Ghostbusters: Japan Quest

[EchoGarrote]

Default name is Michiko, but feel free to come up with a nickname.

If you don't know the Ghostbusters...well...

This takes aspects from the Movies, the Video Game, the cartoons 'Real Ghostbusters,' and 'Extreme Ghostbusters.'
As for the Japanese side, we're going full-on everything and the ghost in the kitchen sink.

As of now the Ghostbusters are a known group, but seen as frauds or a joke by almost anyone not living in New York.
Yes, even despite everything that's happened.
- - - - - - - - - -

You are standing at the bottom of the stairs to the train station, seriously considering the option of running and jumping out onto the tracks.
Expulsion from school is kind of a big deal. Particularly in Japan.
No other college will so much as look at you.
No business will so much as touch your school resume.
Your family has already screamed at you until they were horse and then kicked you out of the house. (They may change their minds later...you hope.)
Life as you knew it has, for all intensive purposes, crashed.
And for what? Your stupid, stupid, stupid principles and big mouth.
Despite the buzz in the news media, odds are good the bastard will get away with it, too.
You indulge yourself in some horrific revenge fantasies, and miss your chance at suicide as the train arrives.
The doors open and you see a face from your past.
It's Sato Fumihito. He was a pretty close friend in elementary school, but then his folks moved.
He's dressed in the weirdest looking dark blue jumpsuit and he has some kind of backpack on his back that looks like it crawled out of an electronic store's dumpster.
He makes his way through the crowd of salarymen and towards the stairs. He doesn't seem to notice you.

What do you do?

[gman391]

Hmm follow him. And think about finding a job. To obtain money, to obtain liquor and drink away our sorrows.

[gamebrain89]

His backpack has many shiny blinky lights. We must follow it. And you know, its an old friend. We should probably go say hi.

[Aldraia Dragonsong]

Run to catch up with Sato and greet him.

[EchoGarrote]

It takes a bit to catch up to Sato, the horde of salarymen push through, and you lose sight of him for a bit. Not to mention that you're midway through your second can of cheap self-pity!beer. Thankfully, that blinking backpack that he's wearing is easy to spot. He's stopped at a corner. He's looking at a street sign, and is obviously lost. He takes out his phone and dials a number.

"Hey, it's me...where the hell is this place?" He asks. He groans. "I grew up here, yeah. I haven't been back to this ward in years, everything's different and there's more than one karaoke parlor around here. Yes, I've been following the PKE. Is Sana back from her audition? Good, can you put her on so I can get some directions? Oh, of course...alright alright. I'll call you when I find it."

He shuts off his phone. That's when you clear your throat.

"Sato?"

He turns around, and his eyebrows knit for a moment, then shoot up and he smiles, blinking in surprise.

"Michiko-san!" He grins. "Wow! It's been so long! How are you?"

[gman391]

"Oh you know. Doing the right thing, getting my ass kicked because of it. The usual. What's with the shiny backpack?"

[EchoGarrote]

"Oh, you know, doing the right thing, getting my ass kicked because of it. The usual. What's with the shiny backpack?"

"I'm sorry to hear that." Sato says. "Still, as the ancients say: The value of being able to look at oneself in the mirror is worth any price, yes?" He smiles.

It's almost enough to make you sag in relief to hear Sato say that. He was always making up 'ancient proverbs' to make himself sound smart. He looks the same as well really. Black hair that never stays brushed, a slightly bigger than normal nose, and that scar below his lower lip that happened when the idiot tried to play Astro Boy when he was 4 by jumping off the jungle gym to show that he could fly. After the past week of duplicitous hell, this is refreshing.

"As for this," Sato points at the blinking backpack. "This is for my work. It's a proton pack. You're talking to one of Japan's premiere Ghostbusters!" He turns his shoulder to show a logo of a big red NO symbol imposed over a white figure that sorta looks like a western-style cartoon of a ghost. "Oh, you go to college here, right? Do you know where the SongBird Karaoke Parlor and Cafe is? I'm trying to find it."

Coin flip 1 = Heads
You DO know where the place is. From what you've heard it's a place that normally caters to a certain type of clientele...mostly it's an evening place for the girls and men who have mornings in the love hotels two streets over.

1d4 = 3
You've also heard of the Ghostbusters. From what you've heard, they're con artists like those cold reading guys who 'talk to the dead.'

Which is weird, cause you remember Sato as having one of the biggest hero complexes you've ever seen. He was always talking about saving the day, superheroes, and helping people. Of course, with the way things have been going, learning that your childhood friend is now a con artist, cheating people who are in mourning wouldn't be that surprising...at least you still have more selfpity!beer in the duffle bag that holds everything your family let you take.

[gman391]

"Yeah I know the place....but Ghostbusting really? Aren't they a bunch of scammers?"

[EchoGarrote]

"Yeah I know the place....but Ghostbusting really? Aren't they a bunch of scammers?"

Sato looks affronted and hurt. "Michiko-san, how could you believe any of those lies? The Ghostbusters aren't crooks. We're heroes! Bulwarks of science and rationality against the nebulous forces of the otherworld. Champions of humanity. Mortal guardians of...mortality. Heroes of life itself!" He looks like he's almost tearing up. Either Sato became one of Japan's greatest actors, or (much more likely) these Ghostbusters are taking him for a ride as well.

He calms down. "But I understand if you've been swayed by the lies that our eternal dick-less enemies spread." He mutters. "But it's okay, for as the ancestors say 'What matters the blow of words when the shield of deeds be at your side?' Right? Anyway, is the place it far from here?"

1d6 = 2

It's just two streets over. A short walk.

[ShonenHero]

(EchoGarrote, have I mentioned you are an amazing individual for doing this? When would you like my first born? Also, I friggin' love Sato, and I've only read like three paragraphs of his characterization)

"It's about two streets over, but...c'mon Sato, are you serious? Bulwarks of 'science and 'rationality?' All that 'science' related to the supernatural is theoretical and untested at best, and absolute nonsense at worst; I'd like to think you'd be more skeptical of stuff like that."

(Ohmygosh, here's to hoping we get something like Busting Hell! I'd love to see Nippon's Greatest Ghostbusters take on Hell Girl, or any number of supernatural horrors! There are so many supernatural stories from Japan to blend and choose from, the thought gets me all giddy on what's gonna happen in this quest!)

[serbii]

We are in no position to be dissing other people's jobs, at least he has a job... we're a NEET... OH GOD WE'RE A NEET! We're a homeless deadbeat, such a drain on society we don't even have a room in our parent's house to camp in. Worse than a NEET! Sure! We can blame our politics! But we shall be judged! They shall look at us with condemnation in their eyes! They'll just stare at us and know. *Sob*

Welp, let's help out our poor scammed, naieve friend. Maybe he'll buy us dinner, or better yet, spend that money on a box of instant ramen we can use to survive another week! :D

CHUG ANOTHER SELF PITY BEER!

[Vael]

((This...this will be fun))

Don't forget the dark clouds of shame serbii! We must never forget the dark clouds of shame!

[serbii]

To the corner of woe!

[ShonenHero]

We are in no position to be dissing other people's jobs, at least he has a job... we're a NEET... OH GOD WE'RE A NEET! We're a homeless deadbeat, such a drain on society we don't even have a room in our parent's house to camp in. Worse than a NEET! Sure! We can blame our politics! But we shall be judged! They shall look at us with condemnation in their eyes! They'll just stare at us and know. *Sob*

Welp, let's help out our poor scammed, naieve friend. Maybe he'll buy us dinner, or better yet, spend that money on a box of instant ramen we can use to survive another week! :D

CHUG ANOTHER SELF PITY BEER!

I don't know, we may not be in a position to mock/critcize Sato, but that doesn't mean our character couldn't be indignant enough to do it anyway. I mean, she did just practically lose everything by trying to do the right thing, and instead of rolling over to any social pressure she stuck by what she said anyway. Plus, bitter that her crazy friend gets to keep trying to do what he loves while we lost out on just about everything.

That, and it'd be fun to make our character decides to follow Sato to his job, just to see the smoke and mirrors for herself, and Eat. Her. Words.

[Darkandus]

"Umm. Well, buddy of mine, how much does "ghostbusting" pay? Maybe you could put in a good word for me with your boss?"

Oh god, poor and homeless in japan, we'll end up living in a cardboard box and getting beaten up by hooligans.

[Tempest Kitsune]

Either that or finding that we have untapped martial potential and become a pit fighter, eventually becoming an internationally known street fighter... We have a tattered white gi and a red bandanna in that pack, right?

[EchoGarrote]

"It's about two streets over, but...c'mon Sato, are you serious? Bulwarks of 'science and 'rationality?' All that 'science' related to the supernatural is theoretical and untested at best, and absolute nonsense at worst; I'd like to think you'd be more skeptical of stuff like that." you say.

Sato nods. "I was the same as well but as the ancients say 'Walk into a room with your eyes, heart, and mind all open, and you shall see the truth. Right? Anyway...yeah, I can actually see it from here. Thanks Michiko-san, great seeing you again. Good luck in college, and take care!" He starts to walk towards the SongBird.

You feel the cloud of shame start to hover over you, as you start into your third selfpity!beer. It's the last one too. A fact that makes you even more depressed. Somehow, you find your feet following Sato.

"Umm, well...Sato? How much does "ghostbusting" pay?" You ask.

"Pretty well, actually." Sato says. "This place thinks it has a simple Class 2 apparition, so I'm here to do a quick scan and consult. That's 4,000 yen. If they want me to call in a full extermination, then that's an additional 78,000 yen. I'm rounding a bit and that's a low rate for a no-problems job. Twenty percent goes to GB Central and legal fees, about five percent of what's left goes to upkeep, power, and Sana. We split the rest three ways..." He does a little mental math. "I make about 21,000 yen a job, and we've been pulling three jobs a week so far. "

After your eyes go back into your sockets, take a deep breath, and resist the urge to put on your Aikido gi and smash Sato's face into the sidewalk. You give him your biggest smile. "I'm kind of looking for work myself, think you could put in a good word with your boss?"

Sato stops in front of the SongBird Karaoke Parlor and Cafe. The windows are tinted, but the door is open to show a reception room white with slightly pink tones. He smiles and motions for you to follow him. "Sure, come see what I do. As the ancients say 'What good is a chance encounter, if you don't run with your luck? Right?"

He walks up to the front desk, where a nervous looking woman in a slightly too-tight dress is nervously sitting behind the desk. There are other young girls, and older business men sitting around in cushy looking chairs. Leafing through magazines, chatting with each other (girls) or leering at the other patrons (men). They all have that look of people who are mildly annoyed by waiting. One of the men looks at Sato with his jumpsuit and flashing backpack and sighs in a 'Finally!' gesture.

"Hello Miss." Sato bows and extends a business card. "We're the specialists you called in."

"Oh...oh!" The woman nods. "Yes, yes...she...it's..." She glances back at the hallway to the parlor rooms. Sato smiles and waves his hands. "No need to get up. My partner and I will handle everything. We'll be done in a few moments."

She's obviously relieved, and the mood from the waiting guests is a bit less hostile. The sight of professional looking people with impressive looking tools is enough to make people believe that Things Are Under Control.

Sato leads you back to the hallway, to where it forks in two, firmly out of earshot of the customers and receptionist. He hands you what looks like one of those metal detector wands they use in airports. "Okay," He clicks it on and a series of lights turn on around the edge, and colored bars fade in on the face. "Just wave it at the doors, and tell me if the antenna stick out, and when they do what color bar lights up." He puts on a pair of ridiculous looking goggles, and has his own detector-dohickey only this one looks like a Generation One Gameboy with red tinker-toy bits sticking out. "I gave you the Mk. 2 PKE, so it shouldn't be too sensitive. You take that hall, I'll take this one." He nods.

he takes two steps and then spins on his heel. "Oh and whatever you do Michiko-san, DON'T open a door that causes the PKE to light up!" He turns and proceeds down the hall.

(So glad everyone seems to like the idea, and REALLY REALLY glad you brought up Busting Hell. READ THAT FIC. It IS canon here. Also, other than a few obvious ones like Bleach/J-Horror/Puella(Yes I have a plan for them)/YuYuHakusho, I am taking ALL suggestions for people/places that need Bustin'.)

[gman391]

"Okay then...don't leave the homeless person with sensitive and expensive equipment or anything. Times like these I wish I wasn't a good guy"

Lets go a hunting.

[ShonenHero]

*thinks about bringing up My Lovely Ghost Kana; quickly decides that busting isn't necessary. Heck, Kana and Daikichi might offer the Ghostbusters beer for visiting*



BUT YES! So glad Busting Hell is Canon! The minute I read this quest, I was like 'that reminds meee'... Oh, this quest is going to be so much fun!


Also, ha, yeah lets go with G-man and hunt some ghost. Also, as we're walking, grumble about this being 'the most expensive con ever'.

[EchoGarrote]

"Okay then...don't leave the homeless person with sensitive and expensive equipment or anything. Times like these I wish I wasn't a good guy" You mutter.

Of course to be fair you realize that you haven't really told Sato that you were an unwanted exile from society. Also, the piece of plastic he gave you probably isn't worth more than 100 yen if you scrapped it and sold it for parts. Plus, Sato's an easy touch, you could probably squeeze a 1000 yen for your 'share.' The doofus probably would even give you his own share if you told him exactly how you ended up homeless and pulled out a tear or seven. 2000 yen would be enough to get a decent capsule hotel room, food, and enough time to call a few friends and relatives who are still on your side or owe you favors.

So, you go along with this thing. Not like you have much else to do really.

1d12 = 11
The little antenna on the side of the PK-whatever Sato called it, spring out and flash little white christmas lights along the sides when you wave it in front of the door to Suite 11.

1d6 = 6
On the screen, both the red bar and the green bar light up at the same time.

1d4 = 1
You don't see Sato down the other hall, but there's muted sounds coming from the bathroom door. You guess that he's on the phone as well as occupied.

[serbii]

Pull out lip stick or marker pen, start drawing a pretty picture on the door.

"Saaaatoooooo~"

[Wittgen]

We're not supposed to go in, but surely opening the door couldn't hurt. Given those sounds, there might be naked wrestling, or ooh! ooh! more beer inside. We should check it out. Just to be responsible.

[ShonenHero]

Yeah! I like this plan. Leave a mark on the door to let Sato know we were there (maybe the Ghostbuster symbol?), then completely irregarding what he said to do, open that door. Maybe it's one of Sato's friend putting on a sheet or something, dressing up as a 'ghost' to scare the victims while he 'bust' them. Also, beeeeeeeerrrrrr (perhaps we should not be helping Sato when we are bitter, depressed, and a bit smashed; OH WELL)

[doc.exe]

Mmmm... I'm sorry for spoiling the fun but I'm too genre savy to help it and I think going inside that room will be a really, really bad idea, so let's not do that.

...On the other hand, opening the door a little and giving a tiny, tiny peek inside might not hurt anyone

Also, I want to thank Echo for starting this quest. This was one of my favorite franchises back then when I was a kid, and this has brought back some good memories. Now, sadly I have not played the last videogame (though I want it) neither read the previously mentioned fanfic, but even then, the premise is just too interesting and I will follow this.

[Darkandus]

Must. Resist. Urge. To open. Door.

Lets look through the keyhole instead.