zerotohiro | Some Legends Are Told, Some Turn To Dust Or To Gold [CEREALIA INBOX]

It could be artificial in some way, but it's obviously meant to resemble blood, at the very least. Would you like to test it to see if it's real blood?

You mean to say that these masks are capable of thought?

If you wouldn't mind actually that's not a bad idea. I can probably throw together enough stuff for a make-shift forensics kit. [Don't ask him how he obtains things, Addie. It's a long story.]

I mean to say they might very well be alive somehow. Especially since they're able to move around and float on their own.

You live with Tadashi, correct? I can be there shortly.

You think the mask itself might be bleeding?

Yes, and possibly. [A pause.] Wait you know where our apartment is?

Oh - no, that's right, I came to his workshop instead of where the two of you dwell. I'm afraid I don't.

The workshop might be easier. We work in the same building but we have different shops...and all of my tools and stuff are there. I can meet you there in fifteen minutes? [An inventory of his home lab shows he doesn't have exactly everything he wants on-hand anyway.]

Of course. I'll be there shortly.

See you soon. [And he'll disconnect the call.

Roughly fifteen minutes later she'll find him at the tech shop, waiting outside with a small red rolling suitcase at his feet and waiting for her. When he spots her, he grins slightly even though his expression's quasi-grim.

And, of course, that mask is following right over his shoulder.] Adelina!

Hello, Hiro.

[she waves as well, offering him a smile even as the mask covered in a thin layer of blood trails behind her. she steps aside so he can glimpse it.]

You see? It's rather strange.

[He manages to keep his eyes on her for a bit at least before he finds himself staring right at the mask.]

"Strange" is putting it pretty lightly. How long has it been like that?

Several hours, perhaps? I spoke to a few other people, and one of them said that their mask had bloody fingerprints on it, but it wasn't completely covered like this one is.

Fingerprints huh? [That's a new one. But he turns and gestures for her to follow him inside as he leads her through the space back to his personal workshop. His mask happily follows along while Hiro rolls the suitcase behind him.] Who'd you speak to, if you don't mind me asking?

[she follows after, and the bloody mask does as well.]

I don't mind, of course. Rock Lee said his had bloody fingerprints. Alice's had a frowning expression, and yours had a barcode... It's all very peculiar.

[And away they go. He makes a face in thought because it is peculiar. The walk to his workshop isn't far and when they get there she'll find it's probably similar to Tadashi's. It's a little smaller but just as messy spilling over with papers and supplies and machines and parts. There's a sleeping dog CYBuddy on a bench that he had been in the process of repairing and a couple of different computers are turned on. Once Adelina's inside he shuts the door behind them.]

I've spoken to both of them before. Pretty weird, isn't it? That's four different things now. [He rolls the suitcase in the middle of the room and takes a step back.]

Think you can step back a little bit to give the mask some space?

I wonder what the pattern is between the four... If there is indeed a pattern.

[she looks around the space with curiosity, taking it all in, but steps back at his request.]

Of course.

We'll look into it. I've got friends who're gonna wanna research it. [But she moves back and he smiles briefly before looking down at the red suitcase.] Ow.

[On goes the little light and there goes Baymax inflating from his carrying case, stepping out and away.]

Hello Hiro. [And a pause.] And Adelina.

[Hiro's going to settle at his desk and just let Baymax do the work.] Wanna see what Baymax was really made to do?

May I ask who else is investigating?

[she watches with a smile as baymax comes out, nodding at hiro's question.]

Of course I do.

[technology is the best.]

[And since there's no hurt telling her specifically who's researching the masks with him:] Yu Narukami and Dipper Pines. They're really good friends of mine.

[But with Baymax out he points at the mask.] Baymax, can you scan the mask for us?

Of course. I will scan now. [There's a soft glow as Baymax scans the blood on the mask and a small lull as he tries to decipher the mask.] It is a mask. I am unable to identify bodily fluids left on the surface. [Which is weird when the whole thing's covered in blood.]

[she blinks, looking at the mask and furrowing her eyebrows.]

Nothing on it...? [she glances at hiro.] What do you make of that?

It means it's not real blood, which only sorta makes sense. But it's not paint or anything either. [He's almost afraid to actually touch the mask.] Usually when stuff like this happens it's related to stuff at home. Remember the ghosts?

[her expression shifts to become more guarded, neutral in a forced way.]

Yes, I remember. If it's related to things that happened at home... What do you think your barcode might mean?

That's where the theory falls apart. Barcodes are meant to be assigned to certain items. It's a different form of coding and I mean I write code for Baymax and other projects but...that's kind of a stretch don't you think?

Perhaps. If I understood more about barcodes, I might be able to help you think through it, but...

[what is technology.]

I can think of several things the blood could represent, I suppose, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down.

...is there a lot of blood in your past, or...? [Where is this conversation going.]

No, that's not what I meant.

[okay it kind of is but it sounds worse when he says it like that]

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