Two vans quickly approach the scene of the bombing. Relation to incident unknown, but guilt unlikely. Perhaps fellow gang members? Plate numbers FAU 3951 and GDQ 6559. Further investigation required.
Johan strolled along the sidewalk opposite to the blaze, observing. It had obviously been done using high explosives, likely incendiary judging by the flames. But why? Why here? Why now? And for what purpose? He breathed deeply, collecting himself. Okay. Details, details. Method of attack: remote. Usually the mark of a professional, not some gang or gun-happy crime lord. Not that stuff on that scale was his business anyway, 'least it wasn't supposed to be. Materials: High explosives, incendiary. Could be home brew, but likely military. Either the attackers had connections, or the attack was somehow related to the government. The first was far more likely, but Johan kept the second in mind. Purpose... Wait, hadn't Johnny mentioned something about there being a meeting here tonight? Some gang leaders or something.
It came back to him in bits and pieces. Yeah, Johnny had said something like that last night, right before he said some very unsavory things about Johan's mother. He'd wanted to take the motherfucker out back for that one, drunk or not, but alas, he was more use to Johan alive than dead. Back to the incident at hand, Johan figured the purpose had been made perfectly clear. Someone wanted to start a war. Their reasons for desiring such a thing were unknown, but it probably wasn't anything small like territory or a "misplaced" drug shipment. No, this was bigger than that. At least, he had a feeling it was.
Alright, now we just sift through the wreckage, see what we can find. He slipped on a pair of flame retardant gloves and got to work, sifting through what little rubble wasn't burning or the size of a large man. It was then he saw her again. The killer girl, from earlier. It appeared he wasn't the only one who'd been hanging around. Perhaps she was... no. This was too precise, too coordinated, and too clean. Sure, they'd blown up a bar, but at least they hadn't left any evidence. The girl was more than likely innocent, of terrorism at least.
Watching her go, he too got up. Not that he'd looked all that hard, but he doubted further searching would prove to be anything but a waste of time. Besides, it was getting late(r) and the cops were beginning to show up. And boy did they hate themselves a nosey P.I. getting in the way of "official business". Best to book it now. He dusted himself off, and headed back to the office. First the girl, now the gangs. Things would be quite interesting for him from here on out, he was sure of it.
edited 27th Dec '11 8:43:01 AM by KSPAM
I've got new mythological machinery, and very handsome supernatural scenery. Goodfae: a mafia web serial10:28 PM
The vans had arrived close to the scene swiftly, but waited until the fire-trucks were gone to finish their trip. Upon arriving, out of each van came three thugs; two of each just wore every-day clothing, but one of each trio wore a fancy black suit, signifying a position of greater importance. Just by seeing what remained of the buildings — and their bosses, — they knew, at least according to themselves, just what had occurred.
"You bastards!" said the leader of the trio on the left, pulling out a handgun from under his suit. "You did this, didn't ya'?!"
Immediately, the other leader took out his piece, pointing it at the opposition. "I could say the same for you! What buisness would we have to kill our fucking boss?! Though I imagine it might be buisness of yours. Maybe someone just couldn't handle bein' second fiddle, huh? Take out two birds with one stone, huh?!"
"And I could the say the same about you! It'd be mighty convenient for the two of 'em to just be right in one place, wouldn't it?!"
But, amidst the ever-rising squabble, an unmistakeable sound could be heard in the distance; cops.
The two leaders took a good, hard look at each other, before deciding to retreat. "We'll finish this!", yelled one. "Ya' got that right!", yelled the other. The groups quickly got back into their vans, and sped back whence they came. But this meeting would prove to only be the prologue to something of a larger scale...
edited 27th Dec '11 12:52:14 PM by kkhohoho
10:02 pm.
It was the man asking him if he was okay that snapped Arc out of his shock. He immediately tried to backpedal but ended up slipping on the wet ground and falling. If the man wanted to harm him there'd be no time to get up and run or fish out his weapon, so he simply performed his usual actions when faced with another person; curled up in a ball and waited to see if he was going to die...again.
they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGobJohn looked down at the kid, curled up in a ball on the ground and obviously expecting a beating or worse. Mostly he felt pity, but at the same time it irritated him that the youths of today weren't made of sterner stuff. He supposed that thought made him seem old, but then again he ought to be after so long.
He sighed and crouched down to shake Arc lightly by the shoulder "Get up kid, I'm not going to hurt you."
If he stayed unresponsive, John would probably have to drag him inside the shop. It would be cruel to leave a rabbit-nerved boy like this out in the rain and prime bait for unsavory characters.
edited 27th Dec '11 10:52:34 AM by Dblade26
Arc peered out from under his hood, unsure what to think of the man's response. He didn't mean harm? He'd heard that before. Back then he'd been gullible enough to fall for it.
But now he didn't feel the same sense of imminent danger that he usually did around other people. He didn't feel safe by any means, but it almost seemed like he believed that the man wouldn't harm him. Arc hadn't felt that for a while now, not since...
Regardless of his instincts he still fumbled in one of his pockets until he felt the handle of his knife. Better safe than sorry. "Uh, sorry, I was, was just catching my breath, honest." Until that odd explosion. Part of him wanted to investigate, but the other part wanted to get home relatively safe and sound.
they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGobAfter some time looking at the scene Elena had enough of it. There was a strange sense of foreboding in the air which made her skin crawl. Those men on the vans... it was very likely by their appearance and demeanor that they were of the crime families that threatened to sink this city even deeper into the darkness. She had felt tempted to go to them and try her best to put an end to them... but she was tired, but physically and emotionally.
This had been a bad night. A very bad night. She had a feeling that nothing she did while this moon was out would turn out alright. So, she grabbed her umbrella from the guy that had saved her and took a few steps away "I'm... heading back home. I... won't tell anyone of what happened tonight. You should do the same"
Seeing as Arc was no longer quivering in a ball, John offered a hand to help him up.
"Well, who wouldn't be a little out of breath with an explosion going off nearby?" John said in a friendly tone.
At the same time he glanced down the street to see the smoke rising up, doing his best to assess the situation from there. As such, he barely noticed the small movement it took for Arc's hand to be on his knife.
"Now, were I you I'd get home as fast as possible. The streets aren't safe tonight, if they ever are."
edited 27th Dec '11 1:12:46 PM by Dblade26
Arc nodded at the man's suggestion to go home, though a part of him was still intrigued by the explosion. He didn't know why; explosions, like many loud things, scared him, and he had never had much trouble avoiding them in the past. He was having a lot of strange feelings today.
For example, he found himself staring past the owner and into his shop out of sheer curiousity. A multitude of ancient and beautiful objects stared back at him. An antiquities shop. Maybe... "Uh..." No, never mind. If he wanted to hand it over he could do it some other time, preferably in the day and perhaps somewhere more open. "...Thanks." he said instead. Thanks for not rid- killing me. He stepped out of the doorway, then remembered that he'd dropped his bag of food and knelt down to pick it up.
they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob"Heroes.... they never killed anyone. They never take the life of the villain.. and they don't go about their business so... lightheartedly. You... are you the killer that has been on the news?" She asked taking a single step back "No... never mind... but, I don't think we should see each other again"
"Thank you for saving me... but if you're going to keep patrolling the streets you should think of what you're really doing"
With that Elena turned her back on the hero and simply said "Good night" before going on her way.
At 10 o' clock, Mark observed a lot of things. First, there was a loud explosion that forced Mark to cover his ears in slight pain. Second, the young man and the girl ran off towards it (which he thought was very shortsighted of them to do). Then the girl went missing as Mark silently followed the young man to look for her, and then it turns out to him that the abrasive young man he is standing behind is a vigilante executioner. Lastly the girl walks away, leaving Mark with the young man. He saw all of this without saying a word.
"So, you're the vigilante I hear about on TV? I thought you'd look more intimidating." Mark said, hoping not to startle the young man and also hoping he wouldn't strike him out of the dislike Mark assumed he had for him.
edited 27th Dec '11 6:02:14 PM by Insano
Allurand and surrounding world loading, 28%...And so, Elena made her way straight to her dorm. As far as she was concerned, she had more than enough excitement for a single evening. Once inside she threw her jacket and clothes in the washing machine and then headed to take a bath.
After that she dressed comfortably, washed her knife throughly and then fell on her bed to think back on the events of the evening.
Another victim of hers... though the sin of killing him was shared. A hero who thought not about his actions and sported a smile even after taking a life... If there was something she could not accept it would be such a thing.
Elena still didn't know how why it came to her to accuse him of her own crimes... it just came to her in a spur of the moment. Though when she said that she was not supposed to be the killer that haunts the streets... just a scared girl who had acted out of impulse to protect herself. Such a thing should be so uncommon in such a city.
A city in which crime lords blew each other up early in the night... A place where nobody is safe when the night comes...
A city where there are ceaseless rivers of gore just beyond the twilight, where the mice scurry about in the shadows of your home, awash in spilt blood. Where the cops and the robbers both drink from the same cup, and where the money is plentiful if you just dig deep enough. Within the underworld and within yourself. Truly, such a place, such a hell could only be Rankenopolis... My city. My home. My child. Oh how I've watched you grow. You've become such a marvelous thing over these past seventy years. Indeed, Johan smiled as he watched the pillar of smoke climb ever higher, a testament to the war to come. I could never have hoped for a more fantastic place to call my own.
Twenty three steps from the corner of 3rd street. Johan stopped. This was the intersection just outside his apartment. A hundred yards to the right, and he'd be home, where he could rest after such a long day of hard work. Which was exactly why he took a left. Office wasn't too far from here, and there was work to be done. Between the girl, his actual cases and now this, Johan would have a lot on his plate from here on out. It would probably be best to just start now. As he headed down the street illuminated by little but flickering streetlights, Johan wondered just how much coffee he was going to need to get through the week like this...
edited 28th Dec '11 7:49:19 AM by KSPAM
I've got new mythological machinery, and very handsome supernatural scenery. Goodfae: a mafia web serialMark was pleased that the man was no longer abrasive with him and had adopted a casual air, although Mark still found it disturbing that this man acted so casual for a murderer.
"Indeed, shit happens. That's why we're both here, isn't it? To answer your question, you yourself are not on TV, but the aftermath of your actions are. Allow me to introdue myself. My name is Mark Pallas, and I was born in 1887. How long have you remained undying? Do you have a place to stay tonight?" Mark awaited a response, excited at the prospect that he was no longer alone.
edited 28th Dec '11 9:23:00 PM by Insano
Allurand and surrounding world loading, 28%...Aurora sighed, as she scratched her head. Sitting on her chair, she spun a couple of times, just like a child. It wasn't infrequent of her to act her physical age out of boredom. In these rare events where she was alone that is.
"Well, I suppose I'll have to call that psychotic bloodhound." She said to herself. "He's got a keen eye for the underworld grime, even if I want him strapped to an operating table."
The guy had the detail of leaving a business contact, as private investigator. Aurora sighed, as her tiny hands phoned the number of Johan.
"Pleased to meet you, Paul. I've been immortal for a century; I am one hundred and twenty-five years old now," Mark replied, giving a small smile. "I was mugged one night and should've died. As you can tell, I didn't." Mark inwardly grimaced at the event that ruined his normal life. Shrugging it off, he decided to say one more thing. "So, you're a killer. Why do you kill?"
Allurand and surrounding world loading, 28%...

As the two onlookers ran off, the firefighters arrived on the scene, and went to work, steadily dowsing the flames as best they could. Meanwhile, two black vans, each from a different location, were driving past the speed limit to the location of the incident...