Kan arrived at the scene and walked past the city guards, flashing his badge at them ‘High inspector of Sharlayan, Kan Akagane’. As he approached the scene of murder he was intercepted by his comrade, a male miqo’te inspector of 2nd class – “Sir Kan!? I did not expect they would call you in here of all people” Kan grunted at him, his gaze fixated on the victim’s body – “what do you have so far?”
The male Miqo’te, dressed in black suit, folded his ears and nodded – “yes sir, uhm.. The body was discovered this morning by a wall artist.” He walked Kan over to the body and knelt beside it – “it’s uhm, quite brutal” the blood stained cloth revealed that there have been numerous wounds inflicted on the victim’s body. 2 seemed to be around the neck area, 1 at the chest by the heart, and 1 seemingly in the stomach.
Kan squinted at the miqo inspector beside him who gulped hesitantly and pulled away the cloth covering the body of a young female. Her jet-black hair and pale white skin made her seem like a doll at first. Kan quickly examined her body. ‘Young female miqo’te, in her teens, about 17, cigarette bud beside her, smoker, 2 equal sized puncture wounds on her throat, killer stabbed with 2 knives same time by the looks of things’
He approximated the distance between the wounds and noticed that 1 was slightly lower than the other – ‘2 different knives, killer is right handed’. He continued examining. She was dressed in a party outfit, nothing unusual for a young miqo on a friday. He sighed as he noticed the other 2 stab wounds on her body, seem to have been inflicted after the fact “killer knew what he was doing, and tried to hide it with additional wounds to throw us off” The miqo inspector beside him gasped – “that so?” Kan nodded – “yeah.. Alright i’m d..” he paused as his gaze darted to a kiss mark, obstructed slightly by the blood – “cloth” 1 of the guardsmen handed over a piece of clean cloth to inspector Kan who carefully wiped away the blood to reveal a barely visible lipstick mark of a kiss. It was pretty much skin-colored, one could describe it as ‘sand/nude’ lipstick. He squinted at it for a while “Our killer is a girl, not too tall by the looks of things”
The miqo’te stepped aside – “noted sir, I’ll have guardsmen pull records on any female in the area who’d have expertise with knives” Kan nodded – “yes, and call in inspector Dagasi, i’ll need her expertise on this… after all, no better hunter for a female assassin than a former female assassin!” The miqo inspector nodded – “yes sir! And uhh, we have some witnesses too”. Kan nodded and stood up. As he glanced at the body one last time, he noticed something.
The girl had something in her hand, hooked to her broken nail. He knelt and grabbed it, a piece of black cloth. He rubbed it in his hand and smelled it “Female perfume… strong scent, seems to be a piece of shirt’s collar” he mumbled to himself. The miqo’te inspector stepped up beside him and looked at it – “Sir? Is that more evidence?” he shook his head – “no, found it in my own pocket”
He squinted around the people gathered by the scene, held back by the city guard. 1,2..5,7 females, not too tall, stood in the crowd. None of them averted their gaze as he glared them in the eyes, none showed obvious signs of guilt or suspicion. He sat on a chair in the interrogation room, talking to the witnesses one by one. As per usual, most ‘witnesses’ didn’t actually see anything. “There was a bright flash and then footsteps” was the only common statement in their claims.
A loud thump on the table as a heavy binder landed beside him on the wooden table behind which Kan seemed to be dreaming, leaning back in his chair. The thud jolted him awake from the land of daydreaming – “Ah!? Who!?” Dagasi, a female au’ra stood before him – “Kan! Sleeping on the job are we? Tsk tsk… There ya have it, list of potential murderers, just finished putting it together” He flipped through first to pages – “Dagasi come on! You know I don’t work this way”
Dagasi leaned in and grabbed Kan by the horn, pushing his face down to stare at the binder – “Listen here you good for nothing, slacking piece of..” she was interrupted by an opening door as a large, bulky man walked through it, ducking to not hit his head – “Inspector Kan! I brought the next witness” Kan gestured Dagasi to sit beside him as Rapu stood aside and a small person followed him into the room, a lalafel.
Rapy nodded and went back outside, the lala walked past the table and jumped up on the chair, then stood with arms in her side and grinned – “well? What do you want little man? I am busy you know?” Kan raised his eyebrow – “uhm.. Your name for starters” Dagasi giggled lightly trying to hold back bursting out into laughter. Something about a small lala calling a full-grown au’ra ‘little man’ just broke her a little.
“I am known to all as the mighty Elpis, but you can just call me Me!” Kan scratched his head in confusion – “alright you” The lala exclaimed – “No! ME!” Kan nodded – “yes you!” Dagasi sighed – “Elpis! Call her ELPIS before I start asking the questions here” This somehow made both Kan and Elpis more serious in a blink of an eye, something about Dagasi’s cold stare made them both rather uneasy, and, she seemed to be in bad mood.
Elpis gulped and proceeded to explain what she saw – “There was a slender figure I saw sneaking after a trotting miqo’te making her way down the alley. The miqo was not alone though, not for a while” Kan looked over at Dagasi, she nodded at him. “Then they parted ways, and shortly after I saw a commotion, and then a bright flash and running steps” Kan sighed – “Same thing again” Dagasi slammed her fist on the table – “And why were YOU out in the back alleys after dark?”
Elpis’s eyes widened as she stared at the obviously pissed-off au’ra inspector before her. “I uhh…” stuttered the intimidated au’ra “I work the ni..night shifts at the local bakery” her eyes darting around the room which only further raised Dagasi’s suspicion – “Inspector Kan, have you been to that bakery? On the corner of the 3rd street?”
He raised his eyebrow – “Wasn’t there some case of a disappearing bunny girl or something surrounding that bakery?” Elpis sighed – “Ah! That! That was resolved” Dagasi grinned – “But the body was never found” Elpis gasped – “you can’t be suspecting me” Kan laughed – “no, don’t think you could quite reach a miqo’s neck to plant a kiss, let alone stab her in the neck”
At last, after being pressured and terrified for no reason, Elpis was let go, she ran back home that night and never looked back. Kan ventured to the streets, carrying the binder and flicking through pages “not this 1, can’t be that” Dagasi strolled behind him – “what else do we know?” Suddenly, Kan stopped and sniffed the air “Lavender and roses” Dagasi’s eyes widened for a moment as she smelled the air – “huh?” a feint smell of lavender and roses tickled her nostrils.
He took out the piece of cloth from his pocket and handed it to her – “Smell it”. She took a sniff and looked around – “hmm, lavender and… did you find this on the victim?” he nodded – “yeah, she had it hooked to her broken nail, must’ve took a hold of the killer before she bled out.”
Dagasi grinned – “Too bad we don’t have a dog around, lets try to follow the scent” He shrugged – “Or..” his eyes raised to a tailor shop “See if someone turned in a shirt with a ripped collar for repairs, seems pretty high quality”
*****Audience Input*****
M’iyu Fhey: Tailori dont think au’ras have well enough nostrils for this
Presea Diamond: They can’t follow the scent very well i think, so Tailor
Atheris Hispida: Tailor sounds more promising.
Help Me: i’m sure there are some interesting tailors in the area
Rapu Riverstone: Tailor!
Misuzu Takane: What if the tailor is a dog?
Nith’ira Kaz’ior: tailor!
**********
As they entered the shop, the small bell on the door rang, announcing their intrusion to the shop-keeper. A viera emerged from behind the curtains separating the front part of the store from the back area workshop. Her jetblack hair danced in the light as she walked, her ear tips just barely missed the top of the doorframe. Her expression changed quickly from a welcoming smile to a frown “Inspectors… how may I be of assistance?” Dagasi walked the shop, examining the shelves of beautifully crafted high-class clothes. Dresses and shirts crafted for nobles, each costing more than the inspector’s monthly wage. Kan stepped up to the counter and grinned – “Hey darling! Got a” She raised her hand up – “I’ll stop you right there search-dog! Don’t EVER call me a darling again, especially in my own shop, lest you desire to have your lips sewn shut!”
Dagasi giggled again, admiring the scene of the tall, muscular inspector Kan, this time, getting shut down by a viera girl that looks so frail but her gaze sent shivers even down Dagasi’s spine, though maybe it was a thrill and not fright that sent the shivers. Kan gulped – “ah..ahem yes! Of course miss… erhm, has anybody brought a shirt for repairs” The black haired viera sighed at him, giving him the ‘are you serious’ look.
“Listen search-dog you gonna have to be more specific. I receive no less than 20 repair orders a day” Kan’s thick tail swung around expressing his annoyance – “Black… uh, silky? Kinda… damaged collar?” he handed over the piece of cloth to her – “this material”. The viera rubbed it between her fingers, a smile stretched across her face momentarily before returning back to frown. The smell reminded her of something. Kan glanced over at Dagashi who shook her head.
“Hmm, I’ve sold a few shirts like this last week, but none were brought back for repairs.” Kan grinned – “Whom to?” The viera shrugged – “listen, dog, it’s not my job to keep tabs on all my customers..” Dagasi walked up beside Kan and glared at the viera, who only smirked in response at the sassy stare she received – “Fine, tell you what I remember but only cuz you’re cute” she said in a soft tone
“One was a fem miqo, 2 were sold to au’ri girls, much like yourself inspector, the rest I do not recall, there were 5 in total for sale” As they left the shop Dagasi smiled “She was quite lovely!” Kan stared at her – “Lovely? SHe was a b..” a slap across his face knocked the word out of his memory – “Focus inspector! What do we know so far?” He sighed – “well we can, for the time being, focus on fem au’ri and catgirls as primary suspects” Dagasi extended her hand –
“Give me the list”. As she flipped through the pages and got lost in her thoughts it took her a moment to realize Kan wasn’t following her any longer. She turned to see him staring at the tailor’s shop again, a moment later he turned and walked up to her – “didn’t she..” Dagasi shrugged – “What? HIDE something? Oh for sure! What do you suggest? Arrest her for not revealing customer info? Or maybe break into her shop?” Kan’s eyes seemingly glinted as he smiled-
“That’s not a..” she sighed – “oh here we go again..” The night came fast as the 2 awaited for the viera to leave her shop. “Alright, we can go through the window, maybe see if roof has some entrance, or try to pick the front door” Dagasi shook her head – “no no! YOU are going, I’m staying right here”
*****Audience Input*****
Presea Diamond: Pick the door
Vodil Calmacil: inspector doesn’t seem too capable of doing either of htose things
Leona Lucifra: Picking the front door – as inspectors they won’t have to be scared bout the police at least?
Crashh Boi: I don’t know if I trust their ability to pick a lock, but it’s worth a shot.
Atheris Hispida: Picking a door isn’t difficult.
Vodil Calmacil: send him to the door, can’t break his neck that way at least
**********
Kan walked up confidently to the door. The night was young, the street was quiet. Dagasi sat a block away on the bench, enjoying the show. Kan made quick work of the lock, walked into the shop and made his way right into the backroom. He stared at thin, soft leather stretched out on a rack, his instincts telling him something was off, but he wasn’t here for that. He searched for the records and found them relatively quickly. Grabbing the papers and turning to run.
As he made out of the shop and closed the door behind himself, he noticed a shape walking towards the shop, a viera. He was quick to duck into the shadows seemingly before she had the opportunity to spot him. As he sat in the shadows behind garbage cans around the shop’s corner, he listened to a gentle rhythmic hum as the viera went into her shop humming some melody, a short while later she left, this time carrying a purse.
She paused and looked into the dark alley, a grin on her face before she turned to leave having thrown something into the garbage can. Kan made his way back to Dagasi when the viera was far away enough – “Found em?” she asked with an amused grin on her face. He nodded – “yeah, lets see..” He pulled out 4 pieces of paper and looked through them in the dim lantern light “3 orders for female au’ri and 1 for female miqo’te… one is missing”
Dagasi stood up and stretched – “Great! Now what?” He sighed and stood up – “Where did we smell the perfume’s scent?” She shrugged – “Oh uhmm, right here?” she looked around and pointed into the dark alley – “Roughly in that direction, but it’s long gone” Kan nodded – “yeah, but let’s check it anyways”. As the 2 rounded the corner into the shadow of the back alley, a sweet mellow voice came from inside the shadow “Looking for me?” said the voice. Kan’s eyes focused on the shape in the shadows “Maybe, are you a killer?” The shape in the shadows stepped closer towards the, barely visible in the darkness, she took her hood off and grinned – “Depends, who’s asking?” her bright colored hair was almost the only thing the inspectors could see. Dagasi sighed as she pushed Kan out of the way – “Step aside! You’re interfering with a..” a huff of wind brought forth a familiar scent once more.
Dagasi drew her dagger pressing the catgirl against the wall, she leaned closer, ever so close, close enough to tickle the mysterious girl’s skin with her breath. The mysterious girl gasped and then chuckled – “Hey now, I don’t mind rough play but at least tell me your name first” Dagasi smelled her neck and then loosened her grip – “No, you’re not her, what do you want?” The blonde-haired catgirl sighed – “another 1 not interested… I heard you 2 were looking for info?”
Kan nodded – “Know something?” she grinned – “I know a LOT! I live in the shadows! This part of town I know all about” Dagasi sheathed her dagger – “The smell just now?” she grinned again – “Ah that came from a flower shop, there’s a flower shop just down the street, run by 2 lovely cuties.” Kan stepped forth – “And the murderer?” She shrugged and stuck her tongue out – “listen mister, I’m NOT free” she bit her lip and grinned.
Dagasi grunted – “We can arrest you for interfering with an investigation” She raised her hands up and stuck her tongue out – “Or you could pay up and hear about the color of the killer’s tail” Kan gritted his teeth – “fine! How much?” she smiled – “now we’re talking… I saw her sneaking away after dropping a flash bomb! Saw her tail as she darted around the corner before the flash bomb went off. How abouttt… 500!”
Dagasi drew her dagger – “how much do you value your life?” the blonde-haired catgirl grinned – “about… 500 I reckon” Dagasi smirked – “I guess we’re even then?” the blonde-haired catgirl pulled a small round object from inside her sleeve and dropped it. As it impacted with the ground, a bright flash of light blinded inspectors for a moment. Before they could see again, she was gone.
After regaining their sight at least to some extent the 2 stumbled their way toward the long-closed flower shop. To their surprise, however, there was somebody inside. The door was opened by a beautiful, young, au’ra girl. She wore a black, collared dress shirt, one much similar by the looks of it to the torn-off piece he had found. His instincts kicked in but he held back – “Uh, sorry miss, we apologize to interrupt you so late at night. “Oh it’s quite alright” she smiled a sweet smile at them, keeping the door as closed as she can – “h..how may I help you?” Kan looked over her shirt – “have you heard of anything related to the recent murder” She squinted – “n..no I’m afraid not.. Will that be all?” Dagasi planted her hand on the door, pushing it open, pushing the au’ra aside with it – “Not quite missy! We must take a look around your shop”
The young au’ra tried to resist but was quickly shut down by Dagasi’s attitude. The smell was indeed the same as on the ripped shirt, and there she stood, wearing a similar shirt but it had no signs of damage. He made his way into the back rooms where evidently the ship keeper girl lived, though seemingly on her own despite the fact that the mysterious catgirl earlier told them there were 2 cuties running the shop.
Kan examined the room and at last pulled out a shirt, a black collared shirt, with a torn collar. His eyes widened, his mind raced ‘bingo, we got our suspect tracked down’. In that instant, he felt a sharp cold object press against his neck “now now mister, rummaging through other’s belongings isn’t good” He gulped, the voice, it wasn’t the shop keeper’s voice, nor was it the voice of the catgirl from earlier.
His gaze darted around, at the corner of his eye he could see a blonde tail. The gentle voice was pleasant, almost seductive. Her cold, neutral tone told him that she planned to toy with him before making the kill. ‘Dagasi..’ he thought to himself as the voice commanded – “On your knees, inspector” he did as instructed.
A crash downstairs ‘Dagasi must be fighting, mayhaps the shopkeep is an accomplice?’ Another voice from the window, a gentle but familiar to him voice – “Ahh, forgot to tell you, inspector, there were 2 sets of steps running from the scene.” a grinning blonde-haired Miqo said, leaning on the windowsill from the outside to his right.
She grinned, dressed in the same black shirt that the shop-keeper was wearing – “Told you I got info… but you wouldn’t listen” Her blue and aquamarine eyes glittered excitedly as she spin a knife in her hand – “Say, inspector.. Do you like your companion?” Kan nodded – “Let her go! It was me who stuck his nose into this”
She jumped up and over the windowsill, sitting on it now as she smiled at him – “Theeeenn, look up!” He did as she suggested, and stared Dagasi in the eyes. She smiled warmly at him, her tail, now looking like a miqo’te tail, blonde in color, hit him on the side – “Kan, you many several mistakes. Should have paid Misu and she’d have led you away from here. But of course, you were stubborn.. And now, you know too much”
Kan gritted his teeth- “Damn it Dagasi.. I…” she grinned in response – “Trusted me? Yeah, that was your mistake #2.. What a fool, asking the killer to help you solve the murder” Kan blinked and sighed – “Wait.. then what about the tailor Viera? The missing order? And.. the shopkeeper au’ra?”
Dagasi burst into a laughter – “ahaha! You still didn’t realize did you? The viera works with us, he last order, was my own… She said it to you!” She laughed – “She literally said ‘one much like yourself inspector’ but you didn’t catch on.. You daft bastard!” She grabbed him by the throat leaning in – “And the shopkeeper.. She is just a cover artist, she runs the shop, we live here, not her”
And then he felt it, stinging pain in his neck, and then something warm poured down his chest. His clothes soaked as he gurgled – “Da..ga..grr” He collapsed, his vision faded to black “Dawhh! Dagasi! He didn’t pay me yet for the intel!!” complained Misu, watching the inspector Kan gurgle his last breath as life poured out of him.
To this day, inspector Dagashi has yet to uncover the murderer of inspector Kan.
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