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[jinglejangle]

[It's not exactly the introduction McCree was expecting to make - not that this whole thing is anything he would've expected to begin with - but after hassling people over poetry, it's time to get down to business.

And he definitely has the time to spare.]

So does this kind of shit happen here often? [He gestures with the lit cigar he's holding.] Just casual news posts about serial killers, rounded off with fancyass coffees?

[He pauses to take a drag, mulling it over. Maybe it's not his place, but something needs to be done.]

Is anyone else gonna hunt that bastard down, or am I gonna have to do it myself?

Comments

[jinglejangle]

If it were under control, wouldn't they have caught this joker already? [You certainly can't defeat that logic.]

What's there to tell? I lost it. The hows and whys of it don't matter much. [He crosses his arms over his chest, frowning. He doesn't want to relive that day - and he doesn't think it should be Mercy's business, either.

After a moment, he sighs.]

Naw, it's not my firing arm. That's why it don't matter too much whether it stays primitive or not.

[jinglejangle]

If I owed them money I'm pretty sure they'd have come to collect already.

Like I said, it's a long story. All you need to know is we didn't exactly see eye to eye.

[jinglejangle]

[What.

It takes him a moment to pierce whatever the kid - he's at least pretty sure that whoever, or whatever, they are, they're youngish - is saying. Even then, he's not quite sure he really understands. He knows he's not exactly a wordsmith, but he's pretty sure some of those words at least aren't real.]

So what you're sayin' is they're just making up a serial killer? Why on earth would they do?

[jinglejangle]

What's the point of giving us these devices if they ain't want us to do anything with 'em? Why else would they want us here if they weren't expecting us to take out the trash?

[american_alien]

Well, that's the thing: the devices came from the one company. The broadcasts are for the whole city.

But sometimes they ask us specifically to help with things, so I don't think they'd mind if you helped. But there's a lot of citizens around here who could get hurt. It'd be irresponsible to encourage THEM to get involved, don't you think?

[alkhimia2i]

Fair enough.

You're pretty suspicious yourself, you know?

[jinglejangle]

Seems like an odd place if that's normal? Why hasn't anyone tried to clean this place up?

[He cuts himself off, shaking his head. One day at a time, McCree. He can't do much on his own.]

Don't reckon he'd be too hard to find. Probably a real shifty son of a bitch, not that there's a lack of them around. I 'preciate the help, though.

[And that line is completed with a tip of his hat.]

[jinglejangle]

Don't companies basically run cities?

[They at least do where he's from.]

Wasn't aware that civilians could see this sort of stuff. Doesn't change the fact that unless someone takes this guy out, a lotta them are gonna wind up dead. The sooner he's off the street, the safer they'll be until the next son of a bitch shows up.

[jinglejangle]

I'm a wanted man. I don't have much reason to hide that fact, but I'd rather not have someone try to cash in on my bounty.

[Probably not something he should reveal so flippantly, but he's pretty confident he could handle anyone who comes for his head.]

[american_alien]

Not really. Is it like that where you're from?

And I agree with you. Do you maybe want to work on it? I've... got a few tricks that I could use to find out information on the case if they won't give us access.

[alkhimia2i]

Your lack of trust in me is scathing.

I could promise that I have no intention of collecting on your bounty, but that would imply that you would expect me to keep my promises in the first place.

[jinglejangle]

More or less.

Are these the sort of tricks you perform in dimly lit rooms that involve a lot of broken teeth? Or were you thinkin' something else, because I don't think I could get behind that first method.

private

[american_alien]

Holy crap no! Nothing like that!

OMG

I just meant I can see and smell and sense things that most people can't. Including through walls and stuff so I can look at what the authorities have got without hurting ANYBODY.

I help the sheriff in my hometown sometimes. I know what to look for.

[thygospelevity]

An inquiry most worthy of further investigation! I do not fathom a reason to lie over this. But I grasp far less a reason to be murder numerous others! I therefore made a logical presumption; It cannot be.

private

[jinglejangle]

Pardon me for the assumption.

[o o p s

it's almost enough to make him feel bad for bringing it up in the first place]

Never met anyone who could do stuff like that, but it ain't the oddest I've heard of and I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. If you can get the details without rousing any suspicion I'd be glad to use that to take him out.

[jinglejangle]

People don't need a reason to kill. Most folks don't have one, or they use the easiest excuse to get away with it. Maybe the person here ain't from this place, or maybe they are. Either way, someone's gotta put a stop to him before his body count gets any bigger.

[jinglejangle]

My apologies. But I'm sure you understand the need to keep folks at a distance, Shrike.

[thygospelevity]

I... I cannot believe that, brother, for there must always be a reason, even the most minuscule sort. Even if it is difficult to understand...

[He is quiet, frowning away from the screen. Then-]

I shall be of assistance in the apprehension and interrogation of the killer. I possess skills that could be of use.

[alkhimia2i]

There's only one of us with a bounty on their head, McCree.

[According to her point in time, anyway.]

[jinglejangle]

Sorry, kid, but it's the truth. Not everything can be understood or explained away. Shit just...happens. People can turn on a dime and do things you wouldn't believe they could.

[He shakes his head, trying to clear his thoughts. It's best not to think about people he used to know.]

I'm collectin' quite the crew, huh. [He huffs a small laugh. Reyes would be proud.] What kind of skills we talkin' about?

[jinglejangle]

And that's the same one who's got their name and face out there. I'm not trying to hide everything about who I am.

[caduceusoncall]

Justice is a process, Jesse, you know that. [A long and clunky process that costs lives at the whim of whoever has the heaviest wallet. She doesn't mention that. She'd still rather he not try to deal with it alone.]

As for your arm, if you won't tell me what you've done to it to need an entirely new replacement, I will respect that. I will not like it, but I will respect it. As your doctor and friend, I will not retract my demand that you come to me to have it looked at properly.

[A small pause, a head tilt. Considering.]

Or would you rather I come to you?

[alkhimia2i]

Only the reasons why you seem to be so notorious?

[jinglejangle]

You seem smart enough to figure out what I could've done. I don't need to fill out the blanks for you.

'Sides, not everything said about me is true.

[thygospelevity]

I do not... [No. There must be a reason. There must be a reason. It just isn't known.

Not yet.

He straightens his back and lifts his chin like he's an imperial recruit for a peace mission.]

I have the ability to sense and feel the fear of others. If I find out what they're afraid of, I can get into their mind, possibly finding them.

[Maybe. He's not all that confident in the strength of his ability.]