(Untitled)

[captainryan]

Scowling, thoughtful looking man sitting at a table with his back to a wall. On it is a half-empty pint and an open sketchbook. In his left hand is a pencil.

It's a distraction. Only it isn't working as well as it's supposed to, seeing as how there's nothing on the page. Help him out?

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

Maybe it's the scent -- slightly familiar -- that draws X's attention.

Maybe she has been keeping an eye out for him.

Whatever the reason, X slips across the crowded bar floor and pauses by Ryan's position -- just several feet away.

It is only polite.

"Hello."

[cutting_edgex23]

"He was not very good at fighting."

Beat.

"He ran away."

X pauses again, considering this possibility.

"Some people like killing. I have met them. Here."

[captainryan]

"Milliways attracts all types," Ryan allows.

[cutting_edgex23]

X shrugs.

Then --

"You did not see anything before he died?"

Beat.

"West was outside most of the day."

She checked. It was not difficult.

[captainryan]

"I didn't run into anyone calling themselves Rosen," Ryan says simply.

This is true. Names were never exchanged. He has no idea that was West.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Sometimes he uses different names. Like Suresh."

Fortunately, Claire has also provided a way of cutting to the heart of the matter.

X slips a photograph out of her pocket, and flips it around so that Ryan can see it.

"This is him. West."

[captainryan]

Ryan presses his lips together.

"He was blocking the path. I shoved him out of the way, nothing more."

[cutting_edgex23]

"He fell?"

She weighs that, frowning ever so slightly.

"He did not fly?"

[captainryan]

"No, to both questions."

He didn't know the kid flew. Makes whatever killed him a little more powerful than Ryan thought.

Or very sneaky.

[cutting_edgex23]

"But he yelled at you?"

X has met West. This seems to be what he did.

"Other people paid attention?"

[captainryan]

"He yelled after me. I couldn't tell you if anyone else was watching."

Ryan didn't bother to stop.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay."

Maybe someone heard.

"And that is the only time you caught traces of him? Before you shifted."

Backtracking his scent trail had been useful -- but corroboration is always helpful.

When you can get it.

[captainryan]

"I smelled him around the bar before, but I'd never met him."

He falls silent for a moment.

"I don't believe I killed him. If I had there would have been nothing left."

It's more likely he only nibbled, but getting a snack doesn't count as murdering someone.

[cutting_edgex23]

"There were prints," X says. Carefully.

"Near the body."

Beat.

"They did not smell like you."

It is the most reassurance she has to offer him.

[captainryan]

He nods, gratefulness in his scent.

It's not that he has qualms about killing someone. It's the getting caught bit that irks him.

"You were at my den, as well," he says, eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you have any reason to return there?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X knows how that one goes.

And then she shakes her head.

"No. I was tracking you. I do not think I will need to, anymore."