/ voice; 🔴 start of recording... | end of may.

[roedeer]

[ if anyone happens to enter this call, they'll find that it's murky, a heavy shadow falls over the line that's very noticeable because it sticks. it's a different feeling than what is normally found when entering, and the chances of there being foul-play at work could exist. if any person is near a shadow, they'll see them swaying left to right like an inquisitive cat tail. ]

Hello, everyone. Some may know me, some may not, but you may call me Agent Grapes. I would like to have everyone's attention.

[ a very nervous voice has hit the murmur, but there's no delay as he continues with the information that he knows. ]

There are a few things that need to be discussed, however I want to start by noting that this Murmur conversation cannot be heard by Sleep. Anything you say here is hidden from her and cannot be used against you. Two has shared his powers with me to allow shadows to blanket this conversation, but it will not last forever, and I doubt he can do it actively after so please take this as an advantage to settle your goals. There is safety here.

[ for them there's safety, for agent grapes... he watches as the tips of his fingers bubble up, the way a black shadowy ooze starts to drip onto the floor. sometimes, sacrifices need to be made, he guesses... but this is a little scary. ]

As you know, all information on the Murmur is heard by Sleep. All your plotting, any planning, even the mundane things is information she can use against you. In order to handle that situation, Two suggests finding One's true body so he can make contact with him. Musically inclined individuals may be able to do this more easily, as he apparently likes music, and I suggest going in pairs for safety. Patience will also be an asset. He may be found moving between "the places we've frequented the most".

Through this, we will be able to make the Murmur safer, and this will allow for both Two and Three to assimilate easily and follow through with their plan.

I stress that no one with ill-intent make contact with One.

I'll leave this in your hands.

[ as for the next bit, he's sure this is important to those here: ]

Additionally, I ask that individuals bearing ill-will towards Sleep do not attempt to take her life. Her and One are souls that must exist together— if she dies, or if he dies, then both this world and all of ours may even cease to exist.

[ those that have found a home here, people that they care for, and even those they worry back home will be gone. it's a troubling thing, but it must be said, and to keep espera out of the line of fire he avoids mentioning her concerns over not wanting people to know. ]

"They are twin souls— Unfused, currently, and terribly out of balance." This is what I was told, and that the repercussions for separation are catastrophic.

[ there are those who probably don't care for their world, there are those that want to send certain people back to their previous world, but all of that would be for naught if this problem isn't settled. ]

Finally, it's been determined that the current plane we're in is the Third Dimension of existence. Miss Espera is currently trapped between the here and the Fourth Dimension, the Interstice, where Sleep is confined. The other numerals face similar difficulties in reaching this world.

However, I've been told that we need to bring all of the numerals to the Third Dimension, and that this may be possible through a plan that Two and Three have put together. I would like to ask for up to five people who would be willing to take part in this to please reach out to me.

[ OOC NOTE: Hiii guys!! So this murmur cannot be heard by Sleep at all, isn't that great? The first time we get a feeling of privacy on the Murmur, woohoo!! However, it's making Agent Grapes melt in real time to hold it up with Two because nothing comes easy.

Depending on the topic for any tag-ins, it'll be either Agent Choi or Agent Grapes that will respond!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
➤ WEAPONS: HERE
➤ ONE CHASERS: HERE, HERE, HERE
➤ RITUAL PLACERS: HERE, HERE, HERE
➤ GUY WHO WILL RISK IT ALL FOR TWO SERVICES: HERE
➤ FOUR INFORAMTION: HERE

this is just to find like-minded people interested in said thing easily! ]

Comments

[dedicate]

I don't have a lot to add since our Grapes was pretty thorough with it, but I do have one thing.

A little while back, I caught something that I don't know if I was meant to hear. "If they keep feeding her, she'll make the line thinner." It went something like that—and considering what Grapes has shared with the class about Sleep's current location, I think it's safe to say that the line being referred to is the line between the third and the fourth.

What I'm saying is, be careful about how much power you give her. Even if it's not something you mean to do, that place isn't pleasant, and she's got a lot more sway there, so things could get worse if we're not careful.

[dethangel]

[Look, Toki's definitely got beef with One, but... angry as he's been, he still hasn't even had it in him to get rid of the bracelets he made for him. Dude's a douchebag, but... they were still something like friends, even if One claimed otherwise.]

I... I wanna help.

[He'll yell at One about stuff later, when there's less of... all this.]

I play guitar. So...

[That should help, right?]

[roedeer]

[ what agent grapes doesn't know won't hurt him, but also, as long as everyone knows what's at stake then it should be fine. this is mostly for espera's nerves if anything. ]

Thank you. I will do what's within my power to assist.

[ toki can't see him, but the agent is nodding his head. ]

Are you familiar with places he's normally at? I've never met with One, so that information is lost upon me, but I believe you should take someone with you to ensure your success.

[tinflower]

[ There's a sort of awkward presence of somebody bringing their attention this way. ]

Uh, hey, do you... do you want a drummer?

[ H-hi. ]

[closetdweller]

If the price of privacy is someone else snooping then it's not exactly private, dude.

This is why I don't use this for anything important.

[dedicate]

Right? Usually I'm the same, but, really, this isn't exactly something that could be kept a secret.

[ Nor passed on by word of mouth, for logistical reasons beyond IC control. ]

And anyway, none of this is information that the numerals don't know in the first place, if that's what you're worried about?

[sorte]

[ laughs. ]

What a wild bunch you are thinking anyone here can kill Sleep or One that you need to request that. Sleep doesn't even exist on this plane, as you just confirmed yourself.

I don't really see why you are trying so hard to conceal this, either. Sleep already has eyes and ears everywhere, including inside of us. If people are afraid of Sleep finding out what they have to say because they fear for safety, they should just stop thinking and speaking all together.

As getting the numerals together is what Espera has been telling us all along, I really don't think you're going to catch Sleep by surprise, but good on you for getting something together to get the others.

(not here)

[closetdweller]

[but doing the Murmur equivalent of mashing the 💯👆 emojis.]

[dedicate]

You'd be surprised? I've seen plenty of things people would have called 'impossible' happen right in front of my eyes~

[ Really, he's pretty sure it's less so that their Grapes thinks someone will succeed, but... ]

It's not a bad thing to inform people of the consequences. Who knows, maybe they'll even choose to use their energy more productively if that's something they were thinking about trying.

Anyway, what you do with that information is up to you in the end. It's not like we're aiming for a surprise, but like you said, what Grapes is telling you is the necessary steps to make things happen faster. Take it or don't, right?

1/2

[athinkingreed]

☝️[Ratio agrees with all the above. This is what is public at least.]

[schietto]

[ what the fuck are you doing to yourself, sir, and WHY. ]

I suggest you explain the plan. Although I'm sure there are more than five people willing to assist, you really should be looking for those with the skills you need the most rather than anyone simply wanting to help.

[ he's sure as hell not volunteering if his skills aren't specifically useful. if it's just anyone, then there are people that care way more in general than he does about being involved in stuff like this. might as well keep the space open for them. ]

[roedeer]

[ dying, mind your business!! ]

That's where you come in, you have a level-head. I haven't felt any ill-will towards you since we've met...

[ even though he's masquerading as someone else, that doesn't mean he hasn't seen what the other is capable of. he's one of the many people that roe deer— no, kim soleum would be willing to vouch for. ]

Two and Three are composing a ritual, and there are five runes that must be taken to five different points of the city.

[ drip, drip, drip. ]

He called it the groundwork of their plan. Whether this is to make their assimilation here easier, or place something on Sleep, it seems their actions are leaning towards One and our's benefit.

[panzana]

[Nicola's presence can be felt listening in on this conversation. He has his own reservations about all this, so he'll only consider volunteering if Dante deems it a worthy cause.

(aka they're a two-for-one package, do not separate—)]

[hallowedly]

...what did you pay Two? For shielding services rendered.


( Kindly confirm!!!! With the class. )

[roedeer]

[ sirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, that's like lifting his pantsleg and showing his victorian ankles....!! ]

Is this sort of assistance something you're looking into? I believe it depends on your request, but I offered him use of my abilities.

[opheliac]

[ooc; I'll get to our thread, I promise. I've been suffering with constant migraines. anyhoooo...]

[ the words seem to come in a very slow drawl, as though she is completely spent, but trying to tough it out. ]

If anyone needs weapons or gear for this, I can whip it up for ya. I need something to do with my hands anyway.

[roedeer]

[ ooc; you're fine, i'll actually pm you in a bit!! ]

Thank you, Miss. You shouldn't overwork yourself, I'm sure you could go along with them as well if you hold any interest.

[potentialman]

[ Megumi is politely not gonna comment on Grapes becoming shadow soup. Better to keep things brief so he can go back to not turning himself into soup, probably?

Finding One, okay, makes sense. Megumi has no particular musical inclination, nor has he spoken with One to try and form any kind of rapport, though, so while he might be able to help with that, he figures he'd be much more helpful with the latter bit. ]

What do you need us to do?

[ He's half expecting them to pass him over in favor of any actual adults who are putting their hands up, but he's darned well gonna throw his hat in if he wants to. >:( ]

[dedicate]

[ Grapes seems a little busy right now, so: ]

Remember when we went into the subways? There were all kinds of runes around, yeah? Well, here and there, that is.

[ You know, all around-ish. ]

We're being asked to do something similar—set a few runes around the city. He said it was related to getting the numerals here, so it's likely that the placement of the runes will be areas that are strongly associated with the ones they want to call over. We'll need people who are familiar with the landscape to find and place them.

[trashblaze]

[ Oh… More things that Caelus won't be able to help with. Makes him sad!!! Even his roommates up there are against him going!?

Hm, but wait, maybe there is something he can do for them! ]

Grapes Hyung, Choi Hyung, if you two aren't in a hurry, would it be okay for one of you to drop by my room later? You can take your time. I'm not going anywhere else.

[ Or they can both go! Caelus would like to see them both again, anyway. He hasn't been able to go to the agents' place these past weeks because of the recent dangers outside. … And another good reason he's been stuck in his room. ]

[dedicate]

I've been meaning to pay you a visit anyway, so I can swing by. Same room as last time?

[ He's already paying the hotel a visit, so it'd be nice to see Caelus while he's there anyway, yeah? ]

[sacral]

If we need all the Numerals in order to obtain balance between Sleep and One —

I know Four's location. ...It's fitting, that it's quite the unlucky number.

[dedicate]

Ah, so it's like that, is it? Though I should've guessed that you'd already be ahead of us, huh.

[ He's not Choi's favourite for nothing. ]

Let's hear it then~

[blindserpent]

[Why would Harang have any ill intent towards One when they shared a desire to reach people's hearts with their music? Except One twisted his precious ability and used it to draw everyone else into his own pain. Still, what better way of finding out his weakness then by meeting the bastard? So he swallowed his bitter sarcasm and hid his fangs behind a friendly silver tongue.]

I'm afraid I've never met One, but I'm a musician by trade.

[dedicate]

We seem to have a lot of those types, it's pretty lucky~

[ Especially at a time like now. ]

It's probably for the best that you kids don't travel alone, yeah? So if you're interested in lending a hand, I'd like you to go with the other person who volunteered. He already seems to have an idea of where he'd like to check, too, so the two of you can start with that.

[for_sake]

( one-upping jesus christ there, grapes? an earnest call like this, with all held cards laid out, inevitably carries the finality of a hail mary. )

So... this is your solution.

( gingerly, he plucks the connection involving megumi. since it's public, he won't put them through repetition by pretending he's not nosy. )

I helped find some of the runes in the city during that underground fight, so I'm pretty familiar with central Manhattan.

[roedeer]

These are the entities who wish to help us solution, but... it's what little I can do.

[ does he sound proud? no, does he sound tired? of course. it's why he feels a little bad not being able to fill in all the blanks that people are looking for. it all comes in with "just trust me," or "if it doesn't work then don't rely on them".

he wishes he could help a little more.

yoshiki might notice it, but there will be a black cat coming over to his leg, its body rubbing against him with a sticky substance. there's a sheet of paper in its mouth. ]

I haven't figured out if it's all the symbols together or the arch.

[merged]

I, uh... I might've already found him, though I'm sure he's long gone from where we were. [ The idea of people hunting One down in his state makes her a bit nervous, but... ] One's been writing music. I've got a couple of sheets of it if someone wants to incorporate it into a song or something to catch his attention. We just need to make sure anyone who goes to find him will be capable of treating him with... with kid gloves. The last thing we need is for anyone to get voided out like the Numerals. I'm pretty sure that'd break him.

—I want to know more about this twin souls thing. Were you told what that meant? Do you know if they were one before? [ No matter the answer, she knows she won't like it. She can't kill Sleep—and she can't think about that right now. ]

[roedeer]

If you've met with him, then you understand the type of personality has and what he needs.

[ if she's able to meet with him then maybe she's the patient type that agent grapes was thinking of. he doubts one soul can make a change, but maybe two or three... as long as they handle him properly.

but there's no need to repeat what she's said, she has the tools to help anyone who wishes to involve themselves, and so he focuses on her latter question. ]

There could be various meanings [ some leaning on the cult side, but he won't addle her mind with that], and I didn't ask for an elaboration. My understanding is they're inextricably linked, and most likely have always been so. Removing one would cause everything to go unbalanced, our worlds and this one. Miss Espera didn't offer an avenue on how to separate them, she requested that we harmonize them which brings me to believe that they can reach a point of equilibrium.

That said... Two mentioned that while One is being manipulated by Sleep, he has the power to out-manipulate her. From the sound of it, this doesn't sound... leveled, but if he can make her see eye to eye with him through those means, that is an option.

[fatedfinality]

[ He does notice that murky, difficult to hear sensation. It's... interesting. While he doesn't care what pact was made in order to establish this private connection, there is something else that he can't help himself from asking. ]

And how can we trust anything you've said here? Are we just supposed to take you at your word, without proof?