GotWala

Richard immediately snapped a salute to Montgomery and stated, "Affirmative, Chief Montgomery! I will not fail Trevalus!" After releasing his salute, Richard immediately started to don his armor with practiced speed and efficiency, despite his lame right arm. Upon strapping on all of his regulation equipment, Richard immediately turned to Emelia as he offered another set of regulation equipment. "Here, Future Officer Elliot. Unless you prefer your own armaments, I have produced our standard equipment for your use," Spoke Richard as held the equipment in his good arm. "And while I am confident in your ability, I recommend that you stay by my side during this inevitable altercation. I have experience when it comes to dealing with... Gifted, and I believe it would be prudent of you to observe and learn from a seasoned officer in the field. Is this agreeable for you, Elliot?"

A quick question that would be relevant for me and commander218: What is the standard-issue equipment for The Trevalus Living Quarter Police Department?

Yes! Make Richard justified in his actions, haha.

Richard stopped losing himself once more as he heard Emelia speak again. I am holding him up from his purpose! Who am I to stay the progress of a real servant of justice? "O-of course! I did not mean to prevent you from your prerogative. Please pay me no mind, as I am sure it would only halt your progress further," Apologized Richard as he stood off to the side to let Emelia pass. "I truly do look forward to working with you, Future Officer Elliot..." Curse my manners! I have not only disturbed Elliot, but I have also neglected to learn their last name! How utterly careless of me. Richard was lost in thought again before he found himself staring at Emelia once more. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but there is something about Elliot... A certain boyish quality to the young man... How old are they?

Richard registered Emelia's words and took them in for a moment. They... Feel honored to work with a dog like me? Perhaps it is because they do not know of my curse. And am I staring at them 'funny'? Blast! Richard barely concealed a somewhat embarrassed grimace before returning to his usual demeanor with forced amiability. "I am unsure of where you found my name to be Dudley, perhaps it is my careless mistake... However, I am Patrol Officer Richard Gallus! You, Elliot, may refer to me however you see fit, as I am..." Richard began his continued introduction before catching himself starting to let his fervor get ahead of himself yet again. "I am sure that this will allow us to work together as a unit more efficiently." Richard's features actually started to soften a bit at this exchange. Is this how it feels to just... Get to know someone like this? It is so informal yet it has a quality of it's own. Elliot still seems uneasy though. Surely it is because they can feel the wickedness emanating from my body. Yes, it must be that my arrogance as a Gifted which has caused my recent misfortunes is still visible! Richard started to get lost in thought as he looked to his right hand, scowling as he started to grip and release.

GotWala It appears I'm part of the few who got to keep their name, haha.

Richard nodded as he started to return to his desk, lost in his thoughts about whether what he did yesterday was the right thing. However, his introspection was cut short when he spotted a familiar visage. Is that... It is the young man I saw at The School. They are not wearing that mask this time though. Richard started to stare to the point where the very air started to become awkward. Realizing this, Richard turned away so he could take a deep breath and collect his thoughts. This young man is a potential recruit joining the saviors of Trevalus. If I have any hope of helping Trevalus, I need people who trust in my judgment. I cannot falter. Richard turned back around and strode up to Emelia, doing his best to appear as official as possible. "You must be a potential recruit for the Living Quarter Trevalus Police Department. I for one am elated to see someone who is willing to commit themselves towards the most noble cause there is within such a short amount of time," Spoke Richard in his same imperious voice, though with some attempts at sounding amiable falling short. "You see, I noticed you were at The School yesterday. Lieutenant Timms seemed to be impressed with your resolve, which is already a good sign, is it not? I hope that we can work together for the betterment of Trevalus." Richard extended a hand forth, adjusting so he could meet where the hand of the much smaller person would be. While doing so, Richard also attempted to appear friendly with a half-smile, which when matched with his intense, vicious eyes only managed to look alien. Yes, this young man seems promising indeed... Though up close they look oddly... No. These thoughts have no place here...

Ahh, I was wondering if Dobby had anything from Montgomery to say to Richard before I gallivanted around the Police Department, haha. And while Richard is very keen and competent, being somewhat of a predatory hunter in his own right, he tends to ignore most physical qualities about people unless it's something related to his obsessions. (IE Gifted anything, haha)

Richard stood at attention as he took the verbal assault in stride, comparatively to how things had gone with Lieutenant Timms. I have prepared myself for this from Chief Montgomery. My inability to repress my feelings has only caused grief within the department. However, these complaints are unreasonable. I had attempted to do my duty to the people of Trevalus by apprehending a rogue Gifted, only to be accosted by Gifted simply because they did not care for the very laws that protect them. The flaw comes from our laws protecting vermin that would disrespect our way of life. I cannot falter. "I understand that my actions have reflected poorly on the Trevalus Police Department! I have faltered in my conviction and have disgraced your good name with my insolence and pride!" Apologized Richard as his gaze remained locked onto Montgomery. "To ask your forgiveness would be presumptuous on my part! I can only rectify my actions and serve Trevalus better in the future!"

Richard turned back to stare daggers at Haru and the other two interlopers, utterly ignoring the new voice as it would only serve to irritate him more. "I am sure you will have plenty of time to get to know one another as you plot the downfall of the city I work hard to protect. Now cease dawdling!" Commands Richard as he shoves past toward the crime scene. "Your current savior is what little mercy and patience I have for you scum! I shall not be tested further!" Richard set to work on examining the rest of the wooden body, taking note of the cut, and the lack of discernible traceability as to where the perpetrator could've escaped to. That is impossible... Unless... Richard continued to survey the area while questioning the various people still hanging around, all the while keeping Haru close to him. Eventually, his investigation ends and he proceeds to turn down an alleyway with Haru close by. After making sure that there were no more distractions, Richard knelt down to Haru's level and looked him dead in the eye with predatory ferocity. "I have had a very... Unsatisfying day. There have been several instances that have been eye opening to me this day," Regaled Richard without blinking or breaking eye contact from Haru. "There are crimes that you have yet to answer for, Haru. However, those charges have been dropped by the Trevalus Police Department. There is not a thing I can do to convince them otherwise, so there is nothing I can do." Richard took in a deep breath as he stood up once more, turning so his back now faced Haru. "As for today, you have cooperated with me and have not tampered with a crime scene in detriment to my investigation," Lamented Richard as he straightened his posture. "As of right now, you are by all intents and purposes innocent. Yet we both know, deep down, that such a truth is but a temporary one. You are a Gifted; an abomination that is born with the sin of pride. Your power makes you the fiend you are, no matter how much you would make the people see otherwise." Perhaps it is Gifted like him that cloud the minds of my superiors... "I know this, Solace, because I too bear the curse of the damned. I have accepted my subservience to man in order to lessen my arrogant tendencies, but I only wonder how long such a thing can last..." Continued Richard as he turned his head just enough to gaze at Haru with one piercing, lime-green eye. "You will falter because you are weak, Solace. Our kind exist to cause nothing but grief and this is a fate you cannot escape. One day, you will give me the only reason I need to put you down and I will not, under any circumstances, hesitate to do so. You will die by my hand, Solace. Understand that not every death is a painful one, monster." Richard put extra emphasis on the word 'pain' as he clenched his left fist, his brow furling over the one visible eye as the gaze became more and more filled with bloodlust. "You have been dismissed, Solace. Leave my presence for your judgment will have to wait," Concluded Richard as he turned his head forward and once more had only his back facing Haru. Mercy towards a Gifted! If not for my superiors clouded judgment, I would have this worm's head! If not for my hesitation...

Ahh, alright! So I'll give it maybe 3-4 hours before I just post Richard's next actions without waiting for Tacos or Sabrina to continue obstructing me, haha. I apologize in advance for doing that, but the show must go on... EDIT: Alright, I hope that I haven't drawn any ire with my post, haha...

Sorry, I'm just not sure if Commander still wanted to throw their two cents in on the situation or if you or Tacos wanted to continue to thwart Richard, haha. I'm trying to refrain from just "posting past" people without letting them respond to my actions. Otherwise, I was just going to investigate the incident, decide what to do with Solace, and end my day, haha.

Ahh, I enjoyed the Inheritance series a decent bit, though sadly in isn't my favorite, haha. As for the other series you mentioned, I'll definitely have to check those out! And once more, thank you for introducing me to that music and those two series inadvertently, haha!

Ahh, hello there Tanner! While I can already see that the others have helped you out as it stands, I'm almost always available as both a friendly face and a good listener! I have to start listening to what you guys have, because it's right up my alley, haha! It proves that even when I think I've listened to about everything under the sun, there is still more to be found. As for writing, I haven't done much fan fiction since 5 years ago, and it was about Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions. I've read the Inheritance books, but I'm actually not familiar with the others. Overall, thank you very much for expanding my taste in music and for reminding me that I should indulge upon an old hobby of mine, haha (Though I should probably try to write one of my various IP's...)!

Of course. These cretins would rely on threats of their Gift's power to get what they want. "Well now, I should have known that you were Gifted all along. Who else would blatantly disregard and undermine all authority around them simply because they think themselves greater than the world around them," Scoffed Richard in disgust as he put the notebook and pencil away. "Do you think that this makes you superior? You monsters are the reason why the pure people of Trevalus will always be in danger! Your very existence causes nothing but pain and misery everywhere you tread! I will suffer not this obscene arrogance of yours as I-" Suddenly, Richard felt a sharp pain upon the top of his head. He lifted his left hand instinctively to scratch at it but found he had no control of this feeling. Frustrated at this futility and frustrated at these mongrels, Richard begins to move closer towards Sabrina. "Your pride is becoming of you, abomination! You have not only obstructed my investigation, but have also deigned to threaten an officer of your city's police department! I should-" Began Richard in a rant as he noticed Solace was returning towards the group. "I should discipline you both right here and now, but I currently have a much more pressing matter to attend to. Solace, if that even is your real name! With me!" Richard simply gave a beckoning hand back towards Solace as he glared at the two interlopers. One day, you will all suffer your just deserts, scum! Richard was about to shove his way past them until another voice joined the choir of his misery. Truly, fate does not smile upon Richard Gallus this damned day!

Ahh, welcome to Reborn, Jetasd! While I'm more than certain that there are other people besides me that can help you out, I'm almost always available as both a friendly face and a good listener. Also, Treeko was definitely the 3rd gen starter I grew the most attached to, so Mega Sceptile becoming a thing made me delighted, haha!

"Alright then sir, I can assume your companion would tell me the same, correct? If so, then I will need your-" began Richard before a sudden realization came to him along with another few words from Solace. Wait... The coward just spoke? Twice even! It was then that Richard felt something solid fall into his left hand as the surge of force went past him on the right side. W-what!? Richard, already caught off guard, was even more puzzled now that he turned to see Haru missing. "Halt! In the name of The Trevalus Living Quarter Police Department, you are under arrest!" Shouted Richard as he turned around to see the young man moving toward the School. Richard attempted to reach out with his left hand on instinct before realizing it was being preoccupied with... The wooden head!? If he was tampering with evidence, why would he... Blast! No matter! After finding that his left hand was indeed preoccupied, Richard reached out with his right, straining for what little control he had over the lame appendage, and began focusing heavily on the escaping Solace. After making what he could muster as a full, gripping motion with his right hand, a lime-green image of his hand appeared out of thin air. Richard locked his gaze onto Solace and with the veins of his right arm bulging and its muscles becoming taut, the lime-green appendage flew outwards towards Solace at the highest speed Richard himself could move. A half smile appeared on Richard's face as he was about to continue his pursuit. However, he noticed that his right hand wasn't fully closed and couldn't complete the gripping motion. No! Damn my weakness! Damn my Gift! Damn this day! Richard's right arm fell slack, as he took several deep breaths to calm himself down. Richard then moved his left hand to his side and cupped all around the wooden head for a brief moment before a lime-green cage of hands formed over it, essentially "clipping" the head to his belt. That coward... He spoke like one, yet he sounded like a child. A Gifted monster, an abomination that plagues this city, sounded like a frightened child. He sounded like... Me... Richard's mind went back to his days in The School as his introspection traveled further than usual. --- "What're you crying for?" Sneered a taller, brunette girl as she held her foot upon left arm of a young Richard. "Y'know, we should be the offended ones here. YOU called US monsters here." Her foot continued to dig deeper into Richard's arm as his crying was interrupted by pained grunting. The other two bullies, another girl with short, sandy-blonde hair and a boy with a slick, black pony-tail, proceeded to hatefully laugh at the struggles of Richard. "Hahaha, Cherise here doesn't even need her Gift to lay you out!" Chuckled the boy. "This little runt talked so big, haha! The tiny cripple thought he could tell us we're the freaks, ahaha!" Laughed the other girl as she started to double over. "This ain't funny!" Shouted the brunette girl named Cherise as she turned back to look at her friends. "No, this ain't funny at all! I don't care if your arm is busted, and I don't care if yer momma left because of the Gift. Quit trying to make me feel like a monster because you ain't shit!" Richard tried scrambling out from under the girl's boot, his every movement from twitching to struggling had begun to form lime-green after images. "N-no! Please! I beg of you! My Gift is-" Cried out Richard as he body convulsed and shook, developing even more of these lime-green spectral objects. Cherise stared at Richard with utter contempt as she slowly released her boot from his left arm. She stared a moment longer as the lime-green oddities slowly faded and Richard's struggling ceased. She kneeled down close to his ear while Richard continued to meekly cry onto the floor. "At least I can control what makes me special. Can you say the same? Can yah, freak!?" Demanded Cherise as she stood up once more and spit on Richard in his pathetic state. "C'mon guys... Let this bitch cry itself to sleep." "I cannot... I cannot fal-..." Sobbed Richard as he curled into the fetal position, every fiber of his being aching for relief as he lay there on the cold, stone floor. --- Richard shook his head in an attempt to dispel the memory from his mind. Fine. He gets to escape one more time. I have more important business as it stands. Richard turns back towards Jackson and Sabrina as he lets out a long sigh. "Your names, please. If I am to have your testimony, I will also need your names," Stated Richard as he produced a notebook and pencil. "And I apologize, miss, but I missed what you just said. My mind was... Elsewhere."

Alright then, haha! Enjoy your distraction!

Welcome to Reborn, Tempest Blaze! Like Jericho said, you've been here awhile so there's no need to say where you can find help, haha. Just know that I'm almost always available as both a friendly face and a good listener. I can understand the appeal to escapism, as all of my hobbies are saturated in it, haha. Over time, cynicism and jadedness started to whittle away my once infallible love for the imagination so I put less time into it than usual. It's because of this that I had begun to see what good things reality had to offer me, and I well and truly enjoy the world we live in. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay, haha.

Ahh, Hello ShadowDefender! Since you've been here awhile, you already know who can help you out when you need it. However, know that I am almost always available as both a friendly face and a good listener. It's cool to hear that you were in marching band, but even more awesome to know that you played in the front ensemble! I myself either played Timpani, Marimba, or Vibraphone when I was in marching band, haha.

Richard then stood as straight and solidly as he could, demonstrating to the large fellow that he was in fact not taller than him. Funny enough, Richard noticed that they seemed to be about the same height. I understand that as a Gifted, I deserve no respect from these people, but their insistence on halting the progress of justice is... Irritating! It was then that Richard heard the meek words of his would-be culprit, which caused him to look away from the usurpers and gaze deep into the young man's eyes. "And now he speaks... Fine. I am more than willing to play your game, but that does not mean you are free to go. While I doubt your innocence overall, I will question this crowd and see what truths will reveal themselves," Acquiesced Richard to this surprising answer from the mute before turning back to the man and woman. "And I will start my investigation with you two. Now what happened here?"

At this point, Richard fully turned away from Solace to face the two interlopers. "This person has been evading us for some time now, so those offenses I have listed account for any and all crimes he is under suspicion of commiting! If you have any respect for your protectors, you would leave now before you get involved!" Commanded Richard as he presented his badge to further show proof of his seriousness.

This harlo- ... Civilian is going to ruin this! "All you need to know, miss, is that this individual is a Gifted that is under suspicion of tampering with evidence, corrupting crime scenes, and refusing to cooperate with The Trevalus Police Department on several occasions!" Declared Richard as he finally broke eye contact with Haru to face the source of the voices. "Now vacate the premises this instant! I wish not to see innocent people harmed at the hands of a rogue Gifted." Richards sized up both the young woman and her tall companion. The man seemed to have a sense of discipline about him, but this girl appeared to be... The bothersome type. Heed my warnings! I will not be interfered with when I am this close!

Richard didn't even turn to face the source of the new voices. "Nothing of your concern, civilians. This is a matter of the security of Trevalus and is strictly police business," Stated Richard in his matter of fact tone as he continued to stare down Solace. "I assure you this has nothing to do with what... Transpired within the School." Richard's visage grew more and more furled and angry at this new development. Damn this day! This perpetrator is finally within my grasp and more interference must defend him!