[003]

[grip_on_reality]

[when Menzies arrives on the Plane this time, she looks nothing like the calm investigator that she did the last. she's still dressed in a suit for work, but she's visibly frazzled. she's also wearing black gloves, although she doesn't have a coat on, nor is she showing any other indication that she's recently been outside]

Great. If this is somebody's idea of a cosmic joke? It's not funny. [she sighs] It's not even properly ironic!

[putting her left hand to her forehead in exasperation, she mumbles to herself:] Where the hell can I even go where I won't run into anyone? And how far is far enough?

[ooc: Menzies is now suffering the effects of the candy! She currently causes bad luck for those who get near her--and particularly anyone who touches her. Feel free to have any minor misfortunes befall your characters in her presence that you'd like (slips, falls, saying or doing something they didn't mean to; whatever you want!), or we can assume they're far enough apart that nothing goes wrong. Also, if you want anything more major to happen, please just give me a head's up through e-mail/AIM/plurk first]

Comments

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan's in his elementary school uniform, backpack on, going tiptoe to post a couple of warning notes -- after his experience with the armed teenager, he's made up his mind to warm the children he's met on the Plane.

He's surprised to see Menzies although relieved that she's still in one piece.]

Inspector Menzies!

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies stares at him. of all the people!] Stay back, would you!?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan holds up both hands in a 'relax' gesture.]

I'm staying back! I just came by to send some letters.

[grip_on_reality]

[she wishes that was comforting... the last thing she wants to do is hurt a kid]

Did something else happen?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

No, I just remembered something the boy with the gun said. He didn't say he was waiting for me-- his words were 'someone like you.' I'm worried he meant the other children.

I can tell Haibara to stay home, but the other kids ...

[grip_on_reality]

[...oh god]

What are you telling them? And how many do you know about?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

I told Hiccup and Mu not to come here, or if they have to, to bring a friend. That's -- ah. Hang on.

[His school bag doesn't seem to have to been secured properly, its contents suddenly spilling out.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she sighs, rolling her eyes] You might want to take a few steps back. [at least that wasn't anything serious]

If you can, contact Tsuna. Riku should at least be able to take care of himself.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan pauses in scooping up his recorder and work books.]

Tsuna?

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods] He's a kid I met here--short, messy brown hair. Said he had a friend named Dino. If you're warning kids away, warn him.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Okay. I'll try that.

[And instead of picking up his notebook, Conan's going to rip a page out of it and start on that letter.]

Dear Tsuna who is a friend of Inspector Menzie,

Something bad's happening on the Plane and she thinks it's a good idea you know so you can avoid it. Please stay away from the Plane or if you have to come here, bring a friend and be very careful.

... do you think that's okay?

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods] Yeah, should get his attention, at least. Cheers.

Hey, ah, if you don't mind staying for a minute... Have you thought about the fact that most people don't know they're making something happen that they're afraid of?

[and why that would be. it has to be designed for them to find out eventually, doesn't it?]

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan finished the letter folding it up and writing 'Tsuna who is a friend of Menzies' on it.]

Ah. In many ways -- you're the exception.

[grip_on_reality]

[she scowls] Yeah, don't I feel lucky...

But why do it at all if they aren't gonna know about it? It'd have to be designed to be temporary. Otherwise, what's the point?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Has there been any pattern in the experiments to date?

[Putting the letter into the post box -- and immediately slipping on one of his spilt pens. Ow.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she frowns] You mean, all of them in general? I don't know enough about 'em to say. People make them sound random, but that doesn't mean they are. And the graffiti, the disappearances, and this have got to all be connected.

[she winces] Hey, you all right?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Fine. [Conan picks himself up carefully, going back to scooping up his spilt possessions into his bag.]

I don't know enough either -- but if there was an obvious connection or pattern to them, surely we'd have heard ...

[grip_on_reality]

Good. [she doesn't want to end the conversation, but she can't risk his actually getting hurt either...]

[she makes a face] You'd think so. I'll ask around. If it's temporary, maybe somebody'll find the way to stop it soon. [thoughtfully] It'd help if we could figure out what started it. But I get the impression the others aren't really up to looking for inconsistencies in their days. Beyond, you know, their suddenly seeing the light and wanting to destroy things.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Speaking of inconsistencies, Conan's paused in packing up his belongings to pick out something small.]

Where would Ayumi get American candy?

Ah -- When I get home I'll call you again.

[grip_on_reality]

[she sighs] Yeah, probably a good idea. [but a thought strikes her] Actually, can you call me here when you're at home? 'Cause I'm not leaving this place until this is sorted. If the people here want me to create bad luck so badly, they can deal with it. Not my city.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Only one way to find out.

[Putting the unwanted candy into a pocket to throw out later, Conan shoulders his schoolbag.] I'll try calling. If it doesn't work, should I come back or do you think we should leave that for only if there's something big?

[This was the area where Conan's encounter with Heero had taken place and he wasn't altogether sure about staying there.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she thinks about that for a moment, weighing the fact that she doesn't want to get a kid hurt with how good he's been at gathering information so far]

If it doesn't work and you find something out? Either send me a letter or call me here. Don't go looking for me. And if you see anybody here out to destroy things, just leave.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan nods. He thinks they've covered everything important anyway -- and he has things he wants to look into in Tokyo. Forensics should be wrapping up their assessment of the victims soon.]

All right. Be careful, Inspector Menzies!

[grip_on_reality]

[she smirks] Don't worry about me. But you be careful, too.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan waves cheerfully before thinking himself back home.]