OPEN } i'm gonna set things straight again, i'm gonna prove them wrong

[krmvgivv]

Who: Dipper Pines and YOU
Where: Out and around the hot springs
When: at night when the GHOSTS are out
Rating: G for GHOSTS
Summary: Dipper can't relax like a normal person, so he's out hunting GHOSTS!
The Story:

[The hot springs are all very nice (if a little more naked than Dipper is comfortable with in his swimming), but he's way more interested in the rumors that this place is haunted. His last ghost encounter didn't go so well, but he knows a lot more about ghosts now. He knows a lot more about everything.

Well, possibly not about the yukata. He's definitely wearing it wrong, and he's got his shorts on underneath. It feels weird otherwise. Well, weirder. He'd really prefer a shirt.

But it doesn't matter. He's ready for any ghosts that come his way. He's got anointed water, he's got a sensor to try and catch ghostly readings, and he's got his journal. Time to set a few traps and hope he can catch the ghost by the time the event ends. Sure, it means not sleeping much, since obviously nighttime is when ghosts are most common, and it means not enjoying the relaxing vacation but, well, vacations aren't nearly as interesting as ghosts are, and it's not like he was sleeping anyway. Slumber parties are the worst, even when it's boys, not girls.]

Comments

[itwouldbeatragedy]

[...Ghosts.

Well, okay. In combination with the love of secret codes, this is making Kaneki's idea of what kind of kid this is crystallize very rapidly.

He glances around.]

I guess it does seem a little creepy when it's quiet, since it's kind of an old building.

[Looking back at Dipper, he takes in the items he's carrying with him.]

What is all of that for?

[krmvgivv]

[That idea is probably... not very far off.]

Oh, this is anointed water. Depending on what level ghost it is, this might incapacitate it, make it vanish entirely, or do absolutely nothing. And this? [He holds up the machine that looks sort of like a metal detector, but smaller.] Can detect traces of ectoplasm. It'll beep if a ghost is near. If I built it right, anyway.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

You made it yourself? [Kaneki peers a bit more closely at the machine--not close enough to invade any personal space or anything.] That's pretty impressive. Where did you learn to do something like that?

[krmvgivv]

Read about it. I've had a really weird summer. [He grins a little because when he says really weird, he means best ever.]

[itwouldbeatragedy]

Have you ever found anything with it before?

[krmvgivv]

Well... no. But the theories are sound!

[itwouldbeatragedy]

I've read a little about this kind of thing, but not that much. [Kaneki tilts his head, trying to recall what little he has read about the supernatural and things like ghost hunting. He shivers a little.] I guess because all the ghost photos I saw online were a bit too creepy, even if most of them were probably fake.

[krmvgivv]

Yeah, real supernatural creatures are always surprisingly difficult to photograph. And no one ever prepares for camera failure. That's why I always bring a bunch of back-up cameras when I want to photograph something creepy. Not sure if ghosts would even show up on film, though.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

But it seems like there are other ways to detect them. [Kaneki indicates the ectoplasm-whatever-the-heck machine again.] Can you see them with the naked eye? I mean...I've never seen one, myself, but I don't really if that's because I can't or because I've just never encountered any or because they don't exist or what.

[He'd normally lean toward "don't exist" but for the sake of the conversation, he won't go there.]

[krmvgivv]

Sometimes. There are a lot of different kinds of ghosts. And not everything people think is a ghost is. Like, it's pretty easy to take fake ghost pictures with an old camera or using photo editing software. But that doesn't mean the real ones aren't out there. The trick is separating the real ones out from the fake ones.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

[Kaneki nods. That sounds reasonable.]

Do you think there's really one here or is that what you're trying to figure out?

[krmvgivv]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I hope there's one here. But it's hiding pretty well.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

If I won't be in the way, can I tag along for a little while?

[krmvgivv]

[Dipper considers, then shrugs a shoulder.] Sure, I don't see why not. Always good to go ghost hunting with a buddy. Just in case.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

[Kaneki gives him a sideways look.] In case of what?

[krmvgivv]

...well, it's a ghost. Sometimes they're cute and harmless, but sometimes they're really, really not.

[itwouldbeatragedy]

...I've heard stories about ghosts attacking people, but I guess it's always been hard for me to imagine that really happening.

[krmvgivv]

Yeah? What do you think ghosts do?

[itwouldbeatragedy]

...If they were leftover emotional or psychic energy or something, it seems like they'd just...be there, with only a negligible effect on their surroundings.

But I guess the effect would be proportional to the energy left behind wouldn't it? If someone died feeling strong enough emotions, the signature left behind would be stronger.... But would it be capable of actual thought or volition?

[krmvgivv]

...I mean, I've met ghosts before, so apparently yes. [Dipper frowns, rubbing his chin as he thinks. He pulls Journal 3 out and starts flipping through it.] Must be more than just energy and emotion, then. Ectoplasm, maybe?

[itwouldbeatragedy]

What is ectoplasm?

[Other than "something ghost-y."]

[krmvgivv]

...something ghost-y?

[Yep, that's about all Dipper's got too.]

[itwouldbeatragedy]

...So how do you know your device can detect it? ["If you don't know what the heck it is?" is implied.]

[krmvgivv]

I followed very precise instructions from a reliable source.

[The journal's never let him down before.]

[itwouldbeatragedy]

I guess that's all it takes sometimes.

[He smiles a little. He'll be amazed if this works, but mainly because he's not really convinced there's anything to detect in this setting, and not so much because he doesn't think the device will work as it's meant to.]

Then let's look around the building and see if there's anything there. I'll make sure to stay out of the way.