“Outsourced” is a novelette published in Habitual Heroes in 2021. Alex goes to the International District to shop. He gets stabbing and shooting and some new awkward friendships.
Warning[]
“Outsourced” contains explicit violence, explicit expletives, sorcery, breaking and entering, punching, kicking, stabbing, shooting, defenestration, awkward shopping encounters, kidnapping, intimidation, sorcerous inadequacy, social engineering, wrath, pop culture references, grappling, impalings, transnational crime, discharge of firearms within city limits, a jerk throwing a rock at a cat, and the same jerk getting stomped for it.
Synopsis[]
A circle from China were on the hunt for magical artifacts, and they were willing to use deadly force to get what they wanted. They had kidnapped Daniel, a junior member of the International circle, and held him for ransom. The rest of the International circle found Alex shopping in the International District, and they quickly recruited him for a rescue mission, as he was not dependant on magic and unknown to the kidnappers.
Alex fought his way to Daniel just as Lorelei arrived as back-up, extracting them both.
Appearances[]
Roughly in order of appearance.
Characters[]
- The International circle
- Alex Carlisle
- Zhu Tiang’s circle
- Chen
- Various Practitioners and muscle
- A cat
- A watcher spirit
- Lorelei
- Molly Murray and Onyx (mentioned only)
Locations & organizations[]
- Seattle
- The International District
- A house in Seward Park
Continuity[]
“Outsourced” is set in late March, between “Legitimacy” and “Guardians”.[1]
Trivia[]
The story refers to the end of the cherry blossom season in Seattle, but is chronologically probably set during the height of the season.[2]
There is a reference to a “Yoshi” early on, who probably is Natsuo, but both Yoshi and Natsuo are Japanese given names. Yumi is a given name used in Japan and Korea.
According to this story, Skorri was illiterate. However, Skorri was able to write runes.[3]
Publication history[]
“Outsourced” was first published on Elliott Kay’s Patreon in February 2021. It was re-published in Habitual Heroes in December 2021.
References[]
- ↑ Timelines and Links: Good Intentions (Elliott Kay’s Patreon, July 4, 2022)
- ↑ Elliott Kay’s Patreon, February 2020
- ↑ Natural Consequences, chapter 10