Issue #76 [Text]

[mistconduct]

Creed attacked Cassel today. Cassel's dead.

I'm putting him in Zero and I'm going to put steps in place to make sure he doesn't get the chance to get at anyone again.

Don't really have a whole hell of a lot to say aside from that, but just..be aware, I guess. He's a dangerous creep and I don't have a full handle on him yet. Obviously.

This one's my fuck-up, guys. I'm owning it. I should've planned better for this shit.

Just..bare with me while I get the hang of this.

[Private to Dillon]

I need you to help bring him back. Please.

Comments

[semifreakingnormal]

awoooo dude awooo

[mistconduct]

going to zero with him now. where you wanna meet?

[semifreakingnormal]

i can meet u on lvl8 on ur way up

[mistconduct]

cool. sounds good to me.

[semifreakingnormal]

[He has the dogs with them, maybe have jogged them through the halls and down the stairs. He lingers on the landing, waiting for Chris to come up and playing with the dogs in the mean time.]

[mistconduct]

[Doggies love Scott! They're overly affectionate today, given the apparent distress of their master.

Speaking of which, Chris hugs the bannister as he climbs the stairs wearily, heading out from Zero]

Hey.

[semifreakingnormal]

Hey.

[Scott hears him coming, but the dogs know almost as quick. He offers a little smile as he rises, watching Chris. He can smell how tired he is.]

You gonna be okay? [Chris took all the guilt onto himself, and Scott hates that even if he understands the inclination.]

[mistconduct]

[Chris gives a noncommittal shrug, holding up his hand and shifting it back and forth]

Ehh.

I'm good for right now. Thanks for asking.

[semifreakingnormal]

[Scott nods, silent for a moment, then reaches out to give Chris a quick hug. He doesn't know what else to do.]

[mistconduct]

[Giving a muffled grunt as he's hugged, Chris remains standing, shutting his eyes but relaxing a little bit. He sighs into Scott's shoulder]

Fuck.

[semifreakingnormal]

Yeah.

[Scott knows the benefit of a hug when you feel like you're about to fall over, when the weight of everything is getting to be too much.]

You kinda won the lottery with him. [It's a poor joke and he knows it, but Chris is the kind of person Scott can't stand to see worn down. Megamind told him - years ago, it feels like, maybe it actually was - that he had to hold onto his optimism, or else he'd be crushed. He's been struggling to do just that from the start.]

[mistconduct]

[He gives a ragged sigh, not wanting to think about being permanently locked to Creed, of all bastards. He shuts his eyes]

Like I needed any more luck. Fucking christ.

What a shithead.

[semifreakingnormal]

Total asshole. [He rubs Chris's back, then pats it with another quick squeeze before he pulls back.]

It's gonna be okay.

[He hates that phrase, because it always feels meaningless, but he puts some force behind it: it will be okay, Cassel included.]

[mistconduct]

Dude. Come on, what are you, my mom?

[He gives Scott an awkward pat on the shoulder, shrugging; have to maintain dignity, after all]

Whatever. I mean. It is what it is. I'll deal.