anonymous text message | transmission #1

[concealingeyes]

[Well, she figured she would give this a shot. It isn't the worst idea she's had. She spent all night composing it and decided to post it anonymously to keep up with their 'hiding' theme. It might make some people feel more comfortable.]

I just want to say this:

The future is yours to create. If you don't believe me, that's your choice. You might've been through a lot that says otherwise. But you'll know what I mean if you've been shut out or dismissed by a cruel system. It's something you have to hope in anyway. In a place like this, people who never belonged, were never listened to or never given a chance should stick together.

If you want to talk, we'll listen. If you want to learn to fight, we can do that too. We won't judge you. Be who you are with all your might.

We're the Mekakushi Dan. If you want in, anyone can join. We're all living on a warfront but some of us have been fighting our whole lives just to have a part in this world.

Let us know if you're interested.

[She'll be replying anonymously, too, if anyone takes up the offer.]

Comments

[ text; anonymous ]

[reassures]

[Not impossible to trace, but it should still prove a little difficult. A first attempt will easily trace to a set of numbers; 3897981.]

is that all you fight for?

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

A future where you don't have to hide who you are is a good thing to fight for to me. What about you? What do you fight for?

[ text; anonymous ]

[reassures]

everything that i need to

can you teach hand to hand combat?

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

Yeah, that's what we use if we have to.

[ text; anonymous ]

[reassures]

you should make sure that everyone in your group knows it

if at all possible I would like to meet with you

[Text; not anon]

[speakveryclearly]

[As in linked publicly to the name of Kanaya Maryam.]

Im Not Particularly Interested In Joining Any Groups Beyond The Initiative
And I Already Know How To Fight Just Fine
But I Do Just Want To Say I Really Appreciate Your Message
And Needed To Hear It

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

No problem. The message is what matters anyway. I figured...some people might like to hear it.

If you ever need anything, you might find us in the catacombs.

[ text; anonymous ]

[speakveryclearly]

The Catacombs You Say
As In The Ones Underneath The City In Which We Hid During The Bombing

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

Yeah. It seemed like a pretty fitting place to meet up for a secret gang, you know?

[She's being a little playful now, knowing it's a weird choice, but it does seem like a good hiding place.]

Somewhere more open and people might not feel comfortable showing up.

text; anonymous

[drowns]

[this strikes a nerve.
the message is heavily encrypted, and should be difficult to trace.]

...You speak very kindly, but what is the purpose of this?
What does the Mekakushi Dan do?

text; anonymous

[concealingeyes]

The purpose is pretty much how it looks. Back home we had more members. We only have two here.

Well... my partner explains it better but it's my responsibility too. We protect each other. We're all 'different' and have to hide who we are from the world. No one should have to do that, so we're working on changing the future to one where we're free.

There's too many people that have to hide and struggle alone. We used to be like that too.

permatext; still anon

[drowns]

'Differences.' That's a little broad, isn't it? Someone's differences in their world may be normal here.
What makes you different, if you don't mind answering?

permatext; still anon too

[concealingeyes]

My eyes conceal my presence. For a long time I couldn't control it. I was invisible to everyone. Because of my eyes... and the eyes of my friends, our lives became something else. It's...something someone did to us we think.

You're right. A lot of people here are different. But it's lucky in a way that we're all together. Back home, no one would understand. Here, though, people can understand. It doesn't matter if it's 'normal' here if you've been messed with by others all your life, you know?

[text]

[gamblinman]

Okay, I'll bite: what is the Mekakushi Dan?

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

...The name is pretty stupid I admit. My partner came up with it.

The name doesn't really matter. We're just a group of people that society would rather get rid of than help. So, we help people like us. We're going to make a future where no one has to hide. That's our goal.

[ text; anonymous ]

[duplicitoussight]

Hey, it sounds cool!
But yes--my partner sums it up rather well. I suppose you can call us "do-gooders..."

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

It doesn't sound professional at all...

text

[idealord]

[Anonymous texts seem to be all the rage lately. Hilbert doesn't mind though; secrecy and mystery are things he's interested in as far as explorations go.]

That sounds like a pretty cool gig you've got. I'm in.

[He's got a reason for it, too. He might've never been shut out by society or anything like that, but he believes the future can be made too. He's seen it happen, once by a friend and another by his own hand, and he wants to help out.]

[ text; anonymous ]

[concealingeyes]

[Even if he can't see it, Kido is relieved her message has been pretty well received.]

Yeah? Good. We've been looking at the catacombs for a place to meet up. We can arrange something if you want.

text

[idealord]

[That catacombs sounds like a pretty creepy place. Eeks would feel right at home, being the part-ghost he is.

But maybe showing off your trusted partner to a gang - even a well-meaning one - wouldn't be too good. Hilda'd probably warn him against it. Hilbert decides it'd be a good idea to scope them out first as people.]

I'd like that. I'm free on weekends, if that's okay with you. Any time at all.

text

[concealingeyes]

Yeah, we were thinking after this festival thing people are talking about is over. We're going to try to recruit there, too. See if you can find us for fun.

[Even Kido is still a kid sometimes.]

[text]

[nobleminded]

Of course the future should be what you want it to be. But what are you talking about?

[text]

[concealingeyes]

I'm talking about a group of people who make that happen. I don't know anything about your circumstances but for me and other people, the future is being chosen for us. No, I guess saying it like that sounds different than it is...

They're controlling circumstances. There's always someone or some people who think their goals matter most. We're banding together to make sure everyone has a choice in the future no matter what. Even if we have to fight.

Does that make sense?

[text]

[nobleminded]

The explanation makes sense, but if you people want to create your own future, then that's what you should do. If other people are trying to get in the way of that, then yes, you may have to fight for that. It shouldn't be something people have to choose.

[text]

[concealingeyes]

We're working on it. It's not easy when there's not a lot of us. But we do what we can back home. Starting it up here...

I guess it's part comfort for us and part comfort for anyone else who feels that way, too. Nobody should be lost alone in their problems.