[early morning cat posting]

[sevenhorrorsmods]

Who: everyone
When: July 25
Where: class 3-C
What: a few visitors!
Warnings: none!

[On Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. on the dot, the student body is awoken not by the bell, but by the sound of meowing echoing over the intercom.

[It's not just the PA system, either. Soft, gentle, and very cute mewls fill the classroom hallways; distant on floors one and two, but much louder on floor three. Intrepid explorers who follow the noise will find that one of the third floor classrooms has been overtaken by a pack of ghostly cats!]

[Each creature is the size of a normal housecat, and has the mannerisms of one. That is, they will attempt to hop into your lap for some prime cuddling time, ears and tails flicking adorably all the while. Their bodies are a pale, ghostly white, and their eyes glow a soft, gentle blue. Although they are translucent, they are still solid to the touch, and they feel just like a normal cat does. Soft fur and everything! Aren't they precious? Aren't they just so stinkin' cute??? DON'T YOU JUST WANT TO SMOOSH THEIR ROUND LI'L KITTEN FACES??]

[So long as characters are kind to the cat spirits, the Nekomata are completely harmless. They just want to play and snuggle!! Although. . .]

[Anyone who touches a cat spirit will find themselves hit with a sudden need for physical contact. This can range from something small (desiring a high five) to something bigger (needing to CUDDLE THE SHIT outta someone). Being surrounded by more than one Nekomata means the compulsion becomes stronger, too! One cat means it can probably be safely ignored, but five?? If you don't HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND RIGHT THIS SECOND you JUST MAY DIE!!]

[Oh, so you don't like cats? No problem! The Nekomata are mischievous creatures, and they WILL leap onto people's backs and shoulders without warning. Being cat spirits, they can also teleport from one place to another, so. . . you can be minding your own business one second, blink, and then be staring into the eyes of a cute cat spirit perched on your lap the next.]

[The Nekomata will be drawn towards members of Anzen more than anyone else per their target lock curse, but they are excited to shower literally anyone in a bit of cute kitty affection, regardless of their homeroom]

[Please let me know if your character is being violent and/or aggressive towards the Nekomata. Otherwise, enjoy some compulsive physical bonding with a cute ghostly flair!]

Comments

[ratiocinations]

[...Wry:] It may surprise you to learn that I've never attended a Japanese school, my dear fellow.

[look at how white and english he is]

But I have checked the entrance. The name of the school is ruined and illegible.

[presgarddihellis]

[that's why he so amused, though.

nods.]

And, according to what some of the Japanese individuals who are here have stated, this is very much a school outside the norm to begin with--out of the urban norm, at least. And any gate to the school would likely be in a similar state.

A school in a rural and likely more impoverished than not environment is unlikely to take such pride in its name being displayed. They certainly haven't taken any pride in its maintenance.

[ratiocinations]

No, but there is a difference between the neglect of a poorly-maintained school versus one that has been completely abandoned. And even then, there would at least be paperwork that revealed the name of the school somewhere. Even a letterhead would be helpful.

[presgarddihellis]

Places like this are abandoned for a number of factors, but commonly, if it was a sudden tragic event, then yes, I would assume that there would be something left.

But if it's the case of the village nearby simply not having children enough to populate and fill in the seats here, gradually, they pull funding, they remove anything worth selling to try to make up for the loss in government expenditure, and shut it down.

If it's slow enough, they might not even leave a single piece of paper.

Nothing's pointed toward a sudden, tragic event.

[ratiocinations]

[Shut down for monetary purposes, and then? What? Suddenly the hauntings sprung forth? That doesn't sound quite correct to him.]

And yet I find it hard to believe that there would be absolutely no evidence of anyone once utilizing this school as a school. If it were truly once that. You'll note that there are still plenty of rooms locked to us, as well.

[presgarddihellis]

There are. So it's entirely possible that everything has been locked into those rooms.

... though. It's also entirely possible we're in a place created around the concept of a particular school rather than at the actual school itself. We are dealing with spirits, ghosts, curses... potentially even gods with the ability to bring everyone here to begin with.

Creating a space like that wouldn't be beyond possibility. But it is harder to prove or disprove than finding your evidence of it being a real school somewhere.

[ratiocinations]

Indeed. And we find no evidence of this place acting as an actual school in the past, even after thorough searching of rooms currently unavailable to us, then we will have to assume that either something is being hidden — or that it was never a school at all.

But first, I would like to explore the most likely scenario.

[presgarddihellis]

[nods]

It's like that one method, isn't it?

Eliminate the probable and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

[ratiocinations]

[Oh— That. Makes him look up at him again. Eyes scanning in a half-second.]

Oh? And where have you heard something like that before?

[presgarddihellis]

[seems more surprised about there being a reaction to his words than anything else.]

I read it, actually. There's a series of stories about a great detective who had such a methodology.

[this is common British knowledge, after all, even for that time. so it can't be that surprising...]

If anything, those stories helped improved the policing critical thinking in investigations quite a bit.

[ratiocinations]

[ …

…

Wuh-woh.]

…Ah. That must be the reason why the phrase seemed so familiar. I’ve never taken the time to read them before, I’m sorry to say.

[presgarddihellis]

[... eyeing him a bit more now, himself.]

I'm a bit surprised? You seem like someone who'd enjoy being able to find the solution before the protagonist.

But perhaps you're just more interested in actual mysteries.

[ratiocinations]

[Just smiling.]

Precisely. The mysteries of that genre focus on sensationalism, of entertaining the reader, more than informing them. It is the latter that actually holds my interest.

[presgarddihellis]

You could consider it a gateway for those who aren't used to that style of thinking, however.

It's been very useful to me, at least.

[ratiocinations]

Is that so? In your bid to do what, precisely? Think more logically? Or solve crimes?

[presgarddihellis]

I told you of my association with the Nighthawks, but due to certain events, I had to leave their organization and strike out on my own.

It just so happened that my expertise in that field helped me greatly in the field of Private Detective.

[ratiocinations]

[He actually barks out a laugh.]

My, my. A private detective. And did you enjoy it?

[presgarddihellis]

For the most part, I think I did very well for myself.

[ratiocinations]

[Hums!] Well, then this talent of yours will continue to be put to the test while here, and I expect you to be just as diligent in your nosing-about as one might expect from a private detective.

[presgarddihellis]

I do have the advantage of also having the skills of a Seer to aid me in that.

[ratiocinations]

[Claps his hands together, smiling.]

Well! Then get to it, Mr Smith!

[presgarddihellis]

I can't guarantee any divination readings I may get in this place. Interference is very common when there's a higher existence directing things...

Do you happen to have a coin or something like that?

[ratiocinations]

Oh, I don't mean just divination. I mean in any way possible, flex those detective muscles of yours. I can't be the only one digging around in old papers and dusty desks.

But to answer your question, no, I do not. Do you need a coin, specifically, or need it merely be circular and two-sided?

[presgarddihellis]

The latter should serve its purpose fine.

I had a topaz talisman, also, but that seems to be missing along with everything else.

[a little... sad about that, actually. that's a sentimental item, for sure.]

But as for the actual detecting... I've already been taking measures of this place to try to determine the reality of it. Or rather, speaking with those who would know more about the surroundings. Taking stock of the information provided in the library. And also..... I'll need to confirm how the sky is at night.

[ratiocinations]

[Then give him a moment, as he's sure he saw something that would fit the bill in the desk earlier.]

The sky...? You wish to compare constellations?