Criminal Mind

Alvis
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Posts: 136

Criminal Mind Oct 16, 2021 16:28:11 GMT

Post by Alvis on Oct 16, 2021 16:28:11 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

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[attr="style","color:#732331;font-size:180%;font-family:'Megrim',sans-serif;text-align:left;display:inline;float:left;"]Miami Metahuman Corrections Facility

[attr="style","display:inline;color:transparent"]...

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/Is0zbpL.png);background-position:center center;background-repeat:repeat-x; float: none;overflow: hidden;height:100%;"]

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Well, if there are no further issues, I suppose we can end this here."

Alvis gave his patient a careful smile, hoping that the light glare on the reinforced glass didn't completely obscure the gesture.

"I got nothing."

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Right."

The doctor stood up, tucking the steel chair back under the desk,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I must thank you for co-operating, Mr Randall. It shows strength- more strength than you may realise."

Randall laughed.

"I suppose it's too late to plead insanity, huh?"

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"It wouldn't have worked in the first place, I'm afraid."

He returned the laugh with a soundless chuckle of his own,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Of all the psychiatrists employed by this facility, you were unlucky enough to be assigned the one who can read minds."

With a final polite wave to his patient, Alvis scanned his keycard to open the door and stepped outside, making sure the door was properly locked behind him. That went well, he thought. Usually, these initial meetings were like a two-hour game of Russian roulette; you put one violent criminal behind a window facing a man hired to ask questions, and it would be foolish to assume nothing would go wrong. That was why Alvis didn't focus on criminal psychology. Though he had ways of dealing with the emotional outbursts of others, he personally did not like exercising such ways on the unwilling unless he absolutely had to. Still, there were some cases that were a little too hard to crack for unpowered employees, and those cases did have to be dealt with, so Alvis didn't complain when he was sent in as their metahuman last resort. At least they usually gave ample warning.

He tucked the laptop into his coat pocket. Though he wouldn't choose typing over physically writing his files, the MMCF had been very clear about... oh, was it a database this time? Something to do with the cloud? Whatever it was, it meant that he had to type his notes whenever he worked here, and return the laptop once he was finished. It made sense, after all. Security in a place like this was a bit of a no-brainer.

Last Edit: Oct 16, 2021 16:34:56 GMT by Alvis

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Oct 17, 2021 9:55:31 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Oct 17, 2021 9:55:31 GMT

Jacob had managed to bag the monster who fled the scene after cheating the Florida state government millions of dollars in taxes. He'd caught him vacationing in South Asia, on a tiny island chain that no one would bother to think twice to look. Though perhaps that was their mistake, or perhaps the perp, Randell Storm was too good. He was a metahuman, an ability to control weather or something like that. Well, it was perhaps that Florida was on the sunny side of things that they did not have a creature of the dark such as him in employment with exceptional sense of smell. In any case, he caught him.

Handing him over to the state, now that was the really easy part. It was far more time and buck consuming to conclude all the formalities. One of them- to run a thorough analysis of his mental state. The state was stingy about paying the bounty for someone they had no hopes of prosecuting, and rightly so. For this reason, Jacob just hoped that who he hired was at least competent in this regard. He'd read the file, Celine did the picking though. She was convinced Alvis Holt was the man for the job. He hoped she was right.

Jacob personally oversaw this one because, the bounty from this guy was going to be fairly huge, more than triple the bounties of all the current contracts they were running.

The electronic key card reader flashed yellow with a ring, alerting Jacob that the session finished and the doctor was coming out. Eagerly, the werewolf dressed in suits and shoes cleared his throat, walking down the stone hallway towards Alvis. Behind him was a steel door, and there were like three more steel partitions with doors before they would be allowed to exit through a security check in order to arrive in the lobby of the facility.

This was one of the most secure facilities in the state. B and C list metahumans would find it hard to break out of here and this was only meant to serve as a hub before they got transferred to proper containment facilities across the state. If the metahumans defied logic, so did their holding facilities, much to Jacob's relief. In his line of work, he tended to make enemies. His enemies tended to remain locked up behind impenetrable fortresses.

"Hello! Much obliged you could make it on such short notice doctor! I really appreciate it!" He raised his hand towards Alvis, for a handshake, unless he were to refrain from it. "My name's Jacob Hunter- we spoke via email?" He had a lot he wanted to say and ask but Jacob paused there. The man just came out from a session with a criminal. Had to give some breathing room to the guy!

Last Edit: Oct 17, 2021 10:05:11 GMT by lowlaville

Alvis
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Posts: 136

Criminal Mind Oct 28, 2021 16:02:50 GMT

Post by Alvis on Oct 28, 2021 16:02:50 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

Even he had to admit that the security in this building was somewhat intimidating.

It made sense, given its function. There were dangerous people behind these walls- dangerous, violent people, with powers that permitted more violence than humanly possible. It wasn't the presence of such powers that meant they were dangerous, of course, but the fact that they were willing to use them for violent ends. Alvis adjusted the shirt under his sweater, fully aware of how out of place he would seem in a place like this. Despite occasionally offering them his service, the man was not a cop. He couldn't possibly be- he was a pacifist, for one, and he was incredibly, supernaturally non-threatening. The whole good cop trope only worked when there was a bad cop to counterbalance it, and Alvis had very very little patience for those types.

Jacob Hunter... didn't seem like that. Not from his emails, anyway- the man was polite enough for Alvis to agree to his demands, and that certainly counted for something. He did seem rather formally-dressed, though, but then again this was his place of work, and maybe it required a more refined dress code than the intentionally casual clinic Alvis was used to. The doctor approached the werewolf with a polite smile, holding out his hand to complete their handshake.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Alvis Holt."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Though I assume you knew that already. The inmate was... co-operative. In fact, there is something I must bring up with you, following that session."

God, this felt strange. Alvis was used to how things were at the cinic, where he was meant to follow strict patient confidentiality laws, preventing him from speaking about anything except for explicit, imminent, and specific threats. In here, however? With metahuman criminals? No such practice applied. He was encouraged to share anything that might be of concern with the relevant authorities as soon as it came up, treating his time with the client as more of a soft interrogation than anything purely therapeutic. He did not appreciate that, nor did he follow it. In the short time he was given with Randall, Alvis tried his best to help the man, rather than press him on his crimes... but that approach tended to give him the results the facility wanted anyway.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Are you aware of the boathouse massacre?"

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Randall confessed to playing a part in that- nothing confirmed, of course, but it might be a good idea to look into it before his trial. It's always good to get these things right the first time, after all. I know how much of a headache the legal system can be when it comes to late arrivals..."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Oct 29, 2021 12:02:50 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Oct 29, 2021 12:02:50 GMT

It was in the file, about Alvis Holt being mute, but he had a gift. One feared in many circles, especially in Jacob's because he didn't exactly have any means to keep him out of his head, and deceit was a part of his game. Still, it was somewhat alarming when he heard the voice directly in his head, the only means by which the doctor spoke. It was also his first experience with a telepath, or at least one like Dr. Holt.

"Alvis Holt." He said, "Though I assume you knew that already. The inmate was... co-operative. In fact, there is something I must bring up with you, following that session."

They remained shaking hands for a second or two before pulling back. "Oh?" He wondered. Surprises in his line of work were unwarranted, almost despised. After all, the bounty board only accepted bounties from criminals who could be tried. Is he innocent? Jacob thought to himself. Was he pleading that? That would unnecessarily drag this one out.

"Are you aware of the boathouse massacre?" He said, "Randall confessed to playing a part in that- nothing confirmed, of course, but it might be a good idea to look into it before his trial. It's always good to get these things right the first time, after all. I know how much of a headache the legal system can be when it comes to late arrivals..."

"What?" Boathouse Massacre? Of course he knew about it, was in the news few months ago. Bodies were found at a boathouse right here in Florida, torn apart and sitting in a pool of their own blood. When they were reassembled, well they could only reassemble one full body, the rest of the six were missing parts. No leads were found, even with the aid of metahumans.

Jacob wanted to feign ignorance because he was positively certain now that Randall was trying to screw with him. Man was a business man, knew his worth. Plus there was no bounty on the killer in the Boathouse Massacre because there was a lack of evidence to point in any direction. However Alvis could read minds. If he lied, he'd be caught. He needed to be tried for Tax Evasion, not murder. Randall probably knows he has to be less in terms of money for the murder than any ties he has with massacre with a confession. The board will also probably accept that alternative in favor of not having to pay at all. FUCK. Do I need a lawyer now?

"What?" He repeated himself. "Yes I know about it. May I see your notes?" Jacob requested, quite visibly frustrated and Alvis could probably sense that right about now. "You are right about being thorough but please Dr. Holt, this...this undoubtedly complicates things if it holds true. It will also indefinitely delay the trial since I'd have to draw up an entire investigative report around whatever that he might say on stand. Are you absolutely sure he's not just lying?"

Last Edit: Oct 29, 2021 12:04:41 GMT by lowlaville

Alvis
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Posts: 136

Criminal Mind Nov 4, 2021 12:59:58 GMT

Post by Alvis on Nov 4, 2021 12:59:58 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

Ah, Jacob didn't seem to be taking this well. Alvis briefly wondered why that was, thinking that more evidence to build a case against an integral part of an infamous massacre would come as good news, but then he remembered just how difficult it could be to work with cases like that. Jacob was probably dreading all the paper work. Alvis could relate. Still, the truth was important, and proper charges needed to be pressed, so he wasn't about to pretend that he didn't see what he saw in Randall's mind. Alvis took the laptop out of his coat and opened it up, coming to a stop by a wall so he could properly type in his password (he never was any good at doing these things whilst moving).

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"This should all be on the database, so I'll only give you a brief summary for now."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"In short, the reason why the Boathouse was so full at the time of the massacre was because of a storm the night prior that prevented many of the ships from leaving until the following evening. Their crews had no choice but to stay the night, and a lot of them decided to spend their evening in the boathouse. There's... not a lot to do in that area, I suppose."

He sighed, closing the laptop.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Without evidence of intent and ties to the murderer, this information would not hold up in court."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"And, before you ask, I'm not going to stand before the judge and... psychically convince him to take my testimony as proof. I suggest we look for any correspondence Randall might have had in the weeks prior to the incident, and see if we can get anything from that."

Alvis shrugged apologetically, returning the laptop to his pocket.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Again, I'm terribly sorry to spring this on you when his case was about to be closed, but I'm sure it goes without saying that the charges for assisting a mass homicide are far greater than those for tax fraud."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Nov 6, 2021 0:30:14 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Nov 6, 2021 0:30:14 GMT

Jacob followed Alvis until he came to a stop by the wall, where he picked up the laptop from his coat? He definitely found Alvis's choice of clothes for the occasion a bit...abnormal considering doctors would just come in a suit like him. He apparently chose to come as doctor, which made sense, Jacob supposed since that was the profession and all.

He hoped the doctor wouldn't mind it, as Jacob moved to where he could see what was on the laptop as well, scanning the screen with his superior eye sight whilst listening to the summary.

"This should all be on the database, so I'll only give you a brief summary for now." He said, "In short, the reason why the Boathouse was so full at the time of the massacre was because of a storm the night prior that prevented many of the ships from leaving until the following evening. Their crews had no choice but to stay the night, and a lot of them decided to spend their evening in the boathouse. There's... not a lot to do in that area, I suppose."

"Hmm." Fuck. I did not want to know whether or not he has a hand in the Boathouse Murder. This was only supposed to be you signing a damn paper. Though I suppose it's my fault for selecting a metahuman telepath for the job. Well done for screwing this up, Jacob. Jacob wasn't a hero, after all. It was heroes who'd be excited for this. Maybe the DA will help me with this. If I remember correctly, there was evidence of a storm on the eve of the murders but nothing to spot any abnormalities with that.

"You may not have had to appear at the court yet, but since you are the diagnosing doctor, you will need to assist the local police department with the case." Alvis couldn't just refrain from that, Jacob shrugged. It was all in the correctional facilities database now. "At least until they make a case." The man may hate it, but like him, was just going to have to follow it through to the bitter end.

Alvis
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Posts: 136

Criminal Mind Nov 9, 2021 16:25:35 GMT

Post by Alvis on Nov 9, 2021 16:25:35 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

Ah. Jacob really didn't seem too happy about this. The way he was reacting to the case's developments made Alvis think that he was more than a little inconvenienced by it all, but he didn't want to press him on the reasons why that might be. He seemed like a busy man, after all, and the two had only just met that afternoon.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Oh, that won't be a bother for me."

Alvis smiled,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I ensure you, Jacob, I will be working on this case just as hard as you are- and I'm sure a man like you would stop at nothing to ensure justice is properly served, right?"

He laughed silently. All joking aside, Jacob's irritation probably wasn't something either of them wanted to extend, so Alvis decided to change the subject to something that was hopefully a little less daunting than the prospect of future paperwork.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Ah, on the subject- I'm curious how you find your work here. I would imagine it to be quite dangerous, given the types of people you apprehend..."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Nov 11, 2021 5:51:19 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Nov 11, 2021 5:51:19 GMT

My saving grace Jacob thought, is that he seems gullible. Or perhaps reluctant to use his abilities to scour through my noggin. If he does, I doubt he will be as nice to me. Jacob was not wrong in thinking that. Alvis Holt was more than capable of seeing through his normal decorum, and to judge his frustration for what it truly was. Instead, he seemed to believe something else entirely. Must be nice to live in his head. Jacob thought, shaking his head. But he didn't keep the man in complete darkness either. Jacob wasn't a liar, nor would he choose to entertain someone else's pretense, but truth, in the right man's arsenal was often far was than a lie told. In this case, in order to keep the man from being curious enough to pry, he had to keep at real levels. "Not my job to see justice served Dr. Holt," That part was true, at least, "but I'd hate it if the case got weakened/prolonged and he evades justice in the meantime."

Alas, there was not much to be said or done other than to suck it up and do a follow up later. In the mean time, the doctor was open to extending the conversation, which he preferred over the current discussion.

"Ah, on the subject- I'm curious how you find your work here. I would imagine it to be quite dangerous, given the types of people you apprehend..."

"Let's talk outside, shall we?" He suggested, gesturing towards the exits. They were mostly done with the penitentiary business. Randall was going to be held in the facility overnight before being transferred to semi permanent holding cells awaiting further investigation. There was enough to keep him locked up for a trial and all that after all.

Each of the doors required them to look at the security camera before they opened it and let them out. Once in the lobby Jacob turned to Alvis as they continued to walk towards the door. "I'm a bail bondsman, I find work from the state bounty board and sometimes the state DA." He answered. "Wasn't always like that, though," There was a time when he was just bounty hunting for crime bosses or shady corrupt politicians. It was shady corrupt politicians that gave him enough topside connections that one day he was able to make a legitimate business out of it.

"Do you understand what it's like to be a nobody, Doctor?" And when he asked this, he had a bemused expression. He handed over the visitor's pass at the security outpost just beyond the lobby. From there, it would be a short downhill walk to the parking area. "Oh by the way...did you come here in a Taxi or I can just give you a ride to your hotel or something," Jacob suggested.

Alvis
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Criminal Mind Nov 18, 2021 13:46:54 GMT

Post by Alvis on Nov 18, 2021 13:46:54 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

The loaded question followed by an offer to drive Alvis back to his hotel made him chuckle slightly. That combination of the worryingly personal with the undeniably mundane was something he was used to seeing in his career, but hearing it in everyday conversation was... amusing, to put it one way. He looked up at Jacob and smiled as they left the building.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"A bail bondsman, hm? That's an interesting profession- although it seems a little... bureaucratic for someone like you."

Alvis said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I don't mean that as a jab, or anything. It's just... in our short meeting, you've struck me as someone best suited to something a little more... exciting, you know?"

Though he may not have opened Jacob's mind as he was perhaps expecting, Alvis knew a cover-up when he saw one. Clearly, his colleague was more familiar with the exciting than the mundane, to put it one way.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I suppose that's where this 'nobody' comes in..."

He sighed.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I'm afraid I'm only familiar with the mundane, Mr Hunter."

He smiled,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"It's hard to be a nobody when there are people relying on seeing you regularly. You know, for all the implications of my abilities, for all the specialised jobs I get sent on by my employers... at the end of the day, all I really am is a civilian who can talk in people's heads."

Alvis let out another soundless laugh.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"So, yes. I would appreciate it if you could take me back to my hotel, if that's alright with you."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Nov 19, 2021 9:55:06 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Nov 19, 2021 9:55:06 GMT

The car rolled out of the compound, with Alvis in the passenger seat. And onto the highway they turned, Florida's coastline on one side, and further up on the other, the skyline of the nearby city. Yes, it was saver to have criminals, super or not, located in facilities outside living districts. This stretch of road was occupied mostly by industrial plants and some other secure facilities.

"To what you said earlier, Doctor...my life in itself is already exciting enough." Friends with the freakin' antichrist over on top of being a werewolf. "I think this profession to be the best outlet for my talents." He intentionally did not elaborate though, just to keep Alvis interested in him, to get him asking questions or something. "What about you, though? A person of your particulars would do wonders in an investigative agency." If not government, then a private venture.

Though if his own life and experiences were any hint, Jacob supposed Alvis would rather do something of his own, not what life set you up for, but to do what keeps your sanity intact.

"I was referring to being fish bait in an ocean of predators...where I grew up in, it was a question of eat or be eaten. Well you are the psychologist, I guess. Don't need me asking you this thing or self diagnosing me, but still, do you think I made the correct choices in life to come here? And when you are in a situation like that, was there a wrong move to make?"

He, in his youth, probably have led to the death of some good guys, but he's put that life far, far behind him now.

Whenever Alvis's voice rang in his head, he would look at him across the car, to assure him that he was listening. Often times, he has experienced in life that deaf or mute people tended to have a different temperament. Though Jacob figured, Alvis was also a telepath unlike them so, he was fully capable of communication.

Alvis
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Criminal Mind Nov 25, 2021 16:05:20 GMT

Post by Alvis on Nov 25, 2021 16:05:20 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I see."

Alvis smiled,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"You know, so many people burn themselves out these days, especially when it comes to dealing with metahuman criminals and the like. Violence, murder, terror... it's good that you have something you can use to get away from all of that."

He leaned back in his chair, gazing wistfully out at the view beyond the window.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I used to paint when I was a young man."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I still do from time to time, but never as much as I used to. I suppose I don't really have the need for it anymore."

It took a moment for him to notice that Jacob was looking at him as he spoke- something of a rarity when it came to people who didn't know him well. Alvis returned the gesture by pulling his gaze away from the window to meet his companion's, giving him a polite, yet somewhat empty smile.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Oh, I'd rather not involve myself with that sort of thing. Forgive me for the confession, but I'm not exactly enamoured with the current state of law enforcement, nor how it used to be. Any jobs I take from the governing bodies are ones I personally find fulfilling- well, either that, or whatever it takes to get them out of my hair. They can be awfully persistent, you know."

Jacob could quite easily guess which category 'interrogate this no-name tax fraud for us' would fall under, even if the case turned out to be a lot deeper than it first appeared.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"As for yourself, I suppose this is quite a good thing, from what little I could gather."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Having a low-intensity job like this seems to be going well for you, provided you find it fulfilling. Besides, as I said, it's good to have an escape for things like that- provided my assumption about you is correct, of course. The assumption being, ah..."

He smiled.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"That you might be living somewhat of a double life here."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Nov 27, 2021 15:32:25 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Nov 27, 2021 15:32:25 GMT

Startling discoveries made throughout the conversation in the car. And down the lonesome road the car sped on steady. Jacob glanced at the meter which indicated they were doing something around 60 on the gauge. It was decent speed. "Or rather, I go to the heart of it." Jacob added. He did not fulfill the role of a civilian dealing with metahuman terror and the criminal activities that transpired around them. He took on jobs that took care of escaped criminals. He reached at the heart of criminal syndicates, he broke criminal organizations by removing key players from the game. "Perhaps you are right though, because I do have this outlet I can employ to escape the system, after all."

Jacob lowered the windows. He loved the sensation of the wind slamming into his face. It smelled a tad awful though, salt and something akin to rotten eggs- sea smells and he quickly rolled the windows back up. "I'm sorry." He said, laughing. "Oh you paint?" Jacob's mannerism was one of pleasant surprise. "I'd love to see sometime, if you don't mind."

He could well tell when something was empty, and as he himself was all too used to doing that, he did not mind. In fact it just proved to him that the individual under the skin of Dr. Alvis Holt was real. He was a person. It was important to make that assessment because sometimes people only said or did things in order to show outward feelings and emotions that weren't there. Alvis? He, knowing Jacob was a law enforcement associate didn't mind speaking against it. Jacob wasn't the type to get offended, rather he used that as a talking point. "You're right on that account. Law Enforcement is insensitive to the struggles of the people they are meant to serve, but if you really think about it, that happens because of the sheer number of people they have to serve. How soon before you become detached with the problems of the people, eh?"

Their car was gradually catching up to a truck with a lot of hollow pipes on the back of it, and Jacob slowed down rather than cutting ahead from the adjacent lane. This was because the highway exit towards the city was coming up. It was a downward spiral into a low income neighborhood, and into a street with pedestrians, other vehicles and traffic stops. The car came to a halt at a red light, along with a bunch of others.

Jacob paused at the double life comment. Did he look into my mind? Does he know? He wondered. But it was no secret so, it was no big deal either way. "In a way, I suppose you COULD say I lead a double life." And Jacob's lips curved up into a smirk.

Alvis
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Criminal Mind Nov 30, 2021 12:05:11 GMT

Post by Alvis on Nov 30, 2021 12:05:11 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

Alvis, unsurprisingly, was too polite to complain when Jacob rolled the windows down, but was understandably relieved when he rolled them back up. That was the worst part about big cities like this- the smell. He laughed silently alongside Jacob, answering his following question with a smile.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Unfortunately, I keep most of my work at home."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Either that, or I paint over it after- ah, that's not because I don't value what I create, I just find the process to be far more important than the outcome. Canvases are expensive as well, and I'd rather not waste them."

In fact, the only time Alvis really bought new canvases were when his old ones were starting to fall apart, or on the rare occasion that someone commissioned a piece. He'd rather not have any customers start peeling back the layers to find out what was underneath, after all. He tended to use art as a release—admittedly the only real one he had—and that meant his pieces could come across as a little... morbid. Not all of them were, but he rarely kept track of what he painted over what. If Jacob became insistent to see his work, he would have to curate his display accordingly.

Listening to him talk about the problems of law enforcement was refreshing, at least.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Yes, I suppose you're right about that."

Alvis nodded,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"And it only seems to be getting worse these days, especially when it comes to large-scale attacks and the like. You know, I've been around for a good while, Jacob- longer than you might think. Whilst we certainly had supervillains and the like, things were nowhere near as constant as they are now. And... well, as much as I have my disagreements with the field as a whole, I must say that law enforcement nowadays certainly has their work cut out for them."

He sighed, leaning back in the chair.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"As for my field, a little detachment is what keeps us sane."

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lowlaville
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Criminal Mind Dec 2, 2021 5:53:58 GMT

Post by lowlaville on Dec 2, 2021 5:53:58 GMT

Jacob has indeed either seen or heard of people who were excellent in their artworks but they had no monetary value or anything like that. Reading or listening about that aspect was different from being told about it in person, though. But that got him even more curious about that because, he wondered what all went in the mind of the doctor who could swim through the consciousness of others. He wondered how Alvis perceived reality to be.

In his thought, he didn't realize that now, as they were moving through the streets and not the highway, there was a lot more traffic. It forced him to slow down, stop and change lanes a times till finally they were out of the stretch of town roads and back on a lonely road towards the city, moving away from the coast this time, so the air outside was a bit more pleasant, but Jacob dared not roll down the windows again.

"You know, doctor." Said Jacob, relaxing in his seat. You know, being 6'5" had its own advantages, one of them being able to lean back in the drivers seat and still have a great view of the road. "The more I think about it, the more I realize this society of ours isn't exactly built to facilitate the emergence of powered individuals. We're still pretty much riding on along behind a bureaucracy, but one made for humans, by humans." Alvis might realize that he was saying that also because of what he was, because historically, his kind along with other mutants had been hunted to near extinction across the ages.

"It more feels like we just exist on the margin, ready to be sold out for something better. Our value as people are sometimes lost, mostly due to a lack of understanding and means to facilitate what we bring to the table." On the television, they might say that, progressive politicians now hold favorable conditions for metahumans to serve in official positions, but there also exists scrutiny, stringent background checks and clearly differing policies in general.

"You, Dr. Holt, must have a better time living normally than someone like me," In Jacob's head anyway, Alvis could simply use his powers to live normally without anyone being oblivious to it, or something, but he did not know the extent of the doctor's powers when he spoke. "I mean, with your telepathic powers to make people forget details about you, apologies if that isn't how they work."

Alvis
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Posts: 136

Criminal Mind Dec 2, 2021 12:26:32 GMT

Post by Alvis on Dec 2, 2021 12:26:32 GMT

[attr="style","background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/CCKnG4A.png);background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed"]

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I agree. Wholeheartedly."

Alvis frowned slightly.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"You likely know this already, but I specialise in the care of metahumans, as well as those affected by them. I must say, some of the things my metahuman clients tell me are absolutely heartbreaking. You have a society that treats them like living weapons instead of people, coupled with all this chaos caused by a violent minority... at the risk of sounding cold, it's no wonder my clinic has managed to stay in business for so long."

Jacob likely knew more about this first-hand than he did. The doctor didn't look like much, and his abilities actively helped to make him seem less threatening, but he still received his fair share of repulsion from certain types of people when he made his powers known. He actually agreed with some of the negativity, to a certain extent; talking to someone who could read and alter the minds of those around him would understandably require a certain degree of caution from both parties, but Alvis would never admit this to anyone else. These were personal reservations, and he was well aware that there were plenty of other metahumans—including ones that affected the mind—who, quite justifiably, disagreed with this sentiment and went about their lives as normal. Jacob appeared to be one of them, but there was no telling how much prejudice he had internalised. For the sake of his health, Alvis hoped it wasn't as much as he had.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"It's quite a bit easier for me to get by, I suppose."

He said,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Though, ah, I want you to be aware that I try to keep any usage of my power to an absolute minimum. As easy as it would be to force people to forget things I'd rather they didn't remember..."

He paused. For a while.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"I would never allow myself to do such a thing."

Not nowadays, anyway. He was a changed man- he had been for a good few decades now.

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"Ah, sorry for bringing back an old topic,"

Alvis smiled, quickly changing the subject,

[attr="style","opacity:50%;display:inline"]"But your, ah... your double life. Am I correct to assume that this is partially because of your treatment as a metahuman? It seems an awful shame to have to bury that side of you..."

That likely wasn't all there was to Jacob's other side, but Alvis reasoned it would probably be best for both of them if he appeared to think that it was.

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