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[foreshadower]

[ When the comm turns on, it's very obviously moving, swaying, amost.

But Shade's there.

But he certainly isn't as calm as he usually is. Normally, he's content to drink and eat, and laze around like some fat black cat who really should have been taken care of a long time ago.

But here he is, dancing in the midday street, the shadows behind him stretching and lengthening. He turns, and the camera turns with him. Behind him, you can see a few security guards running after him, before he laughed, and moved away again, and they're in the distance -- the camera on the comm only blinked for a moment, inky black before it was daytime again. ]

Normal security guards? Being sent after me? Come now, there's an entire world of superheroes, and that's the best you can do?

[ The camera turns, now. It's the local museum in Heropa. As evidenced by the painting that danced in the shadows, being led out the front door. Like he had every right to take it. ]

There has to be someone who can stop me, yes? Let's see which among you can stand against the void!

[ And -- scene. At least until someone shows up over here. ]

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[garrick]

[ This can't be good. There's been weird shit going on the last few days and now this. Jay can't claim to be a Shade expert, not yet, but even he knows that something is very off. This guy versus the one who was offended at the idea of fried butter?

It's enough that Jay actually changes into his hat and red jacket before responding, suspecting it'll have more of an impact than just saying something.]

What do you think you're doing?

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[foreshadower]

[ it does have an impact -- one that makes the immortal whip around to focus completely on his comm, his grin split wider than it had been before. Shade was normally not a morose guy, but the grin was unusual both in its frequency and intensity. You could almost, almost say it was pure delight, if it weren't for the way it stretched his face just a tad too much.

Or maybe it was for show. ]

By Erebus, Flash! [ He often hated himself for coming up with such a silly line, but... There was nothing for it now. ]

For someone so fast, it's taking you a while to come catch me!

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[garrick]

[ By what now?

And what is that grin? It's enough that even Jay is almost recoiling on the inside from it. Maybe Shade is happy to see him but at the same time he sure wished Shade wouldn't do that. Preferably ever again. Jay instinctively folds his arms, schooling his expression into the perfect scolding (if not a little patronizing) one.]

And why should I reward you when you're doing such things? Put the painting back and then we'll talk.

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[foreshadower]

Come now, Flash.

[ He waved a hand, and the painting in the background did a little spin, as the shadows deemed to dance with it, spinning it around like dark fiends that danced with the devil more than Da Vinci. ]

A lecture? At least do me the decency of trying to stop me! [ The grin is gone. What's going on? Everyone always comes to fight... ]

Although if you want me to take this Goya, I'm happy to take it off their hands.

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[garrick]

[ Well that's just cheating. Goya doesn't deserve that and Jay can feel his expression hardening ever so slightly. He was definitely going to have to put his pizza night to one side and go down there to sort it out.

The question is more why?

And that darkness....]

Leave the Goya out of this. And it's not a lecture, not yet anyway. You're just not very good at this whole thing if you feel you have to show off to the network at the same time. Whatever happened to the fight against fried butter?

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[newwaver]

Maybe they've decided you're a little too try hard?

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[foreshadower]

Try hard? [ A pause.

Just a pause. And a measure of the facade fell. ]

My boy, is that supposed to be the Queen's English?

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[newwaver]

[That gets a raise of his eyebrows.]

You're stealing a painting and trying to get caught. I don't think my grasp of the English language is the problem here.

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[foreshadower]

Oh no, you misunderstand my intentions, here.

I'm not trying to get caught. They can't catch me, whether they like it or not!

[ A laugh. ]

I just want to see if the Flash is as good here as he is back home. It won't make a difference to me.

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[newwaver]

Oh.

[He still doesn't understand.]

Is he?

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[unbreaker]

[This certainly isn't like the roommate Josuke remembers, but then, he doesn't know Shade as well as other people might. They only live together, speak only in passing, and none of that really equates to friendship. But friend or no, Shade is someone Josuke cares about. Hime had liked him, and Shade's cooked for him in the past. He's been...a little eerie, but pleasant.

So it's with a note of concern that he responds...]

I don't think that really matches the decor of our residence, you know? Maybe...maybe you should put it back.

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[foreshadower]

[ Shade paused.

Didn't this person live in the residence he'd woken up in? Of course he'd snooped, but -- ]

Ah, my friend! I think with a little more décor, that could change, don't you?

And if not, well! I can always find somewhere else to keep it.

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[unbreaker]

[That's so not the reaction he was hoping for...but it's the one he expected.]

Yeah, yeah, I got a great place you could keep it. Like, back at the museum you got it from. Great idea, right?

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[foreshadower]

[ He held a hand to his chest. ]

why, good sir! I may as well reform, if I do that!

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[unbreaker]

And what's wrong with that? It's not like it'd kill you, yeah? Not the way boredom will if you get caught and thrown in prison!

[Don't get caught and thrown in prison, Shade.]

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[poppedballoon]

Oh, oh! I'll stop you!

[and the nine-year-old in a wizard's cape and hat looks absolutely gleeful to have the opportunity, so thanks, Shade. That shadow magic he's using is huge and looming and looks so cool.]

Do I have to figure out where you are first, or will you tell me?

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[foreshadower]

[ omg ok.

Shade can't resist. He's normally more content to play the villain than play with children, but...

But this little guy is actually pretty cute. And enthusiastic! Shade loves enthusiasm. ]

Now that depends! Can you magic your way to my location, sir wizard?

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[poppedballoon]

I can do even better. [his grin turning a touch mischeivous.] I've got a Demon Box I can ride, and it's the fastest thing you'll ever meet. So I'd watch out if I were you, or you won't even see us coming.

[very little of that is true, but Rincewind believes it, and it shows in his squared, skinny shoulders and the gleam in his eyes. Here's a real, powerful bad guy for him to stop. And he might even be a sort of wizard, if his magic and his hat are any indication! This day couldn't get any better.]

But we wouldn't mind a hint about where you are. That might be all right, for you to give us that at least.

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[foreshadower]

Hm --

[ He held a hand to his chin, openly considering it.

If anyone caught him playing with a child, they would likely be able to call him out on the extended farce that was his supervillain career.

Then again, he wasn't like supervillains that were starting to crop up now. With their threats to bodily harm that they followed through with. It was almost enough for Shade to consider giving up the business, eventually.

After a moment, he leaned forward. ]

I'll tell you what, I'm near a museum! Where else would I get such delightful paintings from?

[ He turned the camera slightly with his shadows, and the name of the street appeared on the sign behind him. ]

Perhaps your Demon Box will be able to find me now?

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[poppedballoon]

[A museum? He doesn't know any of those by name...

But oh! Oh! If the way the wizard lights up is any indication, he's well onto the game now. He points a finger triumphantly towards the video.]

I guess you'll just find out! Unless you want to give yourself up now. [but he really hopes the guy doesn't, because this is it, this his chance, he's going to prove he can be a hero! So Rincewind grins again and shuts off the feed, fully intending to ride the Luggage out to do battle with the forces of evil.

Or at least with Shade.]

[airshow]

Showoff.

[ Says the guy who's currently up to his elbows in springs with a screwdriver tucked behind his ear. He's just mad Shade got to the villain speeching first! ]

[foreshadower]

What's villainy without a little presence, eh Trickster?

I see you're perhaps just as interested in having a little fun as I, yes?

[airshow]

No perhaps about it! Though I think our definitions of fun might be a little different. And presence, for that matter.

[foreshadower]

Mmm, well, there's no accounting for taste, is there?

[ Sorry, Tricks. He likes you, but.... ]

I can't believe there was none of this before! How were they not dying of boredom?

[airshow]

I hear some people actually like the boring stuff. Can you believe it?