Inactive
Posts 11
Power Level 15
|
Post by Freeflow on Jun 17, 2016 16:17:30 GMT -7
"What the hell do you want man?!
"Don't play dumb.. I saw you take that money. I can still here the bank alarms blaring.. You can hand me the bag, or I can just take it from your unconscious body. Your choice." Freeflow smirked, though it was hidden behind the helmet he wore. He had watched this amateur rob the bank a few blocks over. He had barely had to hoof it after him before he cornered himself in a dead-end alley way. "I'll count to three.. Drop the bag and run, or regret it later."
It only took til the count of two before the bank robber lobbed the bag toward Freeflow's feet and ran past him, casting glances back toward the black figure that had stalked him here. Well shit, he had brains.. That was easier than expected. Letting out a small sigh, he dropped into a crouch and unzipped the bag. He was even smart enough to make sure the ink packs weren't included. Staring into the bag of cash, he contemplated what to do. "'Suppose I'll keep it.. No one will know the difference anyways." As he spoke to himself, he found himself flipping through stacks of cash within the bag, pulling out a rough estimate. Nice.. A couple hundred-grand maybe.. Not too bad-
Freeflow's train of thought would be disrupted. Did you ever get that feeling someone was watching you? That was how he felt at this moment. However, he would't turn to look. If someone was there, they could have been on the ground or above. Either way, while he remained crouched in front of the bag, his backside facing the only open access to the alleyway, his left hand discreetly dipped into the punch hanging at his waist, removing a golf-ball sized steel bearing. Cupping the metal ball, his voice would sound out, while he remained in the same position.
"You know.. Most people don't enjoy being spied on."
|
|
Inactive
Posts 23
Power Level 15
|
Post by Muckraker on Jun 17, 2016 16:50:37 GMT -7
It was amazing how much Super activity that one person could find in this city, if they only kept an eye out in the right places. Sometimes it seemed like that was all Muckraker did anymore, not that he minded too much. He'd given himself a job to do in this city, which was bound to be time consuming when done properly. A hooded figure, head down to obscure the mask, was not an uncommon sight among the streets of Emerald. Whether ease dropping in on the police scanner, or paroling until he found something on his own, there was always something to turn his attention onto until another super showed up.
Today, it had just been luck. Commotion in the streets caught his attention, and reports spreading out about a bank robbery in the downtown area. It was obviously not a super attack, but there was no harm in checking it out anyway. Sometimes these situations drew the powered in like moths to a flame, heroes and villains alike. Whether they were supposedly there to save or hurt, he tended to stick to the shadows with his own goals in mind.
The last thing he'd expected was to come across the tail end of a chase, two men making a sharp turn into a dead end street. The flash of his mask was subdued but still a bit noticeable, able to snag a picture right before they turned out of view. Judging by the get up they were definitely a super, but not one that Muckraker himself was very familiar with. Maybe they were a bit new to the city? The question still lingered, wondering if they were chasing the robber down or acting as an accomplice. His readers of Behind the Screen would certainly be interested in learning that fact, and he had every intention to find out.
His footsteps were light as he moved, sticking to the shadows and trying to stay out of sight. The steady glow from his hands and mask made it difficult, but staying ducked behind wall turning into the alley kept him hidden enough. A few more photos were added to his collection, including the criminal bolting from the scene and the super riffling through the bag of cash.
With the voice ringing clear to his ears, Muckraker's entire body flinched backwards. Being caught was always a possibility, but never a fun one. "So people keep telling me," he responded, sliding his hands into the front pocket of his hoodie. Figuring his cover was blown, he stepped out into the alley's opening and clearly made himself known. "You think by now I would have started taking the advice."
|
|
Inactive
Posts 11
Power Level 15
|
Post by Freeflow on Jun 17, 2016 20:42:28 GMT -7
He had been right. The voice that sounded out didn't startle him. Not much did these days. The only thing that had ever really scared him, was war. But even that fear had faded when he stared death in the face, only to pull through without a scratch on him. These powers were a gift, or so he liked to believe. This person behind him, he had no knowledge about him. Freefall could only guess if he was as blessed as himself.
"Sounds like some pretty good advice. But hey, I'm not judging.. Even if it is a little creepy." Freeflow would use his right hand to zip the bag up, before turning to face the shadow that had revealed itself. Arms at his sides, the ball bearing still hidden in his palm, Freeflow would take in this other man's form. His brain automatically working to 'blue-print' his body. Something he did often meeting new people, something he had picked up over-seas, to help him determine a threat.
"So.. What can I do for ya, pal?" Freeflow was still unsure whether this guy was going to try and pick a fight for him choosing to take the cash, instead of returning it. Either way, he didn't plan to leave empty handed. After all he had done all that rigorous exercise to get this cash. Nodding his masked head backwards, he spoke. "Finder's keepers, in my book. I'm not giving it back, in case you were wondering."
|
|
Inactive
Posts 23
Power Level 15
|
Post by Muckraker on Jun 18, 2016 5:33:59 GMT -7
He considered taking another photo now that he had a clear angle, but was quick to decide otherwise. The alley's lighting wasn't exactly the best for snapping high quality photographs, and the others he'd taken looked far more dynamic. From this distance, all taking pictures would do is alert to the fact that he was taking them at all. Sometimes even to him the shot just wasn't worth it.
"I wasn't wondering too hard, but it's nice to hear someone's motives laid out so clearly. You might not believe this, but most supers I get to chat with don't even offer that courtesy." Muckraker lightly shook his head, taking a pointed step off to the side. It was like he was making a point of not blocking off the exit back out into the street. "Trust me, I don't really care much about stopping some super from using their powers to make a little money. Personally, I'm just of a simple observer than the type to get caught up in all the action. It just suits me better."
With a shrug of apparent indifference, he shifted to lean one shoulder against a wall. The outsides of these buildings weren't exactly the cleanest around, but he didn't seem to mind the filth against his hoodie too much.
"If I can be totally frank with you here, I'm more interested in the fella who's holding the bag than the loot inside. You new around these parts?" He chuckled, eyes of his mask still glowing steadily in the dim lighting. "And no, that was not some awful pick up line. I know better than to hit on masked men I meet in shady alleys."
|
|
Inactive
Posts 11
Power Level 15
|
Post by Freeflow on Jun 18, 2016 21:00:17 GMT -7
Freeflow would continue to study the one before him, even after he stepped off to the side and leaned against the wall. It didn't seem like he was looking for conflict, unless he was biding time for an opening to strike. His motives also seemed unclear. But really, he could care less. If he wasn't going to get in the way, he wasn't a problem, at least not yet.
"New? Yeeah, I suppose you could say that. Been a long time since I was last state-side. Nothing like real civilization, Huh? Excitement at every turn.." Freeflow replied casually. He could tell when someone was digging for information, but he supposed this beat an attempt at torture any day. He didn't't care who knew what about him, for the most part. He also cared little of what they thought about him or his own actions. At least he didn't kill people for no reason, right? Turning away, the mercenary reached for the bag and looped it around his shoulder before turning and walking toward the the alleyway exit and the strange fellow. It was there he would stop, and turn his head to face him close-up.
"Well, I suppose this is good-bye.. Unless.." His right hand lifted, waving slightly as a proposal form in his mind. If this guy could see his face, he'd see a smirk. "Unless you're up for a little excitement yourself? I feel a little like gamblin'.. I'll give you half of whatever is in this bag, if you fight me. Here and now."
|
|
Inactive
Posts 23
Power Level 15
|
Post by Muckraker on Jun 19, 2016 19:46:59 GMT -7
"Don't get me wrong here, normally I could always use a little excitement to spice up the stew of life. You've just got two very big misconceptions here about me, buddy." Muckraker held up two fingers as if to demonstrate his point, counting them down as he spoke. Now that it was pulled from his hoodie pocket, it was easier to see how the glowing palms matched his mask's eyes.
"One: the idea that I want anything to do with that stolen cash. I'm not here to stop you, but I'm not exactly the type to loot from criminals with a clear conscience. Whatever mischief you get up to with that stash is all on you." He lowered one finger, his count down shifting into a point he directed at the other. "Mistake two: that I might even remotely be wanting to fight you at any point. I wasn't lying when I said I could use some excitement, but I know my abilities and limits. At the end of the day, I'm not one that's particularly built for fighting. There are a million and one supers around who'd be willing to take you up on that on any given day, but I'm sadly not one of them."
The reporter shrugged and took a moment to roll one shoulder, as if it were particularly stiff, before pushing his weight back off the wall again. "I don't deal in fights if I can, though I'd love to have a spectator seat three rows back. My trade is in information, and making sure it gets to the right people at the right time. As it turns out, the right time is usually the present."
With a quick movement, he removed the remaining hand from his pocket with a flourish. Between gloved fingers was a cheap looking business card, plain white with black text visible on the front. Graphic design was clearly not a passion for whoever had crafted the thing, yet Muckraker still offered it as if he were being cool and discrete.
"If you want to learn more about the supers in the area, I'd suggest giving my site a quick read. It might just prepare you for the things around the corner."
|
|