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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[Elliot's vision blinks in and out as he staggers back, stunned by the headbutt. When he brings a gloved hand to his forehead, he doesn't find any blood, but he can feel how sore it is and it's sure to be inflamed later. But he knows how bad Leo's temper gets. He's never feared it though, and even found it relieving to know that someone could match his personality and short fuse. But he doesn't understand why Leo is angry, when shouldn't he be the one who's angry? Leo kept something from him. Again. He lied to him, again.

He wants Leo to be happy, but at the end of the day Elliot knows he's another selfish person, and the fact that he could move on so easily leaves him feeling like he's losing him all over again. He doesn't move to attack him this time and stands still, smiling at the ground.]

Is that what you wanted...?

[Maybe he had misread everything. Ah...of course. Leo had been through so much, had lost his hand after Elliot was gone, and had lost so much because Elliot couldn't face the truth. But Elliot kept pushing him, kept testing him, and now that Leo's a noble and has a life Elliot's only become a burden and a ghost to him.

You can't put together a broken heart. When Elliot looks up, he smiles at him, but it's as empty as the one he saw on Leo earlier.]

Very well, Leo.

[He doesn't attack him, his temper drowned out, and turns away to go gather his sword and whatever else he brought. He can find somewhere else to sleep tonight.]

[Leo has to catch his breath. He knew he'd hit Elliot, but he had expected some sort of retaliation. They're supposed to fight and stay together. Logic tries to bite him, scold him, and tell him to get back to the meeting. 'Glen' tells him to put a lid on this and get back to his job. These thoughts are buried in anger and hurt, and 'Leo' can't rise above it anymore.

But seeing his friend's empty smile kills his anger in an instant. In a flash, Leo remembers that the place he wants to be is by Elliot's side. He wants to be someone who can keep that look off of Elliot's face. If he can do that as a 'friend' then shouldn't that be enough?

He doesn't say anything to announce his intent. Leo follows when Elliot turns away and grabs his arm. Without asking permission, he tugs Elliot to a stop and rests his head on his friend's back. The sparks of his temper still have Leo breathing heavily and he can feel himself about to cry. It takes him a few seconds to speak.]

... I'm sorry, Elliot.

[Elliot feels he might cry too, but he uses all of his willpower to stop himself. He doesn't want to cry, not in front of these strangers, and certainly not in front of Leo. He just wants to get out of there. Compared to many of the others here, he's a mediocre, ordinary human. Which he's fine with, but of all the moments to find this out--

But then there's a familiar weight against his back that stops him and has him draw in a breath, his feelings becoming more and more muddy. He wants to say that it's okay and apologize too, anything so Leo doesn't sound so broken. But he doesn't understand. Why is he apologizing? Is it for snapping at him? Why is he so angry in the first place.]

...Don't be. I'm happy for you [Liar]. And I don't want your pity nor sympathy.

[Leo leans in for Elliot's support. His warmth, his scent, his stupid strong shoulders-- He's selfish to think of Elliot this way, but he does. His temper slowly fizzles out and he draws in a deep breath. All of these awful, wonderful feelings belong in a box and he shoves them into the corners of his heart.

Then flinches, caught off guard by Elliot's words.]

... Why are you happy that I want to crush a recycling bin? [Being close to Elliot like this is comfortable, but Leo reluctantly breaks away. He steps around Elliot to stand in front of him, as equals, and look him in the face. His eyes are red from tears he refuses to cry and Leo looks very tired. He's also sincere and unguarded, as tempting as it is to look away. They're equals and if Leo wants to know what's going on in Elliot's head, he needs to show the same(ish) openness.]

Why would I pity you? What did you do? I thought that was a good punch.

[Some of Leo's silky hair brushes against the back of his neck thanks to the breeze, and he catches the scent of his shampoo. They probably use the same one, but on Leo it smells different. Better. Elliot wishes Leo wouldn't do this, because it makes him second-guess everything he's tried to convince himself he's come to terms with, but when he opens his mouth he can't tell him to move or shrug him away. He wants him to stay, and Leo doesn't do this very often, which is just enough to make his own pain more tolerable and reconsider the conclusions his mind jumped to.]

...What? [His mind blanks out, but he's disappointed that Leo moves away, leaving Elliot feeling cold. He knew it would happen, but he hoped it would last longer. He searches Leo's eyes, his own wistful but confused. He wants to be wrong, but he won't know unless he asks.]

I'm not talking about the punch. I didn't know you met someone.

[He wants to brush some of Leo's hair away from his eyes but he stops himself, swallowing.]

I'm glad. You found someone you like.

[And Leo's expression falls into one of disgust.

That... is what they're fighting about? The fact that Leo raised his hand and Elliot is jealous of... What? Not having someone to like? Though a more likely scenario does cross Leo's mind: They're best friends and they're sixteen. They're probably supposed to talk about cute girls... Disgusting. Never happening. There's no way that Elliot was stupid enough to expect Leo to be girl crazy. He's book crazy. But he can understand how secret keeping of any kind might anger Elliot.

It's also a twisted type of amusing. Leo can see the irony in how Elliot is worked up about not being told, when the act of telling him will damage their happiness forever. The cherry on top of this is how Elliot looks at him and how Leo can't stop staring into his eyes. He's caught somewhere between wanting to throw a recycling bin and throw Elliot for making him feel like this.

That game was so stupid for causing such a stupid fight.]

Do you know how miserable it is to like someone?

They're dense as lead and... [Leo's voice trails off, considering his options. There's no going back on having a crush now. Confessing in this moment would be pretty embarrassing too. What? They'll go back to the circle awkwardly and everyone will pity Leo for getting rejected twice in one night? No. He'll die of heartbreak on his own, thanks.

But Elliot is his equal. Maybe he has advice. Or maybe he'll catch on and put Leo out of his misery. Leo isn't sure what he wants when he opens his mouth again:]

... I can't do anything about it anyway. They didn't raise their hand.

...What's with that stupid expression?

[Elliot blurts out before thinking. Of course he's jealous. He would have been jealous regardless of his fate, but if he could have been around when Leo eventually got married, supported him as his best friend...it would have been tolerable. He would have had a place in Leo's life. But instead Leo's looking at him as if he's to blame, and Elliot scoffs at his friends whining.]

Can't imagine the suffering you must be going through. [Sarcasm drips from his voice, part of him hoping Leo can read between the lines...but he's an idiot, a stupid, overprotective idiot, and he probably thought he was helping Elliot by hiding the truth because that's exactly the sort of stupid thing he'd--]

Their-- their hand?

[Elliot repeats the words flatly, but some of his anger wanes. He's still jealous, but if they're here then Leo hadn't really lied to him. He had moved on, but it was different. Manageable. Elliot still has a place in his life.]

You're not just insufferable. You're an idiot.

[He sighs, placing both hands on Leo's slighter shoulders and scowling at him.]

I don't know a lot about romance, but I won't allow my best friend to sabotage this. Who was the person you like? I'll help you...talk to them, or whatever it is people do.

[How did this happen? Leo, who takes pride in being well spoken when he wants to be, has no words. He can feel himself being torn clean in two by his own emotions. Elliot cares and wants for him to be happy, which makes Leo's chest feel tight and hopeful all at once. But Leo is also miserable to know Elliot's support is probably empty.

It could be a twisted kind of fun, Leo thinks to himself. Elliot giving him advice, Leo learning his preferences. He could plan outings that make Elliot like him more. Spoil him (gross) and get the ending that he-- Leo,-- wants... But ultimately, Leo sees that as selfish. Disgusting, even. He doesn't want to become someone else in order to earn Elliot's affection nor would he ever want to manipulate Elliot's feelings. They're equals. They don't use underhanded tricks like that on each other.

This isn't fair. He wanted to stay this way longer... But it's probably time to let Elliot go.]

I'll... tell you more later. They're here, remember? [Leo breaths in.] I need your help with something more important anyway.

[Elliot lets his hands drop and stretches them over his head as he yawns, blissfully oblivious to Leo's internal conflict. The meeting has him exhausted, but he definitely prefers the stupid disgusted expression over the way Leo looked like he was about to cry before.]

Mmn, I don't feel like it. I'm going to head back and sleep. [He pats Leo on the shoulder, his tone more teasing.] Why don't you ask your crush?

[There is no hesitation: Leo grabs Elliot by the front of his collar and drags him down.]

If I don't get to leave early than neither do you, Elliot.

[Then releases him just as quickly. This may be the last time they get to be together. Leo plans to throw the outline of his book at Elliot tonight.]

You're going to read the first draft tonight.

[Well. Elliot's awake now. He blinks at him from eye-level, stunned, and stands back up.]

Read what? Your book? Why can't it wait until morning?

[Why is Leo acting so weird?]

You'll understand once you read it.

[Because Leo can't keep staying in the same apartment as Elliot now. It's awful and unfair to Elliot.

He turns around with the intention of rejoining the group.]

Let's go. Ms Hanyuu will worry.

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June ADA Meeting/Open Mingle/Rumor Discussion

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