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]

[ ...aaaand she just mentally turns her power off. She is still touching him, but nullification's off, folks. But she will let go. ]

You can.

[spacialeyes]

Thank you very much.

[Yuuto accepts the pen. He opens the notebook so that he can draw opposite of Inaba's drawing and compare their concepts.]

First off: Your concept would be possible with the power of the Spacetime Kami, if they were around. But there's a slight problem in the world as it stands...

[Yuuto begins drawing a 2am masterpiece.]

I apologize. I've simplified this not as an insult, but because I don't want Fauna-san to destroy the shrine. These five numbers are the dimensions that matter to you humans. And this part of the box is the past and this is the future.

To accomplish what you want, I would need to be able to predict the future in order to safely set you back in the stream of time. But.

[He begins crossing parts out.]

Something is blocking the far future, distant past, and- [He crosses out everything above 4,] Any space above four. Four is where we exist right now- It's where time flows. And while I could put you down into 3, I would risk distorting your humanity by allowing you to be conscious of it.

This city has become a contained space. My power can still control everything within that box, but I cannot currently break it out. [... wait.

Oh:] I'm roleplaying as a kami for this conversation. I'm very passionate.

[dereban]

I would like the shrine not to be destroyed as well, for my own personal purposes. In any case, I think I understand.

But that's interesting... the distant past is being blocked? How long are we talking about? I'm not saying that we should do this, but, would the recent past be able to be accessed? Or is that no good, either?

[spacialeyes]

Yes, we can reach the recent past. Hanyuu-san performed a time reversal last month and I didn't have to fix anything afterward. But it's still a tricky thing to do. I wouldn't recommend bringing humans to the past anyway. It can drive you insane to be in two places at once.

[Yuuto sets the pen down and pushes the notebook back to Inaba.] Why? Do you want for me to do something for you?

[dereban]

Don't worry. Not human, remember?

But I was just a little curious, really. Besides, the more information I know, the more...

[ Wait a second. ]

Actually, [ she glances around ] I might have something in mind.

[spacialeyes]

Still. I like your mind whole. I don't want to risk you.

[He also looks around, but he is not sure why.] Yes? How can I help you? Do I have to roleplay for it?

[dereban]

My mind and soul is stronger than you'd expect. It's one of the few things that I'm confident in, as an SCP. We're hilariously resilient.

[ Anyway... ]

The recent past would be able to be accessed, right? Would it be possible to go to a period sometime last month?

[ She draws a pen and starts making a timeline. ]

Sometime between here and here.

[ The first here with a note of 'Hanyuu reversing time' and the second here being 'the May meeting'. ]

It's fine if it isn't, though.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto still looks very hesitant, but after a moment's consideration he does nod.]

You're going to feel really awful afterward. It'll be like snapping a rubberband, but for your whole being. And you absolutely cannot use your power, but... mm. I... could.

What are you looking for?

[dereban]

I can do that.

[ Completely and utterly seriously. ]

I'm specifically looking for the period in time when the tree went to shit. I want to see if we can pinpoint the instigation moment.

[bluemackerel]

The instigation moment, huh?

[And in comes player 3, nosing his way in.]

I'm intrigued.

You aren't going to go on this little journey alone, are you?

[spacialeyes]

That... We might have to do it one day at a time, but...

[Yuuto lifts his hand over his chest, still seeming like he needs more convincing. But it's Inaba and he does want to like her. That means trusting her too.]

I can do it. But I'll need Starling, just to be safe. And we should bring a third person, just in case-- Ah!



[Yuuto tries to teleport away.]

[dereban]

[ This time, Inaba doesn't actually stop him, given that she's a bit startled by Dazai's presence. ]

Oh, come on, look at what you did, you scared him off.

[bluemackerel]

Awwwww.

I thought Atsushi would stick around, seeing as it's me.

Or, well. Atsushi Two....

[It's a shame, but hey, if he can't have fun....

no one can.]

[spacialeyes]

[Now that Atsushi Two has left, he recognizes Dazai and returns. Only this time, he's standing behind Inaba and crouching down out of sight. He'd forgotten that others might see or hear him.]

Sorry... I forgot that I shouldn't actually be here. I just heard spacetime and that's the only thing that I can do. [He glances at Inaba, not sure if she wants to include Dazai.]

[dereban]

[ She lowers her voice: ]

...will it be okay to bring him? You already said I can't use my ability, but I can turn mine off.

[ This is her not saying 'no'. This is her asking if it's okay with him. ]

[bluemackerel]

You don't have to hide. You know I don't bite, Atwoshi.

[Staaaaaaaaaaare]

I wanna go. I wanna go on the trip.

[spacialeyes]

Eh? You can both turn off my power? Is this my 'type', Inaba-san? [He whispers back, then turns his attention to Dazai.]

I'm sorry for being so rude. Um. As long as you don't nullify my power. I don't want to get you both stuck in the past.

[dereban]

[ In a whisper: ]

Why the hell are you asking me if it's your type? Shouldn't you know the answer to that?

[bluemackerel]

. . .

[S t a r e]

I won't. I'm not going to nullify anything unless I touch them. Though, admittedly, I'm confused as to why you even know what my ability is...I've never said it.

But hey. We all know it's fine now.

[spacialeyes]

So I'm attracted to people who can hurt me!

[He's reaching some stupid conclusions, but listen. No one keeps Yuuto around for social intelligence.]

Mm. It's okay with me. Did you hear what we were discussing, Dazai-san? [Yuuto glances at Inaba, all smiles again and way too relaxed.] Can you show him the notebook, please?

[nightwild]

[Not too far away, Fauna chokes on hearing Yuuto's exclamation.]

[dereban]

--don't say you're a masochist, you fucking dumbass!!

[ Sorry, but he's getting a chop to the head for saying something so stupid before taking a deep breath in and out before sliding the notebook over with the images spoken about earlier in the thread ]

God, I swear I'm gonna get an aneurysm.

[bluemackerel]

Learn what a safeword is, Yuuto.

[Dazai says without missing a beat.]

I overheard a bit. We may be going on a bit of a time crisis?

[He carefully takes the notebook, looking through it. Hm.]

You were suggesting a third person come along anyway, so hey, might as well be me.

[spacialeyes]

Sorry-- [He holds his head where she hit him, but doesn't move away.

Yuuto pouts quietly while Dazai reads the notebook, mumbling something to the effect of "i wanted to know the answer," before Dazai speaks up. He snaps back to attention and nods.]

I don't mean to impose on you, but I'd feel a lot better if Inaba-san wasn't alone. If something happens to me then you'd be together and could understand what you're going through... It would mean living through the time until 'now' and it might be uncomfortable.

[dereban]

Fingers crossed that nothing happens, then.