Dr. Valini Morse (valini_morse) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2013-08-21 17:33:00

Entry tags:

Meme: Horror Noir
It was a dark and stormy night, a solid downpour expected the smell of the air, and the grimiest corners of the city were doing their best to live up to expectations. There'd been a string of murders that the police were baffled but tight lipped over, and one victim's family had been driven to hiring a PI to get any answers.

Valini Morse, aka the Shrink, stepped out of the taxi to walk over to both the scene and her partner, scanning the corded off area. "Huh. Reminds me of my last break-up. Clingy bastard." With a sigh, she stuck her hands in her coat's pockets and looked over Lena's shoulder. "Whatcha got so far?"

Must contain: Silly agency name, ~~forensics, fighting evil,~~ fashionable trenchcoats and flowy scarves, ~~molotov cocktails~~, motorcycle chase and ~~seedy bar~~

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bio_nerd
2013-08-22 09:53 pm UTC (link)

"If it was half this messy, I don't want to know what the cleanup bill was." Cold, gloomy and a soaked-to-the-bone night, exactly the sort of night for murders of the grisly kind. If the red puddles in the pockmarked alley were any indication, tonight had certainly not disappointed.

Lena Jessen, aka The Specialist, what she was a specialist at, the layman couldn't explain, but she and The Shrink got results, that's what mattered. Whatever sort of science they used to catch the culprit, it was all about ask no questions you don't want to hear the answers to. Those ladies got into the minds of the nastiest bastards there ever were, some said they couldn't be much better than those they caught, others said they were one bad night in the lab away from it. But the truth was this was no cliche comic book origin story, they'd survived many a lab accident.

It was coffee withdrawal that'd have a chance of putting them over the edge.

"This isn't some CSI:Miami bullshit, rain washed away most of the usable stuff. Looking like blunt trauma to the head then a slit throat. Combining the classics, odd choice but you know how these sick minds work better than I do. Might be that this time the culprit might not have gotten to finish his Columbian necktie like he did for the others. I'll be able to tell you if I've got anything to run in a minute. Any non technical news come through on the other murdersk?"

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valini_morse
2013-08-25 01:12 pm UTC (link)

She smirked and lifted her eyebrow at the backhanded compliment. God knew they did get the job done, grisly as the means were. "Doing both means this wasn't a impulse kill or random mugging gone bad. Someone wanted to be sure of the outcome, giving us either copycat or the actual killer." Walking back out of the alley, she looked around at the street and the bustle. "The real killer would only do a half-assed job if interrupted, forced to flee prematurely. There might be a witness running around out there."

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bio_nerd
2013-08-27 09:12 am UTC (link)

"If it's a copycat doesn't help us with our current client, but if not...it's the first time this guy has slipped up enough that we may gave someone who saw something. I'll get to work on getting something from our new body here." She paused and wrinkled her nose at the throat gaping open. "Not as clean as the last few but still not exactly a hack job."

Oh black humour.

"See if the beat cops found anyone? If not guess you're doing their job for them...again."

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valini_morse
2013-08-28 12:25 am UTC (link)

"It was a botched job, but without the hesitation marks of a amateur," she mused out loud, mostly to collect her thoughts. Not a copycat, no, and who would have had these kind of details to replicate the style? Pointing fingers at the police for leaking would only make the job worse. "Don't want to call it before you do, but I think I'm going to go pound the pavement to find someone who startled our twisted artist." She smirked and tilted her head to the side. "Because we know the boys in blue won't be of much use with that, don't we?"

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bio_nerd
2013-09-01 07:47 pm UTC (link)

"Clearly done before they could start on the necktie part, that's a messy bit that'd be obvious if they even began. Looking like not a copycat, you're right. But the question is what's motivating our serial killer, and can we use it? Crazy and hit man don't require the same approach. Anyway, I'll see what I can get out of this, we are playing catch up here after all." Despite the grim weather and the dead body at her feet, Lena smirked back teasing her partner. "I suppose you have more charm than them, because it's your job to get them talking and it's either that or alcohol. And I left the flask at home tonight."

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valini_morse
2013-09-02 12:08 am UTC (link)

"It'd be nice if there was a 'Care and Handling' book for this one, just make it easier." Pacing the taped off section, there wasn't much of a trail to see from here. Lots of walking, good thing the nice shoes were at home. "What concerns me, is if he was interrupted, will he be satisfied with the outcome or reapply himself tonight?" she sighed and shook her head. "Thanks Lena, I'll keep you in the loop. And hey, some of us were blessed with assets and the brains to use them. Though if it gets to the plying them with liquor point, I might call you in for backup." She smirked and turned on her heel, heading out. "Lord knows, maybe you can drink them under the table I can cuff them there!"

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bio_nerd
2013-09-03 09:58 pm UTC (link)

"If it was a hit then I doubt they'd return. But obsessed enough crazy? Well...you tell me. Guess we'll find out either way." Lena rolled her eyes but smirked back. "It'll be a revolutionary new way of dealing with crime. Alcoholism on the other hand..." She waved at the other woman's retreating form and turned back to the body. "Meet back up in the lab for note comparison and the aforementioned alcohol if you so wish."

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At the Dank Lab

valini_morse
2013-09-08 05:52 pm UTC (link)

Val didn't stumble down the hallway, but there was a gravitational shift mid-step before she got to the right door for Lena's set up. Because of budget cuts or bad attitudes from the higher up, she had the worst possible lab ever created. The alchemists in the days of yore were probably better equipped and more high tech.

She walked in to find Lena working or cursing at the machine. "I hope you had better luck with your end. And coffee. Wasted all my informants and fifty bucks in drinks, they are either scared of the perp or completely blind."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

bio_nerd
2013-09-11 09:04 pm UTC (link)

It was very much like the weather outside, cold, wet, dark and with the sound of rain.

Okay that was the leak in the basement lab's ceiling...someone needed to fix that.

"I think I'd get farther if I manually centrifuged things rather than rely on this machine," she grumbled, glaring at the offending thing. "Should've gone into the private sector..."

She sighed and leaned against the lab bench as it creaked in protest. "But we do have coffee, if the machine hasn't kicked the bucket too. Absolutely nothing on your end, not even speculation? I have a few things but the rest of the evidence is still running."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

valini_morse
2013-09-13 12:27 am UTC (link)

"I saw a movie, the scientist would pedal a bike to spin the centrifuge," she offered, not at all helpful. She snorted and shook her head, rubbing her neck. "And give up to glamorous life of public service? Imagine all the stories you'd give up for mingling and parties." Because everyone loved hearing about desiccated bodies or dismemberment.

Coffee. She walked over to the dish drying station, picked up two mugs on the rack and faced the dying Beast. "I'll send a line to Timmy up at the Station's forensics, he's a genius with machines." Pouring the black life water, she sighed. "I'm getting the feeling, by the 'know-nothings' it's a he, a big he and he's bunking down in the northeast sector of the city."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

bio_nerd
2013-09-15 12:03 am UTC (link)

"Wonderful. I'll just go make that with the time I don't have and the bike I don't own," she sighed and rolled her eyes. "See, I tried using those stories but apparently most people don't consider that acceptable dinner conversation. Really cuts down how much I can answer for the 'How's work?' questions."

Lena took her seat and was more than happy to let Val get their caffeine fix. "Sounds about right from the angle of the hit to the back of the head and the cut. Well to add to the cliches, the whack from behind was a blunt object, no sharp edges, and yes, probably a bat. And yes, our killer was, ironic drumroll please...a lefty. If the machine there works, I might be able to get a comparison point for if we have a suspect. Because you know the backlog in the system means sending a request is pretty much like a message in a bottle, you never know if it'll get there. In the meantime...got an idea what our next step is? I've got an idea of one stop we should hit but that should hardly take up all our time."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

valini_morse
2013-09-15 04:11 pm UTC (link)

Valini smirked crookedly and nodded. "Whose mistress do I have to find cheating to get us some better equipment? The ones with easy cash flow would like us to not be that good at catching them." Snorting, she took a sip of the coffee. "No matter how many times I say that I'm a detective, somehow they always hear ''s secretary.' My revenge is pyschoanalyzing their love lifes or kinks right there at the table." She gave a smug and proud look, because stooping to others' level wasn't too bad.

"Oh that hand of darkness. Lefty narrows it down a little, I'll keep an eye on which arm the thugs wear their watch." She scrubbed her cheek and shook her head. "Pound the pavement. We can't find anything or anyone hiding down here. Except for a new strain of mold maybe." Snorting, she smirked. "Let's hit your idea before we have to start plying the middle bosses with booze."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

bio_nerd
2013-09-17 02:27 pm UTC (link)

"Everyone's. Preferably with each other." Lena took a sip of coffee and ended up snorting into her cup at the thought of Val as the sassy secretary around here. "Oh god the number of complaints we'd get about you if you were the secretary here. Nobody would get past the front desk. Though now I suppose I now know why you're not on the top of the dinner guest list."

"Hey, that mould being cultivated in that old beaker is worrisome! Well anyway, late at night, target was obviously followed, from where is the question. Cue the next cliche." She held up an evidence bag with a crumpled up cocktail napkin with a name on it. "Apparently our victim didn't empty his pockets, convenient. It's no matchbook, but it is a place to start."

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Re: At the Dank Lab

valini_morse
2013-09-18 07:16 pm UTC (link)

"I don't want that many pissed off arm-candies crying for my head, thank you. Death by clawed manicure." Val gave Lena a put-upon expression on her opinion as the secretary, even if she was of the same mindset about the situation. "Which means less time wasted; contrary to the name, those parties are a lot of bellyaching about business and exchanging catty gossip. Not even useful gossip."

She took the evidence bag to examine the napkin. "You can feel how soft the wetted parts are, so it's from tonight." Lifting an eyebrow, she waved it at Lena. "Feel like a Rob Roy and asking a lot of strangers personal questions? Two of us will make canvassing the bar easier."

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	Re: At the Dank Lab bio_nerd 2013-09-23 09:37 pm UTC (link)
	"Well next time one of those comes up, does this terribly dank and dark lab look preferable? If so, you can drive the bike-powered centrifuge we'll set up." A slow smirk spread across her face. "Oh Rob Roy will have nothing on us. Let's go, partner." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: At the Dank Lab

valini_morse
2013-09-24 05:41 pm UTC (link)

She snickered and put down the evidence, waving Lena's comment off. "I will totally swap night with you the next time one comes up. Even you'll be bored to tears and regret the waste of makeup." Laughing at Lena's enthusiasm, Val walked over to pick up her coat, feeling sober enough to go back into the breach once more. "Shrug off the labcoat and practice looking vapid and amazed at air floating by. We've got work to do."

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bio_nerd, 2013-09-24 09:23 pm UTC

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valini_morse, 2013-09-26 11:56 am UTC

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bio_nerd, 2013-09-27 12:38 am UTC

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valini_morse, 2013-09-28 01:24 am UTC

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bio_nerd, 2013-09-30 12:20 am UTC

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valini_morse, 2013-09-30 11:13 pm UTC

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bio_nerd, 2013-10-02 10:21 pm UTC

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valini_morse, 2013-10-04 12:40 am UTC

valini_morse
2013-10-04 12:36 am UTC (link)

The bar was smoky, as usual, and poorly lit, predictably, and seedier than a nursery convention. The singer was good, which was unfortunate as the patrons weren't the types to appreciate music. Valini had lost her jacket to look more appealing and was trying to not pass out from the breath of her current conversational partner. Too bad, he's was slightly on the right track.

She looked up to where Lena was sitting and tugged on her ear, signalling she was getting a nowhere. Hopefully Lena'd was doing better.

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bio_nerd
2013-10-07 06:01 am UTC (link)

Lena looked over, after having been flirting with the bartender, which had got her a free drink to nurse, and shrugged. Clear enough signal for the oh so comforting 'Meh'. All she'd gotten was that yes, their victim had been at the bar that night, but then again...so had a lot of people, and there was no way the bartender noticed anything more than 'guy was here'. Even cleavage only got you so far. Looks like they'd need to question new people.

"Apparently the guys at the booth at our 7 o'clock were there and in his general vicinity that night, but that's hardly much help," she said to Val amidst the din of the bar when her partner had finally managed to extract herself from conversation with the walking ad for breathmints.

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valini_morse
2013-10-08 02:03 pm UTC (link)

"Guys, plural, huh? Guess we don't have to flip a coin for the honor of the next round," she considered out loud and ordered another round of drinks for that specific table. "I say ply them with booze, ask questions until we get something good and if they get froggy, I have a badge in my pocket." They'd hopefully be too drunk to notice the name on said badge was too manly for her, but that was assuming they'd get so far. Picking up the fresh drinks, she put a smile on her face and sauntered on over. "Anyone sitting here, boys?"

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bio_nerd
2013-10-12 11:52 pm UTC (link)

Lena had ribbed Val enough over the name on that badge, all in good fun, though if anyone ever noticed she could back her partner up. People bought stories much more easily if your hem was a bit short. "At least it's better than that halloween badge we passed off as the real deal that one time," she smirked.

Lena followed Val's lead. The table would certainly appreciate more than one woman to oggle at, over free drinks on top of it. And it turned out true, they certainly weren't going to question their good luck, likely put it down to a crowded bar and them having extra room at the booth.

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valini_morse
2013-10-14 07:33 pm UTC (link)

"It's frightening how dense our fellow citizens can be," she agreed with a put-upon sigh.

The two giggled their thanks and started working the boys over, pretending to be from the slightly nicer side of town and wanting to get into this scene. Asking where were good places for certain foods or just drinks, what places were dives with no redemption and being ever so grateful for the guys' two cents. It helped polish egos and turn off brains, though Val still wished Lena could make some serum to inject into them to speed up the process.

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bio_nerd
2013-10-15 01:56 pm UTC (link)

It was a tedious performance in her opinion, and she always wanted to whack herself afterwards for doing it. But hey, a job was a job. Though they'd had that serum discussion, and a lengthy discussion over the logistics of how one would inject someone discreetly in a public place. Yes, that sick of all this. At least beer helped.

But the performance worked, and egos were at full inflation. Two pretty things hanging onto their every word and asking them advice like they were the foremost specialists in town? It was hard not to let it go to your head, and the beer certainly helped. Finally, Lena thought once they got to that point. I was near the point of gagging here.

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valini_morse
2013-10-17 12:18 am UTC (link)

"But don't go near Bleaker, especially after midnight."

"Yeah, especially not two ladies unescorted. Creeps hang around, creeps and worse."

Hello, thank you Saints of patience and cheap beer. Ignoring the irony of these two judging other leery men, Val widened her eyes in surprise. "That bad?" she asked and looked at Lena as if to put two and two together. "Wait, didn't those horrible murders happen near there? With the knives and everything?" The one closer to Lena nodded seriously. "That guy, you don't wanna meet up with him. Crazy fucker and he keeps slipping off before they get'im too."

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	bio_nerd 2013-10-18 03:27 pm UTC (link)
	Finally something. Cue the wide-eyed almost damsel in distress look. "If they know he's around there, how come he hasn't been caught?" Because if they were going to be catching this creep, she sure as hell wanted to know why nobody had already done their job for them. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

valini_morse
2013-10-19 08:48 pm UTC (link)

Their clueless informants leaned in close, looking around as if the guy'd jump them here and now for talking. "He's a freak, and not just in the murdering kind. Keeps to the shadows, hits anything in the shadows and then poof! Slips away. All the bars have their lights on stronger to keep him from coming in or involving them in his killings." Val resisted looking to the door, the lights out front did seem brighter than usual.

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