A purple haired journalist with her quill in hand approached both Azlyn and Alisaie as they were resting in the shade by the house. They had solved the disappearance of the heirloom sword, having found it in a nearby pond… and also discovered in their midst the prepetrator who wanted to steal the sword for his own.

And as such, the faceless villain sent a challenge via a calling card—one which soared eerily close to Azlyn's face as she sidestepped—and had seen it go straight into the inspector's forehead.

This was the first true case behind the red clad villain.

"What's happening Ellie?" Azlyn inquired, quirking her head.

The journalist Ellie sighed, shaking her head. "Perchance you are curious about the duelists' declared target?"

"You mean the inspector's forehead?" Alisaie mentioned with a bit of a shrug.

Ellie chuckled. "While it did land on point, I was going to say I believe I identified the weapon he will target next."

This caught both their attentions.

"Oh?"

"Yes. The Treaty Blade is part of an Ishgardian noble's collection—or was, I should say."

"Has it been stolen?" Alisaie asked, her eyes sparked with determination.

"No." Ellie replied. "It has not yet been stolen, it has been purchased by an Ul'dahn collector—the wife of a wealthy merchant living in Vesper Bay. Suffice it to say, I would be remiss in my duties as a reporter were I to not investigate her. And should the duelist strike whilst I am present… Well, I hope I needn't explain what a golden opportunity that would be!"

Azlyn could see the Mythril Eye getting more popular with an article like that. "As long as it's about the duelist, it'd grab attention." She agreed.

"It'd be even greater if I added the Bloody Princess into the story—imagine what people would say."

"Gods, stop. No."

Alisaie laughed heartedly.

Ellie joined in the laughter, before thinking to herself. She tapped her chin, wondering aloud. "Ingratiating myself to her may prove to be the greatest challenge, as she is known for her brusque demeanor with outsiders."

"Can we not just talk with her?" Azlyn asked. "Maybe she'll be open to us if we're honest and discuss with her why we're there."

The journalist shrugged, "Or we play on her favorites. I hear she has a fondness for rare flowers—the sort Tutusi in Camp Drybone sells. You can come along if you wish or meet me over in Vesper Bay."

"This just sounds like a bad idea." The Au Ra warned, before Alisaie tugged on her sleeve.

"I'd rather hang out with her than have to deal with… them." Alisaie and Azlyn both understood what was meant, as they looked around. The pair of inspectors had not been seen since they last dashed off in search of this masked duelist issuing challenges.

"Fair point. Alright, let's go to Vesper Bay while we wait." Azlyn nodded to Ellie. "We'll see you there."

With their plans set, the three-split off. Alisaie and Azlyn went to Horizon, using the magic aetheryte tickets the young Sharlayan had taken off her sibling the last they met. It was around high noon when Ellie arrived finding them sitting at the fountain with an orange colored drink in hand.

"Got the flowers you needed?" Alisaie asked the journalist.

Ellie nodded, only for her attention to be broken away to a small commotion by the far building to the east. Azlyn looked to see three people surrounded by a few Brass Blades.

A well-dressed Elezen had lifted his hand up to adjust his spectacles.

"It… it was you!?" The woman in the group had gasped to the man dressed in shepherd's clothing.

Flustered, the accused shook his hand. "Have you gone mad!? That was an Amal'jaa arrow in his back! I don't even know how to shoot a bow!"

Almost curtly, the Elezen with glasses answered him with a rebuke. "Amal'jaa don't shoot fleeing, unarmed merchants, they capture and temper them. Not that you or your victim make for convincing merchants."

It wasn't as if the man was wrong. She'd dealt with Amal'jaa before, and they did capture and temper to raise their ranks. It was the outliers that typically kill those outside of their tribes—but even then, that was frowned upon.

"If you're going to misrepresent yourself, put some effort into it." The Elezen continued unabated. "Wear gloves, for god's sake, or at least don't wave your hands in front of my face!" He examined the hands that were still shaking back and forth from the disgruntled man. With a sigh, he added. "The calluses on your fingers betray you as a veteran archer. Doubtless you used your skills to great effect five years ago, as did your partner."

Alisaie whistled softly. "Damn. He's pretty intuitive."

"And a good observer." Azlyn noted.

They watched as the one in shepherd's clothes dropped to his knees in disbelief. He stared at the palms of his hands as if they had betrayed him.

"So again, I ask: was it because he took from you your share, or your sister?"

The three of them watched in awe, mostly at that revelation that that guy's sister was the girl who was crying there.

Almost like a dam about to burst, the man on his knees howled in anger. "You don't touch a man's kin! He knew that… and yet he… he…" He stopped, looking to his younger sister before grimacing. A look of pain came over his facial expression, moments before the brass blades clasped him in iron.

The curt Elezen sighed. He shook his head as if disappointed. "Damn… I thought he did it for the money. You two—he's all yours."

The brass blades conducted their business, taking away the man accused of murder a bit perplexed at the swift conviction rendered. Meanwhile the girl had been left to cry at the loss of a lover… and a brother.

The Elezen followed them to complete his report—Ellie reached her quill to jot down a few scribbles. "At least he's competent. But when did investigating crimes become such a popular profession?"

Azlyn shrugged, returning to her drink. "Who knows. He looks from a rich household."

Alisaie finished her drink. "Well that's enough people watching for now—let's go deliver these rare flowers to the client and see what is happening with the Treaty Sword."

"Her name is Lady Durilda—let's be sure not to upset her with any rude mannerisms or the like. …Well, I don't have to worry to much about you two. So, it's a moot point."

The three went to the western side of Vesper Bay, heading to the mercantile district in the corner. Azlyn walked these rows a few times previous—whenever she came over—she always was drawn by the smell of cooking foods and the fresh sea breeze

Ellie led them through the bustle, toward a larger settlement behind. It had a nice stairway leading up to the small platform where the house's foundation laid.

"We're here."

Together they walked the sets of stairs, before knocking upon the large, ornate doors. It was then a servant answered, the young woman bowed—letting them inside to wait in the front room. The Lady of the house approached from the back room. Her blonde hair beautifully woven into a beautiful hat. Her attire was form fitting, pleasing to the eye—as was her make up.

"Again?" The woman gasped in utter annoyance. "As I told the last twenty who came before, if you have come looking for work, you are too late! And even if I were in need of additional security, I would not deign to hire a common adventurer!"

"Do you even know who she—" Alisaie barked back, only for Azlyn to tap her shoulder.

"Don't sweat it." She smiled.

Not changing her tone, the Lady of the House rolled her eyes. "Now remove yourselves from my sight before I have you removed!"

The servant jumped at her tone, before attempting to show them out. Azlyn turned on her heel, as did Alisaie. Meanwhile Ellie stepped forward with the flowers present in a nice vase.

"Ugh…" The one known as Lady Durilda shook her head. She exasperatedly looked to the vase and then to the three of them. Angrily, she crossed her arms. "Did you really think I could be so easily manipulated? Present the right gift, speak the magic words, and you would earn my respect?"

This woman was quite haughty. Continuing to run over Ellie now as she eyed the vase that held the flowers in disgust. "What is more, a flower's beauty is fleeting. I value beauty which transcends the boundaries of time—everlasting, enduring, unchanging. Like mine. Now. Get. Out."

Ellie passed the vase to the servant beside her, lifting her hands up in apology. "Forgive us, Lady Durilda. We meant no disrespect! We were afraid that you would not heed our warnings otherwise. A notorious, violent thief is plotting to steal the Treaty Blade!"

The lady scoffed. "Fools! I shall come to claim the Collector's Blade! Hah." She waved off the calling card that they also received with a slap of her hand. "I read the Mythril Eye. I know full well of whom you speak. And it is none of your concern."

Azlyn stopped listening to the woman, as she leaned upon the door frame to watch Lady Durilda and Ellie speaking candidly.

"—Should he try, I will have him seized or worse. And even if by some miracle he should succeed, he will not escape my wrath, for I have retained the services of a certain gentleman. But you may see for yourself! Like every piece in my collection, he has been chosen with the utmost care. Now look on my peerless inspector, interlopers, and despair!" She happily smiled to the doorway, past the pair.

Azlyn wouldn't consider despairing, as she started to not really care so much. At this point, she just wanted to help when able. Granted if the woman wanted it. And by the sounds of it… she didn't. It was only when the Lady of the House turned their attention to the open doorway that they saw the strangest thing. A pair of bulging muscles perked from behind them. Azlyn and Alisaie both jumped back at the sudden presence, as a booming voice called out from out the door.

"Ships that pass in the night, a signal shown in the darkness—"

"Oh gods have mercy." Alisaie put her head into her hand.

"The lady cries out for a guardian, and a gentleman must needs oblige!" The black familiar tuxedo came into view as the man with well groomed brown hair flexed in the front room. Right next to him had been his trusty assistant, Nashu, who happily flexed her tail as she straightened up from her forward lunge out.

"I swear to you, here and now, I Hildibrand, agent of enquiry, inspector extraordinaire, shall neither slumber nor sleep until the fiend who covets the Treaty-Blade is brought to justice!"

Azlyn almost wanted to laugh, but she held it together as the woman's joyous face soon turned to unbridled outrage. Especially when Hildibrand flashed a drop-someone-dead side grin to them all. Strange enough, it was as if the sun glinted off his pearly whites, accentuating his smile even more.

"What brings you three here, my ladies? Are you come in pursuit of the duelist as well! Or perchance, in pursuit of me?"

Azlyn grimaced openly. "Please stop."

Lady Durilda seemed to have enough of all their farces, as she exploded at Hildibrand. "As if I would spend a single gil on an insufferable, incompetent—"

There was a clearing throat behind them, which directed their attention to the front once more. They could see that the curt Elezen with the glasses at the front. He adjusted them before speaking. "To be fair, you are not spending a single gil on me." He gave a confident smirk, looking to each of them in earnest. "The chance to investigate such an intriguing case is payment enough. Preemptive declarations of criminal intent are hardly in vogue."

After a long pregnant pause in dialogue. The man apologized. "Sorry I'm late. Busy solving a murder." He adjusted his spectacles, a glint from the sun caught the edge of the glass. "Briardien, consulting inspector. At your service, my lady."

Lady Durilda walked straight to him, ignoring everyone as she happily started to converse to him. She was bringing up his journey to Eorzea from Ishgard, and hoped his travels went well. Azlyn looked upward to Hildibrand who just blankly stared at the silver haired Ishgardian highborn who came as an inspector.

He seemed deep in thought, and Azlyn almost felt bad for him. Until he muttered, "Conniving Inspector?"

Azlyn dropped her own head into her hands, while Alisaie widened her eyes. "He… did not… just…"

Briardien quick to counter, snapped his attention to him. "Consulting Inspector." He sniffed the air then, mostly in their direction—before shaking his head. "Rotting flesh and saltpeter. Hildibrand Manderville and Nashu Mhakaracca, I presume."

"He knows us Inspector!" Nashu happily replied.

Briardien sighed loudly, shaking his head. "Two rank amateurs playing at a profession of which they know naught." He turned to Lady Durilda. "Call me when you've finished with these wastrels."

Azlyn blinked, before realizing that he meant their whole group. Alisaie narrowed her eyes to the Ishgardian inspector.

"What a dick."

Azlyn snickered to the twin, before shaking her head. It seemed as if most Ishgardians of the high houses had that air of presumptuous manner.

Durilda wasted no time drilling into them. "You see!? I do not want nor need your help. Briardien is more than capable of overseeing the transfer. New get out, all of you!"

They were being ushered to the door, only to see a small girl with blonde hair come in. Her eyes were red, blotchy with tears. She looked as if her whole world got destroyed. The Lady of the house looked to the dejected girl before turning her angry tone to her. "Where have you been, Maria? And where is my vase?"

Nervously, the girl rubbed her arm over the other. "There was this strange flying thing, and I… The vase, I dropped it in the water, I was so—"

Azlyn could tell this girl had worked up the courage to confess, and would have told her it was alright—but the Lady… presumably her mother based off their looks, flared her nostrils.

"That vase once belonged to the Royal House of Thorne! Do you have any idea how much it was worth?!"

Maria's eyes filled with tears, ready to fall. She looked downward as if scared.

Her mother shook her head, and pointed to the door. "You will go back outside right now and search for my vase, and you are not to return until you find it. Do I make myself clear?"

The little girl sniffled, hiccupping with a nod.

"Hey, wait a moment!" Alisaie went to the girl's side, as did Azlyn. The Au Ra glared to the mother—but before she could utter her next words they all found themselves staring at the tailcoat of Manderville's tux.

Hildibrand smiled as he intercepted the interaction, his confidence bloomed even when he spoke. "My lady, pray allow us to go in the girl's stead! It is not safe, for she herself spoke of a ferocious wild beast!"

Azlyn knelt to Maria, who glanced between her and Alisaie. The Sharlayan gave her a thumbs up, and Azlyn smiled warmly. She mouthed to her as quietly as she could. "We'll take care of it, no problem!"

Hildibrand's distraction proved great, as the girl's tears dissolved, and she gave them a slow nod back.

"With my unmatched investigative skills, I shall swiftly locate and recover the missing vase, thereby earning your respect! At which point, you will gladly grant me permission to investigate the thieving duelist! Verily, it is a plan fiendishly clever in its intricacies!"

Ellie standing near the back rolled her eyes. "Not when spoken aloud."

As if caught, Hildibrand gasped at the forethought.

Lady Durilda shook her head once more, but said nothing further as she walked away into her home. She ignored them, leaving Hildibrand to face Maria with a kind smile.

"Miss Maria, would you be so kind as to tell me exactly what happened?" The girl shyly looked between them, and then to Hildibrand who made this absurd face—where he stretched out his mouth into an oddly rounded triangle. It almost looked creepy, had Azlyn not known that was his super excited to hear something expression.

Alisaie groaned. "Fix your face before you scare the poor child!"

"He's a good person, no need to worry…" Azlyn said to Maria. "Just… unique…"

The interaction itself seemed to shock the girl from any tears, as she looked away from the man. Maria shyly said, "I picked up the vase in Ul'dah like Mother said, and I was on my way home…I was crossing the bridge, but then the flying thing came, I got scared—so I ran."

Maria stopped to look at them once more. She peered to each, seeing their expressions. Not a single one showed signs of anger or disappointment. The girl gained more confidence afterwards to speak.

"When I stopped, it was gone. But—so was the vase. I think I dropped it in Nophica's Wells."

Alisaie pondered, while Azlyn pulled out her world map—the one they wanted being the Western Thanalan.

"Well, according to the path…" Azlyn deduced, "this must be the bridge you crossed. We can go and ask the locals, and go down to the riverside to see what we can find. If it's there we'll find it."

Maria looked at her map, as Azlyn laid it down for all to see. The young girl pointed to the exact spot where Azlyn guessed. "I want to go and look! But there were scary-looking things down there, I'm scared to go alone."

Alisaie chuckled, "You leave those scary things to us! You don't have to worry about a thing. I promise."

Azlyn nodded. "Yep!"

Hildibrand smiled widely, gracefully standing up as he pointed to himself and the others in the group. "You are no longer alone, Miss Maria. We shall go together and look for the vase, all six of us!"

Everyone seemed to agree, save for their journalist.

Ellie shook her head. "All five of you. I'm going after Inspector Briardien. If the duelist strikes, I mean to be there."

"B-but Miss Ellie! How can you ignore the plight of a young girl for the sake of a story?"

"Because that's my job, you imbecile!" Ellie admonished with a wag of her finger.

Not dismayed by her words, Hildibrand nodded. "Well, we shall not be derelict in our duty to justice. Come, Nashu! We must away!"

The pair bolted from the house, leaving Azlyn, Alisaie, and Maria behind in the process.

Ellie crossed her arms. "You don't even know what the bloody vase looks like!" She shook her head before approaching the young girl. "Maria dear, if it gets dangerous, or if you feel afraid, you run to these two for help, understand?"

Maria nodded.

"Good, the Bloody Princess will take care of you." Ellie winked, before waving to them.

"Did you really need to say that?" Azlyn groaned.

Maria's eyes went wide with admiration. "Wow! Really!"

"Wait for us!" Alisaie shouted suddenly, raking a hand through her hair. "Argh… gods be damned. Come on you two! They're leaving town!" She sprinted after the pair, and Azlyn reached a handout to Maria.

"You ready? Let's go!"

Maria nodded, giving a small smile before chasing down the stalls and out into the wilderness of Western Thanalan. They traveled through the footfalls, avoiding the watery puddles that formed in the pathways. Slowly but surely, they made their way through to Horizon—where they continued out toward Nophica's Well—or rather above it to inquire information.

They did learn of a flying creature in the area—and that they saw a running child—but that was it. Which meant their search would turn downward to the river below.

It was near the end of the river's flow that they found a small hut, and a very unusually red garbed man scouring the area, and haphazardly steeping in the water. There was a green painted rooster… no, it couldn't be painted… could it? Well Azlyn noticed the man's unique facial markings upon his face, possibly indicating that he was a foreigner to Eorzea.

Their group approached at the other side of the river. "Excuse me?" She called. "Have you seen anything unusual?"

The man in red scoffed, "A pox upon that thieving demon bird! He shall rue the day he crossed paths with me!" He stopped midway to look to them. "Unusual? What would that be?" He inquired to them with narrowed eyes.

"Did a vase come downstream? What color was it Maria?" Alisaie asked the young girl.

"It was antique—like a brown and yellowish tone."

"Huh?" The Flamboyant stranger grumbled. "A vase? I know naught of you—Gah!" He shuffled his foot into the river itself, only to pull it out. There was a shard imbedded in his sandal, matching a similar color description of the vase they were looking for. "Curse this infernal refuse underfoot! Every point is a dagger!"

"Oh no!" Maria gasped. "That's it, the vase!"

"You found the treasured vase?!" Hildibrand had been investigating north of them but appeared out of thin air when they discovered it. "Oh—oh dear."

Azlyn frowned, seeing the reflecting shards sparkle under the river's flow. It was shattered, there was no doubt. The man with the shard of vase stuck in his foot stretched it out to the young girl. "Um… does this belong to you, child?"

She nodded, tears started to form at the corner of her eyelids.

"Forgive me, I was so engrossed in my search that I did not notice…" The red clad stranger spoke and held his stance. He must have been well over eight or nine feet tall. Azlyn was used to seeing tall Roegabyn's but he must have easily stood a foot taller than them.

Hildibrand inquired into his search. "Your search for what, pray tell?"

"The demon bird that absconded with my weapon! I set it down for but a moment, only to see it next in the talons of that accursed creature!"

Azlyn wadded through the river, careful of any shards sticking up. She reached up to his outstretched foot, where she plucked the shard and healed his wound moments after.

"Thank you." The gruff man in red called down to her and straightened to his full height. "I gave chase, following it to these waters, and in my haste I must have stumbled unto your vase."

"Quite literally." Alisaie remarked as Azlyn started fishing out the broken shards. She too joined the search, while Nashu ran over to Maria.

"Don't fret Maria, I know it looks bad, but I'm sure Inspector Hildibrand will think of something!"

They looked over, seeing Hildibrand point to his own head, flexing and curling his body. "Oh, but I already have, my faithful assistant! Hearken to me now, for as the rising sun doth dispel the dark, so shall my solution resolve our dilemma!"

Azlyn resumed her search in the river.

"Excellent work, my faithful assistants! We must gather as many fragments of the vase as we can find!"

"Be careful not to hurt yourselves." Azlyn replied without looking up.

It took a thorough combing through the river with all six of them, the red flamboyant stranger included, to find as many of the fragments they could. Alisaie had laid out a long piece of fabric to keep them together on the side with Nashu as they checked.

"I think that's all of it." Alisaie rubbed her forearm over her forehead. The sweat garnished from the desert sun beat overhead.

"Well done, my friends! This should be more than sufficient for our needs!" Hildibrand looked to the side then, as his brow knitted in thought. "He has performed miracles with far less, after all…"