01

[buriedvigil]

Sender: Anonymous, but signed as 'Gossip' on the bottom
To: Everyone
Subject: Helpful titbit

A place that dozen't ask for any coin, you'd think that'd be a beggar's haven! But findin' myself lacking reason to sell my wares, so feel fortunate you're gettin' the best gossip from Fresno Street for completely free here.

And I got here a bit that's an absolute smasher! Now, got ye eyes glued to the page?

[Since it's all reading now, it's definitely different from telling passer-bys on the street. It's okay, he'll adapt.]

Just between uz, saw a man throw a shoe directly at another fella! Straight from the ground to a treehouse and it knocked the guy clean over! Everyone talkin' about these dreamotion abilities, but I witnessed with my very eyes how effective a shoe can be.

Maybe we should all start practicin' that move. But if you wanna tell me an effective alternative, I got me eyes open. Ya know, in case I run outta shoes.


[Contrary to his icon, Vigil is dressed in a nice enough suit, the blue overtone matching the gloom that seems to surround the man. There's definitely an exhausted air to him as he stares up at the fruit hanging from the tree, because this is apparently his life now. And he thought the whole business back home was tiring...]

Exploding fruits.....

[Because it can't be normal fruits here, they have to explode if touched. So, the only way to get them down is through those abilities everyone's been using, but... he really hasn't been practicing that. He looks around to anyone that's also working on this task and he musters up some courage, before addressing the other person.]

I do apologize, but... are you familiar with these dreamotion abilities?

Comments

[buriedvigil]

..........

[Maybe he should go find a hiding spot or something soon. Even though he hasn't really told his location to anyone, he wouldn't be surprised if the man found him through his Reaper powers.]

That's the bit. Don't have anythin' else for you. So, we're all clear, deal's been made. Don't need to show your pale face to me.

[judicialassistant]

[ It is truly adorable (?) that she's able differentiate when Mr Gossip returns. Still, he just described most of the Japanese-passing population.

... ]

Was he wearing black as well? An armband, perhaps?

[buriedvigil]

[Oh ho, so Miss Mikotoba does know him, quite possibly. Everything's just gotten a bit more interesting.]

Got it in one, there. He a friend of yours? Gotta tell ya, he has a good arm on him. That shoe sure sailed through the air.

[enflame]

❰ hmmmmmmmmmmm for someone so uninvested in shoe drama, he sure is trying to make something up to get the full deets.

well, he doesn't see a rule that the gossip has to be from here. ❱

I can tell you that I know of someone who looks like a bore but is actually some kind of galactic warlord or something of the sort. He's an alright guy except for the warlord thing. Anyway, he knows this other person from his home planet who wants to kill him for being a warlord, and that person is also engaged in some sort of strange relationship with this lunatic viking (who I don't claim culturally, by the way) and may have tried to kill him at one point. The gossip angle is the warlord thing being something of a secret only revealed to certain people, so it's quite a mess.

That's a much more exciting series of blind items compared to shoe clobbering.

[judicialassistant]

[ What? Is he kidding? Even she's not usually this on-point-- ]

Well, I suppose I'd have to check for anyone else wearing a Yumei University uniform here in Reverein. But... with the chances of that being as low as they are, I feel you must be talking about Mr Naruhodo.

He is my friend, but what was he doing, throwing a shoe at someone?

[buriedvigil]

[Naruhodo... didn't she mention that name to him when they first met at that café? Now that he thinks about it, Miss Mikotoba stated that she was his partner during a trial, probably the same trial that he's yet to experience.

So, that means... he witnessed a lawyer throwing a shoe at another lawyer. Guess the battle continues even off court.]

Now we're gettin' to the real good bit...

[Vigil is gonna pause here for minute, just for dramatic effect!!]

It wuz the only weapon that could reach that creature of the night... the one standing so menacing from the top of his treehouse!

[judicialassistant]

[ Vigil, you're killing her!! ]

Huh?! [ Mr. Naruhodo vs. a creature of the night........... why does this sound stupidly familiar ] He was probably just trying to get his attention, before causing an unfortunate fall...

[ The things that happen!!! when she is not around!!! Grrr!! ]

[buriedvigil]

[.........

That sure is a story. He can't help but stare at the words for a few moments, even rereading them for a second time.]

And you accused me earlier of makin' up bedtime stories. Well, have to hand it to you, it's a one of a kind gossip.

I'll take it this time, your tale about murder, warlords, and vikings.

[buriedvigil]

He was pretty spooked, I think. Made a mighty yell of 'look out' before lopping that shoe at him. Then... he went up the treehouse to directly confront the shadowy figure!

He's a very brave lad, won't lie. Although, I haven't seen him since.....

[Of course, Vigil is pretty sure that he's actually fine. Lord van Zieks wouldn't actually kill this Mr. Naruhodo... he's about 90% sure.]

1/2

[judicialassistant]

[ She fully trusts van Zieks at this point, or at least in the integrity of his character, so she can fully believe he wouldn't kill him. Maybe with a little wine in him, he'd......maybe... leave him unconscious? She should probably be more worried about Ryunosuke, but considering he already has a history of "disappearing" and reappearing here... ]

[judicialassistant]

[ Damn it. That armband-showing dork had better be OK. ]

...Mr Gossip, who was the shadowy figure?

[ She didn't realize it, but she assumed the answer. She can already picture him with his cape. Tell her anyway. ]

[buriedvigil]

Wanna tell me another story?

[Is he serious.......]

[judicialassistant]

[ ......SIR???? ]

I seem to recall that I earned a name. You technically never gave me one.

[buriedvigil]

I said a specific detail about the fella that threw the shoe. Didn't say much about the guy that got smacked.

Come on, it's real interestin', you wouldn't wanna pass this up. The conclusion to this titbit, with everythin' pieced together.

Sender: Ryunosuke Naruhodo

[mychosenpath]

[Saw a--

Ohhhh nooooo.

And then as if seeing his crimes publicized wasn't bad enough there's the signature at the bottom. Oh no. Why does it feel like he can't catch a break lately?]

You didn't happen to get a good look at that man, did you?

[judicialassistant]

[ She kind of hates you right now. ]

...You didn't say much, but you did compare them to a creature of the night. If I can guess correctly, will you confirm it?

[buriedvigil]

[He takes a small pause to read who the sender is. Ah, so this is the lawyer.]

'Course I did. Don't have two eyes for nothin', you know. Saw the whole scene play out, the young man tossin' his shoe straight at the towering figure that wuz staring down at all everyone from his lodging.

A sight like that shouldn't be kept quiet.

[buriedvigil]

[DAMAGE NOISE.]

I'll give you one shot. If not, better get your hand ready to write out another tale.

[judicialassistant]

[ Spicy! Though Susato somehow isn't afraid. Despite the long shot, she feels like she's got him on the ropes. She doesn't know how. ]

To compare them to a creature of a night, I imagine they must wear a cape or cloak of some kind, making them reminiscent of a bat when seen from below.

And while he is hardly the only person to don a cloak, I'd like to use my one guess on [ TAKE THAT! ] ...Lord Barok van Zieks.

[ If she's wrong, it was worth it. ]

[discourtesies]

[Has the deal been made? One must wonder...

Either way, they'll speak again soon enough.]

[buriedvigil]

[....!]

Eh?! You got it right...!

[Maybe he can just blame how intimidating the man is that Miss Mikotaba can guess his identity with one try. Then again, she did just tell him that she successfully defended her friend in court, so... she's probably good at figuring these sort of things out.]

Well... deal's a deal. Aye, saw the Reaper himself get taken down by a mere shoe.

[judicialassistant]

[ Look, you'll never get her to admit that she found the mental image hilarious. There's a crack of a smile, mostly out of pride, before she covers her mouth with a wince. ]

Um... you should probably not call him that anymore. [ Like, if you value your life. ] But regardless, I thank you.

[ For that officially being the highlight of her day. ]

Pray, what were you doing out so late, anyway?

[buriedvigil]

Huh? There a reason? He's always been known as the Reaper of the Bailey and thought he liked it.

Just gettin' some fresh air, that's all. No real story behind that one.

[If Vigil is being a little evasive about that question, he pleads the fifth.]

[judicialassistant]

[ .........Susato opening all kinds of cans of worms today. ]

He was indifferent at best. He only liked it because crime in London seemed to dwindle, when people feared him so, but allowing that misconception to go on ended up causing...problems.

[buriedvigil]

...........

[It seems that the topic has turned serious once more. Some huge mood whiplash is happening here.]

Yes, crime in London has gone down since his reputation as the Reaper started... but you mentioned that it's caused problems? Ah, I do remember hearing that even those people who were found innocent when he was prosecuting ended up dying through unnatural causes.