Dreck flicks his lighter on and off.
On
and
[[off.]]
He looks around his office. The cluttered mass of [[paperwork]] collected at his desk. His [[glass ashtray]], still holding a cigar is peeking out underneath.
A dim [[light charm]] is the only source of light in this dusty old place. Well, besides the lights of Aurealkia shining outside his window. The night is still young
(if: $timer >= 3 and $timer < 4)[There's a knock at the [[door]].]
(else-if: $timer >= 4 and $timer < 5)[They're knocking [[louder|door]]]
(else-if: $timer >= 5)[Wow, whoever that is, they must be really [[mad]]]Dreck scrounges through the mountain of paperwork.
Bill
Bill
Missing nymph
Lost *dog*
(if: $LetterTaken is false)[It's a [[letter]]]
(else:)[[[Nothing important here. Well, besides the bills. But let's worry about that later|off.]]]Dreck picks up the cigar.
(if: $smoked is false)[C'mon, let's get this sad, one-person party [[started]]!
Or [[not|off.]]]
(else:)[Or what's left of [[it|off.]].]
(set: $timer += 1){
(set: $LetterTaken to false)
(set: $lighton to true)
(set: $timer to 0)
(set: $smoked to false)
(set: $mad to false)
}He tears open the envelope.
It's a thank you letter.
"Dear Mr. Navain,
Thanks for finding my chupacabra! Turns out if they eat Vabrita leaves, they can go a little crazy.
Take care,
Jamie
That case was a pain. And the kid was even more of a pain to deal with.
At least it's over.
(link: "Take the letter.")[(set: $LetterTaken = true)(set: $timer = $timer + 1)(goto: "off.")]
(link: "Leave the letter.")[(set: $timer = $timer + 1)(goto: "off.")]
A gift from Dreck's mother. It floats in the air.
He pushes it and it drifts back ever so slowly away.
Elven gifts are rare. Dreck ponders if he should sell it.
Detective work doesn't pay what it used to. That's even if it pays
Turn it [[off?]]
(set: $timer = $timer + 1)Way to go, moron, Dreck thinks to himself
(set: $lighton to false)
Look around the [[office]]It's dark. Dreck rummages around for the light.
He can't find it
[[Rummage some more]]An bukly orc woman in a police uniform is outside
(color: red)[Took you long enough], she grumbles.
(color: blue)[Oh], Dreck says, (color: blue)[It's you, Xas. Always a pleasure.]
(color:red)[Don't be coy with me, Dreck. I've got something for [[you]]]Where the hell is it?
I swear it was just in my hand
Should he keep [[searching]] or let it stay [[dark]]. Does it even matter anymore?After a couple more minutes, Dreck finds the light charm and furiously lights it again. A simple incantation password is all he needed
(set: $lighton to true)
Damn, that was so [[lame.|off.]]Screw it. Dreck remembers he can see in the dark anyways.
Time to turn on nightvision
Elven privilege, [[baby!|off.]]Dreck tries to light the cigar with his lighter, but it fails to catch fire.
Sighing heavily, he expends some energy to use a cantrip.
A small flame rises from his finger and the cigar catches fire.
Dreck smiles and chomps down on it.
(set: $smoked to true)
He feels really cool for a second before reminding himself of the adverse side effects it has on his lungs. Oh, well. Half-elves live longer than humans anyway. Why not abuse [[it|off.]]?(color: red)[ARE YOU KIDDING ME!]
(set: $mad to true)
A very loud, emphasis on loud, orc woman in an officer's uniform storms into Dreck's office.
(color: blue)[Whoa], Dreck says, (color: blue)[Don't you need a warrent for this kind of [[thing]]?](color: red)[Shut yer yap!], she barks.
(if: $lighton is false)[(color:red)[Wait, why the hell is it so dark?]
(color:blue)[Uh, I like it this way. Obviously]
(color: red)[Uh huh.] She sounds unconvinced.
]
(color: red)[Now, if this had been my choice, I'd would've gone with someone actually competent, but the chief asked for you specifically]
(color: blue)[Man, you really aren't the classy dame I was expecting]
(color: red)[Shut up and get your ass in the car. I'm driving you to the scene.]
(color: blue)[Robbery?]
[[Murder.]](if: $lighton is false)[(color:red)[Wait, why the hell is it so dark?]
(color: blue)[Uh,I like it this way. Obviously]
(color: red)[Uh huh.] She sounds unconvinced.
]
(color: red)[We've got a murder case on our hands.The chief asked for you specifically.]
(color: blue)[Can't the good ol' boys at the station figure this one out]
Xas's grins and reveals her tusks, sharp and tough.
(color:red)[We both know they don't have what it takes. I'll drive you to there]
(color: blue)[But my evening plans...]
//[[C'mon.|Murder.]]//Flipped to Vea
No. No no no no!
How did this happen?!
It...this...I didn't do [[this.]]
The [[body]] of my's client is on the floor of the motel, completely drained of all blood.
(set: $bloodstain to true)
I reach for my [[mouth]], the blood still dripping down to my chin.
I grip my head, still woozy. Maybe from the large intake of blood?
I need to [[leave]]...
The body is pale and skinny. Completely draining a human's body does that.
My bite marks are still left on his neck.
I've seen this in movies before. But it's different from the way they show it.
The arms are sickly, and the stomach almost caves in and the face...
No, don't think about [[that]].
The blood is still flowing to my chin.
Stop it.
Please, stop it!
I can't stay [[here!|this.]]I run to the car. If my heart was still beating, I'm sure I'd feel the pounding in my head. There's no time.
I start the ignition and drive home.
Why? Why did I kill [[him]]?I did this, but I can't get caught.
I didn't mean for this to happen, but they won't believe me.
I need to [[hide the body]] or maybe [[alter]] it somehow
Maybe I should just [[leave|this.]] while I still have time...I need to change the body, adjust it so they won't think it's me.
Or at least make it obvious that it wasn't me
There's a [[knife]] on the kitchen counter or maybe I could use one of the jiangshi [[spells]] I've learned from my mother and clean any traces of my presence here. It will erase fingerprints, any DNA I leave and more. However it takes more time to cast. Time I could use to escape... My car is still here. Since there's no blood, I can just drag the body out to trunk. Find a place to hide it. Only the two of us should know we're here...
But if I were to get caught, it's over for sure...
Should I [[hide it]] or try [[something else|that]]You grip the knife in your hand.
How...how should I deface this corpse...
Create slash marks [[all over the body]] or [[just around the neck]]I take an hour to prepare the spell, using my qi to cast it. Ironically, draining that body of blood gave me all the qi I needed.
I step outside the motel room and cast it, eradicating my prescene there. Even the bite marks left on the body disappear.
This is a jiangshi technique passed down from my mother.
A last resort, she said, if something like this were ever to happen.
Having done what I can and feeling light-headed, I step inside my car and [[leave.]]I pick up the body off the floor. It still smells delicious but I resist that urge that is still consuming my mind.
I drag it to the door and [[peek]] outsideNo one's there. It's late, possibly midnight at this point.
I push open the door and manage to drag the body halfway through before the door slams on it.
Sorry, Mr. Belvedere.
I load the body in the trunk and take off towards the only place I can think off
[[The docks]]I lug the body over to the edge of the pier.
I stand there, still debating on whether or not to follow through
Please, please let this [[work.]]Xas parks the car inside a police barricade outside the Nightshade Motel.
(if: $mad is true)[(color: red)[Alright, punkass. Time to work your "magic."]
(color: blue)[Well, elves tend to be more magically inclined than other creatures and by that logic, half elve-]
(color: red)[Just shut up and get [[inside already.]]]
]
(else:)[(color: red)[Be careful not to mess anything up this time.]
(color: blue)[My dear Xas, have I ever-]
(color: red)[Please get out of the car.]
(color: blue)[All business as usual. [[No fun.|inside already.]]]
]I start carving marks into the body. Being an undead, this should be nothing to me.
Yet it's still sickening.
Halfway through, I feel myself about to throw up all the blood I drained.
It'd be almost funny, if this wasn't happening.
The body is even more of a mess than before, but at least nothing is leaking out.
I head toward the door, knife in hand, and to the car to drive home.
[[Flip to Dreck]]I hack at the neck. My stomach starts to churn as I do so
Hopefully this will throw them off the trail of a bloodsucker and onto the idea of a decpatitator. There's gotta be some kind of creature that wants and/or eats heads, right?
I head towards the exit, give one last look at my crime, and exit the motel with the knife.
[[Flip to Vea|Flip to Vea2]]The car with Dreck and Xas pulls up to the motel. A police barricade has already been set up: cars, caution tape, the works.
(if: $mad is true)[(color: red)[Get the hell out.]]
(else:)[(color: red)[We're here, Xas says.]
Looks, like the boys in blue are prepared for once, Dreck replies.
Haha. Very funny.
]
Two duo step out, cross the blockade and into the [[motel room]].Flipped to Dreck
Dreck and Xas get out of the car. A couple of police cars are set up as a somewhat shabby blockade.
(color: blue)["Nightshade Motel?"] Dreck reads.
(if: $mad is true)[
(color: red)[Who cares what it's called. Get in owner's office already.]
]
(else:)[
(color: red)[Bit too on the nose if you asked me. We need to go talk to the owner of the place first.]
]
(color: blue)[We're not going to look at the crime scene?]
(color: red)[No. Come on, [[you'll see]].]The next day, the police arrive at my door and I am arrested.
I heard one of the detectives, some half-elf guy, talking about how easy it was to solve the [[case]].
The car with Dreck and Xas pulls up to the motel. A police barricade has already been set up: cars, caution tape, the works.
(if: $mad is true)[Get the hell out, says Xas.]
(else:)[We're here, Xas says.
Looks, like the boys in blue are prepared for once, Dreck replies.
Haha. You should do comedy and leave the police work to the real police.
]
Two duo step out, cross the blockade and into the [[motel room|motel room two]].(color: red)[Victim has yet to be identified, but go ham], Xas says.
Dreck takes notice of the [[motel room.]]
The [[body|body one]] is still on the floor.
There could also be [[witnesses]] to check with.
(color:red)[When you're done investigating, [[let me know]]]
(color: red)[Victim has yet to be identified, but go ham], Xas says.
Dreck takes notice of the [[motel room.|motel room check]]
The [[body|body two]] is still on the floor.
There could also be [[witnesses|witnesses two]] to check with.
(color: red)[When you're done investigating, [[let me know|leave two]]]Dreck steps into the room and studies it for a minute.
(color: red)[Anything?]
Dreck nods.
(color: blue)[Yes, it's far too clean. Look into the database for creatures capable of mass presence erasure spells. In the meantime, let's inspect the [[body|body three]]](if: $roomRight is true or $roomWrong is true)[
The motel is kinda seedy now that you think about it.
[[Return?|motel room]]
]
(else:)[
The room is still tidy and well kept. No sign of struggle.
That must mean...
The killer is a [[professional]].
The killer and the victim [[knew each other]].
]
(if: $witnesses is false and $mad is false)[
(color:blue)[Any witnesses here?] Dreck inquires.
(color: red)[Nah,] says Xas. (color: red)[Perp was quick. Apparently the guy here checked in by himself at 11:30 and it's 12:30 now so go figure.]
(color: blue)[[[I see.|motel room]]]
]
(else-if: $witnesses is false and $mad is true)[
(color: blue)[Any witnesses here?] Dreck inquires.
(color: red)[If there was, we'd be talking to them already,] Xas growls, (color:red)[Now stop asking stupid questions and get going.]
(color: blue)[[[Geez, I can't say anything to you.|motel room]]]
]
(else:)[
Already asked. No point in annoying her any further.
[[Return?|motel room]]
]
(set: $witnesses to true)(if: $witnesses is false and $roomWrong is false and $roomRight is false and $bodyRight is false and $bodyWrong is false)[
(color: red)[The hell? Did you even check?] Xas says.
(color: blue)[Psh, who do you think you're dealing with,] Dreck replies.
(color: red)[Someone who needs to go check for [[evidence.|motel room]]]
(color:blue)[But do I need [[to]] though]
]
(else:)[
(color: red)[You good to leave?] Xas asks.
Reply [[Yes]] or [[No|motel room]]
](if: $bodyRight is true or $bodyWrong is true)[
Nothing else to see here. Besides a dead body.
[[Return?|motel room two]]
]
(else:)[
You do a once over of the corpse. Stab wounds all over...
This must be a [[diversion.| diversion two]]
This person must've been [[the work of a monster who eats heads.]]
](if: $witnesses is false)[
(color: blue)[Any witnesses here?] Dreck inquires.
(color: red)[Nah,] says Xas. (color: red)[Perp was quick. Apparently the guy here checked in by himself at 11:30 and it's 12:30 now so go figure]
(color: blue)[[[I see.|motel room two]]]
]
(else-if: $witnesses is false and $mad is true)[
(color: blue)[Any witnesses here?] Dreck inquires.
(color: red)[If there was, we'd be talking to them already,] Xas growls, (color: red)[Now stop asking stupid questions and get going.]
(color: blue)[[[Geez, I can't say anything to you.|motel room two]]]
]
(else:)[
Already asked. No point in annoying her any further.
[[Return?|motel room two]]
]
(set: $witnesses to true)(if: $witnesses is false and $roomWrong is false and $roomRight is false and $bodyRight is false and $bodyWrong is false)[
(color: red)[The hell? Did you even check?] Xas says.
(color: blue)[Psh, who do you think you're dealing with,] Dreck replies.
(color: blue)[Someone who needs to go check for [[evidence.|motel room two]]]
]
(else:)[
(color: red)[You good to leave?] Xas asks.
Reply [[Yes|Yes two]] or [[No|motel room two]]
](if: $bodyRight is true or $bodyWrong is true)[
Nothing else to see here. Besides a dead body.
[[Return?|motel room]]
]
(else:)[
You do a once over of the corpse. Stab wounds all over...
This must be a [[diversion]]
This person must've been real [[angry]]
]{
(set: $witnesses to false)
(set: $bodyRight to false)
(set: $bodyWrong to false)
(set: $roomWrong to false)
(set: $roomRight to false)
}(color: blue)[The stab wounds are here to throw us off], Dreck says outloud.
(color: red)[What makes you say that?] asks Xas.
(color: blue)[The body has obviously been drained off blood. If we check the neck...]
(color: blue)[Aha, see! Bite marks.]
(color: red)[You're a bit too excited about [[this.|motel room]]]
(set: $bodyRight to true)(color: blue)[These are obviously signs of aggression], Dreck says.
(color: red)[Well, duh. Even a moron could see that.]
(color: blue)[Not you apparently,] says Dreck under his breath
(color: red)[What was that?]
(color: blue)[Nothing at [[all.|motel room]]]
(set: $bodyWrong to true)(color: blue)[The killer is a trained professional. How else could they take out there target without a struggle.]
(color: red)[Make sense,] Xas says, (color: red)[But who'd wanna murder this guy?]
(color: blue)[Guess we'll have to see once he's [[identified.|motel room]]]
(set: $roomWrong to true)(color: blue)[The victim and the killer must've known each other,] Dreck says, (color: blue)[Or at least been acquainted.]
(color: red)[Really?], asks Xas.
(color:blue)[Yes. That tends to be common for cases with no struggles. Once he's identified, we can move onto possible suspects.]
(set: $roomRight to true)
(color: red)[You think they were lovers?]
(color: blue)[Love? [[Could be.|motel room]]](if: $roomRight is true or $roomWrong is true)[
The motel is kinda seedy now that you think about it.
[[Return?|motel room two]]
]
(else:)[
The room is still tidy and well kept. No sign of struggle.
That must mean...
The killer is [[a neat freak]].
The killer and the victim [[knew each other| knew two]].
](color: blue)[I have what I need. Let's head back to my office. I have some thinking to [[do.]]](color: blue)[The killer is obsessed with cleanliness,] says Dreck, (color: blue)[This could be a possible motive for the murder.]
(color: red)[So some kinda high and mighty, cleanse the world of sin sorta thing,] Xas says,
(color: blue)[It's more likely than you [[think.|motel room two]]]
(set: $roomWrong to true)(color: blue)[The victim and the killer must've known each other,] Dreck says, (color: blue)[Or at least been acquainted.]
(color: red)[Really?,] asks Xas.
(color: blue)[Yes. That tends to be common for cases where there doesn't appear to be a sign of a struggle. Once he's identified, we can move onto [[possible suspects.|motel room two]]]
(set: $roomRight to true)(color: blue)[This must be the work of a creature who subsists on the heads of humans], Dreck says.
(color: red)[Are you high?!] Xas says.
(if: $smoked is true)[
(color: blue)[I may or may not have had a smoke before you arrived.]
]
(else:)[
(color: blue)[Psh, who do you take me for.]
]
(color: red)[Are you [[done|motel room two]] yet? she sighs.]
(set: $bodyWrong to true)(color: blue)[The attempted decaptiation is an attempt to throw us off their trail,] Dreck says outloud.
(color: red)[What kind of sick bastard would do that?] asks Xas.
(color: blue)[I suppose someone who doesn't want us to think blood is the reason for [[murder|motel room two]]]
(set: $bodyRight to true)Flipped to Vea
I arrive at the Tuskin Cafe. Luckily, it's a slow day. No line and only a few customers on their laptops
(color: red + white)[VEA!] yells the barista over the counter, (color: red + white)[VEA! OVER HERE!]
I briskly walk over the centuar woman shouting my name.
(color: orange)[Hey, Albret,] I whisper, (color: orange)[Could you please not shout my name, right now?]
(color:red + white)[Oooh. Sorry. How'd work go with that customer of yours.]
(color: orange)[That's actually what I need to talk to you about.]
(if: $roomRight is true and $bodyRight is true)[
Before Albret can respond, Vea whirls around. A skinny, lanky half-elf man and an orc woman in a police uniform walk towards the cafe, glancing about the parking lot.
Before they spot me, I [[leap over the counter]].
]
(else:)[
(color: red + white)[Sure, Vea! I'm always down for slumber parties! [[Come in the back]].
Mark! I'm taking a break]
]VEA: GUILTY(color: blue)[Hello there, Miss...]
(color: green)[Applesgate,] says the small faeire hovering in front of Dreck, (color: green)[Lyn Applesgate.]
Ask about [[perp]]
Ask about [[the time]]
Ask about the [[victim]](color: green)[I don't think she saw me as she left, because I'm, y'know...]
(color: red)[Small?] interrupts Xas.
(color: green)[Yes. The woman was very stiff when she moved.]
[[Stiff...|you'll see]], says Dreck to himself.I look outside my apartment window. It's been a few months since the incident.
It's been covered on the news but no one has ever suspected me thus far.
I grip my hands in a fist. I was lucky to escape this time. But now, I need to find out why I sucked his blood in the first place. I have faint memories of what happened that night, but I know for a fact I didn't do that out of bloodlust. Or at least, my own bloodlust
Time to solve this [[mystery.]]VEA: ESCAPED(color:red + white)[Ve-], Albret starts.
(color:orange)[Shhhh.]
Should I ask Albret to cause a [[distraction]] or [[stay quiet and hope this blows over?]]We step inside the back room.
Albret pours some coffee for me.
(color: red + white)[So, what's on your mind?]
(color: orange)[It's about my job.]
(color: red + white)[Yeah, guys wanting their blood sucked is a weird kink. But money is money.]
(color: orange)[Not that! Well, it does have to do with that a bit.]
I feel the need to [[confess to Albret]]. She wouldn't rat me out. At least not on purpose.
Or maybe I should try [[talking around it]]. I shouldn't get her involved(color: orange)[Albret, can you do some to distract them?]
(color: red + white)[You can always count on me, Vea!] she beams.
(color: red + white)[Howdy, officers! How can I help you today!]
(color: blue)[Please don't loop me in with her,] replies the half-elf
(if: $mad is true)[
(color: red)[I could say the same to you. Can't believe I've had to put up with your crap today!] answers the orc woman
]
(else:)[
(color: red)[Get over yourself already. Geez.] answers the orc woman
]
The orc woman turns to Albret.
(color: red)[Have you seen a jiangshi woman. We have reason to believe she-]
(color: red + white)[Hold that thought,] Albret interrupts. She reaches behind her and grabs the coffee pot.
(color: red + white)[Would you treasured customers like some-whoops!] Albret launches the pot at the half-elf man, steaming hot coffee showering [[him.]]The half-elf man steps to the counter.
(color: blue)[Excuse me, miss?]
(color: red + white)[Oh, hi!], Albret replies, (color: red + white)[Didn't see you there?]
(if: $mad is true)[
(color: red)[It's because he's a twig], chimes in the orc woman.
(color: blue)[Shut up. Please.]
]
(color: blue)[We're looking for a jiangshi or vampire woman seen in this area. You wouldn't happen to have seen her?]
(color: red + white)[U-um, I haven't], Albret stammers.
(color: blue)[You seem nervous. Something wrong?]
(color: red + white)[Not at all! Perfectly fine.]
(color: blue)[...Would you mind if [[I peeked over your counter]], miss?](color: blue)[AIYEEEEE! My beautiful skin!]
(if: $mad is true)[
(color: red)[HAHAHA!] laughs the orc woman, (color: red)[Serves you right!]
The half-elf grimaces and launches himself at her.
The two of them get into a sad, almost comedic grapple on the ground, screaming insults at each other the whole time.
(color:red+white)[Go, Vea.]
[[Thanks]]
]
(else:)[
The orc woman sighs.
(color:red)[Let's get you some napkins, you big baby.]
(color: blue)[IT BURNS!]
As the orc woman leans over the counter to grab the napkins, [[she sees me]].
]I slip out the back door.
They're onto me.
I better [[leave the city]] while I still canI am arrested immediately and found guilty in court.
Why did this happen to me?
I didn't want to hurt [[anyone]].VEA: GUILTYVEA: ESCAPEDFlipped to Vea
I sit down at an empty table at my local library. Going to the library always clears my head. After almost hacking off someone's head, I needs this.
I begin to [[read]].Before I can move, the half-elf leans over and spots me.
//[[Jackpot.]]//VEA: ARRESTED(color: orange)[I...] I try to talk but it still feels like blood is welling up in my mouth.
(color: red + white)[Vea?] Albrets says, tilting her head ever so slighty.
(color: orange)[I think I killed someone last night...not on purpose. And I don't know what to do.]
Albret is quiet for a few moments, undoubtedly trying to let the revelation sink in.
(color: red + white)[Vea. Don't worry. I known you for years and I know this isn't you. We're going to figure out what happened. [[Together]].](color: orange)[If I ever did something bad. Like really bad...]
(color: red + white)[Uh huh.]
(color: orange)[Would you still...no, this is stupid. I need to go.]
(color:red + white)[Vea, I'm your friend. I don't think you're capable of doing anything bad. At least on purpose. If you don't feel like talking about it, I'm still here to support you. No matter what.]
Tears start welling in my eyes.
(color: orange)[Thank you, [[Albret|Together]].]VEA: SUPPORTEDVea buries her nose in a book she pulled out from the shelf nearby.
The library is quiet. For a moment, everything is peaceful
(color: blue)[Do you mind if I sit here?] A voice from behind her asks.
(color: orange)[Not at all,] Vea replies coolly, not even looking up.
The person behind her slides into the seat across from her and from her peripherary, stares at her.
(color: orange)[Can I help you?] Vea says, now looking up.
(color: blue)[Yes,] says the half-elf man in front of her, (color: blue)[I think you can.
Would you mind [[coming with me?]]]
(color: orange)[If this is some sad attempt to ask me out on a date, I'm not interested.]
He laughs, unphased.
(color: blue)[You misunderstand. My name is Dreck.]
(color: orange)[I'm not interested in starting a conversation with you either.]
I begin to get up, but he reaches out and grabs my hand.
(color: orange)[Excuse me?]
(color: blue)[I don't mean to be rude, but I assure you that this is [[important]].](color: blue)[Have you heard of the murder that took place recently?]
(color: orange)[Is this your pick up line? Because I'm not impressed.]
(color: blue)[Forgive me, but I just want to know what a bloodsucker would think?]
(color: orange)[So you assume all bloodsuckers would know about everything about draining an entire body?]
(color: blue)[I actually never mentioned that the body lost //all// of it's blood.]
[[Shit.]](if: $bodyWrong is true)[
(color: blue)[I'd like to ask you a few questions,] he says, with a slight grin
(color: blue)[I'm here investigating monsters involved in decaptiation. You know anything about that.]
(color: orange)[I'm a jiangshi,] I reply back, (color: orange)[In case you haven't noticed, we don't eat heads.]
(color: blue)[My mistake, next [[question]].]
]
(else-if: $bodyRight is true)[
(color: blue)[I'd like to ask you a few questions,] he says, with a slight grin
(color: blue)[Apparently, someone one wanted the police to think that a monster wanted to decapitate and drains someone's blood. However, go through all the trouble and leave the head. Makes you think, doesn't it?]
[[...]]
]
(else:)[
(color: blue)[It was nice to speak with you, for the little time we had. I'll see you around, hopefully soon.]
He leaves, but I get the feeling this isn't the last I've seen of [[him|end]].
](if: $roomRight is true)[
(color: blue)[Furthermore, it seems that the victima and the killer knew each other. It's possible they were perhaps lovers. But what were these two lovers doing in such motel like that? Maybe it was something more...illicit.]
(color: orange)[...]
(color: blue)[Miss Vea? [[Anything to say?]]]
]
(else:)[
(color: blue)[Do you consider yourself a clean person?]
(color: orange)[What?]
(color: blue)[Uh, nevermind. That's all I wanted to know, Miss Vea. I'll see you soon, perhaps.]
He leaves and I heave a sigh of relief. I'm [[safe]] for now
](if: $roomRight is true)[
(color: blue)[Furthermore, it seems that the victima and the killer knew each other. It's possible they were perhaps lovers. But what were these two lovers doing in such motel like that? Maybe it was something more...illicit.]
(color: orange)[...]
(color: blue)[Miss Vea? [[Something the matter?]]]
]
(else:)[
(color: blue)[Hmm, that's all I wanted to know, Miss Vea. I'll see you soon, perhaps.]
He leaves and I heave a sigh of relief. I'm [[safe]] for now
](color: blue)[I'll have to ask you some questions another time, Miss Vea.]
He leaves and I am left alone in the library, still [[reeling]].VEA: SAFE FOR NOWVEA: SAFE FOR NOW(color: blue)[Miss Vea, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me.]
I'm caught. It's [[over]].VEA: GUILTY AND ARRESTED(color: green)[I heard a loud thud around midnight. I think the door to the motel slammed into something. I peeked out and saw her put the body into the trunk at and took off somewhere. I don't think she noticed me.]
(color: blue)[Isn't it only 12:30 right now?]
(color: red)[Uh, yeah,] answers Xas, checking her watch, (color: red)[Wait, that means-]
(color: blue)[We can still catch her!]
The detective and the cop hop into the car and [[speed away]].(color: green)[Um, he was a human man, about 5 feet tall. He showed up alone. I try not to ask too many questions when people come by. Privacy and all.]
[[Thanks. We'll keep this in mind.|you'll see]]They pull up to an intersection.
(color: blue)[Alright. There's only two really good place to drop dead bodies in town]
(color: red)[Why do you know this?]
(color: blue)[Either the [[junkyard]] or the [[docks]].]
(color: red)[I need to run some background checks on you]The pair search the junkyard for hours finding nothing.
(color: blue)[Huh. Could've sworn they would've dumped it here.]
[[I'll dump you!]]Dreck and Xas park in the lot near the docks and start walking towards the pier.
A lone car is sitting there and a woman stands alone a bit further up.
(color: blue)[God, I'm so smart.]
Xas sneaks over to the car and motions for Dreck to do the same.
Dreck shakes his head and casually walks over to the woman.
(color: red)[What the hell are you doing?]
[[The woman turns around]]VEA: ESCAPEDFlipped to Vea
I sit in my cluttered apartment only a few hours after casting the spell, clutching my head in my hands. My head still hurts for some reason. Is it the guilt, the spell or something more?
My doorbell rings. I slowly walk over.
(color: orange)[Who is it?]
(color: red)[The police, open up!]
(color: blue)[A private investigator too. Don't loop me in with these pigs.]
It's over. The only other escape is the window and I live on the 8th floor. I open the door
The half-elf man speaks first.
(color: blue)[Next time you use a spell, make sure it isn't so obviously associated with a specific [[creature]]]VEA: ARRESTED(color: orange)[No!] she shouts, (color: orange)[Please, I wasn't-]
(color: blue)[Nice dead body you got there.] It lays flaccid at her feet, unmoving
(color: orange)[Ok, so this looks bad.]
(color: red)[It looks god awful,] Xas interjects as she brings her gun out, (color: red)[You're under arrest.]
(color: orange)[Please hear me out. I need help.]
Dreck ponders on whether to [[hold Xas back]] or [[let her take over.]](color: blue)[Xas, hold on a minute.]
(if: $mad is true)[
(color: red)[I'm not dealing with your crap right now.]
She grabs the woman and cuffs her
[[Dreck couldn't stop Xas...]]
]
(else:)[
(color: red)[What now?!]
(color: blue)[Something isn't right. Excuse me, ma'am. You're a jiangshi, correct?]
(color: red)[Dreck! She is standing next to a dead body! This is not the time.]
(color: blue)[If not now, then when? Lord knows the police aren't going to actually try and solve this. Now, ma'am. [[Answer. Now.]]]
]Xas cuffs the woman.
A long night, but at least [[it's over.]]VEA: ARRESTED AND SUPER GUILTYVEA: SUPER ARRESTED AND SUPER GUILTYVea starts.
(color: orange)[I didn't do this-]
(color: red)[Sure looks like you did]
(color: orange)[I didn't do this on purpose. I'm a bloodbite!]
(color: red)[Those people that sucks people's blood for money or whatever?]
(color: blue)[Yes, Xas] says Dreck, (color: blue)[Please let her finish.]
(color: orange)[It's my job to do that sort of thing. And I've done it before time and time again. Something like this has never happened before. I'm supposed to just take a little.]
(color: blue)[So, you just decided to go ham on this fella for no reason?]
(color: orange)[Yes? No? As soon as I started to drink, blacked out and when I came to, he was just lying as you see him now.]
(if: $LetterTaken is true)[
[[Blacked out?]]
]
(else:)[
[[Sorry, ma'am. Sounds pretty open and close to me]]
]
Dreck pulls out his letter.
(color: blue)[Xas, let's bring her in. But she is not under arrest. It's for her own protection.]
(color: red)[What are you talking about?]
(color: blue)[It sounds like she was under the effects of Vabrita leaves. I've just dealt with a case like that. If someone were to consume the leaves or have it in their bloodline at the time...]
(color: red)[You think someone set her up.]
(color: blue)[It's always a possibility.]
(color: blue)[Ma'am. I want to find out the truth of this. Would you be willing to come with us?]
Vea looks to the two of them. Answer [[yes]] or [[no]].VEA: ARRESTED AND GUILTY(color: orange)[If you swear I'm not being arrested, I'm willing to cooperate.]
(color: blue)[You have my word. And Xas's as well.]
(color: red)[Yeah, sure. Whatever.]
(color: blue)[Come along, Miss...]
(color: orange)[Vea.]
(color: blue)[Miss Vea. [[There's another mystery to solve]]](color: orange)[I can't trust you two. You're just trying to do this so I'll come quietly]
(color: blue)[Hmm. Trust is a big part of working together so...]
Dreck pulls the gun out of Xas's hand.
(color: red)[Dreck, what the-]
Before she can finish, Dreck smacks her in the head with the but of the revolver. Xas crumples to the floor instantly, unconcious.
(color: blue)[So, how about we leave before she gets up.]
(color: orange)[What is happening?]
(color: blue)[C'mon, we got a case to [[solve]]]VEA, DRECK AND XAS: FINDING TRUE JUSTICEVEA AND DRECK: SEARCHING FOR TRUE JUSTICEVEA: SAFE FOR NOW