Bravo, Crim! Of course I'd have to be the first to reply, seeing as how one of my characters is involved (veeerry nice descriptions, BTW). But a good piece of writing thus far and promising to be an interesting read in another facet of Sega City life.

Update 2: In which Magenta is involved, and everying is dull and serious. (Still awaiting SX's okay on this chapter, but he said fine for the use of him, and I'm bored and rude ;P)

Sega City is a big city. Real big. Most of its inhabitants dont realise just quite how big the sprawling metropolis they live in is, possibly because by some odd quirk of physics, it takes at the most about half an hour to get anywhere you like. Even from the outside it seems a lot smaller than it really is. People have pondered over this fact long into the night before now, and developed many, many interesting theories, often involving big words like Quantum disassociation and Metro space folding. But the truth of the matter is, that the Mobius Forum World is just plain weird.

A fact that one Magenta Darkwolfe was most certainly coming to grips with. As somebody who had lived several centuries and had visited dimensions involving everything from vampires to landscapes made of trans-fatty acids, this was saying something. It was the blatant oddity that through her, it was the layers. She could walk through the most dark, dank neighbourhood in the city, a place she had chosen to live to avoid any inquiring eyes, and expect like in any other city in any similar universe to get mugged. And then find out it was only for cheat codes to a game. Or she could watch over a dramatic, fantastical, almost unbelievable happening, to find that every person involved had motives that could be found in any sane person.

This city amazed her.

But she had come here, like everywhere else she went these days, with a purpose, and she couldnt forget that, no matter what this unpredictable world had in store. Her previous work had done wonders so far, and her own observations would soon have to come to an end. It was getting too risky, no contact with the subject, she had learnt that lesson the hard way before.

Besides that, it was almost time.

She had to set this up fast, while she still could. And for that reason, she had called the best. Or at least, he called himself the best, but in this world, she had realised, that could mean anything.

They had organised to meet in an abandoned warehouse, Magentas idea and she was quite proud of it, playing into the inherent drama of the world she was in. The warehouse itself was inconspicuous enough, an old leftover from the days of the fan girl epidemic, filled to the ceiling with crates and crates of plushies baring the visage of various forumers. She considered in somewhat of an irony.

A door opened in the darkness, only very briefly, but Magenta locked onto it instantly, her view seemingly unimpaired by the dim, stale light of the building. Approaching the negotiation table was a blue kitsune with red tail tips and muzzle, even from the other end of the hall she could see he was kitted out with more projectile weaponry the terran state of Texas. Perfect.

The two tailed fox cautiously headed over toward the table where his contact had specified to meet, paranoia gripping him as his eyes searched through the darkness for any sign of a trap. But there was none. As he reached the table, his stride slowed, awaiting whatever would come next.

Please, SX, take a seat Came a voice from the shadows. SX tried to focus on the direction but it seemingly came from everywhere, and searching the shadows was no help, even to one used to relying on his night vision for covert ops, the shadows had an almost unnatural impenetrability to them. I assure you, we both want to get business over and done with as fast as possible. The voice was reassuring, feminine, but oh so slightly dominant.

Reluctantly, SX took the chair, and faced the table, one arm always ready to reach for his guns at the sight of trouble. I came here because you said you had a contract

Indood I do, Mr Kitsune. Replied the voice, seeming closer. Before the table now, SX could see two irises, a deep red, lit in the darkness. And now we shall negotiate the terms and payment of thisjob. The fox focused harder on where the figure before him must have been. Despite the light of the eyes, and the moon through the skylight, he could see nothing that would give shape or form to his prospective employer.

Its a simple task. The voice continued, You are to watch him. A photograph was placed on the table, SX caught a glimpse before the hand that delivered it vanished of five points, glowing like the ends of cigarettes, but the delivery was withdrawn so fast, he couldnt be sure.

He picked up the photo. Crimmy? Crimson Darkwolfe? The bartender, yeah? He asked, incredulously. Why this guy? Hes harmless.

A personal interest. The voice replied, with unnerving calmness. You are to watch over him. Straight forward, but in a way, unusual. The voice chuckled, but it seemed to have no mirth in it, just sorrow. I want you, SX, to be his conscience of sorts. Keep him on the straight and narrow.

SX grunted, and pocketed the photo. So, whats the pay?

Again the cigarette end marks returned briefly, dropping a bag on the table, its contents spilled over the surface, and SXs eyes widened. Out of the bag the money didnt spill, it fell. Gold ingots, platinum coins, gems and jewels of all sizes.

Enough, and more if you succeed, consider this bag a down payment. Came the voice.

SX scooped up the loot, and nodded. You have yourself a deal.

(edited with SX's feedback)

Thaaaanks. <3

Keep in mind that SX is male, here, guys that would think otherwise.

Blarg, douple post!

Part the third! A little trivia on this, I was originally planning on never, ever having Radians and Crim meet, and have them communicate via post-it notes. But that wasn't going to work for this. And expect edits after SX reads it though and I alter it to his preferences

Dressed in my recently purchased attire, I stood under the lights of Sega Citys mean streets, catching the ambience for cool cover shots as my trench coat flapped in the wind. The effect however was unfortunately diminished by the fact that it was daylight, and the streets were surly at best.

Id been to my officewell, bathroom, so that checked out cleaner than a germophobes washing machine. So on to the second location I could obtain easily, Radians Prowers Bar, if I couldnt talk toot there, I wasnt worth my salt. With a swirl of my oh-so-cool trench coat, I strode off brisker than a brass monkeys nipples.

-

SX Kitsune was sat on the fire escape on the side of a nearby house, watching the red-furred wolf walk off through a pair of very snazzy looking binoculars. His quarry hadnt exactly been hard to find, what with having a listed address and the self-consciousness of a strip-dancing clown, but it had occurred to him that finding him wasnt going to be the work. Slinging his binoculars into his equipment back, he headed down the fire escape to the street.

It was quite easy for SX to follow Crimson through the crowd of humans, furries and otherwise sentient people that made up Sega Citys daily pedestrian traffic, after all, who wore a fedora these days? Making sure he was still following his mark, SX thumbed mentally through the memories of the dossier his mysterious contact had given him. Why did so many people hiring mercenaries always try to be so mysterious? Ah well, goes with the territory, he guessed.

Crimson turned off the street, heading through a door and down some stairs. The RP Bar, at this time of the morning? SX shook his head, bemused, but followed anyway, seating himself in at a table within earshot of Crimson, ordering himself a simple breakfast to avoid attention. He grabbed one of the complimentary newspapers, noting with a slight hint of confusion that it was dated from the 50s, and used it to conceal the fact he was simply observing events.

Tasks: One, observe Crimson Darkwolfe. Got that down.
Two, Georgia Stahlmansche has been observed speaking with Darkwolfe. My own investigations havent discerned the purpose of this, find out.
Three, if said purpose is of questionable morality, prevent it.

If it is necessary to make contact, do so, but do not reveal the location of your employer.

Questionable morality? From somebody who sat in the dark and hired mercenaries? This was too weird for comfort.

-

As I settled on the familiar barstool in the familiar surroundings, I couldnt help but feel a slight thrill shoot through me like beer through a frat boy at a party. Getting to the bottom of a mystery, playing private eye, this was going to be good. I nodded as my erstwhile employer waddled over to greet me from behind the bar.

Radical Ian Prower, owner of the bar, middle aged, fat, green. I think that about covers it, if I cant talk toot with him, my fur is actually a shade of tangerine. Smiling, I tipped my fedora. Ian, you pillow pudged procurer of piss-heads, a pint of the black stuff.

Radians grinned; his many chinned face resembling a smoking Father Christmas. Now Crimson, you know we dont sell beer till at least eleven am, but Im confused, when did you ever get out of your basket before 2 in the afternoon?

Well, once before, but then I realised it was Saturday. I grinned heartily at the jolly fat bartender, despite the fact I dont sleep in a basket damnit.

Hey, dont get offended, we were just talking toot! The rotund vulpine replied Besides, youre meant to internalise your narration.

It was internalised!

Ian chuckled at me his fat jiggling like a bowl of jelly. So, what can I do you for?

Well, Im on a detective mission, and this is but the first of my four locations

Let me stop you there. Youve been reading Robert Rankin again, havent you?

Um

Crimson, Crimson, Crimson He laughed, Plagiarising books is not the way to become a private eye.

I frowned in confusion; Lazlo Woodbine was all I had to go on. Then what do you suggest?

Well, forget those silly locations, and go ask people connected to whatever you are investigating for a start!

That does sound like a good idea, I thought to myself. That does sound like a good idea.

Stop repeating yourself.

Sorry. Meanwhile, unnoticed by me, SX in the corner, eating some fried eggs muttered that I was a moron. Id have to take umbrage at that, if I had noticed. But my toot talked, I bided a good day to Radians and headed for the door, to excitement, adventure, and the offices of Effective Cybertronics Unlimited.

Little did I know what was in store for me.

(I was never here and you saw nothing! << But I did sort your code errors out ;P)

I can somehow picture SX with Sean Connery's voice. o.o

Now you just need Stahlmansche to jump on a couch just once.

Keep it up. :3

That's probably because SX is being played as a young Sean Connery. <3 Best character in the story, of course!

Only thing I see, Crim, is that SX would not carry the dossier with him; its too conspicuous. If he has nothing pertaining to Crim on him - it's all committed to memory and the dossier left at home - then he can maintain plausible deniability. If you could chane that to him just remembering what the dossier said instead of actually reading it, that'd be best.

EDIT: "Effective Cybertronics Unlimited." Second-last line.

Kay, when I get round to it, I'll go through an change it to Mental Dossier

And I'm well aware of the name, thankyou ;P

More fine humorous yet involved writing in the Mobius Forum World. This story has actually been going back to the roots of MoFics, reminding one of old MoFo skits done in years past. The Mobius Forum, as serious as some RPs have made it out to be, is still a whimsical and insane place, and this story has been reflecting that tradition well.

I was thinking of writing a MoFic, but AoW is a higher priority for me. And, unfortunately, will probably be done by the time we move to Eliteboard. Anyway, it wouldn't be like what you described Terg, it would probably be a darker focus of SX's MFW past; mostly focusing on her relation to Prism.

Chapter the fourth, in which there is more of the same, and we find Id forgotten the point of a lot of this before Id even wrote it.

As I burst through the doors of the high street offices of Effective Cybertronics Limited, the light shining through the glass doors behind me silhouetting the impressive effect the air conditioning had upon my trench coat, I could feel the gaze of everyone in the lobby upon me, like searing pin pricks searching the very depths of my soul. Everyone in here was up to something, I could tell. Or maybe they were just irritated at how I walked up to the desk without taking a number.

As a slammed my paw upon the front desk, my fedoras brow giving my eyes a darker countenance than Dracula at a gothic rave, I whistled over the receptionist with an impatient gesture.

Uh you didnt whistle at all, sir, you said. Oi! You! With the whiskers! Stated the slender cat-girl working the desk, looking at me over her glasses with a glance so cold it could freeze a solar flare. And there is really no need to get like that, youre the one who barged in here Mr

Darkwolfe. I replied, tipping my hat with a grin. It was a cool hat, it should score some points. Crimson Darkwolfe. She did not seem as impressed as I thought she would be, obviously Effective Cybertronics Limited hired made sure that even if their receptionists were the hawtest thing this side of the galactic core, they were well versed in professional conduct and resisting-

Its Unlimited. The cat-girl interrupted, brushing her black hair back behind her vibrant ginger ear, turning ever so slightly red under her fur at the wolfs self-narration, though judging by her frown, it was mostly annoyance. EC-Unlimited. Not Limited.

I raised my eyebrows slightly at the correction. Unlimited? This meant that the ball game was in a whole other kettle of fish.

What? Said the receptionist, bewildered.

A whole other kettle of fish, I thought to myself again. Rubbing my chin in the way that only looks good if you are, like myself, an ace detective. I turned back to the task at hand, taking in the way her nicely groomed fur complemented her dress and how the tail legging made her seem just slightly unattainable, and thus, more desirable than a jaffa-cake at a health food convention. Look, Miss

Anna, but its Ms Felis to you.

Ms Felis, Im here to see the boss, the big cheese, the head honcho, the one who holds the coffee break rights. I continued, smiling into her frown like it was the gates of Tarterus themselves. I demand to speak with Georgia Stahlmansche.

Do you have an appointment? Came the reply, short and to the point, like a- Look, please stop that! Anna said, jamming her pen into the holder in frustration, followed by a slight nod of everybody waiting to speak with her.

Uh not really. I replied, ignoring the last statement, after all, the narration was internalised, if they thought they could hear it they were dafter than an NPC starting a fight with SilverShadow.

To which the onlookers simply rolled their eyes.

Anna sighed, her freckled fur around her nose really exaggerating the cute expression of exasperation, and giving me more exes to work with in a sentence than a Vegas divorce court. Look, Mr Darkwolfe, you cant see her without an appointment, Miss Stahlmansche is a very busy woman after all.

I mused over this. I bet she was busy, after all she had too take time to really sit back and plan her evil. I could tell. Well then, Anna I smiled, tilting up my hat Perhaps you can help me?

I doubt anything outside of strong medication can help you She said, turning to her appointment book.

Do you have any? I asked with a grin.

Ms Felis stared at him, almost allowing herself a slight chuckle, he was wasting her valuable time and holding up people who could be important. But She had to admit, that grin was infectious. Look, She started, I can have an appointment arranged for you, and contact you as soon as possible, will that be okay?

I Stood straight, letting the breeze as somebody left through the door, in a huff deeper than a child denied candyfloss at a fair, catch my coat again. No. Im afraid that won't do, Ms Felis. That wont do at all. Look I leaned over the desk conspiratorially, We both know this place is dirty, you tell me everything and Ill make sure it looks good for you.

Piece off. Anna replied, bluntly. Go on, get the fluff out of here, or Ill call the police. Or even SONIC. Youre crazy enough.

This was going nowhere, I turned to the door, still milking my coat for all the swirling action it was worth, and strode out. But as I was one foot to freedom, I halted. Well played, Ms Felis, but you forgot one thing

Turning bright red beneath her fur, Anna scribbled something on a post-it note, screwed it up and tossed it at the wolf in the doorway. 8oclock, the Mystic Ruin Sushi Bar. Crossing her arms and blushing profusely, she then buried herself in her appointment book.

Placing the phone number in my pocket, leaving the building, I knew Id see Effective Cybertronics Limited again soonThats UNLimited!! Yet still I grinned to myself despite the fact I had no particular love for sushi, and strode off down the street, without a clue what to do next.

-

Just around the corner lurked SX, who had been listening to this through a simply placed microphone surveillance system, checked over for any liability by his contacts. He had been remembering everything said, and had come across two simultaneous thoughts.

Thought 1 was; Crimmy is the WORST detective ever.
Thought 2 was; how in the name of heck does he manage to pull that off?

Discretely packing up his equipment, SX returned to following his quarry.

Okay, straight up, that...was...awesome! The fact that I use that word to describe anything that I think is cool does not make its meaning any less as I apply it here. I really like how the whole self-narration was used, not only with the receptionist and how she reacted but including the other people in the background. It also reflects fairly well on the kind of employees that are there at ECU - they are competent and capable, though they have weaknesses which lets Stahlmansche take advantage of them if she needs to. They are still human, in the figurative sense that is. 😛

And an "XD" for the splendid execution of a well-placed gag with the Limited/Unlimited part of ECU! I have to wonder whether you always knew it was Unlimited or whether you were playing the joke off of real life experience, which in either case would be brilliant. It continues to underline the fact that Crimson is also human, again in the figurative sense, not to mention it re-emphasizes the humorous tone of the fic.

I lmao'd.