The shores of Azure View were always a sight to behold. The district of Illesia that bordered the sea had been carefully cultivated to retain its facet of beauty in the face of continued growth and development. This was never more stark than at night, when the moon of Alarus reflected off the Haasean Ocean with all the intensity of the midday sun. It turned the sky a heady colour of navy blue that was as beautiful as it was haunting. The apartments, houses and shops that were dotted along the sea-front were lit up like the night sky itself, with all the buzz and hustle of late night shoppers pushing to get those few items before even the twilight sales ended. Closer to the sea that one got however, the more the noises of civilisation began to fade and was replaced by the roar of the sea as the waves broke gently against the sandy shores of Illesia. It was the same if one went a little further down the beach, for soon the busier and more metropolitan areas were left behind and the land was dotted with the estates of Alversia's elite. They were like castles of old, dotted on the small mounds that formed just off the beach itself.
Most of these were dark, their occupants long since retired to bed, all except one; one of the biggest. In this house, almost all the lights were on, with the sound of talk and laughter interweaving with the soothing dulcet of piano music pouring out of large open windows and into the night sky beyond. Along the wall that faced the sea, there were a series of balconies lined up like soldiers on parade and, within one of these was a darkened room. The sounds of the party were muffled here, competing against the sea in a never-ending battle. Lying upon the carpet was a figure, sprawling as if he had fallen, his hands splayed out as if in an attempt to catch his fall. The moon shone in through his window onto dull, unstaring eyes. They glanced out to the ocean as if able to see beyond the tides and shores yet blind to the pool of dark red liquid that slowly swelled around him while the celebrations continued in his absense, the music providing him a symphony with which he met the next world.
The being gasped for air as his muzzle broke the surface, ignoring the rivulets that ran through his fur after being temporarily freed from the chilly water. He took a deep breath, his form scything through like a fish before burying his head beneath the maelstrom he had churned up. His lungs burned and his arms ached but still he kicked, thrashing with his legs as if he was fleeing from great monstrosity while throwing his arms out to scoop the water behind him, digging his way closer to his goal. Through the goggles that encased his eyes all he could see were the bubbles rushing past him, left behind by the speed of his movement, by the strength of his strokes.
Finally, one of those outstretched arms did not strike more water but rock. He clung to it, all rhythm of the stroke lost as his legs curled down beneath him to catch the ground, paws gripping onto stone worn smooth at the bottom. His tail came up to help him balance as he emerged from the water, a sloshing sound echoing through the morning mist as he powered his way to the shore with weary legs. He wore nothing over his grey-white fur but a pair of trunks and the aforementioned goggles, which he snapped over his eyebrows to reveal sharp and intelligent blue eyes. The water ran from his lithe and thin but powerful form as he shook himself dry, unable to avoid the temptation to rid himself of the worst of the water though it caused his black, slick hair to fall down over his face. He checked his watch and saw that it was 07:45, meaning that he was five minutes earlier than expected. He was pleased with this, evidenced by the smile on his short muzzle that exposed sharp, pearl-white teeth. Picking up the towel he had left by his clothes at the side of the gently trickling river, he began to brush himself off before thinking of the day ahead.
An hour later, he pulled up outside a series of gates in a silver painted estate car, the engine thrumming powerfully even as he took his foot from the accelerator. He relaxed back into his chair, waiting as one of the guards who stood vigil here approached him. At the same time, a drone took off from the small hut beside the gate and began to sweep his car with scans, beeping merrily to itself. The fog of the morning had cleared up and it seemed like it was going to be another bright if slightly cool day; a standard autumn day really.
As the Alversian reached his window, the Escan wound it down so that the man could lean through with a friendly smile,
“Morning Inspector,” he said cheerfully, “papers please?”
The male had been expecting that and was ready to immediately hand his identity card to the uniformed guard. He quickly scanned the name and picture, finding nothing out of the ordinary and handed it back to him. He stepped away from the car as the drone peeped that all was clear and nodded to him, “have a pleasant day, Inspector Karius.”
“Thank you,” Karius nodded as the gate began to open with a buzz. Once open, he moved through with his car snorting loudly.
Through the gate he was able to see his destination, a tall and sprawling complex that was a little different to the steel and glass buildings beyond it's expansive compound. It was built mostly of smooth, grey stone with wide windows that shone in the morning light like diamonds on a ring. He parked his car in his usual spot, surrounded on three sides by fairly mundane Alversian make cars and headed for the main building. On his way, he passed a row of police squad cars, painted in blue and white livery with their lights perched on the roof. High above him, he could make out the loud whine as a set of drones took off from the roof and a third one hovered overhead, patiently waiting for its chance to land. There were people passing in through the side door he was taking and as many leaving, some of whom he passed greetings to as he went. When he reached the door, he glanced up at the sign above it. It was something he always did though he was not entirely sure why; the words had long since been etched into his memory;
Illesian Metropolitan Police Headquarters.
Time to go to work.
After passing through more sensor checks, ID checks and medical detectors even, Karius finally stepped out onto the fifth floor with a sigh, rolling his shoulders over as his morning exertions started to make themselves known. The entire floor was open plan but had been divided up into sections by thin walls, behind which he could hear the click of keyboards, the hum of low conversation and the insistent buzzing of phones. He turned into a small enclave in the corner that acted as a kitchen with a microwave, coffee-pot and fridge. He quickly poured himself a cup from the filled coffee pot, with just a dash of milk and two sugars. He took a sip of the burning liquid and sighed in relief as it seemed to pass down into his very soul.
“Morning Jay, you've started early.” he heard the friendly voice behind him.
Karius turned, tail curling in curiosity until he saw the tall, dark skinned and black haired Alversian approaching. His green eyes were twinkling and friendly but he looked tired. “Morning Ryan, can't start a day without the rush, you know that.” he replied in an equally casual tone, watching as the man poured himself a smaller coffee with more milk and no sugar, “How's the family?”
“Not so bad, my lad won at the weekend, that puts his team one game from the final.” Ryan said with not a small bit of pride.
“Congratulations,” now that they both had coffee, they were walking side by side, waving through the little islands of offices on auto-pilot, “he play well?”
“Scored the winning penalty,” Ryan's chest positively puffed up at that, “final minute. They were a man down too.”
“Nerves of steel that one, he must get it from his mother.” Karius said.
Ryan laughed in reply, “I'll have to tell her you said that.” he took a sip, “I take it you were out again this morning?”
Karius nodded, “I got my swim down to 23 minutes,” he was interrupted by Ryan sucking in air, “but I know I can get it down to 21 minutes if I keep at it. My technique's still not perfect.”
“God almighty Jay, you're pushing yourself a bit no?” The other looked at him.
Karius shook his head, “the Azure View meet is in three weeks and I'm definitely going to get it under two hours this time. I was so damn close last year. So I'll be going out again tonight if I get the chance.”
“Yeah, about that,” Ryan looked across at the smaller male, “you've forgotten haven't you? You get your new shadow today?”
“My new what?” Karius blinked a moment, before recognition lit up on his face, “Oh! That! No, no I hadn't forgotten,” he said defensively, “my mind's just on other things. Is she here yet?”
“Yup, she was shown the way by a couple of uniforms. She's waiting in your office now.” They had come to a t-junction created by another set of offices and it was clear that Karius was going one way and Ryan the other, “well good luck. I might see you at lunch.”
Karius took a sip of his still scorching coffee and exhaled deeply. He had forgotten, which was annoying because he had written a note to himself last night to not do exactly that. He had been so damned excited about his progress this morning though. It was especially jarring because he had been so proud that his office had been chosen for the law enforcement exchange program between the IMP and the Rio Casa Police Department on Xiscapia. One of his regular team was going over there for a month and one of theirs would come and work with them for the same period of time. Ah well, time to meet the new girl.
Opening the door to his office, he glanced in and saw her pretty much instantly, offering a hand before remembering himself and bowing instead. He knew he wasn't dressed as a police officer, with a smart-casual shirt under a thick, leather jacket and dark blue jeans with boots covering his feet. Aside from the belt at his slim waist, which included two separate holsters, he could have been anyone off the street.
“Good morning,” he said with a welcoming smile, “welcome to the Illesian Metropolitan Police headquarters...and Alversia I guess. My name is Detective Inspector Janai Karius and you'll be a part of my team. May I ask your name?” he looked at her as he stood over his messy desk, filled with different case papers and memos he'd written to himself as well as leaving just enough space for his luminous blue keyboard and his mug of coffee. It was only as he set it down that it occurred to him.
“Oh, I'm sorry. Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? A bit of toast? That's about all we've got up here really.” he said sheepishly.
