taxonomites | [Location/Accidental Visual: Hyperion] // But I'm on the outside, and I'm looking in

His new city is dark and empty. Rorschach walks the streets, as he has every night and will continue to for as long as he remains here, despite the fact that he has yet to do any significant good during his patrols. He covers the entirety of the city every night, and by now his feet know the way without having to be told. He likes to think he's memorized every inch of it by now, and while it's not entirely accurate quite yet, it's certainly close enough.

It's why the tarp covering the side of the building stands out so much. Just in one place, plastered against the side like rotting leaves clinging to the trunk of some great hulking tree. He's seen it on multiple occasions, every time he's passed the building, actually, but its continued presence is what attracts his attention now. It should be repaired by now; society rebels at the cracks and breaks, the proof that the impenetrable shield of normality they comfort themselves with is not infallible.

So why is it still there? What does it hide? He looks for a way up to it in order to investigate; fire escape seems to be the best option. The ascent is a matter of moments, muscles long used to the task propelling him upwards with ease, and he pulls the edge of the tarp away to peek beyond it, inky shapes swirling in uncertain curiosity. An apartment. Unsurprising in an apartment building. He pulls himself up and over the broken and crumbling bricks into the room beyond, taking a moment to examine the edges of the break, but the score marks that mar their surfaces can't be right. What would cause it? He pulls one free to look more closely from the privacy of the room, paying no mind to either the room itself nor any occupants it may or may not contain, having already decided that with a hole in the wall there is no possible way it could still be inhabited.

The tablet, having toppled out of a coat pocket during his entrance, drops to the floor with a muffled thud and promptly switches on, revealing both the vigilante examining the brick and some of the room beyond, albeit at a somewhat strange angle given its position on the floor. Rorschach doesn't appear to notice its temporary disappearance from his pocket.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Rorschach. You're transmitting.

[feel free to have this be after anyone else might tag in, so he has a reason to keep transmitting if needed. :) ]

[so noted! :D ]

The altercation with Long, misguided as it was, does little but sour Rorschach's already dubious mood, and the voice that emerges from the device he still has yet to trust only serves to exacerbate his already frayed patience. He approaches, crouching before it since while he doesn't trust it the thing is still his, and regards both it and the familiar voice dourly.

"Ozymandias. Not intentional; seems to occasionally turn on by itself. Suspect outside interference." His displeasure with both it and those responsible is readily apparent.

"I felt you might appreciate the warning, that's all. I don't get the feeling our captors here are terribly interested helping us keep our secrets."

That doesn't mean Adrian intends to let his own secrets out, but clearly more extreme measures will need to be taken to protect them.

"Investigating anything interesting?"

"Hurm." He doesn't bother giving any more response than that, the truth of his words are enough that simple acknowledgment is all that's needed.

"Unrepaired building. Seemed suspicious in city where everything else is carefully maintained." He leaves out the altercation; if Ozymandias had been watching he would have seen, and if otherwise he sees no reason in elaborating. It's not his case, after all.

Adrian saw some, but not all of the transmission, having alerted Rorschach as soon as he realized what was going on. They may not be the best of friends, but it's in the best interest of all members of their small (albeit semi-retired) group to keep an eye out for each other.

"Did you discover anything important?" He doesn't say 'interesting', because honestly Adrian isn't sure he wants to know what Rorscach considers interesting.

"Maintenance not as efficient as earlier assumed. Encountered occupant; evidently did not object to living in unplanned renovation enough to leave until recently. Suspect..."

And here he falters. What does he suspect, exactly? The not-a-man is decidedly inhuman, that much he is certain of, but he has no explanation to provide in lieu of human, no information in support outside of the strange eyes, and even they didn't last for long. No solid proof. He starts the statement over, ink shifting falteringly with his own indecision and uncertainty.

"Something strange about occupant. Still investigating."

Adrian has to admit, as much as Rorschach creeps him out a little, he's a useful man to know. He nods, making mental note of the information in case it proves important down the road. Once a Watchman, always a Watchman?

"Let us know if you turn up anything worthwhile. I'm sure Dan will want to know, and if we're going to be here for any length of time, we need to be aware of what's going on with the other inhabitants." Who might be a threat, and who might be useful.

There's a curt nod, barely noticeable unless it's being looked for, but the agreeable grunt is more obvious. "Will keep apprised if find anything important." It's a courtesy that he's not used to extending since the Keane Act took effect, and one that it's still uncertain that he will actually provide when the time comes, but it's a start.

[Location/Accidental Visual: Hyperion] // But I'm on the outside, and I'm looking in

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