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

[stavros]

Avoiding you? What, pray tell, did you do to evoke that reaction?

[notquitedracula]

A few things come to mind, but would you believe me if I said I'm not entirely sure? [He sighs, visibly this time, and sets down the violin.] In order to save the spirit, its body had to be destroyed. Hanyuu was holding it in place while Kevin destroyed the tree and Tau kept its roots distracted. I... it fell to me to finish her off. I was able to capture her essence in the form of a seed, and cleansed it with alchemy... but to make it a viable seed and encourage its growth, I had to give a part of my life force. There's no such thing as a free lunch in magic.

...It could also have been because I pulled a holy claymore out of nowhere to hand to Kevin, but somehow I don't think that's what did it.

[stavros]

...I see. At least I think I see. And so it prompted the people to fear you, then.

[notquitedracula]

I think so, yes. That's not really what brought me out here tonight, though; I'm used to people being afraid of me.

I had a friend, back in our world. A girl named Mina; we've known each other since we were children. After her grandfather found out who and what I am, he... he forbade her ever seeing me again. He was part of the group that helped seal Dracula's castle in 1999, so he knew better than most how much of a danger I could be, both to Mina and to myself. And, well... when Celia and her cult executed a very convincing doppelganger of her in front of me, it kind of drove home that point. I lost a friend in two ways that day, and it almost broke me. It would have, if not for Alucard.

[He looks down at the violin, shaking his head.] You know what drove Vlad to make war on man and God, right?

[stavros]

I've heard the stories. First to spite God, and then to spite humanity. And in both instances, the catalyst was love, was it not?

[notquitedracula]

It was. His betrothed was taken by disease while he was away at war during the Crusades, which drove him to become Dracula in the first place... and then his wife was killed by the Church on the false accusation of witchcraft. Sorrow and rage were close companions for him, and the two often went hand in hand when setting his course. Hence... [He gestures at the instrument.] It's still not exactly a healthy coping mechanism, but it's better than the alternative, no?

[stavros]

...I see. So because you inherit a great burden, you deal with it as best you can. You are the responsible sort, I'll give you that.

[notquitedracula]

[He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.] I try to be. But... I'm still me in here, too, you know? Just a kid barely out of high school, trying to make some semblance of sense out of all this weirdness. Two years ago, I was just some albino kid who couldn't stay out in the sun too long. Or did you think I wore a long coat all the time because I thought it looked cool?

...Though, to be fair, I do.

[stavros]

...I was about to say. Or question if you were attempting to judge my habit of wearing a scarf all year round.

[notquitedracula]

[That gets a chuckle out of him.] Compared to at least one of your ancestors, you are the height of fashion. Simon wore a leather tunic and not a whole lot else. Couple that with all the acrobatics in the Belmont repertoire, and... well, you see my point, I'm sure. Subtle, he was not. I'd say you look rather cute, if I wasn't so wary of getting whipped in the face.

[Is he teasing? Just a bit.]

[stavros]

And I would commend your research, if I weren't entirely unsure what to make of your conclusions. I'm trying to go for impressive, and you act as if I'm as intimidating as a stuffed animal! [Hmph.]

[notquitedracula]

Cute and impressive aren't mutually exclusive. The cat ear headset and poofy shorts do rather lean more towards the former, though. [Is she even wearing those right now?] As for intimidation, I'd say you're pretty good there, though that may be because I have a decent idea how many weapons you're actually carrying. I stand by what I said, though - you are cute.

[Definitely teasing.]

[stavros]

[She's back in normal clothes, which, since it's her, still lean towards a "mall goth" level of crosses and brown. Still, she makes a face and grumbles.]

You are a menace to society and I know not why someone hasn't pushed you down the stairs yet.

[notquitedracula]

Hey, if this is the worst I ever get on the menace scale, I call it a win. [He sticks his tongue out at her - pinnacle of maturity, these two - and grins.]

Besides. Stairs are more of a Belmont problem.

[stavros]

Are you intentionally trying to provoke me, and to what end?

[notquitedracula]

[He headtilts a bit at that.] Provoke? Nah. I'm just enjoying the moment, honestly. I think this may be the first time I've felt comfortable enough to just... be myself, since I got here. But if you want to get in some sparring or something, I'm down for it. Or I could play some music for you?

[Strange how being around his natural enemy makes him relax.]

[stavros]

...Very well. I can certainly understand how practising would help, if you wish. Especially with the number of Rumours about.

[notquitedracula]

[Soma nods, then takes a moment to put the violin case back inside his coat. It seems his hammerspace works even when he isn't wearing it, thankfully, but he doesn't pull a weapon out. Dracula never used one when fighting the Belmont clan, after all.]

Do you want me to try to monologue to make it feel authentic, or...?

[stavros]

You need not bother. I can handle myself well enough.

[She reaches into her bag and flings a round bottle of holy water like a grenade, then rushes to try and close the gap and punch him.]

[notquitedracula]

[The holy water is easy enough to dodge. The rush would be too, if he were trying to. But the object of this session is to work out, not to antagonize, so he blocks it instead. She's got good form; that punch actually manages to rock him back a bit.]

Good. I'm terrible at those anyway.

[He slides backwards - a standard backdash - to gain some room, then raises his hand towards her. Instead of fireballs, though, out comes a jet of water. It's a bit stronger than a super soaker's stream, but definitely not the full damaging blast it would normally be.]

[stavros]

[Kokoro goes to block but gets hit anyway, yet manages to stand her ground. She sputters and goes for the whip to close the distance.]

I suppose you taunt your enemies instead.

[notquitedracula]

Something like that. A bit of light taunting really gets the blood pumping, you know?

[He visibly shifts his stance when the whip comes out; holy water in a bottle is one thing, but he's been on the receiving end of a Belmont's whip before - and he's not wearing his coat, this time.]

No fire. We're not in a stone castle after all. Sound fair?

[He's limiting his own arsenal more than hers, but still, it pays to make these things known ahead of time.]

[Current soul set: Merman, Medusa Head, Succubus]

[stavros]

Very well. [She snaps it up toward him -- easy to dodge, if you're good.] It would be responsible not to cause too much damage. [And the next strike is sweeping down, harder to miss.]

[notquitedracula]

The rules of engagement are set, then. Enough talk - have at thee!

[A simple sidestep gets him out of the first strike easily enough. The second... that one connects. Soma visibly winces when the lash hits him, then rushes forward inside of her reach to launch a punch towards her midsection. No enhancements, just an ordinary old punch.]

[stavros]

[Kokoro is just a second too slow, and Soma manages the hit. She skids back, doubled over and catching her breath, and hurls a cross from nowhere at him. Her aim's off, too high, but she's already striking at him with the whip again.]

I won't go too easy on you.