Louis hadn't missed the city at all. He hated the cars, the noise, the congestion, excessive advertisements and everything that could be associated with it. However, he had certain tasks to complete. One of those being his and Oguma's forced, repetitive and monthly dinner, which he always had to attend without fail.
The entire thing seemed like a waste of time and, honestly, it was. Simply being all platitudes and no substance, but somehow he even began to doubt that. The old buck didn't seem to budge his schedule a tiny bit when it came to this dinner, even though it gave him nothing of apparent value. Figuring himself lucky that it was Saturday rather than a weekday.
This was just odd. His father had a penchant for doing strange stuff under normal circumstances, remembering the bike he bought him when his grades weren't as stellar. This had been a thing for the better part of seventeen years and still he couldn't shake the feeling of something being amiss. Most of the time, he doesn't have to explain himself to anyone, not that others were owed his explanation to begin with.
It'd either be too complicated or they would simply put their head in the sand. Most animals didn't have the time or the mental fortitude to listen to Louis blabber. Fascinatingly enough, Oguma wouldn't let him off that easily, he never did. The old fart probably was privy off whenever Louis' breathes out more carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere than usual.
The deer is far from blind; he knew that Oguma had his cronies chasing him around. Seeing them appearing and disappearing around corners, faint code like whispers just within earshot. It wasn't subtle, not in the slightest. Louis knew his father did it out of good faith and as a precaution, but he had to draw a line somewhere.
It would be very inconvenient if they intervened during a moment most crucial. It would also be very awkward if a carnivore dropped dead on campus if he looked at Louis wrong. Knowing that he had to pull the weed from its roots, he couldn't allow for such variables the be present in his plans. This monthly dinner had its uses after all.
"Master Louis, we're almost there", said the alaskan moose chauffeur with a thick accent, probably French, not that Louis could really tell. Oguma hired new staff and employees all the time, so he could never get acquainted with any of the drivers. "Your father will be a little later than expected and he asked me to pass this message to you."
Rummaging in one of the compartments, the driver was mumbling something in French as he tried finding whatever he stored away. The deer refraining from telling the moose that pockets were such useful inventions. "Merde! Fils de pute!", he sweared. "Aha!" Pulling out what he was searching for.
In the moose's hand was a note, the older buck's neat, formal handwriting adorned it. Nobody could ever manage to even replicate that style and prose. Taking it from the driver with apathy, he folded it open already knowing the gist of it. He hoped this wasn't going to become on the buck's undying habits.
It read: 'Make your way over towards the dinner table. I will be there momentarily, sorry for the delay'. Typical. He always does this whenever he's too lazy to text. Louis heaved an enormous sigh. "When did he give you this?" That old stoat always pulled stuff like this, it became so much of an occurrence that Louis doubted it was a power move anymore.
The driver simply didn't answer, instead stopping the car in front of the conglomerate's building. Saving him from Louis' interrogation. "We're here." Wordlessly, Louis got out of the car, not allowing the driver to open the door for him. What did he even expect? A straight answer? Whose payroll were they on: his or Oguma's? From the little things and tidbits he overheard from the housing and cleaning crew, the buck gave those notes at a day's advance. That old shrew was as unapologetic as ever.
Walking towards the revolving doors of the building, Harold the doorman was watching his approach. Though doorman wouldn't really do it justice, he was armed just like everyone else with guarding duty. "Good evening, sir. Good to see you again", the rhino greeted. Some sights simply never changed, Harold has been on the job since Louis was three years old. He was bit of an oddity even amongst a corporation that mainly consists of cervids, but a welcome one at that. A rhino was still a herbivore with a horn, after all.
"Likewise, Harold. How are the wife and kids?", Louis asked with an interested intonation. Ironically, Harold was the only one you could have a conversation with without running the risk of it being spilled to Oguma. Leaning forward, a warm smile plastering the rhino's lips, he answered with excitement, "They're doing excellent, sir. Maya just graduated from medical school two weeks ago." You could see the doorman beam with pride, and probably for miles, making Louis chuckle. Fathers and their kids.
"Ah, that's great to hear. Please, give her my sincerest congratulations", Louis quickly smiled, leisurely making his way towards the entrance. The rhino gave him a slight bow. "I will relay the message for you. Enjoy your evening, sir." Curtly nodding, the deer already felt the edge of his mood wear off, a fleeting calm settled over him. Pushing through the revolving doors, the constant warmth of the building made his skin tingle, crudely reminding how cold it was outside. The sudden change of temperature shaking him to a state of energetic intensity.
The lobby was dead, most animals either went home or were still holed up in one of their cubicles. In a twisted way, Cherryton felt more like home than this place ever would. Walking towards the elevator, the receptionist didn't even spare him a glance as he passed; preoccupied with whatever she was doing on her computer. That almost made Louis doubt on how tight security around here even was.
Pressing the button, Louis tapped his feet with impatience waiting for the damn thing to come down. These things were state of the art newest technology, but they still felt mind numbingly slow. If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was probably standing still; doing nothing. I never got why he's always so insistent on eating here. Talk about married to your job.
A short ping interrupted the deer's annoyed thought stream, the doors opening without as much as a creak. It smelled pungently of detergent, making Louis' nose wrinkle up. Ugh. Couldn't they use something less chemically based? Stepping inside, he pressed the button for the penthouse suite; it needing his authorization card. "Some things never change."
Swiping the pass across the interface, it gave a green light and the elevator rumbled upwards. After a moment lasting about twenty five seconds, the doors opened. The hallways decorated with multiple pieces of posh furniture looking as clean as ever. Louis stepping in his 'home' with a frown, not being excited at the prospect of meeting Oguma at all.
Especially after the fiasco that took place at the school, Louis already had a feeling where most of the conversation would be headed. Namely him looking at more 'safe' alternatives. I would rather choke to death now. Despite Oguma being a businessman of wide renown, he was still chronically risk averse. Mainly, when it came to matters such as his heir.
Opening the doors to the dining room the smell of pea soup hit Louis' nose. The scent making the deer's muscles relax and his senses mellow. It's the one with carrots and other greenery. He's trying to butter me up. He never really had a taste for the exorbitant, so Oguma putting in the effort to have one of the deer's favorites on the table spelled bad news.
The old fart had still not bothered to show his mug, so Louis unceremoniously threw himself in his designated chair; wanting to pour himself his first bowl. The size of the pot on the middle of the table about covering both of their appetites, which Louis doubted he would keep over the course of this dinner.
Pouring himself some red wine, the prices of which making him want to gag, he lounged back into his chair. Awaiting Oguma's eventual arrival, he played with the liquid in his glass. The color almost wanted him to reminisce about the old days, and how much has changed these past few years. "Why does he still bother with the expensive stuff? He hates alcohol."
Most things regarding Louis family life were just as much props as those on stage, Oguma's presence always being a looming one rather than an active parent was also part of the script. As if on cue, the old deer entered the dining room, carrying the same statued grace as he usually did; his expression basically etched in with a punting device. "Good evening, father. How was business?", Louis asked without turning his head, instead focused on the wine.
"Hello, Louis. It was fruitful", Oguma replied walking to his own chair, documents still in hand. Still far more entranced with his sales figures rather than his own son. Louis grumbled at how he never was far away from his work. "How are your studies?" The deer knew that question was intended, pointed and thought out on multiple levels. He had to tread carefully.
Waiting for the older deer to sit down and feigning a tone of disinterest, he answered, "It has been... tumultuous. I assume you've been more than aware of what has transpired." Oguma's gaze flicked upward from his reading, meeting his son's for a second before flicking down again.
"Hmm. Yes, you could say that." Trying to get a reaction out of his son, letting the mind games commence, while Louis was trying his damndest not to give him his best frown. That's a fucking understatement. You've got your own goon squad at the ready. Collecting himself, Louis took a slurp from the soup. Oguma still scribbling on his papers, barely paying attention.
Swallowing, Louis pressed the conversation further, already sick of this bout of theatrics. It's about time he cut through this facetious arrangement. Lights, camera, action. "Let's cut to the chase: I want you to stop your 'protective detail' from stalking me across campus." Keeping his expression as neutral as possible, his voice stern and resolute. The deer could've sworn he saw a small playful smirk flashing across the old man's face.
"You mean the one keeping you alive?", said Oguma with a dramatic gasp while pouring himself a good bowl, making sure to exaggerate his every movement. "I would be in remiss if I did that." Didn't he get that allowing those soldiers on school grounds also had its flip-side? Stifling an annoyed snort Louis took a sip of wine; tearing into the buck using putrid snide, "I wasn't asking, 'father'. Your death squad are going to bring my reputation in jeopardy."
Oguma's eyes momentarily taking in Louis' expression, before once again diverting to more pressing matters. "And not even to mention the other benefits we, as in Horns, would miss out on if that were to happen." Hinting at his Beastar title and how beneficial it would be might do the trick. Unexpectedly, Oguma let out a laugh still signing one of the documents. "The only one in jeopardy here, would be you. If I allowed you to gallivant around that place with killers on the loose - what kind of 'father' would I be?"
"A father that's actively bringing my title in danger. Then all my efforts would be for nothing." He'd have worked his ass off for these past few years, and have nothing to show for it but a fancy diploma. Louis put in effort to hide his surprise, his face remaining apathetic despite the bombshell. Sticking his nose where it didn't belong was one of Oguma's biggest and worst habits. So he's privy of it. That's good to know.
Louis leaned forward, smugly smiling at the buck. "Might I add, that it's not a good look for the conglomerate as a whole. Protecting one of their own while leaving the school to rot, just might give some animals the wrong idea." If someone even muttered about Louis getting special treatment, his reputation and social standing would take a heavy blow. Taking another bite from his soup, which was heavenly, he awaited their answer.
"Yes, such a shame, indeed", the glasses adorning deer smiled, much to Louis' annoyance. "Well, at least you will be alive for it." Then being alive is not worth it at all. Kind of having expected this, Louis slammed his handgun on the table. The bang of noise bouncing around the room. Oguma's expression shifting so slightly, that most wouldn't have noticed.
"Oh, so that's where that piece went all those months ago." Knowing exactly how it disappeared, simply just being coy, none to Louis' surprise. The buck's visage bordered on being entertained; it was always exciting when they finally showed their hand. To Oguma everything was a sick game of chess and he could sacrifice as many pieces as he desired fit. "I infer that this is the start of your little rebellious phase?"
"No. I'd rather call this a cry for independence. I've had enough of your nonsense", the younger deer spoke evenly. Louis pointed the weapon at Oguma who sat in his chair unfazed, not allowing himself to show even a moment of hesitation or weakness. Oguma only letting out a hum, taking yet another bite. "A misguided cry at that", replied the buck offhandedly, still chewing on his food.
Swallowing it and dapping his face with a handkerchief, he continued, "Despite all the values and lessons I instilled in you. You're still terribly impulsive." Impulsive or not. At least, I am not some paranoid geezer holing himself up in his ivory tower. Abstaining from cussing him out, he kept his aim steady and trained onto the buck. Whom was about to slurp up his next spoon.
Pulling the trigger, the bullet darted off a few feet left of Oguma as he still sat there, chillingly indifferent. Holding the bite just shy of his face, putting it back in his bowl. "See...? Impulsive. Though I must say... you are a good shot." Judging from this display, he would never get a rise out of the man until the day he died, almost sighing in disbelief his gaze wavered. Louis questioned how he even knew that he intended to miss his head by just a few inches.
The only thing he had actually killed was both of their appetites. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, father. I don't need the likes of those militarized babysitters taking care of me", Louis continued, regaining his wits. Not even to mention the fact that he had others who were watching his backside now, but he wasn't going to spill that can of worms anytime soon. Lest Oguma strike him down with corporate lightning.
Oguma tutted with an empty expression, "I am more-so scared of the capabilities of others, Louis. You are my son and I have no doubts about your aptitude. Alas, I don't have a lot of faith in your safety in a place that allowed a murderer to roam free, twice." An extra bit of venom coming off of that last word. If Louis was in his position he wouldn't have either, better yet he had lost faith the moment he was born.
Naturally, Louis agreed with the sentiment and necessity to keep him safe, but he cannot give up now. He made an oath, one he intends to keep; from beyond the grave if he must. This went beyond business, he did this as a personal pursuit. "Tonight, I was going to advise you to switch schools. However, I have a feeling that's not what you want. Nor that it is something you will do; despite my continuous insistence."
Louis put the gun down, still staring his father dead in the eyes. "Indeed. I wasn't planning on running away from my responsibilities just yet", Louis declared, Oguma giving him an unconventional look akin to pride. If the old fart hadn't confused him all the way back, he had now. "Alright then, since you are so willing to risk your own life. How about a compromise?" It did sound appealing and possibly beneficial, but with the old sod you could never be sure. Louis slurped back his last bit of wine, he was going to need it. "Sounds good. What did you have in mind?"
"Very simple, I will pull all the guards from you except for one. He'll stay out of your way, and keep watch from a distance; only to intervene when absolutely necessary", Oguma replied with a scheming smirk. This was by far the best deal Louis probably was going to get, though he was reluctant 'cause of what Oguma omitted from it. He just felt in his bones that the deer will not answer him if he asks for any specifics. That sadistic geezer will keep him guessing for the fun of it.
"Fine", Louis conceded with great uncertainty. "We have a deal." Oguma gave a satisfied nod, Louis couldn't decipher whether it was real or rehearsed. Also seeing a hint of... relief? "Excellent. See what happens when you talk things through?", Oguma chortled, pointing backwards with his thumb. A pitch black hole ruining the grey wallpaper courtesy of Louis' bullet. "Now I have to get that wall fixed." His voice was sparkling with condescension. Save those faux laughs for the meetings, geezer.
A ping on Louis' phone caught his attention. It was from Bill giving him the specifics about how he was planning to do the grocery run. After reading it over, seeing not too many flaws, he sent the tiger a thumbs up. Getting another message stating that the deer better hold his end of the deal, or else and all that beautiful stuff. Responding with an aggressive: 'Yes, kitty, I'll hold up on my end of the bargain. Just make sure you don't get yourself killed out there.'
"I thought I got you a new phone for Rexmas. What are you still doing with that old thing?", Oguma inquired, his head tilted slightly. Louis couldn't help but let out a laugh at that remark, the old deer giving him a glance; brows raised. "You mean that gift-wrapped invasion of privacy? The spyware took about half of that things storage space." Oguma almost wanted to applaud Louis for always being careful and on guard. If Louis was dumber the geezer would now know what kind of women he preferred, the mere thought of it making him shudder.
Checking his watch, Oguma cleared his throat. "You should probably head back. You wouldn't want to be caught breaking curfew, now do you?" It had already been an hour? Although the driver was a bit late. So no harm, no foul. Better it would be, if he was back sooner rather than later; running the risk of students finding out he was off-campus was a bit too much for his liking.
At least, going back spared him from awkwardly sitting there while they said nothing. There's nothing more painful than letting any sort silence fester, then you're just better off getting the hell out. Shoving back his chair, Louis stood up, straightening his tie. "Exactly. I'll be taking my leave then. Thanks for the meal and hearing me out."
Almost walking through the door, Oguma cleared his throat once again, Louis turning to face him. "One more thing. Don't do things I wouldn't do, alright?" Finding that statement ironic, Louis nearly snickered; respectfully nodding instead. As if you haven't done everything the big book has forbidden you to do.
"You shouldn't worry about me so much. I will be just fine. See you in a month", Louis said in farewell, leaving for the elevator, happy that yet another loose end is finally cut from the equation. There would be many more things to take care off, but at least he got his father out of the way, for now. Finally, his plans could be truly set in motion without much of a hassle.
Timezones softly played through the office, Hinari's eyes fluttering at the familiarity of the sound, recognizing that it was her ringtone. Blinds drawn, Hinari had slumbered in her chair under the previous symphony of the ventilation system. The sand fox fell asleep here last night, after yet another binge of trying to puzzle together evidence for the Cherryton Murders. She had narrowed it down pretty well, but when it involved minors in high school things start to get... annoying. She couldn't just go and interrogate every single of them without getting lawyers involved.
They'd done an extensive perimeter sweep of the campus and found nothing, and whatever was maybe usable as evidence from the garbage containers was taken from under their noses in the early morning. The garbage company had collected and destroyed whatever was in there, Hinari figuring the killer extremely lucky just for that alone. Had the body been discovered earlier they might've had a shot, but no dice.
A few things she knew for certain, both killings weren't done by the same animal. Their MO's were... too different. And the timespan between killings was too short for the same animal to predate on a herbivore again, less than three days apart. Such cases were extremely rare. A carnivore who devours a herbivore, revels in their newfound sensations and feelings for multiple days on end; often spanning to weeks. Making another devouring by the same carnivore within that timeframe, extremely unlikely.
Only her sample size of suspects was too big, a student body too big. That's where Louis' plan would come in to help, possibly cutting down on their suspect pool and maybe even catching one of them outright. Fruitless as her own endeavors were, she couldn't throw in the towel just yet. Her pride was on the line. Getting more sleep was very tempting, but she knew she had to pick up the damn phone. Unfortunately, her job didn't allow for pleasantries such as a good night's rest.
"Uuuuugghhhh", Hinari groaned reaching for her desk, weary joints popping at the sudden exercise, her arm flopping up and down in vain attempts. She didn't want to get up, her back was too sore from this crappy chair to be even worth the risk and pain of stretching. Trying and failing to reach her phone, she reluctantly and woefully got off her ass. "For fuck's sake." Office being an absolute mess, she would have to clean it soon. If Chief Rood caught wind of this, he wouldn't hesitate to reprimand her for hours on end.
Picking up her phone from her desk, she saw it was Garsson; her junior whom she dragged along with her everywhere, but that wasn't the bad part - it was 5:10 in the morning!What the fuck is he doing up? Shouldn't he, like, celebrate the weekend or whatever? Pressing the pick up button and deciding to not curse him to Rex's realm, she greeted him her voice low, "Mornin', Garsson. You aren't calling me drunk off of your hooves I hope?"
The bull's heavy voice was coarse, like he had also just woken up. "No, detective. I just got called awake by the coroner, you know, the platypus? Kuwa was his name, I think." Hinari wondered if that bastard ever slept and if he did what his schedule was. Being very meticulous, Kuwa always took his time when analyzing a body. Hence why they still hadn't gotten the updated version of the report. "Okay, what did he want from us?", Hinari replied stretching her shoulders, really wanting to get some fresh air and a good breakfast.
Garsson sighed on the other end of the line, the sand fox hearing his coffee machine going to work. "He needed us over there to jot down the specifics about the devourings. Wanted us to know about the more in depth information when he cross-examined the bodies." That was all fine and well, but why did it have to be so early? She could've gone a few more hours without being reminded of that crime scene. It was even more visceral than that of the alpaca's. "Okay", Hinari complied. "I guess I'll see you in a few. Could you do me a favor and get me a cup of coffee? Please?"
Knowing how garbage P.D. coffee was, Garsson agreed with a chuckle. "Sure, do you need some breakfast too? Never saw you leave the precinct, so I assume you slept in your office again." This is what she gets when you work with someone for the better part of a year and a half, you get an animal that can read you. She couldn't even remember when she last let someone come so close, bar the obvious answer. Hinari would never allow something like that to happen ever again.
Being aware that she had no choice in the matter, if she wanted to work with him, she had to open herself up. Garsson was the only one in the precinct capable of putting up with her nonsense, which she was kind of grateful for. "You're a Rex sent! I'll see you at the coroner's. Later Garsson." She hung up with a sigh, a smile creeping up her face. He was too nice for his own good sometimes, although she wouldn't have him any other way. Garsson had her back in more ways than one.
Slinking out of her office, she made her way towards the nearest bathroom, but not before dropping by her locker. Always handily having a few hygiene products stuffed in there for emergencies. Females, especially Hinari, had to keep themselves clean. She didn't want to be known as the sleazebag of the force, already having a bad rep for her potty mouth. Another monicker was not something she could afford at this time.
Not really needing nor wanting another thing for her superiors to howl about. Fur conditioner, deodorant and some fresh soap in tow, she began cleaning herself thoroughly. What I wouldn't do for a proper shower back at home. Finished up, all she had to do now was wait for Garsson to get his heavy ass over here, so she could get more headway on the case.
Outside at the main entrance Hinari was having a smoke, having waited for about twenty minutes, the black bull finally showed up with plastic bags in tow. Still riding around on that citrus colored bike, that seemed just about able to hold his weight. Wait, that oval shape, green color with the sun and palm trees?! Her face lightening up when she saw he got her stuff from her preferred cafe.
"Good morning, Hinari! I got you your favorites. They're a bit excessive on the fats but it'll kick you into gear", Garsson smiled handing her the goods, Hinari immediately pulling them open. Rex almighty! Cinnamon cream buns and double espresso, my savior! Hinari gave him an appreciative thumbs up, stuffing her face with food, talking with her mouth full. "You're f-fucking amazing, y-you know that?"
Her junior simply returning her appreciation with a warm chuckle, taking a bite out of his doughnut. "Ehm, Garsson?", Hinari asked, a tang of guilt involuntary slipping through. The bull's curious eyes meeting hers. "I am sorry for acting like such a piece of shit over these past few days. I was in no ways justified in being such a bitch to you." Simply snorting in amusement, Garsson took another bite, looking at the sand fox with an uncaring look.
Swallowing the chunk down, he prudently answered, "Don't worry about it. I forgive you for your impudence on the condition that you don't give me such a look again. It's unlike you." They don't fucking pay you enough, horns. Letting out a deep sigh of relief, she looked up at the bull with a wide grin. "Rex, I thought you might've believed me to be an asshole. Cannot believe you can be so patient with me."
Rolling his eyes, Garsson took a big nip of his coffee. "Yeah, I know, you're horrible. However, I couldn't have you starving to death out here, so I figured I'd do you a solid." Intonation bordering on pride and sarcasm, his chest dramatically puffed a little. Hinari always noticed that around others he was far more tacit, but around her he was as confident as someone of his stature should be. Why couldn't he be like this around everyone else?
The reason had always eluded the fox. Maybe he was more himself around those he was comfortable with? That idea would make her heart melt if she had one. "Thanks, Garsson, again. I would've probably keeled over if it wasn't for you", she replied as theatrically as she could muster, the bull only giving her a smirk.
Garsson opened the door, and held it for her like he does with everyone. Still such a gentleman. "No problemo. Let's go see the sociopath", he grumbled, his posture apprehensive, not holding Kuwa in the highest regards. Nobody knew him all that well personally, he was a total enigma, one that had frustrated Hinari for the better part of her career. The coroner was a mystery, a bastard. But a capable one at that.
"That guy still gives me the absolute heeby jeebies." His fur standing up straight at the idea of seeing him again. Despite being probably five times the platypus' size, he still had a way of unnerving him. Totally getting what Garsson didn't like about him, Hinari snickered. She's never seen the platypus smile once in her almost eight years on the force. "I think about half of the department would shake your hand on that", the fox confirmed.
Garsson waved his arms above his head for emphasis, "I think nobody has ever even seen him blink. He bores straight into your soul with those dead eyes of his!" As the walked, they continued bantering about how Kuwa never even seems to leave the morgue and how quiet he is on his feet.
Eventually making it to the door where they would finally receive the in-depth report. "I swear that poor excuse of a duck should've become an assassin or something!", said the black bull guffawing, regretting it soon after, as his neck hairs bristled when he felt the presence of someone behind them.
"Oh, really?", Kuwa's voice boomed, laced with venom. Making Hinari's back arch straight, resisting the urge to look back. Garsson wasn't handling it any better, his expression encapsulated the epitome of dread. "I've always been open to new career paths. Maybe I should become an assassin, starting with you as an inauguratory practice session." The duck-billed platypus pointed at Garsson, not a hint of humor on his beak. The bull gulping at the mere mention. Always talking in that same monotone.
Turning his head with a strained smile, Garsson began bargaining, "T-T-There's n-no need to d-do that! W-We were j-just fooling around, p-promise!" Kuwa not taking any of his bullshit, huffed indignantly. Aaaaand straight back to his shy and bashful demeanor. Rex fucking damn it, Kuwa. It was going so well, too. Already knowing he has fucked up most of his chances to get to know the platypus, the bull lets out a defeated sigh.
Satisfied with the effect, letting off a sardonic sniff the platypus went straight back to business. "I don't care. Let's just get this over with so I can go home." Walking past them, Kuwa opened the doors to his little sanctuary. Hinari and Garsson followed him inside silently, awkwardly so. The medical examiner's office, of course, being squeaky clean; the platypus made sure of that himself. A single speck of dirt could set Kuwa off in the worst ways imaginable; the cleaning crew being deadly afraid of going against his wishes.
Going straight to his desktop Kuwa hit a couple of keys and the printer next to it whirred, spitting out a few papers in the process. Promptly handing them over to the sand fox. "Updated report, took longer than expected because I had to cross-examine two bodies at once. There's something I want to look over with you lot."
Opening the filing cabinet at the wall behind his desk, Kuwa's trickled past a few maps before he got out a folder with this case's number on it. Folding it open on the right page, numerous crime scene photos were littered across, making Garsson gag at the sight. Kuwa giving him a look that could be taken as twisted amusement.
"I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that the rabbit was killed by a different animal. I will explain. However, I want you two to be quiet throughout." He gave Garsson, in particular, a questioning stare. "Capiche?" Repeating himself was something the platypus hated with a passion, he was a 'one and done' kind of animal. If you didn't catch something he said or interrupted him, it's your loss.
Having already been through this ordeal with Kuwa numerous times, Hinari gave an apathetic nod. Meanwhile, Garsson didn't know what expect, he had only picked up coroner's reports over these past few years. This was par for the course if he ever wanted to make detective himself, never has he gotten involved with the process past this point. It made him feel excited and nervous at the same time.
"Indentation marks", Kuwa began, tapping the picture shoving it towards himself. "Normally, it would be pretty hard to discern two different animals from those alone, especially with large breeds it's almost nigh impossible." It was true. There were too many factors, circumstances and variables to determine whether or not a certain set of teeth belonged to one particular carnivore species.
"Luckily for you guys, both perps le-le-loved making use their carnassials. And, they got a bit sloppy while eating their betters", Kuwa snickered in jest. Garsson not finding anything funny about the remark; two innocent kids died and the platypus was killing his appetite. He tapped on another photo, featuring two seemingly identical set of indentures displayed next to each other.
"Can you see which one of these belongs to the animal that killed the alpaca?" It was clearly intended as bait, Kuwa dearly hoping Garsson would take it. The bull almost wanted to answer, being stopped by Hinari who gave a soft punch to his leg. Seeing that the bull didn't budge he went on. "Who am I kidding? Most amateurish posers in my field cannot even tell the difference between a wild dog and a dingo."
"The difference is almost negligible, but it's there and with the power of computer analysis I made this." Dramatically tapping the enter key on his keyboard, an in depth overview of Kuwa's findings popped up on screen. Garsson's jaw almost dropping to the floor. In detail notes about the bite and claw marks found on the bodies gracing their eyes, also differentiating and outright excluding some large breeds species from the suspect pool.
It left no stones unturned: heritage, biological outliers, the amount of force exerted... it was all there. As per usual, a stellar job by Kuwa. He isn't losing his touch anytime soon. "The size, angle and structure of one's maw matters. The prospect that two suspects are at large on that campus is, in my professional opinion, highly likely." The only thing he wasn't able to do was find out the perpetrators, but you can't have them all. Alas, there were still a lot of species they had to cover, long live interspecies schools.
Letting out a sigh, Kuwa continued, "You have no clue how long I had to spend calculating and measuring. Estimates, clauses: the whole shebang. This is probably by far the biggest project I've ever done for this department. If I ever have to take a student body into consideration again, I fucking quit." A self-indulgent glimmer entered the platypus' eyes as he once again pressed enter, the rabbit or what's left of her popped up, making Garsson physically lurch at the sight. You could've at least warned him, asshole.
Knowing very well that the bull was new to this kind of savagery, his beak curled upwards with sadistic enjoyment. "The MO is also a little different: disembowelment versus upper body annihilation. Oh, and another wacky, zany fact: the rabbit was tortured before dying of blood loss, the gutting of her abdominal area being the cause of death." Both officers face's contorted to horror as soon as those last words left Kuwa's beak.
Hinari and Garsson gulped, torture meant they were dealing with one sick puppy. "Come again?", Hinari gasped totally perplexed. Allowing her a pass this time, Kuwa ignored her comment. Garsson steadied himself on the table; his breath heaving with strain laced on his expression.
Being trained in the academy to handle this type of stuff, Garsson could've never guessed things could get this vicious and violent. Visibly unbothered, the platypus ranted on with the same amount of enthusiasm, enjoying seeing them scramble after rubbing him the wrong way.
"Her ears and one of her eyes were removed, presumably eaten. Heavy blood clotting indicates that she was still alive when it happened." Revulsion took her being hostage, she couldn't help but scowl in disbelief.
What earthly reasons would the killer even have to go to such lengths? Wouldn't that risk a higher likelihood of being caught? Averting his eyes from the screen, Garsson felt bile running up his throat. He was reaching his limit; he had to stop watching this.
"A lot of her bones were also broken. Mainly the clavicles, femur and tibia endured the most damage. Perp wanted to limit her mobility, like most predators." With a chuckle he clicked his mouse button. Bleeping, the screen blinked to another picture detailing the extend of injuries.
Gritting her teeth, Hinari's breath hitched at the sight. "Lower jaw was torn off. Getting rid of those broken teeth within her remains was such an absolute drag", Kuwa commented flatly, scrolling downwards to pictures of the auditorium devouring, stopping on the one detailing the bodily trauma of the Alpaca.
Both officers were standing there with pensive expressions, traveling to a far-away land of darkness and contemplation. Closing and shoving the folder with the physical photos back in his drawer, the platypus smiled contently pointing at the screen gathering Hinari's attention again, "Carnivore who ate that alpaca handled him pretty tenderly, no unusual broken bones or excessive force. Strangely, there were no defensive wounds either, indicating that he was probably dead before he even realized it."
The entire thing made Hinari wonder about the implications. Their crime scene was far less messy and allowed for exponentially more oversight than the rabbit's, it didn't seem like the perp did it with premeditation.
Not a lot of devourings are planned, most happening in the spur of the moment. Often being the result of a lapse in judgement or an 'instinctual sucker punch' as those on the job called it. Young perpetrators are more common than most animals would assume, instincts the teenage years are especially volatile.
"No extraordinary claws marks were present on the alpaca, unlike our dear bunny friend. The differences between the two are night and day." Those poor kids... I will find justice for you, I promise. They'll run out of luck eventually, nobody's exempt from justice. From the very start, Hinari knew that this case was going to be a tough nut to crack. No matter how difficult it may get in the future, she had to press on; her career depended on it.
"I am going to be sick", Garsson muttered looking a little green, having reached his limit. Hastily running out of the room, heading to the closest lavatory to puke his guts out. She couldn't even blame him, last thing the poor guy was expecting was gore to fill the screen. Her first devouring investigation, she didn't handle any better either. "You could've been a little more mindful of him. That was wholly unnecessary", Hinari scolded, Kuwa mockingly rolling his eyes in response.
The sand fox growled in frustration, this wasn't a discussion worth pursuing, it would fall on deaf ears anyway. Seniority be damned, that was uncalled for. Kuwa hung his lab coat on the hanger in the corner, already pushing open the double doors. "If you want to look it over again, it's all in the folder I gave you. I am going home." Leaving Hinari there to pick up the pieces, get the investigation on the road again and make sure Garsson was alright.
She felt like she had it coming for so stupidly running her mouth with Garsson in the hallway. Kuwa was a vengeful bastard, so this was probably not anywhere near over. Great. Now I have to find a way to get into that asshole's good graces again. Never incurring the platypus' putrid wrath over them again would probably be a good start in the right direction.
Knocking on the door of the principal's office, eight in the morning on a Sunday wasn't Charlie's ideal way of spending the weekend. Around this time he would actually call some friends back home, but alas no rest for the wicked. He was actually hoping to catch some more sleep after Sotto kept him up all evening again. At the very least I got all my homework done. So that asshole is still good for something.
He should've just bought those headphones like Jack told him to. And, now he was going to miss having breakfast with the labrador too. Being a mighty shame, because Jack's roommates were so nice to him. Also not having seen him since yesterday morning, wondering what he was even doing with that feline 'friend' that took up so much of his time.
Now he was here, because apparently the principal needed to speak with him as soon as possible. Not having the faintest idea what was so important, to his knowledge he hadn't done anything wrong. It's not like he could've even build a track record of bad behavior around this school, even if he gave it his all. He figured it was probably a formality; one which the man would probably like to get out of the way. Being the only German exchange student here in the school's history was by far Charlie's best guess.
Not hearing anything from the inside, Charlie knocked again; louder this time. "You can come on in, Charlie", a voice resounded in English, giving the sheep some semblance of relief that their communication wouldn't be hampered by mocking attempts at German. From the things he had heard about the principal, he was a rather imposing animal. Pretty much sure about the fact that the principal was a feline, other than that he hadn't gathered much; language barrier and all.
With a tinge of hesitation, he walked inside. The room itself was impressive, having a very homely feeling. Not a single spot wasn't occupied with either furniture, art or memorabilia. In the leathery office chair sat an older tiger at his desk with a kind warm smile, slowly standing up at Charlie's entrance and making his way over to the sheep. "I don't think we've met before", said the tiger extending his hand. Charlie only now noticing the scar running along his eye.
Even if the tiger, which he was pretty sure was principal Gon, at first glance seemed friendly his instincts couldn't help but scream at him to be wary. Once again, having to remind himself that he wouldn't stoop to the likes of his parents. He would face this damn world head on. Much rather offering himself up on a plate than live the life of fear they purported. His babushka would spin in her grave if she saw him the way he was acting now.
Ignoring his inhibitions, he took the older man's clawed hand with a grin, "Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure to. As you probably already know, I am Charlie." Whiskers of the principal furrowing at the use of such polite and formal language, slightly tinged with an accent most wouldn't pick up on if they didn't have sensitive ears. Even when he was faced with a carnivore opposite of him during such a trying time, he didn't seem very nervous.
"Nice to meet you! You can simply call me, Gon", the tiger said. "Principal makes me sound old." Eliciting a chuckle from the sheep. Releasing his careful grip, Gon made his way to his chair again, motioning for Charlie to sit opposite of him. Complying, the sheep sat down in a surprisingly, very comfortable position. The cushions allowing his entire body to almost sink into them. "So you know", the tiger started, gathering Charlie's attention from his momentary distraction. "You're not in trouble. My request for your being here pertains to something else."
Shooting Gon a confused look, the sheep inquired for further clarification, "If I am not in trouble... Why am I here?" The anticipation to the tiger's answer making Charlie a little annoyed because of the lack of transparency. Averting his eyes, looking for a way to phrase this, Gon let out a little breath. "Well, I got a call from your mother..."
Bellowing a loud groan, the sheep sunk back in his seat, hands cradling his head. He wasn't going to have this conversation again. Not now; not ever. The tiger seated across from him taken aback at the sudden outburst. "Verdammte Arschlöcher!", he swore loudly, Gon luckily not being able to make much of it. Charlie's visage blinking back to the Siberian tiger. "If I knew that this was going to be the topic of discussion: I would've just stayed in bed."
Not even bothering with keeping his German accent in check anymore, the frown on his face worsened. His sudden shift in tone and behavior actually making the tiger feel mildly offended. "Now, now, young man. There's no need for-", Gon paused, Charlie was totally tuning him out; not even looking at him anymore. Pride damaged, he snapped his fingers to gain his attention, the sheep not budging.
It hasn't even been a week and he is once again dealing with a problematic student, and a foreign one at that. Why couldn't he just catch a break? It's like the universe is siccing persistent animals on him. "Listen, just hear me out", the tiger began anew, his hands folded in bereavement. Getting a scornful look from the sheep. "Y-Your mother called because she was worried for your safety. And, I can already tell you're not of the same opinion."
Ohne Scheiß, Sherlock. How badly he wanted to cuss him out, alright; throw every single obscenity his way and leave no thing unsaid. However, he refrained, simply because the principal also couldn't really help it. "Before you ask, Mr. Gon. I am not going to drop out. My mother needs my signature too, and I'm not giving it." Understanding totally where his parents came from, sure. However, he had just acclimated a little to this new country and he liked what he saw. It would be shame to run with his tail between his legs.
Gon gave an accepting nod, already expecting Charlie to not simply sign away at his mother's behest. "I see you've already had this conversation. And, I am in no position to demand such things from you", the principal agreed, giving a chuckle.
"You're an independent animal. It's your choice. After all, they paid for a full ride." Thank Rex, they're idiots. That much was true, his mom and dad wouldn't get their money back, except if he put his signature on the same document. Never in his lifetime would he allow them that sort of satisfaction.
The new friends and acquaintances he made would be pretty upset if he suddenly left, and just when he finally felt a sense of belonging. Charlie would make his babushka proud. "Sorry to disappoint. I am not dropping out. I like it here", Charlie determined, not a single ounce of doubt in his voice. Fuck whoever tries to make decisions on my behalf. I won't be controlled ever again! He was absolutely livid of the fact they went behind his back, it not being his first rodeo when it came to stuff like this.
Gon beaming a toothless grin, totally understanding of the sheep's conviction. It may seem cruel, but that woman sometimes had to learn stuff the hard way. She was not going to force this decision on him, and throw a tantrum if he said something except for: 'Yes, mother'. Pointing towards the modern landline, Charlie continued, "If she phones you again, tell her that next time she goes behind my back; I will not take her calls for the coming month."
Giving Charlie a small bob of his head in affirmation; The tiger couldn't phrase it the exact same way, but he would at the very least try to meet those standards. Having a feeling if he didn't, that this wouldn't be the last time he'd heard from these particular sheep. "You... sure have a temperament. This... was... pretty much the only reason I called you up here", confessed Gon with a scratch to his ears. Charlie feared that now they would only up the ante on their shenanigans.
This would probably not be the last time his parents would pull these kind of stunts; expecting them to try from different angles if they must. Why did he have to be the child of the most stubborn animals in the world? The tiger let out an exhausted huff, "It's excellent to know you like it here. Most exchange students have kind of a hard time... adapting. So, I presume those tutoring sessions are working for you?"
After a short pause to catch his breath and having finally calmed down a little from his anger, Charlie gave a brief smile. "Yeah, I can actually understand a little bit of what my roommates are talking about." For better or for worse. He still loathed them from the burning bowels of his heart. Gon straightened his glasses, leaning forward a little. "That's expected when you have one of our top students teaching you. Sorry we didn't have any herbivore students available, it can still be-"
The dorper sheep shook his head vehemently. "Oh, no, no, no! I don't want a new tutor. Jack hasn't been anything but amazing!" Since this wasn't Cherryton's most stellar time in its history, Gon had figured that the sheep might've preferred to be taught by a fellow herbivore. So color him surprised when Charlie seemed totally fine with a carnivore teaching him. Shoving his chair back, the principal stood up. "Ah, okay, if it's what you prefer, Charlie. Then I don't think we have much else to discuss."
The sheep simply following suit in agreement. Gon leading him to the door, and after exchanging some more pleasantries and an apology for his behavior. Charlie finally left for his dorm again; needing some time for himself after that debacle to recuperate. He hadn't even been in there for twenty minutes and he's already socially checked out; having also lost his appetite. Fortunately, his roommates were out and about on campus, so he had the room all to himself.
Lying down on his bed again, he contemplated whether he should call Jenna or not. He has promised to call her on the weekends, and she wouldn't let him live it down if he didn't. Looking at the digital clock on the desk, his frown deepened. It was a seven to eight hour difference between Japan and Germany, and he would have to call now. "It's 09:18. If I call her now I might be able to catch her before she bolts out of her front door." He pressed the button calling her via Muzzletime, it rang twice; it always rang twice with her.
A loud voice screeched through his phone from the other end, making the sheep wish he had plugged his ears, "CHARLIE!!! ALLES GUT?! I MISSED YOU, HALF 'N HALF!" An excited gold she-jackal gracing his screen, her grey-blondish fur all ruffled. She knows I hate that nickname. After all these years of knowing her, she's still the same. What did I even expect? The dorper sheep having second thoughts about why he had befriended such a loudmouth in kindergarten. "I am fine, Jenna, bitte. Your snout is too close to the screen again. I can't even see you properly."
"Oh!", she realized, moving her face further from her phone, brown eyes beaming at Charlie through the screen. "Better? Good, motherfucker! Why'd you go screw off to another country and leave me hanging out to dry, huh?!" This was an opportunity he couldn't throw away, it spelled independence he otherwise wouldn't have gotten if he had stayed. She gave a dissatisfied whimper, "It's so boring here without you! One moment you were here, and the other you were not!"
He squirmed a bit at her sad puppy-dog eyes, those were always able to rile him up. It was no wonder Jenna was mad, as children they were basically attached to the hip; much to their parent's chagrin. "I miss you too, bitch. Trust me, Jen, this place would be so much livelier if you were here", Charlie reassured laughing. Maybe some humor would put her at ease. "If one of my suitcases was big enough, I might've been able to get you through customs."
Mischievous glee in her eyes, the jackal let out a snort, "That would probably be one of our funnest adventures yet, Charles. I hate that I don't have anyone to drag along with me anymore." Charlie smiled a reminiscing smirk. She had no idea how much he missed those excursions too. If it weren't for her, he would've never gotten out of his shell. "You forgot to add: 'against their will'. We always managed to land into trouble, mostly thanks to you", the sheep replied teasingly.
She rested her head on her left hand. "Yeah, those were the days, right?" Her demeanor bordering on dramatic, not lasting long letting out a short laugh. Jenna has always been a terrible actor. "'Those days' were last winter, Jen. When I visited for Rexmas", Charlie told, referring back to another one of her impromptu excursions from hell. Recognition lightening up her face, a wicked grin spreading across her lips. "Aw, yeah, when we stayed in the mall past closing time. That was fun right?!"
Letting out an exasperated huff, Charlie shook his head. "You mean breaking and entering, getting arrested by your dad's colleagues and us both almost getting criminal records? Yeah, fun aplenty." The sheep spend the rest of his vacation in house arrest because of that little spectacle. Not having seen his parents that angry with him since. Last winter had passed like a leaf falling down a tree and he was back here before he knew it.
He couldn't even exemplify how much he missed hanging out together. The jackal let out a sarcastic snicker, "That's why you love me! Your folks were so disappointed! What I wouldn't pay to see their faces like that again!" Rolling his eyes, Charlie lounged back against his pillow. "I think the next time I see them making those expressions again - it'll be when they disown me."
Jenna's face turning serious at those words, the sheep giving her a worried look. The jackal was pretty much always all play and no seriousness, her sudden shift of mood was off-putting. "I think you're pretty well on your way towards that, half 'n half. Your mom has called me a few times in the past month; trying to goad me into talking you back here." He should've fucking known, his mother got her filthy fingers in various pies. Always hitting stuff from multiple places at the same time, her modus operandi never changed.
Charlie sighed, Jenna's questions multiplying in her head by the second. It's only natural she wants to know what it's all about. Would be delaying the inevitable by this point. "It's because I indirectly told them to fuck off by not dropping out and being extra about it. Those devourings got them more skittish than hens with stolen eggs." Whether or not those worries were justified was up for debate, but Charlie isn't blind; even he knows how perilous the campus has become.
A brief glimpse of worry flashed across the jackal's face, her ruffled fur accentuating it. "You know I worry about you too, Charles. It's so strange. Normally, I'd be there to beat the shit out of anyone even grazing you." He's aware she worries; everyone does. Jenna herself knows exactly how volatile instincts are. They had experience with them first hand. "It just bothers the hell out of me, that I am not there for when you need it most, especially now." Her ears were pressed against the base of her skull, bearing that same stuttering lip when she was sad.
If he could he would ruffle her head fur and tell her not to worry, but even she would know that's a lie. An empathetic glimmer reached his eye as he comforted her. "Jen, if it helps I can send you a message every day. No, better yet... a picture of what I am doing", Charlie offered swiftly. "The last thing I want, is for you to worry about me your every waking moment." When those words bleated from his mouth, he could see her ears flicking up again and her trademark smile was plastered on her face once more.
"You sly sheep, you sure know how to make a canine happy", Jenna cooed softly. "I'll... hold you to that. Sorry, but I have to go now. Dad's probably wondering where I am." Her dad's still forcing her to help at the station to run errands? By Rex, that man is the most stuck up asshole ever. Charlie solemnly nods with a smile. "Okay, good luck. I'll call you later today." Giving him a thumbs up, the jackal hangs up the phone. The sheep now unsure what he's even going to do with the rest of his day. Maybe lunch, maybe nothing.