Third Deduction [Open]

[modernholmes]

 [The setting was an empty corner of an amusement park at night.  In the distance you can hear the tinny sounds of carousel music and the screams of happy roller coaster riders.  But here there was only a grassy lot, empty in the darkness.

And sitting in a shallow depression in the center of the room?  A tiny boy with blood running down one side of his face, dressed in clothes far too big for him.  His breathing is short and panicky, but he says nothing and makes no move to stand.]

Comments

[braidstobows]

[Homura isn't normally one for amusement parks, but somehow in her dream, she finds herself drawn to one. She goes on a few of the rides - mostly the ones known as wild or fast or strictly for daredevils - and doesn't seem very impressed by any of them.

After awhile, she's taken a break and wandered off the typical paths to look for somewhere out of the way. She can feel something in the air...

She sees a little boy instead of any threat. She steps towards him, concerned as she takes in the blood, the tears. She can't just leave some little boy like this.]

Are you alright? Are your parents here?

[modernholmes]

...Go away.

[braidstobows]

[Homura has endless experience with people rejecting her help. As such, it doesn't quite offend her or put her out, though she also doesn't go away just yet.]

You're hurt and alone. That's not a good situation. You should have some help. [And, she supposes, magical girls should help even in small things like this.]

[modernholmes]

I don't need any help. Go away. You don't want to be here when they come back.

[braidstobows]

[That's different, and for a moment Homura hesitates, brushing her hair out of her way almost as if ready to move already.]

Who are 'they'? [It couldn't be a demon after all, could it?]

[modernholmes]

That is my business.

[braidstobows]

In that case, I'll be going now.

[This is said as calmly as her offers of help, and Homura does indeed turn to go. It's no ploy to make him change his mind, but she also won't go far. She'll simply conceal herself nearby. If there is a chance of a demon appearing here, then she's exactly who wants to be here when 'they' get back.]

[modernholmes]

[At first nothing happens but the shadows slowly growing darker.]

[braidstobows]

[The normal progression of evening... or is it truly becoming dark? Doesn't matter, really; Homura stands firm and stays concealed, watching. Almost as if she's already planning to settle in for a long time, she folds her arms.]

[modernholmes]

[At long last he stands up and waits.]

[braidstobows]

[Something's happening, then. Homura looks to the sky first; is it a bit darker, or is she getting caught up in imagining things?

Then she watches Conan again. He's expecting someone, or something, to return to this spot. She unfolds her arms and makes light fists at her sides, preparing.]

[modernholmes]

All the color and sound seems to fade out of the world, save for the distant sound of the carousel]

[braidstobows]

[This is more and more like a brewing battle for a magical girl. Homura doesn't wait any longer. Unhurried and cautious, but purposefully, she creeps towards the carousel for a better look at what seems to be source, if it's the place where color and sound remain. She pushes her hair back out of her way.]

[howdoiairbend]

[Korra hasn't ever gone to an amusement park before--amusement parks as they are in Japan don't exist for her. So the park is new to her, and she's somehow found enough money to blow and soon gets caught up in the excitement. She exits the park this way, her arms loaded with stuffed toys and various other knickknacks, munching on cotton candy.

But she's the Avatar. And she can't simply ignore someone in trouble.

So the moment she sees the young boy, she drops everything and runs to his side. It's a good thing she still has her water pouch.]

Hey! What happened to you?

[modernholmes]

You shouldn't be here.

[howdoiairbend]

[Well, that's a shock.]

Why not? I'm trying to help.

[modernholmes]

A little late for that.

[howdoiairbend]

Shut up.

[She bends the water out of her pouch, maneuvering it so it's directly over what she's sure is the source of all the blood. Conan may feel somewhat less pained as she concentrates.]

[modernholmes]

[He ducks away.]

Leave me alone.

[howdoiairbend]

Wha--stay still!

[Huff. Stubborn, eh? Well, she's more stubborn than you are and has the bigger size here, kiddo.]

Come on, I can't help you if you do that!

[modernholmes]

I already said I don't want help. I have other things to do.

[howdoiairbend]

Like what?

[modernholmes]

My business.

[gardeningaia]

[ There's a rather ordinary-looking woman coming from the direction of the rollar coasters who stops short and kneels over the boy, her lips pursed in worry and confusion.

Not so ordinary is the wind that picks up in the small lot, stirring the blades of grass with a healing power to focus on her and the little boy. ]

Poor kid... what in the world could have happened?

[modernholmes]

[He shivers in pain, but doesn't say anything.]

[gardeningaia]

[ She lets the spell finish; see if the healing works, or has any power here. As she doesn't expect it to take care of things completely, she starts to gingerly brush aside his bangs, checking where the blood comes from. ]

[modernholmes]

[He ducks his head away, but not before the injury on the side of his head becomes visible., Near his hairline, a dark bruise and deep cut. As if he had been hit hard on the head by something.]

[gardeningaia]

[ Ah. That cut needs to be covered up, but the movement is something to note, too. ]

Are you awake? Don't be scared. We'll get that looked at.

[modernholmes]

I'm not scared. And I don't need help.

[His tone is blunt and acerbic. Not what you would expect from an injured child.]

[gardeningaia]

[ Surprised. Although brattiness isn't the most unusual response a child can make in that situation, so she's more surprised that he sounds as calm as he does. Still-- ]

Iiiii really don't think you're going anywhere on your own like that! [ Bleeding from the head, child. ]

[modernholmes]

I'll be fine.

[gardeningaia]

You're not even on your feet yet. [ THIS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR BEING "FINE" ]

[modernholmes]

[He scowls and makes a move to get to his feet.]

[gardeningaia]

Oh--!

[ Ooh we've got a feisty one here. Aerith reaches out her hands in case he stumbles, but doesn't quite touch. ]

[modernholmes]

[He sways from the dizziness as he stands up.]

[gardeningaia]

...You really don't seem all right. We should find the medical station.

[theinfamous1412]

[ This is new development. Also interesting development. Kaito may have just been content to follow the kid but that cut really looks like it could use some first aid. Somewhere- off in the distance he can see police cars flashing there lights but has he ever been unnerved by the police? ]

[ Kaitou Kid approaches and kneels down in front of Conan, looking him over closely. ]

Is there where it happened?

[modernholmes]

Aaa. [He doesn't look at Kid.] There's not much point in being here anymore.

[theinfamous1412]

That's a pretty nasty cut you've got there, detective. Care for some bandages?

[ He stands up and glances around to make sure no police officers are coming. ]

Nothing says you have to stay here. C'mon. We're too cool for amusement parks. [ He jerks his thumb in the direction of the exit. ]

[modernholmes]

[Normally he would never consider of this. But when faced with the possibility of spending the rest of the night staring at the place where his life as Kudo Shinichi had ended? Conan suddenly found himself seeing the appeal of the offer.]

...Fine.

[theinfamous1412]

[ He offers a hand to help him too his feet. ]

I won't ask questions. I get the feeling it's something you'd rather not relive-and that's a feeling I know only too well.

[modernholmes]

[He ignores the offered hand as he climbs to his feet.]

Good. Its best if everyone stays out of it.