Arc 1, Chapter 3: Goose Chase
'The city of new beginnings? Am I in some sort of video game…? I've heard of something like this before… But that's literal fiction. How do I get out of here?'
Grey shadows hid the Sun, the city was surrounded by the ocean on three sides, where ships came in and out of harbours all over.
"Why is it called that?" Jotou walked alongside her new companion.
"Seriously? Everyone comes here to start their life anew or start it off. Perfect place to run away to.
The prices of living and taxes are relatively cheap, you can get your hands on almost anything due to the shipments in and out and it's far from most other cities keeping major political issues away.
The only problem I heard of before I came here was the Velatos Case, which seems to've only come up five months ago. Still, it's the best place to pick up any job and find work with no prior qualifications," Fumeko held her stomach.
Jotou eyed the people walking by with baskets and groceries, "You say that and yet you weren't qualified to become a detective…"
"I am overqualified! I'm just ahead of my time," she corrected with a pinch on Jotou's shoulder.
"Hey! OW!" Jotou slapped her hand off. She rubbed the spot, "Also, what is the 'Velatos Case'? I've never even heard of that word before!"
Fumeko pouted, rubbing her slapped hand, "Were you living under a rock all this time? How do you not know about these things?"
"I'm not from here remember!?"
"Oh right, your amnesia case. I'll explain, but first, where're we going?"
Fumeko stopped walking, seeing Jotou come to a halt… "You mean you have no clue where we're going…?"
Fumeko stared back, "… Of course not! I just got here yesterday; I didn't even get a map yet!"
Jotou groaned in the middle of the street into the sky, gaining some onlookers. 'Will this headache ever end!?'
"Hmm…" Fumeko pondered out loud, "Velatos are what the people of Kria called their new problem. Apparently, the fears of a person would come into reality and attack or impact said person with that fear.
So started the Velatos Case. I heard one time of a story of some kid facing a velatos. His pet bunny that was white as snow, bit his feet ferociously till his toes were chewed off. It turned black like shadow and had red eyes.
The night before, the boy had a nightmare of rabbits eating him. If you came back to life from the dead, then maybe your father may've had his fears come to life," Fumeko theorized.
'Well, if that's the case.' Jotou maybe took her a little more seriously, "Come to think of it, he was shaking and scared when I woke up. Although based on those descriptions, I don't seem like a velatos at all."
"That's what we have to figure out. Time's ticking; to your house!" Fumeko raised her finger to the air.
Jotou stared at Fumeko… "How are you so smart and stupid at the same time?"
"Hey! No need for such insults! I haven't eaten today so I just keep forgetting…" Fumeko went back to thinking, holding a hand to her chin, "That's it! Your father just saw his once dead daughter come back to life.
Which means, like any man who wants to numb the pain, he's probably drinking. Quick, let's go to a tavern near where you were arrested."
Jotou blinked a few times, "…I have no clue how to get there…"
After a couple hours of running around and asking for a funeral house, the two found their way back to where Jotou was arrested.
_
High on the building, the wooded sign squeaked. It had the picture of a mug and beneath were what looked like English letters; written a bit oddly but they still spelled out 'Cheers at Veers!'.
'At least I can read and speak the same language in this world. The font looks weird though…'
Into the dimly lit pub the two entered. The wooden walls were illuminated by orange light coming from hanging lanterns that didn't crackle with flame.
Many rumours and stories could be spread here within a second. The two approached the bar stools whilst surveying the tavern.
The bartender, "What can I get you ladies?" wore a vest that didn't cover much.
"I'll… have a beer I guess," Jotou ordered.
"Make that two!" Fumeko added quickly.
He narrowed in on Jotou, "Hm. Pretty thing like you drinks beer? You look like a noble even; don't judge I suppose," the bartender shrugged.
"It's been a pretty confusing day for me too," Jotou replied. The tavern was mainly filled with men and all the waiters that roamed were female. 'What era am I even in?'
"What can you tell me about the Velatos Case? I'm a new detective in town," Fumeko asked.
"Velatos Case? I can tell ya what most folks would tell ya. They come out at night covered in shadow and ruby red eyes. Since you're new, it's fine, but don't go askin' people about it."
The bartender brought them two bottles, handing them over after taking off the caps, "The town's locking their doors with twenty locks as it is; don't stir things up."
She grabbed the warm bottle, "Yup, tastes the same," Jotou winced an eye close.
Fumeko took a big sip, "Ack! Cough! That's a, a unique taste," she tried it again.
"How old are you again?" Jotou raised a brow.
"Uhm… eighteen so, old enough to drink!"
Jotou leaned into her face… "Somehow, I doubt that,"
"I mean, I'm seventeen going on eighteen; next year… in about eight months or so-"
"Give me that!" Jotou yanked it away.
"Hey! No! I want to drink too! It tastes weird, but I still want it! Where I'm from, it's sixteen!"
"Well, you gave away that it's eighteen to drink legally here in Kria; you wanna be in jail right beside me?" Jotou put a hand against Fumeko's forehead, which sufficiently kept her away.
"Maybe! Give it back!" Fumeko eventually gave up, folding her arms with a, "Hmph!"
Jotou shook her head, having both bottles as she gave a passing glance around, "Wait," she noticed a familiar face with wrinkly skin and balding hair…
_
"Mr Princely?" Jotou approached the old man at the table, Fumeko close behind her.
John Princely looked up, several bottles of beer on his table, "Augh!" he recoiled, putting one hand up.
"Mr Princely, we have some questions to ask you, Detective Namora, Krialin," Fumeko showed John a badge of the Krialin. The badge was a gold five-pointed star with a sailboat in the middle.
"Oh, I'm sorry. What do you need to know?" John brought his hand down slowly, sitting up.
"Regarding your daughter; did you have any nightmares of her coming back to life?" Fumeko questioned.
John took another sip of his beer finishing it, "I'm sorry detective, I don't have the strength to recall or tell," his eyes faced the table.
Jotou exhaled, stepping in front of Fumeko. "Listen sir, I need help figuring out what's going on with me.
I understand I once was your daughter and it may be difficult for you to face me, but please; your daughter may need your help," she offered the extra beer.
John looked up to Jotou, her face was with a soft smile and yet her eyes determined. "Your eyes aren't blue and your hair's no longer golden," he sobbed.
Fumeko noticed that the ends of Jotou's blonde hair were black as well as the tips of her fringe despite her roots still being a yellow blonde. "But you're now talking to me in full sentences at least," he sniffled, taking the beer from Jotou.
He took a sip, "I did have a nightmare. Not you, but your mother came back from her gravestone and attacked me for living…
I apologized for not taking care of both of you like a good husband—like a good father. I accepted my punishment for outliving both of you.
You died so young; only twenty-one years. I kept you hidden didn't I…? My old eyes wanted to see grandchildren at least," he smiled at the thought then frowned, "Was probably never gonna happen…"
'So, I'm twenty-one. The same age as, well, me. Or the previous me… How am I gonna get back?'
"Thank you for your cooperation. Jotou, I think we can leave this man to his privacy," Fumeko acted. Jotou nodded, the two leaving him alone as he kept mumbling off.
They were about to leave the tavern before the bartender yelled out, "Oi! Who's paying for the beers!?"
Fumeko turned around, "We're going to be regulars in the city anyway, so open up a tab under Jotou Howllett!" she yelled back, pulling Jotou by the arm out the tavern.