[Event Post]

[fearthearrow]

*So, as you may know, Kou has been working at DA now. This isn't too much of a secret, though he hasn't really given a reason for why he's doing this.

Well, you may find him acting upon one of these reasons, later in the night on the island or in the city [You Choose Which]-- perhaps you're someone who just doesn't follow the rules of curfew or you're late coming from things you had to do, but you'll find some guy following another, certain creepy shut-in dude.

If he's in the city, he's in his dumb incognito outfit, but if he's on the island, he isn't bothering with it. Stands out too much in that situation.*

Comments

[fearthearrow]

Sure, that works for me.

*he's definitely getting out of here, before Tarou can circle back around and surprise the both of you.*

[ogrewarrior]

Kaz is moving as stealthily and as quickly as he can until the two of you are waaaay out of Tarou's range and then he drops his stalking pose and whispering.

... still kinda quiet though.

"... where the hell did ya find this guy?"

[fearthearrow]

Been trying to track him down for a while, since I've been trying to figure out... things that've been happening.

An associate of mine managed to pinpoint him.

*he's keeping the hood up for now.*

[ogrewarrior]

"An associate, huh? Well, alright.

And ya ain't tried to enlist anybody else? That guy's dangerous, no two ways about it. Even if on the ten percent chance he ain't the culprit, poking around the places where people disappeared is... real shady."

[fearthearrow]

The problem is that neither me nor my associate know exactly what he's up to, or if he's even the absolute source of the problem we're looking into.

Plus... I really don't want people to know about me and what I do.

*he's self-conscious, huh.*

[ogrewarrior]

"Is this a 'dark hero of justice' thing or like a 'people don't need to know what I'm doing' thing?

I wanna help kid, but you're gonna have to give me a little more than this to work with."

[fearthearrow]

... Let's just say there's specific people out there-- they're technically the same as me, but there's some bad blood between us. I don't like them knowing I'm around, or who I am identity-wise.

[ogrewarrior]

Kaz nods, slowly comprehending. ... this feels familiar, for some reason, but he can't put his finger on it.

"Gotcha. I'll do my best to not meddle unless asked. I'm a real nosy person and feel like all business is my business.

Alright, so. What's the other ten percent then? He's working for something weirder and creepier?"

[fearthearrow]

Right now...

The other 10% is that he might just be what he says he is: a researcher who looks into the "influence of monsters and spirits on human history", and that his behavior is mostly just a direct result of that.

I don't want to shoot anyone who isn't absolutely responsible for the disappearances, or without knowing what happened to those people at all...

[ogrewarrior]

"I mean... Yeah. Actually. I could see that absolutely making him weird. I have a very good friend who studied that and, well. I think they're a few cuckoos over the nest, if you know what I'm saying. I contract out my real weird stuff to them.

... but I getcha. Maybe we can rescue people and they'll only need years of therapy instead of being in some Shadow Realm for eternity."

[fearthearrow]

I can only hope so, but...

Like I said, I can't act on "maybes". He's only done this sort of behavior a couple times since I've started watching him.

But the fact that he went back to that shrine bugs me...

[ogrewarrior]

"A coupla drinks kid, and then we'll go back. Just take the edge off. Because if that had gone south, well. I hope you're associate would know what to do if ya vanished.

But also have people been disappearing since you started following him?"

[fearthearrow]

No, and that's why I can't attack him yet.

But it doesn't help that I only pinpointed him after the big disappearance at the shrine.

[ogrewarrior]

A grunt.

"My first instinct is a real amoral one. He clearly knows you're following him, so if it was me, I'd lay off the heat for a bit and then once someone else disappears, you've got your proof.

... but I get that ain't the good guy option."

[fearthearrow]

Not really, no. There's other methods of tracking him, but they're not exactly as reliable as being right there.

*shaking his head a little*

I don't... want to miss this and have it continue, if that's what's happening, you know? I know logic says to lay off the heat, but...

I have a feeling like if he does this, it's because he can't avoid it.

[ogrewarrior]

"Like he's compelled to disappear people?

That's... creepy. And you're hoping to be able to catch him when he does, huh?"

[fearthearrow]

Yeah, basically. If I can see him doing it, then I can at least know what to do next.

And... context in itself is pretty important, too. I'm hoping if I follow him, I'll figure out why he's doing it. But the most I've gotten was... about your friend.

[ogrewarrior]

"I mean, there's ten thousand reasons to stalk Mamoru, considering all the stuff he got involved in...

Especially if he's researching the same stuff Mamoru did before he, uh. ... retired. From his field. Ugh, should I even bother him with this stuff?"

[fearthearrow]

I think you should try to warn him, at least. I think even if you don't bother him... he's going to end up dragged into this anyway.

*pausing*

... you mentioned something about doppelgangers or whatever?

[ogrewarrior]

"Ah, forget it. He's nowhere lanky and weird enough to be Mamoru.

Mine looks like I did at fifteen, just without the weird childhood."

[fearthearrow]

...

I think you should absolutely bother him about this.

In fact, you should be inviting him for drinks instead of me, I think.

[ogrewarrior]

"All in their own time, Ko-koudo. Kiddo.

I ought to treat ya for helping bring this all to my attention anyway."

[fearthearrow]

*... hngmh.

He at least lowers his face mask, but he's keeping the hood up.*

It's fine, just don't say my name out loud, if you're already going to know it.

[ogrewarrior]

"Sorry, it was an honest slip of the tongue.

Tell ya what, as soon as morning comes, I'll talk to Mamoru. Tonight, I help ya investigate. I need only a few hours of sleep to keep running, so an all nighter ain't outta the question for me."

[fearthearrow]

... Fine, that works for me.

Just pretend after that, that you didn't see me.