“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]
Theories[]
Alex was recognized by the store surveillance as a person of interest, and known by name by Jin. It is unknown how he was recognized as such. One possibility is the entirely mundane means of a picture, but the only known interaction between Alex and the International circle was at the meeting before the Battle of the Casino, and taking photographs at such a meeting seems like a faux pas. Alex would also be of low interest at that time. The alternative source of a picture would be the internet, which would require a clear decision to find pictures of him and knowing his name.
Jin knew Alex by his full name, but he was only introduced by his first name to the people at the meeting. This implies some form of investigation or asking around about him, and raises the likelihood of image searches too.
Another possibility would be that the store surveillance were notified by some form of wards about people with supernatural connections or mindset. But if Alex triggered it due to the blood on his hands, then the circle would not think of him as a mundane. He was also only there as a shopper, without any form of ill intent or illicit plans.
That makes a picture after an investigtion the most likely source for recognizing Alex.
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