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The Journey through the Woods and Waves
The walk back to the underground cavern which held the port is rather uneventful. In the back of the group, as they walk, Sister Hilan notices Renalt and Denlo starting to whisper. The monastic sister dismisses it though. After all, they did so frequently. It’s likely a discussion of how to do something less than legal, she guesses about one of the odd miscellanea that the Elfi’ika picked up in that watchtower. She trusts that, if the discussion were to turn to any topics of
J. Joseph
6 days ago8 min read
Concerns About Control and Taking Charge
I wait for Kat behind the coats, and in moments, she joins me. “What is it, Jackson?” she asks, knowing exactly what it is. I shake my head at her attempt to deflect. “You know exactly what it is,” I reply, before adding for clarification, “The wince.” Immediately, Kat goes on the defensive. “It was barely a wince,” she insists, “And I’m pretty sure Mrs. Hernandez didn’t notice anything.” I nod. “You’re right, it wasn’t that big. And I also don’t think she noticed, though
J. Joseph
Jan 28 min read
Acquiring Suspect Records from the Archives
I walk over to the hallway by the room with the sergeant, and she gestures for Marty to come over. He nods, excuses himself for a moment, then heads over towards us waiting in the doorway. Unfortunately, this causes Keighlee to look up and notice me, and she glares in my direction in a way that I can tell means she has more she wants to say. But that’s a later problem. Marty gives me a nod saying flatly, “Stomach settled?” then without waiting for an answer, turned to the Ser
J. Joseph
Dec 26, 20258 min read
Therese's Winter Break Investigation
It’s nine at night back at my Villa. And at Maestro Leyten’s. Things are happening that I am almost certainly missing. I am not a fan of missing things. But, this is far more important. He won’t let anything slip unless he’s unsettled. That’s, in theory, a part of his training these last two years. The best way to unsettle him is to be in person. Unfortunately, he lives in a warded dorm, which means I do not get to bring anything with me. Backdooring a vacancy in the wards to
J. Joseph
Dec 19, 20258 min read
From the Archipelago's Watchtower
The walk through this forest was not Renalt’s favorite time. Not due to any discomfort of walking several miles through the dirt, but rather because nothing happened for quite some time, but they were also trying to be quiet to avoid any potential dangerous, unwanted attention. Which means he hadn’t been able to practice or write but also hadn’t been gathering any new material. But now, they come upon a tower, in a clearing. Ren looks to the treetops around him, but no one i
J. Joseph
Dec 12, 20258 min read
A Discussion of Their Nature in a Coatroom
Looking outside, in the distance, I can see the storm still rages. And yet, the area around the hotel, it seems calm. Rising up from the floor is Winsten, pulling along Kat. “So,” Kat says, “I guess that means Seleste was right?” I stare out. “I guess so,” I say quietly, “I’m not sure how to feel about that.” “I mean, it could help us figure things out,” Win begins. I shake my head, focusing back up. “Sorry,” I say, turning to face them. “Not that she’s right, but what she
J. Joseph
Dec 5, 20258 min read
Getting Assigned A Suspicious Kidnapping
The secure floor feels weird to me. All the cybercrime offices and that sort of people, the type that live in the digital world, never experiencing what the rest of us have to deal with on a daily basis. It’s a rare thing for us to have to come down here. Sergeant McMichaels can feel my discomfort, as she swiftly pushes us through the halls and into the chief’s office. The Chief keeps his office pristine and classic looking, despite the surrounding server rooms and cybersqua
J. Joseph
Nov 28, 20258 min read
What Lies Behind the Prickly Itch
I shouldn’t be here. Something is wrong. I can’t sleep. It’s three in the morning. There is this itch, just at the base of my neck, that won’t go away. Not in my apartment. Not on the campus. Always watching. Someone is always watching. Can’t sleep. I’ve tried talking to people. But my advisor doesn’t particularly like me, I don’t think. He sees me as irritating. As a bit dimwitted. Because I’m not an asshole about other people’s time. Speaking of, Heather also knows somethi
J. Joseph
Nov 21, 20258 min read
Arrival in the Littoral Caves of the Archipelago
Below the decks, Den enjoys his breakfast while lying back on his hammock. He learned growing up in the kinslums that one should always catch sleep whenever they can, especially just ahead of a big job. And whether their boss was willing to admit it or not, this would be a big job. The last cube was a personal house of some dead guy, and it had several dangerous threats. Assuming the sites that survived to modern day are at least of roughly the same power, the chances of this
J. Joseph
Nov 14, 20258 min read
The Storm's Arrival
Seleste is frantically scribbling on her new board as the sky outside is growing darker. Ever since the gun revelation, she’s been investigating our lives, trying to figure out what we might be doing. She’s focusing on the why, adding to her timeline a map of the elevator and a list of our names and known facts about each of us. She also seems to have more listed down than we’d told her, which is a bit concerning. My focus, however, is on the speed at which she’s writing the
J. Joseph
Nov 7, 20258 min read
The Overwhelming Itch: A Halloween Story
An itch. That’s how it always starts. An itch in the back of my neck. No, in the deep recesses of my mind, where no conscious thoughts can reach. And it’s subtle, most days. Quiet. Can barely tell that it’s started until the need to scratch it is overwhelming. Until there is nothing to do but tear through my own skin at the base of my skull to reach it. And once I’ve lost all semblance of control, once I’m tearing into the back of my neck like a madman, time stops. Freedom. H
J. Joseph
Oct 31, 20258 min read
Detectives Bonheur and Wilton Offer their Aid
I let Marty drag me across the station to the elevators, then to the Homicide division’s meeting room. I see a board, just a glimpse though as they hide it when they notice our approach. Because they know about my habits of poaching cases when I get bored. The head of this particular task force, a gentleman in his late forties who kind of hates me. Well, hate is the wrong word, but he certainly doesn’t enjoy my presence. “Marty,” Detective Stephen Stone says, “What brings Ma
J. Joseph
Oct 24, 20258 min read
Greg and Elodie Compare a Year of Notes on the Situation
Waking up is always a slow process. Waking up after a long evening, that’s frequently even more sluggish. On days like today, where I don’t have to deal with the Basilica, normally I don’t really bother pushing myself, but I’ve got a meeting. And a meeting with someone who would realize such subtle details as me wearing the same clothes as yesterday. So, still half asleep, I force myself up and out of the semi-familiar apartment and back across the courtyard to my own. I do m
J. Joseph
Oct 17, 20258 min read
Felazo Guiding the Ekzokia to the Archipelago
Leaving port and heading heartward, Felazo is entirely unsurprised by the lack of disruption in the afternoon. While piracy can, at...
J. Joseph
Oct 10, 20258 min read
Plans and Theories before the Storm Arrives
Hilary breathes, in and out, her eyes closed. “Okay, unplug,” she mutters to herself. We watch as, for a few moments, nothing happens. Then, slowly, she begins to dim. It’s partway through this dimming, as the room is darkening, I realize that there isn’t any light otherwise in the room. The curtains are drawn shut, the lights are all off, and there is a general air of darkness hanging in the room to boot. Shortly after me, everyone but Mikey realized it, too. The room grows
J. Joseph
Oct 3, 20258 min read
The Aftermath and Heading Back to Work
Eating reheated leftover chili, I turn on the television. Switching over from sports to the local news, I wait to see if anything comes...
J. Joseph
Sep 26, 20258 min read
An MT215 Study Session
“Shit, I just noticed the time,” Magister Musaev says, as he hastily rushes back to his desk. “Next week, we will be moving into the...
J. Joseph
Sep 19, 20258 min read
Alessari's Memories, Daydreams, and Duties
Alessari greets the monastic sister as she steps aboard her new, albeit temporary, home once more. “Sister Hilan,” she says with a hug,...
J. Joseph
Sep 12, 20258 min read
Trying to Determine What Happened
I let Alyson lead the way to this Shipwrecked Smuggler’s Shack, down by the beach. For the first bunch of blocks, it is mostly just...
J. Joseph
Sep 5, 20258 min read
New Faces and Bad Memories
Rousing myself from my rest, I head over to the edge of the prairie. Diabla’s wandered away, she does that, I muse to myself as I settle...
J. Joseph
Aug 29, 20258 min read
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