Purple frogs:
Serenity was lucky she survived almost having her head sheared off when she got in a traffic accident. Since she survived unlike the driver of the other vehicle, who died on the scene. Disturbing part was that what he was transporting didn't come with ANY legal paperwork. Large cooler of ice was filled with harvested human organs, being kept alive using temporal Magic. Had been spilled onto the road after falling from the crashed vehicle's trunk. Still sickened her when she recalled how fresh the organs looked. Recalling those details had her covering her mouth as she adjusted how she sat. Caught up in her train of thought over the memories that plagued her.
"Hello Dr. Faust," A familiar voice greeted her, "Seems I am not the only one who visits this dog park."
"Miss. Bloodsaw?" Serenity looked upon her.
In a Square Neckline, Lantern Sleeve, Ruched Mini, High Waist, Zipper, Shirred Dress under a waist length, hooded Cape Coat. Wore ribbon laced boots and thigh length stockings held up by Dual Elastic Garters. Matching gloves and a brooch pin had a marigold pattern. Her hair was swept to one side of her face to reveal an ear covered in a complete cuff. Wore a basic lip gloss on her plump lips and stood beside the bench she occupied. Her posture fluid and laxed to the point she was standing at her full height. Holding what looked like a wicker handbag from a gloved wrist.
"Taking your pack for an outing?" Serenity recalled her massive group of hounds.
"No, just our Rhinelander Hodag." She pointed him out.
He sat a few feet from them under a shaded water foundation for a dog without much of a care. Spines along his back twitched with Loose and soft posture. His eyes were so droopy and bloodshot beside a mouth that looked like a smile.
"He alright?" Serenity asked, noticing his laxed state.
"He's recovering from being a Guinea pig for a poison my niece and nephew gave him," Elaine sadly sighed, "Extract venom from an arkanito's saliva."
"How much?" Serenity asked rather worriedly, "Do they know about the psychotropic effects of such a poison?"
"Yes, it's the reason they gave him enough to induce relaxing qualities." Elaine explained.
"Remind me to never allow my baby near me." She pointed out her wolf dog.
Tangled fur that came in a thick black coat with white underbelly and tribal beaded collar. Circular copper tag hanging snuggly around his neck lay nearby. Had the most pure hazel eyes that had Elaine wanting to stroke his fur.
"He's beautiful," Elaine adored the healthy shine of his fur and his size, "Have you ever thought about breeding him?"
" … " Serenity was floored by Elaine's question.
"We have been trying to find the suitable partner for our direwolf," Elaine pointed out, "We could never find the right candidate."
"You think my baby would do?" Serenity asked slowly, understanding.
"Correct," Elaine replied, "No pressure if you say no."
Serenity never really thought about breeding her baby for any kind of purpose or benefit. Thought of him as a father to a litter of pups would be a sight for her. Since she recalled how adorable he looked as a floppy eared babe.
"You have any questions," Elaine fished a business card from her handbag, "Here is contact information for our vet."
Serenity accepted the piece of card stock still in a state of shock over the request. Needing to seriously think this though before giving Elaine an answer. To tuck the card away and watch Elaine about to leave when reminded.
"Um… may I borrow your ear for a second," Serenity wanted to chat with her, "Recent events has gotten me … "
"Car accident revealing illegally transported organs?" Elaine asked.
How Elaine already knew what happened didn't surprise her when she was welcomed to seat. On the other end of the bench she sat with her posture straight. Way she went about crossing her legs had her smoothing out her skirt. One hand holding her handbag on her lap as she pushed back her hood.
"My grandfather informed me over breakfast that morning. That hunters were taking over the case. Once more information comes in about the organs or the deceased person," Elaine shared, "He's going to head the team since he's a seasoned hunter."
She would have gone on if Serenity didn't remember who was meeting her here. That someone's presence was pointed out by her wolf dog perking up. Looking in his direction since he was near Elaine's Rhinelander Hodag. Gloved hands being wary of his spines when he kneeled down.
8*8
Back behind the walls of a place where usual alcohol flows and forgotten creatures of the world socialize. In the middle of opening duties with the bar being set up and last minute cleaning. Just Corbeau and Hepzibah were trying to eavesdrop on an unofficial meeting taking place. A opened bottle of firefly juice with a rather potent punch since liquid fermented naturally. Being served to Konstantin and Serenity by Wywatt with roasted tree hog meat. Reviewing a case file Caol dropped off for his father- in- law to pick up. Filled with forensic and lab results besides a few leds.
Organs were tested and shown to belong to missing humans living on the streets at the time. All at one time or another visited a free clinic for some kind of treatment. Had trance amounts of a sedative made from passion flowers. Vehicle was registered under numerous shell companies in no existing locations. Driver was a Vulture-like cryptid using a glamour to pass off as a human. Were only led police could gather since the end result led to a supernatural community.
"Powdered Smile… they sell all types of elixirs to shady supernaturals." Wyatt spoke of a local Apothecary run by a wild witch coven, "Begin there and keep an eye on your dear doctor."
"That should be your starting point," Elaine encouraged the two, "We'll check the clinic out for you in the meantime."
"Actually … " Konstantin looked over Wywatt and Serenity.
Plan that night was made by Konstantin for the first thing tomorrow morning after breakfast. Undercover work was being done by Wywatt and Serenity at the clinic. Elaine was making a trip to Apothecary to make inquiries. Corbeau and Hepzibah were making a trip to the local county clerk's office, and searching their records. Got these two so excited in helping out with a case involving a famed detective. They put their extra energy into finishing opening night precursors. Noticed right off by a gruff looking man with a few years on him. Dressed like a mountain man with Bloodsaw family crest worn on a ring on one of his fingers.
"Never seen the young ones so excited," He commented on his grandkids running around, "They stay up for one of those radio broadcasts again?"
He was greeted with sight of faces he saw at police stations and at hunters HQ. Had him take a seat from his usual table and tapped the bar to gain Wywatt's attention. Then reaching over to run his fingers through feathers of Elaine's owl. Who happily welcomed him with chirping and wings being wide open.
"I hear you survived a one sided shoot out with the Jesters with aid from my kids," He commented about THAT night, "How crazy does a MAN have to be to face wrath clowns?"
Elaine rolled her eyes at her father's comment about which got Konstantin raised a single eyebrow. Serenity was trying to not laugh at what was said by elderly gent. Corbeau and Hepzibah couldn't believe he didn't notice when he walked in. A certain owl ended up objecting by screeching art what was said.
"Dad," Wywatt sounded annoyed, "Dr. Faust is quite an accomplished woman, who stands before you."
"How am I supposed to know that?" He roared, "Hard to tell who's a woman or a man with how they dress these days?"
"Sir," She lifted her drink to him with a nod of her head, "Glad to meet your acquaintance."
"Caiside McRaw- Bloodsaw at your service," He removed his hat for her, "I've heard so much about you from grandkids."
Corbeau got elbowed in the side by Hepzibah over an action their grandfather rarely did. When a reserved bottle Citrine Cordial and a glass was placed before him. He poured himself after popping the cork and returning her greeting. Left Serenity to feel compliant Ed at the returned gesture from him. By her to blush to the point Konstantin hadn't seen her do, before.
"I apologize for him," Elaine sighed, "He's a TAD old fashioned."
"Just set in my ways." He downed his drink.
"Liked cemented," Hepzibah stated, "Permanently."
Eyes would have turned to her for what she said about own grandfather being stuck in his ways. If a knock on the back door didn't break the forming tension. Got Elaine excusing herself from their current company to answer. She could make her way to the door and answer. Revealing a humble beauty with a modest smile walked in with a nod. She was reservedly dressed with a cloth coat and gloves, that didn't distract.
"Hello." She noticed Konstantin and Serenity, "I am Dera 'D' Delacroix."
"Any relation to a certain vampire lord?" Konstantin asked, noticing her hair.
"My father in some ways since I was born out of wedlock," She sadly recalled, "I am honored to meet a famed detective and doctor."
Into the back of the bar she went as she made sure to greet Elaine's owl As she passed.
8*8
Gathering information from unofficial channels was a set of their challenges…
Every adult in the local county clerk's office underestimated Corbeau and Hepzibah and their Xoloitzcuintli. Thought the pair were fraternal twins or brother- sister pairing when they entered. Repeating the Same set of questions about where their parents or legal guardians were by clerks, until they What they wanted. Uninterrupted access to certain files while one kept the other in check through doggy aid. As they learned owners of the shell companies with surprising results.
Wywatt and Serenity were quite popular at the clinic throughout the day once they showed up. Both had their own reputations while seeing all types of patients of humankind. Serenity was bothered about her professional and romantic life while probing. Either her working relationship with a famed detective or she was available to court, came up. Beside the wonders of how exciting were her joint adventures of mystery solving. Wywatt was asked why he never became a hunter or went into law enforcement. Along with a few questions about his romantic life being brought up. Where he was currently working since he disappeared from public eyes. All while learning about the medical staff besides themselves working in the clinic.
Elaine with her owl and komainu with Konstantin paid a visit to the Apothecary as a couple. They worked out the backstory was chucked out the window when witches swarmed Konstantin. His pale skin and hair were attention grabbing at best. Left Elaine alone to look around with help from her owl and komainu. Finding evidence of organs being dried out and finely ground down. From a hidden ledger with names and addresses of deliveries that come and go. Tome full of individual potion recipes using different human organs. To a workstation that smelled of dead flesh and were stained red.
Left the six of them quite bothered in their own ways once they met back after hours. In Bloodsaw family's bar to look over what they gathered over broiled dragon meatballs topped with cowl pie cheese, farmers sustenance, and basic saffron tea.
"I hate people," Hepzibah whined into her sunflower design glass tea cup, "They're a bunch of judgemental pricks."
"I quite agree with you on that one," Konstantin agreed with her, "Not like one can do much about it."
He shared the many times he came across someone that had to add their two sense about what was happening, or what he was doing. Always got in his way when he was TRYING to avoid gaining attention. Left him to lose track of someone he was tailing by foot or watching. Trying to gain entry into a location through an opened window or door. Caught trying to approach a suspect without being identified by someone else.
"Then why put up with them?" Konstantin was asked by Hepzibah.
"Surprisingly they help piece together the bigger picture." He answered with a smirk.
She would have further asked him, if she wasn't asked by Wywatt what her cousin and her gave the Hodag. Wywatt found him in his doggy bed passed out on his side. Tongue sticking out of his mouth and looking like death had come for him. He had to kneel down and check if the pure thing was still breathing. Learning the gave a few drops of a poison called Arke's Blood to him. No effort to kill with just a tad to instantly knock him out.
"Why do you allow them to drug the poor creature?" Serenity asked Elaine.
"Out of all our hounds," Elaine pointed out, "He's the only one who recovers the fastest and you think we've tried to stop them?"
"We're just glad they aren't doing it to innocent people." Wywatt pointed out.
"Have we done something wrong?" Corbeau asked Serenity after noting her tone of voice and expression.
This was where Serenity learned the two didn't mean to be harming their Hodag. They always made sure to never give a lethal amount when administering it. Keeping and eye on him was always number one on their list.
"I feel guilty now." Corbeau lost his appetite.
Serenity was rewarded with free drinks for as long gone as she visited them.