memento_corazon | I must be dreaming cause I don't believe in ghosts

[Rosinante was late this morning, although Law knew why. He was picking up breakfast, he always offered to do it for them, and Law always put a little money in the heart shaped basket on Rosinante's desk to try to make up for it. Sometimes it got accepted, sometimes it ended up back on Law's desk, but the tradition of Rosinante bringing breakfast for them to work was a consistent.

It was one of many things that were constants for them. Rosinante got breakfast, Law looked over the early work that was set up for them, the files given that came from their superiors and he sorted out which ones he felt were needed to be dealt with first. Rosinante would skim through everything, he always did, the man was meticulous when it came to their cases. But Law usually had a good eye for what was important first.

Vintage dolls were going missing, and people spoke of seeing a 'centipede made of babies' in the distance. At the distance stated, this suggests a very large entity. And people are starting to feel compelled to purchase dolls and leave them out for this creature.

A cat in the next town had started supposedly speaking and telling fortunes in exchange for fish dinners. Everyone who feeds the cat has seen a rise in income, but feel unhealthily indebted to and will not risk not gifting it more food.

One vintage radio, Marine specific model, that tells the listener something dark they need to hear if put on the right station. The results have supposed driven nine people to suicide, no other information is had.

An apartment owner has sent specific information about a loud and repeating haunting. They've been aware of this haunting for years, a replay of a murder-suicide. However, the issue seems to be escalating and warping the apartment building.

Dozens of others are there, a house of VGGs, Victorian ghost girls, none of which ever actually are described in any way that matches children of that time period, all blond and blue eyed. Of course. Those are a dime a dozen, and hardly ever end with anything. This one though, one that slides out from the stack of ghosts and big foot and magic wells, says that the girl is beautiful, fragile looking, and the people who have encountered her feel like she's about to eat them the entire time. Law adds it to the four files above, on the top of the stack.

He's so caught up in his file hunting that he doesn't notice the sound of Rosinante's footsteps.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

callada

[Part of getting breakfast means a chance to think about mundane things like city streets and pleasant warm cafes. A few minutes to walk, to have a cigarette, and pretend his life is as normal as most everyone else's before plunging into whatever mad adventure Law has found for them that day.

At least his job is never boring.

Law must have something good, too, with how he's busily reading over the morning's picks and hasn't even spared him a glance. He just chuckles and sets the box down on Law's desk in front of him, with the smell of sweet red bean, rice, and sweet potato wafting from it. A new place, with new offerings, and an aroma impossible to resist had lured him in and he can't wait to dig in. But first, he rests a hand on Law's shoulder as he leans down to look over what's on the screen.]

Whatever it's going to be today, don't pick one at the fish wholesalers. I swear, it took a week to stop smelling like seafood last time.

[Who knew the ghosts of ancient pirates could inhabit treasure swallowed by an enormous octopus hauled up from the depths? That had been exciting in a way he'd rather not repeat too quickly.]

From:

memento_corazon

[Law's stance relaxes at the sight of the box set in front of him, and his stomach growls in response to the smell of the food. The aroma wafts up and tempts him, he didn't realize quite how hungry he really was until the meal was in front of him. And it smells like something really good was picked this time too. Rosinante always finds the best places.

Law scoots the laptop a little so that it's easier for Rosinante to read what's on the screen.] No fish at all this time, unless you want to check out the cat. [Law opens his box so he can start eating. It's funny how comfortable he's gotten with Rosinante, he doesn't startle when he comes in, he doesn't mind the man reading over his shoulder. But that's also part of what makes them such a good team for this.] I figured the radio one would interest you. But you might want to read about the Victorian ghost girl.

From:

callada

You like that one, huh?

[He collects his half of breakfast and begins to eat while he looks the options over, one at a time. He's not sure what appeals to that ghost girl to Law so much - to his eyes it doesn't stand out strikingly from others of that particular general type, but Law has a good sense for these things and he trusts his judgment.

Rosinante tends to go for solving problems that are otherwise most likely to end in deaths, in an attempt to protect as many as possible. So the radio does interest him already, and its supposed Marine origins are even more intriguing. He's able to quickly narrow down the list of priorities to those two, which he sets side by side on the desk. There's no reason they can't investigate both, they just have to decide which to take on first.]

Personally, I'd like to keep people from being driven to kill themselves. The longer we wait on that, the more people who die, if it's legitimate.

From:

memento_corazon

It's not that I like it. But it's always the same, some pretty pale tragic kid who they feel bad for. This one makes people feel like they're about to be eaten. That's a big change from the usual description.

[Law always at least takes a quick look at anything in this range of spirits. It's not that he's particularly fascinated on a personal level, but when he can offhand remember at least twenty cases that came out as duds with pretty much the same descriptions it becomes very interesting when something doesn't fit the modus operandi. They really are usually just wastes of time. And ghost hunting groups continuously find 'proof' of these girls that end up easily debunked. So any differences are something worth noting, and in Law's mind worth checking out.]

I figured you would. We have no confirmation of actual suicides, but that's not unusual when we first get a case to investigate. [Rumors can mean everything, or nothing. A lot of the time, it's nothing thankfully. But when it's something, it's usually horrible. The problem is deciding if it's worth wasting the effort if it's nothing in the end.] So we can go with that one first. If we can get some proof of the deaths, it might be worth making the trip out.

From:

callada

Yeah. I think we can at least see if it's legitimate. If not, we'll move on. Guess we're not lucky enough to have any names already in the report?

[Because if so, it's just a matter of checking newspaper obituaries and contacting relatives and friends to confirm. They can do all that without leaving the office. Saves them time and a trip out to search a whole city in person for people who might or might not have encountered some radio.]

From:

memento_corazon

Of course not. We never have it that easy. We can start really researching after we eat.

[If they have all of the information they want, then it's almost a sure sign that it's a fraudulent case and a waste of time. This at least is easy enough to work through, and Law takes a bite of his breakfast before moving to check a large social media page for the town. Rosinante can handle the newspaper if he wants to, but sometimes in a small town local gossip just as quick a way for gaining information.

And it looks like their police's page on the social site has something good fast. An announcement of the death of a forty year old Marine veteran, causes unknown, but people are already gossiping in the comment sections.

It's not right!

He'd never do this, I've known him for two decades, he was a great serviceman, this isn't like him.

It's not suicide, it's murder.

And so forth. And that alone makes Law wonder, as he's eating, if this is going to be legitimate.] I've got something already.

From:

callada

[As Law searches, Rosinante takes up his own post at his computer, eating while it starts up. It's always worth checking the obituaries just in case. If nobody died, if nothing at all happened that can be officially corroborated, then the gossip may, in fact, end up amounting to being gossip and nothing more. It's good to check them against each other.

So he sees the obituary for the same person Law finds, too, but then eyes the others. In a town this size, only three or four deaths per day is fairly standard - and helpful. It will make checking up on the full list quicker. He saves the names and causes of death to a database, to be checked against the hospital and the morgue's records. Sometimes what's printed in a public manner isn't the full truth. In fact, he'd say it's quite often not.]

Yeah? Tell me about it, then.

From:

memento_corazon

The town has a really active social media presence through Coobook. It's kind of an older site, I don't know anyone under forty who uses it, but it's still pretty popular with them. Maybe it's a small town thing.

[Law checks the post once more. It's kind of wild to him how the police haven't deleted comments or shut down the comment section yet.]

Anyway, the police posted on their page, talking about how a forty year old Marine veteran was found dead, cause of death unknown. The comment section is pretty set that it's not a suicide, some saying that the man was murdered.

From:

callada

Standard conspiracy theorists.

[He shrugs. Happens every time someone dies, especially if it's a suicide. People say they were such a nice person, they seemed so happy, they'd never kill themselves, it had to be murder, as if a person couldn't hide their thoughts from friends and nosy neighbors.]

But good find. I think I've found him on my end too. Can't be too many recent apparent suicides by 40-year-old vets. Dellion Conway, right? Doesn't say he's survived by anyone. Probably didn't have much of a family life. He was stationed on the Grand Line for most of his career, moved back to Marineford briefly, then based on these dates he didn't stay there long.

[Good thing he still has access to Marine personnel files and a few other things he probably shouldn't. He searches the name and looks over the service records.]

Dishonorably discharged. That's unusual. Looks like arson, but it was contained quickly. Fined him and kicked him out after a short prison term. That's probably why that obituary said he was at Marineford. Sounds nicer than "in jail".

From:

memento_corazon

Maybe. Maybe not.

[Law doesn't trust people, they're usually wrong and full of lies. But in situations like this it's not particularly beneficial in his mind to write things off so quickly. Especially when more comments keep popping up, the town seems like it's about to rally against an enemy.

Too bad there's not an obvious one to be had.]

There's a major issue with the files. You said Dellion Conway, right? [There might be something more to this, or someone else died on the same day.] He specialized in communications, medical discharge due to debilitating injuries, no details further about what caused the injury. Got a couple of ribbons and awards during his service. [Law pauses.] Rosinante-ya, I think we have two on the same day.

From:

callada

You're sure?

[Of course he's sure, but he has to ask anyway as he looks up from his food in surprise. It's still a coincidence, just a slightly more unusual one.]

I'm sure it happens sometimes. Lots of Marines, so some of them are bound to die on the same day, even in the same town.

[It's not staunch disbelief or anything, he just feels better playing devil's advocate a bit. Makes sure they have to have something really solid before they go spending the rest of the week following up in person.]

From:

memento_corazon

I think so. I've got a totally different story. Let me see what else I can find.

[Law furrows his brows, the sound of typing speeding up. His first thought is that the man lied publicly, altered his information somehow to show himself as a better person. The locals truly seem to love him, so that's probably the case in point. But then he gets a name, and a very interesting comment.

Why is it always at forty? It's not fair that's still so young!]

I'm looking at a Cecil Marrins. [Two on the same day after all, then.] Someone made a comment asking why it always happens at forty. That's a little odd. [A lot of servicemen, former or current, go fast. It's a rough life, full of hard choices and responsibilities. Law keeps searching for more information though, and comes across a woman's list of the town's somewhat recent suicides.

Cecil Marrins-40
Dellion Conway-40
Issak White-40
George Sands-40
Mack Fisher-40
Laurence Roads-40
Beauregard 'Bo' Watanabe-40
Mary Church-40
Marigold Fisk-40
James Marple-40
Kathryn 'Kitty' Walker-40
Mallon Smithson-40

Dates and methods all come attached, some are noted as being declared suicides by the police, some are listed instead as accidental falls and drowning. The page has photocopied obituaries and as much information as possible for someone with only base access to records to get. Still, Law notes that it's made things easier on him.

Someone's an amateur sleuth and she's got her information in order.

And every one of them is a former Marine.] Rosinante-ya, I'm sending you a link. [It's easier for Rosinante to look on his own, after all.] Tell me what you think of this.

From:

callada

[It wouldn't be fair to say that his skepticism fully melts away. Anyone can make a list like this and have it be complete bullshit. But it will only take a few minutes of searching through hospital and town records to confirm birthdates and thus the ages of all these people. Does it happen on their birthdays, the moment they turn forty? Is it a series of convenient rounding errors? Is it, in fact, total bullshit?

He stares at the list for a quiet minute or so, then starts filing information requests with the city hall. Might as well. But as he types, he responds,]

I think we need to talk to whoever put together this list. See what she knows. Could be a time-saver. I'm verifying birthdates right now to make sure it isn't completely made up, but in the meantime, let's go ahead and pay her a visit.

From:

memento_corazon

[Law was working on checking information before he even started on sending the link. He's not going to waste his partner's time if he can help it, and he'd rather send Rosinante only confirmed information. But considering the obituary links and careful dates, he figured that it was worth sharing.

But if it'll mean something in the end is another issue. And he thinks that Rosinante has the right idea here. A little visit can't hurt. And even if it's not helpful, they'll be in the town anyway. So it's not going to be a wasted day regardless.

Something will be gotten out of it.]

It's not like we have another serious case right now.

From:

callada

Yeah, give me a minute.

[Which, despite the fact he's said it sort of flatly and is distracted with filing the last of the info requests he's working on, he flashes a smile over toward Law and then polishes off the last of his food.]

Just checking birthdates. They'll get back to us in a couple days, probably. You ready to head out?

[He asks as he stands, then trips backward over his own chair and tumbles to the office floor.]

From:

memento_corazon

[That smile gets a bit of a grin in return from Law, just for a moment. Law isn't the most sociable of people, he's frankly someone who's words can bite and who's humor can run cruel. But Rosinante brings out the best in him, somehow. And over the course of their time working together, he's slowly warmed up.

And maybe, that's another reason they work so well together.

Law makes sure that he hasn't wasted any of his breakfast, eats the last couple of bites, and nods.]

Yeah, let me grab my coat. [Law sighs as Rosinante goes down, and grabs his laptop to take with him. That goes into his bag, with a couple of other items, and that's all he needs to get moving. Save for Rosinante righting himself, that is.] Do you want to drive separately? Or go together?

From:

callada

[He picks himself up without too much trouble other than a wince as he rubs his hip which had hit the floor hardest. Ow. But then he rights the chair and dumps the takeout container in the trash. One laptop between the two of them is plenty, but he makes sure to grab other useful things - phone, wallet, keys - and stick them in his coat pockets.]

Together. Come on.

[No justification needed, really. He goes to get the door for the both of them so they can head for the parking lot.]

I'll drive if you have the directions ready.

From:

memento_corazon

[The fact that Rosinante always gets up with relative ease and minimal fuss is somewhat amazing to Law. He was a doctor before an incident with the paranormal pushed him into this line of work, and he's seen far more people whine and complain over minimal injuries than he has people respond to what seems painful like Rosinante does. He just moves on. Law isn't sure if it's a good thing or not, but regardless it's something that's amazing to him.

Rosinante wants to carpool, so Law won't argue. He grabs the last of what he feels is needed for the trip, and heads out with his partner.] I've got it. It's not that far so we'll be fine, and the roads are pretty straightforward once we get closer. [He gets them up on his phone, and locks the office up before they make their way to the parking lot.] You think it's going to be anything worth the trouble this time? We've gotten a lot of boring cases lately.

From:

callada

[What an odd question. He glances over at Law as he buttons up his coat and waits for Law to finish locking up.]

No way to know without finding out, right? Anyway, even if it's a bust, we'll have a road trip day. Good to get out.

[Not that he's perpetually some sunny optimist or anything. He takes the job plenty seriously, for what it is. But why not enjoy an opportunity to get out and see a new town? A boring case is one where nobody gets killed by the supernatural, and people are left to their mundane problems instead, and he can't say that's all bad either. A slight waste of time, but an acceptable one.

Once Law has caught up, he goes to unlock the car and buckle in with a smile and a shrug at his navigator as Law climbs in beside him.]

From:

memento_corazon

[Rosinante seems so much less focused on proof and needing a show of reality than Law does, at least in Law's opinion. Sometimes Law thinks it's just a day job to Rosinante, and it very well might be. But to Law, who has experienced something that to him is life changing, he wants to see more. Needs to have evidence. He wants to believe that there's more than just the low rung cases they keep coming across.

Most of this is faked, he knows it. Or folklore. But sometimes Law thirsts for this, hungers for evidence, needs something more concrete than the few experiences he's had personally.]

It's still a paid day out on the road. Could be worse. [Once Law is settled in, he sets up the map for directions on his phone. It's a drive, sure, but not a long one. And there's probably somewhere to eat along the way if nothing else.] Take Barns road out to Farm Road A66. We'll be on that road a while.

From:

callada

[Sure, a paid day, if that's what keeps Law motivated. Rosinante is just happy to go along with him. He hadn't been sure about this job when he'd taken it - his skepticism told him there couldn't be much out there that's truly supernatural, and if there was, nobody would believe the things they find. But he took it in order to solve those cases nobody else wanted to touch, to help people who otherwise would never get the help they needed. Some of it ends up being real crime, just not of the supernatural variety, and those ones are sometimes the most satisfying to solve, for the sake of the victims. People can be monsters, too.

But he lucked out in ending up with Law as his partner for this. He's a big part of why the job is so bearable on those frustrating days where the spirits in the trees are just two people sneaking out for an affair, or an old man trying to claim his own life insurance.]

Barns to A66. Got it. [Lotta long roads out here but hey, it's a nice day for a drive.] Want to put on some music? Whatever you want.

From:

memento_corazon

[There really is something about working with Rosinante that makes things more pleasant for Law. The man is fascinating, clumsy but somehow a talented marksman. He's over the top, often silly, but he manages to be a frightening force when it's called for. Rosinante is a mess of traits and contrasting points, and somehow he's the only person that Law has really connected to since leaving home.

Or what was left of his home, anyway.

And maybe that's part of why he's so desperate to find some truth in all of the mess of rumors and lies. He knows how monstrous humans are, what evil they're capable of. So maybe there's a part of him that wants something bigger beyond the spectrum of human wickedness to blame for once.]

It won't be that long of a drive. [He's almost disappointed in that. Once he has the music on, a local variety station that shouldn't be too annoying, it's smooth sailing. The weather is lovely, the skies are blue, and he's off with his co-worker to investigate.

Law is surprisingly content.] Why did you get into this line of work, Rosinante-ya? [He hadn't realized until recently that he'd never asked.]

From:

callada

[Far enough for music, though. And he knows this song! He'd sing along - actually, is about to do just that - but Law asks him a question instead.]

Always wanted to help the people who couldn't help themselves, you know? And supernatural, paranormal events and creatures are usually the definition of that. Especially when other people don't take it seriously. The investigation part is fun, too. It's like a puzzle.

[An extra-challenging puzzle with a lot of research and careful questioning. It sure does keep him engaged.]

How about you?

From:

memento_corazon

[It's nothing exciting, but Law's tastes are usually universally disliked by people, and it's mainly just for a little background noise anyway.

Rosinante's answer suits him entirely. Law makes a soft snort, not quite a laugh, and he can't help but to smile. Of course he wants to help people, especially those not taken seriously when they're in need. Rosinante is so good, and Law endlessly admires him.

Then Law is a little more serious. He doesn't share this story often.]

When I was working as a doctor, a patient arrived at my parent's clinic dead after the ambulance driver got in a car accident on the way. He'd be drinking, and she was gone long before she made it to us. She was dead. There was no coming back from that. [Law can still remember her expression, angry and contorted.] We were just holding onto her for pick up at that point, we didn't even have a proper morgue. Just a room set aside for the purpose. But when I came into work again that evening, the door was open. And she was walking around.

From:

callada

What? Wow.

[It's less of a shock than it might have been when he first started. But it's still fascinatingly weird, and he can see why Law was sucked in. Talk about a medical mystery.]

So what happened? How come she got back up?