Case File# 001 | [Video]

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

[Hello Vatheon, have a soaking wet high school detective with a faintly irritable look in his face. He shoves damp bangs out of his eyes and addresses the network with as much dignity as he can currently muster up. Which is still quite a bit, considering the circumstances. He is British, after all.]

... I'm sorry, but the God of this place is a giant coral?

At least if it were a giant sea sponge it could do something about getting me dry.

[Hakuba unknots the tie around his neck and wrings it out before stuffing it in his pocket. He shrugs out of his suit jacket as well, and rolls up his sleeves.]

This is quite possibly the most ridiculous kidnapping that I have ever been witness to. And that includes the one in Devon with the witch's coven.

Comments

I can spell, really I can

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

[Inclining his head in thanks, which, unfortunately, causes his wet hair to fall in his face again. He pulls a face and combs his hair back with his fingers.] Whether or not it is true is of no concern to me. The people here can believe what they wish, so long as they don't expect me to place my faith in something so ridiculous.

[Hakuba clicks on the provided link to download the document. As it downloads he looks around until he spots one of the aforementioned towel vendors and begins to make his way over to it.]

Thank you, this shall almost certainly be of assistance to me. Though am I to assume by such preparation that this has been going on for quite some time?

i didn't even notice...

[fake]

I wouldn't think anyone would be interested in adopting a new God. [ it's a passive statement made as the download commences. he's something of a bigot to be honest, though not in the conventional sense.

he nods in response to the question. ] Yes. The influx of new arrivals occurs on a monthly basis, whereas the departures are a little more sporatic. I've no exact dates, but the earliest resident here arrived at least two years prior.

that's because I'm sneaky. like a ninja.

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

Except perhaps the Romans, but they were a very pragmatic people and it wasn't really about belief at all for them. [And Hakuba's reached a towel vendor now and his head disappears for a moment as he briskly drys his hair before draping the towel over his shoulders to resume the conversation.]

Two years? And no one's done anything about it yet?

Enclosed conclave, strange religious practices, regular re-population... this is beginning to sound more like a cult than a standard kidnapping.

seems legit

[fake]

Apparently not. There are a few higher-ups about, but contacting them is nigh impossible unless they choose to initiate conversation. A lot of details concerning the structure of the place are elusive, though I'm positive it's an immigration system designed for a study of some sort. ..Ah, that's right. Allow me to introduce myself. I am detective Akise Aru.

[ self-proclaimed but shhh he has big dreams!! ]

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

Perhaps some sort of scientific study? A control group with varying factorals? [Already thinking.]

[The introduction certainly catches his attention though. Hakuba smiles.]

Ah, it's nice to meet you,I am always happy to meet other detectives. My name is Saguru Hakuba.

[fake]

[ 'other detectives' at least confirms his initial suspicion of this person's profession, especially considering he had referenced particular kidnapping cases a little earlier. he nods in response to the greeting, although his attention is still focused on the brainwork part of the conversation. ]

Yes, exactly. If you also consider the curses we residents are regularly made to experience, it could even be seen as an experiment.

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

Curses? [Muttering slightly to himself.] --really is like Devon-- Ah, what sort of curses might you be referring to?

[fake]

Nothing long-term or permanent. They happen less often now than they used to, but they primarily affect either the environment or the residents directly. In other words, anything from impossible weather happening within the barrier to making you inadvertantly speak your thoughts. It's all very inconvenient...

[keepcalmandcatchkid]

Yes, that does sound inconvenient...