fifth evocation ✧ orthrus

[complementing]

Minako Arisato June 9th near Birch Hills

Hi everyone, it's me again. I'll try and keep it short and sweet this time. First. Last month, during that week when everyone was super tiny, there were a lot of people who wandered into the woods because they heard voices calling out to them. It doesn't seem like whatever was calling to us is there anymore, thankfully, but I think this is a perfect chance to go back and go deeper into the forest, as deep as we can go to see if we can find the source of those voices, or anything else that might be there. I'm planning this thing for the 18th, and I wanted to know if anyone else wanted to come with. Keep in mind that even if nothing is likely to lure us in again, there's still a potential for danger. So in my opinion, the bigger the group, the better. We can all watch each other's backs. Which brings me to my next point. I know a lot of people have been exploring all the weird places in the city, and eventually I'd like to get accounts from you guys to compile together-- but for now, I wanted to ask if we could make a more concerted effort to explore together, instead of splitting up into our own tiny groups. The main reason being: Jim is constantly watching our movements and reading our posts. He's the only one we have any kind of contact with from Retrospec, and he's shown us in the past couple of months that he likes commenting on what we do and how we act. There's no telling if anything he says might be able to help us down the line, but in order to get him to talk at all, we have to get his attention. And a big group of people poking around for information on Retrospec is a lot more comment-worthy than tiny groups. Obviously there's a risk of exposing ourselves too much to him (though I'd argue we're pretty exposed as it is already). And I can't stop people from exploring on their own. I just wanted to put the idea out there that it might be better to do it together. There's one last thing I want to mention. Yosuke recently suggested that my dog Koromaru should try sniffing out a Retrospec employee by smelling something that was sent by mail. I'm not sure if it'll work, but me and Koromaru are willing to give it a try, so if you get something in the mail from Retrospec and want to let us have a go at it, text me any time of the day or night, I'll come running. Oh, and just to be safe, don't touch the box or wrapping it comes in. Thanks for reading. Hopefully I'll have something more fun to talk about the next time I post here.

[ooc: the open log for this mini expedition will be up on the 18th, for anyone who would like to have their character join! Nothing too exciting other than getting stuck in an infinite loop and attempting to escape said infinite loop will happen...probably ;3 I decided against making a post in the OOC comm for this so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me!]

Comments

[complementing]

rubbing alcohol, painkillers...ointments of all kinds

a sterile sewing kit, in case we need to give someone stitches?

basically think worse case scenario and prepare for that

[openhanded]

I'm glad to hear that. people think I'm crazy but I can't just abandon someone in need.
not when they protected me...

I don't know anyone else like me, but I was thinking about asking around.
I'd like to do something sort of like your woods expedition but just... poking around haunted places.
I want to see what we can come up with.

[mincingminuet]

Seth? That's a hell of a name for a dragon.

And hey, I hope we don't need either.

[complementing]

I'm the opposite, my schedule is pretty free so any time you are I'll probably be able to make it

but I'd want to do this sooner rather than later just to keep the scent fresh, or something like that

[complementing]

ahahaha no comment on that one!!!

hmm, idk if you'd be allowed to snag anything from the station, but rope would be good, for climbing or tying something up

any other useful firefighter things?

[complementing]

[Minako doesn't like telling him what to do either, but this way she can keep him safe.

In an attempt to appease him:]

oh and you're going to be my extra eyes and ears too so I'm counting on you to watch my back

[complementing]

I didn't name him, but yeah, I agree

mmhm, maybe I can show you him sometime, since you showed me how you summon your little guy

[complementing]

well no, if we don't come back it's supposed to be an indicator that something dangerous is in the woods and that nobody else should go there...

but I don't think you'd take no for an answer so

we'll definitely come back

[complementing]

I'd love to!

I can't say I know how to fight with my fists as much as I do with my spear, but I know how to kickbox a little

so if you don't mind going easy on me until I get better, let's do it!

[cattack]

I don't mind at all.
I'll likely need to get used to things as well.
Ears mean I have to learn how to focus all over again.
I'll be at the gym soon.

[switch to action?]

[complementing]

after everything we've experienced I think anyone calling you crazy should be rethinking that

let me know if you find anyone?

and that's a good idea, I want to come along for those too

the woods are huge so there's a chance we might miss something...but we might be able to go through other places more thoroughly, maybe find important clues

[complementing]

nah probably not

(I could ask my roommate, she's a firefighter)

we'll try not to set the whole place ablaze either way

[true_noir]

I think you know better than to assume I'm not going to try and rescue you, Minako. Heh, so we definitely understand each other. You come back, and fools like me won't chase after you to save you!

Everyone wins!

[complementing]

haha yes, everyone wins

we'll be careful, promise!

[complementing]

[Minako arrives in the gym dressed in her workout clothes and carrying a large duffel bag...which seems to be hiding her dog Koromaru, if the fluffy bit of tail sticking out from the side is any indication.]

Hi, Cleo. Hope I didn't make you wait long.

[vitis]

(she's a firefighter?? that's really neat!)
right, please don't. :( one of the better things that this place has going for it!

but good luck.
also, an afterthought: i don't use my phone too much when i'm there, so i dunno how much of an issue service is far out in the woods like that.
so i guess just make sure to monitor that, if you can help it.

[cattack]

Not at all. I've just gotten a bit warmed up.

[Cleo's got her motorcycle helmet and a duffel bag nearby, and she's in workout clothes herself. Which, uh. Given that it shows her stomach, her arms, and her legs way more than her normal clothes do, it's suddenly very obvious how Cleo is absolutely, completely, fucking ripped. The girl's abs could stop a bullet.]

... Did you bring a guest as well?

[openhanded]

you'll be the first one to know on all counts.

I think having multiple groups going through and looking at stuff is a good idea
as long as we all communicate like you said.

[a pause, and then he sends another response. Here's a nickname he doesn't use often.]

hey Mina?
thanks for being my friend.

[frostythehitman]

[ Sure enough, about an hour and twenty minutes later, James walks over to the park entrance on Thurton and leans up against a tree. He's looking pretty conspicuous, given that he's wearing a bright blue spandex suit that is actually still somehow blue, and carrying a duffel bag.

He's trying to lean against a tree and look real casual about it but he's obviously uncomfortable.

The spandex is probably giving him a wedgie. ]

[complementing]

[...dang Cleo. Dang. Minako is quietly impressed for two seconds before remembering all of the work out stuff in Cleo's apartment, and then it's not as much of a surprise anymore.

She's going to be at a serious disadvantage, isn't she.]

Shhhh, you didn't see anything. [She sets it down, and Koromaru wiggles around once, tucking his tail in to exchange it for a black doggy nose sticking out instead.] I have to head out in an hour to meet a few people with him, and he didn't want to be left at home alone, so...

[A gesture to the duffel bag.]

[complementing]

right! If we don't then there's no point of going in the first place, any information we find out is for the benefit of everyone on Retrospec



oh Sorey

you don't have to thank me for that ♥

what brought that on though?

[cattack]

[mmmmaybe a little bit of a disadvantage. It's okay, she'll hold back.]

I see. I don't see anything, then.

While you warm up, can I take a look at this mysterious thing I don't see?

[complementing]

[Minako comes down the pathway in a workout outfit, her silver shiba inu jogging with her. Pulling off her headphones hides the raised eyebrow she makes at the sight of him.]

Hey there! James, right? I'm Minako, and this is Koromaru.

[Koro barks politely in greeting.]

[complementing]

(she's super cool!)

that's a good point, thanks for the advice

I was planning to bring walkie talkies now that it seems like our volunteer group might be split into two

so I guess we'll have to see if those work too

...hopefully they do Σ（￣□￣；）

[complementing]

Sure! The mysterious thing you don't see likes making new friends.

[Minako goes to start stretching, while Koromaru, hearing the amusement in Leader's voice, peeks out from under the flap of the bag, blinking red eyes at Cleo.]