video!

[hellosirs]

[ Angus waves into the camera, polite and a little nervous despite himself. It's been a while since he's done one of these! He's broadcasting from his bedroom, which is impeccably neat, full of stacks of library books (mostly true crime fiction) and covered in wrestling posters.]

Um, hello! I recently got back from a... well, I assume it was some kind of porter mishap, and I think my 'powers', so to speak, have changed a bit. I used to be able to just generate my detective gear out of nowhere, but I can't anymore, so...

I was wondering if anybody knew where I'd be able to buy some equipment? I'm missing a magnifying glass, lockpicking kit, a grappling hook, and... I know this is a long shot, but a miniature wrist-mounted crossbow would come in handy. Just for self-defense!

[ He's never been any good at ending these things. How do you sign off politely? ]

... uh... Thank you for your help, goodbye!

Comments

video

[journalkeeper]

Angus, I'm so glad to see you.

[ And she does look, really glad to see him? and almost like she's about to cry? She's had a long week and it's nice to see her Very Good Boy. ]

[hellosirs]

[ What's worse than unintentionally disappearing on your moon-mom-slash-boss without saying a word? SEEING HER LIKE THIS, PLEASE DON'T CRY MA'AM, OH GOD ]

Madame Director! I'm very glad to see you too, I'm sorry for disappearing so abruptly! I would have said something if I'd been able to!

[journalkeeper]

Oh no, no one blames you, Angus. Being ported out... well, it'll probably happen to us all.

[ unless you're played by jill ]

[hellosirs]

[ CALLED OUT ]

I mean, eventually, yeah, but it still feels rude!

[journalkeeper]

Well, for the record I don't consider it to be.

video

[fehus]

[this kid is incredibly adorable? have a soft looking dude with long hair]

Uhh, it sort of sounds like you just asked the network for help with your jewel heist?

[hellosirs]

[ ANGUS IS HORRIFIED ]

Ohmygosh.

No, no! If anything, I'd use that stuff to prevent jewel heists! I'm a detective!

[fehus]

Like the PI kind or the police kind? 'Cuz one of those would help out with a jewel heist.

[hellosirs]

Um... I guess the PI kind, since the police won't work with me?

[fehus]

That's the jewel thief one!

action;

[shittywizard]

[ About ten minutes after Angus' post goes up, Taako's knocking on his door. ]

[hellosirs]

[ The door is thrown open mid-knock, and Angus is practically bouncing on his heels in the doorway. ]

Taako! Sir, hello! I just got back a little while ago, I didn't know you were home!

[shittywizard]

[ Taako's got small vines throughout his braid, almost like they were at some point growing there, and he looks like he just ran up the stairs. ]

Yeah, I, uh—I wasn't, I just got home.

[hellosirs]

[ ... Wait, did he actually run home because of...? ]

I-I'm sorry for disappearing for a few days, I think I missed a magic lesson, I would have left a note if I could!

[shittywizard]

[ In fairness, Garyl did most of the running. ]

No, it's cool, lessons were definitely cancelled anyway.

[Video]

[centelha]

There's a lot better self-defense techniques that don't involve crossbows. You're better off learning how to get out of basic grips and things like that. If you rely on an object to keep you safe, then all someone has to do to disarm you is take it out or catch you without it.

...and you're not making a great case for it being self-defense when you mention it after listing the kind of things you'd need to break into a place and rob it so maybe work on your word choice a little?

[hellosirs]

I usually prefer long-range attacks so that I can stop conflicts before somebody has the chance to get all up in my business. I'm eleven, I'm sort of at a big physical disadvantage against anyone who isn't my size.

... You're the second person who's said that. Would it help if I went back and said 'I'm a detective, not a jewel thief?" Oh no, that sounds even more suspicious!

[centelha]

I get that, but a lot of people are good at sneaking up on others, or are fast enough that long-range attacks stop being useful, and that's before we factor in that people here have superpowers. It wouldn't hurt anything to learn basic self-defense on top of getting your weapon. I was twelve when I learned and it's been coming in handy ever since.

Is that standard detective gear back home for you? Because it, um, look, I believe you when you say you're not going to steal things, but I don't think that's standard detective stuff for most worlds.

[hellosirs]

I'll take that into consideration, thank you!

And, um... it's been pretty standard for me? I'm not really sure what the usual equipment is like around here, apart from guns, cell phones, computers, and maybe binoculars.

[centelha]

Good. You seem like a nice guy, I'd hate to think of you getting hurt just because you didn't have a weapon on you, you know?

That's closer to what would be standard back home for me, too. So I guess this is just a case of cultural differences. I can relate; that's about ninety percent of the conversations I've had here. But I'm sure once you explain it's normal back home people will realize you're not a criminal. Everyone's seen weirder, here.

video.

[ohshutup]

[A cute kid detective! Oh, Clara is utterly charmed.]

Well, I think I can help with a couple of those things, one detective to another. Not so sure about the crossbow, however. Use that a lot?

[hellosirs]

[ he brightens up instantly! Another detective! Heck yeah! ]

It's always great to meet another professional, Ma'am! I didn't use the crossbow much, it was only ever for self defense. I know some magic too, but it's always nice to have a backup.

[ohshutup]

Magic? Now that's something I don't know much about, I've got to say.

[TELL HER MORE]

[hellosirs]

It's weird that it isn't a thing here...

But, um, what did you want to know, Ma'am? I'd be happy to answer any questions!

[ohshutup]

Well, some people say that magic is just science we haven't explained yet. The powers we all have are certainly magical to me.

[Since he asked for specifics, though...]

How common is it in your world?