Owena Ashe

25|Investigator|Innocent

[mistermallory-blog]

[ OPEN ]

[mistermallory-blog]

He nodded. “Glad we’ve got that all out of the way.” he replied. “After all, us working against each other isn’t going to help get anything done.” 

“I’ve heard about it, yes.” he replied. “Though I haven’t been. It’s a bit embarassing, but since I was a boy, I’ve always had a thing about circuses. Not fond of them, really. Why? Do you think they’re connected somehow?”

[inspectorashe-blog]

Of course he would act like that, Owena thought as they walked down the sidewalk. Maybe if he had the guts to actually do something, they'd have more headway on the case. Still, she kept those thoughts private, merely nodding at his first set of remarks in feigned agreement.

"Well, you have to admit," Owena began, not wasting any time in getting to the point of their discussion, "the boy goes missing the week they pull into town - that's a pretty big coincidence."

She stuffed her hands in her pocket now - at this point, the only person she hadn't told was her partner. The logic was almost admirably backwards, and Owena had to resist sighing at herself.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

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Intuition, Ysolde was quite honestly afraid of it. She’d lived with a rash of worry festering in her stomach for the better part of her life. Intuiton, and listening to it, felt like giving in to a crawling mess of red anxiety. 

“I’ll try,” she said tight lipped. She crossed her arms around her chest, her shoulders dipped inwards and she looked down at the counter. Unwittingly, the inspector mirrored her actions. 

Then she heard Owena’s next words and her head perked up. The loose smile escaped her, and a bitter look came to line her face. With a painstaking smile,”Believe me, I understand how wrong I was to barge in there and expect you let me help,” she spoke the words to soothe her, and any of the police departments’ further worries that she would nose into Anwen’s case.

She didn’t need them to flare up at her again, she took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to apologize for that,” Ysolde made it clear. “In fact, it was I who was in the wrong.” The sour taste of the night came back to rest in Ysolde’s mouth. 

She replied quietly, “What were you thinking about, about that night?”

[inspectorashe-blog]

"I appreciate your words, Ysolde," Owena began, not entirely realizing she had used the young woman's first name, "but I still believe that civilians should stay out of investigations. It's for your own protection."

She looked around awkwardly, realizing she was drifting off the subject and becoming snippy again. She was trying to avoid it this evening, though, so she sighed and continued to soldier on.

"No matter what I believe, though, it wasn't right to embarass you in front of the other officers. It was unprofessional of me, and for that, I apologize."Owena bit her lip, hoping her words were sufficient. Even if she sounded bitchy, snippy, or whatever the officers liked to call her, the apology offered was genuine. She just wasn't quite good at it - after all, Owena had never really been one to atone for her actions, only explain.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

The threat of confrontation was enough to bring Ysolde to a halt with her accusations. She confessed more, with a further edge of chagrin as she spoke.

“I believe it was just me, personally, we’d had a rocky start. It was a lot of hostile conversation, from the both of us, and a few hollow threats. Specifically,” Ysolde tried to think back to the night Theodore had stopped her outside the bar, “he did frighten me this one time, it was quite soon after he had gotten into town. We were arguing about something here, at the Anchor’s Weight, and it might have even been after the Lights Festival. I left the conversation abruptly and he followed me out the door. It was the reason I was a little apprehensive at first about his circus.”

Ysolde felt herself beginning to ramble, but this was the order in which the thoughts began to march into cohesion. She looked at the inspector with a serious gaze, wishing she didn’t always have to feel like such a child when talking to anyone of authority. It was not even that they were condescending, which Owena had significantly ceased being; it was something wired into Ysolde’s mind. 

She cleared her throat, finishing, “That’s all I know. What do you think?” 

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena pondered Ysolde's words for a moment. She knew the girl was telling the truth, because there was no real reason not to, but it hadn't quite been the knockout piece of testimony she had been vaguely hoping for. Still, it didn't do anything to dissuade her, and after a moment, she nodded.

"I think you should listen to your intuition," she said after a moment, "and steer clear of him if you can. I - my partner and I, we'll check him out. Could be there's nothing wrong, but..."

The inspectoe trailed off, and she looked guiltily down at the counter as she had a moment of realization. She might be alone, in the force, in her suspicions, but it wasn't right to drag the girl into this. Not when she was one of the people Owena was trying to protect, even if Ysolde's determination to help had earlier seemed inappropriate and silly. At the time, it had seemed fine, but now Owena was beginning to notice they were more alike than she had originally thought, she and Ysolde.

"I actually was thinking," she said on an impulse. "About what I said to you at the station. After the Night Light incident."

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

She picked up on it without hesitation, “So you think the two might be connected. That’s not too far-fetched.” Ysolde tried to reassure the detective, her own gnawing anxieties came to play about one particular member of the circus whom she had come across in a less that pleasant way. 

“Theodore Wimble,” she blurted without thinking.

But then she cleared herself, her eyes widening, “What I mean to say,” she shook her head in an unfortunately ditzy sort of way, she cleared her throat. “If this conversation can remain between the two of us I would like to confide in you some of my own anxieties about the circus— specifically the ringmaster.” She smiled nervously. 

“I’m aware that a lot of the people of this town find him perfectly charming, but something about him always puts me off. I can’t even explain what it is in clear words, I just have a feeling of unease when I’m around him.” She confided in the detective, Ysolde figured if they had the common worry between them, it may foster a friendship, if not at least a conversation that dipped a bit further than just the pleasantries. 

Ysolde truly was worried. More so than she had been before Owena had more or less validated her fears. She kept in wait for the woman’s reply, the anxiety built all the while. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena was silent for a good moment as she tried to just...digest it all. She had heard one of the cops down at the station talking about the ringmaster when he got his papers set up. Said he was a real charmer, a funny guy. At the time, Owena had figured that all ringmasters were merely funny, but Ysolde...

Honestly, Owena couldn't tell whether or not Ysolde's instincts were fine. As she had mentioned earlier, she would be prone to worry if there was a reason to, but then again, she was the only one to legitimately confirm Owena's feelings of unease about the place.

"Theodore Wimble," she said slowly, testing the name out on her lips. "Haven't met him myself yet. You say he made you...uneasy? Did he do or say anything specific?"The inspector's tone had softened in contemplation, and she was playing around with the straw in her empty cup as she thought.

"If so, it might be time to pay a visit to this Mr. Wimble."

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

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“Owena,” she began, even though her voice faltered as she was unsure of how to address the inspector, Ysolde sensed that she wouldn’t be one too heavily worried about formalities,”The first thing you must know about me is that there will never be something I’m not worried about, if there’s any reason to be worried. And now, if you’re implying at a reason to be worried, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me the details of it. I wouldn’t laugh at you.”

Ysolde wondered if that was stretching a bit too far. The inspector certainly did not read like an open book, but Ysolde was perceptive enough to recognize when something bothered her. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

 Owena looked down at the desk, sighing lightly at herself. She tapped her fingers anxiously on the magazine, hardly having noticed that Ysolde had addressed her by her first name. She probably wouldn't have cared, though - after all, being called by her actual first name might've been refreshing. "Look...""We have enough problems on our own. You know that more than most of the town, and the circus...well, it's a pretty big coincidence the day they roll into town, a young man goes missing." Owena immediately looked down after her confession - she shouldn't have talked to Ysolde about this at -all-, but it was the girl's assurance that she wouldn't laugh that had done it. She knew she came across as a bitch most of the time, but she really did care about the people of Beaumaris, and if that meant having to break the rules a little just this once, then, she might have to make an exception.

Besides, where Ysolde had promised not to laugh, her partner Peregrine had just smirked and asked her if she was afraid of clowns.

[mistermallory-blog]

[ OPEN ]

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No, no, I do understand what you mean. [he sighs, scratching the nape of his neck] Perhaps we should compare notes… That is, if you’d like the help.

Perfect. I’m looking forwards to talking with you.

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena snorted lightly at his last comment. She knew perfectly well how she was generally regarded at the station, although she had never really talked in depth with Inspector Pierce before. In retrospect, though, getting mad at his disability to get much done probably wasn't the best way to start out.

Maybe his politeness was genuine? She would figure that out soon enough.

"Alright then.""So have you heard about the circus?" As they walked, the conversation shift might've seemed abrupt, but it was Owena's new focus obsession, and she was determined to have it validated. Having Goodwin on her side was good, but if she could convince Pierce that her suspicions had merit, she would be well on her way to actually getting something done.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

Ysolde scrunched up her nose at the suspicion with which Owena talked of the circus. She replied to the woman’s question with an unintentionally defensive edge to her voice, “I have gone just to, well, survey the scene and all. I’m sure it’s just an innocent circus, I’ve met a few of the performers, and they don’t seem too bad.”

She was a tad confused as to why Owena’s voice took on the hard edge, Ysolde wondered if she could question it herself. “What exactly could there be to be worried about?” 

[inspectorashe-blog]

"Mm, so you have been." Owena frowned a little - could it be possible that she was looking too much into the situation? Ysolde had more reason than most to be fearful, yet she acted like it was completely normal. No, she just...didn't know. Owena was convinced that the circus' presence wasn't entirely innocent. It had to be.

"I'm not saying anything about that, just...be careful. Don't trust anyone from the circus. They might seem nice but no one knows anything about them."

Ysolde might've been many things, but she didn't appear to be outright stupid, and Owena was going to at least treat her right in that regard. The inspector was worried, though - she had yet to mention anything to any of her colleagues besides Goodwin, and when she thought about it, she didn't want to be that one detective who looked too far into everything. Her mental unease translated into a slight frown, and she finished the rest of her diet soda only half tasting the stuff.

[mistermallory-blog]

[ OPEN ]

[mistermallory-blog]

[ he stands ] Well, that’s not really my fault. I’ve been working nearly endlessly on this case, and we’ve not made much progress. It’s difficult for everyone.

Brilliant. Ready whenever you are, Ashe. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

 I just feel like we could be doing more.Anyway, yeah, let's go. I could really use a mocha right now. [surly, but follows him nonetheless]

[mistermallory-blog]

[ OPEN ]

[mistermallory-blog]

You sound a bit… Concerned. Is everything alright? 

Um… Well, how about the cafe? The little one, on main street. They do great coffee.

[inspectorashe-blog]

Sounds fine to me. [begins packing up her things]Sure, everything's "alright". If you consider the fact that it's been several weeks and we still don't have certain answers alright, sure.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

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With a disdainful twist of the mouth Ysolde was reminded that she was not someone with whom the details of anything would be directly shared. Collateral damage, personal vendettas, and all the rest. She’d been lectured about it before by the town’s detectives. 

Instead, Ysolde strained a smile, insisting on a form of conversation because she really did dislike being idle. “You excited about the circus?” she asked, flipping the page of her curling and crumbling newspaper, the fibres of the paper scratched at her hands and the ink began to fall into tiny black flakes. 

Dusting them discreetly behind the counter, she looked up, “They’ve come all the way from America.”

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena glanced down quickly at the news article, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly. She had her suspicions about the place, but no one aside from Inspector Goodwin had even bothered to listen to her ideas.

"Oh, I heard. I fully intend to check out the place sooner rather than later." The inspector was tired, and if Ysolde was paying attention, she might notice the hard edge in Owena's voice that indicated her interest in the circus was not at all personal."Have you been yet?"

[inspectorashe-blog]

The night off

[jae-seong-blog-deactivated20210]

“Ah ! Haha err… I think I’ll pass. Thanks.” he answered with a lump of fear stuck in his throat as the inspector thought of shooting an apple on his head.

What did he ever do to her so that she’d feel like shooting in his direction ? Jae wondered stressfully but did not dare to ask. He clearly did not understand Owena’s sense of humour. In fact, sarcasm was something Jae always had a hard time understanding.

Jae was surprised when Owena took out a candy from her pocket. After that little scary talk, he almost expected her to take out her gun.

“You like candy ?” He asked, but then realised his question was stupid. Who didn’t like candy ? “I mean.. I just didn’t see you as the candy type.”

More like a shooting people in the head type.

[inspectorashe-blog]

"Oh, well, usually I don't eat it, but today I ran out of slugs and snails." She chewed on the candy for a second before leaning in and raising an eyebrow. "You realize I'm not going to actually shoot you, right? That would be against regulations."

Her initial impression of the man might've been a little off - he might've been annoying and obnoxious the first time she had met him, he didn't seem to mean any real harm. He was just a little unobservant, a trait which Owena found to not be terribly uncommon amongst the townsfolk of Beaumaris.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

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A surprised laugh shot from Ysolde’s mouth. She didn’t often hear people complain of the fish and chips, and she’d only just been hired. She watched the Inspector’s hands shift, noticing, with a residual chagrin, what the woman tried to hide. But as considerate as she felt that night, she decided to let it slip.

“Well, people usually say that it’s the smell that brings them here in the first place. We’ve got our placard right there, ‘best fish and chips in town’” She pointed towards the flimsy sign. 

Ysolde’s fingers played with the old copy of the Borealis that sat like a coaster on the bar between them. She folded in the corners of the Pedr Bedward headline.

“How are the cases going?” she asked helplessly. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

"That'd be more believable if half the restaurants in town didn't have signs reading the exact same thing. And besides, I've heard the owner is a hopeless drunk." Owena shrugged, indicating her relative indifference towards the pub and its owner."As well as they can be," Owena nodded, looking down at the paper. Truthfully, they weren't, but she wasn't going to talk to Ysolde about it, of all people.

Still, she couldn't shake the fleeting feeling it would be nice to talk about it.

[ysoldeellis-blog-blog]

slow night

Ysolde leaned against the countertop, sighing. There was a disparaging number of customers at the Anchor’s Weight. None of them particularly interesting. 

She waited until she spotted someone with whom she could talk, she was bored, “Hullo,” she said with a small smile. “What brings you here tonight? More importantly, what’s keeping everyone else away?”

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena glanced up from her spot at the counter. Her hands instinctively scrambled to cover the gossip magazine she was reading, and she raised her eyebrows at the girl.

"Perhaps it's the smell of fish 'n' chips. I swear you can smell it blocks away."Owena took a sip of her diet soda - she didn't mean to be truly rude, it was kinda just the first thing to come out of her mouth.

[mistermallory-blog]

[ OPEN ]

It’s dreadful, all this cold, wet weather. Makes me feel a bit caged in, actually. Wonder if anyone’s up for a drink? Tea, or coffee, perhaps. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

Actually, I've been meaning to speak with you for a while now.Where to?

[inspectorashe-blog]

The night off

[jae-seong-blog-deactivated20210]

Jae laughed nervously, feeling a shiver run down his spine as she spoke of knives. Jae thought of the candies, the plushes, the music and the kids laughing, he did not think of anyone throwing knives.

“Yeah… Er, that’s - that’s cool.” he answered even though he found it rather scary, that this was apparently her favorite part of a circus.

“But I bet you can do the same with, with a gun, i mean.”

He didn’t know why he came up with that, maybe to make a compliment and convince himself that she was not so scary. But he immediatly regret his decision. He didn’t really want to know if she was good or not at shooting people.

[inspectorashe-blog]

"I could try shooting an apple from your head if you like," Owena said, eyes glinting. "I bet we'd make quite the team."Owena had to try not to laugh at his face. At this point, it was just a little sad, and she knew she -should- stop. Peregrine probably would've glared at her if he knew what she was up to, but she had gotten over his petty disapproval a long time ago. Truth, be told, it was the only way she could tolerate him enough to work with him.

Fleetingly, Owena wondered what he really thought of her, but she shrugged it off easily enough with another drink of water and a candy pulled from her coat pocket.

[inspectorashe-blog]

The night off

[jae-seong-blog-deactivated20210]

“Nervous ? I’m not nervous.” he answered with an attitude that clearly showed he was nervous. He repositionned himself on his chair and looked around, as to check if no one looked like they knew he was lying. Inspector Ashe was looking at him with a smirk.

“Okay, maybe I’m a bit nervous, but I didn’t do anything. It’s just- You guys always make me feel nervous and I don’t even know why !”

Jae frowned, imitating the woman in front of him without really knowing why a circus in town would make anyone frown. He was thrilled but hid his excitement, seeing the inspector did not feel this way at all.

“Dunno… Circus is fun ?” he tried to convince her. Not knowing the last body had raised many questions for which Timotheus was not the answer, Jae did not see that Owena Ashe was currently thinking about a lead. 

[inspectorashe-blog]

"Circuses are indeed fun." She answered with amusement,  tilting her head. A glance was all she needed to know not to continue with the nervousness thing - he wasn't a suspect in this case as far as anyone had informed her, so there was no reason to press him on that, however funny it was.

"My favorite part is the knife throwing. I've always thought it was cool, the way they could hit their targets with one of those tiny knives from such a long ways."Okay, perhaps she wasn't done making him nervous (it -was- really amusing, after all).

[inspectorashe-blog]

The night off

[jae-seong-blog-deactivated20210]

“Oh. Right. You’re right.”

Jae was impressed by the inspector’s ability to bring everything down. Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, he felt a bit stressed as he was suspected again. A while ago, he enjoyed being one of the suspect, it made him feel part of the case, but now it was all over, he just feared that for some reason, she would put handcuffs on him and send him to jail. He swallowed and smilled nervously.

” But you never know, with the circus and all… I think it’s good to have new people in town. People who might not know. Like a bit of fresh air, you know ?”

[inspectorashe-blog]

Owena could sense the worry on the man as she watched him - after all, she hadn't gotten as far as she had without knowing the valuable investigative skill of reading people. She wasn't the best at it, not even here (a fact that continued to irk her), but it was easy to tell Jae wasn't feeling his greatest.

"Why so nervous?" she asked, leaning forward with a raised eyebrow and a slight, slight smirk."Anyway, you're probably right. It's a wonder why they decided to come out to the middle of nowhere Beaumaris, though." Owena frowned a little, not entirely realizing that she had let out one of her potential leads, if even subtly. At this point she was just thinking out loud, and her suspicions about the circus hadn't even formed a solid lead at this point anyway.