City Life

Sagacious' office sat in a small corner of a three story stone and plaster building on the edge of a poorer neighborhood called Les Mendiants. Lined with bookshelves, piled high with musty tomes and notebooks surrounded him literally in his work. A single old wooden table served as his desk, more books stacked on it, with two threadbare and ancient chairs, one for him and one for a guest. A single window afforded him a view of the old and falling apart district and allowed some natural light into the room. The only other bit of furniture was a green slate chalkboard sat upon a frame set with castors. It was more a minty green, discolored and permanently set with pale markings.

The door was simple and wooden, inset with a frosted glass window which proclaimed his name and position within the precinct. 'Inspector Sagacious Pleasant, Occult Investigations' written in simple common flowing script in bold black letters, it was a source of pride for him. That door opened to admit him the next morning, a coffee in one hand and a delicious looking pastry in the other as he gently removed his cloak and hung it on the back of his chair.

He sat down and began to leaf through the papers that had been delivered over the night, royal blue eyes scanning them carefully. He'd returned home to find the apartment in the usual disarray that accompanied deep cleaning and a frantic roommate. Scarlett was very excited and told him that Darruk and Queen Thia were headed to Valais, proudly showing off Darruk's letter. Sagacious had made an insensitive joke about going to pick up groceries, Scarlett had been offended, and the two of them spent the rest of the evening avoiding each other.

He felt badly for insulting her, he was very frustrated with Scarlett's overall situation. The two of them had come here to Valais almost a year ago, a few weeks of convalescence in his study had turned into months. She was clearly traumatized by the events on Caer Ashwynn, and refused any help he'd offered. Patience was all he could do, and his own Patron had advised the same. He scowled and shook his head, murmuring aloud, "I know I was wrong, Zee. I'll apologize after work."

A light but insistent tapping on the door roused him from his reverie. "Come in". He called softly, taking a drink of the precinct coffee he'd poured himself. It tasted burnt and old, as usual. The door swung inward and the grey haired and mustached face of Captain Dooley, his boss, appeared in the room.

The captain was a jolly man, red cheeked and a little heavy set, he had one of those demeanors that most folks just trusted and liked. "Pleasant. Good morning, the reports on yesterday's homicide came back, there on that mess you call a desk somewhere." The Captain followed his greeting into the office and sat down with a sigh in the other chair as Sagacious leafed through the files and papers.

"Ah, I see. Yes, thank you Captain." He silently began to read through the file while Dooley sat waiting for his attention. "Marie Renaud, local seamstress," he read aloud, "Unmarried, no fixed residence, no family." Sagacious dropped the file and looked at Dooley. "At least we could ID her. I doubt you've come all the way down here to simply deliver bad news", he took another sip of coffee and winced.

Dooley nodded and looked at the floor. "Well, Inspector, you see…" he began slowly, "We got word that an old friend of yours is coming to the city in a few days." The captain's cheeks were usually rosy, but a true blush had crept up from beneath his collar. "And I was just wondering, that is, hoping you could-"

Sagacious smiled a bit sarcastically and finished his captain's sentence. "You wanted to meet the Queen?"

Dooley's face lit up like a fancy torch. "Could you arrange that? It's just that I am a huge fan, have read about her since I was a kid, it would mean-"

Sagacious was no fan of fame, and even less being hounded to meet famous people that he knew, but he half expected this. Queen Thia had been present at The Emergence, one of the most epochal events in recorded time, and as an Elf she could easily live another few centuries. She was legitimately one of the most famous people in all of Arbre. His hand absently touched the small platinum pin he used for his cloak pin, the royal seal of Caer Ashwynn wrought in white gold. It marked him as a Knight of the realm and a trusted friend of the Queen. Of course word reached Dooley that she was on her way here, he probably knew before Scarlett did.

None of this showed on his face as he smiled expansively at Captain Dooley. "I'll see what I can do, Cap. No promises though." He paused to let the sink into Dooley's excited mind before turning the chat back to business. He tapped the open file gently, "The report does say that she helped at an orphanage near the University. I would like to poke around there for a bit, see what I can find. All I have is an obvious sacrificial killing and now the name of the victim. I need more."

"Ah, yes. Of course. I'll see if the faculty will send someone to meet up with you there. Thank you!" Sagacious smiled internally, the man came in here asking for a favor and was so flustered that he'd agree to anything Sagacious asked.

Sagacious made a sour face at Dooley for a second, adding, "Captain? Do you think we could do something about the coffee maker?" he shook his cup slightly for effect, "This is inhuman and probably slightly poisonous. Whatever would we serve the Queen if she came to grace the precinct?"

The captain paled a little and smiled broadly. "Oh, yes! Of course! I'll have someone pick us up a nice new one!"

Sagacious stood and began to pack up the file and redonned his cloak, smiling to himself. Maybe this was not all bad?

*****

Scarlett had heard the door close and lock when Sagacious had left for work, having slept fitfully. Her dreams were filled with memories of Everon, the peace and sense of belonging she'd felt when they had been bonded. And when she awoke, her anxiety was still there, heavy like a great beast on her chest. It wasn't even Sagacious she was mad at, she knew, he didn't mean anything by his joke.

She made a tea and stood out on the balcony in the solitude of the morning. Charlie was waiting for the morning ritual and flapped onto her horns, trilling happily about the rain lifting and the sun shining. This was why Scarlett preferred the company of animals, they didn't care about silly things like belonging or depression, they simply existed in their place.

She reached up and offered Charlie her hand as a perch, making kissing noises. "Good morning, Charlie. My goodness, you're a happy fellow today! Why are you so happy? Did you meet a lady bird?"

Charlie hopped from foot to foot, singing about the warm sky and plentiful snacks in the puddles before they dried up. He suddenly stopped his dancing and stood very still, regarding Scarlett with black eyes. The sudden silence startled her and she stared back. "Charlie? Are you okay?"

The bird stared into her eyes and opened its beak, a mascline voice emerging, "Just fine, Scarlett." She gawped open mouthed at the bird on her hand.

"Wh- who is this?" She stammered, shocked.

"A friend. Someone who wants to meet you and buy you breakfast." Charlie slowly bowed at his waist, sweeping his wing like a gentleman with a cloak.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Do I know you?"

"No my dear, not yet at least. You needn't worry, I mean you no harm at all, I just thought it a shame such a bright soul seemed so lost in a place like this city." Charlie trilled happily again himself for a moment, he seemed fine. "What do you say, Scarlett? Le Cafe Andorra, just downstairs. Can't you smell the fresh bread and coffee?"

Scarlett could, and they both made her mouth water. And it was just downstairs, she could retreat back upstairs whenever she felt the need. Why not? "Let's say I agreed. Who are you, how will I know you?"

"I will be the older gentleman wearing a white linen suit, impeccably tailored. I'm called Monseiur Talbot." Again, Charlie doffed an imaginary hat and bowed deeply.

Scarlett took a deep breath before answering. "Okay, but nothing funny, okay? I'm not that kind of girl and if you try anything I will melt you from the inside out." She hoped she sounded serious, and glared at Charlie for emphasis.

"I await your meeting with baited breath, my dear. No harm will befall you, this I swear." Charlie shook his head and returned to his happy dancing and singing about the sunshine, he nuzzled Scarlett's cheek briefly and then returned to flight leaving her alone on the balcony in silence feeling oddly hungry and excited. She could do this! And she would grab some pastries and leave them for Sagacious by way of apology and proving triumph! Softly whistline to herself, she began to get ready...