THE SECOND INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND INVESTIGATION

[As the Titled wake up in the morning, there is quiet. No crazy electrical smells waft in the air, no burnt flesh sears their nostrils. It's got to be a relief to everyone, as they start to stir.

Or, perhaps it would be a relief, until they look at their phones.

The countdown is gone...]

Comments

[beguiledcard]

[ He's up early as hell today, waking with a start... and then promptly heading out.

Yeah, sure... relief. More like enough to put him even more on edge as he heads out. ]

[strangerpeople]

[Where will Akira be heading this morning?]

[beguiledcard]

[ Well... first the food court to give a quick glance around, only because that's where the last bad thing happened...

Anything? ]

[strangerpeople]

[He doesn't even have to get that far.

Something is near the entrance to Yotsukoshi.]

[comesaround]

[ As it was, Karma was a relatively early riser and the lack of a countdown on his phone was enough to tell him something had happened.

Not expecting to run into Akira as he was initially intending to head to the food court ]

Hey.

[ His gaze immediately shifts toward the spot near the entrance to where they were now. Just what's there anyway? ]

[beguiledcard]

Hey... notice the timer, too?

[ He glances towards Karma, and then towards the entrance, not hesitating to walk over. ]

[strangerpeople]

[Careful, Akira.

You don't want to smear that blood there in the entranceway, do you?]

[beguiledcard]

[ ... shit...

Is there a source?? ]

[comesaround]

...That doesn't look very promising.

[ His eyes narrow, looking around to see if there's more blood or where it leads. ]

I was right to be concerned about the lack of a timer.

[incrediblystressedout]

[Joey was on her way out the door first thing herself, aaaaand there's blood.]

Oh. That's uh...

[She's honestly not sure whether to be scared or disappointed. She's got her flashlight in her hand and ready to cudgel something just in case either way.]

[foolishjustice]

[Oh no, smol in the vicinity of blood.]

You should probably go somewhere else. I doubt you want to see whatever this is from.

[incrediblystressedout]

[She shakes her head.]

I chickened out last time. We've all got to deal with this, and I'm not going to do that by hiding from it.

Besides, blood doesn't mean dead. We might be able to help, and I think I've got the most medical training of anyone here, sadly.

[foolishjustice]

Considering the timer, that might be too optimistic...but you might be right. It did just say to 'commit fully' to rule 7, so attempted murder that failed because of unexpected interference might still counter the threat.

[beguiledcard]

[ sorry guys can't hear you over being impulsive protag over here ]

[strangerpeople]

[There is a trail, leading back into Yotsukoshi.

>Follow?]

[steelmagnolias]

[Okay you know what, let's follow that shit. ]

[beguiledcard]

[ After gently placing his hand on Goro's (he's fine, okay?), he's also going to follow it as far as it goes... ]

[byanyother_name]

[This is a good time for a fox to arrive, right? He isn't trying to stop Akira, but he doesn't look too delighted about his friend's life choices, either.]

You don't need to do this, Akira-kun.

[strangerpeople]

[It get more pronounced as it leads to the bridal section of the store.]

[steelmagnolias]

[Well, Ren's passed through there sometimes on his way to the grocery, so he's familiar in passing.

Did someone ruin a dress worth a small car's down payment, is that it]

[beguiledcard]

[ listen he's seen bride wars but this is just ridiculous...

Sorry, Kurama... because...

Yep. Rushing forward just a bit towards said entrance. ]

[comesaround]

[ He's definitely going to follow it, but gives the others a bit of a look first. ]

Can't be good. Be careful and keep an eye out, you guys.

[thegreenhornet]

[Oh hey, guys, how's it going--]

...oh shit.

[Another death? Who died this time? Better follow that]

[foolishjustice]

[Someone else noticed the timer too, and is already on his way to put a hand on Akira's shoulder.]

That's two accounted for...are both of you alright?

[beguiledcard]

[ help boyfriend there's blood..... ]