 2022-06-16 03:32 (UTC) - Expand

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