#lolipopchainscw

this is somewhat of a standard case, if one assumes the dead bodies are just dead bodies. and if one doesn't take into consideration how the variously mangled bodies seem to have similar scars, and if no one had connected the dots. or at least — started to connect them. in this particular instance, noa's client has made a fair case that it could be a serial killing. and hey, since they are paying well, noa's more than happy to investigate it. the client has also done some decent work — which isn't that often. having somewhere to start is good, following the trail, trying to figure out where the events took place, where occurrences feel stronger than usual. some of it's mindless strolling, and some of it leads to other locations, then another, and then another. he pulls some video tapes here and there, whoever he can bribe enough to look the other way. some names start popping up as he continues to ask around, and one of those happen to be this particular tram driver. "hey kid, you got a sec?" noa asks, shaking off a cigarette from a pack, putting it between his lips. he holds it out in case the other wants any. "you wouldn't happen to be álvaro rojas, would you?"

the last couple of shows have been better than they have ever been, and jude cannot help the way they glow. it's a fragile, scary thing, the idea of beginning to achieve something, after hitting walls so many times. being up there on stage, in the middle, not off to a side, not behind an amp, as the main figure — it was exhilarating. they are still living off the high of that, as they walk through the familiar corridors, and stand in front of their friend's door. a musical tap against the wood, they are eager to see her, to learn about what she has been up to in the last few days, and to tell her about what they were up to. how their ears rang with the static, hours after the show. "dottie! you're home, aren't you?"

it wouldn't take someone long to look at rei and figure out that this is really not their forté, especially in a place like this. they stick out like a sore thumb, clad in a pair of old jeans and a sweater knit by their grandmother, which has seen better days. they don't let any of that get to them however, and take a big ( probably too big ) sip of this wine that's in front of them. they make a valiant effort not to grimace, and look up at olivier, as if he can give them the answers with just a look. maybe he can? "i am tasting..." squinting hard, nodding a few times, pretending. "fruit? grapes. oh yeah. plenty of grapes." setting the glass back down, they look back at the other sheepishly. "i bet i got that right, huh?"

they say curiosity killed the cat, but rei is fairly unscathed thus far. plus, learning all about jolene's mutation ( and telling her about theirs ), is helping both of them learn more about their own ! at least, that's how it's going with rei — and they hope it to be mutual. due to how little they know about the body so far, her healing factor is incredibly fascinating to them. when they hear the door being opened, as the workshop closed for other visitors at this time, they smile wide when they see the familiar face enter, jumping up to a stand. "hello! welcome, welcome. what should i get you for a drink? tea or coffee?" the questions they have thought of in the past few days are vivid in their mind, but they try not to get there immediately. "i have been thinking about..." they cut themselves off, grinning sheepishly. "sorry! i'll let you get settled first."

@lolipopchainscw (Gilbert)