And you would grieve no more

𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

"𝕁𝕌𝕊𝕋 a quick look, before the crowds," a woman declared as she entered the room, followed by five others. Leading the group, she directed their attention to a book on display. "It was found in the summer of '41 when our brave lads took Anoun back from the Pact and held it until Austery. It was brought across the sea timber by timber. Mind you, there are some naughty bits."

The women giggled as they surrounded the glass case containing the book. Unbeknownst to them, Vign lurked in the shadows. Emerging from the darkness, he wore a displeased expression. The woman noticed him and, with a demanding tone, declared, "You're not supposed to be in here." Vign smirked briefly, but the expression quickly turned into a frown. Slowly opening his wings, he stated with venom in his voice, "Get the fuck out!"

His wings aggressively fluttered, towering over the startled and frightened women who rushed towards the exit door. Vign swiftly closed the door behind them, effectively shutting them out of the room.

As moments passed, officers arrived on the scene and apprehended Vign. With a struggle, he attempted to break free from their grip, desperately attempting to take flight. However, one of the officers approached from behind, firmly restraining him and preventing any escape. Eventually, they successfully ushered Vign into a waiting carriage, exerting force to ensure he remained seated. The officers maintained their hold as the carriage set off, destined for the police department where Vign would be held.

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.

"Oy!" The officer bellowed, catching sight of a fae attempting to snatch a record player from a crate being hastily dragged by a man. The crate teetered precariously, threatening to spill its contents. The fae, along with the group and the man, dashed away, making a hasty escape with the record player in tow. "Come back here!" the officer shouted, hot on their heels.

Philo and Melody, sensing urgency, hurried to the scene. Melody recognized the little stage that belonged to Millworthy. He sat on the small fountain, gazing into the distance with a distant look on his face, as if something else had captured his attention, bearing an expression that hinted at loss and longing.

Melody and her brother approached Millworthy with sorrowful expressions. Philo spoke first, concern in his voice, "Did you not see what was happening?" Millworthy's response was resigned, "No, it doesn't matter anymore. They're gone."

Melody, shocked and sympathetic, inquired, "The kobolds?" Millworthy confirmed, "All of them. Leopold, Cassiopeia, Fike, Traidy. They've all been deported by your lot." Philo, genuinely apologetic, said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Millworthy continued, expressing mixed feelings, "Maybe it was for the best. At least, I'd like to think so because it's not much being an immigrant in the Burgue these days, but... I shall miss them, however infuriating they may be." He stood up and before leaving, he turned to Philo, asking, "Tell me, Inspector, did you keep your promise? Have you found justice for my Aisling?"

Melody interjected, "That's why we were looking for you, as it happens. We'd like to know more." Millworthy chuckled slightly and inquired, "Listen, I only just arrived in the Burgue, and I know nothing about her recent life." Philo clarified, "It's her past that interests us. We have reason to believe that she did, in fact, have children, and that the circumstances of the children's birth may have had something to do with what got her killed." Millworthy, shocked, looked at them before Melody pleaded in a soft tone, "Please, we would appreciate it if you told us."

Sitting back down on the fountain, Millworthy began, "Her past. Well... in ought six, or ought seven, when she was at the height of her fame, there was someone, someone, she wouldn't talk about, but I had never seen her so happy. And then, one day, something changed. She canceled her standing engagement at the Abby. She went away for some time, months in fact, and when she came back, she was changed, sadder somehow."

Melody sat down next to him, and Philo followed. Millworthy continued, "And I always wondered if she'd gone away to have children." Philo speculated, "She'd gone away to have children." Millworthy further explained, "That was my instinct. She never said, I never asked. She wrote a song about it."

With the revelation, Melody and Philo joined Millworthy in singing:

"I'll fly for you

My children, my loves

Sweet dreams to you

My only ones."

Millworthy looked at them and said, "You know it." Philo, now focused on the investigation, asked, "If there were children, where would she go to have the babies, do you know?" Millworthy replied, "She stayed with a benefactor in the Crossing." Surprised, Melody asked, "A benefactor?" Millworthy explained, "Well, things were different in those days, Inspector, Melody. Friendship between their kind and ours were not so... impossible."

As Millworthy was about to leave, Philo stopped him with a question, "You wouldn't happen to know the surname of this benefactor?" Millworthy recalled, "How can I forget? He was the finest watchmaker in the Burgue, at the time. Good day to you, Inspector, and to you, Miss." He left, and as Melody and Philo walked away, they remained unaware that Berwick was secretly observing them from behind a wall, possibly having overheard their entire conversation.

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.

"Still can't believe it, half-bloods. Passing right under our noses. It's a fucking disgrace," the chief of police expressed with evident frustration. He, along with Sergeant Dombey and Berwick, stood side by side on the balcony of the police department building.

Dombey shared additional information, saying, "There's more. The lady that Philo has been seeing, she told me that he said the murdered fae, the singer, was his and Melody's mum." The chief, visibly taken aback, responded, "Fuck me." Dombey continued, connecting the dots, "It all adds up. Their mum, the headmaster, they both would've known the truth." Wondering about the doctor, the chief asked, "What about Morange?" Dombey speculated, "Maybe the headmaster whispered something to him in the dark. Or maybe he's the one that clipped them back in the day." The chief, now grasping the gravity of the situation, spoke, "All that Darkasher nonsense he made up to try and cover his tracks. By the Martyr, it's been Philo all along. They killed 'em to hide their secrets. You got a man on him now?"

Dombey nodded in confirmation, and the chief ordered decisively, "Bring them in." With that, the officers prepared to apprehend the two siblings, setting in motion to take them in.

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.

As the night began to be shrouded in pouring rain, Melody walked alongside her brother, ringing the bell of the house belonging to the Spurnrose siblings. Afissa, the faun woman, opened the door with surprise evident on her face. "Can I help you, Inspector?" she asked Philo. He replied, "May we please come in?" After a brief glance at the soaked Melody, Afissa nodded and ushered the siblings inside. They sat on the couch, and Philo inquired about Aisling.

"I remember her. I'd just started here. Mr. Spurnrose, may he bask in the Martyr's light, let her have what's now Miss Imogen's room. He was a good man. Progressive for his time. He even arranged for a doctor to look after her," Afissa recalled. Philo interjected, "Morange." Afissa continued, "I expect you know what happened to him. Well, there's not much more to tell. She stayed until her babies came. Cried for days after Morange left with them."

Melody sought more information, "The father, did he ever visit?" Afissa replied, "She never spoke of him, dear. I had the feeling she was frightened of him." Philo pressed, "You've no idea who he was?" Afissa admitted, "None. Poor wee things had these sad little wings. By the looks of them, I doubt that both would've been able to take to the air, if they survived, that is."

Emotions swirled within the siblings as they listened, and before Afissa could continue, a knock interrupted. "I'm coming," Afissa said, heading to the door. The two siblings watched from a distance, many emotions washing over them. Suddenly, the police walked in, standing by them. "Rycroft Philostrate and Melody Querelle, you are under arrest," declared Sergeant Dombey. Philo questioned, "On what charge?" The Sergeant replied coldly, "Suspicion of murder. Three counts."

Philo and Melody stood up, facing the police. "Murder?" Melody exclaimed, turning her gaze to Berwick, who avoided eye contact. "Cuff them," Sergeant Dombey ordered. Officers quickly restrained the siblings, leading them outside. Philo, defiant, faced Afissa, saying, "You don't have to wonder anymore." As they were escorted out, Sergeant Dombey lashed out, punching Philo in the stomach. In retaliation, Philo headbutted him. Melody struggled against the officers holding her, managing to break free momentarily, headbutting and elbowing them. The officers, however, struck her with batons, just as they did with Philo. Eventually, both were forced into the awaiting carriage, leaving Afissa looking on in shock as the two siblings, now bleeding, were taken away.

𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

By: SilverMist707