Interview with Mayor

Brendon met his gaze evenly, though the tips of his claws bit faintly into his palms. "I only want to work, sir."

"Of course," Arnesto replied, though his tone was smooth with amusement. "But work in Ridgecliff requires a certain… finesse. You understand, surely."

---

The Interview Begins

Arnesto leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "Let's start simple, shall we?" His eyes glinted. "What made you accept this job, Mr. Wolf? After all, not many would trade prison walls for a sheriff's badge so quickly."

Brendon's ears flicked, but his tone remained steady. "A chance to set things right, sir. And to leave the past behind."

"Hm." Arnesto's gaze narrowed a fraction. "Noble. But law enforcement isn't about redemption, Mr. Wolf. It's about control. Are you familiar with maintaining control under… pressure?"

The question hung in the air, barbed and sharp. Brendon held his gaze. "I've had practice," he replied, voice calm.

Arnesto smirked, a glimmer of teeth. "I suppose you would. Moving on—your file mentions a history of petty crimes. Theft, gambling… but no history of violence until—" he gestured vaguely, "the incident. Care to explain the sudden escalation?"

A muscle tightened in Brendon's jaw. "There was no escalation," he said evenly. "The charges were false."

Arnesto's eyes flicked over him, calculating. "That's what the letter says," he murmured. "Still, perception is reality, Mr. Wolf. Ridgecliff's citizens won't take kindly to a sheriff they can't trust."

"I'll earn their trust," Brendon replied, a rough edge in his tone.

Arnesto chuckled, low and almost pleasant. "Confidence. I like that." His fingers tapped a slow rhythm against the desk. "Tell me, then—how would you handle a dispute between Hybrids and Anthros in the eastern district? It's a… delicate area, if you're unaware."

Brendon considered. "Listen first," he answered. "Keep the peace without picking sides."

"And if one side decides peace isn't an option?" Arnesto countered.

Brendon's eyes narrowed a fraction. "Then I stop them—by the book."

"By the book," Arnesto echoed, amusement curling in his voice. "How quaint." His eyes glinted. "And if it's a human causing trouble?"

Brendon's claws pricked faintly into his palms. "Same rules apply," he said, firm.

"Interesting." Arnesto leaned forward, fingers laced under his chin. "You don't seem to hesitate, Mr. Wolf. Makes one wonder if you're as by-the-book as you claim."

Brendon's gaze didn't waver. "I follow the law, sir."

A beat of silence. Then, the mayor chuckled, shifting back with a sigh. "Well, we'll see about that," he murmured. His eyes gleamed with a darker edge.

---

The Final Question

"Just one last thing," Arnesto said, voice silk-smooth. "Mr. Wolf, can you elaborate how many sentient beings are there in our society currently?"

Brendon's ears flicked, but his voice remained steady. "Three, sir. Humans, Anthros, and Hybrids."

Arnesto's gaze narrowed, a glint of something dark and searching behind the feigned smile. "Only three?" he pressed.

Brendon's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone even. "As far as the common folk are aware, sir."

A beat of silence. Then, the mayor chuckled, low and almost pleasant. "Clever. I suppose you'll do."

---

The words weren't kind, but Brendon knew an approval when he heard one. Arnesto leaned forward, signing the bottom of a document with a flourish.

"Welcome to Ridgecliff's law enforcement, Sheriff Wolf," he said, eyes glinting with something sharp and unreadable.

Brendon took the badge with a nod, its weight cold in his palm. Outside, rain drummed harder against the windows, a dark sky stretched endless and heavy.

---

Arnesto leaned back, tapping his fingers against the desk with a faint smirk. "Well then, Mr. Wolf," he said, folding the recommendation letter neatly, "I suppose that settles it."

Before Brendon could respond, the door behind him opened smoothly. In walked a fox with crimson fur, dressed in a formal shirt and pants, her green eyes sharp and assessing. Her stride was confident, each step precise.

"Ah, just in time," Arnesto said, gesturing to her. "Brendon, this is Devina Foxington, my assistant and the one who keeps this place from falling apart most days."

Devina's gaze flicked over Brendon, a subtle arch to her brow. "Pleasure," she said, her tone smooth but guarded.

Brendon nodded, rising to his feet. "Likewise."

Arnesto chuckled, clasping his hands. "Devina will show you around and help get you settled into your new role. She'll also fill you in on the… finer points of Ridgecliff's law enforcement."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, and Devina," he added, with a wave of his hand, "make sure to show our new sheriff to his apartment. The one near the station. He will need one to stay from now on."

Devina's eyes flickered, almost imperceptibly, but she gave a curt nod. "Of course," she said smoothly. "Follow me, Sheriff."

Brendon hesitated for a moment, then adjusted the loose tie around his neck and followed her out.