February 15, 2025 • 43 mins
Read on AO3 here!
Pairing: Kirishima Eijirou x Bakugou Katsuki, Fandom: MHA, Rating TSummary: "Follow the life & times of investigative reporter Bakugou Katsuki as he gets to know adorable new hire Kirishima Eijirou and tries to get the scoop on the cutting edge vigilante hero that’s recently begun protecting their city from evil, the hero he named ‘Red Riot’…-
“Features, wow,” Kirishima smiled, wringing his hands together as Katsuki threw away the rest of the glass, “That gets kind of dangerous, right?”Katsuki felt his pride swell, “It can. Nothing I can’t handle.”“I bet,” Kirishima gave him a curious look Katsuki wanted to investigate further but before he could he heard the sound he’d been waiting to hear for over a week.The sudden, constant ringing of over half the phones in the office. Something was finally happening."
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Pairing: Kirishima Eijirou x Bakugou Katsuki, Fandom: MHA, Rating TSummary: "Follow the life & times of investigative reporter Bakugou Katsuki as he gets to know adorable new hire Kirishima Eijirou and tries to get the scoop on the cutting edge vigilante hero that’s recently begun protecting their city from evil, the hero he named ‘Red Riot’…-
“Features, wow,” Kirishima smiled, wringing his hands together as Katsuki threw away the rest of the glass, “That gets kind of dangerous, right?”Katsuki felt his pride swell, “It can. Nothing I can’t handle.”“I bet,” Kirishima gave him a curious look Katsuki wanted to investigate further but before he could he heard the sound he’d been waiting to hear for over a week.The sudden, constant ringing of over half the phones in the office. Something was finally happening."
Join the community on my patreon!
patreon.com/TherapizedBakugouPodfics
My Patreon has 2 Tiers:
TherapizedFriends $1, which gets you:
- Ad-free Episodes of TherapizedBakugou Podfics (SFW)
TherapizedBenefactors $5, which gets you:
- ad free episodes of TherapizedBakugou Podfics (SFW)
- EXCLUSIVE (and always ad free) episodes of TherapizedBakugou Podfics at Nite (NSFW podfics rated M-E) and a bonus exclusive episode from my docs never to be published anywhere else!
- Voting Power on which of my SFW fics to record next (Polls)
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, and welcome back to Therapist bakug pod fix. It's
me Therapist baku Go. So today we're doing the third
chapter of the Adventures of Red Ride Bachku Kotski. I'm
very excited about it. I also, by the way, I
do feel energy wise that I should be able to
(00:21):
do the extra episode containing chapter two of Pearl Diver
this month. Still Again, normally I only do two public
episodes for a month, but this time I hadn't remembered
that the quote unquote first chapter of Pearl Diver is
technically just like a little prologue, and so I was like,
(00:43):
I don't know, I don't feel like that needs to count.
It could count, and sometimes I have like small fixs
that count, but I'm just like, hmm, I think I
can probably do another one. So I think I will
be able to do that. But today, first and foremost,
I'm doing the one that I had planned, which is
the third chapter of the Adventures of Red Ride in
Bakugu Katski aka issue three Wanted Red Riot, which you know,
(01:06):
I'm at this point, I think, four chapters away from
the end, because the next one's coming out in the
next few days, and then they'll only be three chapters left,
and we're hitting like the climax of the story, like
one of the first climates of the story. The absolute
climax of the story is gonna come up obviously near
the end. I mean closer to the end. But yeah,
(01:28):
I hope everybody's been doing well. I but I'm hanging
in there. I'm hanging in their chronic illness stuff. Yeah,
I'm I'm just I'm I'm excited. I'm having a lot
of fun writing this. I'm having a lot of fun
(01:50):
with the weekly update schedule. Obviously, there's like if there,
if I need to, I will take like one week
off and then I come back. It's fine, but the
pretty much weekly upday schedule and stuff kind of makes
it feel like a really big book club. And it's
really nice. I feel like I have the nicest commenters
in the world. I really appreciate everybody blow us both
(02:13):
here on the podcast but also like on the actual fix.
I really appreciate the like seeing the way that people
like engage with it and the way that people think
about it is it's just so nice and it's motivating,
but it's also just like really lovely and it makes
me feel good. It makes me feel better. So many
many a time I will get a comment on a
(02:34):
pick and it will literally lift my whole day up
or even help it end on like a higher note
if it was like a tougher day. So and I'm
chronically ill, I have a lot of toughness, but yeah,
I just I really appreciate it. I'm definitely gonna say
that again, probably every time I do and Adventures read
Ride podcast. I don't know, but yeah, I really I
(02:58):
really appreciate everybody who's been engaging with it. I really
love the story. It's been so fun to do. It's
been really fun to play with comic tropes and also
like change the things and the tropes that I don't
usually love as much or that I wish it could
be a little bit different. So I'm having a lot
of fun picking and choosing what to like deliver straight
(03:20):
and what to like subvert. So I'm I'm really curious
how people are going to like the next chapter that
comes out on AO three, because it's it's a doozy
and I'll, you know, mind the updated tags so often
I don't necessarily always read the tags again every time
I do a next chapter of a podfic of like
something that's like multi chapter because by the time I
(03:43):
usually am recording these, they're already done. But this time
I'm recording something that's ongoing, so I will be updating
the tags because I've changed them. Technically, these tags are
as of the state of like chapter eight, and we're
just doing on chapter three. So these tags are not
necessarily going to be relevant for today's pod pick, but
(04:05):
you never know. So I hope you guys are doing well.
I hope everybody is vibing, you know, staying safe, staying
healthy as much as you can, and trying to you know,
rest up when you can, because sh it's exhausting. So
here we go. Rating is still teen and audience. The
(04:26):
rating won't change teen and up audiences. I figure that
the level of shit that could happen here. I'm like,
if you watched God Wins It from two thousand it
seusand three, right. I think the Spider Man movie with Toby,
the first one with Toby vir because I was like,
my I think that was my first superhero movie. I
(04:49):
don't know to be wrong either that or like the
original Fantastic Four movie, those who were like my first
superhero movies that I saw and I was like, fucking like,
I don't know. I was like, what's seven years old
or something? So when or eightish? You know, it's like
not even a teen. Oh the perks of having very
(05:14):
young parents. But yeah, uh, I figure if it would
like some stuff like the the level of whatever the
fuck that's in these in this story is about the
level of like what would have been in like a
superhero movie of that time, so like what would have
been in like Spider Man, or would have been in
the Fantastic Four. It's also very in my head. In
(05:39):
my head, this is kind of in an alternate universe
that is more along the lines of the two thousands,
because that is just the era that I grew up in,
as like you know, I was like born in ninety five,
so like I grew up in like as a preteen
(06:01):
and stuff in that time, and so to me, this
is just kind of the baseline of when I imagine things.
So that's kind of the the vibe and aesthetic we're
going for. I am making a little playlist for this
fig because it's fun. I will be sharing it in
(06:21):
the in the little summary part, like in the blurb
of the fick. Once it's done, I'll put the link
in there, and then when I have it done, i'll
probably put the link in the description for the podcast
down here below. It'll also be on Spotify, so I
will have that that in there. I'm trying not to
(06:42):
make it like too long. It's just going to be
some stuff that like fits to some moments I think
in my head or like it's kind of the vibe.
Not necessarily that you have to read it and listen
to it at the same time, so much as I'm
just like, this is the vibes of that I have
when I am when I am writing the different moments sometimes,
so I'm doing that right now. But yeah, okay, I
think I think that covers the preamble. So let's get
(07:05):
to the additional tags. So the total TEGs currently as
of chapter eight are more TEGs to come. I came
up with this three hours ago. Superman and Les lane
Au kind of superhero, red riot, quirkless, investigative reporter Baku
Kotski gonna have some like classic superhero comic levels of violence,
like villain fights, but not like gross which is super subjective,
(07:27):
I know, but like sorry, mainship is Curriybakhu. Might add
background ships. I don't know who, but it's always gay secret.
Another ship is by the way of revealing itself to
me as I was writing this next one. I didn't
plan it at all, but it has revealed itself to
me and you will see when we get to that chapter.
(07:49):
But mainship Carrie Baku, Secret Identities. My god, it's finally happening.
And using my BA contemporary American comic literature, there's a
real degree I have when I stand by it. Background Shinkami,
backround relationships, background Eraser Mike, mention of blood in the
context of superhero fights and injuries, Secret identity. You'd expect
a love triangle between Kuriakowsky and Red Riot, but it
(08:10):
won't go exactly how you think happy ending will come.
But it is a comic book story, so there's some
plot on the way to the happy ending. Also, the
happy ending will lead into a sequel. Weekly updates. Justice
for Cuminari. He was right and nobody believed him. Lmfao,
not that he knows he was right. Fun times in drama,
Brotherly rivals Deku and Bakugo. Sorry in the backstory, inco
(08:31):
passed away when Deco Deku was young. It's not gone
into detail, but it is like mentioned, you know, I
just want to be respectful getting together slight angste's appropriate
for a classic comic book, Sledge Villain free form. So
some stuff has been happening since the last tag update.
Huh okay? So Chapter three, Issue three Wanted, Red Riot, Katsky,
(08:58):
and Kiashima wrestle with the public opinion of red Riot
and their butting friendship. Beginning notes, there's a key smash.
I'm a few twenty four hours late, but I'd never
leave you hanging before Christmas. This chapter hopefully makes up
for the delay, since it's quite a bit bigger, and
now I'll try to plan accordingly for size see the
(09:19):
end chapter of Her Mornings. So are ready? Here we go?
Kotsky was having a morning TM. First, his cat Queenie,
had managed to successfully slap his phone alarm off with
her paw, so he'd woken up half an hour later
when she'd had enough of waiting for her usual five
am breakfast that she had postponed in the first place,
(09:40):
and then he'd been too late to beat the morning
rush to get coffee as usual place, and now this
this was, without a doubt, the worst part of his job. Mobs.
But Kotsky many had said before, isn't it good that
so many people read your work, that so many people
(10:02):
read it and have such a reaction to it. No,
he'd spat back, you fucking idiot, It's not good when
it leads to people directing all of their own frustrations
into a cause that's wholly unrelated to their actual feelings,
expressing themselves entirely in bigotry, and to top it all off,
living in the delusion that they have any right at
(10:23):
all to direct their bullshit at a hymn as if
he cared what they thought or whether they lived or
fucking died. The issue they'd printed the week before, containing
Kotsky's brilliant front news piece on the acceptance of future
superpowered people had the entire split. It had the entire
(10:44):
city split into not in halves, thank fuck. But the
smaller group against the acceptance of any people at a
different stage of evolution than they were was extremely vocal
and had taken to dan, you're camping outside the office
building and protest. Usually he came in earlier than almost
anyone else caffeinated and armed with a key to the
back entrance only accessible to their private parking lot. But
(11:05):
then usually his cat hadn't conveniently sat on his keys
as he was in a rush to get out the door.
The mob noticed him arriving, and while security tried their
best to keep them at physical bay, Katsky felt a
migraine blooming behind his eye at the sheer volume of
incoherent blathering mixed with the occasional very audible insult or
accusation as he narrowly avoided being jostled by the crowd,
(11:25):
pressing closer and closer as he pressed onwards rapidly. Suddenly
a solid weight knocked ever so slightly into his side,
and he turned with a snarl, ready to tear into
the ready to tear the perpetrator a new one. When
he stopped seeing wide red eyes and soft red hair.
Watch it almost fucking hates you, he called out, louder
(11:49):
than usual, as he continued to press through the narrow walkway.
Drew gave him an apologetic grimace and hurried alongside him. Sorry, sorry, gosh,
this is something else. Just at that moment, Kotski heard
one of the protesters behind him shout something, and he
turned to see them throw what looked like an empty
energy d can at Kiroshima, and without thinking, he lunched
(12:11):
past the red head, snatching it out of the air
with a choice expetive and lobbing it right back. He'd
been more than ready to let the momentum carry him
into punching distance. Would be the first time, by a
fucking long shot, wouldn't be the first time. When a
strong arm wrapped around his waist and he found himself
carried through the door into the sudden quiet of the lobby,
far faster than he would have expected anyone to be
(12:33):
able to do so, he blinked. He looked down to
see that he had been lifted against Kiroshima's shoulder and
would have been slung over it if not for his
own body tension. In the moment, Kiaoshima wasn't even out
of us, glancing back up at him like a puppy
that knew it had broken a rule of some sort
and was waiting to be admonished, and Kotsky would have too.
(12:54):
Was the thing, However, his brain was entirely consumed with
processing the ease with which Kiushima was not only still
holding on to him, but it scooped him up and
carried him out of the mob, So all that managed
to come out of his mouth was the fuck, sorry, sorry,
I didn't want you to get in trouble, I especially
(13:16):
not trying to protect me, which is so manly by
the way. Kiaoshima bit his lip as he looked up
at him with those big round eyes, and Kotski felt
his residual angers his allowed as the verdict came through
Kiroshima was simply way too hot for him to be
upset at real as fuck. Still, the two seemed stuck
in a stalemate of sorts for a second, staring at
(13:38):
each other in surprise and wary expectation, until Kotski cleared
his throat to speak, and to speak, only to be
interrupted by a familiar drawl. Not to break up this
hr violation waiting to happen, But I need you with me,
bak Ago now as all walked past them from the
back entrance, and Kashima immediately set Kaski down and steppedway
(13:59):
from him, half covering his face in his hands as
he stammered at another apology. Baka glared after his boss,
an interim editor. I'll show you a fucking HR violation
you He turned back to face kioShiMa, who was staring
at him with a look of pure mortification. That was hot,
But if you pull me away from a fight again,
I'll be pissed. Got it, Uh, Trouble's part of the
(14:22):
job description. You're gonna have to get used to that,
especially around me. Katsky flashed him a selfishirt grin. If
you're sticking around that is, you're getting me coffee black,
no sugar large, and within the next two hours, Kotsky
dusted himself off and tossed the red head another glance
as he stalked over to the elevators after Isawa, leaving
Kiroshima standing in the lobby, mortification clearly turning into positive surprise.
(14:45):
Then we can talk. He didn't wait for Kishima's response,
nerves tingling from the thrill he always got from settling
into his element aggressive confidence, and he managed to just
barely slip into the same elevator as Isawa, who let
out a long, suffering bread Yes, how's that for an
HR violation? He crossed his arms smugly. I miss when
(15:08):
you were an intern. I could stick in the mailroom
for hours when you misbehaved, as always, said bluntly, and
Bacca Go snorted. So it's urgent, he asked, pressing the
button for their floor. There was a string of robberies
ten minutes ago, all across town at the same time.
He's back. Kotsky's eyes wide. Is there footage? Did we
(15:30):
get a tipper? We got a tip from a connection
that works in one of the banks. She'll be here
in twenty minutes with a copy of the security footage
for her bank. The rest are being transported over shortly after.
This is your top priority today and no. The elevator dinged,
and I saw a stepped out before Kotski, pausing briefly
on his way directly to his office. Red Rye wasn't
(15:52):
there again. The robberies are sudden and lasted all of
ten minutes. The robberies were sudden and last at all
of ten minutes total. Unless super speed is one of
his talents, he had no chance. Kotski let his boss
go without any further questions and hurried to the conference room.
Or he knew the connection would be sent to meet.
Whether he knew the connection would be sent to meet
(16:12):
him and began preparing with a fire lit under him.
Red White, Oh my god, help, said Red Wyatt. Red
Riot wasn't there, Okay, sorry, wrong line. Red Riot would
come through. He'd figure something out. I don't know what's
(16:36):
funny to me. He'd figure something out. He could feel it.
Until then, Kotsky had a job to do. Going through
footage second by second, noting each action's timestamp and location,
plotting each second out on the printed out maps covering
his cubicle walls might sound a bit tedious. It might
(16:57):
sound a bit unnecessarily anal in fact, unless you were
Boka Yukotsky. The devil was always in the details. His
father had always set that to him growing up, still
did as a matter of fact. He was the person
Kotsky credited for his methodology as an investigative reporter, in
collaboration with his mother. Of course, from her, he had
(17:18):
learned to be fearless, to run headfirst into a story
and never hesitate when it mattered that. His father had
taught him how to slow down in the most crucial moments,
how to zoom in and see what other people often missed,
how to combine meticulousness with bravery in a way he
had by now honed into an art. This bank robber,
a teleporter with a pensiant for high security vaults and
(17:41):
shiny things that belonged to him, had been poking it,
popping up now and then for a few months, but
he hadn't made any hits to their city in the
last three weeks, leading everyone to mostly believe he had
just skipped town. Apparently not, Kotsky mumbled as he rewound
the footage in his computer again, marking down another note
on one of the blueprints on his wall and jotting
(18:04):
down some numbers beside it. Kotsky blinked before squinting at
the second location security footage and rewinding at five seconds
then ten, he hit play pen, hovering over the marks
he'd made on his printouts before he was reaching once
again around his cubicle divider to steal office supplies from Saro,
this time a ruler. An exaggerated sigh was all he
(18:24):
heard from the other man, and he decided to pretend
not to notice Sarah reach over and steal one of
the many granola bars Katski always kept on his desk
in return, because he was onto something he connected three
dots at a time, always skipping one, finishing but coming
back to it before lifting the pen and following the
same pattern again in another direction, and then another. He
jostled his desk. He jostled his desk. He lunched so
(18:47):
fast he hit play on the next file of security footage,
doing the same with the next notation once, then again,
and again in the same pattern. Pen scraping so enthusiastically
against the paper, he felt momentarily exceptionally aware of the
structural limitations of his cubicle. He took a step back
to look at his work before bending down to scribble
down the numbers X minus three intervals, Sorry, not minus
(19:08):
x three x three minute intervals? Why five second intervals?
Why is why one two three hy three is half
of one and two hy one and y two. This
is gonna be so hard to say five second intervals.
C Z one, Z two, Z three, Z three is
half z one between z two. There's a fucking pattern,
(19:32):
he shouted, startling everyone in his immediate vicinity. After each
big jump to a new bank, the teleporter could only
teleport within a ten foot radius, seemingly in any direction
for three minutes, and he aded five seconds between the
smaller jumps to recharge, but every third jump always landed
in the exact middle between the previous two jumps, which
(19:52):
was a pattern that continued until three minutes were up,
by which time he'd appear in another bank and the
cycle would start over. It would be near impossible red
Riode to notice these patterns in person, even if he
happened to be there, but if he knew the pattern,
he would much more likely be able to catch the guy.
Baccago just had to tell him that somehow, even though
(20:13):
they've never met, without the villain finding out that they're
onto him, and while they still have no idea if
or when he'll strike again or where. Kotsky sworn kicked
his chair in frustration. Good flock today. He ran his
(20:34):
hands through his hair and closed his eyes. Bad time
for a coffee delivery. A voice that was slowly growing
familiar chimed in, and Kotsky opened his eyes, turning to
see ra Kiroshima holding two cups of coffee in hand
and a bag from the nearest cafe. You seem pretty busy.
I can just leave this. No, I've just hit a
(20:56):
really really stupid wall. Actually stick around for a few
eye candy, he quipped as he accepted the coffee cup
Karashuma held out to him, enjoying the blush that dusted
Kiashima's noise boy, kioShiMa laughed, You sure are serious about
stacking up those HR violations. Huh. I can't stay long. Actually,
(21:16):
I have to update tomorrow's forecasts. Unexpected pressure change popped up,
probably from that teleporter that's been on the news. He
gave Kotsky a tired smile. If it weren't so frustrating,
I'd be tempted to forgive him on the basis of
this being meteorologically interesting as hell. What the fuck does
he have to do with the fucking weather? Kotsky frowned
in confusion, and much to his internal delight, Kishuma perked up, Oh, well,
(21:41):
if you really want to know, I guess I can. Quickly,
he pulled out his phone, and Konsky saw a bunch
of weather maps in a software he didn't recognize as
they rippled across the screen. It's because of the space
he leaves behind every jump, and the space he pushes
into every time too, especially when compounded with a growing
pile of lute. Honestly, I can't tell if he doesn't
take hostages because his power doesn't work on other humans,
(22:02):
or because he doesn't need to because if it works
on other humans, he could theoretically kidnap everyone. And I
don't know, maybe ten fifteen foot radius judging by the
rapid changes and air pressure in the area. Anyway, you'd
be surprised how much air pressure affects the weather, and
vice versa. Having some massively lit having some massively disruptive
influence like that can really mess with people. So I
(22:22):
have to make sure to update the anticipated changes resulting
from this morning. He finished and his bread and his
blush spread across his cheeks as he took in Kotsky's
blatantly impressed he hair. God, damn, you really are the
whole package, aren't you. Makugo Chistima laughed, God, you're too
good at that. I'm starting to feel hazed to do
this to every new hire. I've worked here maybe two
(22:46):
weeks less than he has, and I'm ninety percent sure
he has no idea what my full name is. Sarah
piped up from his cubicle, and Kotsky lobbed the stolen
ruler back over the partition and smiled and heard it
connect with its target. Maybe you're just special weather boy.
Here's you must seem to be, trying to keep from
blushing more, suddenly remembering the bag in his hands, Oh,
(23:06):
I got you a snack too, Come, And I said,
you don't always take lunch, and you just snack throughout
the day, so I thought maybe this would be good.
Kosky accepted the Kotsky accepted the bag with a thoughtful
hum and opened it to find the tongue cut sandwich
and a melon pun It immediately fell the stomach, quietly
rumble at the site. It's great. Thanks. He took out
the sandwich and tried not to moan at the first bite. God,
(23:27):
this kind of number crunching in details stood being made
him hungry before you go, Yeah, here's you may tilted
his head curiously. I'm showing you around the city today,
considered a welcome gift. Whatever toury you've gotten so far
is going to get blown out of the fucking water.
Oh oh oh yeah, sure that sure thing. I get
(23:52):
off at a five, Sam as you probably. His phone
began buzzing in his pocket, and he quickly silenced it. Sorry, sorry,
I gotta go and en try the food. Kotsky watched
the satisfied smile as the redhead rushed away, sitting down
and spinning to face his desk again, mood immediately peeking
into frustration. I get all right, fuck this shit. Well,
(24:19):
one mystery solved, time for the next one. Hours later,
Kotsky managed to figure out that the banks were at
a set calculable and therefore predictable distance from each other
in every cluster of robberies, but he was no closer
to being able to communicate this to anyone without risk
of forcing the robber to escalate, not to mention, he'd
(24:40):
still need to know what the first banking next plan
to hit was. By the time it was five pm,
Kotsky had to be reminded by k media texts several
times that life didn't stop for his job, no matter
how obsessive he got. Luckily, the thought of Kiushima's warm
smile was a pretty good lure away from his increasingly
frustrating issues. As he stepped out at the elevator to
a still empty life, glancing at his watch to confirm
(25:02):
he was indeed still a few minutes early thanks to Kamie,
but he wouldn't taller that. Hey man, I hope you
weren't waiting long. Karashima jogged up, glasses back on and
sliding down to the bridge of his nose. Navy blue
bomber jacket half tugged on over his button up shirt,
and a few stray hairs more than usual escaping from
the usual bun around his face. Katsky felt a bit
(25:24):
like he'd been hit by a truck. I just got here,
he shook his head. This is not a date, he
had remind himself. This is technically not a date. Right, No,
it wasn't a date. It wasn't a date, but didn't
mean he couldn't enjoy the view though. He gave Kiaoshum
an appreciative once over and enjoyed the way Kiaoshimus seemed
(25:46):
to glow under the golden lobby lights and Kowsky's attention.
So we're two first, Kiaoshima pulled his jacket the rest
of the way up and pushed his glasses up as well.
First food, the best place you'll ever eat in your life.
I could go let them out the back exit and
cut through the nearest alley, kioShiMa following close behind. Wait,
you're not a vegetarian or something. Are you absolutely not?
(26:10):
Kiashima smiled, and Kotsky caught that sharp glint of his
canines again. Carnivore all away, man, Okay, great, because this
place is Greek, and if you try to subsidute anything,
I think I'd get bland for life, banned for life. Jesus.
The way to this hole in the wall restaurant was
a bit contrived, but Kotsky liked that about it being
a bit of the beaten path of the main streets
(26:32):
meant no longer tourist lines getting between him and the
only man he's ever allowed to raise his voice at him.
The headshift costa Kiaroshima kept pace easily, long legs, making
up for the disadvantage of not knowing the way. Oh
my god, do the smell this has happened. I feel
like I'm about to float away in a cloud of
the smell. And I wouldn't even mind. Kishima moaned as
(26:53):
they approached, and Koski couldn't blame him. The snackt Kishima
and brought him earlier had probably been the only thing
standing between a peaceful evening and Katski taking a bite
out of Sara's desk. By the end of his shift. Thanks,
by the way for the food you brought. Kotski glanced
over at Kishima as they walked, saved to tape pace's
life tap, Sarah, you didn't have any Oh no, I
(27:15):
ate it, and if I hadn't, I might have killed him.
It would have been tragic for someone, I'm sure, but
he has this habit near the end of the day
of clicking his elbow joints every few minutes. And if
I'm in the wrong mood, Kotsky tiled off for the shrug,
things can get dicey. What can I say? Good to know?
Kishima smiled. So I guess it's for the common good
(27:36):
if I get you snacks more often, snacks, lunch, dinner, breakfast,
Kotski teased before leaving a sputter and Kishima behind to
order and pay for two gottospuns today. Though I've got dinner.
Consider it part of the welcome packet, he said, as
he returned, handing one to Kiashima, who, upon thanking him,
dug in immediately looking down at Kotski with wide excited eyes.
(28:00):
Holy fuck, yep, this is yep, satisfied that Kiaoshima was
clearly enjoying himself. Katski gestured to the head with a
head nod to the other man for them to keep walking.
Now up some narrow stairs around the corner that led
to a higher, straight, higher side street. Come on tours,
not over yet, there's a dog park nearby. Never seen
(28:20):
any dogs there, but the view over the city's great.
It's just around the corner up here, he explained, after
tucking into his own giro spun, relishing the caramelized onions
and spiced meat after a long frustrating day, just as
he soon found himself sitting on the park bench next
to Kiroshima. Me is ever so slightly touching as they
ate in comfortable silence, barring the occasional compliment to the
(28:42):
food and view from Kiroshima. Man, this is just what
I needed, Kiaoshima signed, after finishing his food, bawling up
his napkin and making a pretty perfect basket into the
nearby trash can. Kotsky nodded, weather shit tough today because
of that teleporter. Kiyoshi let out a strange laugh, but
Cotskay didn't prab, at least not yet. Yeah, yeah, he's
(29:06):
just messing everything up. I guess it was bad enough
when I thought he just left he bit his lip,
I mean, because he was probably messing things up for
another city and another meteorologist, and that would suck. But
now he is back, and I can't warn people, you know,
(29:27):
ahead of time, never know where he's gonna appear. Yeah,
Kotsky side, I hear that. I wish somebody would just
catch the guy already, two bad red rides, never gotten
a chance, huh, kishimah half don't exasperated breath and Cosky frowned. Well,
(29:47):
he can't be everywhere. It's probably not helping the city
to accept him, though, is it. He's only been here
a little while, and he's already met his match. Kot's
getting narrowed his eyes and raised an eyebrow. Not catching
one bank robber who hasn't even hurt anyone yet, is
not making or breaking shit for him here, Karoshi mus shrugged.
But the mobil of a field day though, if he
(30:09):
keeps up. The mob is made of bigot e of
fucking bigoted idiots. They'd have a field day for Redwright
sneezed in public. Okay, they're pathetic, probably just ignorant. Karaoshimus shrugged, seemingly,
seeming uncharacteristically down, and Kotsky pursed his lips, clicking his teeth.
Something else seemed to be weighing on him that he
(30:31):
clearly wasn't ready to share. Kotsky was well familiar, far
more than he hadmit out loud with misplaced emotions. Now
in his early thirties, he'd figured out some better ways
of processing shit, but it was still tough. He knew that,
regardless of whatever was bothering Karoshima, though he couldn't let
such a flimsy excuse stand. Nope, I don't think so.
(30:52):
Ignorance can make you have a fucking inside thought that
isn't great, and it can't the fucking inside thought that
isn't great. It can make you say something stupid, it
doesn't make you line up outside someone's fucking place of
work to attack them. He tried to meet Kiashima's eye,
but the other man was looking at his hands. Hey.
He cleared his throat and forced himself not to fid you,
(31:13):
and Karashima glanced over at him. Nobody deserves to be
treated that way for any reason, got it? Yeah? Yeah,
Kiaoshima side. Maybe they're just afraid of him. I mean,
what the fear of the unknown? Bullshit? Red Rye has
(31:34):
done nothing but save people since he showed up. Being
an asshole because you're afraid just makes you a dick.
Somebody at work, even Karoshima a hard time. Kotsky wondered,
Kishima was pretty big. He made an inshumidating figure. He
supposed if you were a fucking Williss. Maybe that had
been a problem in his last job. He never talked
about it, and there was no public info on it
online his lack of socials. Cosket did his best to
(31:57):
keep his expression from turning sour at the thought of
any when making Kashima feel bad about anything, much less
something he couldn't very well control and shouldn't be a
determining factor anyway. No, I mean, Karashima paused before saying
an acquiet of voice, It's not the most confusing thing
in the world to see someone who looks like like
(32:18):
Red Riot and be afraid. His voice chiled off, and
Kosky shifted to make full eye contact with Kiroshima, fixing
him with an unwavering gaze. Anyone who's seen a Red
Riot and not been more impressed than any other fucking
emotion is a fucking pussy and an idiot. He clicked
his tongue and rolled his eyes. He's big, strong, brave
(32:42):
as hell for coming to a new place to help.
Clearly very passionate. If they were or weren't talking about
Red Riot, Kotski is no longer very sure, but the
sentiment is close enough. What's there to be fucking afraid of?
Sounds badass as hell. For some reason Kotsky couldn't quite explain,
He felt himself suddenly under the weight of Kiroshima's own
(33:02):
intense gaze, staring at him like he was something altogether
new to Kiroshima's universe, a welcoming disturbance. The Redhead seemed
genuinely captivated by. Kotski couldn't deny, at least to himself,
that he felt much the same. There was something about
Kiashima that simbred beneath his deceptively smooth surface, and it
wasn't just the investigative reporter in him that made Kotsky
(33:23):
itch to find out what it was. There was just
waiting to be tapped into a passion in Kiroshima that
Kotski wasn't convinced couldn't give the Sun a run for
its money, much like the smile that was growing on
his face. Now here's something else, you know that? Like okay,
okay that? How do you know he didn't grow up here?
Do you know the guy or something? Kiroshima laughed, and
(33:46):
Kotski shook his head internally, very pleased that Kiushima had
pricked up again. No, anyone who's from here would have
noticed if they ever paid attention when he shows up anywhere.
I saw him heading towards a villain fight a few times.
He's always running full speed and avoiding everyone as much
as possible. But he doesn't know any of the shortcuts
around here. They're super obvious to everyone to grow up
here because we use them all the time. Only tourists
(34:07):
and newbies stick to the main streets, Kotsky explained, relishing
the growing off of Adro's expression shortcuts. I never would
have known that, well, how would I? I guess he
smiled cheapishly. I suppose being obviously not from here isn't
helping him with the whole public opinion thing, though, is it?
(34:27):
Kotsi shrugged. It's not as bad as it seems. Assholes
are always allowed as fuck, they're not the majority. As
for being an outsider, you're an outsider. Doesn't stop me
from talking to you, does it? He trailed off as
something clicked into place that he'd been mulding over since
his reason article. Fuck, he swore, suddenly startling here, she meant,
(34:48):
sitting straight and looking around quickly, as if scanning for
some unseen threat. What was that? Baka, go shit, No,
it's it's nothing. It's just ugh, I need to get
a message to riot. Kiashima's eyes widened. What why? And
then both of their phones went off. They reached for them,
and Kotsky spoke, First, the teleporter is in Mizohoa Bank.
(35:10):
That means he's gonna hit He taps some numbers into
his phone, and then open the maps up Rizona on
Maine in three minutes, and then the japan Post Bank
on Takashida in six minutes. And that bank's just across
the street. What How do you know that Kiaraoshima's eyes
were so wide? Kotsky would have found it indeary if
he wasn't so consumed by this new discovery. It's how
his power works at triangulies. It doesn't matter you figured
(35:31):
out how his power works. I have to. I'm sorry
to cut the short, but I gotta go. If I'm lucky,
I can warn the bank, we'll finish this tour another time.
Kotsky was already throwing over his shoulder as he took
off running for the last bank, leaving Kirishima was staring
at him for a moment in shock and awe before
rushing off into a nearby alley. Right, our eat doesn't
talk to anyone, Kotsky thought, But there's no reason to
(35:51):
think he couldn't talk. He was fairly certain, and it
looked like he'd spoken to villains he fought, and he
didn't never really speak to the public or to the
people he saved, and that would go a long long
way to garnering public support. And if Koski ever managed
to talk to him personally, well, that would be a
nice bonus, wouldn't it. Either way, The main mission now
(36:13):
was warning the bank and clearing it of civilians. Koski
pushed himself through on even faster muscles and his legs
burning from the lack of stretching before end, as he
rushed towards the bank, bursting through the doors the tailport
is coming. Everybody out. Shit fuck. He dodged several immediately
panicking civilians who bolted for the door, fishing in his
pockets for his press badge, before mentally cursing as he
(36:33):
remembered this morning, he didn't have it on him, his keys,
none of it. Suddenly there was an immense pressure in
his head, like a storm was brewing and twisting his
brain in a slow vice. It only lasted for a moment,
but there was enough. It was enough for everyone to
immediately believe him, and split between running for the doors
and crouching down to hide, while Kotski stuck. While Koski
(36:53):
stuck standing near the door, looking around the bank, frank
frantically the taileporter was likely in the vault, now meant
the next he jump up to this floor around the counters.
A thunder and crash broke his attention as Red Riot,
in all his jagged clifflike glory, entered through the window
at the opposite side of the bank, clearly scanning as
well as clearly scanning the bank as well as just
(37:17):
clearly scanning the bank as well, Just as right in
front of him, the teleporter appeared. Red Riot roared, lunging
and missing him by just a breath as he appeared
at a different spot, but Cotscape been waiting next to
the third cabinet. He's been to jump there next, he shouted,
as both the teleporter and Red Riots seemed to notice
him at the same time. Just as the teleporter flickered
out of existence without hesitation, Red Riot jumped to the
(37:40):
spot Kotskay pointed out, and as the teleporter reappeared, Riot
knocked him out in one punch, bags of money spilling
all around him. The bank erupted in cheers, startling Red Riote,
who rushed out to the back of a bank as
he heard sirens approaching. While the rest of the civilians
cleared the bank, Kotsky ran to the back in pursuit
of the hero Riot. He yelled out as he ran
(38:01):
back into the open exit. As he ran out the
open back exit into an empty alley, a rustle of
trash cans alerted him to movement on his left, and
he spun around to see Red Riot towering over a
group of them. Expression hard to read as ever, but
giving Kotsky almost a guilty vibe, and Kotsky caught him
doing something he wasn't supposed to do. He didn't run
or discourage Kotskin anyway, So Kotsky stepped forward carefully, becoming
(38:25):
more and more aware of the reality that this becoming
more and more aware of the reality that was Red Riot.
With the spikes Kotsky still figured were supposed to be
his hair, he reached over seven feet in height, though
without it he would have placed him at about six
foot five maybe seven inches. His teeth were jagged fangs
(38:49):
that seemed to come up from a mouth as hard
as they were, and every inch of skin Kotsk he
could see down his fingertips was covered in the rough,
sharp edges. He decided to dive right in while he
had this fleeting op unity. Why don't you talk more?
Does it hurt? He asked? Red Ride tilted his head
at Kotsky thoughtfully before blinking twice. No, then, why I
(39:14):
don't want to scare anyone. Kotsky's breath stuck in his
throat for a second as he heard Red Ride's voice
for the first time. It's distorted, but understandable, as if
someone were layering the grinding of gravel and slate rock
on top of an unnaturally deep voice. It wasn't scary
even in combination of the rest of his look. He thought,
(39:36):
just different. Different but still warm, still obviously concerned, still
a tad self conscious, even Kotsky would wager, still human.
He shook his head, knowing he'd only have precious moments
left to talk before Red Ride had to leave. You
need to talk. People need to be able to know
you care or feel anything at all for them inside.
(39:59):
I know you do, Kotsky felt. He rushed to his
cheeks as a surprising vulnerability in his claim. Really didn't
know anything, but it was his intuition, got feeling that
shit that made him a good reporter, but didn't translate
well person to person. Red Riots seemed momentarily stunned before
something Kotsky couldn't hear tore his attention away from the blonde,
and he tensed, pausing a moment. Turning to Kotsky one
(40:21):
last time, his eyes seemed to glow red in the
fading light of the sky, Every crevice, every jagged contour
of his body lit up by the red setting sun.
Kotsky held his gaze unflinchingly. Thanks for the tip, gotta go,
and with that he snatched something from behind one of
(40:41):
the trash cans faster than Kotsky could see in the dark,
and took off running. Kotsky stood in the back street,
sweat from his own run, cooling and sticking to his skin.
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off quickly, he pulled
out his phone and began typing as fast as he
could notes of the quick showdown his analysis earlier in
the day, adding a note about how he had felt
change in barimetric pressure when the tailport had arrived. Putting
(41:03):
a placeholder so his article could link to Kiashima's, he
left out this one. He left out his one on
one encounter with red Riot, deciding it wasn't necessary for
anyone else to know. Not to mention he had a
feeling such a private figure as red Riot would probably
appreciate it. Oh Kyoshima, Kosky groaned as he pressed his
(41:25):
palms to the eyes. He just left him there. Sure
Kishima was reported to he knew how this sort of
thing could go. He'd likely at least professionally understand. Personally, however,
he sighed as he made his way around to the
front of the bank again to collect quotes and statements,
thanking his past sell for opting for a time defeeder
for Queeny, knowing she'd always be fed and taking care of,
(41:47):
even on long workdays, though she'd be undoubtedly grouchy about
the delay in her evening's cuddle. From the sound of
chatter and excitement still around the blank, Koski felt in
his bones it would be a while until he showered
and was comfortable in his bed again, especially given that
he'd have to hope his spare key was where he
remembered hiding it, several streets away in a similar alley
(42:08):
to the one he just left. Red Riot took over
the cup, took to the cover of darkness to let
his hardening ripple off of his skin, shrinking ever so
slightly as his hair fell, now limped to his shoulders,
closed in his hands, slightly torn from the emergency getaway,
but still good enough to get home, and he let
it a deep breath of relief as he quickly dressed
and pulled his hair into a quick bun. He'd done it,
(42:29):
He'd gotten the teleporter, who was surely now in custody
with power canceling handcuffs, and he managed to face Katski
somewhat as Red Ryot without the blonde, becoming any the
wiser at least for now, and notes Happy holidays. Everyone
comments give me a line. Thanks for reading. Okay, I
really hope you could hear it, but my stomach started
(42:50):
growling the last half, especially when I was describing the food.
I tortured myself. I swear to God, I can't have
that food anymore. Oh my God, but I miss and
I think about it. I'm gonna go make myself some food.
You should probably check out with yourself if you need
to get some food. If you can, you should probably
(43:10):
get a snack or something. Definitely, drink some water. I'm
gonna drink some water. I'm gonna make some food and
eat some food. I'm gonna chill out, and in the
next few days, hopefully I will be recording the Extra
Pearl Diver episode. All right, stay safe, take care of yourselves,
wear a mask, be kind. See you guys next time.
Hi, and welcome back to Therapist bakug pod fix. It's
me Therapist baku Go. So today we're doing the third
chapter of the Adventures of Red Ride Bachku Kotski. I'm
very excited about it. I also, by the way, I
do feel energy wise that I should be able to
(00:21):
do the extra episode containing chapter two of Pearl Diver
this month. Still Again, normally I only do two public
episodes for a month, but this time I hadn't remembered
that the quote unquote first chapter of Pearl Diver is
technically just like a little prologue, and so I was like,
(00:43):
I don't know, I don't feel like that needs to count.
It could count, and sometimes I have like small fixs
that count, but I'm just like, hmm, I think I
can probably do another one. So I think I will
be able to do that. But today, first and foremost,
I'm doing the one that I had planned, which is
the third chapter of the Adventures of Red Ride in
Bakugu Katski aka issue three Wanted Red Riot, which you know,
(01:06):
I'm at this point, I think, four chapters away from
the end, because the next one's coming out in the
next few days, and then they'll only be three chapters left,
and we're hitting like the climax of the story, like
one of the first climates of the story. The absolute
climax of the story is gonna come up obviously near
the end. I mean closer to the end. But yeah,
(01:28):
I hope everybody's been doing well. I but I'm hanging
in there. I'm hanging in their chronic illness stuff. Yeah,
I'm I'm just I'm I'm excited. I'm having a lot
of fun writing this. I'm having a lot of fun
(01:50):
with the weekly update schedule. Obviously, there's like if there,
if I need to, I will take like one week
off and then I come back. It's fine, but the
pretty much weekly upday schedule and stuff kind of makes
it feel like a really big book club. And it's
really nice. I feel like I have the nicest commenters
in the world. I really appreciate everybody blow us both
(02:13):
here on the podcast but also like on the actual fix.
I really appreciate the like seeing the way that people
like engage with it and the way that people think
about it is it's just so nice and it's motivating,
but it's also just like really lovely and it makes
me feel good. It makes me feel better. So many
many a time I will get a comment on a
(02:34):
pick and it will literally lift my whole day up
or even help it end on like a higher note
if it was like a tougher day. So and I'm
chronically ill, I have a lot of toughness, but yeah,
I just I really appreciate it. I'm definitely gonna say
that again, probably every time I do and Adventures read
Ride podcast. I don't know, but yeah, I really I
(02:58):
really appreciate everybody who's been engaging with it. I really
love the story. It's been so fun to do. It's
been really fun to play with comic tropes and also
like change the things and the tropes that I don't
usually love as much or that I wish it could
be a little bit different. So I'm having a lot
of fun picking and choosing what to like deliver straight
(03:20):
and what to like subvert. So I'm I'm really curious
how people are going to like the next chapter that
comes out on AO three, because it's it's a doozy
and I'll, you know, mind the updated tags so often
I don't necessarily always read the tags again every time
I do a next chapter of a podfic of like
something that's like multi chapter because by the time I
(03:43):
usually am recording these, they're already done. But this time
I'm recording something that's ongoing, so I will be updating
the tags because I've changed them. Technically, these tags are
as of the state of like chapter eight, and we're
just doing on chapter three. So these tags are not
necessarily going to be relevant for today's pod pick, but
(04:05):
you never know. So I hope you guys are doing well.
I hope everybody is vibing, you know, staying safe, staying
healthy as much as you can, and trying to you know,
rest up when you can, because sh it's exhausting. So
here we go. Rating is still teen and audience. The
(04:26):
rating won't change teen and up audiences. I figure that
the level of shit that could happen here. I'm like,
if you watched God Wins It from two thousand it
seusand three, right. I think the Spider Man movie with Toby,
the first one with Toby vir because I was like,
my I think that was my first superhero movie. I
(04:49):
don't know to be wrong either that or like the
original Fantastic Four movie, those who were like my first
superhero movies that I saw and I was like, fucking like,
I don't know. I was like, what's seven years old
or something? So when or eightish? You know, it's like
not even a teen. Oh the perks of having very
(05:14):
young parents. But yeah, uh, I figure if it would
like some stuff like the the level of whatever the
fuck that's in these in this story is about the
level of like what would have been in like a
superhero movie of that time, so like what would have
been in like Spider Man, or would have been in
the Fantastic Four. It's also very in my head. In
(05:39):
my head, this is kind of in an alternate universe
that is more along the lines of the two thousands,
because that is just the era that I grew up in,
as like you know, I was like born in ninety five,
so like I grew up in like as a preteen
(06:01):
and stuff in that time, and so to me, this
is just kind of the baseline of when I imagine things.
So that's kind of the the vibe and aesthetic we're
going for. I am making a little playlist for this
fig because it's fun. I will be sharing it in
(06:21):
the in the little summary part, like in the blurb
of the fick. Once it's done, I'll put the link
in there, and then when I have it done, i'll
probably put the link in the description for the podcast
down here below. It'll also be on Spotify, so I
will have that that in there. I'm trying not to
(06:42):
make it like too long. It's just going to be
some stuff that like fits to some moments I think
in my head or like it's kind of the vibe.
Not necessarily that you have to read it and listen
to it at the same time, so much as I'm
just like, this is the vibes of that I have
when I am when I am writing the different moments sometimes,
so I'm doing that right now. But yeah, okay, I
think I think that covers the preamble. So let's get
(07:05):
to the additional tags. So the total TEGs currently as
of chapter eight are more TEGs to come. I came
up with this three hours ago. Superman and Les lane
Au kind of superhero, red riot, quirkless, investigative reporter Baku
Kotski gonna have some like classic superhero comic levels of violence,
like villain fights, but not like gross which is super subjective,
(07:27):
I know, but like sorry, mainship is Curriybakhu. Might add
background ships. I don't know who, but it's always gay secret.
Another ship is by the way of revealing itself to
me as I was writing this next one. I didn't
plan it at all, but it has revealed itself to
me and you will see when we get to that chapter.
(07:49):
But mainship Carrie Baku, Secret Identities. My god, it's finally happening.
And using my BA contemporary American comic literature, there's a
real degree I have when I stand by it. Background Shinkami,
backround relationships, background Eraser Mike, mention of blood in the
context of superhero fights and injuries, Secret identity. You'd expect
a love triangle between Kuriakowsky and Red Riot, but it
(08:10):
won't go exactly how you think happy ending will come.
But it is a comic book story, so there's some
plot on the way to the happy ending. Also, the
happy ending will lead into a sequel. Weekly updates. Justice
for Cuminari. He was right and nobody believed him. Lmfao,
not that he knows he was right. Fun times in drama,
Brotherly rivals Deku and Bakugo. Sorry in the backstory, inco
(08:31):
passed away when Deco Deku was young. It's not gone
into detail, but it is like mentioned, you know, I
just want to be respectful getting together slight angste's appropriate
for a classic comic book, Sledge Villain free form. So
some stuff has been happening since the last tag update.
Huh okay? So Chapter three, Issue three Wanted, Red Riot, Katsky,
(08:58):
and Kiashima wrestle with the public opinion of red Riot
and their butting friendship. Beginning notes, there's a key smash.
I'm a few twenty four hours late, but I'd never
leave you hanging before Christmas. This chapter hopefully makes up
for the delay, since it's quite a bit bigger, and
now I'll try to plan accordingly for size see the
(09:19):
end chapter of Her Mornings. So are ready? Here we go?
Kotsky was having a morning TM. First, his cat Queenie,
had managed to successfully slap his phone alarm off with
her paw, so he'd woken up half an hour later
when she'd had enough of waiting for her usual five
am breakfast that she had postponed in the first place,
(09:40):
and then he'd been too late to beat the morning
rush to get coffee as usual place, and now this
this was, without a doubt, the worst part of his job. Mobs.
But Kotsky many had said before, isn't it good that
so many people read your work, that so many people
(10:02):
read it and have such a reaction to it. No,
he'd spat back, you fucking idiot, It's not good when
it leads to people directing all of their own frustrations
into a cause that's wholly unrelated to their actual feelings,
expressing themselves entirely in bigotry, and to top it all off,
living in the delusion that they have any right at
(10:23):
all to direct their bullshit at a hymn as if
he cared what they thought or whether they lived or
fucking died. The issue they'd printed the week before, containing
Kotsky's brilliant front news piece on the acceptance of future
superpowered people had the entire split. It had the entire
(10:44):
city split into not in halves, thank fuck. But the
smaller group against the acceptance of any people at a
different stage of evolution than they were was extremely vocal
and had taken to dan, you're camping outside the office
building and protest. Usually he came in earlier than almost
anyone else caffeinated and armed with a key to the
back entrance only accessible to their private parking lot. But
(11:05):
then usually his cat hadn't conveniently sat on his keys
as he was in a rush to get out the door.
The mob noticed him arriving, and while security tried their
best to keep them at physical bay, Katsky felt a
migraine blooming behind his eye at the sheer volume of
incoherent blathering mixed with the occasional very audible insult or
accusation as he narrowly avoided being jostled by the crowd,
(11:25):
pressing closer and closer as he pressed onwards rapidly. Suddenly
a solid weight knocked ever so slightly into his side,
and he turned with a snarl, ready to tear into
the ready to tear the perpetrator a new one. When
he stopped seeing wide red eyes and soft red hair.
Watch it almost fucking hates you, he called out, louder
(11:49):
than usual, as he continued to press through the narrow walkway.
Drew gave him an apologetic grimace and hurried alongside him. Sorry, sorry, gosh,
this is something else. Just at that moment, Kotski heard
one of the protesters behind him shout something, and he
turned to see them throw what looked like an empty
energy d can at Kiroshima, and without thinking, he lunched
(12:11):
past the red head, snatching it out of the air
with a choice expetive and lobbing it right back. He'd
been more than ready to let the momentum carry him
into punching distance. Would be the first time, by a
fucking long shot, wouldn't be the first time. When a
strong arm wrapped around his waist and he found himself
carried through the door into the sudden quiet of the lobby,
far faster than he would have expected anyone to be
(12:33):
able to do so, he blinked. He looked down to
see that he had been lifted against Kiroshima's shoulder and
would have been slung over it if not for his
own body tension. In the moment, Kiaoshima wasn't even out
of us, glancing back up at him like a puppy
that knew it had broken a rule of some sort
and was waiting to be admonished, and Kotsky would have too.
(12:54):
Was the thing, However, his brain was entirely consumed with
processing the ease with which Kiushima was not only still
holding on to him, but it scooped him up and
carried him out of the mob, So all that managed
to come out of his mouth was the fuck, sorry, sorry,
I didn't want you to get in trouble, I especially
(13:16):
not trying to protect me, which is so manly by
the way. Kiaoshima bit his lip as he looked up
at him with those big round eyes, and Kotski felt
his residual angers his allowed as the verdict came through
Kiroshima was simply way too hot for him to be
upset at real as fuck. Still, the two seemed stuck
in a stalemate of sorts for a second, staring at
(13:38):
each other in surprise and wary expectation, until Kotski cleared
his throat to speak, and to speak, only to be
interrupted by a familiar drawl. Not to break up this
hr violation waiting to happen, But I need you with me,
bak Ago now as all walked past them from the
back entrance, and Kashima immediately set Kaski down and steppedway
(13:59):
from him, half covering his face in his hands as
he stammered at another apology. Baka glared after his boss,
an interim editor. I'll show you a fucking HR violation
you He turned back to face kioShiMa, who was staring
at him with a look of pure mortification. That was hot,
But if you pull me away from a fight again,
I'll be pissed. Got it, Uh, Trouble's part of the
(14:22):
job description. You're gonna have to get used to that,
especially around me. Katsky flashed him a selfishirt grin. If
you're sticking around that is, you're getting me coffee black,
no sugar large, and within the next two hours, Kotsky
dusted himself off and tossed the red head another glance
as he stalked over to the elevators after Isawa, leaving
Kiroshima standing in the lobby, mortification clearly turning into positive surprise.
(14:45):
Then we can talk. He didn't wait for Kishima's response,
nerves tingling from the thrill he always got from settling
into his element aggressive confidence, and he managed to just
barely slip into the same elevator as Isawa, who let
out a long, suffering bread Yes, how's that for an
HR violation? He crossed his arms smugly. I miss when
(15:08):
you were an intern. I could stick in the mailroom
for hours when you misbehaved, as always, said bluntly, and
Bacca Go snorted. So it's urgent, he asked, pressing the
button for their floor. There was a string of robberies
ten minutes ago, all across town at the same time.
He's back. Kotsky's eyes wide. Is there footage? Did we
(15:30):
get a tipper? We got a tip from a connection
that works in one of the banks. She'll be here
in twenty minutes with a copy of the security footage
for her bank. The rest are being transported over shortly after.
This is your top priority today and no. The elevator dinged,
and I saw a stepped out before Kotski, pausing briefly
on his way directly to his office. Red Rye wasn't
(15:52):
there again. The robberies are sudden and lasted all of
ten minutes. The robberies were sudden and last at all
of ten minutes total. Unless super speed is one of
his talents, he had no chance. Kotski let his boss
go without any further questions and hurried to the conference room.
Or he knew the connection would be sent to meet.
Whether he knew the connection would be sent to meet
(16:12):
him and began preparing with a fire lit under him.
Red White, Oh my god, help, said Red Wyatt. Red
Riot wasn't there, Okay, sorry, wrong line. Red Riot would
come through. He'd figure something out. I don't know what's
(16:36):
funny to me. He'd figure something out. He could feel it.
Until then, Kotsky had a job to do. Going through
footage second by second, noting each action's timestamp and location,
plotting each second out on the printed out maps covering
his cubicle walls might sound a bit tedious. It might
(16:57):
sound a bit unnecessarily anal in fact, unless you were
Boka Yukotsky. The devil was always in the details. His
father had always set that to him growing up, still
did as a matter of fact. He was the person
Kotsky credited for his methodology as an investigative reporter, in
collaboration with his mother. Of course, from her, he had
(17:18):
learned to be fearless, to run headfirst into a story
and never hesitate when it mattered that. His father had
taught him how to slow down in the most crucial moments,
how to zoom in and see what other people often missed,
how to combine meticulousness with bravery in a way he
had by now honed into an art. This bank robber,
a teleporter with a pensiant for high security vaults and
(17:41):
shiny things that belonged to him, had been poking it,
popping up now and then for a few months, but
he hadn't made any hits to their city in the
last three weeks, leading everyone to mostly believe he had
just skipped town. Apparently not, Kotsky mumbled as he rewound
the footage in his computer again, marking down another note
on one of the blueprints on his wall and jotting
(18:04):
down some numbers beside it. Kotsky blinked before squinting at
the second location security footage and rewinding at five seconds
then ten, he hit play pen, hovering over the marks
he'd made on his printouts before he was reaching once
again around his cubicle divider to steal office supplies from Saro,
this time a ruler. An exaggerated sigh was all he
(18:24):
heard from the other man, and he decided to pretend
not to notice Sarah reach over and steal one of
the many granola bars Katski always kept on his desk
in return, because he was onto something he connected three
dots at a time, always skipping one, finishing but coming
back to it before lifting the pen and following the
same pattern again in another direction, and then another. He
jostled his desk. He jostled his desk. He lunched so
(18:47):
fast he hit play on the next file of security footage,
doing the same with the next notation once, then again,
and again in the same pattern. Pen scraping so enthusiastically
against the paper, he felt momentarily exceptionally aware of the
structural limitations of his cubicle. He took a step back
to look at his work before bending down to scribble
down the numbers X minus three intervals, Sorry, not minus
(19:08):
x three x three minute intervals? Why five second intervals?
Why is why one two three hy three is half
of one and two hy one and y two. This
is gonna be so hard to say five second intervals.
C Z one, Z two, Z three, Z three is
half z one between z two. There's a fucking pattern,
(19:32):
he shouted, startling everyone in his immediate vicinity. After each
big jump to a new bank, the teleporter could only
teleport within a ten foot radius, seemingly in any direction
for three minutes, and he aded five seconds between the
smaller jumps to recharge, but every third jump always landed
in the exact middle between the previous two jumps, which
(19:52):
was a pattern that continued until three minutes were up,
by which time he'd appear in another bank and the
cycle would start over. It would be near impossible red
Riode to notice these patterns in person, even if he
happened to be there, but if he knew the pattern,
he would much more likely be able to catch the guy.
Baccago just had to tell him that somehow, even though
(20:13):
they've never met, without the villain finding out that they're
onto him, and while they still have no idea if
or when he'll strike again or where. Kotsky sworn kicked
his chair in frustration. Good flock today. He ran his
(20:34):
hands through his hair and closed his eyes. Bad time
for a coffee delivery. A voice that was slowly growing
familiar chimed in, and Kotsky opened his eyes, turning to
see ra Kiroshima holding two cups of coffee in hand
and a bag from the nearest cafe. You seem pretty busy.
I can just leave this. No, I've just hit a
(20:56):
really really stupid wall. Actually stick around for a few
eye candy, he quipped as he accepted the coffee cup
Karashuma held out to him, enjoying the blush that dusted
Kiashima's noise boy, kioShiMa laughed, You sure are serious about
stacking up those HR violations. Huh. I can't stay long. Actually,
(21:16):
I have to update tomorrow's forecasts. Unexpected pressure change popped up,
probably from that teleporter that's been on the news. He
gave Kotsky a tired smile. If it weren't so frustrating,
I'd be tempted to forgive him on the basis of
this being meteorologically interesting as hell. What the fuck does
he have to do with the fucking weather? Kotsky frowned
in confusion, and much to his internal delight, Kishuma perked up, Oh, well,
(21:41):
if you really want to know, I guess I can. Quickly,
he pulled out his phone, and Konsky saw a bunch
of weather maps in a software he didn't recognize as
they rippled across the screen. It's because of the space
he leaves behind every jump, and the space he pushes
into every time too, especially when compounded with a growing
pile of lute. Honestly, I can't tell if he doesn't
take hostages because his power doesn't work on other humans,
(22:02):
or because he doesn't need to because if it works
on other humans, he could theoretically kidnap everyone. And I
don't know, maybe ten fifteen foot radius judging by the
rapid changes and air pressure in the area. Anyway, you'd
be surprised how much air pressure affects the weather, and
vice versa. Having some massively lit having some massively disruptive
influence like that can really mess with people. So I
(22:22):
have to make sure to update the anticipated changes resulting
from this morning. He finished and his bread and his
blush spread across his cheeks as he took in Kotsky's
blatantly impressed he hair. God, damn, you really are the
whole package, aren't you. Makugo Chistima laughed, God, you're too
good at that. I'm starting to feel hazed to do
this to every new hire. I've worked here maybe two
(22:46):
weeks less than he has, and I'm ninety percent sure
he has no idea what my full name is. Sarah
piped up from his cubicle, and Kotsky lobbed the stolen
ruler back over the partition and smiled and heard it
connect with its target. Maybe you're just special weather boy.
Here's you must seem to be, trying to keep from
blushing more, suddenly remembering the bag in his hands, Oh,
(23:06):
I got you a snack too, Come, And I said,
you don't always take lunch, and you just snack throughout
the day, so I thought maybe this would be good.
Kosky accepted the Kotsky accepted the bag with a thoughtful
hum and opened it to find the tongue cut sandwich
and a melon pun It immediately fell the stomach, quietly
rumble at the site. It's great. Thanks. He took out
the sandwich and tried not to moan at the first bite. God,
(23:27):
this kind of number crunching in details stood being made
him hungry before you go, Yeah, here's you may tilted
his head curiously. I'm showing you around the city today,
considered a welcome gift. Whatever toury you've gotten so far
is going to get blown out of the fucking water.
Oh oh oh yeah, sure that sure thing. I get
(23:52):
off at a five, Sam as you probably. His phone
began buzzing in his pocket, and he quickly silenced it. Sorry, sorry,
I gotta go and en try the food. Kotsky watched
the satisfied smile as the redhead rushed away, sitting down
and spinning to face his desk again, mood immediately peeking
into frustration. I get all right, fuck this shit. Well,
(24:19):
one mystery solved, time for the next one. Hours later,
Kotsky managed to figure out that the banks were at
a set calculable and therefore predictable distance from each other
in every cluster of robberies, but he was no closer
to being able to communicate this to anyone without risk
of forcing the robber to escalate, not to mention, he'd
(24:40):
still need to know what the first banking next plan
to hit was. By the time it was five pm,
Kotsky had to be reminded by k media texts several
times that life didn't stop for his job, no matter
how obsessive he got. Luckily, the thought of Kiushima's warm
smile was a pretty good lure away from his increasingly
frustrating issues. As he stepped out at the elevator to
a still empty life, glancing at his watch to confirm
(25:02):
he was indeed still a few minutes early thanks to Kamie,
but he wouldn't taller that. Hey man, I hope you
weren't waiting long. Karashima jogged up, glasses back on and
sliding down to the bridge of his nose. Navy blue
bomber jacket half tugged on over his button up shirt,
and a few stray hairs more than usual escaping from
the usual bun around his face. Katsky felt a bit
(25:24):
like he'd been hit by a truck. I just got here,
he shook his head. This is not a date, he
had remind himself. This is technically not a date. Right, No,
it wasn't a date. It wasn't a date, but didn't
mean he couldn't enjoy the view though. He gave Kiaoshum
an appreciative once over and enjoyed the way Kiaoshimus seemed
(25:46):
to glow under the golden lobby lights and Kowsky's attention.
So we're two first, Kiaoshima pulled his jacket the rest
of the way up and pushed his glasses up as well.
First food, the best place you'll ever eat in your life.
I could go let them out the back exit and
cut through the nearest alley, kioShiMa following close behind. Wait,
you're not a vegetarian or something. Are you absolutely not?
(26:10):
Kiashima smiled, and Kotsky caught that sharp glint of his
canines again. Carnivore all away, man, Okay, great, because this
place is Greek, and if you try to subsidute anything,
I think I'd get bland for life, banned for life. Jesus.
The way to this hole in the wall restaurant was
a bit contrived, but Kotsky liked that about it being
a bit of the beaten path of the main streets
(26:32):
meant no longer tourist lines getting between him and the
only man he's ever allowed to raise his voice at him.
The headshift costa Kiaroshima kept pace easily, long legs, making
up for the disadvantage of not knowing the way. Oh
my god, do the smell this has happened. I feel
like I'm about to float away in a cloud of
the smell. And I wouldn't even mind. Kishima moaned as
(26:53):
they approached, and Koski couldn't blame him. The snackt Kishima
and brought him earlier had probably been the only thing
standing between a peaceful evening and Katski taking a bite
out of Sara's desk. By the end of his shift. Thanks,
by the way for the food you brought. Kotski glanced
over at Kishima as they walked, saved to tape pace's
life tap, Sarah, you didn't have any Oh no, I
(27:15):
ate it, and if I hadn't, I might have killed him.
It would have been tragic for someone, I'm sure, but
he has this habit near the end of the day
of clicking his elbow joints every few minutes. And if
I'm in the wrong mood, Kotsky tiled off for the shrug,
things can get dicey. What can I say? Good to know?
Kishima smiled. So I guess it's for the common good
(27:36):
if I get you snacks more often, snacks, lunch, dinner, breakfast,
Kotski teased before leaving a sputter and Kishima behind to
order and pay for two gottospuns today. Though I've got dinner.
Consider it part of the welcome packet, he said, as
he returned, handing one to Kiashima, who, upon thanking him,
dug in immediately looking down at Kotski with wide excited eyes.
(28:00):
Holy fuck, yep, this is yep, satisfied that Kiaoshima was
clearly enjoying himself. Katski gestured to the head with a
head nod to the other man for them to keep walking.
Now up some narrow stairs around the corner that led
to a higher, straight, higher side street. Come on tours,
not over yet, there's a dog park nearby. Never seen
(28:20):
any dogs there, but the view over the city's great.
It's just around the corner up here, he explained, after
tucking into his own giro spun, relishing the caramelized onions
and spiced meat after a long frustrating day, just as
he soon found himself sitting on the park bench next
to Kiroshima. Me is ever so slightly touching as they
ate in comfortable silence, barring the occasional compliment to the
(28:42):
food and view from Kiroshima. Man, this is just what
I needed, Kiaoshima signed, after finishing his food, bawling up
his napkin and making a pretty perfect basket into the
nearby trash can. Kotsky nodded, weather shit tough today because
of that teleporter. Kiyoshi let out a strange laugh, but
Cotskay didn't prab, at least not yet. Yeah, yeah, he's
(29:06):
just messing everything up. I guess it was bad enough
when I thought he just left he bit his lip,
I mean, because he was probably messing things up for
another city and another meteorologist, and that would suck. But
now he is back, and I can't warn people, you know,
(29:27):
ahead of time, never know where he's gonna appear. Yeah,
Kotsky side, I hear that. I wish somebody would just
catch the guy already, two bad red rides, never gotten
a chance, huh, kishimah half don't exasperated breath and Cosky frowned. Well,
(29:47):
he can't be everywhere. It's probably not helping the city
to accept him, though, is it. He's only been here
a little while, and he's already met his match. Kot's
getting narrowed his eyes and raised an eyebrow. Not catching
one bank robber who hasn't even hurt anyone yet, is
not making or breaking shit for him here, Karoshi mus shrugged.
But the mobil of a field day though, if he
(30:09):
keeps up. The mob is made of bigot e of
fucking bigoted idiots. They'd have a field day for Redwright
sneezed in public. Okay, they're pathetic, probably just ignorant. Karaoshimus shrugged, seemingly,
seeming uncharacteristically down, and Kotsky pursed his lips, clicking his teeth.
Something else seemed to be weighing on him that he
(30:31):
clearly wasn't ready to share. Kotsky was well familiar, far
more than he hadmit out loud with misplaced emotions. Now
in his early thirties, he'd figured out some better ways
of processing shit, but it was still tough. He knew that,
regardless of whatever was bothering Karoshima, though he couldn't let
such a flimsy excuse stand. Nope, I don't think so.
(30:52):
Ignorance can make you have a fucking inside thought that
isn't great, and it can't the fucking inside thought that
isn't great. It can make you say something stupid, it
doesn't make you line up outside someone's fucking place of
work to attack them. He tried to meet Kiashima's eye,
but the other man was looking at his hands. Hey.
He cleared his throat and forced himself not to fid you,
(31:13):
and Karashima glanced over at him. Nobody deserves to be
treated that way for any reason, got it? Yeah? Yeah,
Kiaoshima side. Maybe they're just afraid of him. I mean,
what the fear of the unknown? Bullshit? Red Rye has
(31:34):
done nothing but save people since he showed up. Being
an asshole because you're afraid just makes you a dick.
Somebody at work, even Karoshima a hard time. Kotsky wondered,
Kishima was pretty big. He made an inshumidating figure. He
supposed if you were a fucking Williss. Maybe that had
been a problem in his last job. He never talked
about it, and there was no public info on it
online his lack of socials. Cosket did his best to
(31:57):
keep his expression from turning sour at the thought of
any when making Kashima feel bad about anything, much less
something he couldn't very well control and shouldn't be a
determining factor anyway. No, I mean, Karashima paused before saying
an acquiet of voice, It's not the most confusing thing
in the world to see someone who looks like like
(32:18):
Red Riot and be afraid. His voice chiled off, and
Kosky shifted to make full eye contact with Kiroshima, fixing
him with an unwavering gaze. Anyone who's seen a Red
Riot and not been more impressed than any other fucking
emotion is a fucking pussy and an idiot. He clicked
his tongue and rolled his eyes. He's big, strong, brave
(32:42):
as hell for coming to a new place to help.
Clearly very passionate. If they were or weren't talking about
Red Riot, Kotski is no longer very sure, but the
sentiment is close enough. What's there to be fucking afraid of?
Sounds badass as hell. For some reason Kotsky couldn't quite explain,
He felt himself suddenly under the weight of Kiroshima's own
(33:02):
intense gaze, staring at him like he was something altogether
new to Kiroshima's universe, a welcoming disturbance. The Redhead seemed
genuinely captivated by. Kotski couldn't deny, at least to himself,
that he felt much the same. There was something about
Kiashima that simbred beneath his deceptively smooth surface, and it
wasn't just the investigative reporter in him that made Kotsky
(33:23):
itch to find out what it was. There was just
waiting to be tapped into a passion in Kiroshima that
Kotski wasn't convinced couldn't give the Sun a run for
its money, much like the smile that was growing on
his face. Now here's something else, you know that? Like okay,
okay that? How do you know he didn't grow up here?
Do you know the guy or something? Kiroshima laughed, and
(33:46):
Kotski shook his head internally, very pleased that Kiushima had
pricked up again. No, anyone who's from here would have
noticed if they ever paid attention when he shows up anywhere.
I saw him heading towards a villain fight a few times.
He's always running full speed and avoiding everyone as much
as possible. But he doesn't know any of the shortcuts
around here. They're super obvious to everyone to grow up
here because we use them all the time. Only tourists
(34:07):
and newbies stick to the main streets, Kotsky explained, relishing
the growing off of Adro's expression shortcuts. I never would
have known that, well, how would I? I guess he
smiled cheapishly. I suppose being obviously not from here isn't
helping him with the whole public opinion thing, though, is it?
(34:27):
Kotsi shrugged. It's not as bad as it seems. Assholes
are always allowed as fuck, they're not the majority. As
for being an outsider, you're an outsider. Doesn't stop me
from talking to you, does it? He trailed off as
something clicked into place that he'd been mulding over since
his reason article. Fuck, he swore, suddenly startling here, she meant,
(34:48):
sitting straight and looking around quickly, as if scanning for
some unseen threat. What was that? Baka, go shit, No,
it's it's nothing. It's just ugh, I need to get
a message to riot. Kiashima's eyes widened. What why? And
then both of their phones went off. They reached for them,
and Kotsky spoke, First, the teleporter is in Mizohoa Bank.
(35:10):
That means he's gonna hit He taps some numbers into
his phone, and then open the maps up Rizona on
Maine in three minutes, and then the japan Post Bank
on Takashida in six minutes. And that bank's just across
the street. What How do you know that Kiaraoshima's eyes
were so wide? Kotsky would have found it indeary if
he wasn't so consumed by this new discovery. It's how
his power works at triangulies. It doesn't matter you figured
(35:31):
out how his power works. I have to. I'm sorry
to cut the short, but I gotta go. If I'm lucky,
I can warn the bank, we'll finish this tour another time.
Kotsky was already throwing over his shoulder as he took
off running for the last bank, leaving Kirishima was staring
at him for a moment in shock and awe before
rushing off into a nearby alley. Right, our eat doesn't
talk to anyone, Kotsky thought, But there's no reason to
(35:51):
think he couldn't talk. He was fairly certain, and it
looked like he'd spoken to villains he fought, and he
didn't never really speak to the public or to the
people he saved, and that would go a long long
way to garnering public support. And if Koski ever managed
to talk to him personally, well, that would be a
nice bonus, wouldn't it. Either way, The main mission now
(36:13):
was warning the bank and clearing it of civilians. Koski
pushed himself through on even faster muscles and his legs
burning from the lack of stretching before end, as he
rushed towards the bank, bursting through the doors the tailport
is coming. Everybody out. Shit fuck. He dodged several immediately
panicking civilians who bolted for the door, fishing in his
pockets for his press badge, before mentally cursing as he
(36:33):
remembered this morning, he didn't have it on him, his keys,
none of it. Suddenly there was an immense pressure in
his head, like a storm was brewing and twisting his
brain in a slow vice. It only lasted for a moment,
but there was enough. It was enough for everyone to
immediately believe him, and split between running for the doors
and crouching down to hide, while Kotski stuck. While Koski
(36:53):
stuck standing near the door, looking around the bank, frank
frantically the taileporter was likely in the vault, now meant
the next he jump up to this floor around the counters.
A thunder and crash broke his attention as Red Riot,
in all his jagged clifflike glory, entered through the window
at the opposite side of the bank, clearly scanning as
well as clearly scanning the bank as well as just
(37:17):
clearly scanning the bank as well, Just as right in
front of him, the teleporter appeared. Red Riot roared, lunging
and missing him by just a breath as he appeared
at a different spot, but Cotscape been waiting next to
the third cabinet. He's been to jump there next, he shouted,
as both the teleporter and Red Riots seemed to notice
him at the same time. Just as the teleporter flickered
out of existence without hesitation, Red Riot jumped to the
(37:40):
spot Kotskay pointed out, and as the teleporter reappeared, Riot
knocked him out in one punch, bags of money spilling
all around him. The bank erupted in cheers, startling Red Riote,
who rushed out to the back of a bank as
he heard sirens approaching. While the rest of the civilians
cleared the bank, Kotsky ran to the back in pursuit
of the hero Riot. He yelled out as he ran
(38:01):
back into the open exit. As he ran out the
open back exit into an empty alley, a rustle of
trash cans alerted him to movement on his left, and
he spun around to see Red Riot towering over a
group of them. Expression hard to read as ever, but
giving Kotsky almost a guilty vibe, and Kotsky caught him
doing something he wasn't supposed to do. He didn't run
or discourage Kotskin anyway, So Kotsky stepped forward carefully, becoming
(38:25):
more and more aware of the reality that this becoming
more and more aware of the reality that was Red Riot.
With the spikes Kotsky still figured were supposed to be
his hair, he reached over seven feet in height, though
without it he would have placed him at about six
foot five maybe seven inches. His teeth were jagged fangs
(38:49):
that seemed to come up from a mouth as hard
as they were, and every inch of skin Kotsk he
could see down his fingertips was covered in the rough,
sharp edges. He decided to dive right in while he
had this fleeting op unity. Why don't you talk more?
Does it hurt? He asked? Red Ride tilted his head
at Kotsky thoughtfully before blinking twice. No, then, why I
(39:14):
don't want to scare anyone. Kotsky's breath stuck in his
throat for a second as he heard Red Ride's voice
for the first time. It's distorted, but understandable, as if
someone were layering the grinding of gravel and slate rock
on top of an unnaturally deep voice. It wasn't scary
even in combination of the rest of his look. He thought,
(39:36):
just different. Different but still warm, still obviously concerned, still
a tad self conscious, even Kotsky would wager, still human.
He shook his head, knowing he'd only have precious moments
left to talk before Red Ride had to leave. You
need to talk. People need to be able to know
you care or feel anything at all for them inside.
(39:59):
I know you do, Kotsky felt. He rushed to his
cheeks as a surprising vulnerability in his claim. Really didn't
know anything, but it was his intuition, got feeling that
shit that made him a good reporter, but didn't translate
well person to person. Red Riots seemed momentarily stunned before
something Kotsky couldn't hear tore his attention away from the blonde,
and he tensed, pausing a moment. Turning to Kotsky one
(40:21):
last time, his eyes seemed to glow red in the
fading light of the sky, Every crevice, every jagged contour
of his body lit up by the red setting sun.
Kotsky held his gaze unflinchingly. Thanks for the tip, gotta go,
and with that he snatched something from behind one of
(40:41):
the trash cans faster than Kotsky could see in the dark,
and took off running. Kotsky stood in the back street,
sweat from his own run, cooling and sticking to his skin.
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off quickly, he pulled
out his phone and began typing as fast as he
could notes of the quick showdown his analysis earlier in
the day, adding a note about how he had felt
change in barimetric pressure when the tailport had arrived. Putting
(41:03):
a placeholder so his article could link to Kiashima's, he
left out this one. He left out his one on
one encounter with red Riot, deciding it wasn't necessary for
anyone else to know. Not to mention he had a
feeling such a private figure as red Riot would probably
appreciate it. Oh Kyoshima, Kosky groaned as he pressed his
(41:25):
palms to the eyes. He just left him there. Sure
Kishima was reported to he knew how this sort of
thing could go. He'd likely at least professionally understand. Personally, however,
he sighed as he made his way around to the
front of the bank again to collect quotes and statements,
thanking his past sell for opting for a time defeeder
for Queeny, knowing she'd always be fed and taking care of,
(41:47):
even on long workdays, though she'd be undoubtedly grouchy about
the delay in her evening's cuddle. From the sound of
chatter and excitement still around the blank, Koski felt in
his bones it would be a while until he showered
and was comfortable in his bed again, especially given that
he'd have to hope his spare key was where he
remembered hiding it, several streets away in a similar alley
(42:08):
to the one he just left. Red Riot took over
the cup, took to the cover of darkness to let
his hardening ripple off of his skin, shrinking ever so
slightly as his hair fell, now limped to his shoulders,
closed in his hands, slightly torn from the emergency getaway,
but still good enough to get home, and he let
it a deep breath of relief as he quickly dressed
and pulled his hair into a quick bun. He'd done it,
(42:29):
He'd gotten the teleporter, who was surely now in custody
with power canceling handcuffs, and he managed to face Katski
somewhat as Red Ryot without the blonde, becoming any the
wiser at least for now, and notes Happy holidays. Everyone
comments give me a line. Thanks for reading. Okay, I
really hope you could hear it, but my stomach started
(42:50):
growling the last half, especially when I was describing the food.
I tortured myself. I swear to God, I can't have
that food anymore. Oh my God, but I miss and
I think about it. I'm gonna go make myself some food.
You should probably check out with yourself if you need
to get some food. If you can, you should probably
(43:10):
get a snack or something. Definitely, drink some water. I'm
gonna drink some water. I'm gonna make some food and
eat some food. I'm gonna chill out, and in the
next few days, hopefully I will be recording the Extra
Pearl Diver episode. All right, stay safe, take care of yourselves,
wear a mask, be kind. See you guys next time.
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