[The three candidates are huddled together on the roof! Well, two of them are. Wild Bill is on his cell phone, demanding his chopper come pick him up.] * TheRedcoat looks at them. "You gentlemen are all right?" [The Dem and the Rep scream and huddle together. Wild Bill just looks annoyed. "Didn't see you during the battle."] * TheRedcoat rolls her eyes. "Ah, so you only believe in good you can see." You know, if you hired other operators from outside, as you seem to wish to do, I won't be the only one that works this way. [He grins. "Cameras are always rolling. First rule of being famous." He pauses. "How do you mean?"] Yes? Well, danger is always present. First rule of being good at this job. I mean not all of us have or need flashy powers. You did not see me because I was, what is the term...sniper duty against them. My teammates know. Some of them may have been able to do the same, if not for you all insisting that they be a valuable presence. [He shrugs. "Then you don't understand the public, my dear. They don't care about what they can't see. If you want them to feel safe, it isn't enough to keep them safe. You have to *look* like you're keeping them safe."] Police can look like that. Costumed normal people can do that. And some of ours work best when visible, as well. Political tactics aren't the same as battle tactics, this I understand. I suppose it just depends on how important the wellbeing of the people *actually* is to you, as opposed to how important you having power over the people is to you. ["Okay, so you skulk and snipe while your teammates take the hits for you. Obviously, you're the brains of the outfit."] * TheRedcoat shrugs, and eyes everyone critically. "So, I guess you are uninjured. Someone who is able to carry people as they move will be up here shortly, or I suppose you could always just use the fire escape stairs." Which will it be? I don't want to call someone away from tending to the wounded police, who were here to keep you safe, or the wounded civilians who came to hear you chatter amongst yourselves, unless it is necessary. [Wild Bill shrugs. "Let the cops come rescue those two. My chopper pilot is whining about 'restricted airspace', so I'll make my own way down."] * TheRedcoat shrugs. [He grins widely. "Besides, it'll make for a fantastic photo-op. Be worth two points in the polls, I guarantee you."] What will, you walking down stairs? * TheRedcoat shakes her head. "Whatever." [He makes a sweeping gesture with one hand. "Me climbing off this roof on my own, striding up to the cameras, unruffled, unafraid, unbowed. It'll be gold."] * TheRedcoat blinks. "You climbing off a roof when there are perfectly good stairs around?" * TheRedcoat tilts her head. "I suppose that does reflect your overall reckless political ideology." ["I'm a billionaire from LA running as an independant in a Democratic town. Gotta take chances if I wanna have a chance." He looks down at the media gathering outside the gates, and heads for the fire escape. "Now if you'll excuse me, my public awaits."] * TheRedcoat rolls her eyes and shakes her head at him, then turns to the other two candidates. "So....police, busy superheroes, or stairs?" You do realize that if he is the only one taking the stairs, you both lose huge potential political advantages, yes? * TheRedcoat makes chivvying motions at them from a distance. "Go on!" [The two look at each other, then back at Redcoat, then take simultaneous deep breaths. "You're right, of course." "Can't let him hog all the glory. My thanks for your help." "Mine as well." "I said it first." "I said it more sincerely!" And so they bicker as they head down the stairs.] * TheRedcoat calls after them. "If you're quick, you can check the airspace chatter and get records of him whining for a helo evac while leaving civilians behind without checking on them!" [If they hear Redcoat, they don't show it, as they're rather busy sniping at one another.] * TheRedcoat puts her hands around her mouth. "I couldn't care less who wins, but I think he's a jackass, so I hope you heard that!" * Horus lands next to Redcoat with a grimace. "I sure did. Everythin' cool here?" * TheRedcoat blinks and jumps back a little. "Oh. Hello. How are you?" Tired as fuck and leg's hurtin' pretty bad. How 'bout yourself? I am all right. The candidates seem unharmed. That other one really is...what is the word? Douchebag. Who, Wild Bill or whatever the fuck? Yes? Maybe? * TheRedcoat shrugs and irritatedly pulls out a cigarette in the same motion, fluidly putting it to her lips and lighting it. The dude who was talkin' about the whole 'I can save the city by throwing money at superpowered peeps', right? Yes. * Horus makes no motion to stop Red from lighting up, so it must be okay with her. She nods. "Yeah. Total dick." If he gets elected, we're only gonna have *more* problems. * TheRedcoat shrugs. "I don't pretend to understand American politics." * Horus snorts, and then laughs. "*I* don't understand 'em." * TheRedcoat takes a long drag and begins climbing down the wall opposite the fire escape the candidate are going down, still smoking as she does so. "So, the caveman person...?" Ugg, yeah. He checks out. Been working undercover for Scales of Justice for like two years runnin'. Huh. Good. I had thought he had seen where I was and was trying to hit me with that van, with the other one ducking on purpose. Later, it was more obvious that was not the case. Yeah. ... Woulda been a trick. Let's hope they never get that smart and coordinated. Scales of Justice? Is another organization like Livery? Nah, he was the best detective in the world, though. Also pretty fuckin' paranoid. You'd like him. * TheRedcoat laughs a little hollowly. "Perhaps..." * Horus catches that laugh, and she looks at Red, slightly worried. "Somethin' wrong?" * TheRedcoat blinks innocently, halfway down the side of City Hall with her gloves and boots letting her use minimal effort to cling to the building, cigarette burning brightly as she takes another drag. "No?" * Horus floats down along with Red. "... Sure." * TheRedcoat keeps on going until she's about six feet from the ground and just drops the rest of the way, puffing out a stream of smoke as she goes. "So let us have a look at our new so-called comrade..." [End]