Conversation · The Hanged Man

I am so disappointed in you. What are you interested in, then?

Like the scales of some ancient white monster, cracked and pearly.

"What do you mean?"

"This material is a kinetic re-distributor. It spreads kinetic energy horizontally. From plate to plate. When the plates connect there's a click." He points to the toe. "See these lines?"

"Sounds fragile."

"It's anything but. This material is a kinetic re-distributor. It spreads kinetic energy horizontally, from plate to plate. Dissipating it entirely." He points to the boots. "See?"

Swing the prybar at the boot.

The metal connects with the same ding. The sound does not appear to get louder...

Suddenly your biceps coil up. Your elbow is sharp and cocked for a punch.

Pull the boot off.

This feels... dangerous. Are you sure?

Grab the boot under your arm.

The stench fills your nostrils. As you push downward, an ominous creaking sound comes from above.

"Stop!" The lieutenant's voice is sharp. He looks at you, with the boot under your arm.

"Pig's gonna pull his head off."

"Brutal."

"Lieutenant, you seem distressed -- why?"

"You're about to pull his head off."

"Do it, homo!"

"I'm not a homo."

"Stop obsessing about your sexuality officer, you're about to seriously compromise the coroner's case."

Indeed. From this angle it does look like the neck isn't going to take much more. Being dead for a week has all but liquefied his muscles.

"What are you trying to achieve anyway, why are you hanging on to that boot?"

"They look fancy. I thought I could pawn them, earn some lucre."

"For a full set of armour I wouldn't blame you. But these boots are hardly worth a disciplinary hearing. There are better ways to pay a hostel bill. Besides..." He taps the boot.

It's hard to get a read on the lieutenant. What would he do if you stole them? Would he report you, or not? Surprisingly, you feel like he probably wouldn't.

"There's no way you're getting them off. All the organic matter in his body has been flowing down into the boots. They're fused to his feet now -- why do you think the locals haven't scavenged them yet?"

There might still be a way to peel them off, but first the body needs to be down. And second -- it would probably be better if the lieutenant wasn't around...

Sounds like a plan. (Accept.)

The anticipation makes you crack your fingers. Feels nice. Nice and cracky.

There are honour points?

Of course there aren't, don't be naive.

You still feel as though there might be some honour points. And if there are, you've surely earned one.

"Okay, got it."

"Processing will take care of them. With the situation in the morgue, it will yield nothing. But we must pick our fights." He looks toward the boots. "Should we continue?"

"What's going to happen to the boots then?"

Steal a dead man's boots? But that would be DISHONOURABLE! (Refuse -- for honour.)

All right then, you can pay the hostel bill in honour points. How many honour points have you collected?

You're sure there's a way to peel them off -- but first the body needs to be down. And second, it would probably be better if the lieutenant wasn't around...

"There's no way you're getting them off. All the organic matter in his body has been flowing down into the boots. For seven days. They're fused to his feet now -- why do you think they're the only thing left on him?"

"Honestly -- a whole set of ceramics: the breastplate, the pauldrons... I wouldn't blame you. But these two? Not worth bringing Internal Affairs into your life over. Besides..." He taps the boot.

"This is advanced enemy technology. We should conduct research into their weaknesses."

"This is not the enemy, this is the deceased. The victim. In a murder investigation."

Is he now? A sense of danger emanates from the remains of the person in front of you.

For a quarter of a second he appears to be looking at you. The stench of death makes your eyes well up.

"I feel as though we may cross paths with him yet. One way or another."

"One way or another? I can't even think of the one way... magic? Semenese corpse salt? Besides..." The lieutenant taps on the boot.

"Better safe than sorry."

"That doesn't mean anything, detective. Besides..." The lieutenant taps on the boot.

"You're right, that makes sense."

"It does make sense, doesn't it? Besides..." The lieutenant taps on the boot.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even want to take them off, I just thought I should try."

"Try what exactly?"

If you can't experiment, how will you learn?

"I wanted to see what happens."

"I don't think we should do anything just for the hell of it. Besides..." The lieutenant taps on the boot.

"I might have wanted to experiment. You know, get an exploratory jive going."

"I see what you mean, but even so..." The lieutenant taps on the boot.

"I have no idea why. I just do things. There's no underlying reason."

"These boots would go super well with my bell-bottom pants."