crowspace | call me out v. 13.0

[So this is... a rather unique request that a client brought to him at the Spirits and Such office. Someone came in claiming that they've seen a "skeleton ghost" haunting the next town over while they were doing their "missionary work" (read: probably trying to sell something while claiming it was for their church, as far as Reigen can tell) and that despite speaking with other priests about it, they've turned to psychics to look into it now. Unfortunately, they ended up going to Reigen, who is not in fact psychic but hey, doesn't mean he's not going to act like he is if they offer a good price for it.

So here he is, standing outside where he's been told that this "ghost" was spotted in, which... looks like a fairly normal apartment complex? He's alone, having decided not to call Mob or Serizawa to accompany him since the client in question honestly didn't sound that credible in making it sound like this supposed ghost was a real threat. But it's fine: if things get hairy then he'll call them up to get here. And hell, knowing Dimple, that bastard is probably lurking around not too far away just in case as well.

Until then, Reigen approaches the door and proceeds to knock on it, waiting to see if anyone answers.]

Edited 2021-01-07 01:34 (UTC)

[Well, there's an answer almost immediately. The voice of a young(?) man.]

Who is it?

[The door is very closed. It looks like a pretty typical door, other than the mezuzah on the doorway. Probably there aren't too many of those around. I assume this series is in Japan.]

[It... is? I mean technically it's a fictional place but it's presumably a fictional place in Japan because of the names. ANYWAY--

It doesn't sound like the person living here is scared or dealing with anything particularly supernatural yet, which is... a good sign? He thinks. It's hard to get a read just yet when he can't actually see their face, so he starts simple enough here.]

Reigen Arataka, of Spirits and Such Consultations. [For now, he decides to leave off the "greatest psychic" part of his usual introductions, waiting to see if they recognize the name of his business on their own. If it's the ghost, he doesn't want to give away that he might be there to exorcize them yet.

... Which, might end up being for naught because his business isn't THAT well-known outside of Seasoning City, but ssshhh, let Reigen pretend otherwise for now.]

Am I speaking with the primary resident of this apartment number? I have some questions I wanted to ask you here.

[Well, he didn't sound scared. But just the name of the business suggests 'exorcist' to Gershom, who has met way too many exorcists in his day and is a bit jumpy.]

Y-yes, that's me. S-sorry, now's not really a good time...

Really?

[Well, that gets a pause, though it might be hard for Gershom to tell if it's concern or suspicion that gets Reigen to speak here.]

And why is that? Did something happen?

[of course it's suspicion he should've known he wouldn't be able to stay here stupid stupid stupid-]

I'm, ah, very sick. A-and it's contagious, so, for your safety I can't let you in. I-I'm very sorry.

I see.

[Reigen folds his arms, debates on what to do here. It's not that suspicious of a claim: hell he's had plenty of clients who thought they were haunted but were actually dealing with health problems. Maybe this client of his just mistook the person living here as a ghost because of their illness? Hmm.]

In that case, would it be alright if I asked my questions while staying outside? You don't have to open the door, but it's important that you're able to hear me.

[He says, while taking out his phone. He sends a text asking Mob and Serizawa if they happen to know where Dimple is and if they could point him in the general direction of where Reigen currently is. If need be, he could ask Dimple to glance inside and if Dimple doesn't see anything suspicious, then he'll go home and call it a day.]

Oh - that should be okay... What do you want to know?

[He's not much of a liar, but hopefully they'll be questions he can answer technically truthfully.]

Have you noticed anything strange or unusual happening here in your apartment complex? Like objects having been moved from spots they are normally in, or individuals that don't look like they should be there?

[There's a pause, as he then considers--]

Actually, in regards to your current situation, how long ago did you start feeling unwell?

[If they started getting sick around the same time the client was here and saw a "skeletal ghost"...]

Edited 2021-01-07 02:02 (UTC)

No, nothing out of the ordinary.

[That question's easy to answer. The second one...]

A few days? I-I think it's just a bug, but better safe than sorry?

[His phone pings that Serizawa told Dimple where to go... while Mob on the other hand more or less says he's trying to do something school-related and not to bother him unless Reigen is dying. He suspects Ritsu is the one who actually sent that one via reading his brother's texts on his behalf, but fine, he wasn't planning on actually enlisting Mob anyway unless he had reason to believe someone was going to get seriously hurt here. He's learned his lesson to try to deal with smaller issues on his own instead of dragging Mob away from his school or his friends...]

Fair enough. I just wanted to be sure... you see, I have a client that was concerned about something here not too long ago, and I want to make sure that no one else living here was dealing with something troublesome like that too.

Oh, no - are they alright?

[He's still concerned for himself, but for a moment worry for his neighbors overrules that.]

I think so.

[At that, Reigen sighs, dropping some of his attempt at professionalism here.]

I think that they're imagining things given what they told me sounded ridiculous even by the usual standards, but it's still important to at least look into this sort of thing anyway if it'll help put them at ease.

[And put money in the bank so that he can eat more than convenience store brand ramen this month, but he probably shouldn't mention that.]

[everyone has to eat, except for gershom]

Ah. Well, it's good that it isn't more serious.

Yeah.

[Well, he still hasn't heard anything that sounded suspicious enough to warrant trying to come in. Or at least nothing moving around in the background while this person was talking with him. This "skeleton ghost" probably isn't here, or at least not in this apartment... he will have to go ask the other neighbors for their thoughts, but it's starting to look more and more likely that he's going to have to make something up for the client when he gets back.]

Alright, well, I'm going to go speak with some of the other residents before I head out, but thank you for your time. Sorry to bother you while you're sick.

[And thus, he steps back from the door and begins to walk away... only to not get very far in his investigation elsewhere when a familiar face suddenly comes speeding down the hallway towards him. If Gershom is still standing by the door, he'll be able to hear the conversation taking place... or hell, maybe he was able to tell that a ghost was suddenly making their way toward them on his own, but regardless--]

Oh, there you are, you sure took your sweet time getting here.

"Yeah yeah, give it a rest you shady bastard. We need to leave, now."

Huh, why? Did something happen with Mob or--

"It ain't Mob we need to be worrying about, it's your dumb ass that's about to be in trouble here. What do you think you're doing, standing around in the hallway while a freaking lich is nearby? You trying to get yourself killed or something?"

[......... Oh. Well then.]

Edited 2021-01-07 02:47 (UTC)

[Gershom is indeed still near the door, listening to make sure the nice(?) exorcist(??) has left, so he hears the conversation (though not the other person's approaching footsteps? weird). If he had a heart, it would stop.

So this is it. He'll have to move houses, change his identity, run far far away-

There's really nothing he can do but curl up into a little ball on the floor. Which he does.]

[Reigen doesn't notice Gershom's panic here, focused instead on Dimple here.]

What? Where?

"Right behind that door you were just standing in front of."

But... I was just speaking with the person in there, and they didn't sound like--

"That's because they can still sound normal, they're not the same as ghosts even if they are undead. Different auras and everything."

Then... what are you proposing to do about it?

"Gimmie a sec, I'm going to try to see what we're dealing with here."

[The ghost is now approaching the door, attempting to phase through it to get into the apartment... but then is pushed back out.]

"Shit, there's something keeping me out... probably what they've got on the door here."

[He says, gesturing to the mezuzah.]

"They must be a powerful one if they're able to use something like this to keep even me out."

Uh-huh, sure. Let me try something.

"Wait, Reigen--"

[Reigen rolls his eyes at Dimple, and proceeds to approach the door, knocking on it again.]

This is Reigen Arataka, again. Are you still there?

please don't hurt me please don't hurt me I didn't mean to scare anyone please don't hurt me

[Yes, he's still there.]

[... Well, that answers that.]

I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk. Can we do that? Face to face, preferably.

"Listen I know you're stupid as hell, but I'm telling you this is a bad idea, this guy is probably faking it to make you drop your guard, and when he attacks you I am not going to save your sorry ass because it's your own damn fault--"

Then why the hell are you still here? Leave then if you don't care what happens to me.

[And then, speaking again to the door as he ignores Dimple's swearing in the background.]

I'm not interested in picking a fight if one can be avoided. I just want to make sure that you're okay, because frankly you sound like you're about to collapse from how hard you're panicking in there.

Y...you're not going to exorcise me?

[It takes a minute, but eventually, the door creaks open. There is, indeed, a skeleton on the other side. He's in pajamas with cat patterns on them and he looks terrified of Reigen.

Truly the most intimidating of undead, Dimple.]

[For a moment, Reigen makes the most comical expression upon seeing a talking skeleton, before he notes the cat pajamas. It helps to lessen whatever fear he had before and school his expression back to seemingly indifferent as he coughs and does some kind of bizarre series of hand gestures to try to hide it first.]

No? No. It's fine. You're fine. I think.

[Reigen ignores whatever face Dimple is making behind his back (which is likely one of disbelief too because that definitely isn't what a lich normally dresses like) as he carefully regards the other man.]

Even if, I guess, we found our "skeleton ghost" the client was talking about... you don't actually seem all that intimidating.

[Unsettling with the whole skeleton thing, yes, but not scary, he thinks.]

[Gershom isn't sure he believes that, but it's fine. This might as well happen.]

I'm sorry... I try not to be seen, but I guess I was careless.

"I'll say... so Reigen, what are we going to do about this one? I'm pretty sure you're gonna need Mob for this one if we're gonna exorcize it. Though, I might be able to hold it down long enough for him to get here..."

[Dimple jesus christ, Gershom is standing right there... Reigen does however hum loudly in consideration before he holds up a hand to stop Dimple from potentially acting on those words.]

Alright, look, normally we're supposed to do what the client asks of us, but I'm willing to look the other way on this one... if you answer a few questions for me first.

[He says, now using said hand to point at Gershom here rather dramatically.]

[The dramatics are probably a bit overkill, because when Reigen points at him, Gershom yelps and takes a few steps back. Please don't hurt him, scary exorcist man.]

A-anything you want to know!

Good, good. First question: what is it that a lich like yourself is doing here of all places? Typically I deal with ghosts haunting places they died, but I take it that's not the case with you as far as why you're living here specifically.

gershom

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject