“There's a fire starting here—”

[invoking]

WHO: monica & gil.
WHERE: wherever monica is busting in on.
WHEN: let's go with midnight 3/15.
WARNINGS: violence and language. probably blood.
SUMMARY: wrong place, wrong time. maybe.
FORMAT: quick.


[ It had been months since Gil flexed his marksman abilities, so today after calling the only available shooting range he could find in the City, he went to this Westside Rifle & Pistol Range to take a look himself. They had tried to tell him to browse their webpage, but having no idea how to operate the Internet yet, Gil opted to inspect the place in person. No harm in that. It seemed... alright. It was the only place he could open fire on a target without risking charges.

On the way back, he had taken a taxi instead, not entirely familiar with the area the range was in. After some time when it had become clear the taxi driver was either new or taking a longer route to cheat money out of Gil, he had spoken up. The driver argued back and then Gil found himself growing frustrated and the driver did not take well to it. Upon realizing he was an imPort, Gil got kicked out of the cab ("You fuckin' imPorts think you can just talk however and do whatever you want! Piss off, ya alien!" the driver had yelled) and was left in another unfamiliar part of the city.

Lost and irritable (he barely has any change left), Gil now wanders down the street, debating giving Nelson or Kenzi a call to figure out where he is and where to find the subway. Just as he takes out his phone, he senses there's something-- someone-- else around and he stops, certain he's spotted a shadow moving somewhere past him. ]

Comments

[invoking]

You can't just take matters into your own hands! [ Even if it's for the greater good. He's sure the police will do something if they're alerted to the scene of the crime.

He looks at the other man, conflicted, then his gaze settles on Monica once more. ] You haven't told me what you mean by that. Why is he a threat? Who is he?

[uzi]

I can do whatever I want. _{( She doesn't raise her voice, but there's an intensity to it. She clearly believes very strongly what she's saying. )}

He's part of an underground ring--dedicated to taking down imPorts. I need him to take me to his--

_{( Her voice cuts off as the man, in a single instant, finds his courage and grabs his gun. In a matter of seconds he's fired off a shot. )}

[invoking]

[ He reacts quickly, his gun pointed directly back at the man. He doesn't want to kill him, but it's been made clear he's willing to do anything to get away from them.

For a few seconds, he mulls over whether or not to take the shot.

Instead he spring forth. He's no mixed martial arts master, but he knows how to kick hard when necessary. Gil's foot slams against his head. ]

Stop it!

[uzi]

_{( When he shot, Monica sprang back. She didn't have the time to look where she was going--only an instant to get away from the bullet--and the back of her head hit the opposite wall, hard. She grits her teeth against the pain blossoming at the base of her neck, even if that means she can't smile at the howl of pain the man lets out. )}

I need--his intel. Don't kill him.

[invoking]

[ Gil presses his foot down, ensuring he doesn't move anymore and keeps the gun trained on him. His eyes dart to Monica, breathing fast and heavy. ]

I won't-- are you okay?

[uzi]

_{( Monica lifts a hand to the back of her head, touching the spot gingerly. There's the wet sensation of blood, and her vision blurs for a moment before she gets it together. )}

I'm fine.

_{( A second later, she's kneeling beside the man, glaring hard into his eyes. )}

A name. Give me a name.

[invoking]

[ Gil slowly moves his foot away, but his arm remains steady. He won't kill. He can't. He's not an officer of the law or a vigilante, but if this guy pulls something he won't hesitate any longer to put a bullet in his arm. ]

[uzi]

_{( The guy, white from blood loss and pain, nevertheless is holding his tongue. Monica, irritated from pain herself, reaches out in a split second and grabs his wrist. A moment later, it snaps and he screams. )}

Name. Now.

[invoking]

[ He jumps, an unpleasant chill running down his neck and he finds himself taking a step forward, as if to intervene. ]

Wait, that's not necessary... he won't say anything if he's in too much pain!

[uzi]

He tried to kill us. Both of us. And this is wasting my time.

You have any better ideas, Mr. Hero? Or are you going to let me do what I need to?

[invoking]

He can't do anything anymore! [ This is excessive. He might be a criminal, but torturing him isn't going to get her anywhere. ] I'm sorry, I know I interfered, but it's over already!

[uzi]

No. It's not. This can't have been useless. I won't accept that.

[invoking]

He'll go into shock if you keep hurting him.

[uzi]

It would make me feel better.

But, fine. _{( She steps away from the man and rises back to her feet. )}

Would you like to try?

[invoking]

[ He freezes, not sure he heard that right. ]

What?

[uzi]

The cops will be here in five minutes, tops. I need the intel, and to get out of here, before then. If you don't like my methods, come up with some of your own.

1/2

[invoking]

Are you serious?!

[invoking]

[ His mind races, trying to come up with a method to get the guy to talk. ]

Damn it... [ He quickly looks back at the man. How can he get him to talk? Five minutes may not be enough time to get him to say anything. ]

Just say something already!

[ Of course that's not going to work. ]

[uzi]

_{( Monica offers him a flat look. She is always serious. But when the man doesn't answer, she rolls her eyes. )}

Maybe we can bargain with our new friend. Strike a deal.

[invoking]

[ Gil doesn't know what he can do at this point. There's barely any time if the police are en route and this guy she's after isn't about to give up whatever information it is she needs. It must be something worth protecting, that's for sure.

He can only think of one solution at this time. He wrestles with the idea, his left hand tightening around his gun. ]

You said the police will be here soon. So... you need somewhere to talk to him. Somewhere private.

[uzi]

_{( Another jab of pain hits, directly behind her eyes and through her skull. She doesn't wince, but she runs one hand through her hair in a motion designed to hide the fact that she's feeling out her injury. The blood's still flowing; she needs to hurry this along. )}

That would be best, yes. Thank you for proving you can think.

_{( She looks back at the man and her resolve unwinds, a fraction. Such a small thing, not worth this trouble. But if he dies or gets away, the entire organization will go to ground. Months of planning, of waiting, of questioning and searching, will be wasted. )}

1/2

[invoking]

[ His shoulders hunch for a second. ]

I'm trying to help! Because I'm stuck in this situation now!

[invoking]

[ He lets out a huff and then groans; moving his shoulder like that wasn't smart. He can tell he's still bleeding, the blood now dripping out of his sleeve. It's only a few droplets, but he needs to patch it up sooner than later.

He presses his hand to his neck, feeling the carcere underneath the collar. Some of the blood stains the white fabric. ]

... I can take us somewhere. [ The only place he could think of is his own home. The MAC would be ideal if there weren't too many imPorts around.

But the penthouse...

He hopes Sue would forgive him for this. ]

[uzi]

_{( She doesn't hesitate, doesn't question it. She doesn't have the time. Instead she leans down, picks up the thug, and hoists him over one shoulder. He's close to shock, going in and out of consciousness. )}

Lead the way.

[invoking]

Hold on. This might be uncomfortable...

[ Even he loses his footing when he utilizes Raven's abilities.

He can already hear sirens. ]

Raven! [ He calls aloud and the shadows around them begin to swirl quickly, rising out of the ground and spreading apart, taking the shape of large feathers.

Gil moves close to Monica in case and then they're swallowed up by darkness.

The ambient noises of the city disappear entirely and then there's a dim light again, coming from the moonlight shining from a window.

They're inside a large penthouse, dropped right smack in the living room, but they're alone. Scattered around them are more black feathers.

Gil stumbles slightly, leaning on the edge of a chair to catch his breath. He hasn't used Raven in months, so it takes its toll on him. ]

Are... you alright?