[IC Inbox]

[alwaysimpaled]

Connection established with [Dante] ►

TRANSMISSION ▼ TEXT ▼ AUDIO ▼ VIDEO ■ PRIVATE

SYSTEMWIDE INBOX

Hey, this is Dante. Can't answer the phone right now. If this is about Deputy Guardian stuff, try the office line, they can get a hold of me. Otherwise, leave a message at the tone.

Comments

[video]

[howamanlives]

Uh, let's see. I'm probably 17 by now? I dunno, I haven't been to my Earth in ages, so I don't know for sure when my April is.

[video]

[alwaysimpaled]

[He sighs, looking a little disappointed.]

So booze is out of the question. In that case, your interview will be at a diner here in Atleton.

[video]

[howamanlives]

Eh? Alcohol dulls your senses anyway.

But sure. Just tell me where.

[video]

[alwaysimpaled]

Spoken like someone with a normal liver.

I'll send you directions. and meet you there.

[True to his word, Dante sends directions to a modest diner that looks like it was built in the 50's but has been well cared for over the years. Dante would be inside already with a strawberry sundae in front of him as he looks over some paperwork.]

[action]

[howamanlives]

[It takes a bit for Masaru to make his way there, but once he arrives, it's clear it wasn't because he was lost. He's actually made sure to make his appearance look respectable and not like he spends most of his time living outside or working at the docks.

Spying Dante, he heads over.]

Hey there! I'm not too late, am I?

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

[He wasn't expecting the attention to his appearance, but that was definitely a plus.]

Not at all. I haven't been here very long.

[He motions to the seat across from him.]

Take a seat, and go ahead and order whatever you want, my treat.

Re: [action]

[howamanlives]

I'm good. I ate before I came over here. The guys at the docks shared their lunch with me.

[Masaru takes a seat, sitting down with the chair backwards.]

I'm ready for whatever you can throw at me, man.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

[Dante shrugs, glancing back over at the paperwork he brought with him before slipping it into his jacket.]

Attleton is rather quiet in terms of criminal activity, but what we do have is rather stubborn and dangerous. So, what kind of experience do you have with organized crime?

[action]

[howamanlives]

Let's see here.

I was a member of a group called DATS, which policed creatures called Digimon that entered our world. They'd team up with humans who used them to commit crimes. I fought a ton of people like that with my own partner, Agumon.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

[There's an eyebrow raise.]

Digimon? I'm afraid you're gonna have to explain that a bit more.

Re: [action]

[howamanlives]

Ah, sorry. I'll try to explain.

Digimon are monsters. They come from a different world, and like, turn from small creatures like plants and dogs and frogs into bigger ones. I'd usually fight the bigger ones with my partner, Agumon.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

Oh, so like Pokemon. Alright then.

[He takes another bite of his sundae.]

This Agumon here with you?

Re: [action]

[howamanlives]

No, the evolved Digimon are bigger than what I've seen of Pokemon. They can get to be the size of buildings.

[He blinks, and then frowns.]

No, he's not.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

Basic concept at least.

[He shakes his head slightly.]

Okay then, do you have any other skills relevant to the job? Martial arts training, or anything like that?

[action]

[howamanlives]

... I've been fighting since I was ten. I'm mostly self taught, but my dad taught me how to throw a punch. And...

[He makes a fists, and his hand is surrounded by a flame-shaped, pixelated glow.]

I got this. It's called Digi-Soul. I use it to evolve my partner but it makes me stronger too. Enough to fight a Digimon one on one.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

Huh. Wasn't expecting that.

[He shrugs, pulling out the paperwork again, quickly signing something.]

Sounds like we've got ourselves an arrangement. Anything you want to know about Attleton going forward?

[action]

[howamanlives]

... Uh. Whatever you can tell me? I've spent most of my time in other places.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

This place is fairly quiet as far as crime goes. There's the occasional bounties, but those are fairly tame compared to the other cities. The big thing you'll need to watch for is the mafia.

I've taken something of a hands-off approach to it, only coming down when they start involving civilians.

[action]

[howamanlives]

... I see.

Are you sure that's not just letting them get stronger?

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

The only alternative is an all out war. Raids on strongholds, and the like. If there's one thing history has taught me is that organized crime entities like the mafia are far more resilient than that. It would just be a needless bloodbath.

So long as they're not peddling deadly drugs on the street corners or murdering civilians for stepping out of line, that's the best can really hope for.

Re: [action]

[howamanlives]

[Masaru's hands ball into fists.]

I'm gonna be honest. I don't like any of that. Yeah, I see your point, but I don't like leaving an enemy go unchecked.

... But being DATS also taught me I have a responsibility to follow orders when your commander is justified. I'll accept it.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

Trust me, I'm not a fan of the prospect either. I'm a demon hunter in my world, and most of my experience in problem solving involves a lot of violence.

However, I've seen what happens when people in power attempt to squash organized crime. Stuff like the Mafia usually recruit people with little to no other option but crime, and as such its easy for them to foster a narrative of 'the man' keeping down people they don't like, which only starts to drive up their numbers, and pretty soon we're shooting at the very people we're supposed to protect.

[He leaves out the part about demons infiltrating law enforcement and turning prisons into people farms..]

[action]

[howamanlives]

... Well... as long as you understand, I guess.

[He lets out a heavy sigh and slumps back in his chair.]

So how do I make this official? Please tell me I get to prove myself in a one on one brawl instead of just signing something.

[action]

[alwaysimpaled]

Don't worry, as soon as they step out of line, we come down on them hard.

[He shrugs.]

I handle the paperwork so don't worry about that. As for a brawl, there's nothing really like that in the process. But I won't stop you if you really want to.

[action]

[howamanlives]

... Then you know I'll be ready to give it my all.

[Masaru grinned.]

So that's it? I'm a deputy guardian? Man, I totally wanna show you my moves, but... I have to admit, finally being able to afford a place and stuff'll be great! I don't have to stay outside!