Like I said, it was one last chance. The perp was supposed to show his face during the same night the execution was set. Probably arranged it that way on purpose. After tying up his "loose ends", he was gonna hitch a ride out of the country and we'd neeever find him again.
[That does sound serious indeed. Luca ponders it for a moment. ]
...we can go wherever we wish up until we go home, yes? If so, then I should go with you. I can identify the signs of magic-use, so perhaps I could he of use to your case.
[ Because yeah if years of investigation turned up nothing, it probably involves magic. ]
[Is Luca's magic the same thing as whatever the Manipulator uses? He honestly wouldn't know. All he could confirm is that the Manipulator's power is 'not of their world', presumably originating from Temsik, and it gives him the ability to do his title justice. For all he knows, it works with the exact same principle as sfeer theory.
He appreciates the offer and he'd love to take it, but...]
Thaaanks baby, but I don't know if that's possible. My trip's not just across the country. I've gotta go back almost a decaaade. If we both hop the train, there's no guarantee we'll reach the same destination. The badger was veeery mum on the details of how our journey's supposed to work. [...] Besiiides, I can't drag civilians into my secret missions.
[The first part is a legitimate concern that needs to be addressed, but Luca scoffs at that last part. As if him being a civilian has ever stopped him from doing things.]
Well, if we can take some time here, then perhaps I could teach you how to recognize the signs of magic at play? Then you could take that knowledge with you back to your time.
It is not easy to learn, though. It would take at least a few weeks to instill even the basics in your mind.
[He takes a moment to absorb that notion. If he already missed the execution, a few more weeks are nothing. If he can take insiders knowledge about magic use back home, then maybe he could still put it to good use either way. ...Maybe.]
Y'know what? That aaactually doesn't sound half bad.
Mhmm. And in the meantime, I can work on learning about the technology of this time, so I can take that knowledge back to my time as well. We both get something useful out of it, in the end.
[They will need to make living arrangements, though. Protoshepard did not leave them enough money to fart around in LA for a month or two.]
[Yeah, 300 dollars won't get them very far. ...600 if they put their money together, but Cabanela already lost 50 on this hotelroom just for one night and they need to pay for those plane tickets too. Thanks for nothing, Proto. At this rate, they'll end up staying at the YMCA before long.]
Truuue, but are you sure you can put up with me for that long, baby? [Because let's not forget that Luca had very good reason to be mad at him.]
Even I can set my feelings aside for the greater good.
[That anger is already fading, though, or else he wouldn't have offered to help in the first place.
It really helps that nobody actually died, Luca would have stayed upset for much longer if death had really been involved.]
But I suppose we should establish ourselves in this city, at least temporarily. Since you are an agent of the law, I will ask you: how 'legal' do you want to be in accomplishing this?
[If Cabanela says 'very legal', then Luca will just 'disappear to work' and return with a few thousand dollars. It will be especially easy in a city where magic supposedly does not exist, or at least on a level that most people don't know about it.]
[That... is a very good question. Back home, his answer would definitely be "very legal". No matter how underhanded his tactics might get sometimes, they're always well within the confides of the law. He has an image to uphold and a position to maintain, after all.
Except they're not back home and whatever he does here won't affect his position at all. Now it's more an issue of morality, because crime is still crime.]
Tisk tisk, baby. Are you suggesting illegal activities in front of an officer of the law? For shaaame. [But it should be obvious from his tone of voice and the way he's wagging his finger that he's joking.] Let's be as legal as possible about this, shaaall we?
Oh yes, of course. Breaking actual laws would be a very bad thing, and we do not want to end up in jail.
However...
[If a city doesn't ban using magic to influence random chance simply because magic does not exist to them, well, then that is entirely on them.]
I think I know of a few 'questionable but not technically illegal' things we can do that would also assist you in learning about magic.
Ah-but you will need to be dressed first. And presentably, I might add. I have found that, if you look like you belong somewhere, nobody will question you.
[Wow, excuse you. EXCUSE YOU. Cabanela's fabulous white coat is the most presentable attire there is. He can't think of a single place where it would look out of place. ...Well, maybe one or two, but for the most part it's a very fashionable coat.]
[The coat works actually, he was more thinking of Cabanela just running around in a shirt as being unrepresentable.]
A gambling hall. So yes, let's not wave around your badge while we are there, hmm?
[Luca is thinking of the old-timey gambling halls though, he has no idea what it is like nowadays. That would really affect his plans if he did, he was just going to sneak into the back room and steal the money box.]
[Oh please. As if he'd leave the room without his coat. He'll wear it even on the hottest summer day. ...Though, speaking of clothes, they should probably buy some new ones because they've been wearing these since day 1 of the game, if not longer. Clean laundry needs to be a thing.
Also... A 'gambling hall'? Really? ...Well, that's still one of the more fair ways to earn money in a 'technically not illegal' way. There wouldn't be any victims.]
It's called a casino nowadays, and while cops have eeevery right to be there, I don't plan to show that badge off. [It isn't valid here anyway.]
I'm from the 1860s. Some of the things I have are even older than that. My clothes, the money I have, all of it would be antiques by now. If we could find the right buyer, we could make more than enough to live here for several months.
That... depends on just how foreign your things are. Unless your currency is something that was offiiicially recognized in this world, no antique dealer would take it.
But even without that, I still have my work uniform that I am wearing, as well as some things I was carrying with me. I am going to need new clothing if I will be staying here for a while anyway, and I have more work uniforms at home.
Weeell, if you're willing to part with those things, be my guest. I got no clue how much they're worth, but we might be in for a pleasant surprise.
[How much would they need for a month? Depends if they can find a rental apartment complete with furniture or something like that. Staying in a hotel for that long would be ridiculous.]
[But he will step away, so Cabanela can get dressed and they can gather their things.]
One step at a time, we first need to get something I can wear instead of this.
[Of course, actually finding something Luca will wear is the hard part.
With their limited funds, they have to settle on a secondhand store. A secondhand store when Luca vastly prefers suits and very fancy clothes. And all he can do is stare at the horror that is gaudy 2026 clothes.
Yeah he's not a happy camper.]
I can't do this. I can't be seen in public wearing any of this. You're looking at this, right?
[He is indicating towards a particularly horrible-looking Hawaiian shirt.]
[A secondhand store was not Cabanela's first choice either, believe him. Maybe if they actually get around to rigging a casino, they can consider nicer options. It's a good thing he only needs to settle for a few new shirts and pants in this place. Luca's in hotter water; he's got a whole new wardrobe to compile.
The Hawaiian shirt earns itself a smirk. He didn't think people actually bought these things in real life, but someone must've, or it wouldn't have ended up in here. The owner must've immediately regretted their lapse of judgment, because it looks like it was never even worn.]
It's rather hard to avoooid looking at it, baby. It's captivating in a very bad way.
[Oh, there will be fancy suits later. But for now, he can't waste all of his $300 on one suit, he just needs something to wear while they go to the antique dealer. Preferably something less garrish, too.
Luca puts the Hawaiian shirt back on the rack, and instead he turns to the 'formalwear' rack. Not that there is anything formal about the button-up shirts there, by Luca's standards, but they at least look presentable.
Except most of them are not actually white, they're different shades of off-white, and they are wrinkly. They could use a good starching. Luca is also decidedly smaller than most men, so finding one that would actually fit him is another question entirely.]
Why are men of this time so big? I was average in my time! Average!
[Yeah no he's always been a beanpole compared to everyone else ever, but he is in denial.]
[Luca might have to lower his standards either way. Cabanela's found that even in firsthand stores, it's hard to find clothes to match one's exact taste. In a secondhand store it's five times worse (unless you're Macklemore and you manage to turn it into something ironic and hip).
He could make a reference to greasy junkfood. He could say that clothes in odd sizes are more likely to be found secondhand. Except that Luca is basically begging for his words to be taken the 'wrong way'.]
Average, hmm? That's... What, five inches? [People need to stop giving him openings for penis jokes. Seriously.]
Luca sees that penis joke coming from a mile away, and at first he turns red and looks around quickly to see if anyone nearby heard them. But thankfully nobody is in their section, so Luca can give Cabanela a rebuttal, though he is trying to speak in a slightly lower voice, so he isn't heard by others in the store.]
First off, you know damn well that I was talking about broadness of shoulders and waistlines.
Secondly, I am above average in that area, thank you very much.
[Cabanela, on the other hand, isn't bothering all that much to keep his voice down. Once again, welcome to the 21st century. You can make penis jokes all you want and if someone else overhears, they'll probably just laugh along. He's not being overly loud about it, though, because he doesn't want to spook Luca.]
Of cooourse you are, baby. You and every other guy when they're asked about it. [A nonchalant wave of the hand, then he'll turn his attention to a rack of pants.]
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[So yes, that is quite serious.]
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...we can go wherever we wish up until we go home, yes? If so, then I should go with you. I can identify the signs of magic-use, so perhaps I could he of use to your case.
[ Because yeah if years of investigation turned up nothing, it probably involves magic. ]
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He appreciates the offer and he'd love to take it, but...]
Thaaanks baby, but I don't know if that's possible. My trip's not just across the country. I've gotta go back almost a decaaade. If we both hop the train, there's no guarantee we'll reach the same destination. The badger was veeery mum on the details of how our journey's supposed to work. [...] Besiiides, I can't drag civilians into my secret missions.
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Well, if we can take some time here, then perhaps I could teach you how to recognize the signs of magic at play? Then you could take that knowledge with you back to your time.
It is not easy to learn, though. It would take at least a few weeks to instill even the basics in your mind.
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Y'know what? That aaactually doesn't sound half bad.
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[They will need to make living arrangements, though. Protoshepard did not leave them enough money to fart around in LA for a month or two.]
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Truuue, but are you sure you can put up with me for that long, baby? [Because let's not forget that Luca had very good reason to be mad at him.]
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[That anger is already fading, though, or else he wouldn't have offered to help in the first place.
It really helps that nobody actually died, Luca would have stayed upset for much longer if death had really been involved.]
But I suppose we should establish ourselves in this city, at least temporarily. Since you are an agent of the law, I will ask you: how 'legal' do you want to be in accomplishing this?
[If Cabanela says 'very legal', then Luca will just 'disappear to work' and return with a few thousand dollars. It will be especially easy in a city where magic supposedly does not exist, or at least on a level that most people don't know about it.]
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Except they're not back home and whatever he does here won't affect his position at all. Now it's more an issue of morality, because crime is still crime.]
Tisk tisk, baby. Are you suggesting illegal activities in front of an officer of the law? For shaaame. [But it should be obvious from his tone of voice and the way he's wagging his finger that he's joking.] Let's be as legal as possible about this, shaaall we?
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However...
[If a city doesn't ban using magic to influence random chance simply because magic does not exist to them, well, then that is entirely on them.]
I think I know of a few 'questionable but not technically illegal' things we can do that would also assist you in learning about magic.
Ah-but you will need to be dressed first. And presentably, I might add. I have found that, if you look like you belong somewhere, nobody will question you.
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Wheeere exactly are we meant to belong, baby?
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A gambling hall. So yes, let's not wave around your badge while we are there, hmm?
[Luca is thinking of the old-timey gambling halls though, he has no idea what it is like nowadays. That would really affect his plans if he did, he was just going to sneak into the back room and steal the money box.]
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Also... A 'gambling hall'? Really? ...Well, that's still one of the more fair ways to earn money in a 'technically not illegal' way. There wouldn't be any victims.]
It's called a casino nowadays, and while cops have eeevery right to be there, I don't plan to show that badge off. [It isn't valid here anyway.]
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[new clothes would be a good thing, not only does Luca's suit smell, but it is also 200 years out of date-
...wait. ]
...
How active is the antique market?
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I wouldn't know, baby. Antiques aren't really my thiiing.
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That... depends on just how foreign your things are. Unless your currency is something that was offiiicially recognized in this world, no antique dealer would take it.
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But even without that, I still have my work uniform that I am wearing, as well as some things I was carrying with me. I am going to need new clothing if I will be staying here for a while anyway, and I have more work uniforms at home.
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[How much would they need for a month? Depends if they can find a rental apartment complete with furniture or something like that. Staying in a hotel for that long would be ridiculous.]
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[But he will step away, so Cabanela can get dressed and they can gather their things.]
One step at a time, we first need to get something I can wear instead of this.
[Of course, actually finding something Luca will wear is the hard part.
With their limited funds, they have to settle on a secondhand store. A secondhand store when Luca vastly prefers suits and very fancy clothes. And all he can do is stare at the horror that is gaudy 2026 clothes.
Yeah he's not a happy camper.]
I can't do this. I can't be seen in public wearing any of this. You're looking at this, right?
[He is indicating towards a particularly horrible-looking Hawaiian shirt.]
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The Hawaiian shirt earns itself a smirk. He didn't think people actually bought these things in real life, but someone must've, or it wouldn't have ended up in here. The owner must've immediately regretted their lapse of judgment, because it looks like it was never even worn.]
It's rather hard to avoooid looking at it, baby. It's captivating in a very bad way.
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Luca puts the Hawaiian shirt back on the rack, and instead he turns to the 'formalwear' rack. Not that there is anything formal about the button-up shirts there, by Luca's standards, but they at least look presentable.
Except most of them are not actually white, they're different shades of off-white, and they are wrinkly. They could use a good starching. Luca is also decidedly smaller than most men, so finding one that would actually fit him is another question entirely.]
Why are men of this time so big? I was average in my time! Average!
[Yeah no he's always been a beanpole compared to everyone else ever, but he is in denial.]
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He could make a reference to greasy junkfood. He could say that clothes in odd sizes are more likely to be found secondhand. Except that Luca is basically begging for his words to be taken the 'wrong way'.]
Average, hmm? That's... What, five inches? [People need to stop giving him openings for penis jokes. Seriously.]
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Oh, he'll give Cabanela an opening-Luca sees that penis joke coming from a mile away, and at first he turns red and looks around quickly to see if anyone nearby heard them. But thankfully nobody is in their section, so Luca can give Cabanela a rebuttal, though he is trying to speak in a slightly lower voice, so he isn't heard by others in the store.]
First off, you know damn well that I was talking about broadness of shoulders and waistlines.
Secondly, I am above average in that area, thank you very much.
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Of cooourse you are, baby. You and every other guy when they're asked about it. [A nonchalant wave of the hand, then he'll turn his attention to a rack of pants.]
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dot doot skipping ahead a bit
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whoop whoop assuming things from canon
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