Consulting the Oracle

[ex_fatalist246]

[Satoshi, believe it or not, is a cop. And you know what cops do? That's right: they collate data. It's instinct. So the blue-haired cool kid is going to get collating that data.]

In several universes, graffiti has appeared where subjects of the experiment would find it. In all cases, there has been no signs of break-in except the message.

If anyone else found graffiti similar in nature, I'd like whatever data you have. Photographs of the graffiti and paint samples if possible. We need as much information as we can gather.

Comments

[bowtied.livejournal.com]

Oh. Are we investigating things today? I haven't done that in a while. So what sort of graffiti-i-y things have we got so far?

[ex_fatalist246]

[oh, it's YOU] There was one on a car: "a big boy did it and ran away." Black paint. The second one was on the wall of a house, "Stay calm." The writing wasn't the same hand.

[bowtied.livejournal.com]

All right, well there's a start. You're from...at least something computer-agey, and you're a detective. So anything interesting about those phrases come up when you looked into them?

[ex_fatalist246]

The first is a Christopher Brookmyre novel. "Stay calm" didn't get anything.

[bowtied.livejournal.com]

It is rather generic,isn't it? Good advice, but still generic. And I'm sure you checked for entries in the book that used that line, so there's no need to explore that possibility.

[explains]

I'd be interested in what others found as well.

[ex_fatalist246]

I don't mind sharing what I find. [So apathetic] I have two examples now.

[explains]

I can tell you a third if you like.

[ex_fatalist246]

[Satoshi nods, indicating that Guy should go ahead.]

[eyesofafemsnake.livejournal.com]

[She eyes him a bit incredulously. What can this kid do? Buuuuut she'll humor him. She hands him a photo of the graffiti from her world. The graffiti appears to be spray painted in red on a ghostly image of a building. The paint is clearly real and solid, but what it's painted onto... Not so much. Her graffiti says "Must not sleep. Must warn others."]

What do you make of this, mate?

[ex_fatalist246]

[He frowns and looks back at her.] What is the building supposed to be made of?

[eyesofafemsnake.livejournal.com]

Brick and mortar. But it's not really there. Not yet, at least. You see the rubble on the ground there? That's the same building.

[ex_fatalist246]

Is that a feature of your world, or is it a merger?

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is also a cop, so she's eager to get in on the investigating. unfortunately, she's used to running this sort of operation. sorry in advance, Satoshi]

How many people do you know of that this happened to?

[ex_fatalist246]

There have been four who came forward. Since it's the Plane, I've probably missed others. [Policing on the Plane is impossible.]

[grip_on_reality]

Well, this'll make five, then. Give me a mo'. [and she drops from the Plane, returning with a photo of black graffiti on a plain wall, reading "The children will play..." she holds the photo out for Satoshi to take] What other messages 've you heard about?

[ex_fatalist246]

[Accepting the photo] "A big boy did it and ran away" on a car, "stay calm" in a house, "dare you, dare you, double dare" above a hole, and "Must not sleep. Must warn others" on the ghost of a building.

[bonnypiperlad]

Hey? [Jamie's not entirely sure what Satoshi's talking about, but a recent appearance in his universe is enough to make him wonder if it's something similar.]

Is that graphy-thing some sort of words, then?

[ex_fatalist246]

It's images or letters marked on property, usually without permission.

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh! Aye, I've just seen something like that, where we are. Thought it was funny that it turned up there at all, but...

[He shrugs. He's seen odder.] Are ye in a hurry? I can go back and get whatever it is ye need.

[ex_fatalist246]

I can wait.

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[He could take this directly to Jade... but that would initiate a conversation and he doesn't want to deal with that right now, so soon after the episode with God General!Guy. So neutral party is go.]

I have a sample.

[ex_fatalist246]

I'll take it. [Satoshi is, like some other people, not precisely social, and he performs his inquiry with business-like efficiency.]

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[Asch offers the boy a small, sealed envelope. Though he's initially suspicious considering the kid's age, he's actually worked with fourteen year olds who execute strategies for entire battles. So it's not really an issue.

Besides, this kid has Jade vibes without the bullshit. He's probably worth his time.]

I want to know if you find anything conclusive. The location I found the graffiti in is completely secure.

Seems this place has other ideas.

[ex_fatalist246]

[Jade - bullshit + a soul well two technically.]

[Satoshi accepts it]

That's fine. I won't bother sharing anything that doesn't seem promising.