video | after the Hotel Rescue Shenanigans

[rideme]

[It's evening, as evidenced by the general dim light in the room. The living room of Nonah #5 has been the scene of a lot of mayhem, and now doesn't seem to be any different.]

[There's a cut on the Iron Bull's face, and he's holding himself with the care of someone who knows damn well he's hurt something important and doesn't want to make any sudden motions. There may also be glass stuck in one of his horns. More small abrasions decorate his torso. Looks like the aftermath of Motorcycle vs. The Iron Bull didn't end well for anyone.]

[As he records, he's moving gingerly across the house to deposit one (1) unconscious lump of teenager -- namely the Problem Child Tetsuo himself -- into a room. Probably his own room. Only after that's done, does Bull address the camera.]

Hey. Got a message for you, network.

[One might say he forgot it was on, but it's also more likely this was purposeful. Demonstrating the kid is in hand, put somewhere safe and no longer charging through the streets.]

Dear Whoever the Fuck Made Tetsuo's Bike,

You should have made it Bull-Proof.

[It's at this point, he holds up a certain finger on the hand still possessing all of its fingers. Wow, Bull, stay classy. He's about to turn the feed off when someone else pipes in, from somewhere else in the house--]

And would someone come heal my big, dumb boyfriend! Please?

[THANKS CHARLIE. Bull makes a sudden face, and hurries to mash the OFF button.]

Comments

[rideme]

... Yeah, it's not that.

Just wondering how much you knew about recording these posts and all.

[nostalgiabomb]

Uh, I guess I could manage it.

You tryin' to blackmail folks?

[rideme]

Only the ones who make asses of themselves.

[PRIVATE]
Nah. Just trying to nail down whoever the hell let the kid go on his joyride.

General feeling is, the guy's bad news. I don't want him anywhere but six feet under if he's going to fuck around with my people.

[ private ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Whoa there, Big Guy.

I like a good death threat as much as any other guy, but you're gonna have to give me a better rundown on what the hell's going on with you crazy kids.

[ private ]

[rideme]

Knew I could count on you.

What all do you know?

[ permaprivate, for all your locking needs ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Aside from how Don King has been missing in action lately?

Not a whole damn lot.

[rideme]

Got it.

He got in some bullshit argument with Kaneda about a dog, and took off on a motorcycle. One he got thanks to some weird asshole none of us saw.

Except Kaneda. And something about the guy put his back up. Kid's... an idiot. But I trust him on this one. Said someone'd been pushing Tetsuo too. Nudging him to crazy town.

Or closer to it.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It's a good thing Bull said it first, re: crazy town, otherwise Peter totally would've commented on it.

As it is, he arches an eyebrow at his device, though it goes unseen. ]

So you think someone's playin' the troll doll, and not that Kaneda's gettin' jealous that his buddy is seeing other people?

[ Despite the poor choice of words, Peter asks it as an honest question. He's teasing, sure, but he's also clarifying. ]

[rideme]

Yeah. I do. Doesn't read like jealousy to me.

[All Kaneda ever said on that subject was Tetsuo was his responsibility, which is a whole other sack of crap.]

If he just wanted to keep Testosterone all to himself, I wouldn't be asking for help. It's different.


He's afraid for him.

[nostalgiabomb]

"Testosterone."

[ He repeats it with a slightly incredulous tone. As if to say, "Really, dude?" But he lets it go, aside from that. ]

Any ideas on who the mystery guy is? Hints on what he looks like, shit like that? There's a lot of folks here, after all.

[rideme]

Yep.

[Really, dude.]

He's got magic. Likes to text anonymously.

... and hopefully he's responding to this post. I know that's fuck-all to go on, but that's what I've got.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There's silence from Peter's end for a few moments, as he scrolls through the series of replies on the network. ]

So we'll eliminate regular visitors of your guys' circus--

[ By "circus" he means Nonah 5. Naturally. ]

--and if your hunch is right about the dude replying to your announcement, then there's still a decent handful of people to have to go through.

But there's always the chance the dude wants to lie low. Keep off your radar, considering you're, you know. Out for his blood.

[rideme]

There's that chance, sure. I'm hoping he's got that tiny-dick-syndrome. Where you always have to prove yourself. Sort of why the over-the-top drama and all.

[But Peter's right. On all counts. He'll acknowledge that.]

I'm trying to record as much of this shit as I can. See if... Kaneda knows anyone we can rule out off the bat.

But I figure the more eyes we have, the better. Sure as fuck don't want whoever this is causing shit to go tits-up in a big way.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He hums his acknowledgement. It's a sound strategy, he guesses. Weird that the Iron Bull is including him on this, though, considering he considers himself sort of on the fringes of whatever weird family thing is happening in that house, but, hey, to each their own. ]

What about Tetsuo? Any reason why he wouldn't tell you when he's better?

[rideme]

... Any reason why he would?

Don't know if you've noticed, but he's not exactly the... "share with your team" type.

Plus, I wrecked his motorbike, and I'm pretty sure the only reason he ever stuck around here as long as he did is one of the cats took a liking to him.

[nostalgiabomb]

What, and you think setting up a witch hunt to go after someone the kid likely considers a friend is gonna help that situation?

[ He makes a scoffing noise. ]

Look. Your guys' hearts are in the right place, but the way I see it, you go after whoever is pullin' the kid's strings? The kid's just gonna shut down on you guys all the more.

You gotta either figure out why the guy's messin' with him, or why the kid is respondin' as well as he does. See if you can use that to your own advantage.

[rideme]

... See. This is why I wanted another head in this ring. Someone not so close.

[Translation: You have good points, Quill.]

I'll keep that in mind.

For now, though, just picking out who it might be would do a lot to figuring out why the fuck he's screwing around with the kid. Don't have to make a move or anything until we have details.

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah, makes sense.

Just don't go grabbing the pitchforks and torches till you get the kid on your side, that's all. You'll probably have to keep an eye on Kaneda, too. Make sure he doesn't go all Rambo once you figure out who's messing with his buddy.

[rideme]

... Do we have pitchforks?

[He's listening, he really is. But forgive him if he has to entertain that mental image for a minute.]

Yeah, he's already trying to rip some bastard's throat out through the phone. Got to admire the guts, if not the brains. Dumbass.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ A beat. Then, with an air of exasperation that implies he's said this a thousand times before, ]

It's-- just a phrase.

Anyway. Might be a good idea to keep Yosemite Sam over there from hopping on the comms while you scope out these folks.

You really want my help on this one, you're gonna owe me a favor, though.

[rideme]

I'll do what I can.

[And he means that -- it's not just a placation. He's not sure how much he can... do about Kaneda, but he'll try.]

[A beat, and then.]

Fine with me. Name it.

[nostalgiabomb]

Rather bank it, if it's all the same. Save it for a rainy day, seein' as how I don't have anything specific in mind right now.

[rideme]

Fair enough.

I won't forget, though. You've got the Iron Bull when you need him.