Send Kicks (Kicks Must Be Available)

Upon arriving on scene, Kicks strides into the diner, slowly scanning the area with her eyes.

The diner is moderately busy, the waitress is quick to rush over, not even trying to be subtle as she points to the corner booth where a figure sits, slowly sinking into the seat as though trying to fade into its plush, slightly ripped surface.

She approaches slowly, hands raised a little as though to show she comes in peace.

“I got a call about a suspicious person… no need for this to get out of hand.. right..?” She asks as she stops to within 5 feet from the booth.

By now the entire diner is watching, some people hurriedly gathering their things, other people far too enraptured to move as the surveillance drones scans the entirety of the establishment.

The figure sits up a little, accepting that there’s no avoiding this confrontation now, he reaches up slow, as to ensure that he doesn’t startle the hero in front of him.

He pulls his hood down, revealing the face of an old man, filled with frustration and embarrassment.

The drone is quick to identify him, Mitchel Goodwin, AKA Mr Midnight, a retired villain from way back when.

He was released a few months ago, having served the entirety of his sentence lawfully, his record even suggests he was a model inmate on his latest visit.

The name actually makes you a little nostalgic, way back when you were just a freelancer, you and your team actually brought him in.

His MO was cat-burglary targeting the upper crust of the city, penthouses in the westside, mansions near south beach, the wealthy.

His career culminated in the theft at Juno Valentine’s estate, there he stole nearly every valuable item she had which led to the collapse of her family in its entirety.

You remember him being a roguish kind of handsome, fitting him well as he fashioned himself as a sort of gentlemen thief.

In a way, he represents simpler days, or at least they FELT simpler to you back then, you were just a kid, the only responsibility you had was the kind you asked for.

And now, all these years later he sits here, an old man just trying to fade into obscurity.

“I’ve done NOTHING WRONG… please just… leave me be..” he says, voice trembling; it’s clear this isn’t the first time this has happened sense he was released.

You relay the message to Kicks who nods softly as she backs off a little before putting her hands on her hips.

“I understand if you’d like to be alone for a while… but if you want.. I’d be happy to talk…?” She says, giving a small smile.

He looks at her, incredulous before sighing, using a hand to gesture to the seat across from him in the booth.

Taking the opportunity, she slides in, her hands resting on the table, allowing a small silence to grow between them.

“You ever feel like you’re being watched..? Even though you’re all alone..?” He asks, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Typically when a villain leaves the game behind, they fade into the woodwork, they HAVE to, otherwise they can expect daily harassment or even attempts on their life from the families of their victims.

“Yeah… I actually know how that feels.. I… I knew someone who was in a situation like yours once…” she replies, her words soft.

“Sometimes.. sometimes I can see them staring.. even when they think I can’t… those stares that make me feel like a damned monster…” he says, his voice cracking as he buries his face in his hands.

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone… never! It… it was only money… r… right…?” He almost seems to be searching Kicks’ face, looking for some kind of validation.

Sometimes it’s just not enough to pretend they’re normal, sometimes they just can’t take the stares of citizens, wondering it’s all an act, that they’re just biding their time before their next sin.

And that’s if they’re lucky enough to be of sound mind, the unwell… they never get better… no matter the therapy, no matter the medicine, the stares are just too much.

“Maybe so… maybe you never meant any real harm, but it’s not intent that matters… just cause and effect” she’s gentle with her words, taking care not to lambaste unfairly.

He seems receptive, knowing the words hold truth no matter how harshly they sting.

Seeing that this is no longer relevant to you, you shut off the feed, allowing Kicks to do what she’s best at, a guy in his position, needs this more then you.

Kicks returns many hours later, seemingly having given that old man all the time he needed to start his path of redemption.