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[Text]

This is Hank Anderson, and I recently got my promotion so it's now Det. Hank Anderson. Which is why I wanted to make this announcement.

[Hank still wants to research into the missing people and initiate his vague plan to devalue the iterations. Right now the public see them as a protective force for good. Hank wants the people to see other fucking people as their reliable protective force. That in the many variations of temperaments and personalities and creative resolutions to conflict, they can find their safety.]

I have a case that could use some assistance from some specialized outsiders. If you could come to me and lay out your experience and training, I would like to offer you temporary deputy work in helping solve this case.

Necessary qualifications include:
-Combat against armed opponents
-Negotiation and Interrogation
-Ability to secure an area until CSI arrives (cursory crime scene analysis a bonus)

Due to Dualis's policy on providing payment through credit, if you would want rewards we would have to attach a name to your activities. However if you'd want to work off-record [which is as close to anonymously as he can get] we could come to some sort of arrangement such as donated payment.

I'll be at the cat cafe to conduct interviews 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon for the next week. You can show up when it's convenient to talk. Sounds like a fucking weird place for it, yes, it'll make more sense when you're there.

I've also arranged for donated goods to be offered when people come in and might find themselves in a state of disrepair or any nicer version of saying fucked the hell up. New clothes, medical things like crutches for people with chronic conditions, sanitary supplies like soap and toothbrushes, things of that nature. So if you want to donate something to the people coming in there's a donation box in the dormitory's lower entryway and they'll be taken to the temple.

[Action]

Like he promises, Hank's waiting around at the cat cafe whenever someone shows up. Usually reading a book, sometimes bored, sometimes deeply into it. Right by his side though? A mammoth green cat, purring and resting her head against his arm. She's twitching her tail to and fro.

Hank is pretty sure he'll be able to tell if someone is bullshitting their credentials and whether they'll do intentional harm with their new role. It's hard to do background checks when different universes are involved, but he thinks he's figured out a way to beat the system without having to use any of the department's lie detectors.

Note: Plotting post here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He looks around the bar, not sure what to say at first. It's a kind gesture, certainly, and beyond what Loki would have anticipated. He...would like to see his family again, his Mother...even his Father, but if he was to remain, it was certainly going to be after overthrowing their 'benevolent' captor. He does smile, though, ruefully. "I've already lasted my due, Hank, but the thought is appreciated."

His tone is genuine, much to his own surprise. He does, actually, appreciate Hank's sentiment. He follows Hank's gaze as he motions to Connor. The boy looks unassuming to say the least, but honestly, so does Hank. There was more to humans that he'd assumed. Was there also more to their constructs? He supposes he will see. "That's Connor I take it?"

Edited (what is tense, can I eat it?) 2019-11-26 07:14 (UTC)

Those are hard words to hear. Usually they come with a good amount of self-blame, with the idea that the only real redemption is in death. And god, that's a fuckin' pit Hank's head's been buried in. Some fuckin' post-mortem 'all-clear'. Don't worry, the world is a little better without you in it. At least that's the shit he's seen bother himself and a lot of other guys.

It's a fuckin' uphill struggle but right now in front of a bunch of people looking to stop the AI plaguing them (insert badumching here for the sake of deplorable puns) he's not going to discuss it further. He might try to bring it up later, though.

Connor's a welcome distraction, so he motions towards him sitting with Maggie. "Yeah. That's him. He's got some unique CSI gifts that... I hope he never fuckin' has to use again but he might end up having to."

"CSI?" It isn't often Loki hasn't to ask for clarification, but the term is specialized enough that it's passed his knowledge base. He looks over to Hank, questioning. He's glad for the subject change, that his new friend is willing to go along with it. Dying to save his people was the last he could have done, but it wasn't something he liked to think on.

The memory of dying, the process of it, the pain, the helplessness...no. He'd much rather focus on learning about criminal processes. It was something he'd need to learn if he was going to work with the city government, even in the role of spy. "All our gifts may be necessary if we're to gain ground."

"Crime Scene Investigation. There are detectives that specialize in analyzing crime scene details. Like um, blood stains, footprints, contents of that blood. They can tell if someone was poisoned, or if a shooting was staged, that kinda thing."

He allows the subject change easily. Generally subjects like that are easier anyway.

"He has a mobile fuckin' labratory in his mouth so sometimes he pokes his finger in things and fuckin' licks it off like it's McDonald's Szechuan Sauce and then he can tell you who's DNA it is and all kinds of shit. Anyway. Best part of him moving to negotiations is that I don't have to watch him do that anymore."

"I imagine you never had to watch in the first place," but there's a jest in his tone, along with that smile, that suggests he's just trying to lighten the mood. Androids were strange in the first place, but affixing mortal traits to a being without an expiry date was foolhardy. Loki does, though, recognize it's not his place to say so.

"It sounds as though it's a useful talent, though, unpleasant to witness or no."

"It's hard not to watch when he gets started with that." He makes a 'blech' sort of noise, a comically overreactive one. But Loki is absolutely right. He didn't have to watch. But he 100% did.

"But yeah, I'll fuckin' deal with it because we need everything he could get. He was sensitive enough to be able to tell for certain that my DNA and the DNA of the clone's blood matched. He's also got facial recognition, so he could look through pictures and- ...shit, I gotta figure out how we can get him some online access."

They really need to find those two guys.

"Last I checked, your eyes move, as does your head." But his tone is still teasing, still light-hearted. He's beginning to understand Hank has a soft spot for Connor, and he understands he watches because he cares.

At the last, Loki arches an eyebrow and looks over to his new friend. "It sounds as though you need access codes. I happen to be handy at...acquiring though. Who would have them? If they take a nap for an hour or so while someone else wears their face, who's to be the wiser?"

He snorts at that first bit (and Loki's not wrong). But still, come on.
Trainwrecks happen.

"Well, that bit we need to disable the Head's limitations on him for- But at the PD... Maybe we can use that on days we know he won't be doing much and we need Connor to do something and he needs a double."

Somehow Hank assumes he won't be doing anything important.

"I happen to have a talent for making it appear someone is in two places at once." He'll respect Hank's desire not to speak on it anymore. For now.

"Useful, I suppose."

"That's a damn useful thing. Honestly it's a lot more useful than anything else I can contribute."

He's being rough on himself, but also trying to be aware of his limitations. Yeah, he dug up a lot of info here, but that's about the best he can do. Other than shooting a gun relatively well and being a big guy that can stand up decently to a beat down by other piddly mortals like himself, he's has given about as much as he can give.

"Sorry if I didn't sound appreciative. I do need your help. I really fuckin' do. Thanks. I mean it."

"Now, now, don't sell yourself short, Hank. You have a lifetime of knowledge in regards to this place that I could never touch." He smiles. "Consider me your protege. Teach me, please. I wish to learn."

"You're pretty good at stroking egos when you need to, Loki. I'm sure someone's already told you that, though."

The god of mischief as his fucking protege is a ridiculous concept, but one that actually makes Hank chuckle to himself. Even in this bullshit situation they've found each other in.

"Mostly it's just getting people to talk to you and being able to work as a team. I sorta ran into trouble with that for a while. But uh... gettin' the hang of things again."

"Contrary to popular believe, those are well within my capabilities." He chuckles. "And, loathe as I am to admit it, I seem to be in need of a...profession." Something he's never before had to pursue, and something which leaves him at a bit of a loss. "You wouldn't happen to know of any openings?"

"I'll put in a good word for you if you wanna sign on." But there's a catch. "Just remember we're the ones that are gonna have to play it careful when shit hits the fan."

Not that he thinks Loki would mind that too much. But he's not gonna lie and say everything's great.

"When have I not? I am the god of lies and deception, after all." Whether he was suggesting he was being deceptive with Hank was up in the air, but he liked to think the man trusted him.

He really would like to think that.