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The Mean Streets (Dylan)

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Post by Arkadi Barkov Fri Oct 04, 2013 2:41 pm

It was a moderately overcast day, the sun peaking out here and there to remind you that it exists. But Winter was approaching and soon so many of the days would turn dark and dismal. Wandering the streets he now called home was a rather large man with a large beard. Black jeans, black boots, black t-shirt and to top it off, black fingerless gloves were the simple utilitarian pieces of clothing the mighty Russian made a habit of wearing. The only piece of jewelry, a circular silver medallion which upon closer inspection bore the swirling relief of a Phoenix. Not looking particularly happy, his gloved hand rapped on the door of the detective's office, looking for some answers.
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Post by Dylan Gray Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:00 pm

There was the sound of a muffled curse from within the office, followed by a gruff "Come in!" Should the knocker step inside, he'd find the office as it was usually laid out, fan lazily spinning over head. Dylan wasn't at his seat, however. Instead, he was kneeling over the wall-mounted space heater. There was a small pile of tools next to the unit, and the detective himself was waving his hand and blowing on it. Slowly, he shuffled to his feet and put out his good hand. "Detective Gray," he greeted. "What can I help you with?"
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:15 pm

Striding into the office, he took a look around, noticing the cliche decor. Arkadi stopped in his tracks and raised an eyebrow at everything before continuing forward to shake the man's hand. Still not looking pleased, he explained the nature of his visit in his thick Russian voice. "My pet silver fox is missing. It is a domesticated breed from my home, and very precious to me. I was considering going to the police, but I am here on a Visa and I have no expectation that American authorities will consider the missing property of a foreigner their top priority. Am I correct that you might, if the money is good?"
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Post by Dylan Gray Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:30 pm

Dylan's grip was firm, though he was quick to return his hand, if only so he could go rooting through his desk for some burn cream. "You're second person with a pet fox I've met in this town," he remarked. "Yeah, I can help you look for it. He got a name? Tags? I charge fifty a day, plus expenses."
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:43 pm

Curiosity crosses his face for a moment. "The second person with a fox? Not a silver fox, yes? They are very unique, this breed. Her name is Elise. The only sort of tag she has is a nametag in the shape of a heart. Your fee means little to me, I shall cover expenses as we look. So, mister detective, where do we begin?" He crosses his arms across his chest, looking pleased at the prospect of pummeling these pests that took his pet.
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Post by Dylan Gray Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:13 pm

"No, not a silver one." Dylan kicks his tools to the side of the room, pulls out a chair for his guest, then takes his own spot behind the desk, leaning back and putting up his feet. He quietly digests the information the Russian has to offer. "We begin at the beginning. Take me through the last day you saw Elise. How you started your morning, anything unusual from your day-to-day that happened, when you first realized she'd gone missing. And, tell me as much as you can about your pet -- how she looks, smells, behaves, even what emotions she evokes."

He pulled out a notepad and pen. "Sure, some of that may sound corny, but nothing's irrelevant in an investigation. Eyewitness accounts are important in a missing persons case, and sometimes the most subtle details become important identifying characteristics."
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:44 pm

Opting to continue standing, he stood behind the offered chair. "I crawled out of bed at crack of Noon, scrounged together some cash for a few breakfast sandwiches from the convenient store next door, and when I came back, she was gone. I know it was silly not to lock up, but you understand how these things go. 'I was only gone for a second', and so on."

A photograph was pulled from his back pocket and deftly tossed onto the desk. "She smells a bit like Mane n' Tail. It's her shampoo. She is a very sweet and affectionate girl, but she will hunt things, like mice and sometimes cats. Emotions? Contentment. Love."
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Post by Dylan Gray Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:56 pm

He put out a hand, sliding the photo the rest of the way across the desk so he could give it a once-over. Dylan nodded, taking in the rest of the info, before he slid the photo back. "We'll start at your place, then, and move out from there," he stated. "I just need to grab a few things."

The detective ducked into his back room, where the rustling of clothing could be heard. Presently, Dylan emerged, sporting his long brown coat and wide-brimmed hat. He was tucking the curious looking greegee underneath the trench as he made his way towards the door. "Did you walk or drive?"
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:39 pm

The Russian shook his head at the greegee before heading to the door. "I walk everywhere"

Arkadi's place was the front of a martial arts dojo with signs on the windows for Sambo, Krav Maga, and Boxing. He'd open the door, assuming Dylan wanted to have a look around. "Welcome to my humble abode."

The place smelled of Chinese food. American "Chinese" food, so greasy, but absolutely delicious. It lingered in the air, unlikely to be a new thing. There were red mats from nearly floor to floor, with just a little room for people to take their shoes off. A large Russian flag sits on the side wall next to an equally large American flag. A few paper lanterns adorned the wall as well. There was a partition in the back that looked like it could be a changing area or possibly a sleeping area not unlike Dylan's.


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Post by Dylan Gray Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:18 pm

Dylan produced a hip flask as they walked out the door, taking a slow draw on whatever was inside, closing his eyes as he swallowed. He opened them several moments later and exhaled slowly, looking this way and that. The patterns of Life opened up to him, and he could sense every living thing as far as he could see, from the smallest insect to the relatively large man by his side.

When they reached his place, the detective gave it a once-over, using his extended senses to try and spot the nearby fox...assuming it was nearby. If that wasn't the case, Dylan began to study the door, the floor, any place Elise may have been, quietly piecing together what transpired.

If *that* didn't work, the older man sighed, let his eyes roll back, and cast his senses backwards in time to actually witness the fox's departure. He'd then move on from there. "This way."
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:14 am

Arkadi took a moment while the detective looked around to sit on the mats and do some rhythmic breathing exercises. He cracked his knuckles on the floor as he took a knee and stood. The man looked focused.

Following the path after Dylan's peak into the past, it didn't take them very long to find the fox. Someone had indeed opened the door to the dojo and scooped up the animal as it went to explore, and the trail led to a small house with a father not looking for any trouble, who thought he'd found a funny looking dog to bring home to his kids. Money was short lately, and he certainly couldn't afford adoption fees, and they lived far enough from the dojo he doubted they'd be found. "Give me the fox back and I will forgive your transgression."

The Russian was pretty intimidating naturally, and maybe just a bit more so right now. He brought the fox to the front door, taking it away from his crying little boy and girl, aged probably 10 and 12 respectively. Arkadi took his pet back with no compunction.
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Post by Dylan Gray Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:31 pm

Not every story had a happy ending. Dylan knew this first-hand, and as his client took back what was his, he stood silently in the background, procuring his hip flask so he could take a nip. It was only after the pair had left the crying children and were a block away that the detective ventured some conversation. "So...magic, huh?"
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:45 am

Arkadi nuzzled and scratched the little fox as they walked, which licked his face a few times in return. Both seemed relieved to be reunited. Not immediately addressing Dylan's topic of conversation, he offered a stray thought. "I think I might get puppy for little children. They cannot have Elise, though. She is my little baby girl."

His lips formed a line as he turned his head to regard Dylan. "I do not know what you are talking about, little druid man. I am humble martial arts instructor. What should I know of magic?"
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Post by Dylan Gray Sat Oct 12, 2013 6:37 pm

"If she's of age to have pups, that might be another option," he ventured. Dylan didn't show any particular eagerness in either subject, and fielded both with the same casual air.

The remark about his paradigm earned a small snort, but the detective continued their pace. "I do more than put on my pants as part of my morning routine," he remarked. "I saw the rewoven patterns at the dojo. Are you part of the last cycle?"
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:56 am

Arkadi pulled a thin leash from his pocket and clipped it to Elise's collar, letting her walk as they talked. "No, she is not for breeding. Besides, I enjoy that she is rare here."

"Hmm. The last cycle. That's an interesting question. Perhaps one I should look into. I have not been particularly invested in the Awakened community, nor do I wish to be. I look after my neighborhood and fight the fights I find worth taking up arms for. I do not feel bound to this place in the same manner as many around me. In fact, I was thinking about taking a trip back home for the next Winter Olympics. Maybe smack Putin in the jaw and plant an equality flag up his backside. It is terrible what is happening in my country right now."
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Post by Dylan Gray Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:51 pm

The concept of rarity made the detective grin slightly. "Yeah, there's a certain kind of pride in having something special."

"I can talk your ear off about what I know, but if you're not interested in getting involved, knowing less may be better. How long have you been away from home?"
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Mon Oct 14, 2013 5:47 pm

Elise began gekkering just a bit when she saw a passing dog and tried to play, but the owner quickly moved past, looking confusedly at the bear man's pet.

"Praemonitus, praemunitus, my new friend. Forewarned is forearmed. That being said, if it would ease your conscience and help you sleep this night, I could keep you on retainer while we discussed such things. I hear bits and pieces, but I would appreciate a better look at the whole picture of what's going down around town."
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Post by Dylan Gray Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:50 pm

Dylan made a face, but offered a grudging nod of agreement. "It's good advice," he admitted. "Fair enough. I can keep you apprised of things -- stuff our kind would want to know, or other things you might be interested in." He shoved his hands in his pants, flipping his coat behind his arms as they walked. "But there's other assistance I'd rather have than money. My work can get dangerous. Don't get me wrong, I can handle myself more often than not. So if I come asking for help, it's because I genuinely need it."
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Wed Oct 16, 2013 3:50 pm

A mighty laugh came out of the massive man, that soon settled into a smile. It seemed he was thoroughly amused by the detective and his proposition. "That's an interesting exchange. You provide me information, and I act as cavalry in a pinch. Yes, this can work for me. I'll accept that deal. But if you call for my help and people die, I hope you can deal with that. I pull no punches, and I fight till bitter end. There is no room for a weak stomach where my allies are concerned."
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Post by Dylan Gray Wed Oct 16, 2013 5:08 pm

"Death's part of life. It's part of the cycle," he observed gravely. "But so is the struggle to stay alive. I'm comfortable with all those aspects." The detective put out a hand, nodded at the agreement, and prepared to part ways.
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Post by Arkadi Barkov Wed Oct 16, 2013 5:47 pm

Arkadi took the offered hand with a firm grip before taking off. "Dasvidaniya, Dylan."
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