Au: Detective/Crime stuck (also humanstuck)
Pairing: EriKat (flips from black to red)
Chapter one (Karkat POV)
August 8, 1925. I arrived at the Train Station, where the ceilings curved like arches and the walls seemed to illuminate somewhat from the golden color painted onto it. It sort of reminded me of ancient Greek buildings; only there was a lack of naked humanoids and an abundance of women waiting just outside the entrance. Those women in particular...well to put it bluntly, it wasn't the best idea to talk to them in broad daylight. I was surprised to see those Dumb Doras(1) out there so early at all. It was only 7:00 am and I doubt anyone was that desperate. If I were them I would wait until the cops were off duty to do anything risky like that.
It was none of my fucking business anyway. I had more important things to worry about, such as catching the Red Express. The train wasn't going to leave until 7:30, so there was still time to burn. I scanned the area around me until I spotted the perfect bench to sit my ass upon. What the hell was I doing up so early at the station anyhow? Nothing too exciting, actually. I was only there to visit family during the only week-long break I had to spend. I could have easily just driven there myself, but something about a relaxing train ride with a cup of coffee and the morning paper seemed pretty to me at the time. At least, that was the romanticized version. In reality, every single train trip I have ever gone through involved some dewdroppers(2) sneaking in to cause a scene or the entire trip being spent listening to some dumb idiot rant about the stock market.
Nevertheless, I waited for the train to arrive. I couldn't help but watch the busy people run by. I never onced cared about what other people were doing with their lives unless their actions were questionable in my eyes. These people looked legitimately normal thought. Most of them, anyway. There was one fellow in particular that caught my eye. A tall man, seemingly of Finnish descent, with thick glasses and curly dark hair. His snobbish appearance was nothing new to me, yet something about him felt off. You could tell by his fair skin that he was well taken care of. He wasn't too far nor too skinny. His outfit was very flashy with a plethora of shiny buttons and unnecessary trinkets all over his coat. His robe, estimated to be about 5 feet long, had it's inside made from real jaguar fur while the outside was a more take black fabric laced over it. I guess it was just another way for him to flash his wealth in everyone's faces. He held a heavy-looking black suitcase with a number of different locks attached to it. The man's eyes were a cold blue shade which was constantly shifting around. It was if he was afraid he was being watched. There was no way to tell for sure though.
The bluenose(3) stepped towards the train's entrance as it slowed to a halt. He hesitated at first, then began to enter the silver train, into what could be the first-class section. Typical. Behind him dragged his robe. A group of people began to rush towards the train. Right before the man had fully entered the vehicle, several other people stepped on his obnoxiously long cape, causing him to startle and trip onto the floor.
That definitely made my day. Just seeing that snob facedown on the dusty train floor from the tragedy of his own accessories was enough to make me burst out laughing like a shit faced hyena.
"EY FELLA! YOU NEED SOME HELP OVER THERE OR DO YOU PLAN ON STAYING LONG?" I shouted across the station, drawing attention to the situation.
Some others begin to join in on the laughing. Mine just so happen to be the loudest. By the time the passengers were all packed into the silver train, it rode off and the fun stopped. It was back to boring adult life for me and everyone else.
I checked my watch: 7:25.
The Red Express was meant to arrive in less than 5 minutes. I picked all my shit up and made my way to the front, when I noticed the suitcase from before was still there. It seemed like the snobby man being tripped cause the suitcase to fly out of his hand and onto the sidewalk. Why would this guy need so many locks for this one case? Should I drop it off to lost and found? I didn't have the time to decide, because before long, my train had arrived. I decided to bring the suitcase with me in case I was able to unlock it later in the day.
I boarded the red train. The aroma of coffee immediately filled the air. Coffee...that's what I needed. I needed some damn coffee. Lucky for me, they were giving out free sinkers today, or 'doughnuts' if you're a moron who just crawled out of your mother's vagina. I got myself one. Maybe two. Three? Alright, five it is.
Before I was able to sit down and enjoy them, a familiar face came running down the passenger car.
"Karkat! It's nice to sea you today!" The flour lover(4) approached my little table near the train's window. With all that makeup you'd think she was auditioning for the circus, or perhaps she was trying to turn herself into a cloud.
Feferi Peixes was her name. She was normally found inside the first-class car with the rest of her snobby friends. When she was boarding alone, she would instead spend her time in the lower-class cars for reasons beyond me. It was rare to see her in this section of the train ever since she got engaged to some bimbo(5) sailor guy. It would be wrong to accuse her of being a gold digger, especially since she was a lot more humble than her friend group may suggest.
"GOOD MORNING FEFERI. I DON'T SEE YOUR SPECIAL LITTLE TOY WITH YOU TODAY. WHAT GIVES?" I question her as I take a short sip from my cup of joe(6).
She blinked slowly at me.
"...OH! You mean Alexander! He's out to sea again. I'm planning on getting him a nice gift to come home to!" She giggled. If I didn't know any better I would of assumed Feferi herself was half seas over(7).
She sat down right across from me. The train jerked slightly as it prepared to depart from the station.
I doubt " Alexander" was even his real name. I've only seen him maybe once or twice before. He was a complete fossil of a man.I couldn't imagine getting wed to Father Time himself. "Alexander" had tanish skin with a few old scars tranced down his face and a scruffy beard. That guy is bland at best. He never came across to me as abusive nor necessary right for her.
I never considered bringing up my concerns. It is none of my damn business anyway. Besides, it would make me look jealous.
I dipped my powdered doughnut into the cup of joe, allowing it to soften without getting too soggy.
I was about to open my mouth to let a word out (or a sinker in, forgot which) when Feferi changed the topic.
"What's with that suitcase?"
She pointed at the case I had picked up before from the station. The multiple locks glowed from the rising sun right outside.
I lifted the box from it's comfortable spot on the seat next to me and brought it into better view.
"BEATS ME. I SAW SOME JOE BROOKS(8) DRAGGING IT AROUND THE STATION. HE JUST FUCKING LEFT IT THERE."
I take a moment to gently shake the suitcase, attempting to determine what's inside. The sound of the multiple locks is the only thing that could be heard.
"DO YOU THINK THERES CASH IN HERE? 1,000? 2,000? ITS GOTTA BE AT LEAST 30 KALE IN THIS BABY."
"Karkat!" She scolded at me.
Feferi reached over to yank the case away from me. I held it protectively against my chest. I thought about trying to hide it in my coat, but that would be way too obvious.
"Karkat you can't just take some random person's possessions like that! What if theres something reely important in there?"
She keeps herself from pulling at her own hair and instead chooses to focus her frustrations on the news paper next to her.
"I KNOW, DOLL, I KNOW. I WAS PLANNING ON TAKING IT TO LOST AND FOUND BUT I-I WAS IN A HURRY AND…"
I paused for a moment. That man I saw in the station...who was he?
I felt a soft warm hand perch onto my shoulder.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. Look we'll figure this silly little mystery out, ok?"
She beamed brightly at me. God this "Alexander" fellow better be counting his blessings. He was really lucky to have her as a fiance. I was lucky in a similar sense to be her friend despite not having any of the whistles and bells that come prepackaged with everyone else in her inner circle.
"RIGHT...YES." I cleared my throat.
I hadn't realized until now that the train station was no longer in view. The Red Express was now on it's way to Washington. I got myself lost in the scenery. I see boring ass office buildings and sewers every single day. It was refreshing to see something new at least.
I glanced back over towards Feferi, noticing she had joined the activity. She started to point to random objects such as clouds and hills. It was like she made it some sort of childish nonsensical game for herself. I was considering playing along, but I didn't want to make myself look like a complete idiot.
Instead I read what was left of the news paper.
1 Dumb Dora: an absolute idiot (mostly used against women)
2 Dewdropper: A young lazy man with no job; likes to smooch off of other people.
3 Bluenose: A prude and/or snobby sophisticated person.
4 Flour Lover: A girl with an excessive amount of face powder.
5 Bimbo (in 1920s context): A Tough Guy
6 Cup of Joe: Cup of Coffee
7 Half seas over: To be drunk/wasted
8 Joe Brooks: A perfectly dressed person