savetheearth | [closed] dudes doin stuff

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[closed] dudes doin stuff

Who: Max Kawasaki, Nick Burkhardt
When: wait no mid-january some time. Evening maybe.
Where: Dead District
What: Max is a big dumb asshole and decided cruising around the Dead District looking for trouble is a good idea. Nick is not a big dumb asshole and thus is unamused.

[Somehow, Max was still in some sort of denial about pretty much everything that was going on. The aliens, the weird memories, the fucking cyborg gang members? It was like something out of a movie. A shitty movie. The kind you watch when you're really, really drunk. Well, today Max was quite sober, and when the memories and the trippy network thing didn't go away, he decided there might be at least some truth to it.

This wasn't one of Max's best plans. Actually, he was pretty sure it was terrible, but he'd developed a bad habit of doing stupid shit because he was a stubborn asshole. He'd taken an interest in those gang members, the Blood Keys or whatever tryhard "badass" thing they were calling themselves. He didn't really know of any other prominent gangs in the area. Had these been the guys his ex-partner had been selling to? The ones he'd run off with? Max probably should have just let it go, but his own morbid curiosity had gotten the better of him, so here he was after his shift, knee deep in Blood Keys territory like a complete moron and without any actual plans.

Wow this was stupid. He hadn't really spotted anything too interesting while riding around on his motorcycle, so he'd pulled it into an alley behind a warehouse. Maybe he'd find something more interesting on foot. Break into some places. Y'know. Totally not illegal stuff. He half wondered if he should have stayed in uniform, but naaaaah.]

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[Nick is, in fact, definitely not as much as a big dumb asshole, which is why he's been staying out of the Dead District as much as he can. He has his orders from Sherman on what to do if he runs into any Blood Keys, and he... really doesn't want to follow them, so he's doing his best to make it a non issue by just avoiding the whole thing.

But he still has a job to do, and occasionally that job involves talking to potential witnesses or possible suspects in the Dead District. Which is why he was there right then, coming back from a moderately successful interview with a woman who may have spoken to the victim in one of his cases on the night she died.

He's heading back to his car when he spots Max, on foot in the Dead District, and hesitates. It looks like Max is alone - and that's far from surprising, really. It's also not all that surprising that Max'd been down here, when Nick thinks about it, but that doesn't make him any less worried. Or exasperated, but since Max is wandering around the Dead District alone, worried is the most pressing concern.

Nick changes course, heading over to the motorcycle cop.]

Tell me you have an actual reason to be here, man.

[SHIT IT'S THE COPS

oh wait.

Max turns away from whatever window he was peeking in to face Nick, smiling like he doesn't have a care in the world and shrugging.]

Reason? Hell no, I just like hanging out in the bad part of town and strolling through dark, dangerous alleyways because it's fun.

[Really, Max didn't know what to think of Yuji's partner here. So he decided to handle this as maturely as possible.

Or not.]

[Nick raises one eyebrow in disbelief, looking suitably unimpressed, but despite himself, he gives an amused snort.]

Then we need to get you a better hobby. One that doesn't include a high likelihood of running into a bunch of Blood Keys.

Maybe that's what I'm counting on.

[Max glanced back at the window briefly, still smiling. Oooh good, this guy was going to be nosy and shit, wasn't he.]

You never know, right? What brings you to this neck of the woods, Burkhardt?

I thought it might be something like that.

[Of course he's going to be nosy. He's a detective, that's what he does. Although right now, he's resisting the urge to plant his face against the wall in exasperation.]

My job. Witnesses live all over the city, man. And now, apparently backing you up. You do know we have orders about the Blood Keys, right, involving not engaging them without back up?

[Max crossed his arms, leaning against the wall and rolling his eyes as he listened to Nick.]

Yes, I'm aware of the orders. I'm also aware of the fact that the people issuing said orders are about as corrupt as you can get. You think I have a problem with breaking a few of their rules?

[He lowers his head just a bit and peers at Nick over the rim of his sunglasses. Yuji said that this guy was dependable, but Max wasn't convinced. Because he's a douchebag.]

I never asked for backup, and I don't want it from you. Get lost.

[Fortunately, Nick's used to dealing with douchebags. He doesn't take it personally.

Well, that and he's pretty much a jerk himself, and he'd said that partially just to get Max's reaction. So he just grins a little.]

Yeah, they are. And so are their orders - they don't want us engaging the Bloody Keys because they want them around here, keeping people out of the Dead District.

[And he's just going to raise an eyebrow here, not at all inclined to go anywhere.]

I don't remember asking you if you wanted it, so looks like you're stuck with me. Have you heard what's on the network about them?

[Well being a little prick hadn't worked. Super. He's have to up the prick. Or. Something.]

Well yeah. That's why I'm out here. Cyborgs and stuff? That's some crazy shit, y'know.

[BUT ENOUGH TALK, Max wanted in that building and he was going to GET in that building. He started trying to work the window open.]

I'm not leaving until I get some answers of my own, so beat it. Wouldn't want all your dirty cop buddies finding out you disobeyed orders, now would you?

[...he can do whatever he wants, as long as he changes the phrasing to something other else so Nick doesn't have to think about Max and pricks going up.]

It's very crazy shit, especially to go up against by yourself.

[Well. Looks like they're doing this out here, in the Dead District. Nick leans against the wall of the building, watching Max work at the window.]

They're not my buddies. Who do you think has been feeding the network all the information about them?

And why do you care so much? You're not my partner.

[prick prickity prick.]

[He's KIND OF listening, but at the same time he doesn't really give a shit.]

That's great and all, but I don't have any reason to trust you. How do I know you're not doing the same for them?

If you get yourself killed by Bloody Keys, man, that is a pile of paperwork I don't need.

[He's still joking around, right up until Max asks that last question.

For the first time in this conversation, Nick actually shows a little anger, eyes narrowed and jaw set.]

Because it's not about loyalty to the network, or anyone on it. It's because I don't like corrupt cops, and I don't like being used by the people we're supposed to trust.

[Max pauses, listening to Nick. Part of him feels maybe a tiny bit triumphant over ACTUALLY pissing Nick off, but on the other hand, he kind of feels the exact same way about the whole situation.

Well shit.

He remains quiet, still working on the window until he finally gets it open. He doesn't hop in right away, though, and after a few seconds, he speaks again.]

...I'm lookin' for someone.

[When it comes to Max, him going silent is actually a good sign.

Nick waits it out, going back to watching him work open the window, and keeping quiet even when Max gets it open.]

Someone you think might be a Key?

Yeah, probably. Last time I saw 'em was around here, and I don't know of any other gangs that hang around the Dead District.

It's personal, okay? I don't need anyone else getting in my business.

[It doesn't take a detective to figure out what Max is talking about.

But Nick doesn't mention that, just holds up his hands in surrender.]

Fair enough, I'll stay out of the reasons. But I meant it about the paperwork, I've got enough on my load without doing more because I didn't back you up.

[Max throws his hands up and gives Nick the most exasperated eyeroll ever]

Oh my God, you're so persistent! And not in the cutesy, endearing sort of way, either!

[Nick grins widely.]

You realize not being cutesy is a compliment, right? Besides, I-

[And then he cuts off, because he's pretty sure he heard something from the warehouse Max'd been trying to break into.]

[Fuck Max totally heard it too he just HAD to stop and yell at Nick SHIT WHAT IF SOMEONE HEARD THEM. he immediately dropped into a crouch and peeked in through the corner of the window. He motioned for Nick to get down as well. Whether or not Max liked it, he was stuck with the annoying tag along now.]

Can't see anything. Do you?

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[closed] dudes doin stuff

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