Description: Who can say no to a distressed woman with nice boobs? Daniel Jack certainly can't. That is why he decides to help a woman find her watch even if it smells of a trap. His investigation only seems to leave him with more questions and no answers after a battle with a street thug that ends with one man dead. Can the master detective figure out what just happened!?
It is like the start of some old noir film. A lovely woman in distress knocking on the apartment door of Daniel looking mildly distraught. A woman with a rather bountiful bosom on display and a Russian accent to boot. A woman who has apparently been having trouble in a town not far away from Southtown proper. Sunshine City to be exact. Wasn't that place not long ago drawing some attention do to a rebuilding project that was being sponsered by people? Doesn't this woman sort of look like the one that had punched Tran in the face during said project?
Either way she seems to have been bothered by some local trouble. One in particular stole her father's watch! How horrible of the man to do so. A tall thuggish person that seems to like to hang out in the bad side of town. Isn't that where all gangers typically like to hang out afterall? It could possibly be a trap, but then again she doesn't look like anyone Daniel might know and could there be anyone in Sunshine City that would want to cause him problems? There is a hefty reward being offered as well. A grand paid up front with the promise of another grand if he can get the watch back. It is all depending if Daniel has the courage to venture into the Industrial area of Sunshine City to find her watch.
Sunshine City.
6 PM.
The last lights of springtime throw stark shadows in the quiet industrial section of Sunshine City. Sunshine. Feh. Daniel Jack wasn't going to find much Sunshine with what he needs to do. The dame was a surprise to him. Even without heaving chest and round hips, Daniel would have listened for the job. And what does it matter if she punched Tran in the face. Who DOESN'T punch Tran in the face. Really, anything that didn't involve photographing 50-something lawyers bumping uglies with mistresses half their age. The price was right too. One grand up front, and another grand if he got the watch back. All over a watch. Even if it was a trap, Daniel Jack knew that most traps didn't have the curtisy to give a thousand dollars as an incentive bonus to get your ass kicked.
And frankly, Daniel was getting to be a professional about that.
Sunshine City. Daniel Jack seemed to almost manifest in the clouds of fog hanging in the heart of the industrial center. Dressed in his three-piece orange suit, he clutched his watch chain, swinging the piece in the air. Bait, so to speak. Swaggering down the gritty Rust Belt of the west coast, the detective whistles a light tune. Announcing his presence. He looked sharp. He looked rich. He was just a dumb, swaggering kid running in to the wrong part of town.
The perfect trap for the perfect trap.
This side of town isn't pretty at all. Even where there is some light still shining among the dingy scenery it doesn't look pleasant at all. There are several people around that don't look like they are very friendly. Several seem to be eyeing the man walking around in such a loud suit and acting like he doesn't have a care in the world. Some of that knows that reeks of a trap. There are some weird and dangerous people i this city and alot of the gangers know better when to mess with someone. Or at least most of them do. When you have had your face smashed in by a priest, a Korean wrestler with bad English and a man with an afro you tend to avoid the really odd ones.
But maybe the trick Daniel has going right now really will produce the real culprit that had stolen that vixen's watch. He could see it out of the corner of his eye. A rather lanky fellow dressed up as if he just came back from a black metal show or the like. Spikes everywhere and even his face pained up in black and white makeup. Could he be the one the woman was talking about? She didn't give the greatest description. Or maybe she did and the fact her chest was falling out of her top might have kept Daniel from hearing correctly.
Once it looks like no one else is around is when the strange guy approaches. "Hey there. That is a nice watch." he comments and he gives a bit of a grin. "How about you hand it on over and go on your way? This isn't the best part of town. Consider it a protection fee. Hand it over and Fester here will keep you safe."
Daniel Jack scans the nightlife of the industrial district. He holds himself with an air, a certain swagger to scare off the riff-raff. This might be working too well, though, as the locals steer their way around the detective. Sticking his tongue in his cheek, Daniel murmurs to himself. "Might need to start questioning."
But as luck has it, the detective spies the right profile. Tall. Lanky. Looks like an Insane Clown Posse fan. The detective shakes his head in disgust. That was clearly the breast fit for the top. Best fit for the tit. Best fit for her description. The detective adjusts his collar. Maybe he shouldn't jump to conclusions, and begin with the hard-boiled interrogation. As the man approaches him, the detective doesn't respond with a smirk.
Instead, he catches the watch.
"You got a sharp eye for clockwork, Fester. Real sharp. You run a racket for them?" Daniel Jack pops open the watch, looking at the time. "Or maybe you know someone who runs it. I'm in the market for a new timepiece." Daniel snaps the watch shut, and pockets it. His stony gaze casts over the spiky one, the detective putting off an aura of serious business. "And you are going to tell me where I start looking, you dig it?"
Fester doesn't look fully impressed with the way that Daniel responds to him. Some of the others seem intimidated when he was passing by, but maybe the painted up fellow is tougher than he looks. "A racket? I just collect maybe. It was something my grandma got be addicted to." he comments in response. It is hard to tell if he is serious or not given the fact he somehow does his best to keep a rather serious expression on his features as well. At least as serious as one can get when dressed like he is.
"So this way I get to collect what I like and I get to protect people that come down into the wrong side of town." His hands clench and unclench a few times. He licks his lips and looks around. He himself was paid to play his part and he isn't even sure if anyone is watching at this point. He is doing his best not to show any signs of being nervous. How hard is it going to be to snatch a watch from this guy? "Just give it to me and we can both be on our way."
In the distance on top of some rubble there does appear to be two people watching. Just enough out of sight to the likes of Fester and Daniel can't see him. "He looks nervous, boss." comes a rather deep voice from a mountain of a man that might even put Sagat to shame when it comes to height. The way he is hunched over one might never tell, though. The other man is dressed in a fine suit and sitting with his chin resting in his hand. "He wished to show his desire to move higher up on the totem pole. If some small time detective makes him nervous then we now what to do about him, yes?"
Daniel Jack fans himself a bit. "Your grandma should have spent more time raising her kids right. That way you might have ended up knowing your father." Daniel Jack looks around, keeping alert for the potential of a gang fight. His experience in both the Southtown and Metro City crisis has taught him that when trouble rears its head, it likely comes in a constant stream, though never exceeding three gangsters at once. "You are trying to mug someone alone, son? You're either cocky, stupid, or hot stuff. But lets narrow it down to two, shall we?" Daniel Jack idly opens up his outer jacket, frisking his pockets for something.
For a brief moment, Fester can see the hosltered shotgun across his waistcoat.
Daniel retrieves a cigarette and a lighter, and begins to light one up. "So about that watch. I heard there was a nice lady with a rack out to here that you might have run into." Daniel Jack holds his hand out about a foot or two from his own chest. "She apparently had a very valuable watch that was taken from a tall, lanky man like yourself. She made it worth my while to retrieve it. So how about we make this easy for -you-. Tell me with the watch is, and I'll let you run back to the circus with both of your arms intact." The detective takes a draw off his cigarette.
"You dig me?"
He was doing so well at not showing that he was nervous. All the way up until the point he does notice the shotgun. Now Fester is left wondering if trying to make a name for himself and get Johann's attention was the best of ideas. There is probably a reason why there are so very few in the Black Dragon's most trusted circle. All of them are rather dangerous individuals that would not be afraid of a simple shotgun. Fester is starting to realize he is in a more dangerous game than expected.
He licks his lips and glances about again. "So...ahh the woman?" he stammers. "Well she was just walking around and she needed protection." It is almost as if he is expecting help. That help isn't coming at all. Johann made sure no one would be there to pull Fester out of this mess. He wanted to see what the young ganger could do and this worked out perfect. He can see if Fester is worth his time as well as this Daniel fellow. The cult leader leans forward a bit more and he smiles. "The detective is a bit of a weird one, but I think I can find some use for him." he muses.
"Look give it to me or...or...." Fester just seems to get into more of a panic and he doesn't know what else to do so he just looks to try and surprise Daniel with a swift punch to the face. "Just give it over!"
COMBATSYS: Fester has started a fight here.
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Fester 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Fester
COMBATSYS: Daniel blocks Fester's Jab Punch.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Fester
It says a lot about a thug by how he reacts to a gun.
Daniel has been on the brunt end of El Gado, Birdie, and Yamazaki, some of the roughest thugs in Southtown. A dangerous thug reacts to a gun with self-satistified merriment at best, and Sadomazo at worst. A common thug, however? A common thug does what Fester is doing. It is a gauge of just who Daniel is dealing with.
And he is dealing with trash.
That said, when Fester panics, the detective doesn't change his expression. He knew he was in control of this fight before it even began. As the sucker punch is unleashed, Daniel throws up his free arm, catching the punch, and deflecting it away. With his other arm, however, he takes a drag off his cigarette, and blows a plume of smoke in the foggy night. "That's how you want to play it scuzzy? All right, we'll play it by your tune."
"Let me just finish this smoke."
Daniel Jack clutches the cigarette between his forefinger and thumb, and looks Fester in the eyes. He nods once, before smoothly, and almost casually, attempts to drive the hot cigarette butt right into the done-up face of the street thug. There is no grin from Daniel Jack, no sick pleasure. He gave his warning, and if this punk wanted to try and psyche him out, well....
Daniel could play that game better.
COMBATSYS: Fester blocks Daniel's Small Random Weapon.
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Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Fester
In the distance Johann gets a bit of a bemused grin as things unfold. "Maybe Sonia was wrong about him. Perhaps he can be more useful than she thought." he says aloud while the large man behind him only grunts in response. "Oh don't be mad, Abobo. If I wanted the man smushed on the pavement you would have been the first man I sent." he says while smiling and looking over his shoulder. He certainly couldn't gauge Daniel well if Abobo smeared him across a wall or the like. This is why it is best to send someone weak and insignificant.
Fester really doesn't realize just how much he is being duped. Not only is he more than likely getting kicked out of the gang if he loses, but he has so much more to lose if he doesn't manage to take the watch from Daniel. That means he has alot of pressure on him which will only make him perform worse. He does get lucky that his reflexes aren't horrible and he manages to slap the cigarette away before it is put out on his face. He feels it burn his hand a bit, but he can deal with that pain.
The thug staggers back and he reaches for his belt and tugs on it. By belt it would seem it is more a chain he was keeping around there looped about. A rather heavy looking one he looks to use to swing about and catch Daniel with. "T...take me seriously dammit!"
COMBATSYS: Fester successfully hits Daniel with Chain Swipe.
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Daniel 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Fester
Daniel had no idea he was part of a test, nor was he the one also being gauged. At least, not yet. At the very least, both him and Fester were being played equally. As the thug blocks the cigarette, it goes out. Daniel looks intently on the man, releasing the cigarette as he refinds his center. When Fester goes for his belt, Daniel snorts a bit. His first takeaway from the weapon was to shrug it off. There was just one problem.
The belt was a weapon.
As the belt whips across the detective face, he seems ready to just force himself through it. But that was more chain than belt. The detective is startled by the strike, stepping back as he clutches his nose. Pinching it, a trickle of blood begins to go down it. And to that, the detective just STARES at Fester. "A belt? -A belt?-"
"No."
The detective falls back into the defensives stance of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu, a wave of strict discipline and control overcoming his presence. Gone was the laidback, aloof detective, and in its place was strict aikido technique. Just as swiftly, the detective suddenly begins to launch into a chain of attacks. Beginning with a thrust of his palm, he steps towards Fester, building up momentum. Whether or not it strikes, the detective with follow up with a hand chop with his other hand, and then another hand chop with the opposite hand. The detective will end the assault with a swift, strong elbow thrust, attempting to bowl over the thug with the raw presence of the assault.
And it is now that the detective begins to light up with a bright orange fire.
COMBATSYS: Fester endures Daniel's Zoot Suit Riot.
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Daniel 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Fester
Fester really has no idea what he has got himself into. He doesn't know anything about Daniel or anything he can really do. He was just told some guy would be swinging by this evening and he would be able to pick him out easily. When a man walks around in a wasteland full of gangers in a an orange suit it is safe to assume that Fester found the right man. He is starting to wish he thought twice about wanting to make a name for himself.
Even in his state of mild panic he has been doing well in trying to keep up with Daniel. The detective might be properly trained, but even if he is on the lanky side it looks like Fester can take some punishment. He also isn't running which is quite amazing too. Maybe he got some courage when he managed to tag Daniel across the face with his chain. "It's my weapon! Not just a belt!" he says before he steps into the strikes aimed at him. They stagger him back, but he manages to not let himself get overwhelmed as he looks to sock Daniel in the gut before attempting to push him to the ground.
"Oh what is this?" asks Johann as he notices the energy starting to be given off by Daniel. "Well it certainly seems our detective is proving to be a bit more interesting than thought. If he continues to impress he might just get the big job."
COMBATSYS: Daniel counters One-Two Combo from Fester with Mad Jack Crack.
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Daniel 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Fester
Daniel knows very well what Fester had gotten himself into.
Between a detective and his paycheck.
Daniel Jack doesn't stop his momentum when Fester takes the hits. The moment when the thug decides to reverse the momentum, the detective doesn't hold up. As the belt whirrs towards him, the detective catches the belt cleanly with one hand. "Bad move sunshine," Daniel growls as he steps into the thug, catching his clothes with his other hand. With a single, smooth motion, the detective unleashes one of the pillars of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu: The counter-throw. Using Fester's momentum against him, the detective hurls him to the ground.
But doesn't let go.
Going to the ground with the thug, the detective begins a chokehold, pinning the man down to the ground. Holding him in a pin, the detective just stares him in the eyes as he strangles the man in a brutal submission hold. "You think this is a game? I'm the hot thing up in Southtown. I've gone through the Mad Gear Gang, the Southtown Syndicate, I've even beat a tank in hand to hand combat." These were technically true statements. But with the way that Daniel was telling this man, it was as if they were completely true. And Daniel doesn't let up as he pins the man down, sapping his strength.
"What do you got that they don't got, Fester?"
Fester soon finds his world turned upside down. Or more that he is turned upside down before getting slammed onto his back on the ground. Then there is the weight of the foot being applied to his throat as he lets out a 'ghhhrrkk!' in response. What that might mean is hard to tell. Fester has too much riding on this to let himself submit, though. If he really could take down this guy and get the watch he would be sitting pretty. Or at least that is what he thinks. In the end his reward might be getting to meet the gang boss himself, Abobo.
He struggles, but eventually finds the strength to pull that foot off his throat. Given his position he isn't able to do much other than push further on it with one hand as the other grabs for Daniel's other leg. If he is grounded he will do his best to do the same to his opponent. "I....I got the Black Dragon with me!" he declares as he attempts to scramble to his feet. Is that the name of his gang? It sounds rather unfamiliar.
It seems at least one set of ears perhaps heard what was said. "Oh, well now. Someone must not want to live." he murmurs under his breath and he snaps his fingers a few times. A third figure that wasn't seen moves among the shadows and quickly starts to head towards the location of the fight. Fester should have known better than to use that name. Johann is not pleased by such a slipup.
COMBATSYS: Fester successfully hits Daniel with Quick Throw.
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Daniel 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Fester
The Black Dragon.
Daniel Jack was not as gritty as he makes himself out to be. He was not as experienced as his credentials said. And above all, he was nowhere near as tough as he seemed to be. But when someone says something protects them, it means only one thing.
Organized crime.
"The Black Dragon?" Daniel Jack repeats as he is hurled to the ground. As Fester scrambles up, the detective closes his eyes. "Fester, that was a question. And let me lay it straight to you, Fester." The detective suddenly shoots straight up, almost unnaturally. The nosebleed suddenly intensifies as Daniel Jack adjusts his jacket, before removing it. Hurling the Jacket right into the dingy corner of the filthy streets, the detective adjusts his suspenders, revealing his shotgun in full sight.
But he doesn't draw it out.
Pumping a fist into his hand, the light around him surges into a wildfire, his chi erupting out into a blaze. And if Fester and the mysterious third figure notices... those flames were actually beginning to consume Daniel up, singing his clothing and skin. By the time Daniel opens his eyes, the cold stare was gone, replaced with an intense inner light as the spirit of Todoh-Ryuu Kobojutsu fills him. And he asks more clearly this time.
"What is the Black Dragon?"
COMBATSYS: Daniel burns with the WAY OF TODOH!
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Daniel 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Fester
Taking Daniel off his feet has allowed the thug to scramble away and get to his feet as well. He grasps for the chain that was his belt and he hefts it up. He realizes he messed up when saying that. He can only hope no one was in earshot to hear him utter those three words. He is a nervous wreck now for multiple reasons. Not only has Daniel proved to be tough, but now he is....is he on fire!? That gaze makes him shrink back away and he feels himself getting way in over his head. He doesn't care if he gets the watch anymore. He just wants to survive.
"The.....it is...." he stammers and he tries to fight the urge to respond. His hesitation ends up being helpful, but not for poor Fester. He suddenly straightens up and his eyes go wide before he jerks a second time. He staggers forward a step as blood starts to seep from his mouth. "H....help..." he staggers forward a bit more before something else makes him jerk again and he falls straight forward. Embedded in his back are three knives that seemed to be thrown with perfect precision. The figure in the shadows that threw them goes unseen as it slinks back away. Fester himself looks wide eyed as he lays there, his breath already having left him with that horrified look plastered on his face.
With a sigh Johann starts to stand up while adjusting his suit jacket. "Well that was disappointing. Just when it looked like we might see just what our dear detective could do." he looks to the larger man and hmms. "Even so I think he might be of some use to us. Go ahead and make sure the men are getting what I need. It seems like we will give Daniel Jack quite the case very soon." There is a sly smile that plays across his face as both he and Abobo start to wander off, that third shadowy form joining them soon enough.
Daniel on the other hand is left with no real idea of what just happened and no answer to his question.
COMBATSYS: Fester has left the fight here.
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Daniel 0/-------/-======|
As Daniel Jack anticipates either the thug to charge him down, or to surrender, something happens that the detective could not forsee. Fester, in his wisdom, takes the third option, albeit non-consensually. As Fester suddenly freezes up, Daniel's flames intensifies. Not for Fester.... but for the follow up. Someone was attacking them both. A rival gangster? Daniel Jack sweeps his eyes around the industrial grounds, the light of his burning body driving back the shadows. The detective finally roars, his presence reaching the peak.
"SHOW YOURSELF!"
And yet, silence. They were.... he was alone now. Wincing in pain, the flames of his inner chi begin to die down, leaving the detective with nothing to show but burns and a bloody nose. But there was something up, that was clear to the detective. He didn't understand what just happened. There was no meaning to Fester dying. Daniel could be tough sometimes, but killing a man? Even a thug? Daniel had no real idea what was happening, yes.
But he had a clue.
Daniel Jack inspects the body of the fallen Fester, his horrible death mask still locked in terror. The Black Dragon. What was the Black Dragon? Frisking the body, he finally inspects the knives. Thinking about it for a moment, he carefully prepares some napkins, and ziplock bags. Gingerly, he draws out the knives. Poison, perhaps? The detective would need to make up his own lab, or perhaps make a favor. Still, Daniel Jack mulled at the prospects. This man clearly knew about the watch, and he was about to give up valuable information on the watch, before cruelly and swiftly silenced. Daniel Jack looks towards the distance, the sirens of a police car wailing. He would need to fade into the dark. As he flees the scene, leaving the thug in the streets, the detective considers what sort of trouble he got into. For it was growing more and more clear that this Black Dragon was...
An international watch smuggling ring.
COMBATSYS: Daniel has ended the fight here.
Log created on 17:20:42 03/12/2012 by Johann, and last modified on 20:06:12 03/12/2012.