how have we not had a proper meeting since OCTOBER

[subtract]

Who: Everyone
When: January 10th, after 6PM
What: it's finally time for another FAMILY MEETING aka info sharing and yelling at eachother session, come and discuss recent discoveries & upcoming plots
Warnings: if there isn't at least ONE attempted murder, is it really a fam meet?

[It's the first day of the last semester, and sometime around lunch a note is slipped into everyone's lockers, as well as posted up in various common areas of the dormitories. In neat, printer-perfect text:]

Transfer Student Meeting
Dormitory Common Room @ 6:15 PM
Don't be late.
[... and that's all anyone gets until the agreed upon time, unless anyone wants to show up early and help Add set up.

Add himself is looking tall & fragment-y today, and by 6:15 PM exactly the whiteboard (that we stole and I assume never gave back because fuck the rules) is at the front of the room with a list of topics to cover. There's extra space left at the bottom for more to be added. His two dynamos are hovering at around shoulder-level by the main entrance, offering a friendly beep! to everyone who enters while they take attendance.

There is also the science room's Add's anatomical model standing next to the whiteboard. It's just standing there and looking creepy... it's fine, don't worry about it.

Once everyone arrives, Add goes over the rules—which are pretty simple, because Add doesn't give a shit.]

Let's try to keep this concise and tolerable. Stay on topic, and speak up if you have something useful to contribute. Take your fights outside if you want to kill someone. Failure to abide by these terms will result in removal from the room.

Like it or not... information is key to surviving this place, so working together as a group is the optimal strategy. Some of you will be "graduating" soon, and we still barely know what that entails. I'm not interested in letting this school dictate my future and neither should any of you, and I don't care if you want to find your own method of escape, but pooling our information will prevent wasted time and effort on dead-ends. If you don't agree with that, you can leave and figure it out by yourself.

We've made it this far, starting from practically nothing. Life or death, return or reincarnation... none of that matters because nothing is an impossibility. What matters is that we leave on our terms. Don't settle for less because you think it's too difficult. We will find a way out of this school.




((~FAMILY MEETING OOC RULES~
- this is a mingle!! feel free to start your own toplevels and threadjack into any ongoing discussions.
- off topic threads (like characters just chatting or bringing snacks or whatever) is allowed, but try to keep it contained. this is for sharing info both IC and OOC, so try to think of future-us sometimes and don't leave 38473645 unnecessary shitpost toplevels people will have to scroll past to find the one bit of plot info they needed or w/e
- if you're starting a new discussion topic, please put something in the subject line to make it easier to find! you can also ping/PM me to have it added/linked in the Official™ topic list below.
- if a new discussion topic comes up in the middle of an existing discussion, please consider giving it a fresh toplevel so it's easier to find!
- IC chaos/disruptions are allowed, but expect appropriate IC consequences. Add is a shitty meeting host and has not banned hangman or murders but like, he can manipulate gravity to throw someone out a window, this is exactly what will happen if anyone starts to annoy him.
- priority to sharing plot info should go to whoever discovered it, so please be considerate of others and ask before sharing something another character has been investigating!))

Comments

[rearranger]

[ Seiya Kaneko. He knows that name. ]

When we were looking through the PDA logs, they ended in the 1800s. If this is a memory, could it be from that time? It seems like people were here before, seeing as we found somebody's journal. It had to span several days, and I'm pretty sure their mind was broken by the end of it.

[ He doesn't feel the need to say who's diary it was just yet. But he blinks at the latteral half. Speaking of things he'd found in those PDA logs... That's another familiar name. ]

... Rokuro? Arata?

[ There's pieces starting to slot together in his mind, but the puzzle is still missing too many for him to have a clear image. ]

[samuraiwomen]

They wouldn't have ended at 1802, would they? I'm starting to have an annoying hunch.

[ Totally going to kick his ass. ]

Mhm. That's Komeada's friend. You and him are like twins, so maybe you've met him?

[rearranger]

It wasn't 1802, but I'm not sure that means much.

[ He brushes his hair back. ]

Nope, he hasn't told me a damn thing.

[ There's a hint of disapproval to those words, but there's no real surprise. He sighs and shakes his head. If you want something done, you have to do it yourself.

There's some petty part of him that regres telling him what he'd found in the PDAs now though. He should've made him dig through them himself. ]

[commences]

Ah, ah, ah... If you want to talk about me, I'd like to be invited!

( he slinks in with a smile, grinning to sara first, then ranger second. it's enough in their voices that he can tell that both aren't too pleased. )

I love small meetings, so... what's on the menu? Kaneko-kun? Arata-kun...? I don't mind talking about you two either.

( he places his hands behind his back, crossing them as he leans forward like a nosy person that he is. there's no need for a recap, he heard everything, but he'll act like he didn't. )

[samuraiwomen]

Wah...

[ Appearing like that...scary. She'll finish her thought with ranger, so hold on before she addresses you! ]

Well, he has "not time travel" powers, and I met him in 1802...between his involvement with the PDA's, the past, and the void. Auuugh. It doesn't make any sense!

[ Ok now back to Komeada. She'll put her hands on her hips and scowl at him. She's got a lot to get off her chest right now! Thank you for becoming her target. ]

We've all talked about eachother plenty, so spill! I want everything you know about Seiya and Arata! Those two are like the most closed minded, rudest, most unbearably secretive jerks in this whole school, even including you!

[rearranger]

[ Ranger blinks, turning his head to look at Komaeda. He raises a hand in greeting before looking back to Sara. He's used to people appearing out of no where, but especially when a person says their name. He supposes that summoning technique works for his partner too.

Sara expressing her frustration shouldn't make him feel better, but it does. It tells him that he's not being completely irrational in being frustrated with this entire situation. ]

Do I just need to start gossiping about you next time I wanna find you? Actually, that'd be creepy, so I'm not gonna.

[ He doesn't make a habit of doing so, nor will he. Ranger already knows that Komaeda doesn't like being the topic of conversation.

He moves on, deciding to talk about any grievances he might have later, instead following up on what Sara said, ]

Anyway, yeah, I'm sure you can narrow it down to what's important.

[commences]

Hey... hey... You're taking your anger out on me due to your own incompetence to wring information from them? Ah, it'd be smart to learn from a person who understands the innerworkings of their mind.

( to ranger, without even looking at him: )

You can just talk to me to my face, I'm not that unbearable to be around, am I...? Anywho...

( he looks around the room to pick apart who they have, he even spares ranger a glance as if he would be the perfect choice too. he looks towards amami, to noah, to even add, then turns back around to the two. )

Kaneko-kun has time powers, ( woooow!) it'd make sense considering the theme. He used to tell me I was "no good," so if he took an interest in you, Chidouin-san, it'd be best to invest.

( he'll place his hands onto his hip, thinking over the past few months, and he'll glance up at the ceiling. )

The only reason I know about his affinity with blood is because he tried to take mine. Hm... the information I have on Kaneko-kun is scarce, his favorite places are the nurse's office and library. He's pretty abusive too, so if he hits either of you, just break his arm.

( that's what komaeda did. )

[samuraiwomen]

Incompetance? Hey...thats not nice.

[ She needs to complain to someone, thats all. Ranger, back her up here! ]

I don't know if its an interest, half the time he treats me like I'm really dumb. I only got what I know because I offered to trade information.

[ She tilts her head when Komeada mentions a theme, the question clear. She couldn't see any kind of rhyme or reason to time powers and rude boys. ]

Affinity with blood too, huh? But wait hold on! You can't just break peoples arms!? [ This is making the "fuck Komeada" message a lot clearer in hindsight. Like...she doesn't want to get hit, but breaking someone's arm? ] Please apologize!

[rearranger]

[ Ranger answers Komaeda's question by giving him a gentle shoulder bump. He does let out a little sigh though, he can see the bait being dropped and readily taken. ]

Incompetence is kinda harsh, [ He agrees. ] If she got something out of him, then that's a start. You should be more encouraging.

[ He pauses, considering Sara's statement, then adds a little more thoughtfully: ]

Maybe he's the type that goes around using trust as a currency.

[ Trust can mean a lot of things, after all. It can mean assistance, or it can be information, or it can mean any number of other things. If a person is willing to barter and maintain that kind of cold, calculated relationship, then that makes them easier to deal with in the long run. It's what he likes about Inaba - there's no need to invest, but they can utilize each other's talents, and that makes it easier for both of them. ]

Guess I'll try catching up next time I see him int he nurse's office. I'm around there enough now. And if he's too annoying, I can see if I can get something useful out of bashing his face against the nearest surface, ahaha~

[ Which would not be breaking his arm! He was planning on doing that, but he supposes there's no need if Komaeda already did so. He assumes he had if he's bringing it up. ]

[commences]

Ahaha... you're right, great going, Chidouin-san, even I didn't know he had powers, but... I did peg him as special.

( he'll take the bump of his shoulders to mean he should lay off, but he won't completely do that. not when he's already laughing at sara for falling into komaeda's trap. )

His work reminds me of Sakasaki-kun. ( trading information for information, ) Nor should you use a needle to insert air bubbles into someone's veins... Anyway, Chidouin-san, you think someone weak as myself can break his arm here? It's for your protection, I'm used to being abused so I can take his hits.

( which means ranger can still go for it, komaeda had done it in the void as to why he said, "here," but in this reality, it's free game. or he can bash his head in. )

He's very physical, but I know you can act without thinking, and it'd do no good dying by Kaneko-kun's hands. Riokun can hold up well against him.

( his eyes glance towards ranger, nodding as he's very proud of that fact of his which we all know. )

[samuraiwomen]

That's right! It's harsh! [ Ranger the favorite parent. ]

Currency, huh? So when we see him next, we should have something to trade! [ Sakasaki-san never felt like he used trust as a currency with her, but maybe that just meant Sara didn't know him well. Anyway this conversation is turning weirdly violent... ]

I-I'm not going to die!? Or fight him! Or um...sick Ranger on him? [ Actually that feels like an okay option. She might hold onto that, just in case. ] I mean...its not good if he tried to hurt you Komeada! But no bashing his head into walls, or breaking any arms! When we've talked, I know he's really rude, but he wants to escape same as us! I think he can be our ally...we just need to give him time. Like Add-chan!

[rearranger]

[ ...

He hopes that Sara does sic him on Kaneko because fortunately for him, as with Komaeda and Amami, he's been making an active effort not to do any harm. She probably doesn't remember it, but he does, and he's taken it to heart since his arrival. It was the first time anyone had really reached out to him, after all. Sara and Komaeda were there before anyone else.

Well, if he so much as tries to lay a finger on one of them now then it's still fair game as far as he's concerned. ]

Yeah, yeah, alright, alright... No harming him just for being an annoying prick.

[ Ranger waves his hand. ]

Real shame, but it's probably not gonna help, so for now, let's see if we can get anywhere with him. See what the guy's looking for and all that, and then we can regroup.

[ He assumes it's mostly him and Sara for the moment, but he trusts Komaeda enough that he can figure out something out one way or another. ]

So, what else you got for us?

[commences]

If you trust him, of course I trust him too. ( hmhmhm... ) Well... we've got to bring him back, I haven't seen him since returning.

( because ori retconned the nurse's office + book working so they can't do anything with him if they don't find a way to make him return. )

I managed to find three, but in my search for Kaneko-kun, I believe my efforts were ignored. That's why we have to leave, and make plans to force him to return before something happens.

( if he's erased, or worse, forget his memories. he's useful, and komaeda doesn't think a cute catch like him should go missing. it's the abusive people for him... he's the only one who hits komaeda and cuss him out, so he feels a bit disappointed if a rare catch like that leaves. )

Ready for a scouting mission, you two?

[samuraiwomen]

That's right! Actually, both of you should just promise not to murder anyone right now, while I have your attention.

[ Ranger's all set, but she'd like Komeada to play along too and hopefully ignore her wild hypocrisy around murder being not okay. He's gone so long without a murder...keep your streak up. Maybe she can run a little support group and give them stickers every month. ]

Right...he can't leave the school so he'd have been dragged to the void with us.

[ Unfortunate that Seiya is a loner without any good anchors... ]

A scouting mission...you're not going to make me hold a bunch of stuff again, are you? Make Ranger do that. I wanted to check out the secret passages, but I'm not sure thats even a place Seiya likes...um but the only thing I know he likes is otters and pumpkin tempura.

YALL KNOW WHAT I SAID I FORGOT

[commences]

( where could seiya have gone to? he's listening, while also in his own thoughts before glancing at sara, and then over to ranger; they can work together. there's a smile on his face as he hops and skips on over to sara, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind as he rests his cheek against the back of her head. )

Shujinkou-chan! Look at you, you're growing up so well... you bring out such a hopeful energy in me, and everyone! Even Add-kun has started responding in kind to us!

( it's that protagonist drive in her, he knows that for a fact as he guides them forward towards the kitchen first. they're already in the common room, so. )

Do you think Kaneko-kun probably time jumped somewhere else? I have a plan... hear me out. ( he lets go of sara, grabbing ranger's gloved hand with his organic, and sara's hand as well with his prosthetic as he pulls them both along. ) Before Riokun uses logic for this, let's try something sweeter... how about we make him pumpkin tempura that's shaped like otters?

( as soon as they're both in the kitchen. )

Can either of you two cook? Then we'll take it to the nurse's office, and hope he appears!

[rearranger]

[ He was, in fact, about to use logic for this, but fortunately Komaeda has saved all of them from that terrible fate. Ranger warps his fingers around that hand as he walks along. It doesn't quite surprise him when he takes the lead now, as he often does in these situations. In the end, it's quicker than letting him muddle through whatever ideas he has before getting dragged along for his partner's shenanigans anyway. ]

Pumpkin tempura that's shaped like otters? That does sound pretty cute.

[ It's absolutely sweeter than anything he might have thought of. ]

I should be able to figure it out.

[ He doesn't eat himself, but aside from living with humans, he's capable of most basic tasks. That said, it's not something he has much experience with, and so he thinks another person might be better equipped to handle making pumpkin tempura into otters. ]

i love otters too nms all my homies LOVE otters their lil noses look like hearts

[samuraiwomen]

Waaah.

[ She'd been acting her normal self, so its a surprise to be suddenly hugged like this. Surprising but not bad? Weak to praise as always. ]

You don't need to flatter me... [ But please continue. If she's a half step behind the other two from the shock of it, please ignore her. ]

Yeah, I can also cook. Um...but Ranger should probably handle making the shapes. I can prepare the pumpkin.

OTTERS ARE JUST KNOBS OF THE OCEAN!!!!

[commences]

( two people who can cook, and then there's komaeda who is a demon in the kitchen. it'll work out.

once they're inside, he releases the two while walking over to the cabinets, grabbing the bowls they might need. )

How alarming, though... to think they'd disappear in such a fashion. I managed to find the two cats, and Rokkun, but...

( honestly, it's like the purge of npcs which is funny as i think about we can't get kouji anymore. )

So I believe in Shujinkou-chan to bring back Kaneko-kun, what do you think, Riokun?

anyone who doesn't love otters is just objectively wrong

[rearranger]

Me? Ah, well, I guess I can give it a shot.

[ It's not something he's ever tried before, but he's good with delicate work of that nature. It shouldn't be too hard, he supposes, even if it takes a couple tries. Now that he thinks about it, Ranger's not sure if he'd actually trusts either of the other two with that kind of work. ]

Yeah, I think Sara can do it.

[ ...

Why are they going through all this effort to bring these lowlifes back again? ]

[samuraiwomen]

Yay...I know you can do it, Ranger!

[ H-hey now. She's not that bad, she just can't do art! ]

He barely even likes me, so don't get your hopes up...but it is weird?

[ If Komeada has the bowls, Sara will grab the ingredients. Some canned pumpking, some panko crumbs, some nuetral oil. Oh yeah, its coming together. Let her go dig around for one of the good kitchen knives. ]

I wonder where they are...I know this school has lots of little places outside of time, but usually only we get stuck in them.

[commences]

Do you have to be liked to summon someone back, I've hardly interacted with the black cat, but... Bev appeared.

( komaeda's grabbing the salt, pepper, wasabi, cinnamon, and some fake pinecone that be in that fake bowl old people buy at grocery stores which he'll add with what sara got, and he'll slide the bowl, and pans, and label to ranger.

... )

...It is odd, coming back and none of them were here. I'll have to ask Rokkun about it.

( he claps his hands together, smiling brightly. )

Yay...! We know you can do it, Riokun! Cook, cook, cook...!

( :) )

[rearranger]

[ Ranger isn't sure this is what he signed up for, and he's not sure if he should be upset or not. He picks up the fake pinecone first, giving Komaeda a questioning look before setting it back down. He takes up the canned pumpkin next, frowning a little behind the card. Normally, he thinks, a person would use slices of sugar pumpkin or something. Canned pumpkin isn't really hard enough to deep fry in the same way. It was possible to use flour and egg as a binder, but then it's just going to be kind of shapeless.

Hmm... What a hassle. ]

You sure this guy's worth all the effort?

[ He does not sound sure that this is worth the effort. ]

[samuraiwomen]

Hmm...well if cats like you, thats a good sign! They can read your innermost soul.

[ Also picks up the pinecone...she'll hand it back to Komeada. Ah...good try Komeada! This actually isn't edible at all! It can be garnish? ]

Cook~! [ She's starting, bumping shoulders with Ranger so he'll stop staring at their terrible ingredients. Pumpkin isn't in season in January, stupid! Accept the can! ]

Of course we have to save them. Everyone's important. This is what being allies is all about! [ She points the knife at Komeada, gesturing up and down as she leans into Ranger with a whisper. ] Like...if this guy up and vanished, would you work hard to get him back?

[commences]

Do they now...?

( the cats can see into his innermost soul, he doesn't believe it. if they could, they'd know to stay away from him, they'd know there's something dark inside of him that hasn't even scrubbed away. he thinks for a moment his heart aches, or maybe that's just his mind playing tricks on him.

he stands in place as he looks down at the pinecone, and slowly begins to peel the layers off to put them in a bowl. garnish. )

Hm...

( he allows for sara to leave over to ranger, but he doesn't make it a personal mission to listen in on what they're saying. he looks up towards them, his eyes slowly blinking, before giving his attention back to the pinecone.

why did sara point the knife at him? he must have done something. )

What do you think? If it was a soup, we could make little otters out of potato, and attach pinecone ends to them to be their tail. It'd be like they're floating in water.

( he's smiling happily as he finally finishes the bowl of umbo. )

[rearranger]

[ Pumpkins can last for months!!! Anyway, that doesn't make it any easier to shape.

He frowns a little at the question from behind the ice cream card. Ranger doesn't think that should count. It's not like Komaeda was responsible for them being thrown into that nightmare, nor was he unnecessarily obnoxious about the entire affair. ]

Well, sure, but that's different...

[ He mumbles, a little embarrassed. It seems to be effective though, as he huffs out a little breath. She was probably right that they do need him, if only to shake the answers out of. ]

Oh... You mean like a pumpkin soup with sweet potatoes? Yeah, I guess that could work.