More ugly news reports + one patronizing [video] message courtesy of Seth Richardson

[stay_classy_cat]

A casual Monday outing turned tragic when two men were brutally gunned down in front of Malo's Gun and Ammunition mart. The victims; Kaplan Stridehr and Marple Dethrris were found dead with a single Aperture-Brand Resolution Pellet to the head. A third victim, Hendorff Ditherrs, was found at the scene asphyxiated to death. All three of the victims regularly donated community service hours to the FLUDD orphanage and were cherished by their grieving families.

The murder suspects, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Vivan Johnson, and Rick Johnson, all attend Smash Academy and have been interrogated at least once by the FDCPD. Rick has been hospitalized for the time being with life-threatening injuries, though his condition is stable. He will be questioned when he regains consciousness. It's unclear if his injuries were inflicted in self-defense, or by the other two Smash Academy students in the middle of the attack.

The Smash Academy students claim they were the ones who acted in self defense, but FDCPD has not reached a clear verdict yet to a very messy and terrible situation.

"It's not completely clear this was in self defense." says the police chief. "If you're not looking to kill, you don't put a bullet in someone's head."

Several eye witnesses to the attack also claim the smaller student, Vivian, was the one who open fired and murdered the victims, unprovoked. All three are on juvenile preemptive probation until further investigations are finished. It should be worth noting, again, these were non-human students of Smash Academy, a fighting school that accepts many different kinds of unnatural, humanoid creatures. They could still be considered dangerous despite the probation. Aperture Science is also being questioned for product deficiency, but has not returned any of our calls.

[Lakitu, an unnatural, humanoid turtle man, shuffles the papers on his desk and prepares for the next, possibly vaguely related news story.]

An abandoned church on the east side of the city was mysteriously engulfed in flames last night. Fire accelerants were noted in the area, suggesting that this was no accident. It's uncertain if this incident is related to the gun attack, but non-human terrorists are suspected given the target. If you have any important clues or tips to report, please call the FDCPD immediately.

It's truly terrible this historic building has been reduced to tinder and ashes. Residents are outraged and are calling for Martial law. Mayor Tabuu is taking this into consideration with rising rates of violence and crime, but states he is not likely to come to a decision or see any action result for a least a month, especially given the complicated nature of FDC. Martial law would necessitate the need for an outsourced, contracted military, and the Mayor wants to ensure he has the best for the job.

---

[video]

[Seth appears on video, close up and fiddling with the camera before settling in his seat, a grim expression on his face.]

In case you weren't aware about a certain fiasco that happened between Mary and Vianca a while ago, a new development has recently come to my attention, and I for one am ashamed. Shame on you!

Honestly, she's just a child and didn't know any better. That's no reason for anyone to go antagonize and bully her! I want to think better of our student body.

You're all so quick to turn a blind eye when that murderous swordsman returned to campus. You hardly bat an eyelash at knowing there's at least three new and different murder suspects residing right here! Have any of you even seen the news lately? They're right here, living amongst you all--murderers as your very neighbors. But the moment a naive little girl does something she didn't even know was wrong you ostracize her unfairly. I don't want to name names but you know who you are.

Everyone's double standards here are truly unsettling. You should all think on your sins.

[Ahem. He clears his throat and adjusts his collar, as if to clear out all that ~undignified emotional outpouring~]

Anyway, I apologize if any of that came across as harsh or blunt, and Mary's poor name shouldn't be dragged through the mud any longer. Mary has all my condolences, I wish her the best and above all that this doesn't happen again. That was a while ago anyway--old news. She should know better by now.

I'll see to it personally.

Comments

Meanwhile, in the equally gay alpha timeline:

[forgetbeam]

I won't let that happen either, I promise you!

[Now that he's said it, he's not sure it's a promise he can keep. But he's going to do his damnedest to try. Kiyotaka knows the pain of losing someone so dear, and he knows that Mondo's already been through more than enough of it too. He wouldn't wish that on his worst enemy, let alone his best friend.

He also really doesn't want to go to prison.]

I... will not run from the law. I don't want you to obstruct it, either.

[He frowns at Mondo's clenched fist, as though the tense gesture is a promise of violent opposition should the police settle on something not in their favour. After a brief moment he takes it in his own hands, hoping in vain that he can at least reign in Mondo's aggression that way.]

No matter what happens, even if things seem bleak... I will still be by your side...!

We've entered the event horizon of gay bromanship

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[In Mondo's FIT OF PASSION for this UNBREAKABLE CAMARADERIE they shared, he starts looking Kiyotaka in the eyes like he's going to shed some tears. Words aren't enough, and he ardently throws his arms around him to pull him into a tight clinch.]

You're a great guy, brother! A really great guy! Now I'm definitely gonna try my hardest not to lose you!!

didn't canon already do that

[forgetbeam]

[WOW OW. That's not how you treat a cracked rib, bro.]

Hhhha-!

[His grimace gives way to a grin though, as he returns the hug as best he can, followed by a rough pat on the back.]

It's a promise, then! Let's stay together no matter what! Brother...

[If this were some kind of manga or anime, there might be a close-up of a REALLY MEANINGFUL LOOK along with MANY SPARKLES.]

i hate when you're right

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Roses, too. Don't forget the roses. Anyway, he had no idea about the cracked rib, whhhhoops.]

That's an easy promise! Not even something like death will be able to sever our type of bond!

[It sucks that an inkling of insecurity wells up in his heart when the word 'promise' was uttered between them. On one hand, he felt determined to defend his covenant at whatever cost he could muster, which was the way it should be for a man. If he couldn't do that, he'd rather die. (Which, he did. Kind of.) But the weaker, more uncertain part flinched and gave way to doubts- what if he couldn't do it? What if something beyond their control breaks them apart? What if he fails at a crucial moment? He'd always had these insecurities about some of the promises he made lurk deep down inside, but they were stronger after the Hope's Peak experience.

Despite these feelings, he didn't let any of it show. He seemed shining and confident on the outside.]

Re: i hate when you're right

[forgetbeam]

[Oh, if only either of them knew how true that is. As it is, Kiyotaka is perfectly content with not putting that theory to the test. This bond is much better shared when they're alive and both of their hearts are beating together like this.

Even if it's just a temporary thing while he's riding the bro high, it's as though the weight of everything has eased off his shoulder just a little. For now he can believe there's hope in something that otherwise seems so bleak.

The same way he felt that first morning after the sauna. Maybe things would actually turn out better this time.

and all was well and good until he kicked mondo out of the room because he was too embarrassed to tell him about his makeover appointment with mukuro.]