Topic: Detective's Memoirs

Jin · Date: 2010-04-22 22:24 EST

Jin?s journal is a small and black book with plane white and lineless pages. The writings are in dark and scrawling script, usually hastily written down and in a violet ink. Notes line the top, bottom, and side margins, often regarding cases he keeps track of in the ever-present little pocketbook of his. Oddly enough, it hasn't seem to run out of pages yet, which is quite something considering how long he's had it and how far back the entries date.

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Jin · Date: 2010-04-22 22:26 EST

April 20 ~

I?m finding this city to be a mixture of fascinating and infuriating. There is much to learn here, things of the sort I had never seen nor heard of in the ruined city from which I hail. But there is also little paying work for someone of my field. Crime runs rampant but no one is actually hiring a detective, I?m growing concerned for my means of income now. Perhaps I?ll have to do a little independent work to grab attention first.

I visited the inn one of the vendor?s in the marketplace told me about, The Red Dragon Inn, they call it. Not a bad place, good drink, lively crowd. Saw a few suspicious figures, particularly a pair; male and female. The female spoke French and Common, interestingly enough; since the bulk of the city was of mythological creatures who?s native tongues are far more complex than those of the humans on Earth. They reacted rather stiffly to my proposition of hired help, but then again, who wants a drunk?

Right, I played the drunken role rather well tonight, I think. I?m a bit pleased with myself.

But back to the pair, the male is a spell-caster of some sort, erected an invisible barrier when I ?stumbled,? toward them. Obviously didn?t want any company whatsoever Reclusive? Possible. Dangerous? Definitely. But whether or not they?re an actual threat to be investigated remains to be seen.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-22 22:28 EST

April 21 ~

I visited that inn once more, saw a minotaur there. I did not know the fellow was a minotaur just then, I had thought they all died out years ago. But he was large, and so I had to question him about his whereabouts a few nights ago. He certainly seemed capable of busting into the estate and murdering Mr. Justice.

Evidently, he is not a people person, for my inquiry infuriated him. Though, I was a bit too forward, I shall rework my approach next time around. He insisted he had no idea who I was talking about, and he might very well be telling the truth. Beauford wasn?t a very well known man. A few in the inn were egging him on, trying to convince him to attack me. I?m glad he didn?t listen, for as confident as I am in my abilities, he could crush me if he ever got his hands on me.

Those who weren?t egging him on were asking about my credentials, one man, I think his name was Dean, didn?t quite understand the seal nor did he seem to think it was authentic. I?m appalled that people in this part of the city don?t recognize the Inquisitive?s Seal. I?ll have to take that up with the main branch once I get back to my side of town, if I can figure out where I am to begin with. This city always was confusing.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-22 22:29 EST

April 22 ~

I visited the inn only a few hours ago. I saw that woman there, the one who was with the spell-casting fellow. She introduced herself as Madam Cossette. I?m certain that the name is false, but I?ll continue using it for the time being. We spoke for a short time; nothing very personal came up. She asked how long I had been in the city, I replied with all of my life. It wasn?t until I left and spoke with that old mage, that I realized the error in this statement. However, for the sake of my fa?ade, I will continue to say this.

She claims the Nexus, which is what brought me to this world, also brought her here. I?m not sure if she?s telling the truth, it could be honest fact after all. But something doesn?t sit right with me, and until I meet her magic-using friend, I?ll continue to harbor my suspicions.

Anyways, this is only the first entry for the day. I?ve still several hours to go before I sleep.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-24 00:52 EST

April 23 ~

I managed to find a good storefront to turn into an office for Jin?s Fourth Eye. I think my transition into this city will be running smoothly, I?ve already contacted several members of the Watch and am beginning to set up the workings of a partnership between the charitable organization and myself.

I also visited the Red Dragon again. When I arrived, it was entirely empty, barren. Not long after, however, people began to slowly file in. I met several interesting individuals. There was Lucien, a quiet and polite man, likes his Scotch neat. Next was Merici, she likes tea. A bit later a few more filed in, I didn?t formally learn any of their names except for Alain DeMuer. Though I did catch a few here and there, Sylvia, I believe was one of the women?s names. There was also an eccentric individual who I heard being called Tara, there.

Eccentric may be too light a term for her.

I spent my time at the inn serving drinks and idly chatting with the patrons. It was a nice, calm evening, until Tara arrived. I?m not sure what was going on at that point. But beforehand, when Alain arrived, he, Lucien, Sylvia, and another woman who?s name I cannot recall learning began conversing on the rather solemn subject of deaths, what I believe to be kidnappings, and wars. I offered the man my services as a detective in regards to gleaning information on the apparent abduction of someone named Ali.

I hope he contacts me.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-25 01:27 EST

April 24 ~

I paid the inn a visit again this evening. When I arrived it was quiet, like the previous night, but there were two or three people present. I went behind the bar as it was untended again and soon began to fill my self-imposed role as bartender for the evening. Lucien made an appearance as well, ordered the same drink, too. Soon, one of the men present began asking him about Alain DeMuer. I couldn?t help but be curious.

I suspect Lucien was on to the fact that I was eavesdropping, for he soon took the conversation to a booth and I could barely hear their voices, let alone pick out any coherent words. Sad to say, I gathered little information from that conversation.

Not long into their talk, people began to slowly file in. The woman who told me about the stew was there, I still don?t know here name. But I imagine I?ll learn it soon if I?m to be teaching the drow tongue. The other woman from the night before was also present, the one who likes chai tea.

Dean arrived again and we spoke for a time. He showed me a device called a phone in which, I am positive he has trapped the soul of some poor woman and forces her to speak in a manner that is entirely unacceptable in decent society. Needless to say, I demanded that he free her. He insists that there is no one trapped in the device, but I hold my suspicions.

There was also a fellow whose name I do not believe was spoken, but he complained about an odd problem, that being the inability to die. We spent a bit of time trying to suggest different methods of obtaining death; he?d done most of them. I finally told him to try getting the Stew to eat him. I am both hopeful that it succeeds and hopeful that it fails.

Not long before I made my leave, I met a woman named Colleen. She confirmed that the Stew existed. Our conversation was very short; I posed the idea of man-eating sandwiches as well as stew, as a possibility through a logical argument. Her counter-argument was that there was no logic in Rhy?Din, I believe. A curious thought.

I will dwell on it later.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-26 00:21 EST

April 25 ~

This marks my sixth night in Rhy?Din.

Again, I took a trip to the inn. Twice, actually. My first visit came with the meeting of Klara Kingston, the owner of a shop in the marketplace. She was looking for help in investigating a recent robbery from her store. Since she didn?t give me all the details I asked for, I had to decline.

After that, when I returned, I ran into Dean again and a peculiar man whom I don?t recall being named. Kate was also there, we discussed those lessons and she said she?d be sending word to me soon to decide on meeting dates for further discussion on the matter.

I got Dean to pour me a cup of coffee after reminding him that he owed me for the previous night, too. I decided I didn?t want to tend the bar tonight, as fun as it was the previous two evenings. I was a bit fuzzy in the head, I must admit.

That odd man who was there gave Dean and I some mints. Mine was rather strong but still good; Dean was overly suspicious and eventually spat his out. Then the fellow began to speak about roads. Him and I gave Dean a rather hard time about nominating his fianc?, Quinn, for May Queen. We pretended to take the title very literally. Or I did, at least.

Not long after that conversation began, the future Queen of May herself arrived. Quinn?s certainly an attractive woman, at first glance; it took me a moment to understand why she?d settle for a man like Dean. Obviously, there?s a lot going on behind there for they?re quite attached to each other. I not so subtly hinted that he had nominated her for May Queen; she wasn?t thrilled at first. After a bit of sweet-talking from Dean and a woman whom I can?t remember being named either, with purple hair, she began to like the idea.

The purple-haired woman kept using words I didn?t understand, so she gave me an interesting book called the Urban Dictionary. She said the word ?ballin?,? is very important.

I even said I?d name my kid after her if she won, just to be nice. She said she?d name a coffee after me.

Odd.

I noticed an engagement ring on her hand. I brought up the topic of proposing when Dean began to look as though he was planning something. Dean said the two were engaged.

The purple-haired woman kept using words I didn?t understand, so she gave me an interesting book called the Urban Dictionary. She said the word ?ballin?,? is very important.

I don?t recall what comment I made later that evening, but Dean hit me in the back of the head for it. Not hard, of course, but I retaliated in kind a moment later.

He then proceeded to call me an ass.

I countered his accusation rather smoothly; I like to think, and then informed him that he was the ass, not I.

Not long after I took my coffee and left.

All in all, I think it was a good evening.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-27 01:06 EST

April 26 ~

I visited the inn twice again this evening. Neither of my visits were for an extended period of time, but both were enjoyable. My first visit included meeting Dean yet again as well as a woman named Maranya Tatiana Ergin-Falcone, previously Valkonan. The woman is married to TWO men. She was a nice enough sort; I didn?t have enough time to properly deduce her temperament, however. But she did fetch my drink when Dean did not.

I left soon after.

Some time afterwards, I went back in for a shorter visit and there I met that woman whose name I had yet to learn. But after a brief discussion I got her to tell me her name, it is Aoife. I was ecstatic. She seemed unsure of how to take my excitement, but names are an important part of life, and learning new ones is always a grand thing!

I met another woman, but I did not get her name. I?ll have to do that if I see her again.

James was there once more, lamenting on the fact that he still cannot die. I began to lecture him on how he should focus more on how to make this indefinite time living an enjoyable experience, that life is a precious and sacred thing and he should not be so eager to throw it away! But he quickly went of to take a nap and disregarded my words.

Aoife said she?d send him my way when she saw him next.

Jin · Date: 2010-04-28 00:53 EST

April 27 ~

Again, my visit to the inn was short. But it was enjoyable while it lasted. Dean was there, as grumpy as ever, as was Maranya again. Several others, too. I met a woman named Duci and another woman named Kathryn, which was quite nice. Both were very polite.

Dean was upset apparently because Maranya had beaten him at a duel last night. He kept claiming that his ass was in fact, not kicked. But we pointed out that he still lost and losing is what happens when your ass is kicked. Thus, I can only deduce that Dean did indeed have his ass kicked regardless of how many points he lost by.

Really, that?s all that was discussed other than a few jokes about his being unable to satisfy Quinn being the real root of his frustration.

Jin · Date: 2010-05-01 03:04 EST

April 30 ~

I went to that big festival in the Glen, Beltane. It was a grand occasion, to be sure. While there I ran into many familiar faces and saw even more whom I didn?t recognize. The bulk of the evening was spent talking with Aoife. She?s an interesting sort, to say the least. The beginning of it was all ceremony, but the new governor certainly enjoyed drawing it out to milk the suspense.

There was a court of women and a May Queen. I can?t remember all the court positions off the top of my head, but the women were Ashira, Riley O?Rourke, Niamh O?Donovan, and Sivanna Cyr--?I?ll try to spell her name at some other time.

The queen was Lilliana McClae, a fiery gypsy woman whom had a great deal of friends. The whole crowd cheered for her. Good to see no one was too upset over someone not getting the crown. After that, it was all fun and games. Lots of talking and that stuff.

Dean was there and being his usual self. He made jokes but didn?t respond too well when jokes were shot back at him. That man seriously needs to lighten up a bit. Kate was there too and her and Aoife sort of ganged up on me trying to get me to go sleep with random women. And you know, were I a man who hasn?t seen what I have, and then I?d have gone for it without a second thought.

But being from The Last City, I know better.

The rest of the evening was spent mostly in the sole company of Aoife. I felt at times as though she didn?t quite know what to say. I do hope I didn?t bore her. I know I have the tendency to ramble at times and to pause and be too?succinct at others. So, I?m really praying that she wasn?t terribly bored with me as her company. I like to think it was an enjoyable evening.

Though there was a certain subject she wouldn?t quite breach yet. Maybe another time.

All in all, a fun night.

Jin · Date: 2010-05-02 03:11 EST

May 1 ~

The second night of Beltane, I was late to. Not too late, I hope. I ran into a few familiar faces, dunked Maranya as promised, and enjoyed the company of Aoife again. Though she seemed dazed and distracted, especially toward the end of the evening.

I also saw Sivanna Cyredghymn there and learned how to spell her name, she seemed a bit flabbergasted when I asked her to spell it.

Aoife seemed her usual, quiet, crowd-shy self for the early half of the evening. Though toward the end she grew more?interesting. Something, I believe, was affecting her mind for ill and she wouldn?t tell me what. I do hope I see her at the masquerade tomorrow night and that she?s well, I couldn?t help but be worried as we parted ways. She?d only had one glass of wine, after all!

It was certainly an interesting event.

Jin · Date: 2010-06-06 04:16 EST

Jun 6~

I just got home from the inn. My mood could be better.

Aoife was there, and that is where my grief this evening stems from. Not her presence of course, I adore her. But she can be infuriatingly stubborn at times.

And a fellow I don't know was there, with Aoife.

I get the feeling that I was being lied to. Not long before I saw Aoife and that man, Aoife and I had been at the bar sharing a few drinks and talking about very little at all. Then she said there was business she had to take care of, so she left. I went upstairs for a time, pondering renting out a room for the night.

When I came down she was back. She was with that man. I couldn't place her mood, I never can. She's too vague.

There was something about him that bothered me, I'm not quite sure what. Aoife didn't sleep last night apparently. She didn't seem too pleased when being questioned about it. Indeed, she was rather defensive.

And again we come back to the part where I feel as though she's not telling me something. I don't know what's going on, perhaps I'm being paranoid, or I'm worrying too much.

I'm concerned.

Jin · Date: 2010-06-10 10:23 EST

Jun 9~

I went to the inn. Aoife was there again, we spoke for a while. It was mostly a putting each other on the spot sort of thing, and despite all the questions she asked me, I somehow managed to weasel my way out of answering with the complete truth.

Looking back, I'm not proud of that. She said she might come visit tomorrow, hopefully we'll talk more then.

Riley and Daniel were there too. After our talk, Aoife asked Riley if she could see Sal. It took a bit of a back and forward before they agreed on the terms.

I hope she gets the answers she's looking for.

Jin · Date: 2010-06-11 05:01 EST

June 10~

Tonight was the night Riley asked me to join her and the members of the Watch, the new Constables.

Before things took place, however, a strange incident occurred. A fellow by the name of Sergeant Case Daniels came running into the inn just as I entered through the alley door as I normally do. He was armed with a gun and being chased by a trio of similarly armed men. He hopped and hid behind the bar, where Riley was at the time, and then waited. Neo was present and on duty, so he made sure the men left.

Once the men left, Riley and I took the fellow outside for a short questioning before she decided he didn?t break any laws and let him be. He asked about a job with us, she told him to fill out an application tomorrow.

Another strange event also happened. When we were first beginning to talk to Mister Daniels, someone blew a hole in the inn?s wall with a canon ball. Then a second time when it was repaired. Neo dealt with that as well.

Rhy?Din is such a strange place.

We gathered in the Red Dragon?s Great Hall. All together, there was myself, Riley O?Rourke, Taj Kohli, David Lo, Neo Eternity, and Lucky (who is a giant spider, oddly enough). Riley had warned me about Lucky before hand, but I really just thought she was kidding. I should stop doubting things in this city.

All in all, they seemed a capable and good group of individuals, each with different training and experiences that ultimately, I think, will lead to a good combination of skills. I think what Riley?s trying to do may just end up working out in the end.

Riley herself seemed particularly excited to get things rolling and soon after the introductions were made, she took us all to see the new kits that the Constables would be required to use as well as their uniforms. Thankfully, I?m not one of the Constables; I work in a different manner with different methods and am not required to use their uniforms or kits. Though the kits did have some handy tools within, but I hate uniforms.

Riley?s friend, Mindy, I think her name is, came in for a few minutes as well. She brought these delectable little treats called donuts. They are amazing, especially with coffee. She left soon after.

Over all, the evening was smooth and over with in no time at all. Riley did her best to be as simple as possible when explaining things to us, being very clear. She did a good job; she?s handling the entire situation she?s put herself in very well. I?m both impressed and thankful to have the opportunity to work with her.

Jin · Date: 2010-06-12 09:55 EST

June 11~

I paid the inn a visit tonight. Riley was there as well as the Constable David Lo. The latter was on duty at the time. I noted a sense of unease from the Minister, especially when we both stepped into the inn and were closer to David. But I kept my thoughts and questions to myself.

The first few moments were awkward and quiet, but then she suddenly dragged me into the kitchen and made this sandwich called grilled cheese. Next time I see her, she?s going to teach me how to make it. It?s delicious.

A few minutes after we were done eating, her phone rang and she stepped outside to speak. I lurked about for a while before grabbing a drink and heading to the porch. Who else would I see there other than the recently deceased Judah Bishop? He seemed confused, naturally, and he didn?t know who I was.

Riley came back around then and asked me to come insider with her to get the Constable. A few minutes later, David was arresting Judah (who tried to run away) and then he was loaded into a wagon. Shortly after, Riley departed and I accompanied David and Judah to the Watch House, where we proceeded with the interrogation.

Midway through I showed him the autopsy photos of his previous two deaths and I assume that they are what caused his memory to flood back. He went from being a confused man to a confident, self assured...I don?t know what to call him. But I don?t trust him, I see nothing good in the way he looks at me or anyone else.

I went back to the inn after he was secured in a cell since he demanded a lawyer. He also demanded to see Aoife. If I can prevent that from happening, I will.

Aoife was at the inn. Funny how she has a knack for turning up when I?m thinking about her. She was beaten up slightly, she?ll be fine but my stomach flipped regardless. She refused to give me details, of course. I walked her home soon after and told her that we have Judah. She wanted to know more, but I fear that telling her that alone was a poor move. I told her I?d be unable to say anything else until speaking further with Riley about it.

Jin · Date: 2010-07-28 03:41 EST

On Aoife

The first night we met was a curious one for me. I was still a newcomer to the city, standing behind the bar and serving drinks. We didn?t say so much as hello and I prepared her drink. Chai tea.

The next night it was the same thing, and so it was the night after that. It continued like this for a few evenings, and then I asked her what her name was. She seemed reluctant at first, but perhaps it was my excitement that coaxed it from her. I learned her name, then, and it?s one that I feel conflicted about every time I hear it.

Her name is Aoife.

Aoife and I never spoke much; maybe that was the main problem. I first started spending time with her during the Beltane. Even then, when I would spend those few hours with her for three nights in a row, we didn?t discuss much. When we did talk, it was mostly nonsensical debates; I wished I could have said something else, something better.

After that, I saw her at the inn more. It was just like Beltane, a few hours of pointless discussion with random moments of silent staring thrown in the mix. I wasn?t getting anywhere, wasn?t? learning anything about her, but I enjoyed her company nonetheless. She was odd, curious, and mysterious. I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, she seemed so very out of place.

Oh, this continued for several weeks. Then she met a man. A man who?s done bad things, terrible things. She got involved in a case that nearly drove me into a fit of frustrated depression; she ignored my pleas and warnings, and unwittingly, crushed my hopes without hesitation. Aoife is stubborn, if nothing else, and she refused to listen to a word I said.

For a while, we didn?t see much of each other. I couldn?t face her, I don?t know why. Judah, that bastard, tried to convince me that everything was my fault.

He really needs to learn how to stay dead.

But Aoife, I don?t know what I think of her anymore. At first I was curious, then I was infatuated, there may have been a brief point of love, but that was more likely wishful thinking, another dreaming attempt at bringing my old, happier life back.

But now, I know none of that is going to happen. It was just the wistful daydreams of a hopeless man. I?ve always known that since Danica passed, I would never find another.

It?s hard not to see her and think of it, though. They really are a lot alike.

Perhaps this is why when I see her, despite everything that?s happened, I smile.

Though I?m not sure if it?s real or fake.

Jin · Date: 2010-08-04 03:49 EST

Cassandra ?Cassie? Hendon

The beasts lurking in a cave south of the glen had six prisoners, likely meant to be meals later on down the line. My emotions got the better of me and I irrationally went forward to rescue them without any help, a foolish endeavour to be sure. I freed the first, a man who was screaming at the top of his lungs and told him to be quiet. In hindsight, this was a terrible idea, the sudden stop in sound attracted the beasts? curiosity and one of them went to investigate.

It got the drop on me, hurling me into the cave wall. Then there was a blinding flash and a skinny red haired woman appeared.

Together, we made short work of the beasts and then she helped me transport the prisoners to a hospital in the city.

Then she disappeared.

Perturbed, I went to sleep and tried not to think about it too much.

I ran into this same woman a couple of days later, likely a random coincidence but as our conversation unfolded I couldn?t help but think it may have been an act of fate.

Turns out, I have a guardian angel of sorts. Her name is Cassandra Hendon, though she prefers to be called Cassie. She was wary of me at first, and I her. She told me a bit about the situation. If she concentrates on it, she can tell where I am and what I?m doing at all times. The thought was a bit unnerving at first, I?ll admit. But then she put it in a perspective that was far more settling, saying it was akin to knowing you?re never truly alone.

Also, if I call her name out loud or think about her, or get into a situation where I could possibly die, she can appear, just like that.

I feel like she?s going to really resent me later on down the line because my job isn?t the most safe one.

We parted ways shortly after.

But the next day I happened upon her again on my way home from the Watch House. She was sun bathing and dipping her feet in the fountain, surprised to see me.

We spoke for a short while before we started walking along. Eventually she invited me into her apartment, she?s warmed up quickly. I?m still not sure what to think, though. I?ve always been a very socially awkward person, the right things to say never come to my head until long after I?ve left.

We spent some time talking. She introduced me to her cat. Her name is Wisp and she?s about thigh level with me. She?s enormous! And it seems like she likes me, too.

We had dinner, some kind of Indian food. I don?t know, but it was good. Though the rules for eating it were strange so I just started mixing things. It?s easier that way. Food rules always did seem a bit silly, to me. I don?t see the point in over complicating what should be a simple thing.

I didn?t linger long after that, I was tired and full and had a lot to think about, so I went home, I?m writing this, and then I think I?ll turn in for the night.

Or I?ll play my piano.

I don?t know, we?ll see.

Jin · Date: 2010-08-08 19:14 EST

August 7 ~

I had a visit from Aoife tonight. She just stopped by to let me know she had moved and gave me the new address. She moved in with Judah, I think she expected me to be angry. But I told her I was done trying to make her stay away from him. I just hope he doesn?t get her hurt.

She feels like something bad is coming, that it?s been too calm, and she wants me to watch Amadeus and take care of him if anything goes wrong. I agreed, but I don?t think anything will be happening. She didn?t stay long, we just talked about that and a man who?s been asking her odd questions, I promised not to be so reclusive when she left. I also told her about Cassie, sort of. She knows I have a guardian angel, she said it wasn?t surprising.

Speaking of guardian angels, I saw Cassie later on. She delivered the books I ordered from the shop and then we walked to her apartment so she could get her bathing suit and feed Wisp, the Moor Cat. Wisp seems to like me fairly well, now, she all but tackled me to the ground. She?s rather heavy.

Cassie came back over afterwards and we finally broke in that pool of mine. It was a fun night.

I really should try to visit the Inn again soon.