Frozen Servant:
One foggy evening when Konstantin and Elaine were leaving the theater after a show. Waiting outside the ticket area of their ride to show up in the chill. An oddly dressed fellow with his face covered approached the two.
"I was told by my late master to give this to you," He lifted an ornate envelope into the air, "He wishes to invite the famed detective and friends to his estate."
"I have nothing to do with this," Elaine glanced away when Konstantin looked at her, "I only had plans to bring you out."
"I blame Serenity for choosing tonight's play." Konstantin answered her.
"Either this or attending a reading of a poorly written novel," She rolled her eyes, "You almost fell asleep during the last one I took you too."
Konstantin knew when to give when chatting with Elaine. As he was undecided in taking the envelope from this messager. Since he usually did suck things in his residence or had Mrs. Richards bring in his mail.
"Well?" Elaine asked him.
"Must I?" He looked back at her.
"You, the one who hasn't liked my entertainment choices of late." She pointed out.
"Why did your late master want me?" He turned his eyes to the still present messenger.
"Your answer is in the invite." Messenger stated.
When the envelope left the messager's hand that person disappeared before them. Sudden shiver crawled up Elaine's spine and had her tighten her grip on Konstantin when it happened. He in turn noticed the rare form of chill that flashed within her eyes for a second. Cautionary warning he didn't take likely long after their ride showed up. Driver apologized for being late due to the strange fog keeping him from navigating the streets. Didn't bother Elaine or Konstantin when they loaded up and headed to Bloodsaw bar. Where Konstantin shared with Wyatt and Serenity what came across him. Neither like the results of the story from him in the long run.
8*8
Being privately asked to help put a spirit to rest were the words that bothered Konstantin. He went over every word from the invite as he stood there quietly. Looking over the MANY faces of strangers deceased called family. Still holding a full flute of campaign in a gloved hand, uninterested.
"Greek drachma for your thoughts?" Elaine asked.
She held up a chocolate coin version of a greek drachma to him in a gloved hand. Revealing her Off-Shoulder, A line Ruched, Ruffle Hem, Regular Sleeve,
Black Mini Dress. Dark hosary and two inch heel wedge shoes with a side bow ankle strap. Wore a ribbon choker with a black pearl pendant with hair in a braided bun, that held her veiled hat. Embroidered shawl she wore and gloves made of black leather.
"This a joke?" He asked about the chocolate coin.
"Don't know since they're being given out for free," She noticed the flute he held, "Not drinking?"
"You aren't?" He noticed no glass in her hand.
"Due to my mixed heritage," She sighed, "Can't get drunk."
"Really?" He asked not to believe her.
"Women in our family can drink alcohol like a fish, but men can get tipsy." She teetered her hand.
He ended up putting his glass on the back of a passing tray a waitress was carrying. Not in the mood to test that new bit of information about her. Instead accepted the chocolate coin from her to better inspect.
"Any progress on when they will be red?" He asked her.
"No since and I quote," She recalled the lawyer 's phrasing, "Wanted to take a gander under my flock."
" ….." Konstantin went wide eyed as he clenched the chocolate coin.
Got Elaine laughing at how he reacted to a comment that came from the family 's lawyer. Had her standing beside him to understand his line of sight.
"I always forget how possessive demons can be," She whispered looking at his hand, "I always wonder who you take after in appearance ?"
"My mother," Konstantin answered her, "My sister takes after my father."
"What I wouldn't give to see a single picture of you two as children?" Elaine gushed.
Their conversation ended when Konstantin's shoulder landed Elaine's owl from his perch. Who happily chirped at the sight of them with his feather tufts relaxing.
"Must you?" Konstantin addressed the owl.
What he got was the side of his face nuzzled by soft feathers belonging to a happy owl.
"He likes you," Elaine pointed out to him, "He's never been like this to anyone. "
"It's his natural instincts," Konstantin acknowledged him, "He may see parts of my mother in me."
"Either way," Elaine wanted a picture of this moment, "Adorable."
Bone chilling sensation made her adjust her shawl for a warmth that never came. Left Konstantin to draw her close and try to not notice the presence of a large black dog. Reached up to Serenity's rib cage and has red eyes with pure black fur. Stand in the middle of the crowded church reception hall, just staring at them.
"Konstantin?" Elaine's voice drew his attention to her, "What is it?"
"A Black Grim," He allowed her to turn, "By looks of it, he seems lost."
"Meaning?" She asked as her eyes glowed.
"See for yourself," He didn't want to draw unwanted attention, "Just sitting there."
Expression she made when her eyes glowed in the direction he stared had her quite alarmed. Their poor hound stood with a lowered head and body, tucked tail. Doubt and fear mixed into its eyes staring at the strange people.
"You think?" Elaine whispered, "Like he doesn't have a master?"
"Actually he resides near this church and chases away grave robbers." Konstantin recalls.
"That sucks," Elaine sighed, "I was really hoping to bring something back."
"Let's live through this case first." He reminded her.
He ended up having to be handed a handkerchief she kept in a concealed handbag. He found he slightly crushed the chocolate coin in the center of his gloved hand. Noticing gloved fingers smaller than his own belonging to Elaine. How she carefully tried to clean bits of chocolate away for him. Way her lips pressed together was different then when she was angry. Had him lowering his head to capture her lips. When he noticed her natural scent and was reminded of roses. She accepted when she reciprocated by changing the angle of her head and welcoming his closeness. Which lasted for a few minutes as they pulled away from one.
"What have I told you about leaving yourself open?" He reminded her.
"I was distracted by your handsome face." She bluntly answered.
Her form of a joke didn't really make him laugh as her owl was no help still perched on his shoulder. Only to have her owl hop Off his shoulder onto her own. Happily screeching when her fingers combed through his feathers.
" … was he able to see anything?" Konstantin thought to ask, "Besides the lawyer asking to look at your undergarments and that Church Grim?"
"Nothing too alarming." She answered.
"Too alarming?" Konstantin looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
8*8
Meeting the immediate family of the person that hired them was a tab uncomfortable through the lawyer. Konstantin would stare at him the whole time during introductions. Got him sent out of the room to go meet Serenity and her brother. Not in the mood to play referee with the family's lawyer and him. He didn't argue with her when he stepped away from her and the family. Just his mood carried over with him when he awaited for the two outside the church.
"Huh ….you ok?" Wyatt asked him, "You don't look happy?"
"Unprofessional comment your sister informed me about," Konstantin stared at him, "Bothers me."
"To build trust and show that she wants to include you in her life." Serenity informed him.
"Hmm." Konstantin needed to process.
"Moving on." Wyatt tried to not laugh.
Three would share what Wyatt and Serenity learned about the death from the Medical Examiner. Who was more welcomed toward the pair during their morgue visit. Allowing them to look into the recent death of an elderly man.
"Accidentally poisoned himself with essential oils," Wyatt shared, "Old man was ingesting Tansy, Eucalyptus, or blue chamomile without informing anyone."
"None of his immediate family and caretaker knew he was ingesting the stuff." Serenity added.
"How stupid does that sound?" Wyatt would address Konstantin.
"Quite." Konstantin couldn't believe what he heard.
"Got any answers to your questions?" Wyatt further asked.
Terms in accepting this strange case were not being unable to work it with Serenity, and man's usual death. Which was how Konstantin ended up attending with Elanye. As he was meeting with Wyatt and Serenity away from the eyes of the deceased's family.
"I think you're being paged." Serenity noticed Elaine's owl circling overhead.
Farewells were exchanged between the three as Konstantin ended up returning inside. Where he was informed about needing to spend a whole night, In the residence of the deceased with his companion as payment will follow.
"You'll be alright with sharing a room?" She asked him.
"If we must," He didn't see the problem, "Not like we haven't shared one before."
She knew he spoke about a handful of times he stayed over after a pretty hard case or two. Left him deeply bothered long after a suspect was caught or cornered by him, on a personal level from philosophical to righteous range of thought. Sometimes he needed to be in the company of others at Serenity's insistence.
"Then we have time to prepare," She had thoughts, "I can finally use my Wistful Grimoire and Amulet Of Lost Souls."
"This may be more than a simple haunting." Konstantin pointed out.
"Tome of Celestial Sonnets and Lantern Of Pure Light," She happily clapped, " …. without my brother or Dr. Faust."
Her mood shifted to that of an upset one when the usual joke or half comment didn't follow. Reflected by her owl after he flew in to join them through the open window. His feathers puffing up and neck sinking in as he angrily chirped. Only accepting the gloved hand To stroke his feather belonging to Konstantin. Crawling closer to him with wings flapping and turfs relaxing.
"I don't care if we get paid less or not at all," Elaine huffed, "Feels off without them."
"Don't forget one of the hounds and maybe the others." Konstantin added.
"So?" Elaine asked, getting excited.
She practically knocked Konstantin over, allowing her only one hound and no use of fire magic. He had to stand firm and securely hold her when he had her hugging him by force. Waiting for her to come down and collect herself reminded him of his sister. Old memories of decades ago when they were still just small children. Way she grew excited over the smallest things as a tot surfaced in his mind. Like now when he watched Elaine slowly start to think as she rested against him.
"Ike," She spoke of her brother's Xoloitzcuintli, "How well trained is Goleon with his Umbrakinesis?"
How they found themselves in a large guest room with a bed for two and a fireplace a few feet away. Bedside tables to the plush armchairs With couch stood around a round table. Artisan Lamps placed around the area showed the room was open floor plan. Ornate rug as a mixture of artwork and taxidermy animal heads. Large windows with the view of a flower garden in the vast distance.
"Impressive." Serenity spun around when she looked up.
"Careful," Elaine warned her, "My apothecary case doesn't have any dizziness blends."
Ike danced beside Serenity with a quiet bark or two before she landed on the rug. Welcoming a drooling tongue to her face as she straightened out her glasses. Had Elaine kneeling down to join her after she set her case and bag down.
"Thank you for agreeing to come at last minute," Elaine offers her hand, "It didn't feel right without you in this case."
"Not the first time." Serenity needed a moment.
Wyatt had to stay back at the bar With Clocca since Dera was still grieving with her father. Goleon was on call if they needed help after Elaine sent word.
"Come on," Serenity accepted Elaine's hand, "We have some exploring to do."
"Anytime." Elaine her up.
Ike happily picked up one of two lanterns Elaine brought with her after opening her bag. Serenity was accepted after recalling how to light an eerie flame inside.
"When is Konstantin joining us?" Serenity asked Elaine.
"When it gets dark," Elaine recalled, "He wanted to be present to meet the immediate family with my owl."
"I heard the lawyer had the balls to openly hit on you," Serenity imagined Konstantin angry, "I wish I was there."
"I can show you later," Elaine offered, "I used memory recall charms to help with my reports."
Two would have gone after when the strange phenomena started to be found by them after all their walking. First was a lift that went from the first floor to the highest floor with creaking effects. Doors would open on their own followed by disembodied footsteps. Second was how books were found in the middle of the room then on shelves. Stacked like playing cards to form a 2- story house with outbuildings. Third was the arrangement of furniture in the hallways they quietly passed through. Some tipped onto their side, stuck in the middle of the wall, or turned upside down. Fourth were the cold spots feeling like below 0 degrees with a bone chill. Ike had to act as a guide for Serenity unlike how Elaine passed through with the lantern. Last were spots when pieces of furniture slid across the floor from one room to another. This was spotted throughout the building they explored with surprising results.
"I knew I should have brought a Mobil one," Elaine spoke of lanterns that moved on their own, "Been more help."
"How Mobile we talking?" Serenity wondered.
"One is a paper lantern ghost and the other is a stone lantern with spider legs," Elaine described them, "My brother and father use them for bigger casework."
"How does your family have so many magical relics?" Serenity asked.
"Being from a witch bloodline with mixed heritage tends to do that," Elaine thought about it, "One tends to collect … things."
Two ended up meeting Konstantin as planned in the center of the building on the first floor. Elaine unrolled a scroll that took on the floor plans of the house onto the table. Three dots in different coloring appear in the location they were actually standing. Spots with usual activity were marked by a wailing phantom symbol.
8*8
Finding a Charon's coin behind the hauntings was the biggest disappointment when discovered by them. Left Elaine to accept this as her form of payment when the night was done. She left Serenity and Konstantin as planned to handle the family's lawyer for their payment. Returning to her brother with Ike and her things was most logical.
"Welcome back auntie." Corbin and Hepzibah greeted her.
She could do was smile at them as she set her bag and apothecary case aside. Ike made his way toward other hounds with tail wagging.
"Your uncle?" She asked about her brother.
"In the back with Clocca and Goleon." Hepzibah pointed out.
"We're just helping out before we start our lessons." Corbin looked past the bar.
"He's going to be surprised with what I have." She recalled what she held.
Until she got to visit Konstantin once more to review their recent case or entertain Serenity. To her brother to inform him about what she was allowed to keep was shared.