Tomorrow was Vincent's day off, and he was ready for the break. He’d had to spend the night parked on the street after Toaster’s stunt yesterday evening, and the traffic had kept him up, but he was determined to have a good day. There was a dumpster nearby, so he gathered up his trash and … Continue reading Year 350, Rotation 189: The Red Ribbon, Part 1 →

It was New Year's Eve, and everyone in the Perfectorate was living it up--except Rellion, it felt like. The City States couldn't exactly have a nationwide holiday if it let its entire inquisitorial force join in the fun. At least he was earning double pay. And the precinct had provided a free ham dinner to … Continue reading Rellion Lawholder, 7th Precinct Lieutenant: Year 328 A.E., Rotation 349 →

Vincent skimmed through yet another article about the Red Ribbon Strangler. The media had named the killer that had been plaguing this side of the spire for the last two months for the strips of red cloth the families of victims had started finding tied to inconspicuous places in their loved ones’ homes after the … Continue reading Fairy Tales: Year 350, Rotation 188 →

Vincent sat in a bustling cafe, but he was staring so intently at the newspaper in his hands that he didn’t even notice when the server set the check next to him. He’d long since skimmed past some headline about a killer on the loose and some ribbon cutting ceremony for a new crawler factory … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 156: Golden Hair Against the Void →

Vincent woke up to Toaster nudging his forehead with a piece of bread. Over the past few weeks, the young appliance had gotten more adept at making toast all by himself, and now it was his solution to everything. Long day at work? Toast. Lonely night? Toast. Emergency mechanical repairs? Toast. At least it was … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 125: Another Day, Another Contract →

The interrogation room was so cold that Vincent found himself shivering under his light jacket. A single bulb flickered above the metal table he'd been cuffed to. He'd been left there alone for some time. His stomach rumbled, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to eat anything, even if he had the option. He … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 97: A Second Chance, Part 3 →

Vincent tugged at the sleave of the new purple suit jacket Michael had bought for him. It was perfectly fitted, but it still felt weird to be standing at an art show wearing it. He got a few weird looks--after all, he was definitely the only one here with a tattoo covering half his face--but … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 96: A Second Chance, Part 2 →

Vincent tugged the sleeves of his rented tailcoat toward his wrists. It was too small, and too black, and too much like the ones all the other waiters were wearing. But, it was pick up whatever temp shifts he could find after turning in his crawler contracts or die alone of starvation covered in his … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 89: A Second Chance, Part 1 →

The past week was a haze. Ever since Captain Podie had offered Vincent a position aboard his mother's old silver trading ship and taken it away before he could sign the contract, Vincent had felt distinctly more hopeless than usual. He'd forced himself to work his daily contracts, but now that he'd had an end … Continue reading Year 350 A.E., Rotation 54: Fancy Toast and Jazz Clubs →