manofgnee | Case 64

[A small, slightly chubby redheaded child is standing outside of a flowershop, clutching an orange balloon as if it was his lifeline. He appears to be about 5 years old, maybe even a bit younger, but is in actuality 7. His glasses are missing, and he's a bit more freckly than he will be when he grows up, but even as a kid, he's still recognizable.

This is Hanna Cross, and he is lost.
One minute, he was with his mother in the park...and then he wandered off for a second and ended up in a strange place.

And he's scared.]

M...mu...Mommy...?

Mommy, where'd you go...?

[Hanna sniffles a bit, clutching his balloon tighter, rubbing at one of his eyes as he starts to cry.]

I du-dunno where I am...I w...wuhanna go hooome...

[Still crying and still very lost, Hanna runs off, scared, looking for his mom, before, in frustration, he returns to the front of the flower shop, kicking the wall before slumping down and crying into his knees.]

I want Mom...

[ooc: Hanna Cross, age 7!! He's a bit...healthier looking than he is as an adult, and remembers nothing of his time in the City or the people he knows as an adult. He can't do magic (at least not purposeful magic) and he can't investigate the paranormal, but he can still get into trouble. Since we don't know much about Hanna as a kid, I'm just gonna wing it as best as possible. Good luck, City, he's your problem now!!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I was the faithful pet of a mad scientist. One day his Brain-o-Tron ray misfired while he was working on it and the beam hit me, giving me intelligence far beyond that of an average cat.

Wooow...

[Hanna just stares, eyes wide.]

That's so cool!!

[Seven-year-olds. Works every time.]

So now I use my considerable intelligence to aid me as I solve mysteries and fight crime.

Wow, really? That's so awesome!!

I wanna solve mysteries and fight crime when I get bigger! But not normal mysteries, I wanna solve super mysteries!

It takes super people to solve super mysteries. Are you a super person?

I'm gonna be!!

You have to start training right away, then. There's no time to lose.

Ok, I can do that!! What do I need to do?

First, you need a costume. All great superhero detectives have a cool and distinctive costume.

Okay...what sorta costume should I have?

Depends. Are you trying to strike fear in the hearts of criminals, or just trying to unravel mysteries that nobody else can solve?

Uhhh...the second one!

In that case, a cool coat is essential. Also comfortable shoes. You'll probably do a lot of running, chasing down bad guys and stuff.

Do I hafta wear my underwear on the outside like Superman?

Heathen. Superman is not a superhero detective. You should wash your mouth out with soap for even suggesting it.

...sorry, kitty...

I won't ever say that again! So...could I wear comfy sneakers while fighting crime and solving mysteries?

Don't apologize to me. Apologize to yourself.

[He trots a little closer, then sits down placidly. Might as well be comfortable while playing mentor to the impressionable youth.]

Yes. Comfy sneakers are vital. Especially for sneaking, which you'll do a lot of.

That's what they're called sneakers for!!

[He smiles and moves to scratch the kitty's ears with his free hand.]

And I gotta wear a mask too, right?

[He considers swiping at Hanna's hand for that one, but having his ears scratched is not entirely unpleasant. He will concede for the moment.]

Only if you're going to have loved ones who might be in danger. If you couldn't care less if everyone around you gets kidnapped or dies, then you don't have to.

...Well...I have my mom and dad. I don't want them to get hurt!

Moms and dads are rarely in danger from superhero detective lifestyles. Even criminals tend to have standards about stuff like that.

[Pause.]

By the same token, don't ask them to take you to see Zorro.

Well, I should be careful anyway, right?

[It's bad that he gets that reference. Hanna nods.]
Ok!

But you definitely need either a really long coat or a cool cape. So when you run, it billows out behind you.

...Can I have a cool hat too?

Yes. But only if it fits right and doesn't blow off when you run. There is nothing more shameful than having to choose between chasing a criminal and chasing your flyaway hat.