glassbetelgeuse 2016/02/20(Sat)15:23 No. 703909 ID: b1b975
File 145601060529.png - (39.03KB , 317x459 , p2_by_shawarmerei-d9shzt5.png )

I guess it doesn’t come out very patient, because Quigley is looking at me like I’m about to tear out his throat with my teeth. “I-I’m sorry about all this. And you have my utmost condolences.”

“Let’s just get this over with,” I tell him, and he blinks and looks down at the manilla folder he’s been clutching to his chest. I don’t blame him for having such an averse reaction to carnivores. He started working here last year because his mom got killed by a weasel. He freaked out when he found there was someone from Mustelinae in the department. But he’s a sweet kid, and usually he’s fine around me.

But today isn’t a normal day.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/02/20(Sat)15:23 No. 703910 ID: b1b975
File 145601062477.png - (48.18KB , 315x341 , p3_by_shawarmerei-d9shzt1.png )

Quigley puts the folder down on the table in front of me for me to look through, and I open it up and sift through the contents. There’s a bunch of crime scene photos and I can feel something rising in my throat. I’m not sure if it’s anger or bile.

“So, uh, do you have any idea what happened?” he asks. “I’m sure they’ve got some better angles, since you… kind of… didn’t stay long.”

I don’t know what he wants me to say. “Yeah. It’s pretty obvious. My best friend got fucking eaten. That’s what happened. Are we done?”

“I just was wondering if you maybe had any idea why someone would want to do this,” Quigley stammers. “I’m sorry.”

“I have no idea,” I tell him. “Jackson was, hands down, the nicest guy I’ve ever met. I didn’t even know he had enemies. But you don’t just break in and eat somebody on the fifth story of an apartment complex without intent.”

“Okay. Well, I think that’s all we need for right now. We might want to get your opinion once we find out more, but for now we’ll just be working on leads.” He leans over the table a little, then murmurs, “I promise we’ll find whoever did this, Hannah.”

I know he wants me to act like I’m feeling some kind of gratitude about it, so I nod and force a closed-mouth smile. “Thank you.” Then I get up and leave.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/02/20(Sat)15:24 No. 703911 ID: b1b975
File 145601064053.png - (16.00KB , 337x321 , p4_by_shawarmerei-d9shztl.png )

The problem is that right now I don’t really feel anything and I kind of want to get hit by a car. Hypothetically I should go back to my apartment, but Jackson lived down the hall from me and if they haven’t blocked off my door by declaring it a part of the crime scene, it’d probably still be enough to give me a breakdown in the hallway and I don’t want to make a spectacle.

It’s about 7 pm and I haven’t eaten but I feel sick to my stomach. I found out about Jackson about an hour ago when he wasn’t returning my calls about whether or not we were going to go out for dinner and comics like we usually do on Wednesday nights.

I feel detached from reality, and I’m at a loss for what to do next.

Go to a bar, or of you're feeling less social, liquor store.

Contemplate vigilantism.

These things happen.

Your basic goal is to make them happen LESS FREQUENTLY.

So set up a few nonlethal turrets or something.

The enemy could be ANYONE, but the last person you want it to be is YOU. So be paranoid and try to minimize casualties.

That was pretty brief questioning for a murder-cannibalism inquiry.

>He started working here last year because his mom got killed by a weasel. He freaked out when he found there was someone from Mustelinae in the department
So you're part of the police too? Or... whatever organization Quigly represents?

If you're normally on the other side of this, what do you tell the survivors of victims to do?

So what species was Jackson?

>>703912
either way: go somewhere quiet. contemplate vigilantism.

>>703972
I don't think that was the actual inquiry, I think Quigley was just curious.

Time to drown your sorrow in booze!

>>704169
I think the "We might want to get your opinion once we find out more, but for now we’ll just be working on leads" implies that this guy is, indeed, working with the authorities in some fashion.

As for what to do....is there a library? Or maybe you could rent some movies and a hotel room and try to cope there. Or, do you have any other friends or family whose couch you could crash on, and you think they wouldn't grate on your nerves too much?

Depending on how you feel, the best next step may either be to think about it and try to process it, or, not think about it until you can.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/02/27(Sat)14:57 No. 705953 ID: b1b975
File 145661384495.png - (59.22KB , 386x442 , talk.png )

>So be paranoid and try to minimize casualties.
Already done.

>That was pretty brief questioning for a murder-cannibalism inquiry.
>I don't think that was the actual inquiry, I think Quigley was just curious.
It’s late, and Quigley’s working overtime to begin with. There aren’t any leads to go from yet, but he wanted to see if I could give them anything to work with, I’m sure.

>So you're part of the police too? Or... whatever organization Quigley represents?
I work for a business called Heroes United. Basically, they hire people with superpowers to help stem crime, since the police force is small after weeding out a lot of corruption. But then there were too many of us, so some people started working for a company called LIVE Inc. that does “villainy.” Basically anybody with a dark aesthetic and superpowers works for them, which is how Jackson ended up there—he could manipulate shadows and cold, and since I could do the same for light and heat, we seemed like a perfect match for a hero/villain relationship. They’re really just an inconvenience if unchecked that ends up being a public play if a hero shows up. I wish I was joking. Some CEOs will actually commission hero-villain pairs to stage a kidnapping and then rescue op for publicity. Jackson and I did this multiple times for comic book money.

Oh yeah, probably important to mention: the only reason Heroes United is investigating this is that nobody is supposed to kill villains working for LIVE. Only people with superpowers that have “gone rogue” are allowed to be killed. I’m sure LIVE will be investigating in the morning, but naturally, when you find out that your best friend/business partner/archnemesis is dead, and they’re directly tied into your job, you should probably call your boss. And the police. But they haven’t gotten into contact with me yet.

>If you're normally on the other side of this, what do you tell the survivors of victims to do?
Thank god I’ve never been on the other side of this. There have been a lot of heroes that have died recently because of some rogue, and I guess people had to tell their friends and ask around, but for the most part they’ve been solitary heroes. And killing somebody off the streets is a low blow anyway. It’s not something I associate with the rogue movement at all.

I don’t know who did this but my gut is telling me it was one of ours, since I doubt anybody else would have known him outside of the costume. I don’t want to tell Quigley that, though, because those are fighting words and I don’t want to lose my job or make myself a target.

>So what species was Jackson?
Jackson was a saola.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/02/27(Sat)14:57 No. 705954 ID: b1b975
File 145661386554.png - (90.39KB , 528x414 , bar.png )

I have to admit I’ve been considering being a vigilante before, and it seems fairly appropriate now, but I’d definitely lose my job over that. Crime doesn’t pay, but neither does punishing crime outside of a specified outlet. But it’s worth further consideration in light of recent events. If I could get paid for it, I’d be on it in a heartbeat.

I used to only have two “friends,” and now I’m down to one. And that one friend isn’t super great. So I guess I kind of need to go to a bar. I’m not trying to replace Jackson—nobody ever could—but I do need a friend that isn’t Rowan. Rowan is… not great. Being social in a place that isn’t overwhelming seems like something that I need right now. Luckily, I do actually know of a bar like that, and it’s not super far away.

I make a beeline for Rigby’s, take one of the bar seats, and order a tequila sunrise. Most of the regulars are older and come here out of nostalgia, but there’s always a handful of people closer to my age. Tonight’s no exception. From my vantage point, I can see three different candidates:

>A pig, male, probably a little younger than me and barely legal to drink, rum and coke
>A rat, female, mid-thirties, red wine
>A black mamba, indeterminable gender, about my age, Long Island iced tea

mambaaaaaa. make those carnivore connections

Rats off to ya.

>I don’t want to tell Quigley that, though
Sharing speculation is never really a good idea in this kind of thing. Limit stuff you tell people in questioning to facts.

>who talk to
Talk to the rat, she's got a nice hat.

>>705956
Sounds good

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/01(Tue)14:13 No. 706557 ID: b1b975
File 145687040668.png - (74.70KB , 458x569 , rat.png )

I can’t decide between the rat and the mamba, and there’s an open stool between them, so I sit down there. They don’t seem to be having a conversation, and I’m not great at striking them up, but I give it a shot.

“So uh… what brings you guys here?”

The black mamba wraps the end of their tail around their glass and finishes off their drink. “Nothing better to do,” they say.

The rat laughs and it comes out in a high-pitched squeak. “Husband’s cheating on me,” she says. “Not sure where else to go.”

“I guess that’s fair,” I say. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah.” She downs the rest of the glass. “What about you?”

“My, uh, my best friend died earlier today.”

“Trying to make new memories or lose old ones?” she asks.

I look at my tequila sunrise. It’s not strong enough. “A little bit of both.”

I want to continue interacting, but I’m not really great at this whole new people thing, so I’m not sure what I should say next.

>>706557
Yawn seductively

Ask further about the husband. Why is the cheating such a big deal? Context please!

express condolences for husband situation. if you can sympathize, then sympathize - if not, give her a "man, i can't imagine."

>I look at my tequila sunrise. It’s not strong enough.
Then get something stronger when you're done with it.

>>706744
I feel like cheating is generally considered a big deal? Still, if we want to pry a little, there are plenty of details we don't know.

Or, we could alternate between the rat and the mamba. If we talk to the mamba next, we could ask what they do when they're not drinking, then, if they've nothing better to do.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/15(Tue)18:06 No. 709603 ID: b1b975
File 145809041164.png - (60.74KB , 382x321 , frankie.png )

I’ve never been in a relationship, period, so it’s a little difficult for me to understand the potential gravity of the situation, but I imagine it’d be a huge spit in the face. “I’m so sorry. That sounds really rough. I can’t imagine what that’s like.”

“I couldn’t either,” she says, “until today.” She doesn’t seem to want to discuss the matter further right now, so I turn to the mamba.

“So what do you do when you’re not drinking?”

They laugh. “That’s a bit of a concept. I guess I cook, put in hours at the soup kitchen, and have casual sex—with unmarried people, mind you,” they add hastily.

“Soup kitchen?” I ask, intrigued.

“Yeah. Did some time doing community service there after a, well, let’s call it a misdemeanor, since that’s what the courts called it. And it was just… really nice there. I felt better working there, so I kept going back to volunteer even after I didn’t have to anymore.”

“Do you have a job?”

“Nah. Don’t need to. I’ve got a massive inheritance and my dad will do just about anything to keep me out of trouble.”

“What’s your name?” I ask, curious to see if I know their father.

“Frankie. Frankie Kiefer.”

That. That name.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/15(Tue)18:07 No. 709604 ID: b1b975
File 145809042525.png - (111.06KB , 543x675 , v.png )

Donald Kiefer is the CEO of LIVE Inc. But he’s not just the kind of corporation head that sits behind a desk and collects money. He’s a villain just like all his employees—they call him the Chairman. His persona implies sleaze and corruption, but I’ve never met him, so I can’t say.

A couple of years ago, his kid—publicized as The Chairman’s Child—was to be convicted of arson, but he allegedly greased some palms and got them out with a misdemeanor and some community service, and nobody’s heard anything about them since.

This is, of course, all classified information, and stating that I know it will immediately out me as either a hero or a villain, which gets really annoying really fast. It could also be dangerous, considering the circumstances.

“What’s your name?” they ask.

“Hannah Glass,” I respond. It’s unlikely that LIVE has got the information about Jackson yet, and it’s a big company. Frankie won’t know anything until tomorrow morning, assuming their dad makes any mention of it.

“Cool. You?” They nod to the rat.

“Carolina McMahon.”

“Okay, Carolina. Tell you what. You sound like you could use a pick-me-up. So how about we go over to that cheating asshole’s front doorstep and give him hell? I could use a night out that I don’t spend in a bar.”

Carolina spends a little time ruminating on this, then says, “I think I’d like that.”

They both turn to me.

“Are you coming?” Frankie asks me.

given the circumstances, i think frankie's idea of going to someone's house and Giving Them Hell is probably burning the place to the ground.

however, you are also probably the only person here who would vouch for that to NOT happen, so if you DON'T go, they probably will.

go as the voice of (relative) reason??

People going from a bar to confront someone sounds like it can't end any way but badly.

Since the alternative is leaving them to that, I guess you could try and stop things from getting too bad?

"Give 'em hell how?"

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/27(Sun)20:12 No. 711828 ID: b1b975
File 145913475899.png - (24.46KB , 196x269 , frankie.png )

"Give 'em hell how?”

Frankie looks at Carolina. “Is the house yours, his, or together?”

Carolina gives a ghost of a smile. “Mine. It was my parents’ before they moved away.”

“Okay, well, pretty simple, then. We bring over a posse of reasonably scary people—that is to say, you and me, Hannah—and we, ah, convince him to move out and humiliate him as much as possible in the process, which will be easier and more poignant if he’s got somebody over already. We show him the very real repercussions of a broken promise and violation of trust of this magnitude. All we’d be there for is solidarity in the confrontation stage, and the heavy lifting.”

This is much better in theory than I was expecting, but I’d still like to go along just in case the words don’t match the intent—which, knowing the kind of background Frankie is from, is pretty likely.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/27(Sun)20:12 No. 711829 ID: b1b975
File 145913477435.png - (115.40KB , 421x608 , lri.png )

So we head out.

Carolina hails a taxi as Frankie pulls out their wallet. We all pile into the car, and I’m feeling a little more awkward than normal.

The ride is silent for the first ten minutes, but then Frankie waves their phone in the air. “Hey! We should take a selfie.”

I am not even remotely drunk enough for Vandalism Selfies, but I guess Frankie is, because they wink at the camera and smile. I try to give a halfhearted grin. Carolina looks like she’s kind of getting into it.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/27(Sun)20:13 No. 711830 ID: b1b975
File 145913479358.png - (61.67KB , 428x494 , house.png )

Before I can figure out where the pictures went off to, the taxi rolls up in front of Carolina’s house. Frankie pays the driver well.

Carolina’s house isn’t big, but it’s nice, at least, two stories and robust. There’s only one light on that I can see. I assume it’s the bedroom. She unlocks the door and leads us inside, but gestures for us to stop where we are. Her footsteps are completely silent.

“He doesn’t know that I know,” she says.

We stand and wait. Carolina is patient and folds her hands in front of her.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/27(Sun)20:13 No. 711831 ID: b1b975
File 145913480980.png - (94.09KB , 594x616 , sotl.png )

The husband opens the door and flicks on the lights.

He’s a coyote, probably late thirties, and the sheep with him is young, bordering on “barely legal.” Carolina giggles, and it sends a chill down my spine. “Hello, Alphonse.”

“Carolina,” the husband says, “I…”

“Thought I was out tonight?” she sneers. “I was.”

glassbetelgeuse 2016/03/27(Sun)20:13 No. 711832 ID: b1b975
File 145913481999.png - (52.33KB , 511x497 , carolina.png )

Then she starts levitating.

“Oh, oh no,” Alphonse says. “Clarisse, get back into the bedroom.”

“Wh—“

“Just go!” he barks, and she scurries away. “Carolina, please, for the love of god, calm down and we can talk this out.”

“What is there to talk out?” She flicks her wrist, and a picture frame with a photo inside—looks like Alphonse and Carolina in wedding attire—starts floating off the countertop. Another flick of the wrist, and it crashes into the wall where Alphonse’s head had been only seconds before.

Frankie looks at me with fear in their eyes.

You need to stop her from going off the deep end, that's what you two are here for.

So YOU punish Clarisse while Frankie punishes Alphonse. Just SCREAM at them until they break down crying. Do NOT let Caroline get close.

>>711832
Put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She's made her point. Now is the time for her to leave and sleep it off at one of your houses before she does something she can't take back.

She shouldn't hit you with her power because she at least somewhat trusts you. Anything the dude says will work her up into a fervor, so it's better to get her out of here. I wish you could get his side of the story (even if it's a shitty lie) but as is taking care of the drunk person with superpowers is more important.

>>711832
In this sort of situation, you need to take charge and steer it towards the intended objective instead of escalation. So jump in, be intimidating yourself. Tell him that he's gonna have to move out. This is not his home and he is not welcome in it any longer after what he's done.

If Carolina tries to outright murder him you should blind her with a flash of light and ask Frankie to help restrain her, but I doubt she will, to be honest. Simply throwing something isn't out of line at the moment.

>Vandalism Selfies
Yes, let's establish the crime was premeditated, put it on a device with cloud backup, and demonstrate reckless disregard for the safety of others.

>Frankie looks at me with fear in their eyes.
This was your terrible idea, bub.

>what do
Stop it from escalating. She has to cut that out. He was cheating on you, and you're right to be pissed, but if you attack or hurt them, then suddenly it's assault and you're in the one in the wrong.

Toss 'em out on their asses, but don't harm a hair on their head. They can deal with the shame of having to hail a cab half dressed.

Maybe something like, "You should both leave. Now. And quickly. Don't come back."

I don't really know how to handle Carolina.
>>711834
Hand on the shoulder might be the best option, but depending on how much pressure she's feeling, she might snap and turn on you.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/04/13(Wed)09:39 No. 716250 ID: b1b975
File 146056557103.png - (141.91KB , 600x564 , stop.png )

I’m not ready for two murders in one night.

I may not be on the clock, but my job is to protect people. Even if they’re Alphonse.

“Hey, hey,” I say, stepping toward her and putting my hands on her shoulders. “This is why we’re here, remember? He’s not worth your energy. We’ll take it from here.”

Frankie looks at me again. “I, uh, I think I’ll get Carolina a glass of water, if that’s okay.”

“Uh, sure.” It’s a good idea to sober her up, but it doesn’t occur to me why Frankie seems so nervous all of a sudden until I look over at Alphonse again.

glassbetelgeuse 2016/04/13(Wed)09:39 No. 716251 ID: b1b975
File 146056558995.png - (65.25KB , 500x556 , alphonse.png )

Frankie is smaller and weaker than me by nature, so I can see why they’d be kind of tense.

“This doesn’t concern you,” he says. “There’s no need for you to get involved. I’d just like to have a talk with my wife. I think there was a misunderstanding.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to keep you from getting a microwave to the face,” I tell him. “Look. It’s pretty obvious what’s going on here. You and Clarisse came out of the bedroom half-naked. You’re not married to Clarisse. And now Carolina wants you out of the house because you betrayed her trust and destroyed your marriage. So, in short, you need to leave. Now.”

There’s fire in his eyes—

glassbetelgeuse 2016/04/13(Wed)09:40 No. 716253 ID: b1b975
File 146056560572.png - (51.85KB , 500x492 , fight.png )

Holy shit.

My brain has moved into fight mode, so I take stock of the situation.

>Carolina:
Getting a drink of water with Frankie. She can levitate and use telekinesis, at least. Easily the most inebriated person here.

>Frankie:
Has no known powers and is helping Carolina to not get involved, and it’s working right now. They’re both still in shock. Still a little tipsy.

>Clarisse:
Still in the bedroom and can be safely classified as a non-threat.

>Alphonse:
Of an unknown level of power but is unafraid to draw blood from a stranger that intends to give him civil, nonviolent justice.

>Me:
I’m bleeding and mostly sober.

My focus narrows.

>A. Intimidate him and use physical threats to back myself up
>B. Literally throw him out on the street
>C. Pin him up against the wall and yell at him
>D. Physically intimidate him by being a no-sell, but don’t retaliate
>E. Call someone in to back me up and restrain anyone that tries to hurt anyone until others show up

D. Did he seriously think that would hurt?

But how hush hush are your powers? Because maybe a little flashbang sorta deal might make him realize who he's dealing with. Could help along the persuasion process.

B, LOL

>>716253
B.

B but slap him first

Gently slap him, but make him see stars. You outclass him in every way, there is no need your you to hurt someone this weak.

So... are healing factors a thin, or did he just scar up your face for life?

>what do
D. You're the super here, show some restraint. Don't escalate with force until you have to.

Also, you said before your powers were heat and light manipulation? You could use a flash to blind or disorient him for a cheapshot, if it comes to that. Lot easier minimum necessary force, and seeing a light when getting punched is easy to write off.

B.