#goblin writes

Takai Rina :

She had a very strange childhood. She was raised by her single father who was often neglectful due to work, so she had to take care of herself most of the time.

Her and her father moved a lot and never really stayed in one place for too long. She got used to having to suddenly switch schools and figured it was better to just not make friends since she would have to leave them behind. So she spent most of her childhood alone.

Her father wasn't particularly horrible to her. Sometimes he would get a little annoyed if she bothered him whilst he was busy but most of the time he kept to himself and she kept to herself. Except on the odd occasion when they would go out for a meal or go get ice cream and they would have a great time together.

So she didn't hate her father, she just assumed that was what most parents were like. And every time she felt mad at him she would think about the version of her father who took her on outings and had fun with her and cared about her. It was hard for her to hate him.

When she was around thirteen, her father was arrested. It turns out he was a very prominent drug dealer who was involved in gang activities and had injured and killed many people.

She was put into the foster care system, but never really stayed with one family for too long. She was very quiet and didn't connect with any of the families she stayed with.

Eventually, she was put with an older couple that she really bonded with. They were patient with her and understood that she was going through a lot, she began to open up and trust people again.

Unfortunately, this didn't last long. It was found out that the couples late son had been killed by Rina's father for threatening to tell the police about him. Once the couple found out about this, they decided that they couldn't keep her because she brought back too many painful memories of their son.

This was the moment when she realised just how many people her father had hurt and that she didn't want to grow up to be like him at all.

She was put back into the foster care system and continuously passed around until eventually she was old enough to live on her own.

Anyway she finished school and decided she wanted to become a crime journalist as she feels responsible for what her father did and wants to help bring criminals to justice. It's not what she really wants to do (she hasn't thought about that), but she feels like she has to.

At first its fulfilling and she feels like she's really helping by bringing awareness to the public about these criminals. But after a while it starts to bum her out (idk how else to describe it lol).

Since she's always writing about crime it makes her feel like she's surrounded by it and that everyone kind of sucks. She gains a sort of nihilistic worldview especially when it comes to humanity. But she feels like she can't quit because of her father.

And then the killing game happens etc

Muramatsu Minota :

He grew up with very wealthy parents. His father owned a fancy hotel that a lot of very rich and notable people stay at.

He spent most of his time as a child at the hotel, being taken care of by the staff rather than their own parents.

His father was a bit of a shady business man, and never really had the time to spend with his son. The two of them hardly interacted but when they did he was nice enough.

Their mother was a very emotionally unstable woman who would lash out a lot, mostly at her husband. She would try to remain composed around the young Minota but if he approached her at the wrong time she would snap at them too.

Their parents fought a lot. They could hardly stay in the same room together without getting into an argument.

One day, his mother found out that his father was cheating on him with another woman. This was the last straw for her, and she killed him in the heat of the moment.

Unfortunately, kid Minota heard the commotion coming from their parents room and went to go check on them, discovering the crime scene before anyone else.

Obviously this traumatised him quite a bit.

But their mother in jail and his father dead, he was put into the care of his (slightly less rich but still rich) aunt.

His aunt and her family aren't too fond of him. They're a pretty eccentric kid (even without the trauma, that's just what he's like) and he doesn't really fit into their "perfect family". They don't get along with him or understand him and overall they're not very nice to them.

So they decide to send them to live with his uncle in the city.

His uncle is a detective, and the two of them get along really well. Muramatsu decides he wants to become a detective as well and be apart of his Uncle's agency, so his uncle begins training him.

And yeah this includes the whole black and white view on morality and crime. Sorry. Tsurugi Kinjo's him

A few years go by and since his Uncle is a very old man he passes away from a heart attack and Muramatsu begins to work as a private investigator on their own.

He's not very good at it though. It's not that they aren't smart it's just that he mainly wants to be a detective for the drama of it all. He kind of views himself as the main character of a murder mystery novel basically.

And then the killing game happens etc

Kitase Koharu :

Growing up, her parents always pushed her to be the best she could be in academics. They saw her as a smart, gifted child who would make a difference in the world if she put her mind to good use.

Their love was conditional in a way, they would only pay attention to her if she did exceedingly well on a test or did some kind of outstanding act. The rest of the time they would either ignore her or scold her for not pushing herself harder.

When she was young, she was obsessed with ballet and desperately wanted to be a ballerina. Her parents put her in classes for a while but took her out so she could focus on her school work. Even as she got older she would still watch videos of ballerina's performing in awe and secretly wish she could pursue dance, but her parents would never allow it. And she didn't want her smarts to "go to waste".

As a kid, her and her twin brother, Hideo, got along great. They were best friends and practically inseparable. However, as they got older, they grew apart, and Koharu began to resent her brother. Her parents always paid more attention to him and babied him, letting him slack off school completely whilst she got in trouble for not getting full marks constantly.

She went through life succeeding academically and doing as well as anyone possibly could. Once she finished school she decided to go into activism, so that she could make a change in the world directly, just like her parents wanted.

She was a powerful speaker, which made her popular, and drew people to her causes. She appeared on TV, did interviews, lead protests etc. And although she was passionate about the causes she was fighting for, even though she did everything that her parents told her to, she felt empty.

And then the killing game happens etc

Ienaka Ryu :

Ryu never got along with anyone, even as a young kid. They often played by themself and didn't seem interested in interacting with other children at all.

They're not a people person at all, and they feel like socialising is too hard and not worth it. They don't hate people, they just don't know how to talk to them and often come across as cold and rude.

Their parents were very nice people, even if they didn't really understand their kid, they still loved them and tried to help them as much as they could.

One thing they do like is dolls. Even as they got older they still loved collecting dolls and soon they began to draw and design their own dolls, then learning how to sew so they could make them.

They began selling their dolls online to make a living, and as they got better at doll making their business grew and became more popular. They also still collect dolls made by other artists.

They also ended up making friends with other doll makers and people in the doll community online, finally being able to find people who understood them and shared interests with them. They're still not the most social or polite person though.

Short girl - Grrah!! D-don't come any closer!!!

(As soon as we entered the storage closet, we were confronted by a short girl welding a baseball bat with a mixture of terror and anger on her face.)

Muramatsu - ... Oh dear.

Rina - W-woah! Calm down! We're not going to hurt you!

Short girl - Stay right where you are!! O-or I'm gonna hit you!

Muramatsu - What a bully! You're going to beat up some innocent people you've never met before?

Short girl - Innocent?? Like hell you're innocent!! For all I know you could be serial killers! The both of you!

Rina - W-we're not! We're fellow ultimates, just like you! We're in the same situation!

Short girl - Give me proof!

Rina - Proof...? Um, my name is Takai Rina! I'm the ultimate crime reporter!

Short girl - ... Urgh!

(The girl lowered her bat.)

Short girl - You're not lying? You're actually ultimates?

Rina - I promise you, we are.

Short girl - .... What do you want?

Rina - Well... Muramatsu?

Muramatsu - Hm!

Rina - Uhh... (Now would be the part where he would jump in to explain.)

Muramatsu - Sorry, I don't engage with careless delinquents.

Short girl - A-are you kidding me?? I'm not a delinquent! I'm just being cautious!

Muramatsu - And threatening violence.

Short girl - Shut up! I don't wanna talk to you anyway! Glasses girl, tell me what your deal is.

Rina - We just want you to introduce yourself... T-that's all.

Short girl - ... I guess I can do that. B-but you have to stay over there, ok??

Rina - Ok...

Short girl - I'm Ebihara Nori, ultimate ribbon dancer. Is that all you wanted?

Rina - Mhm, thank you.

Nori - ... Hey, there are other people here, right? Are they also ultimates?

Rina - Most likely. It seems everyone here was invited to the event, but blacked out in front of the school and woke up inside.

Nori - N-no way! That happened to me too! That's super creepy!

Rina - Yeah... Anyway, as far as I know everyone here seems trustworthy. I don't think there's any reason to hide yourself in here and wave around a weapon.

Nori - ... W-well... Better safe than sorry! ... I think I'm just gonna stay in here for now...

Rina - Alright, it was nice to meet you. Let's go, Muramatsu.

Nori - ... Bye.

Muramatsu - Grrrrreetings and salutations!

Muscular man - Greetings! Who might you two be?

Muramatsu - I am Muramatsu Minato, and this is my assistant Takai Rina.

Muscular man - Assistant, eh? What do you need an assistant for?

Muramatsu - Investigation, of course. She's my Watson!

Muscular man - I see. You're a detective? That's certainly impressive!

Muramatsu - Why thank youuu~!

Rina - Anyway, we'd just like you to introduce yourself, if you're not too busy.

Muscular man - Of course. My name is Muraki Tsuyoshi, I am the ultimate bodybuilder!

Muramatsu - Wowee... That definitely explains your physique.

Muraki - The pinacle of human health, is it not? It took me a while to gain such a body, but through blood, sweet and tears I have earned my title!

Muramatsu - Wow wow wow!

Rina - (Muramatsu's eyes are sparkling... This man is definitely impressive though.)

Muramatsu - I bet you could lift me up with only one hand!

Muraki - With ease! Although, you must be busy right now, young detective. Aren't you?

Muramatsu - ... Bummer.

Rina - Yeah... As amazing as it would be to see just how strong you are, we should probably get going now.

Muraki - Run along then! It was a pleasure to meet you two.

Long haired girl - Ah, hello there. Is there anything I can help you with?

Rina - Oh, um, yeah-

Muramatsu - Greetings, Miss! I am Muramatsu Minato, and this is my wonderful assistant Miss Takai Rina.

Rina - (I guess this assistant thing is official now...)

Muramatsu - I am the ultimate private investigator and Miss Rina here is the ultimate crime reporter. Sooo, we're investigating, starting with figuring out who everyone in this situation is.

Long haired girl - Oh, I see. So you just want me to introduce myself?

Rina - Yes please, i-if you're not busy right now.

Muramatsu - Miss Rina, do you have a notebook? We should be writing this down.

Rina - Ah, hang on...

(I reached into my pocket to feel that the small notepad and pen I had brought with me were still there and quickly fished them out.)

Long haired girl - ... This feels awfully formal now. Well, my name is Kitase Koharu, I'm the ultimate activist.

Muramatsu - Oo oo! I've heard about you before! You were on the news just last week!

Koharu - Ah... That's right. I was being interviewed.

Rina - I must have missed that.. but I've definitely heard of you before too. You've gained a lot of publicity.

Koharu - Well... That's the point of being an activist, I suppose. I'm not doing a very good job if I'm not gaining publicity, good or bad.

Rina - (Thankfully I've mostly heard good things about her. She's very passionate about the environment.)

Muramatsu - Well, thank you for your time, Miss Kitase!

Koharu - Of course. It was nice to meet you two.

Muramatsu - Hey hey! You there!

Fancy dressed person - ...

Muramatsu - Helloo? You! In the pretty dress!

Fancy dressed person - ...

Muramatsu - Oh dear... They're refusing to talk to me.

Rina - I... I don't think they've noticed us yet.

Muramatsu - Helloo? Earth to you!

Fancy dressed person - ...! Ah-...

Muramatsu - Hello.

Fancy dressed person - .... H-... Hello?

Muramatsu - So you are awake. Hello there.

Fancy dressed person - ... What... What do you want?

Rina - Sorry about him, we're just trying to make a list of everyone here currently. If you're not busy, could you give us an introduction?

Fancy dressed person - ... I am busy. Go away... Please...

Rina - A-ah... Right, no problem-

Muramatsu - But this is very important! All you have to is give us your name and talent, it's all we ask! Pleaseeeeee?

Rina - Muramatsu.... I think we should leave them be.

Fancy dressed person - Yes... Please go away.

Muramatsu - I will remain in this spot until you give me your name and talent.

(Muramatsu folded his arms and waited impatiently, not saying a word.)

Fancy dressed person - .... Fine! My name is Ienaka Ryu, I'm the ultimate doll maker. There.

Muramatsu - Thank youuu very much~! Well, it was nice meeting you, Ienaka. We'll be on our way now!

Most of the original feathers are gone now. In their place are ones she's found, scrounged, stolen or been given. There are neon pink feathers from hen do feather boas, and matted old ostrich feathers that she says came off a dancing girl's fan back in the '20s. No, the last '20s. There are feathers from children's craft kits, plastic quills in primary colours sticking together in sheets. The soft fluffy feathers in the depths of the wings, right up against her body, have been padded out with down plucked from a thousand pillows.

The flight feathers around the edges, the ones that need to be durable, are mostly from roadkill. The crows and blackbirds stand out, and she's made features of them, Rorshach-like. The gull feathers from winter beaches and the pigeon feathers she finds in London gutters blend in almost seamlessly with the grubby remnants of her own. Arranged neatly down the outer edges are her prized possessions: pheasant tail feathers. She hitchhikes as much as she can whenever she travels, always keeping an eye out along country roadsides. "They're so beautiful," she murmurs, stroking them with the backs of her knuckles, "and so stupid. Get a good meal off of them, too."

I ask whether all the different kinds make flying more difficult, and she stares at me like she doesn't understand the question. Her eyes are huge in her thin face, pupils wide and shining, and it makes her look high but I don't think she is. What does flying have to do with it, she asks, not expecting me to have an answer. If I wanted to fly, I would. But it's been centuries since she was last in a flying kind of mood.

She is very beautiful, and I am drunk, and I tell her these things because they seem important. She laughs and says that she knows. I ask if I can touch her wings, and they furl slightly as she pauses in thought. No, she says after a moment, but thank you for asking. Most people don't.

She watches me for a moment, not quite knowing what to do about me, and I watch her because I can't do anything else. I offer her another cigarette. She accepts, and then offers me a trade. My lighter for a feather. She gets all her favourite things this way, she explains. Her boots are from a girl who was happy to go home from a goth night barefoot. Her wig, which is vast and scarlet and glories in its own fakery, belonged to a drag queen back in the '80s. It keeps her head warm, now that all of the feathers there are gone.

My lighter is nothing special, but it's metal rather than plastic, because I like the weight of it. There's a pokeball sticker on one side of it, and years ago one of my friends scratched a cool S into the other side with a pocket knife. It's covered in scuffs and dings. I hand it over without a second thought.

She stretches her wings out wide to pluck the feather, almost completely enclosing us both. They've been trapping cigarette smoke since long before I was born, and I can barely breathe with them surrounding me. This doesn't matter.