CALL network | video | un: highnoon

[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

[caduceusoncall]

[Is it any surprise that Mercy is so quick to reply to McCree's aggression? It isn't entirely out of disdain for his method of "law enforcement" - her friend has just announced his intent to chase a serial killer publicly. She can't imagine this going any way but poorly.

She joins the call despite clearly having a patient behind her. Once she's sure she's in the frame and connected, she props the device up so she can work and talk.]

Violence is rarely the best answer to this sort of situation. I agree the killer must be caught, but I do not agree that you have to be the one to do it.

[She doubts there is any use in bringing up the fact that there are police AND an entire network of heroes here to deal with this. With a sigh, she puts down her tools and faces the camera head-on with a stern frown.]

And put that awful thing out. Every one of those you put in your mouth takes a year off of your life. It's a miracle you're still alive between those things and this sort of behavior.

[Then she sees it. Or rather, she registers it. Her face forms a cold mask. What did she miss? Why didn't he come to her when it happened? She takes a deep breath.]

Jesse McCree. You need to come to the Outpost and both explain to me what you did to your arm and allow me to make sure it was installed correctly.

[jinglejangle]

[He's not at all surprised that Mercy is one of the first to reply to him - it's exactly what he would've expected. The good doctor's not fond of letting people fuck up royally, and, well, announcing he's going to take down a serial killer isn't one of the brightest thing he's done recently.]

Well if it ain't me, who's gonna do it? Maybe someone else'll step up, but for the time being I don't see anyone else who's got the time.

[He makes a face at her nagging. Gosh, why can't he just slowly kill himself in peace? He does at least extend the courtesy of stubbing out his cigar, but he doesn't look particularly pleased.

And then-]

What? Why? The arm works fine! [He raises it and points at the camera, as if to say "see? it's perfect!".]

[caduceusoncall]

[She sighs and her expression lightens. He's a unique brand of Hero.]

I'm sure the police have the situation under control. Maybe you could approach them and ask to assist on the case. I believe you could count as an "independent investigator".

[The cold mask returns as her attention falls back to the arm. Why does he have to be such a stubborn man? Why won't he just let her help?]

Do not gloss over the part where I asked you to tell me what happened to the arm. And I can see it works but it is clunky and primitive compared to what we both know can be done.

[She turns back to her nearly forgotten patient. She's just stitching a gash and setting a broken bone, but she shouldn't leave him sitting there. And she doesn't want McCree to see the tears welling in her eyes. How did he get hurt? Why wasn't she there? Why didn't he come to her?]

Besides, I'm sure you've strained the mechanisms and probably have micro-tears near the joint. Is that your firing arm?

[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.

[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?

Text | UN: alnnahs

[alkhimia2i]

[...That has to be a record, doesn't it? How long has Jesse McCree been in this place before trying to tackle a given problem by himself? There was something admirable about the boy's sense of Right and Wrong, but in practice... It's a wonder that she didn't go grey sooner.]

You know, they have police in this city. I believe the broadcast specifically made a point of that.

[There's a pause, and then an additional message:]

Are you supposed to be some kind of cyborg?

[Son, where the hell did you get that arm from? She doesn't remember that being there.]

Re: Text | UN: alnnahs

[jinglejangle]

Don't reckon they'd mind much.

[It shouldn't be much surprise to Ana that McCree doesn't have particularly high views on things like law enforcement.

He's also surprised by the follow up question, and he's not really sure how to answer that. Sure, technically he probably counts, but his arm isn't anywhere near as fancy as someone like Genji.

But they wouldn't know who that is, huh.]

I'm afraid I don't understand that question, or what it matters.

Re: Text | UN: alnnahs

[alkhimia2i]

I think the police would mind someone nosing about in their business.

And I was asking about your arm. What happened?

[jinglejangle]

I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

Lost it. Got replaced. Not much more complicated than that.

[alkhimia2i]

[She wants to pry more, if only out of concern... But she's likely not in a position for the cowboy to trust her in that regard. It stings a little, if only because she knows it's something that happened while she wasn't there.]

Do you always make plans to burn your bridges before you get to them?

un: troubadourCatalyst

[thygospelevity]

It is quite a mother fuckin curiosity to see! Never have I known such wonder and depravity simultaneous in anything who shared not the name of my moirail, my best, he knows things no troll my standing ought. Of here, I suspect a ruse! How else could it all be? The beings here are vastly kind.

[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?

[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.

[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.

un: smallvilleguy

[american_alien]

Each one of the cities is, well, a little different.

And from what I've seen, they're not opposed to outside help. They just don't expect it.

[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?

[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.

video, un: wardenka

[boundinblood]

That's...more or less normal, from what I've seen. I can't say I've spent much time in Shadows, but I can help. I can scout and incapacitate him if I find him. We'll need to learn what he looks like, though.

[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.]

[boundinblood]

It's all in the name...the very rules of this world vary from section to section. Magic, for example - it's so difficult to work in Tomorrow, but flows freely in Sorcery, and has a acts in Laughter whichever way would be most absurd or ironic.

I don't see how "tomorrow" is defined by a lack of magic, a bit anti-mage on their parts. But "shadows"...

[She leaves that for him to conclude. Attempts to clean it up might be made, but how well would they work, in the long run?]

We can stop what we can, but I don't know it will ever end.

[jinglejangle]

Anti-mage. [He raises an eyebrow.] Thought magic was just things science hadn't explained yet, so wouldn't they go more hand in hand than they are here?

[Most science is just as incomprehensible to him as he assumes magic would be.]

Everything can change. Things just saying the same, forever? That ain't right.

voice | un: 000000

[zer04s4number]

[The voice speaks in a deliberate, poetic tone. Crunching metal, revving engines, and frenzied screaming rise and fall in the background as if the speaker is walking past a terrible spectacle.]

Vigilante law
A crime drama unfolding
Count me in, cowboy

[jinglejangle]

[Why is there so much poetry everywhere.]

Alright, then.

[He does not...even want to guess what they're up to. It sounds like a party alright.]

What exactly are ya bringin' to the table?

[zer04s4number]

Thirst for a good fight.
Unparalleled skill and aim.
I bring a badass.

[No such thing as too much poetry.]

What about you, though?
I am an Assassin.
You're just a cowboy.

[In his experience, people don't ask for permission to track down anyone or anything. If anything they ask others (like him) to do it for them. So who is this stranger with the silly hat and why does he think he should be in charge of anything, let alone of a hunt for a dangerous target?]