Trickster

Nicholas Patterson. Bartender at Tartarus. Trickster Demon.

[ru-moreau]

It wasn’t necessarily that she was annoyed with him, or his incredibly inconvenient way of reporting crimes, but it was that, by taking his place for calling in the body, she had just doomed herself to hours upon hours of paperwork, questioning, and the odd sleepless night. Cops didn’t get away with “finding” bodies that easy. Call it annoyance at the situation, but it was still annoyance. Besides, as he had already demonstrated, he probably didn’t want to nor would be able to sit through being interrogated. She said none of this, though, past another thin sigh, and let him believe what ever he liked about her. Came with the territory.

"I don’t know how you’d make that happen, but sure, deal."

[tricksternicholas]

"I have my ways," He smiled brightly. To him that just meant not contacting the police at all, and finding a non-questioning idiot to help him with his dirty work. She didn't need to know that. Still, he couldn't figure out why she wasn't trying to interrogate him more. With cops it was always 20 questions - sometimes playing multiple rounds. Sangren was full of odd people and unexplainable accidents...maybe she was someone who understood that.

"Is there a particular reason you're being super cool with all this? I mean, it's not like this is a traffic violation or something."

[andreashelfish]

…is there like a prank fight club? You’re a magician?

[tricksternicholas]

Magician? No. Far from it. Just an expert tactician. I'm not sure I'd call us a fight club...more like an ancient order of pranksters that would be super pissed if I revealed their secrets. The ghost of Abraham Lincoln would rise up and take away my license.

[ru-moreau]

His smirk is disarming, but Ru has long ago gotten over dark eyes and pretty smiles. Still. ”Make that number two on things I don’t hear admitted every day,” she says, pulling out her phone. “It doesn’t really work like that but…yeah, just…” She suddenly feels very tired, and she pulls the collar of her coat up around her neck before shifting the majority of her weight to one leg, subconsciously restless. “Just go. If you’re still around when anyone shows up, they’ll pull you in for questioning. And next time…don’t make a next time, alright?”

[tricksternicholas]

Nicholas was a bit put off by the fact she told him to 'just go'. The expression on her face said that she didn't really want to deal with him, and it was understandable. If more police showed up he would probably make things worse. The worst thing about being a compulsive liar was that sometimes you had to tell the truth - and when he did, it all came out. "Alright, fine. I'll let this one go. Can't guarantee there won't be a next time - but I'll make sure you aren't the one who shows up. Deal?"

[andreashelfish]

…that’s actually funny.

[tricksternicholas]

Like, that's your basic prank. There's a whole tiered system, but I'm not sure I'm allowed to talk about it. Magicians code or something.

[andreashelfish]

Um…I think I just meant I would have hid in a locker for so long fearing retaliation that I would have starved.

But they were normal people. They just liked to put pies in my chair and trip me and film me and stuff. So I don’t like pranks.

[tricksternicholas]

Yikes. What assholes. Those aren't even pranks, that's just cruel. Pranks are like, taking someones phone and changing all their contacts to names of presidents or something.

[ru-moreau]

"…Technically, both are criminal acts. Contaminating possible evidence. But I say tomato," -she stops and runs a hand through her hair before continuing. "Yeah. Never. Alright."

"A cop," she says, frowning down at her shoes, "Which I am." Something about his general distrust towards her ‘cop status’ rankles Ru, even after years of it being a common occurrence from everyone and their cat, but she tries not to let it show. Still, she mutters "pigeonholing" under her breath before straightening up, voice crisp. "So who’s going to call? You or I?"

[tricksternicholas]

"Well that's a shame 'cause I say tomato. But I guess if you're the law, you're probably right," He takes a step back and smirks.

"Can't you just call for back up or something?" Nicholas asks. "I would prefer not to. As you can plainly see, I'm not the best at convincing people I'm not guilty."

[andreashelfish]

I think I was too busy trying to be invisible to think about revenge. And I’m not that clever. And then they’d retaliate. And I would have died in a school locker.

[tricksternicholas]

...died? What kind of people went to your school?

[andreashelfish]

I’m not big on, like, pranks. Actually I don’t like them at all. I’ve been the target for enough, I’d rather go unnoticed completely at this point. Even if “no one knows it was me.”

[tricksternicholas]

Wouldn't you want revenge? Jeez, if I was pranked I'd get the person back. Especially if they did it multiple times. Make a really elaborate plan, and then strike when they least suspect.

[dreamy sigh] That's the best kind of prank.

[ru-moreau]

Now you do. Well, starting off by asking if anyone wants to “hide a body” is usually the easiest road to suspicion.

*winces* …Probably…for the best. I don’t- *sighs*…Do you always lead conversations like this?

[tricksternicholas]

Techically, I said 'move' not 'hide'. Huuge difference. One is keeping the streets clean and one is a criminal act which I have never done in my life.

...no. Except with cops. Which you are.

[ru-moreau]

Why didn’t you say that in the first place? If it’s a dead body you found, then you need to call the co-

*rubs temples* …I’m a cop. Alright, no- no, you’re not being interrogated. I don’t even want to know what you think an interrogation would be like. *rolls eyes* I am going to have to report this, though.

[tricksternicholas]

I didn't know what to do. I don't know what the standard protocol is for finding dead people. Everyone always assumes I killed 'em, but I swear on my life I've never killed anyone in-

...I'm gonna stop talking. I plead the fifth.

[andreashelfish]

I think I just don’t like messing with people. I try not to welcome trouble…and stuff like that.

[tricksternicholas]

Why not? It's fun. If you do it right, no one knows it was you. But you would, and it's a pretty good feeling.

[gunnardown]

Assuming? It’s an observation, mate. No sense in helping if I’m gonna be an accessory.  But if the body’s still there, I might be able to help. Won’t be ‘til later after the bar’s closed. 

[tricksternicholas]

Well if the body's not there, someone else moved it or he got up and walked away. I really hope he doesn't because out of all the weird shit that happens here, I don't wanna add zombie apocalypse to that list...

[ru-moreau]

I know what a body is, thank you. Look, I’m…still a cop. The implications, I can’t even begin-

Who even is it?

[tricksternicholas]

It's a bum behind my apartment...is this an interrogation? Should I get my lawyer?

[generaleigh]

'Cause carryin' around a body in the middle of the day is strolling probable cause. I like that deal, long as you're the type to keep your word. If you're not, you won't be the type to keep your teeth. 

[tricksternicholas]

Eh, details. I always feel more suspicious at night. And...yeah. I'll keep my word. For my teeths sake.

[tricksternicholas]

Sometimes people just die, and this guy happened to die in my ‘backyard’. Didn’t think that’d be news around here.

[francesxsmith]

Good point, dead people and this town go hand in hand. Does he look heavy? I’m not all that great at lifting heavy things.

[tricksternicholas]

He was pretty heavy. I couldn't move him myself, so I don't know how much help you'll be.

[tennismacinlouboutins]

You’re going to need bigger dreams than that Nicholas, or all you’ll ever do is get crushed. I’m sure there is something else we can chit chat about. 

[tricksternicholas]

Yeah, I guess you're right. I can always try and make friends the *normal* way.

What exactly do you do?

[andreashelfish]

Yeah, I’m very “look, don’t touch,” which is why I passed on that. But um, that’s good that you found help. No more…dead person stink.

[tricksternicholas]

To each their own I guess. I guess I'm kinda the same in that way; I prefer to mess with people from afar.