[As they're texting, there's a little knock on the window closest to Light; it's a mystery how it managed to make such a distinctive knock sound with its little paper arm, but somehow it did.
It waits until Light opens the window or until some other method of entry into the house becomes available, then it settles down onto the nearest surface at the same leisurely pace of a sheet of newspaper drifting to the ground. On it is a note in neat, clear handwriting-- Light wasn't the only one who was a model student in high school.]
The mug was handmade by the Admin. They didn't seem to have purposely left the trace behind. The same aura was one of the ones on the book. What's your guess as to the connections between you and the others with the mugs? Mine was "reckless smart types." Admin added "who know better." Make of that what you will.
[There's also an arrow drawn pointing to the other side of the doll, which is currently blank; space to write back, if desired.]
[It isn’t exactly what he expected, even though they discussed the viability of using these paper dolls not that long ago. So it surprises Light to hear a tapping at his window, and he looks up to see a sight that confuses him for all of half a second, until the realization sinks in.]
He was eager to use these dolls, I guess...
[He mutters, getting up and opening the window just enough for the paper to flutter in. It lands conveniently on his desk, and moments later Light’s already penning a reply.
Yes, in perfectly neat handwriting, too.]
The Admin themselves being behind the mugs falls in-line with what abilities they’ve shown. You said it was made by someone powerful, right? This only cements it further. How strange.
Natori-san, I hope you’re not trying to imply that I’m reckless. I’m actually quite careful before I make any decisions that might affect my well-being. At any rate, I believe the mugs are meant to be given to people as described to me by the Admin themselves: masterminds, detectives, geniuses.
The sort of people I would like to form working connections with.
[Finished, Light urges the paper away, and it flutters out the still-open window.]
['Get a load of this kid,' Natori doesn't say when he gets the reply, because Hiiragi and the others can't make it past whatever barriers are up around this place. Yet another reason why not having access to his shiki is the worst.
About five minutes from when Light sent the doll back, there's a fresh one with a blank backside.]
You broke into the well and stole a possessed book.
[At this point, Light is keeping an eye on his window, so while each delay will be a few minutes long, they come swiftly enough given the mode of transportation.]
What would you have done differently?
[Do tell 8| ]
If we're going to correlate the effect the names had on us with the power the Admin apparently has... then I think it's obvious. The one that hurt us.
It would explain why they wanted to hide their face when I established a video feed with them, too.
I've seen a stronger aura than the Admin's on a gift given to my housemate. That aside, I agree with you. It would only make sense for the person who has the most contact with us to be the one whose charmed their own name.
I’m not one of those individuals with strange supernatural powers either in my world or in this one, so unfortunately, I have to do things the old fashioned way.
But for what purpose? They always tout that everything here is for our own good. What could have happened that reading that name now equates to physical pain?
[That's too valid a point, so he's just going to disregard it. Limited space on the dolls, you know?]
Names have power. Even the most powerful spirit is forced to do whatever you tell it to if you're in possession of its true name. The rules for humans are usually different, but in a place like this where even the rules of death don't apply, who knows. Back home, if you write the true name of a spirit on a piece of paper, anything you to do the paper will carry over to the spirit. Burning it, tearing it, etc. Even assuming they're sincere about their concern for our welfare, it might not be us that they're worried about.
A good luck charm. Apparently it calms him down when he holds it. I didn't try it myself but it looks like it'd work.
[Names have power. The sentence sticks with him, makes him think back to his world, a case in which criminals would die in some confounding way, with the easy application of a name and a face. This time, the reply takes a few minutes longer, Light tapping his pen against his desk as he thinks.
Finally:]
Where I'm from, the knowledge of a man or woman's name is more than enough information to be used maliciously. I'd say almost supernaturally, in a way that defies logic. So I'm not going to argue the point with you; I think it's a fair enough assumption that this might be some mode of protection for them.
[That's what aliases were for, anyhow. He knows of a certain detective who would agree.]
[A person's name, specifically? That's an interesting circumstance for someone who clearly had no ties to the supernatural to come across. Natori's already used to the idea that the rules work differently in different worlds, but sometimes there's these strange moments of synergy where he least expects it.]
Could a similar effect be in play here? If they're able to take people from different worlds, maybe abilities can get brought in too.
It was someone else who handled the book. If I had to guess, I'd say Doll. She's the only one besides the Admin who seems to interact with us and I know other people have received gifts from her. I'd want to find something we know she created to make sure.
Specifically, I should hope not. That would be a particularly extreme example, and it would mean that we'd have another set of problems on our hands. But something similar could happen, yes. If there's someone or something out there that can use a person's name to their advantage.
Makes you feel uneasy about being so open with ours, doesn't it?
You could always ask Doll for an item. From what I hear, she's amiable enough.
Not really, I'm used to it. There's only so much secrecy you can have when your name is on movie posters.
I'm hesitant to ask for something just to test it-- intentions matter in leaving behind the auras and something created to fulfill a task at a job is different from something created out of affection. But I know enough people who are likely to get unprompted affection from her, so it's just a matter of waiting.
But in all seriousness: I knew what I was getting into when I decided to pursue both jobs. I signed up for it. You and the others didn't. If I had thought about it sooner I should have said something.
I haven't. You?
Edited (I know what phrases are) 2020-11-09 22:42 (UTC)
Is that so? My logic is that one doesn’t jump into the career path of actor if you’re already knee-deep in the one for exorcism. Of course, maybe I underestimate how well you manage your time.
[There's a bit of a delay on the return doll, as if he's deciding what (how much) to say. Or maybe he just needs to find more paper.]
Not at all! I couldn't be worse at time management if I tried! But that's no reason to deny the world my talents.
[(not because of that part, there's no way that part took him a few minutes to come up with.)]
We know we're not the first people to have been here, right? They're willing to keep trying over and over. No matter how much they want their plan to succeed, that's a lot of dedication.
Then you must have help managing your time, with two jobs like that. Colleagues and the like, right?
That's a positive way of looking at it. Here's a negative: that we're just another cycle of figurative guinea pigs in an experiment they're having trouble perfecting.
There's a good number. Some of them do it as a full-time job. The most powerful clans have contracts to protect local politicians, even a few members of the Diet. Powerful people can be very superstitious.
Likewise. Posts like this one are probably our best bet on figuring it out. Keeping an eye on what they're paying attention to, when they get involved, things like that.
That's interesting. I wonder if something else hidden like that exists in my world. It really does sound like something from a TV show. Not to delegitimize what it is you do, of course.
Of course. I'm always paying attention. I suspect you will do the same and remain vigilant, too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
handwritten paper doll note, I'm serious about this
It waits until Light opens the window or until some other method of entry into the house becomes available, then it settles down onto the nearest surface at the same leisurely pace of a sheet of newspaper drifting to the ground. On it is a note in neat, clear handwriting-- Light wasn't the only one who was a model student in high school.]
The mug was handmade by the Admin. They didn't seem to have purposely left the trace behind. The same aura was one of the ones on the book.
What's your guess as to the connections between you and the others with the mugs? Mine was "reckless smart types." Admin added "who know better." Make of that what you will.
[There's also an arrow drawn pointing to the other side of the doll, which is currently blank; space to write back, if desired.]
I love it
He was eager to use these dolls, I guess...
[He mutters, getting up and opening the window just enough for the paper to flutter in. It lands conveniently on his desk, and moments later Light’s already penning a reply.
Yes, in perfectly neat handwriting, too.]
The Admin themselves being behind the mugs falls in-line with what abilities they’ve shown. You said it was made by someone powerful, right? This only cements it further. How strange.
Natori-san, I hope you’re not trying to imply that I’m reckless. I’m actually quite careful before I make any decisions that might affect my well-being. At any rate, I believe the mugs are meant to be given to people as described to me by the Admin themselves: masterminds, detectives, geniuses.
The sort of people I would like to form working connections with.
[Finished, Light urges the paper away, and it flutters out the still-open window.]
no subject
About five minutes from when Light sent the doll back, there's a fresh one with a blank backside.]
You broke into the well and stole a possessed book.
Which of the names do you think was the Admin's?
no subject
What would you have done differently?
[Do tell 8| ]
If we're going to correlate the effect the names had on us with the power the Admin apparently has... then I think it's obvious. The one that hurt us.
It would explain why they wanted to hide their face when I established a video feed with them, too.
no subject
I've seen a stronger aura than the Admin's on a gift given to my housemate. That aside, I agree with you. It would only make sense for the person who has the most contact with us to be the one whose charmed their own name.
no subject
I’m not one of those individuals with strange supernatural powers either in my world or in this one, so unfortunately, I have to do things the old fashioned way.
But for what purpose? They always tout that everything here is for our own good. What could have happened that reading that name now equates to physical pain?
Also, what gift did your housemate receive?
no subject
Names have power. Even the most powerful spirit is forced to do whatever you tell it to if you're in possession of its true name. The rules for humans are usually different, but in a place like this where even the rules of death don't apply, who knows. Back home, if you write the true name of a spirit on a piece of paper, anything you to do the paper will carry over to the spirit. Burning it, tearing it, etc. Even assuming they're sincere about their concern for our welfare, it might not be us that they're worried about.
A good luck charm. Apparently it calms him down when he holds it. I didn't try it myself but it looks like it'd work.
no subject
Finally:]
Where I'm from, the knowledge of a man or woman's name is more than enough information to be used maliciously. I'd say almost supernaturally, in a way that defies logic. So I'm not going to argue the point with you; I think it's a fair enough assumption that this might be some mode of protection for them.
[That's what aliases were for, anyhow. He knows of a certain detective who would agree.]
Any idea who created the charm?
no subject
Could a similar effect be in play here? If they're able to take people from different worlds, maybe abilities can get brought in too.
It was someone else who handled the book. If I had to guess, I'd say Doll. She's the only one besides the Admin who seems to interact with us and I know other people have received gifts from her. I'd want to find something we know she created to make sure.
no subject
Makes you feel uneasy about being so open with ours, doesn't it?
You could always ask Doll for an item. From what I hear, she's amiable enough.
no subject
I'm hesitant to ask for something just to test it-- intentions matter in leaving behind the auras and something created to fulfill a task at a job is different from something created out of affection. But I know enough people who are likely to get unprompted affection from her, so it's just a matter of waiting.
no subject
I see. Have you spoken with her at all, by the way?
no subject
But in all seriousness: I knew what I was getting into when I decided to pursue both jobs. I signed up for it. You and the others didn't. If I had thought about it sooner I should have said something.
I haven't. You?
no subject
So which came first? The career path of a movie star, or that of an exorcist?
And no, I haven’t. Not yet. I suppose there’s been no reason, but if she’s a different avenue of help compared to the Admin, I may have to someday.
no subject
She's certainly got a better reputation among the residents than the Admin. Maybe because she tries.
no subject
That's amusing, but you're right. I don't think the Admin's patience is a well that runs quite that deep.
no subject
Or at least so he wants us to think. Too paranoid? I get the impression that he's been at this for a while.
no subject
With people like ourselves, too?
no subject
Not at all! I couldn't be worse at time management if I tried! But that's no reason to deny the world my talents.
[(not because of that part, there's no way that part took him a few minutes to come up with.)]
We know we're not the first people to have been here, right? They're willing to keep trying over and over. No matter how much they want their plan to succeed, that's a lot of dedication.
no subject
That's a positive way of looking at it. Here's a negative: that we're just another cycle of figurative guinea pigs in an experiment they're having trouble perfecting.
no subject
[Read: no, the Natori clan is a clan of one.]
And I'm hardly the only exorcist in Kumamoto. (I know I don't have the accent; some vocal coaches worked hard on that.)
Most likely. But to keep trying to perfect it despite all the hassle we give them? Whatever it is must be pretty important.
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I can't argue with that. With time, we had best learn what that importance is. It bothers me, not knowing.
no subject
Likewise. Posts like this one are probably our best bet on figuring it out. Keeping an eye on what they're paying attention to, when they get involved, things like that.
no subject
Of course. I'm always paying attention. I suspect you will do the same and remain vigilant, too.
no subject
[then what follows is an attempt at drawing a thumbs up, with the letters OK written next to it once he second-guessed how clear it was.]