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]

Not precisely, but I have a few vague ideas.

[ Based on things she's heard, anyway. ]

And that's fine, I can definitely do that.

[spacialeyes]

Thank you, Inaba-san.

[He starts leading the way to the stall.]

And as long as we're doing this, you'd might as well pick one that you like! What's your favorite colour?

[dereban]

Wow, how thoughtful!

[ There's an obvious joking note to her voice, here. ]

And it's purple, actually.

[spacialeyes]

Eh~ Like wisteria flowers or something darker?

[Yuuto, at least, seems to be finding some sort of fun in browsing the charms. His belt even sways in wide arcs like some sort of dog tail. Eventually he settles on and presents one of the purple charm options.]

How's this one?

[dereban]

Wisteria flowers are perfect, actually. Do you know the hanakotoba for them...?

[ But before she answers that question, he starts to look for a proper windchime. ]

Oh, that's perfect.

[spacialeyes]

[He beams with pride, having picked a good option right away.]

Then can you put my name on this one? [Yuuto offers a pink charm.

Then shakes his head.] No, not for this world anyway. Does it have a special meaning?

[dereban]

Ah, do flowers have different meanings depending on the worlds...

[ But a pink one, huh? That's an interesting choice. ]

How's your name written? I suppose I could write it in English, which would probably work, but --

[ She's curious. ]

It's usually meant as 'drunk on your love'. But it could also mean 'kind' or 'we welcome you', or even... 'won't let you go'.

[spacialeyes]

Yeah! A lot of things can change between worlds. Sometimes something as innocent as a wave is an insult in another place.

[He hops closer, offering a pen;] “Yuu” as in “Bravery,” and “Tou” as in “Satou.”

How do you want Inaba written?

[dereban]

[ She nods as she takes the pen that he offers her, writing his name down in rather neat calligraphy. ]

'Ine' from "rice plant" and 'ha' from 'leaf'. It's a pretty plain last name.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto starts out not by holding the pen in his hand, but manipulating it to float in the air. He intends to use his power to write, but pauses. They should both write with the same method to have comparable results…

So instead, Inaba gets to see her name written in very clumsy kanji.]

I think it’s cute. Rice shoots are cute!

… It would look nicer if I had good handwriting. Is this okay?

[dereban]

Maybe I should be glad that I didn't give you my first name if you're going to say something like that.

[ She's only half serious, she'd share if asked. ]

It's fine. It'd be more recognizable this way.

[spacialeyes]

Do you not like your first name, Inaba-san? I like mine. It’s all I have.

[He smiled shyly.]

That’s true. I’ll practice your name some other time though, just in case.

[dereban]

I'm... not really fond of it. I don't mind sharing it, but I don't really like being referred by my first name all that much. I only let who I'm dating call me by it.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto considers asking, but ultimately shakes his head.]

It’s okay. I like Inaba-san quite enough. Your name is your name. What matters is who it’s attached to, right?

[He lifts the charm with her name.]

We should put these somewhere that my mother won’t find them.

[dereban]

I suppose that's true.

[...]

I'm good at hiding things. We can use the other windchimes to hide it. Put them next to ones of matching colors.

[spacialeyes]

That sounds perfect! I'll follow your lead.

[Yuuto steps behind her, ready to follow. Admiring the charm for a moment, he pipes up with another silly thought:]

Hey, Inaba-san? Remember how we were talking about the meaning of wisteria flowers?

[dereban]

Hm?

[ Inaba raises a brow, curious. ]

Yeah, what about it?

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto holds up the purple charm proudly,] For me, this wisteria means "won't let you go!" Okay?

[it's............. not a flower, yuuto.

But the colour matches.]

Thank you for agreeing to help me. I'll do my best.

[dereban]

--That.

You can't just say it like thaaaaat!?

[ Inaba.

You're yelling. ]

[spacialeyes]

... Why not? It's true!

[dereban]

That's - I mean, yes, but also that's the kind of thing that you'd tell your romantic partner...!!

[spacialeyes]

... Why? Can't I hold onto my future friends too?

[does not understand.

And then continues with his sincere, naïve feelings:]

It means that I'll protect you, right? I mean- I'll let you go when the Spacetime mess is over! But until this charm breaks, I'll keep you safe! As much as I can, anyway. It's our wisteria flower!

[dereban]

[ She takes out her phone and pretends to talk into it: ]

Dear diary: it's worse than we thought. I might need help on this one.

[ And then, directly to Yuuto: ]

You don't need to say 'future' anymore; we're already friends now. Anyway, I'm going to have to pay you back.

[spacialeyes]

Inaba-san, I can hear your diary!

[Yuuto lifts his hands as if he's going to cover his ears, but stops when he's addressed. He had dreamed that when she finally called them friends, he might be elated. Probably bouncy and yes, even obnoxious to that point that Yuuto could recognize it as such.

But it wasn't supposed to happen, he realizes. So instead he's confused.]

Huh? You-- No no, you don't have to repay me. [Yuuto waves his hands,] You're already doing me a favor, right?

[dereban]

Well, that's true... but still.