Scientist making the world a better place by day ☀︎˚࿔
Fanfic writer and fandom nerd by night ☽⋆.˚
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My interests
☆ Anime/manga: my current hyperfixation is Gachiakuta ♡
I also love Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the Apothecary Diaries, Jujutsu Kaisen, Gintama, FullMetal Alchemist, Hell's Paradise, Kaiju No. 8, Yona of the Dawn, Studio Ghibli movies and many others - I have been watching anime and reading manga for over two decades!
☆ Video games: Octopath Traveler (I, II and 0), Sea of Stars, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, Tomodachi Life, Japanese Rural Life Adventure, the list goes on...
☆ Music: I like everything but have been obsessed with Twenty One Pilots for over a decade ♡
My top artists are Fujii Kaze, Theodora, Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion, Yoasobi, Dua Lipa, Florence + The Machine, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, Pitbull, PinkPantheress, Parov Stelar, Bad Bunny, Joe Hisaishi...
☆ I write fanfiction on AO3 as Calluna_Wisteriae ♡
My current work in progress is a Zanka Nijiku x OC story called Like a prayer - this is my first proper fanfic project and I haven't written in years so if you have read it and enjoyed it or have any feedback, I'd love to know what you think ꨄ︎₊˚⊹
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Disclaimers & other info
The purpose of my blog is to share my passions and the art and stories that I love, uplifting and encouraging others in the process ♡
My blog is my safe space so I do not tolerate bigotry or abuse in any way, shape or form!
This is not a spoiler-free blog, I do try to mark my posts as spoilers where possible but cannot guarantee no spoilers at all.
As a fandom veteran with a full-time job, I am sometimes behind with the latest hot topics and new lingo of tumblr and social media, please be patient with me ♡
Far below the glimmering waters of Fontaine - shielded away from the mainland - stood the Fortress of Meropide. Tucked away within the strong iron walls of the towering fortress was an office that stood in contrast to it. The pleasant aroma of a steaming cup of tea lent the room its warmth.
There, a letter rested between Wriothesley's gloved fingers as his eyes skimmed the page. What he perused was a notifying epistle from Neuvillette.
"To His Grace, the Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide,
I trust this correspondence finds you well. I write this to notify you that a detective - namely Mademoiselle Ronnette - from the overland will be arriving at the Fortress to reside temporarily for the Bernard murder case—"
Wriothesley took a bemused sip of his tea. "Well there goes my peaceful week," he thought.
"— next day. She has been privately commissioned by Mademoiselle Bethany Chavonne - a friend of the suspect Dr. Maeve Laurent to investigate the said case and has my full permission to go to the Fortress. She is a familiar of mine as well and I can vouch that she is an extremely credible investigator and has worked with the Palais Mermonia before."
The Administrator had read the reports regarding the case - the evidence was more than damning enough to incriminate the suspect. What else could possibly be needed to be investigated further?
"—So I request that you allow her access to your place. However, do not feel obliged to accommodate every request she may make."
"Well, yes?" Wriothesley mulled, a bit nonplussed with the statement. "That goes without saying, doesn't it?"
"—I thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperating.
With my highest regards,
Neuvillette
Iudex of Fontaine"
Wriothesley gently set the letter down. He trusted Neuvillette's judgement. If the Iudex had agreed to allow this investigation - then there must be a good reason for it - not to mention the endorsement he had given the said Mademoiselle Ronnette. Whatever answers the detective or the inmate - Maeve - sought, the Fortress might provide them - provided they look for it in the right place. He shouldn't have any reasons to object.
A soft knock echoed in his chambers. "Come in," Wriothesley said. The door creaked open to reveal a guard making her way to his desk.
"Your Grace," she greeted him. "Inmate #4401 Maeve Laurent is once again asking for any letters she might have gotten. Err - this has been her fifth time in three days asking this."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Maeve frequently inquires about letters from her friend. She has become a bit persistent so I thought I might inform you."
"It's alright," Wriothesley said, rising up from his seat. "I'll answer her myself."
"Oh! You will, sir?"
"Yes. Luckily for her, I have exactly what she wants to hear," he replied. The guard nodded. He swiftly made his way towards the door. Before stepping out of his office, he stopped.
"Oh and," he continued. "We're having a guest tomorrow. Notify as many guards as you can and prepare a room with all the necessary accommodations."
Maeve Laurent had long since lost count of the number of times she had asked about the letter. And every time she had, she only got one disappointing answer. Perched at the edge of her bed, she waited. It had become a ritual of sorts.
Wake up. Wait.
Eat. Wait.
Work. Wait.
Sleep. Wait.
Wait, wait, wait and wait. That was all she could do.
The days had long since been blurred by the mechanical routine of the Fortress. Without the sun to chart the passing hours, time itself had become meaningless. Why hadn't Betty answered yet?
The question stayed stubbornly in her mind. "I mean…" she thought. "the letters should have reached her by now. So why won't she answer?!"
A bead of sweat trickled down her temple.
"Betty can't be too occupied. She is never too occupied when it comes to matters like this. Surely Betty doesn't think that I killed him. Sh-She would never give into rumors like this. No, she won't. A-And where's the guard that I asked. What is taking her so lo—"
Footsteps reverberated from somewhere outside her cell marching towards her cell. Maeve's head shot up, as she listened. Those were not the guard's footsteps. The guard's boots weren't heavy enough to sound like that.
Then who was coming for her?
The footsteps stopped just outside her door. Maeve's pulse quickened.
"Dr. Laurent," a deep, measured voice came from beyond the door. "Please open the door, there is a message for you."
Yep, that was definitely not the guard.
Maeve rose from her bed, taking cautious steps towards the door. Her hand hovered hesitantly at the knob before she steeled her nerves. Her expression immediately faltered.
She wasn't expecting to see the Administrator himself standing somberly outside her cell.
"Y-Your Grace!" she exclaimed but it was more of a question. "Is something the matter?"
Wriothesley regarded her for a moment before offering a small shake of head. "Nothing to be concerned about. May I come in?"
Maeve nodded and stepped aside, letting him enter. Wriothesley noticed how pristine the room was - with its neat bedsheets and folded blankets and not even a crease on the pillow. He took a chair and made himself comfortable.
"So, Dr Laurent," Wriothesley started. "I have heard that your case has been making waves in the city. You've got everyone talking."
"Really…?" Maeve shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. She wasn't expecting it to get around this much. But of course now the Bernards will make noise.
"Yes. I mean, you've even got a private investigator on your case."
"I see…" she replied listlessly.
Wait.
Private investigator?
"I'm sorry what did you say? A private investigator?" Maeve followed up.
Wriothesley gave a faint smile. "Yes. Your friend and the famous advert personality Bethany Chavonne has arranged one for you. She will be arriving tomorrow."
Maeve stared at him. For a moment she couldn't even process his words. Betty had answered. And not with letters but with action. She believed her. Maeve knew she was wrong for doubting her best friend.
The tension that had settled into her shoulders for the past excruciating days seemed to loosen all at once. Her fingers that were clenched tightly against her shirt relaxed slowly. Relief spread across Maeve's face.
"Is that so? She really did?!" Maeve continued, pressing a hand against her mouth - attempting to control herself.
"Yep, she did," Wriothesley replied.
"Will the investigator be permitted to speak to me?"
"I imagine that would be rather difficult for her to investigate your case without doing so."
"R-Right. Of course," Maeve faltered. "And Bett—Bethany, would she be allowed to visit me?"
"Impromptu visits like this in the Fortress are normally prohibited. Only if your friend makes a convincing case should she be allowed."
Wriothesley rose up from his seat. "That's it. That's all I came here for. I'll leave you to it then."
"Oh, so you didn't come here to interrogate me about the case?" Maeve asked following to the door.
"No? There is no reason for me to do that yet." he said, stepping out of the room. Maeve nodded and closed the door, barely hearing anything after the "no".
She really couldn't believe it. A private investigator! For her case! Coming tomorrow! A huge weight had been lifted off of her back!
For the first time in Archon knows how many days, the Fortress felt a little less suffocating.
"Here you go," Chevreuse tossed the case files to Ronnette sitting atop a table in the Palais Mermonia. Ronnette caught the files immediately pried away its covers to view the sheets.
"You know for all that is possible, I was not expecting us to be working simultaneously at this case, Chevvy," Ronnette remarked, her eyes on the papers.
"Me neither," Chevreuse said with a wry smile. "And to think that I was thinking of consulting you if ever things get too hard."
Ronnette gave a small hum, turning a few pages over. Her eyes moved swiftly across the reports, taking in the details without lingering on any one page for too long. Bernard left around 3:00, half an hour before Maeve. No witness statements for the crime except for Charlotte's (Frankly, Ronnette hadn't expected Charlotte to report this to Chevreuse).
Chevreuse had interviewed the aquabus manager since the crime scene was directly above it but the manager had claimed that the aquabus was not in use during that time.
Then there were the medical reports. Ronnette had already seen those before so she'd review them later.
She looked at the account of the victim's belongings.
"Hmm…" Ronnette thought. "A wallet, a gold-crested wristwatch, a fine handkerchief - typical rich man stuff and — oh?" Her eyes squinted at the next item. "A crumpled up receipt. And it's from…Le Jardin des Délices: Chocolaterie et Confiserie."
A bougie sweet shop.
She'd know. It was her parents' favorite.
Ronnette shook her head and continued reading further. "Le Jardin des Délices: Chocolaterie et Confiserie - Assorted Chocolates - 670 mora - 3:12 PM."
"Chevreuse," she spoke up. "Do we know why Bernard was at the crime scene? What led him there?"
"I did ask the nurses if they noticed anything unusual about the victim that day," Chevreuse responded, walking towards Ronnette. "One of them noticed him reading a piece of paper that afternoon in his office in slight distress. They claimed that he put the paper in his coat. We scrounged his office for the page but no luck. The murderer must have taken it with them."
"Could he not have gotten that page from his house?"
Chevreuse shook her head. "Witnesses say he found the page at his office, first thing in his shift. Another strike against Maeve."
"Okay…" Ronnette contemplated. "Then why did he buy the box of chocolates?" she wondered. "He was clearly distressed about something. Maybe stress eating…?" Ronnette dismissed that idea. She'd come back to it later.
Chevreuse watched Ronnette flip the pages once more, but with even more concentration - brows strained against her forehead. She noticed the change in her expression as her hands stopped at a particular sheet. Ronnette lifted her gaze back to Chevreuse.
"Hey..." she began. "The crime site is a treasure hoarder base?!"
"Oh yeah," Chevreuse slipped onto the desk. "Yep, that's a treasure hoarder base."
"Then why aren't we investigating that?!" Ronnette exclaimed, slipping off of the desk. "This is such an amazing lead! Everyone knows where there are treasure hoarders, there's trouble."
"Hold your horses Ronnette, I did go down that route."
"And?"
"Aaand they weren't there."
"Huh, how do you know that?"
"You know that Palais Mermonia has workforce tracking treasure hoarder groups. The particular group that occupies the area - that we've dubbed as group Beta - were not there. In fact they have been away from their base since the previous day."
Ronnette tapped a finger on her chin, still not convinced. "I don't know Chevreuse this feels a bit too convenient." Chevreuse sighed, folding her arms. "I know it feels that way - I had the same thought - but, it is what it is. Maybe this case is easier than we both think it is."
Ronnette clicked her tongue in response, lost in her train of thought. She referred to the account of Bernard's whereabouts before his murder.
"Bernard clocked in by 10:00 AM, read a piece of paper a little later after that and got distressed by it. Everything after that was supposedly his daily routine. Around 3:00 PM after being done with his surgeries, he left for the treasure hoarder base for whatever the reason compelled him to - and I bet it's related to the page - and got killed, around forty minutes later. He also took a detour to a chocolatier within the timeframe.
"Why did he go to the treasure hoarder's base? What could an aristocrat like him have anything to do with those ruffians? Did the treasure hoarders want something from him? Maybe a tussle between them? But why..."
"I'll take a copy of these files Chevvy," Ronnette announced, gathering the papers. Chevreuse nodded, passing them to her. "All yours. And do come to us if you find something new."
"You know me," Ronnette smiled, leaving through the gates. "See you soon!"
Chevreuse waved back at her.
Ronnette gripped tightly at the papers beneath her hands. "Tomorrow I'll be at the Fortress of Meropide."
She hugged them against her chest.
"And tomorrow everything will change."
A/N: HELLO, okay I am back and I'll be posting more often now. Also the crime scene is supposed to be this particular place in Fontaine ^^
And ofc Le Jardin des Delices is not a real location in Genshin haha
Previous: Chapter 4!
Upcoming: Chapter 6!
Okay, so how much industry is needed to produce cars like this? Or is there a special workshop where cars from before the trashcalypse are repaired and tuned for a select few organisations and people?
The most evil thing Zodyl did wasn't any of the trash beast or vital instrument stuff. It was having Cthoni make him a sandwich (woman) and Jabber (black and in STEM) drop out of college.
Also making Noerde (independent warrior woman from an all women warrior tribe) kill herself for him. He just likes ruining the lives of people with futures ig. Fuck him
I AM ACTUALLY SO TERRIED OF BUNDUS, SEEING HIM HERE GENUINELY ALMOST STOPPED MY HEART
THIS MAN IS THE MOST OMINOUS FUCKING PERSON I HAVE EVER SEEN - NOT TO MENTION HIS STRANGE INTEREST IN THE SUREBRECS (considering how Zodyl gifted him a figurine related to Canis Surebrec)
AND THERE IS NO ONE COMING FOR RUDO BECAUSE MERIEGE AND THE OTHERS WILL NOT BE LOOKING FOR HIM, ENJIN IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND GOD KNOWS WHAT THE OTHER CLEANERS ARE DOING
THERE'S NO CHOKER SYSTEM EITHER BECAUSE GOUNTESS RELINQUISHED HIS POWER, SO HE CAN'T CALL FOR BACK UP EITHER
OH HE IS UTTERLY, ROYALLY, TERRIBLY FUCKED.
And WHAT is going on with these 3!?
Zanka is thoroughly pissed. Amo is scarily depressed. And Riyo seems anxious - almost frightened even. WHAT is going ON in your head Riyo Reaper 😭😭
This is such a dastardly cliffhanger to the end the chapter with. Imagine if Urana goes on yet another break week and the next chapter comes out 2 weeks later.
