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.

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.

[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!".]

[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?

[jinglejangle]

If you burn 'em before you built the fallout is easier to deal with than when it happens after the fact.

[It's brutally honest, which is rare for McCree, but this isn't something he'd take lightly.]

[alkhimia2i]

And that doesn't bother you? Not having bridges at all?

[jinglejangle]

Don't got much use for 'em in my line of work.

[alkhimia2i]

That's a shame.

And what is your line of work?

[jinglejangle]

It's safe.

What I do doesn't matter. I just do what I can to get by and keep people safe.

[Which is the nicest way he can say "it's illegal".]

[alkhimia2i]

That sounds like a worthwhile line of work.

[Illegal? That's not the words that she heard.]

[jinglejangle]

It sure is work that needs to be done, but I think you've got it in your head that it's more honorable than what it really is.

[Honor and justice don't always see eye to eye, after all.]

[alkhimia2i]

I wasn't aware that protecting others was dishonorable work. I must be behind the times.

[Kids these days. Always have to act cool.]

[jinglejangle]

Can be depending on how you do it. Most folk don't exactly agree with my sort of justice.

[alkhimia2i]

Like the police?

[And here we are back at square one.]

[jinglejangle]

Police, the news, old co-workers. You name it and most of them probably want my head.

[Still doesn't mean he's going to stop.]

[alkhimia2i]

Old co-workers?

[That's a little more worrisome.]

[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]

It's a long story. And it's not really the point right now.

[alkhimia2i]

It sounds like an interesting story. Cops, sure. The news, I understand. Old co-workers? A bit odd.

Do you owe them money?

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.

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.

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.