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don'T LEt tHEM in REmEMBEr jAUNE doNt let THem iN
in. Abruptly, Goodwitch turned our conversation towards pets, to which I was easily able to relate stories of some of my favorite cats- including Smokey, the most beloved pet I ever had. "Understandable, but it is said dogs are man's best friend- is this true? I had a dog- she was large, feeding upon my garden- the plants and the earth. She ate so much earth, she died, and her body returned to the earth.
"I still remember this dog. The memory is all I have left. She was black and white."
Chapter XXIV
The Clouds Gather
Cardin hesitated, rubbing his hands together as he stood outside the door to Willow's office. She'd called him back- it was do or die.
He opened the door and blinked in confusion when he saw every decoration in the room stacked up on her desk into an elaborate pyramid. He glanced around. "Er... Mrs. Schnee? Mrs... Mrs. Schnee?"
He finally located her crouching behind the pyramid, looking worse than ever. "Er... the secretary said to come in. Cardin Winchester?"
Willow's head snapped up- and though she looked like an asylum escapee, her voice sounded remarkably businesslike. "Cardin, you know what you need in this life?"
Cardin blinked. "Oh... um..."
"Balance," Willow answered. "Distance. Symmetry." She rose to her feet and approached him, gesturing at the pyramid. "Take a good look. It's... beautiful, isn't it?"
Cardin took an unconscious step back as she reached out... and picked up her name plaque, before beginning to gingerly climb the pyramid to place it on top.
Cardin wondered if he dare remind her of the tape. He spoke gently. "So... Mrs. Schnee... did you get the tape I sent you?"
"Absolutely," Willow nodded, delicately climbing back down. "Jacques should have been more careful... then again, I'm sure we'd both be surprised to learn Adam had mastered the technology of an etch-a-sketch."
She laughed. Cardin laughed along- partly just to humor her. Partly.
Willow leapt off of her desk. "Well, out with it, boy- what do you want?"
"I just wanted to say, Mrs. Schnee... I admire you."
"Admiration is for poets, Cardin. Poets and cough drops."
"I, uh... don't know what that means."
Willow rolled her eyes, advancing towards his side. "Cardin... you're standing in front of a colossal skyscraper. A behemoth that tears a hole in the clouds. You see it... and what's the first question that comes to mind?"
Cardin looked between her and the pyramid. Back. Forth. Back. Forth. "Er..." He tried to read her expression, but she was giving nothing away- or rather, she was giving so much away that he couldn't root through it all properly.
"The question you need to ask is, 'What's on the top floor? Who's in the penthouse, and why?' That... is who I am. What about you?"
"Er- yeah! Of course I am. Absolutely."
Willow laughed, placing an arm around his shoulder and pulling him close. "Cardin... opportunity knocks."
Cardin gave a half smile as he lightly pulled against her- luckily, she released him and reached under her desk, pulling out a bag. "Cardin, I want you to follow Hazel Rainart. Chronicle his existence."
She finally pulled something out of the bag- a scroll. "Show me something I don't already know, and you will be rewarded."
Cardin accepted the scroll, and was very grateful to finally be dismissed.
He had just barely stepped into the hallway outside when he saw a woman streaking by, screaming at the top of her lungs. He stared for a moment before deciding it wasn't his problem and heading on his way.
XXXX
"Hmm... yeah, they're both beautiful. I wanna see both!" Ruby beamed as she glanced between two different pictures of houses.
The agent smiled back, clearly smelling money. "Very good- which would you like to see first?"
Ruby smiled, reaching into her pocket and producing a quarter-lien piece. She flipped it in the air, and it landed on a separate file, heads-up. Ruby, however, was more interested in the file itself. "What's this?"
"Oh, that?" the agent asked, glancing it over. "Huh, thought I took that out. 343, Vickery Lane. You don't want that place."
"Why, what is it?"
"A puzzle. Nobody stays there long- I think the record three weeks."
Ruby grinned. "When can I see it?"
XXXX
Neptune beamed as he entered the police station lobby, and headed over to Ren and Nora, standing alongside a long-haired man he didn't know. "Sorry I'm late- the little slugger's so excited about the camping trip, I couldn't get him out of the car."
"Hello, Neptune," Ren greeted, his expression unreadable. He gestured to the man on his right. "This is Shuji Ikutsuki, from the Happy Helping Hand."
"Mr. Amada's case manager," Ikutsuki nodded with a grin.
"Nice to meetcha," Neptune nodded.
"We should take a seat," Ikutsuki offered, taking a seat of his own. "Now, as I was about to tell your friends, the biggest thing you need to know about Ken is his rather confused life. He's been a very unfortunate fellow, perhaps even traumatized."
Neptune went over the papers Ikutsuki handed him. "He's... been all over the place, hasn't he?"
"Absolutely."
"Poor baby!" Nora wept dramatically.
"He was orphaned at quite a young age."
"Persistent random misfortune..." Neptune read aloud. "What does that mean?"
"Well, his parents were murdered under mysterious circumstances- nobody seems to really know how- or, at least, the orphanage never gave us any such details."
A door opened, and Yang appeared. "Time to go, Ren- emergency up at the Austin."
"Of course," Ren nodded, hopping to his feet and following her out, leaving Neptune gnawing at his lip behind.
XXXX
Michelle was first on scene to the Honeymoon Suite, where Ryan Port lay, motionless, in his bed. She glanced around when Ren and Yang entered. "Looks like a heart attack," she announced.
"Doesn't look like there's much to investigate here," Yang mused. "Old man, got too excited, heart just cut out on him. Man..." She whispered to herself. "Some of these books would make Blake blush..."
The door opened behind them, and Peter Port entered, a scowl on his face. He loped to his brother's side. "...Ryan. I told you so... I've never been so sad to say it, but I told you so." He reached out and laid a hand on his forehead. He glanced around at the books. "And these... are the murder weapons! She may as well have stabbed him in the chest and tossed him over the falls!"
He reached down and lifted his brother's hand, placing it back on his chest. "He could never... say no to a woman... the old fool..."
Ren gently touched his shoulder and guided him out, to where Fox was comforting the new widow, Noriko Kashiwagi- a brown-haired woman, still in white from the wedding.
Peter did not show her the same sympathy. "You deviant, you'll burn in Hell for this!"
"Take it easy, Mr. Port," Ren whispered, continuing to guide him away.
"I will do no such thing! I'll shout until I raise the dead! She killed my brother! Murdered him! She's a witch!"
"He's right!" Kashiwagi sobbed into Fox's shoulder. "I'm cursed!"
"That's ridiculous," Fox assured her.
"No, it's true! Ever since my senior prom... my date tried to kiss me. First day with his new braces... they broke, his jaw locked open, and the doctors had to break it in three places to get it to shut! It's only gotten worse since!"
"Every curse has a cure," Fox whispered. "I happen to know a little about these sorts of things."
She sniffed. "Are you the sheriff?"
FOX SmiLed SLIGhTLy As hE Rose tO his Feet, LeaniNG AgaiNSt THe doOR. "NOt the SHerifF, But When sOMEthinG SErIous IS hAppeNiNG... I'm tHe Man."
The door opened behind him and he slammed into the floor as Yang exited, looking surprised. "Sorry, Fox!"
XXXX
"Boys, there is a story of a great football coach- whose name escapes me at this time- who was dead set against having any faunus on his team! One day, someone brought him the best faunus halfback anyone had ever seen. When... er... what's-his-name saw him run fifty yards without anyone so much as touching him, he called out, 'Look at him go!' The point is, he accepted that faunus's desire to compete, which brings me to today!"
The Beacon High Football coach, a large, burly bear faunus, leaned back and called out, "Neon!"
Neon appeared, to everyone's surprise, beaming as she skipped over to him.
"Today, that story applies to this woman- er, young lady's right to compete!
"Sky Lark, step up for a second, would you?"
Sky looked nervous as he rose from the bleachers and stepped into the gym's center, across from Neon.
"Now, Neon here has chosen to prove herself to us by taking on our very best! Sky, that's you!"
Neon and Sky assumed their places on the mat, and the coach blew his whistle.
"Hello, Sky!" Neon greeted bashfully as they moved into a lock.
"No, hand here- good- other here. Now we just push against each other."
"Wanna go out tonight?"
"...This is called a tie." He dashed behind her, pulling her into a full nelson- from which she broke with surprising ease, turning it around and tossing Sky to the mat.
"What was that, Sky?"
Sky grumbled as he regained his footing. He attempted to grab her, but she once again turned it around, pulling him into a tight headlock.
"Neck! You're breaking... my neck!"
She released him, and he momentarily collapsed to the ground. "So, about tonight?"
She was picking him up, to the audience's bemusement, and began twirling him around over her head.
"Er... coach? Coach?"
She threw him across the mat, and pinned him down.
"One, two, three!" the coach called.
Neon beamed as she straightened up. "Now will you go out with me?"
Sky settled for letting his head hit the ground.
XXXX
Later that day, he met up with Sun at his locker. Sun's eyes widened. "The hell happened to you?"
"Neon Katt happened to me."
"Pyrrha's aunt?"
"That's the one," Sky nodded. "Look, I need your help. It's bad enough that she's curb-stomping me in front of my team, but she did it to get my attention. She likes me!"
Sun closed his locker. "...Neon? Neon Daichi likes you?"
"Yes, and going out with someone twenty years older than me who can body-slam me whenever she wants ain't my idea of a good time."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"I don't know- can't you talk to her?"
"And say what?"
"I don't know, but at this rate, I'm gonna end up in the emergency room!"
XXXX
Pyrrha was still at the Marigold house, looking through their various toolkits, when a woman appeared in the doorway of the room she'd been lent. "...I'm sorry, have we met?"
"My name's Marigold- May Marigold, Henry's sister," she introduced herself. She certainly had the blue hair to match. "He told me what happened to Sae's car. What's the damage?"
"Nothing irreparable," Pyrrha promised.
"Wonderful," May smiled. "You know, when Henry fell in love with Sae, it meant a new way of life for us. I hope she doesn't find us ungrateful- things are great compared to how they used to be. And Henry's learned quite a bit- defensive postures, how to hide injuries, and vicious cycles."
Pyrrha's heart clenched. "What... what do you mean?"
"Am I stuttering?" May asked. "Once a week, Sae corners Henry in the kitchen and goes to town on him. He tries to get back by breaking something of hers. A week later, she gets back at him by cornering him in the kitchen and... I'm sure you see where this is going."
"Can't you do something?" Pyrrha asked, horrified.
"Oh, you sweet innocent soul," May rolled her eyes. "Nobody stops Sae when she gets angry. Keep that in mind- write it down and keep it under your pillow. In the meantime, I have work to do. Thanks for helping with the car... I mean it."
Pyrrha stared after her as she took her leave, wondering what to do.
XXXX
"Well, it's still standing," the agent noted as she and Ruby stepped out of their car onto the property that was 343 Vickery Lane. "No one wants it, but it's too stubborn to give in."
"Personality," Ruby smiled. "Personality's good."
"They say the best and worst people of the world are drawn to this house- most just end up leaving. Only the pure of heart can feel its pain. Everyone else just... struggles."
Ruby moved closer, her eyes taking everything in. "Have you... shown this place to anyone else recently?"
"Not in a year, at least," the agent shook her head.
Ruby pointed to an area of mud. "But someone's been here. A jeep... four-wheeler... luxury sedan."
The agent's eyes widened as Ruby approached the front door and opened it with ease. "Hello?"
The inside of the house was as raggedy as the outside might lead one to believe. Everything was barren and sterile, except for some curtains that had been half-eaten by moths. But still...
"There was a meeting here. Only a few hours ago."
The cigarettes resting in the ashtray on the kitchen table didn't lie.
She reached out and picked something else up from the table, carrying it further into the kitchen to examine it. The sink was clogged with white powder. "They forgot there was no running water..."
She picked up some of the white powder at the tip of her pinky and tasted it. She hardly needed to, but she liked to be certain...
Her eyes widened in surprise. "...Baby laxative."
She instead turned back to the table, examining it closely from top to bottom. Finally, she produced a pocket knife and began cutting open the seats.
"More white powder!" the agent gasped as she looked over Ruby's shoulder.
"Yup," Ruby nodded, popping the 'p.' "Yeah... this is what we're looking for. Cocaine. Time to tell the sheriff!"
XXXX
Neptune was on his way to the woods for his camping trip with Ken when there was a loud popping sound- a quick pullover was enough to reveal what had happened. The right front tire had flattened.
He was no expert on the matter, but there were instructions in the glove box, so he got out, grabbed some tools from the trunk, and got down to work.
Ten minutes later, he wasn't much further.
It didn't help that Ken had clambered into the driver's seat and was fiddling with the steering wheel, sending the tire he was trying to change swerving back and forth.
"Could you stop that, please, Ken?" he asked.
Ken not only didn't stop, he also turned on the car's blinkers and windshield wipers.
"Quit it, Ken!" Neptune repeated, still struggling with the instructions. "I don't get it..." he muttered to himself. "I just got this checked at Yatsuhashi's! This is so technical..."
He grabbed a tool and was moving in towards the wheel when Ken smashed his fist into the horn, sending Neptune about a foot into the air.
He landed, heaving. "Ken, please! I'm trying to fix the tire!"
Once more with the wrench-
*HONK HOOOOOOOOOOONK!*
Neptune snapped. "Out of the car!" he ordered, rising to his feet. "Out! Now!"
Ken opened the door, stepped out, and circled the car. "Are you mad at me, Uncle Neptune?"
Neptune took a deep breath. "Of course I'm not mad at you, why would I be?"
"I mean... I scared you, didn't I?"
Neptune chuckled, allowing the smile to vanish from his face as Ken circled back to the car's opposite side. Another deep breath, and he returned to the wheel.
He was finally getting the first bolt loose when the jack slipped and the car crashed down, sending Neptune reeling back.
"Uncle Neptune!"
Ken's voice was panicked as he reappeared at Neptune's side, pulling him into a hug.
Neptune gingerly returned it, trying to still his heart. "Don't worry, I'm fine... I'm fine, Ken..."
"I don't want you to die! You're not gonna die, are you?!"
"Of course not!" Neptune assured him, rubbing his back and patting it. "Everything's just fine!"
He just wished he could be so certain of that.
XXXX
Ruby tapped at the door to Yang's office before stepping in. Yang was behind her desk- on the opposite side was a tall man with neatly cut hair, a bandage over one eyebrow, and a well-pressed white suit.
"Hey, Rubes," Yang greeted, beckoning her in. "This is Colonel James Ironwood- he's in charge of the investigation into Major Winchester's disappearance."
"And you must be Ruby Rose," Ironwood smiled, shaking her hand.
"Colonel," Ruby nodded.
"You were with Winchester when he disappeared, correct?"
"Yes," Ruby confirmed.
"Did you notice any wildlife around the area?"
"Wildlife?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sure there are plenty of creatures in the forest. Foxes... coyotes... birds... owls..."
Ruby's eyes widened minutely- she quickly returned them to their normal size. "...Yes. Right before he disappeared, I heard an owl."
"And what did you see?"
"Colonel," Yang interrupted. "Joseph Winchester is a friend of mine- a valuable member of the community. Can you be honest about what's going on here?"
"He told us about the monitors," Ruby supplied. "The ones watching deep space. He told us how they suddenly turned to the forest, and gave you messages... about me."
"You know quite a bit," Ironwood noted. "But not everything. You know where the messages came from... but do you know where they were sent to?"
Ruby hesitated. "Colonel... does this have something to do with the White Lodge?"
Ironwood straightened his back. "That... is classified."
"Colonel, we want to help," Yang repeated. "But you're not giving us much to go on, here!"
Ironwood turned to her. "Joseph Winchester is one of the finest pilots I've ever known. What he was born with is beyond what most can dream of. Here's what I can tell you- his disappearance has implications so far beyond national security, the second War for Remnant would seem like a backyard water fight."
The sisters stared at him, stunned.
XXXX
Pyrrha led Henry into the garage, hopping into the driver's seat and starting it up without a problem. "Engine's fine!" she announced. "The car is back in working order!"
Henry smiled as he climbed in as well- Pyrrha moved to the passenger seat. "How'd you get so good at this?"
"Uncle Yats," Pyrrha smiled. "You think I'm good, you should see him at work."
Her smile slipped away. "Henry... I talked to your sister earlier, about your... well, your situation."
Henry clammed up. "That's none of your business."
Pyrrha looked into his eyes compassionately. "Are you afraid? Of Sae?"
"I'm not talking about this."
"Henry... I've been alone before. I don't want anyone to feel that again..."
tHEY eyeD Each oTHEr UP anD PREssEd tHEIr lipS TOGetHER.
"...You are afraid of him, aren't you?" Pyrrha asked. "Why can't you leave?"
"It's... complicated," Henry admitted.
He lURChed ForwARd aND preSSED theiR LIPs tOGETher AGAin.
They both looked up when they heard a horn honking in the distance. "It's her!" Henry gasped. "I gotta go."
He hopped out of the car and glanced back at Pyrrha. "I don't know what May told you, but it's not all that bad."
He quickly turned and dashed out, leaving Pyrrha gazing after him in concern. He watched as Sae opened her arms and embraced him, oblivious to the woman watching them from afar.
XXXX
Cardin was climbing back through the Austin Hotel with an envelope in hand when he was intercepted by Weiss. "Funny seeing you here, Winchester. Did my dear mother have a change of heart?"
"Yup," Cardin nodded. "She made the smartest decision she's made all year."
"Compared to what?" Weiss scoffed. "And... what did she do?"
"She put me on the payroll. And this is my first assignment." He brandished the envelope.
Weiss laughed. "Anything I can help with?"
"You can join me for a celebration after I show this to the boss," Cardin shrugged.
"Hmm... perhaps we should consider going into business together," Weiss ventured.
Cardin snapped his fingers. "I like the way you think."
"Thank you."
She made her turn, he made his- up the stairs and around the corner to Willow's office, oblivious to Weiss slipping into her secret passageway.
Once again, he was surprised- the pyramid was gone, but in its place was a lovingly-crafted diorama of a hillside, seemingly at the foot of a mountain. Erected just behind was the Atlesian flag.
"Er... how're things going, Mrs. Schnee?"
Closer up, he could see small figurines lining the hilltop- and see Willow rising up behind the diorama to add some more.
"You... find a new hobby, here?" he asked uncertainly.
"FoRT CAstLE, DAy onE. AtlAs is STill iN COntroL."
Cardin licked his lips. "Okay... I followed Hazel. Got the pictures you wanted."
He offered the envelope, and Willow took it.
"I don't know what he's up to," Cardin shrugged, "but I doubt it's anything good. I sure as hell haven't seen these guys before."
Weiss's heart raced as she listened in. Her mother was having Cardin tail Hazel? Why?
Willow smiled. "I like you, Cardin."
"I like you too, ma'am."
"How much am I paying you again?"
Cardin hesitated. "We... haven't actually discussed that."
Willow reached into her purse and produced a large wad of lien. "Consider this your first raise. Come back tomorrow- we'll discuss a full-time position."
"Thank you, Mrs. Schnee- I won't let you down!"
Weiss watched as Cardin made his exit.
XXXX
Tai and Raven were sitting down to dinner- Tai decided there was no better time to open the bottle they'd been keeping safe for well over a decade. It came off with a pop. "Nectar of the gods," he smiled as he began to fill their glasses. "It's all in the bubbles, I think."
Raven allowed herself a small smile as she raised her glass to meet his.
Tai smiled as he watched her drink. "'Wine comes in at the mouth, love comes in at the eye. I touch my glass to my lips, I look a you, and sigh.'"
"How... lyrical," Raven praised.
Tai shrugged as he drank. "The only other toast I know is a limerick."
"I'm fine," Raven declared, the smile vanishing.
"'There once was a lady from Galway-"
"Blake!" Raven raised her voice.
Blake entered from the kitchen, looking very disgruntled in the uniform Raven had chosen for her. "Yes?"
"We'll have our appetizers now," Raven ordered.
"...Of course."
"Also, I wanted you to know that, while your station in this household has changed, I intend to show you all the respect and affection you deserve."
"Thank you, Raven," Blake replied through clenched teeth. "I will strive to do the same."
"You can start by putting on your maid's cap!" Raven called as Blake returned to the kitchen.
Tai looked between the two of them. "Look, I don't really get what's going on here... but don't you think you're being a little harsh on her, Rae? I mean, she's family!"
"She helped Sienna Khan kill her parents, and did everything she could to kill me," Raven fired back. "It was either this or hang her from a tree."
"I don't believe that, Rae," Tai shook his head. "Blake wouldn't do anything to hurt her parents. I know you and her don't get along, but trying to kill you- that's not the Blake I know."
Raven raised her glass again. "Here's to the double-crossing Schnees. Here's to Blake Belladonna's dirty deeds. Here's to the woman who brought them all down."
"...Here's to you," Tai sighed, clinking his glass with hers.
XXXX
"Oscar, I'm holding a kingdom-wide newspaper here. I went to the classifieds, and here it is- my opening move, responding to Emerald. The move... I received her response to yesterday. She knew what move I'd make. She's toying with me. I... I have to find out where she is... what she's planning.
"I'm still suspended, but don't worry too much about me- I've been keeping myself occupied. Looked into some real estate. A few fixer-uppers... putting it nicely. But despite everything, I would like a family someday, and I'm sure I can find a place to call home."
She thought she heard a light, jazzy tune from somewhere far away- she could almost see the small woman with the multicolored hair dancing to it.
"But this is Vale, and as things go out here, there are secrets to find. Secrets that might tie to my problems with the guild.
"Reese should be finished with her- his investigation soon. If I can't defend myself, I might be leaving Vale in chains."
Her hand clenched around the VDF patch Yang had given her.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!*
"Ruby!"
"Weiss!" Ruby greeted, allowing her entrance. She had an envelope in her arms.
"I found this in my mother's office- stole it, really," Weiss began without preamble. "I'm sure you want me to return it, and I will- after you look inside."
Ruby laughed lightly. "You know how to twist my arm..."
She opened the envelope and found a series of amateur shots- amateur, not faked. They showed Hazel Rainart standing alongside one man she didn't know, and two people she was all too familiar with by now- Tyrian Callows and Caroline Cordovin.
"Did I do well?" Weiss asked, almost pleading.
"You kidding?" Ruby asked, smiling. "You may have saved my life!"
Weiss lit up. "So... we're even now?"
Another knock interrupted. Ruby answered the door. "Oh, Reese!"
"Rubes," Reese smiled back, pulling her into a hug.
Weiss huffed. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Oh, Weiss! This is Special Agent Reese Chloris, with the Drug Enforcement Agency! Reese, this is Weiss Schnee. A very good friend."
"Pleased to meet you," Weiss inclined her head. "Ruby, I thought you were suspended!"
"I am- he's investigating me. Can we- er, get some privacy?"
"Of course!" Weiss nodded, taking off through the door.
Ruby immediately handed over the photos. "These are pictures of an abandoned property on the outskirts of town. As you can clearly see, we have Tyrian Callows, Hazel Rainart, and Caroline Cordovin. Not certain about the third man, but I think I've seen him somewhere. I was at this property earlier today- missed 'em by a few hours.
"In teh kitchen, I found traces of cocaine and baby laxative- likely used to inflate the inventory. I'm sure it'll be a match if you test it."
"Good... this is very good," Reese nodded. "I'll get this looked into- this is very good, Rubes."
XXXX
Coco exited the kitchen to find Yatsuhashi picking forlornly at a slice of strawberry pie. "You actually gonna eat that, or just push it around and show it who's boss?" she asked in mild amusement.
"Apologies- I haven't been that hungry lately," Yats admitted.
"Care to share?"
"I'm sure you don't need to hear about my problems."
"We used to talk about everything," Coco countered, her smile slipping. "We still can."
Yats smiled wistfully. "I suppose I'm looking back on those plans we made as children, when we were... waiting around for our lives to begin. Then life came around and started up before we realized it. Before we knew it, we were halfway through life, and all those plans come to nothing. We chose our routes, we've accepted them... that doesn't mean we have to like them."
Coco matched his wistful smile as she moved her hand across the table towards his. "We can make new plans."
Unfortunately, neither noticed Hazel watching from a distance, his knuckle turning white around his treasured domino.
XXXX
It was raining, necessitating the several raincoats and multiple umbrellas that Neptune donned for his trip to the police station. To Nora's surprise, he ignored her, instead turning to Ren on the other end of the lobby. "Ren- Ren!"
Ren was as surprised as Nora. "Is something wrong, Neptune?"
"I'd like a word with you," Neptune whispered, guiding him into a separate room and shutting the door securely behind them. "I think we have a problem."
"What sort of problem?" Ren asked, eyebrows knitting.
"Our... mutual friend, Ken Amada."
"What about him?"
Neptune glanced from side to side. "Er... how to say it... I think he's... well... I know this'll sound crazy... but I think he's the Devil."
"The... Devil?" Ren asked, almost certain he'd misheard.
"Or at least homicidal," Neptune nodded. "Ren... we need to find out what happened to his parents!"
Ren closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could already tell this was going to be a long night.
XXXX
The newest guest in Yang's office was Peter Port- alongside Michelle Wukong.
"I've got the autopsy report," she announced as she slipped in. "Peter... I know it's hard to accept, but Ryan died of a heart attack. Natural causes. This wasn't a murder."
"And did you check for witchcraft?!" Port asked fiercely.
Michelle exchanged bemused glances with Yang. "That... well, that's not something that comes up in autopsies."
"Ms. Xiao Long, I wish to press charges!" Port declared.
"Pete, I can't press charges if there hasn't been a crime!"
"There has been! She killed him with sex! How clear does this have to be for you to see it!"
Yang fought down a childish grin. Michelle, from her position behind Peter, had no such issues.
"Look," Yang continued her efforts at reason, "it's been a long day, Peter. Maybe we should just go and get some rest."
"I won't be able to sleep until that murderer is behind bars! I'll do what I have to- sue her, civil suits! She will not have any of his money! Not while there's one Port in Vale who still draws breath! Not one red cent!"
Michelle and Yang watched as he stormed out, still rambling.
They followed him out, and spied Fox in a nearby room, Kashiwagi behind. "Yang, do you still have that old bottle from Vacuo? I thought we could pour some out for the widow."
neaRLy aLL THe polICE had GATHeRED- YaNg AND Ren, ALOnGsiDE MicheLLE, NepTUNe, and NoRA watcHINg frOM Afar aS The oTHers sTARed, taKEn iN BY KaSHiwaGI'S BeaUTy.
"'o, sHE DoTh TeacH THE tOrCHES to buRN briGHt,'" nEPTUne QuOTEd. "'it sEEms She hANGS agaiNst THe CheEK of NIght lIKE a riCh jewEl iN AN emPEroR'S eaR.'"
THE otHErs JOINed in, ExcepT For noRA, who tURned aND staLKEd AwaY. "'BeauTY Too RiCH For uSE, For eaRTH ToO dear."
XXXX
NORa reTURnED ABout tEn MinUTES lATer tO FinD THEm alL SUrroUNDiNG KAshiWAGi, enRaPTureD, LauGhinG at heR MOst RecEnt jOKE.
Her teeth began to grind when she saw REn pOURIng HEr a GLASs oF MiLk.
She pulled back and slammed the door, a feeling gnawing at her that had been at the back of her mind for days now. She didn't know how close it was to what she had just seen, but something was indisputably wrong. Somehow, someway, this wasn't where they were supposed to be. Something had gone terribly, horribly wrong.
XXXX
Reese Chloris entered Coco's Diner to hear the old-timey 'Old Home Fill-her-up-and-keep-on-a-truckin' Café' playing on the jukebox, but his attention was seized by a man in one of the booths, perfectly matching the unknown man in the photos. He made his way over to the man, casually sliding in across from him.
The man stared for a second. "Can... I... help you?"
Reese produced the photos. "Well, I don't want to put the squeeze on you, Mr. Watts. You just got out of prison, and everything..."
Finally, he sealed the deal by producing his badge. "I hope I don't need to spell out why this might be a bad night for you."
Mike struggled to hide his panic as he glanced over the photos. "What's this all about?"
"Well, first off, you've been missing more than enough parole to put you back inside," Reese began. "And if you don't cooperate, I promise to personally ensure that you never get back out."
XXXX
Within the hour, he was being pincered by Reese and Ruby. "My name is Mike Watts, and I confess- I confess to everything. I didn't want to, you understand, but... they beat me, threatened me at gunpoint! I didn't-"
"Burns," Ruby tried to speak up, but he kept going.
"They wanted me to sell drugs for them! I didn't want to, like I said, but family means everything to me! They threatened Coco, my wife, and- I was just too weak! I'm sorry- I know it doesn't make up for anything, I did wrong, but I'm sorry!"
"Shut up!" Reese finally raised his voice enough to silence Mike.
"We get that it's been rough for you," Ruby assured, "and that's why we're here."
"It... it is?"
"Yes," Reese confirmed. "Tell us everything you know."
"Well... they tortured me, and did filthy, horrible things-"
"Burns!" Reese cut him off again.
"Let's focus on the drugs for now, okay?" Ruby supplied.
"Of course- of course," Mike nodded. They had... four kilos of cocaine to sell, so... obviously, they need buyers. To protect my wife, I told her I could find one."
"Did you?" Ruby demanded.
"Of course not!" Mike yelped. "I don't know anybody who would involve themselves with drugs!"
Ruby and Reese grinned at each other. "Well... you do now!"
Reese leaned in. "A major drug trafficker from Vytal's coming tomorrow. Set up a meeting at 343 Vickery Lane."
"How... how will I know him?" Mike asked.
Reese bowed deeply. "You're looking at him."
Mike gulped. "Would you... would you excuse me for a moment? I have... a nervous bladder."
Ruby and Reese watched him move to the bathroom, ensuring that he made no effort to escape.
XXXX
There was a storm that night- across Vale and Centralia alike. But it wasn't the thunder or lightning that woke Pyrrha up- it was a woman's screaming elsewhere in the house. She couldn't make out the words, but the ferocity behind it was unmistakable.
The door opened, and May appeared. Pyrrha bit her lip. "Is... Henry going to be okay?"
May ignored her. "The first time it happened... I swore revenge. Henry begged me not to hurt her, made me promise. For both our sakes. That was four years ago. One of these days... I'm gonna kill her. No matter what it takes. No matter what it costs."
XXXX
Cardin was sopping wet as he finally entered his house- wet, but much happier than he'd been in a good, long while.
He was startled when a lamp turned on as he made his way across the living room- it was his aunt, leaning back on the sofa.
"Jesus, Aunt Sarah- give me a heart attack, why don't you?"
"Sorry," she apologized with a smile.
"What're you even doing up this late? Sitting alone in the dark?"
"Nothing," Sarah shrugged. "Just... sitting."
"Can't you grab a book or something?" Cardin suggested.
He faltered when he saw her eyes begin to tear up. Her head bowed, and she began to weep.
"...It's Uncle Joseph, isn't it?" he asked, approaching and sitting gently beside her. "Come on... he'll be back. He always comes back. It's just a bit of that top-secret bullshit."
"I wish I could be so certain," Sarah whispered.
Cardin absentmindedly reached into a pocket, producing a cigarette. Sarah didn't even acknowledge it as he lit up. "I was... at the diner a couple weeks back," he whispered. "He and I... we had a talk about a dream he had. A big mansion, made of marble. He was there- I was there, too. Living a life of deep harmony and joy- that's the future he said he wanted for me. It was... good stuff. Not gonna lie, it was... pretty cool."
Sarah smiled weakly. "Joseph is an extraordinary person."
"You forgot weird," Cardin chuckled. "But... yeah, he's got more going on between his ears than most people."
Sarah nodded. "Sometimes... when I'm sleeping, he'll... run his fingers through my hair. He thinks I don't notice, but... but I do!"
She was starting to cry again- Cardin took her hand in his.
There was a pop, and the lights went out. Sarah gasped.
"Damn storm must have blown a-" Cardin started, only to match her gasp when he glanced at the window and saw a man dressed in full aviator gear- hat and scarf.
A flash of lightning made it clear who the man was.
"How long have I been gone?" Joseph Winchester asked as he stumbled towards them.
"Two days," Sarah answered, her hands over her mouth.
"...Strange. It seemed like... mere hours," Joseph muttered as he took off the gear.
Sarah leapt to her feet and rushed forwards, pulling him into a tight embrace, which he swiftly returned, kissing the side of her head.
Cardin rose to his feet, stunned. Joseph glanced at him over his wife's shoulder. "Cardin, put out that cigarette right now." It was the least bite he'd ever delivered such a command with, but Cardin obeyed, grabbing a bowl from a nearby cupboard and pressing the lit end against it.
"And... get me a drink while you're at it, would you? Strongest we have."
"Of course, Old Man," Cardin nodded, moving to the fridge.
"Is everything alright?" Sarah asked.
Joseph hesitated, hiding it with some more kissing. "...No, Sarah, I'm afraid it's not."
He held her tight as the storm continued to rage overhead.
XXXX
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