video | 004 | day 54

[retrograding]

[Because the broadcast is a video, Jet Star comes on the screen with his hair somewhat tamed and his eyepatch in place. His expression is as calm as ever, and the video is steady. The only evidence that there might be something wrong is the sound of clattering and a somewhat distressed voice in the background - but Jet ignores that for the most part to address his audience.]

I have one very simple question for the people of this town today, and I like to think it isn’t an unreasonable request. Two friends of mine, Party Poison and Kobra Kid, have not been home for a while. Has anybody seen either of them? They’re rather hard to miss. Party Poison has red hair, and Kobra Kid is blonde, the former is short and the latter is tall --

[Fun Ghoul suddenly appears over Jet's shoulder, scowling at the communicator.]

One's fuckin' stupid, and the other one's twice as fuckin' stupid. Give 'em the real facts, Jet. Two days! [He holds up two fingers in front of Jet's face just in case you assholes forgot how to count.] Never gone this long without sayin' shit, ask that raccoon-eyed piece of work what she did with our boys--

[And he cuts himself off to disappear into the background again, sending something else crashing to the floor. Jet watches Ghoul stomp off with a sort of sad expression, and when he looks back at the communicator, the look sticks.]

We aren't accusing anyone of anything. But if you are out there, either of you - or if anybody knows where they might be, please let us know.

Please. Thank you. [And the feed cuts off. Jet has some calming to do, excuse him.]

Comments

[retrograding]

Thank you. [ His expression is a little tight, by now, but he can keep the calm. ] The last I saw of them was in our house. Ah, House Five. We are also in the process of looking, but I appreciate the help.

[agentx13]

Did you notice anything weird around that time? Were any of the cameras broken and suddenly fixed?

[The feed bounces as she heads toward House Five.]

[retrograding]

I hadn't noticed anything odd, no, though the last time I saw Kobra Kid was when the large green - ah, Hulk? Was... here. It's possible I may have missed something.

[agentx13]

[Not much of a lead, but it's more than she had before.]

Good. I can follow up on that.

Mind if I look around their rooms and see if I notice anything? A pair of fresh eyes might help.

[retrograding]

I don't mind. [ He doubts she'll find anything, but. ] I would be cautious, however. I cannot and will not control Fun Ghoul, and he is less likely to be accommodating.

video --> action

[agentx13]

That's all right. I'm used to dealing with people in less-than-stellar moods in these situations.

[ As she finishes speaking, she knocks on the door of House Five. ]

It's me.

action

[retrograding]

[ He answers the door, and allows her in, with a small sigh. ] Hello. It's good of you to come.

Re: action

[agentx13]

No problem. [ She gives him a brief nod as she looks around. ] Can I see his room? But I'll see what I can do.

[retrograding]

Of course. You have free range, so long as you don't take anything. [ He'll just sit on the couch for a minute. ]

[agentx13]

Thank you. [ She heads up the stairs. ] I can let myself out when I'm done. I have a friend who might be able to help.

[ Not that she expects any degree of success. She recognizes the pattern of what's going on here. Nonetheless, she'll look. Maybe she'll find something after all. ]