#siphok

Everywhere you turn, you see families being tugged around by their children, couples out on a first date, hand in hand, and maybe even friends hanging out, snapping a selfie with whatever furry mascot comes their way… and then there’s a lone figure who stands out from the crowd.

A brown haired girl, quietly chewing on a chocolate dipped churro. Silently purveying the crowd, eyebrows narrowed into a frown. Rather out of place with the whole festive atmosphere, really.

However, Siphok didn’t come here to have fun. She’s a detective by trade. Usually, she’ll be found in her office, agonising about some unsolved case or another, papers strewn about in an attempt to organise her unruly mind. Cracking cases, interrogating suspects… it isn’t really her idea of fun, but it’s definitely much more mentally simulating then whatever she’s doing right now.

Standing in the middle of some amusement park’s plaza, listening to kids shriek and yell, with nothing but a bottle of water in her hand along with a gun holstered to her chest.

She’s here to capture a thief.

A dastardly thief, who’s always ended up evading her every attempt to capture him. The thief who slips in by moonlight, “liberating” whatever gem catches his fancy, and stepping out with a flourish of his cape.

The Moray Marauder, the cops have dubbed him. If only for the way he always manages to slip right out of their grasp in the very end of every heist. It’s become such an infamous fact that the Moray Marauder just can’t be caught, that he’s started to grow a little fanbase of his own.

Taking another big bite of her churro, Siphok chews thoughtfully, crumpling up the empty packaging as she does.

Wonder what he thinks about that…

Sighing to herself, her hands slip into her pockets. Honestly, Siphok would much rather have come to this park with a friend or two… maybe a lover instead. But duty calls, and if the cops were desperate enough to hire a Private Investigator on this case… whatever she’s doing must be important, wouldn’t it?

Pulling out a pamphlet, she flips it open, dragging her finger lightly across the laminated paper. A map of the entire park, with one particular exhibit highlighted in bright, flashy stars scattered around its scribbly building.

The Wonderful Sea’s Aquarium. With exhibits linked directly to the sea itself, the specimens are free to come and go as they wish. It’s well known for its beautiful underwater exhibits, and their elaborate dolphin shows. Some people even propose here, under the shimmering lights of the sea.

But that isn’t why she’s here. Humming softly, Siphok’s finger travels down to the “special events” section of the map, before coming to a stop at a certain sentence.

The world’s most beautiful pearl proudly on display.

A new exhibit, after the good fortune of the aquarium’s owner managed to bring this pearl into his possession. Dubbed the Mermaid’s Tear, it would sell for millions in any auction… of course, unless it was stolen.

Technically, that was what Siphok was here to prevent. There were other policemen staffed around the place, of course. But more manpower never hurt anyone, did it?

To tell the truth, she kind of wanted to let good ol’ moray shoot his shot at trying to steal the pearl. Wonder how he’ll do that, on a weekend no less. The park was stuffed full with people, and a lone man would look rather suspicious within the throngs of couples and all…

Just then, something cold pressed into the small of Siphok’s back. It’s round, metallic even. The nozzle of a gun. Whipping her hand into her jacket, Siphok’s fingers closed around the hilt of her gun when all of a sudden, he spoke.

A low, gravelly voice hisses in her ear, the warmth of her assailant’s breath tickling her bare skin.

“Hands up… or else, Shrimpy~”

Lips pursed into a fine line, all she did was sigh. Before letting her hands drop.

“Floyd. What the actual hell?”

Her outburst was only meant with cackling laughter as the pressure on her back was relieved. Turning around, her eyes met with a set of mismatched pupils. A jarring contract of both the golden of rusted coins left under the sea for too long, and the pitch black of an underwater abyss. A lopsided grin was stretched across his face, a boyish expression.

Floyd Leech. One of her ex-clients and unexpectedly loyal ally. After Siphok had helped his company out of a scandal that was surprising not their fault for once, Floyd’s taken to popping up wherever she went like a stray cat hungry for affection.

She’s never fully trusted him, but… she can’t bring himself to hate him fully too. Although he pushes the line with his stupid antics. Grabbing his wrist, Siphok drags his hand up into the light… only revealing a toy gun, labeled with the smiling face of the amusement park’s mascot.

Laughing, Floyd fires off a “shot”, confetti raining down on Siphok’s hair. He mouths a “bang” while wiggling his fingers, grinning at her annoyed expression.

“Aw, you’re too on guard all the time, Shrimpy! This is an amusement park, you’re supposed to chillax, bring a boyfriend or two, and have some fun…”

His voice trails off, before he makes a grand show of looking around, flattened palm over his eyes.

“Oh, but where’s that mangy cat of yours? Are ya’ here all alone, for once, Shrimpy?”

Jabbing him playfully in the gut, Siphok sighs dramatically.

“Leona couldn’t come, if that’s who you mean. Grim isn’t allowed in. No pets… unfortunately.”

An arm slips around her shoulders, fingers digging their way into her flesh. A firm grip, as Floyd’s eyes twinkle with a sort of sadistic glee.

“Does that mean that I get you alllll to myself for once?”

A chill races down Siphok’s back, the cold settling deep within the base of her spine. Fingers twitching, they slowly make their way towards her holster… before Floyd releases her, facial features softened in a somewhat apologetic way.

“Aw, did I scare ya? Man, you really are a twitchy little shrimp, huh? Sorry about that.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he lowers himself ever so slightly, so that he was able to be eye to eye with Siphok.

“See, I was supposed to come here with Jade to scope out the competition for our new restaurant, but that bastard canceled on me. I was kinda excited to see ya, so at least I wouldn’t have to be here all alone…”

Jutting out his lower lip ever so slightly, Floyd pouts. Much like a chided puppy, he stares at you pleadingly. Honestly, for a guy that big and menacing, he sure gets all soft and goofy whenever she’s with him… surely, that meant nothing. It’s only just a… friendship thing. Yeah, that’s it. Probably.

Biting back a laugh, Siphok reaches out; caressing his face gently.

“Alright, you big baby. I’ll spend some time with you, if it makes you happy, hm?”

At once, his eyes brighten up. Before he slips his fingers right into hers, pulling her closer and closer to his face. Floyd smacks a hasty kiss into her cheek, nibbling ever so gently before breaking off into a run, dragging Siphok behind him.

“Now, come on! I wanna try the disaster coaster! The Tornado Twister! And, and-“

Forced into Floyd’s rapid rhythm, all Siphok could do was to focus on keeping up. He’s just like a riptide, a wave that creeps up quietly, slowly, before striking as fast as the wind, pulling you straight into his arms.

Yet… she can’t bring herself to hate that part of him. Floyd is one of those people Siphok could never read, could never calculate into her plans… but there was one constant thing about Floyd, that she could always count on.

If she needed him, he would be there. Grinning that stupid toothy grin of his, laughing that smug chuckle of his.

If there’s one thing about Floyd, Siphok knows that he’ll never leave her alone.

She’s grateful for that.

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Happy Birthday @siphoklansan ! It’s been three years of annoying your ass!!!! Thank you for being an amazing mutual, a crazy good artist, and most importantly, a great friend.

You’re one of the bravest people I have ever met, with a rather snarky sense of humour… you’ve been nothing but great and I hope our friendship persists for yet another year! Please look after yourself, treat yourself to some cake and errr kiss an eel or something, yeah!

Hugs and kisses from the mage of misery!

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Bonus (Octavinelle’s Work Chat):

Moray 1: Hey Azul, I ain’t stealing that pearl today. Bagged myself a date~

Big Boss: What. May I remind you that we planned this for months? @Moray 1??????

Big Boss: @Moray 1. Respond to me??? Hello????

Moray 2: oh dear… the raid seems to have been scheduled… poor, poor @Big Boss. Foiled once more by @Moray 1’s puppy crush…

Well, can’t blame the infrastructure.

She’s definitely also seen better days.

A lone figure stood below one such light, coat fluttering in the breeze. Brown hair let loose behind her, swaying in a gentle waltz. Heaving a sigh, she watched as her breath vaporised, a fluffy white cloud forming before her.

Before it melted right in thin air.

As if nothing ever existed in the first place.

Lowering her eyes, those ebony irises were soon shrouded in the shadow of her bangs. Slender fingers spreading out a piece of parchment. Rather crumpled, if the sound of rustling paper was any indication.

Inked handwriting ran loosely through the page, with sloppy turns and twists that left the viewer squinting for some semblance legibility. Despite the cold and gloom, she had to stifle a chuckle.

Some things never change, do they?

Fingers tracing every letter, there was a certain fondness in her eyes. Dancing within those ebony irises, the warm, toasty embers of a fireplace. The warmth of home, in someone’s loving arms.

“Siphok,” it began.

Shaking her head, Siphok heaved a sigh. For a man with such an enchanting voice, Leona was never one for niceties, was he?

Then again, his gruff mannerisms made him so much more refreshing to deal with. In her profession as a detective, she’s been too many a place. From the darkest alleys to the brightest ballrooms. The dance that the rich and powerful did around each other… she’s never mastered that art.

All the dodging and lying… the sinister smiles and the double-handed comments flung at each other… quite reminiscent of a childhood playground fight. Siphok never understood any of it, and she sincerely hopes she would never.

However, that lion never beat around the bush. Whatever he expected, he’ll hand it to you straight. To call him honest… was probably too much of a stretch.

Perhaps blunt would be better word. Painfully so.

But it was this bluntness that drew her to him, wasn’t it?

As to what made her stay… well, it’s hard to say.

Was it his husky laugh, warbling out of his throat whenever Leona was pleased?

Was it the way he conducted himself in society? Sticking to his own brand of principles and morales even in the stifling society of the self-crowned? Leona lived life like every day was his last, marching to his own beat without giving two hoots what anybody would think.

That confidence…. That courage… it was something she admired. Perhaps it was what kept her coming back to that dreary old mansion, long after their business had concluded. Flittering outside those golden gates, waiting for the young master to take his morning walk.

Somehow he always manages to appear without fail, behind the blooming hedge. As if he was already lying in wait for her. A coincidence, most likely. That was probably all it was.

The breakfast laid for two however, raises some suspicions. Yet Siphok was never one to turn down a warm meal. It would have been such a waste of hard-earned food if no one partakes in such a scrumptious meal….

Of course, as with everything in the world, it wasn’t free. In return, Siphok took on the role as Leona’s independent… detective of sorts. Checking in on various businesses under the Savanaclaw alliance, making sure nothing out of the ordinary slips under the radar.

An odd alliance, but an effective one.

Quickly poring over the contents of the letter, Siphok folds it up neatly. Before fishing out a silver lighter, clicking its hood. Forked tongues of flame soon lash out, devouring the sheet of paper. Turning it into nothing but pitch black ash, vanishing with the night.

Remembering the details wasn’t a problem for her. For better or for worse, every word by Leona had a special place in her mind. She could never forget them… never forget him, even if she wanted to.

Tugging on her collar, Siphok took a deep breath. Her chest heaving up, then down.

Another assignment by the head of Savanaclaw himself. Infiltrating Octavinelle was a tall order, even from Leona himself…

However, it wasn’t impossible.

If there was a will, there will be a way.