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[foolishjustice]

[Did anyone think Akechi might never show his face online again after that last post? Well, apparently that's not the case, and he's looking quite serious.]

By now, I'm sure a lot of people have heard about the upturn in missing persons cases involving children and teenagers. I know a lot of us try to help the Moon Knights out where we can, so I thought I'd put out a public call for information.

If you've found out anything that might help in solving this case, please, bring it here. This post can serve as a starting point for anyone trying to investigate, instead of making all of us individually interview people for information. I'm sure it'll make things easier on both sides if we don't have a dozen people independently looking for the same leads, after all.

And, don't worry about your contribution going unrewarded. I know the value of information, so if you tell me your name, I'll personally make sure the Moon Knights know if you provided any leads.

Comments

Video

[despairing_hope]

Can you share what is known already? It's only fair when asking for input from others to share first.

[foolishjustice]

Nothing conclusive so far...the only things clearly connecting the victims are that they're all minors, and a majority of them were last seen on Level 1. Reports have been filed for both boys and girls, with no noted preference for Moonheld status. I've heard some rumors that some of them have been seen around a new store called Lunatian Girl, but nobody I asked could confirm for me whether that was before or after they went missing.

I'd like to investigate the store myself, of course, but it seems dangerous to do so alone when I'm in the target demographic.

[despairing_hope]

Ah! That does sound like a good start.

[He sounded rather happy about the entire thing.]

If your worried about going alone, I would love to come along. Even if they were seen there before they went missing and it's unrelated, it should lead to further leads at the very least.

[foolishjustice]

That was my thought, too. If it's a coincidence, the owner might still be able to give some insight into where else the victims might have gone.

I'd like to investigate without announcing it first, though. There's a cafe on the first floor, so I was thinking once I got some backup, I could look for anything suspicious under the guise of sampling the menu.

[despairing_hope]

But of course. It’s better to observe and patron than to waltz in asking questions. Personally I find it better to confront suspects when you are very sure who the culprit is. When done right it can answer everything.

How much backup were you considering?

[foolishjustice]

Exactly. If you question a suspect without evidence, they'll be on their guard and less likely to let any incriminating information slip. But if they don't know they're under suspicion, then they won't take any extra caution to hide evidence.

I'd like to take at least one person with me on every trip, ideally someone with either keen observational abilities or some form of self defense skills. Two would be preferred, but much more than that would look suspicious for an ordinary cafe visit, especially if the composition of the group changes.

Video

[badluckblues]

[ here's Qrow, looking deadly serious for a change: ]

I don't help Moon Knights, but I'll help you. Let me know if you need feet on the ground or eyes in the sky.

[foolishjustice]

An aerial view would be the most help right now. I want the Lunatian Girl store watched as subtly as possible for signs of the missing children. Especially around closing time, I want to know if the owner has a separate home or if he lives in the same building.

[badluckblues]

Aerial surveillance, huh? You got it. Trust me, they'll never see me.

[foolishjustice]

I'll be counting on you, then. The more subtle we can be, the more likely we are to get useful information.

text;

[badluckblues]

[ the following day, a message arrives to Akechi's device: ]

bad news: that street is constantly packed. the shop's location makes it difficult to see who's coming and going. to that end, i didn't see any shopkeeper locking up from the outside, so it's a possibility that he's taking up residence in or above the shop.

more importantly, i suspect that there's something supernatural going on that's messing with our senses and ability to observe the place. it's not an exact science, but i can usually get a read on whether or not there are people in an area. where they're at, about how many, that kinda thing.

not that shop. i get nothing from it. idk maybe that's normal security here but i've never experienced it before

video;

[bought]

I don't need any thanks or recognition [ although infamy does follow Naofumi around, and her by proxy ] but I'll do everything in my power to help save the missing children. I'll report back here with any information I'm able to discover.

[foolishjustice]

Thank you. The store Lunatian Girl is of particular suspicion, but...be careful. I don't want volunteer investigators to join the list of victims because they let their guard down.

Video

[the_archivist]

If there's anyone that you want to ask questions, I can help in that department. I have a particular skill in making sure people answer, and answer truthfully.

[foolishjustice]

That could come in handy if we find information indicating our current suspect really is involved. Right now it's just a hypothesis, but if we get enough evidence to support an accusation, we'll want to make sure his response is truthful.

I do have a magic item on hand that can reveal lies, but it's difficult to administer without the questionee either consenting or being willing to accept a drink.

[the_archivist]

No drinks required on my end. All I'd need to do was ask the questions and then you'll have your answers.

[foolishjustice]

That sounds a lot easier. We're currently suspecting the owner of Lunatian Girl of either being involved or having possibly seen the victims, but we'll want to know which one is more likely before we start asking questions.

[the_archivist]

Lunatian Girl? The doll shop?

[An expression of dreadful realisation crosses Jon's face.]

Oh no. That is very very bad.

[necroyalty]

I don't suppose you have any pictures of the children who disappeared?

[foolishjustice]

I have some photos of missing person posters.

[And attached are several photos of posters that contain fairly typical information for searching for a missing person.]

Local Moon Knight offices should have regularly updated postings.

[necroyalty]

Alright. I should be able to scry on them from afar. It'd be more useful if I had something like a hair or some nail clippings, but good luck getting your hands on that on short notice.

[video]

[studdedcouncilprez]

Checking in. I have been monitoring the front of the location in passing and have nothing to report.

I didn't even see anyone enter the building. The whole thing is rather cryptic. Though I have no evidence to the point, it comes to mind some kind of stronghold... or palace...

Private

[foolishjustice]

It's a shame we don't know any more specifics. If we had any ideas as to what exactly the owner is doing, we could make guesses about keywords.

Of course, if we had that sort of information, interrogating his Shadow would be needless. And I don't think he has the kind of social clout that would require a more...vigilante approach to stopping him.

Permaprivate

[studdedcouncilprez]

I see...

Still, I can't help shake the feeling that there is something... wrong about the place. On the outside everything appears normal, but its... an absence. My senses focus inward as I go near. Its like the outside world does not exist.

And then there's the dolls... [Though could that have been movie night still lingering in her memory...] ...they are disturbing, but if you ask I cannot tell you why.

[She shakes her head shaking out the thought.] Has anyone contacted you about this?

[foolishjustice]

Someone mentioned not being able to sense any living beings inside, despite the fact that the store was packed all day and the owner didn't seem to leave. I talked to Futaba-chan, and she had the same problem.

At this point, I'm utterly certain that Asmodeus is hiding something. I do have...a theory, but it's a disturbing one.

I noticed several patrons treating their dolls as though they were alive. And when I looked at the customers' faces, their skin was unnaturally pale and their eyes were glassed over. I think...the next step is to visit the second floor. I want to get a look at the full collection. I've seen enough photos of the missing children that I have a good chance of noticing if any of them are...on display.