Chapter Text
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The air was heavy with humidity. It sat hot and suffocating, filling the low lit office with an inescapable feeling of tension and anticipation.
The low buzz of the desk fan was a soft accompaniment to the rain tittering away against the windowpane. Each raindrops shadow a slow crawl of crystal like reflection painting the walls with a sombre feeling. There was only one word for nights like tonight
Dreary
But such was the life of a detective. Down on his luck as he was, there was still a fire burning in him that chased away the shadows that lingered in the darkest corners of the agency. a warmth that filled the office like a railing heat as he worked. Making it more of a home than just a den where justice lurked.
Night and day, client after client. It may be dreary, but it was exactly the kind of life he knew in his bones he was meant to live. Nothing else could make him feel alive like a good mystery.
Even as the world continued to limp on outside his door. He sat hunched over his desk, determined, and toiled over mounds of pages and documents. Pen gripped tightly as he agonised over the work. Some might call his desk a mess, but there was a method to his madness. A genius to the scrawl of clues-
“Are you narrating to yourself again?”
“AH!- NO!”
Vector jerked violently in his seat, banging his knee bang against the underside of the desk as the overhead light flicked on and he heard a small scoff from across the room. Instinctively, he kicked out, sending his chair rolling back into the wall, which shook all the floating shelves above his head.
And, one by one, the books and knick knacks he'd painstakingly collected over the years decided now would be a great time to remind him that no matter how many diy videos he watched he would never actually be the handyman he claimed to be by shaking wildly and sending a horde of precious bobbles and mystery novels raining down over his head.
With reflexes he’d need to remember to be impressed with later, Vector, still seated in his office chair, lunged his upper body left and right, grabbing what he could before they crashed and dented the office floor or covered it with glass.
Arms now full, he watched with bated breath as the small quake he had created settled down and slowly relaxed his shoulders. His preemptive chuckle of relief was cut short as a shadow lunged at him and yanked the office chair forward from under the shelves.
a very manly squawk slipped out from his throat before he found himself face to face with Espio, who had the arms of his desk chair in a death grip, his eyes focused somewhere above Vector's own head.
Jerking his eyes from Espio to movement from across the room Vector found peeking out from over the Chameleon's shoulder, Chamy. who stood, arms crossed and an unimpressed expression glued to his face. The kids' gaze also locked on the wall behind Vecter's desk.
Vector's own eyes drifted back to Espios and found the teenager's glare now firmly settled on him. Grinning sheepishly, he found himself trapped in the stare as a deafening crash rang out behind him, right where his head would have been. flinching with his eyes closed. He knew he'd Lost whatever battle of wills that had been.
“Ahh, I mean.” he cleared his throat and slid on his most convincing ‘I'm a mature adult’ face. Arms still full of teetering junk.
“No”
“uh huh” Vector had heard people describe Espio as intimidating before which, not true, but he could see what they might have meant in that moment with the intensity of his friend's glare focused solely on him.
“At least say it like you believe it,” Charmy added. The exasperation coming off of the six year old was honestly impressive. And easily ignored as Vector watched Espio ease back slowly. Allowing him enough room to twist around in his chair and take in the sad sight of his detective Shamrock hounds decorative plate scattered in small glass pieces across the floor.
So much for not breaking anything.
“Oh, man,” Vector heaved a sigh. Defeat, definitely not a whine, apparent in his voice "That was my favourite one”
Espio kicked at the smallest shards of glass. The ones that had travelled the farthest and now sat in a dangerous sea of sparkles around his feet, raised an eyebrow at the glass and then back up at him. Placing his hands on his hips as he did.
“That's what you're worried about in all this?”
Both let Charmy be as the bee zipped over their heads, eager to snoop now that the chaos had subsided and they were all back to bickering.
Rolling his eyes, Vector gingerly got up out of his chair, side stepped Espio when he refused to move, and carefully tiptoed around the glass while balancing the things in his arms, making his way to his cluttered desk.
“I'll have you know that was a collector's item!” he huffed out, scowling when he found nowhere clear to unload his burden. Absentmindedly whining, “it was expensive”
“Why were you even sitting in the dark?” Charmy butted in.
Bobbing through the air between Vector and Espio, he came to float by Espios' head with his hands innocently tucked behind his back. Rocking back and forth in a hilarious mockery of innocence. Both menaces simply watched him as he stood there, arms full and indecisive. Trapped by their judgmental gaze
“You should turn the lights on when you work,” the bee added smartly. “you'll wreck your eyes that way, ya know”
The desk shook as Vector gave up and simply dropped his hoard of knickknacks uncaringly atop his desk. Over top of his active work and all, He really needed more desk space in here, and turned to violently point at the youngest. Putting on an annoyed air as Charmy went cross-eyed to follow the wagging finger pointed to close to his face
“You of all people are not allowed to tell me off for that,” and quickly yanked his finger back just as the little hellion bit down on air and smiled. Charmy was getting predictable. He'd need a new trick soon.
A more responsible guardian would teach him to stop biting all together but, well, crocodile.
“Anyway,” he segwayed before Charmy could add another smart comment, “What are you two up to? I thought you'd still be asleep by now, it’s-”
Squinting back at the mess that was his desk, Vector quickly swatted a few bobbles away and wiggled the mouse on his computer until the screen lit up a bright blue 7am
“-ah“
“Its Monday”
“Yes, I see that now. Thank you Espio”
“You're welcome”
“Okay, and what's so special about seven am on a Monday?”
Right on cue, a chime rung out through the office and Charmy lit up in excitement as only a child could, zero to a hundred in two seconds flat
“The mail!”
Like a shot, the little bee was off and out the door, leaving a confused Vector and indifferent Espio standing in the wreckage of the morning.
“He’s been waiting all week for this delivery,” Espio explained in an aside. Already picking his way through the glass minefield to fuss with the mess on the desk.
Vector watched him warily out of the corner of his eye. Still turned towards where Charmy had vanished out the door.
“Really?” he asked, although sarcastically, with genuine confusion colouring his tone.
“Uh hmm,” occupied with the teetering pile of nick-knacks, Espio simply answered in a drawn out hum beforesaying. “He's been talking about it for days”
Which was somehow worse than if he'd just turned around and called Vector an unobservant idiot to his face. Teenagers were wild. Or maybe it was just an Espio thing
Saving Vector from that wonderful conversation was Charmy, who came sauntering back in. How he was able to saunter while flying vector would never know. That was something He should ask Jewel next time he sees her. Was it an insect thing or a Charmy thing? His kids were weird, and he was asking too many questions.
Deciding to be an adult and take back control of the situation, Vector pulled up his big Croc gloves and tried to change the topic of conversation.
“What’d you order, bud?”
“Do-dendos newest Myth of Chain!” vibrating with excitement, Charmy flew over and plopped his little brown package on the desk and began ripping into it like a starving wolf. Disregarding the stack of five other letters he’d brought in with him and leaving them to drift softly like fall leaves to the glass covered floor.
“I told you about this already,” he added distractedly. Focus solely honed in on his shiny new game.
“oh, yeah! I remember now!” scratching at the back of his neck awkwardly, Vector followed the path of the discarded mail with his eyes. Listening to the faint thought of ‘be relatable, you know video games’
“Chains the little guy with the sword, right?”
“Vector” Charmy turned to him and pulled out the driest deadpan Vector had ever seen from the kid. It was actually a little inspiring. “Chain is the prince, Bellas the protagonist. She's a firefly knight”
With a little huff that signled that he thought Vector an old geezer, Normie. a new phrase of his Vector was unsure of its origins, Charmy lifted his chin, tucked his now unwrapped game close to his chest, and dismissed them both. Floating back up the stairs and leaving Espio and Vector to stare after his retreating back in stunned silence.
“Well, representation and all that,'' Espio joked from the desk. Vector felt a unintentional snort escape him and gave into the chuckle.
“As long as he's having fun,” he agreed. Letting curiosity take hold, Vector crouched down and gathered the other mail, bill, bill, hydro, unmarked and kinda fancy?, brochure, bill, and asked Espio ``How long he have to save to buy that thing?”
Because Vector was sure Charmy must have told him about the game. As unusual as it was for Vector to forget anything either of the younger members deemed important enough to tell him about. He knew that even if Charmy hadn't told him. The only money Charmy had to save was his cut of job pay and whatever little Vector himself could set aside to give the kid chore allowance.
He was trying hard not to think about what his lack of knowledge on the purchase said about how busy he'd been lately as he stood up. Stack of mail gripped tightly in both hands.
Espio, a retro hoarding gremlin through and through, turned, arms now full of all Vector's hard earned nick knacks that would usually be too high up to steal but were now in perfect grabbing range, and shamelessly met Vector's gaze. Easily ignoring Vector's narrowed eyed look of annoyance. He wouldn't get any or that back without a fight. Damn it.
“I think he's been hoarding anything he could get his hands on for a few months now.” Espio said. Drawing Vectors' attention back to the conversation at hand. “at least two?. Those games aren't cheap”
“saving a good life skill to have- hey” Vector jerked as Espio started making his way past him and towards the stairs after their youngest. “Espio, for real, put that stuff back”
“Ahh yes,” the teenager continued. Face seemingly impassive except to Vector, who knew the little gremlin well enough to notice the smug undertone hidden in his flat inflection. He was definitely smiling as Vector chased him up the stairs. Sure steps keeping him ahead of Vectors longer clumsier ones
“If saving all his money for a video game was the hallmark of finally maturing, we could all rejoice”
Pausing at the top of the stairs, Espio turned back around to face Vector. Stopping the panting crocodile in his tracks a step below and giving him an unobstructed view of Espios' teasing grin. Subtle as it was, it grew softer as he stood an inch above Vector and let a rare fondness slip through.
“It’s actually quite impressive for him. Not a single scent spent on impulse purchases. You should be proud”
Caught off guard by the suddenly sincere turn their bantering had taken, Vector was left spluttering on the stairs as Espio grinned once more, still smug, and took off for his room.
Climbing the last of the steps in a daze, it wasn't until Espios door was shutting behind him that Vector remembered the teen's armful of HIS things that he had successfully made off with.
Accepting his fate with a sigh, Vector shook his head. He’d get his stuff back later. He definitely had a figurine of Espios still held captive in his room he could trade for at least the books back. And finished stepping into their little living room.
Though under-furnished, it was still homey. With his designated recliner with the slit for his tail sat cosily next to the worn blue loveseat. Both Scuffed and patched in a million little places. They were still well loved and tied the room together nicely with the striped rug and shelves lining the far wall, full of overflowing case files and more of Vectors' books.
In the centre of the room sat Charmy, his game already up and running on the game system he’d gotten for his birthday. playing beautifully on the flat screen they only owned because Vector had pulled it off the side of the road for free and traded favours with Tails to get it working again.
He was still nervous about using all the buttons on the remote. Just in case the boy genius hadn't been joking when he asked if Vector wanted it to shoot lasers. It was hard sometimes to tell when that kid was joking or not.
Walking leisurely past the bee, Vector tossed the discarded letters directly at Charmy's face and kept on walking. Making his way into the kitchen as he let a self-satisfied smirk slide over his face when he heard the offended squawk from behind him
“Vector!”
“Don't drop stuff on the floor in the office,” he called back absent-mindedly, “it leaves a mess”
“Oh! That's rich coming from you!”
Opening the broom cupboard, he ignored the grumpy grumbling from behind and shook his head at the messy state he found the poor cupboard in. What good was keeping all the cleaning supplies in one spot if it was so disorganised you couldn't find anything?. Resolving to leave it as a problem for future Vector, he shoved his arm in and wrestled the broom and dustpan out from between the mop, vacuum and three bottles of cleaning liquids.
“Huh, I was wondering where that detergent went,” he mumbled quietly to himself. With both targets successfully in hand, he slammed the cupboard door
“So what exactly- ”
“Shi- '' jumping back in fright, Vector swung the broom at Espio, who had appeared from nowhere again, and just sidestepped the startled reaction. Clutching his chest, Vector deflated, “Espio! What the heck, man!”
“Sorry”
“You're not,-” Vector grumbled at him.
“I'm not,” Espio agreed, and Vector just swatted playfully at him with the dustpan
“-but go on”
Taking the permission to continue with his thought as the forgiveness it was, Espio slid in his way. Pinning him in place with crossed arms and a glare as he turned from mildly amused to mildly confrontational.
“What exactly were you doing up all night?”
A low “Hoo boy” escaped the crocodile. As he rolled his eyes skyward. And pushed past Espio with a huff, hoping to escape to by now tired argument he’d seemingly been having with the teenager for the last several weeks.
Espio immediately moved to block him again. Going as far as to grab the broom still in his hands and use it to tug him back away from the door.
“You're always harping on me to get decent sleep-,” Espio immediately began, indignant and familiar words falling from his mouth.
“You like having a proper sleep schedule,” Vector reminded him with a frown and tugged half heartedly on the broom. “You’ve literally asked me to remind you to get to bed on time before”
“Irrelevant, I'm a creature of the night I sleep precisely when I want to. And we're talking about your hypocrisy right now, not mine”
“Okay Mr, I am the night, “Vector drawled sarcastically and tugged harder on the broom. Espios' shorter arms pulled away from him as he hung on and Vector leaned down to his eye level. “But you forget I'm a grown adult. I can stay up however long I want”
“The problem, sir, Detective,” Espio mocked him right back, pulling on the broom unexpectedly while backing up and throwing Vector off balance. “Is that for the last month you haven't been sleeping at all!”
“Have you been spying on me?” Vector accused
“Well, someone has to,” Espio shot back. “You don't seem capable of following your own advice! You’re pulling all nighters and something's bothering you, i thought we were a team”
Putting all his weight on the broom and leaning back, Espio tugged again harder, though Vector was ready for it this time, and stood his ground. Gritting through his teeth Espio carried on.
“And you can't keep using your age as an excuse for everything, you’re only four years older than i am!”
A spike of real irritation shot through Vector's chest. Watching Espio put his whole back into the next tug, Vectors gripped tightened hard enough to leave a small dent in the broom handle before he relaxed all at once, and simply let go.
Espio, eyes flying open in surprise, was unprepared to meet zero resistance. Yelping, he windmilled his arms before falling to the ground in a heap of broom and gangly teenager limbs. groaning on the floor as Vector leaned over him and growled.
“And those four years make all the difference, bud”
Grabbing the broom from on top of Espio and out of this now slack grip, Vector finally turned to make his way unimpeded back through the living room.
Tiring of their back and forth for real now, Espio, quick as lightning, lept from the floor and grabbed Vector's wrist. Pausing both of them in the middle of the doorway. Genuine concern slipped through the teens' typical Affleck
“Vector, I'm worried-”
Just as quickly, Vector ripped his arm away with a sharp “Don’t” before pausing to take a deep breath. He’d let it go too far. Let himself go too far. With his back still turned and refusing to look Espio in the eyes, Vector let the guilt sit tight in his chest for half a second before breathing out and calmly saying.
“I just couldn't sleep with the rain pounding against the windows, was all. So I figured i'd finish some work downstairs. Aint nothing to worry about.
“It's not raining.”
Both turned to find Charmy sitting right where they’d left him, eyes glued to the tv mashing controller buttons, completely absorbed in his game with the mail Vector had thrown at him still scattered on the couch and floor. Absorbed so completely right up until the moment he could correct someone.
“huh?”
Registering what it was he’d said, Espio and Vector were once again united as a team in their confusion. As one, both turned to look at the front facing street window. Finding it soaked and streaked with water droplets as more rain beat against the glass.
Turning their heads together, they looked at Charmy. Almost lazily, the bee pointed to the back window facing the alleyway and its totally dry state. It was even a little dusty.
“Yeah, it's sunny out, not a cloud in the sky,” Charmy drawled. Eyes never leaving the tv screen.
Thoroughly intrigued and looking for any excuse to derail the last conversation, Vector sped towards the front window and paused with his chin in his hand. Espio, creeping up beside him, peered out the wet window. His own head tilted in curiosity. Together they made eye contact and then pushed the window open to shoved their heads out.
Now drenched. Vector hovered over Espio and, with a hand on his shoulder, squinted up at the water raining from the sky trying to see its source. Until suddenly, the water moved away from them on its own. Allowing both detectives to see the kindly smile of their neighbour from across the street as she watered her balcony flowers with a long green garden hose that came through her balcony door and led, presumably back to her kitchen.
“Oh sorry, dearies!” she called down with a wave. “I didn't see you there!”
Waving back mechanically in a befuddled daze, they watched her squint at them and register the wet state of their window and heads.
“Oh my! Sorry about the window dears. I hope I didn't bother you so early in the morning. At least your windows are clean now, hohohoh”
Looking down, Vector met Espios eyes again and quickly both silently agreed to slip back inside without a word. Once they’d righted themselves and the window was closed, the water was right back to spraying against the glass
“Right,” Vector said out loud to no one in particular.
Charmy snickered at both of them. Pausing his game so he could set the controller down and hang over the armrest with his head resting on his folded arms.
“The water only hitting one side of the building didn't clue you in?”
“You’re insufferable,” Espio sighed
“Hey!”
“Okay,” Vector cut in before a real fight could develop. “I'm going to clean the office”
“no!, we're not done yet!” Espio's angry rebuff was drowned out by Charmys obnoxious yell of “see ya later, alligator!”
“Not an alligator,” Vector corrected, trying to keep an involuntary smile from slipping onto his face. In a much better mood now that his escape was almost in hand.
“Eh, close enough” dramatically Charmy spun back around and dropped back into his seat properly. Grabbing his controller, but not before sticking his tongue out at Espio. Getting an eye roll in return.
Giving no thought to what the two were silently needling each other with this time, Vector thought, why not, and stalked back to draw Charmy in close with one arm and roughly Noogied the kids head. Going until the bees' whines of protest turned into giggles as he threatened
“I'm going to eat you”
“That's not very un-alligator like” Charmy shouted, still laughing “you’re not convincing me”
Freeing the bee from his brotherly teasing Vector patted his head and stuck his tongue out
“Brat”
Espio gestured as if to say, ‘See, you agree’
Vector huffed fondly. Ruffling both of their heads this time and ignoring the new rise in protests.
“I was never disagreeing with you Espion
“Oh,” Espio scoffed. Pulling away with his hands shielding the top of his head and a scowl on his face “ so we're all just calling each other the wrong thing now? Stop trying to distract me”
“Ha! Just leave him alone Espion~,” Charmy sang. Unable to leave well enough alone and jumping right back into needling the older teen “Vectors just a cranky old hypocrite. Isn't that what you called him, Pokemon man?”
“That's it!”
Taking the out Charmy's natural charm had given him, Vector rushed for the stairs. Content to let the distant symphony of Espio body slamming Charmy fade away into the background and make his escape.
But all was for not, as halfway down the stairs he was frozen in his tracks by a shout of actual distress from Charmy.
Espio wouldn't hurt Charmy, not for real. But logic often evades the heart in moments like these and Vector was already throwing himself back off the top step and slamming into the back of the love seat before he registered that both boys were unharmed and couched on the floor.
One of the letters from the mail Vector had left scattered on the floor around Charmy torn in two and guiltily clutched in two pairs of equally guilty hands as both boys turned worried eyes up to him in sync.
Heart still in his throat, Vector held their gaze for a beat too long before deflating in relief . Breaking a tension he hadn't noticed was there until Espio and Charmy were letting out huge back breaking sighs right alongside him.
Flopping his front over the back of the couch so he leaned over on his belly, Vector stuck out his hand expectantly across the remaining distance until both halves of the tattered letter were deposited in his grasp. With a faint smile, he cocked an eyebrow ridge and tried to lighten the mood.
“Maybe pick up the mail before you guys start brawling next time?”
Sheepishly Charmy floated up off the floor and patted Espios' head. Ignoring the teen's disgruntled look of embarrassment as Espio ducked under him and shuffled on his knees. Glaring at the other until he plopped back down and began helping him gather the rest of the mail.
Letting out a fond snort of amusement, Vector rolled his eyes before a word on one of the halves of the torn letter in his hands grabbed his full attention. Whipping his head down he found himself paralysed.
Catching the almost negligible sound of air through teeth as he gasped softly, Espio absentmindedly lifted his head only to stop and freeze himself at the sight of whatever emotion was peaking through on Vector's face.
Hesitantly, Espio called out to him.
“Vector?”
It took three repetitions of his name and Espio physically standing up before Vector noticed he was trying to grab his attention and stood up himself. Pushing off the back of the loveseat in one swift movement and subtly tucking the torn letter close to his chest.
“Sorry, what?”
Espio tilted his head in confusion with reignited concern. Opening his mouth to no doubt start another interrogation, but miraculously Vector found himself saved by yet another shout from Charmy. This one excited
“Oh, my Gosh! You guys come look at this!!”
Not even giving them a chance to move, the little bee zipped right back to them and continued past Espio straight over to Vector's side, towing the chameleon along by his wrist and ignoring his shout of protest as they rounded the couch.
Huddling close next to Vector, Charmy held out his hands to present another one of the other letters. Tilting it to give them a better look revealed an expensive off white parchment with a wax seal broken on top and beautifully written script in a type of calligraphy that Vector took a second to recognize as human English.
“Okay, what is it?”
“Heck if I know,” Charmy chirped, ignoring Espios' exasperated groan as he shoved the letter into Vectors' already full hands and used his now free ones to point at the signature at the bottom.
“Human english is already hard enough to read on its own. I'm not even going to try when it's all fancy like this, but!, I definitely know that name! Look!”
As one, the Chatoix hunched over the letter and read the bottom line
‘Sincerely, Mr, Coal-Mane’
“Holy Sh-”
“No way”
Espio interrupted Vector just as he began to read it from the top. Snatching the letter from his hands and pacing away. Face shoved into the paper as if being closer to the words would magically make them legible to him. Vector quickly tossed the two halves of the ripped letter in his fanny pack as he followed after the teen. Making grabby hands at the mysteries note all while whining.
“Stop taking the thing from the only one of us who can read cursive! Espio! Come back!”
Stopping, not because Vector told him to, Espio stared at the letter in shock. Remaining unchanging even when Vector caught up and finally snatched it from his hands.
“Is this a job? Are we being hired by thee Cyrus Cole-mane?” Espio asked in a daze.
“I thought his name was David?” Charmy mused thoughtfully as he floated on by.
“Who cares what his name is!” Espio waved back at the letter and snatched it right back from Vector, who let out a shout of outrage at the letter being yet again stolen before he could read it. "This is Coal-mane alright. Look at the seal!”
Charmy joined Espio once again, hunched over the letter and, sure enough. When both halves of the wax seal were carefully put back together, it revealed the famous coat of arms that signified all products manufactured by the Coal-man cooperation. An unevolved lion standing proudly mid roar over a shield depiction of the flag of one of the older mobian settlements.
Charmy and Espio shared an excited look that Vector interrupted as he pushed them apart and plucked the letter one last time from thieving hands. Giving both the stink eye he stalked away, leaving both to trot after him, almost viverating in excitement.
As he paced Vectors eyes roved over the letter and, in a unbelieving voice, read out what was written
“Dear great Detectives”
“I write to you seeking justice for a crime most foul. At one, forty-three Saturday night, a gem most precious was stolen from the exhibit on mobian history at the Central City Museum of history and fine arts.
I require the services of thee best detectives Central City has to offer. And to that end, I formally invite you to join the hunt. Show this invitation at the door and join the ranks of Central City's finest in finding the perpetrator and safely returning my family's prized gem. The winner will be compensated a reward of one milli-…”
Vector wrinkled the letter as his grip tightened but quickly smoothed it back out and continued reading in a shaky voice
“One Million dollars to whom ever successfully returns my gem to me un-damage”
“Vector” Espio wheezed as if physically affected by the amount once spoken into existence
“We have to go,” Vector whispered
“What?”
“This is dated for today!” Vector shouted, his voice steadily rising as a wave of adrenically shot through all three of them “We have to go! Right now”
"What? Is this a job? Like real actual detective work?" Charmy asked, his voice lost in the excited buzzing of his wings as he flew circles around the pair on the ground.
"Yeah! Yeah! holy- this- we gotta go!!" Vector abandoned any thoughts or plans unrelated to the letter currently in his hand and started flapping his arms violently at the boys
"Right this second?" Espio asked, still slightly dazed as Vector herded them towards the stairs and down to the office
"Yes! Now! grab your stuff!"
Like a whistle had been blown they were off. All three scattering through the office down stairs grabbing this and that, whatever would fit in their bags and pockets. The mess on the floor by the desk becomes less of a mess by the desk and more a mess of a room as the natural phenomenon known as the Chaotix detective team created a tornado of excitement before as one. All together,
Rushing out the door.
.
.
.
.
.
The resounding slam of the office door settled over the office like the final beat of a mighty drum. Softly. The dust settled. On the window facing the street ‘rain’ drops sat still and unmoving. Their source gone and glass pane slowly drying in the sun. their shadows less shadows and more crystal like reflections that hit the far wall and bounced back onto the ceiling from the glass still scattered on the floor. Covering the whole room in a twinkling collidescope of light.
A beautifully mundane mess. Still and quiet.
Like the shattering of glass, that quiet violently broke as Vector threw the door back open and thumped back inside. Letting it bang off the wall and swing almost back closed behind him as he rushed to his desk and begane pulling open drawers at a hurried speed.
“Stay right there!I'll be back in a sec!”
Grabbing a tape dispenser, Vector pulled the torn letter from his fanny pack and almost angrily lined the pages back together and pulled the first piece of tape
“Quick”
The second piece of tape
“As”
A third piece of tape
“A”
The final piece of tape
“Bunny”
A burning ball of iron clad satisfaction and determination ignited in his chest as he picked up the once again whole letter and smirked at it like, well less like anything poetic and more like a bearing of the teeth before a battle. That determination in his chest solidified as he straightened his back and like liquid metal through his veins the thrill of the chase begane to boil in his blood.
“I wouldn't miss this case for the world”
Just as quickly as loudly as he’d returned. The crocodile was back out the door. Letting the wood slam behind him in true finality.
Leaving the office once again, A beautifully mundane mess.
Still and quiet.
-
To simply say the talented team of three that made up the Chaotix were ‘well travelled’ would be a gross understatement. Vector was aware of this. He just felt it would be unbecoming of a humble crocodile such as himself to brag when, as they stepped onto the city bus, the driver struck up a conversation with him, asking where they were heading.
Ignoring the Charmy-like voice in his head that scoffed and called him a liar, he exchanged quick pleasantries with the driver as they boarded and made sure both boys had their seats before standing and gripping the pole above Epio and Charmy’s bent heads. Both, adorably, absorbed in the tamagotchi he’d dug out of his old stuff and tossed at Epsio off handedly once months ago. Espio had become emotionally invested in the thing to a frankly worrying degree and was prone to whipping it out whenever idle. And, as was his nature, anything Espio was interested in Charmy became violently interested in not long after.
It was nice to see them quiet and getting along. Vector knew it was normal for kids with such a big age gap to rub up against each other wrong sometimes, or at least the parenting books he refused to admit he’d borrowed from vanilla said so, but it was still good to see proof that they could hang out quietly together every once in a blue moon. And better for his blood pressure.
“Why, you’re the tallest Mobian I've ever seen”
It wasn't until the soft smile was sliding off his face that he'd even noticed it was there to begin with. Turning to the human two seats from the boys, he met the smiling eyes of what could only be described as a stereotypical old lady. White hair in curler perfect ringlets wearing a little purple cardigan with a gaudy gem brooch. White knuckles the handle of her walker.
“Uh yeah,” he hesitated. Eyes leisurely scanning around the bus to see if this nosy old bitty had a minder with her “I get that a lot”
Sadly with no other humans around that seemed willing to make eye contact or even acknowledge to little conversation vector sighed and turned his head back as she asked the usual question that followed after an ice breaker like that.
“How tall are you?” she asked, her wrinkled little face scrunched in a smile that he honestly couldn't read as sincere or not.
“Five eleven”
“Well my,” she gasped, good naturedly? Or was she being dramatic “ that's as tall as a full sized man”
“Well, I am a full sized man,” Vector pointed out, a little deadpanned., already bored and ready to check out of the conversation. Feeling the expected moment of awkwardness in the silence that followed he turned back to the window. willing their stop to hurry up and come so he could get this case going already
“Oh! uh, of course, i just meant-”
“Central Museum and Monhegan, Next Stop Monhegan and Park Hill”
Like he’d been hit with a sugar high, life returned to his eyes and Vector grinned. causing those around them to startle as the man sized crocodile in their midst suddenly went from staring listlessly out the window to fully animated wiggling with excitement. a quick bark of
“Boys, this is us”
He began herding the other two off, out the door, mindful of his wagging tail behind him.
Vector made sure to pull up the rear of their little troop, hopping off after Charmys “Thank you!” as the bee bounced through the air followed by Espios' quieter “Thanks”.
Safely on the sidewalk with room to move at last, Vector stretched his arms high. tensing from head to tail as he hummed happily and released the stretch with a satisfied sigh. Only to find himself face to unimpressed face with his youngest charge. Arms crossed and pout ready to deploy for maximum damage
“Vector!, you didn't thank the bus driver!”
Vector blinked in surprise for a moment before bursting into sheepish laughter and rubbing the back of his head.
“Sorry Charmy, I’ll remember next time. But-”
With practised movements Vector herded up the other too and started shepherding the way down the street to the museum's front doors.
“We’re on a bit of a crunch here boys”
“Well,” Espio piped up distractedly. Face still glued to his tamagotchi as he followed along “Of all the things you've taught him that have stuck, at least it's please and thank you”
“Hey! If I had to drive weirdos around all day I’d at least like a thank you for doing it”
If there was one thing guaranteed to break Espios laser focus on anything, in this case his little game, then Vector knew he could always count on the teens ingrained need to never let the younger detective, ever, get the last word.
“I already drive weirdos around all day and you never thank me” Espio shot back.
Even in petty, seemingly nonsensical, arguments.
“Well first of all, you can't drive” Charmy tucked his arms behind his head with a faux air of nonchalance. Lazily floating just ahead of Vector's outstretched arm.
purposefully keeping his gaze locked straight forward Espio slipped his tamagotchi away and begane quickening his walk to catch up with the other.
“Yes, I can”
“Not legally”
And Vector let his arms drop with a fond sigh as both started to outpace him. Their bickering a practised act between the two, they basically made a hobby out of it by this point. They had it down to a T. If T stood for art form then Vector felt he should be making money off their little sideshow by now.
“When have you ever cared about legality?” Espio scoffed “Also, not having a licence doesn't mean I'm incapable of driving. I can still perform the act itself”
“Second of all '' Charmy continued right over the teens protests “you don't drive us anywhere. We don't own a car? So even if you can, your argument is mute”
“Moot, Charm,” Vector called from the back “his argument is moot, not mute”
“Also, we’re not weirdos”
Espio raised an eye ridge sceptical at the bee while Vector coughed his laugh into his fist to stifle it. Charmy met Espios look for all of thirty seconds before breaking out into laughter. Pulling the other two into it with him until they were all chuckling.
“Okay, alright. Weirdos subjunctive anyway”
“Wow, subjective.” Espio pocked the bee with enough force to have him bobbing to the left with a slight smile on his face “Big word there Charmy”
“Whatever! Don’t poke me, Look!” all three stopped and followed Charmys outstretched arm to see a small group gathered at the foot of a grand stone staircase.
"it’s the museum! I think..”
And in that moment Vector's breath caught in his throat and he felt the world stand still. Towering, made of warm brown brick and fifteen foot tall windows stood the Central City Museum of history and fine arts. And he knew this was it. Their big break. In this building would take place one of the most important cases of their careers. the case that could make or break them.
“So, that's it?” Cahrmy asked.
“Sure is boys” Vector felt sweat beading on his brow as all three turned to take in the massive building. Squinting through the sun as it flashed off the windows of cars passing on the street Vector let out a long whistle of appreciation. Followed by humms of agreement from the boys.
“They’ve renovated since I was last here” Espio quietly observed. His eyes roving over the outside of the grand building. Charmy buzzed closer to the teens head, trying to follow his eyes like he could see the changes Espio did if he paid close enough attention.
“Oh! I remember! You went last summer-”
The boy's voices faded into white noise as Vector brushed his hand against his fanny pack and swallowed his nerves. Make or break. One hundred thousand dollars. That much money was unimaginable to Vector. But he already knew what he’d do with it.
Daydreams of mograges and paid debts danced in front of his eyes. A house, a real one! With a separate office somewhere downtown, central, central city! Right along the business strip!. With enough room for both boys to have huge bedrooms and a computer room for Espio. Somewhere private all his own where he could do his freelance jobs. And Charmy could have his little set up in the den. With a huge tv that didn't, maybe, have surprise laysers in it courtesy of a super genius twelve year old.
“Vector!”
“Huh?”
With a jolt Vector was pulled from his thoughts and focused back on the real world in time to see Espio grab his wrist as Charmy started flitting around their heads in a panic
“They’re all going in! We’re late!”
“What!?”
And true to their word the small group at the bottom of the stairs were all turned towards the museum's large double doors at the top of the stairs where three officers in uniform were exiting the building and calling down to them.
“Run!”
They took off in a stampede of footsteps, shouting panicked cries to “Wait! Wait! Wait!”
That team chaotix comes to a stumbling stop at the foot of eight of the city's most prestigious detectives and three cops. Espio slammed into Vector's back followed closely by Charmy.
“Hold it!” one of the officers hollers as Vector scurries forward to un-squash the mobian sandwich his crew has become. Craning his head back to see two of the cops stomping down the stairs pushing their way through the startled, whispering group of idle detectives
“Sorry!” he scrambles to explain. Pulling himself away from Espio and Charmy as they push away from him and stand to either side. “sorry! We just didn't want to be late, we're not late!”
Gesturing sheepishly, Vector can feel himself start to sweat. Watching the officers expression shift into a sneer of annoyance as he and his buddy come clomping to a stop in front of their group
“You can't be late” he leans into the sneer on the last word “to anything pal. All expected consultants are present and accounted for”
“Whao, no. We have an invitation!”
“a Letter?” Vector corrects himself in a panicked aside as he digs his hand through his fanny pack “what i mean is!”
Finding it, Vector reveals it to the crowd with a flourish, placing his hand on his hip
“We were asked to be here”
Sceptically the cop up in Vectors face eyes the letter. Letting his gaze linger on it before lazily switching back to Vector himself and humming. Making the crocodiles self confident smirk twitch nervously
Snatching the letter quick as wind, the cop finally breaks from staring him down and begins inspecting the letter in hand very thoroughly… to thoroughly, Vector thinks. Watching the man make a production of turning the envelope and inspecting the wax seal.
Vector can feel his nerves slowly melting into pure irritation as the man makes eye contact once more before popping the envelope open and taking the letter out
“What is he doing?” Charmy whisper quietly behind his back
“Being a jerk” is Espios grumbled response. Shifting and murmuring from on the stairs caught Vector's attention and when he looked he could tell the other detectives weren't any more impressed with the situation as he was.
“Look, John '' the cops buddy cut in. breaking the tension and the other cops hemming and hawing by shoving past him and angrily crowding the Chaotix back again. Attempting to herd them away from the stairs and down the sidewalk
“It doesn't matter what their little piece of paper says. Mr Coal-mane was explicit in the fact that only eight consultants were summoned”
Ignoring their protests the man made shooing gestures while stalking up to them. raising his voice over the ruckus the whole scene was causing and their own outraged cries
“Now you lot better get. Im not going to tolerate any press trying to sneak in again-”
“Hold it!” Vector shouted as he broke away from the guys shoving and took to steps back towards the stairs “That letters legit!”
“And were not press” Espio chimed in a low voice from his new position behind Vector. The cop did a double take standing in a dumbfounded stupor as he found one of them not where he was a second ago. The man gaped until Charmy bopped up close to his face and stuck his tongue out while pulling down an eyelid. Buzzing away over the man's head before he could get over his anger and catch him.
And catch him he tried. With his arms swinging at open air the cop missed and Vector felt a familiar mix of satisfaction and dread as the guy's face shifted through four different shades of red and settled on a shade Vector has once heard Sonic refer to as “over boiled egg red’ a classic colour for a bad situation. Not one you'd find in a crayola box
“You’re trespassing now” vector turned to see the cop that still held their letter, and Vector was kicking himself for surrendering what was basically their proof of employment for this job, advancing on them as well. The murmur on the stairs picked up and Vector could feel Espio and Charmy tensing up at his back.
“Look” he tried to reason “just read the letter. Or better yet, call Mr Coal-Mane himself. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding”
The officer scoffed. “Frank, take the consultants inside while we deal with this”
“You’re being unreasonable!” Charmy shouted. The buzz of his wings intensifying
“Hey” a voice from the group on the stairs called “maybe just hear them out, yeah?” but was drowned out by the rise in the voices around them. Vector appreciated at least someone saying literally anything but even he could barely hear them over his own heart beat and the overwhelming sound of the situation getting out of hand.
“WAIT!”
Like a record scratch everything stopped.
In an instant every eye was drawn to the commotion at the top of the staircase. where a small maroon, red blur struggled its way out the huge wooden doors. and with a great heave pushed them open only to over exert themselve and come tumbling in a great heap down the stairs.
Parting like water around a boat the detectives on the stairs threw themselves to either side, gripping the railings, and the red blur shot past them. Bouncing painfully and screaming the whole way down.
Equally perplexed and inraptured by the bizarre sigh Team Chaotix and the officers, together, all followed the blurs rapid, painful descent down the staircase. Unable to tear their eyes away Vector, Charmy and Espio all bounded their heads along, up and down, until finally the blur hit the last step and sprawled out into the lanky shape of a strangely familiar Mobian
“Barry!?”
“Who?” Charmy asked, popping up to get a better look.
“Gah!” Barry, Because it had to be. There was no way Vector could mistake anyone else for the small red quokka he’d met less than four months ago, shot up from the ground with a squawk.
Dizzily they stumbled to the left and Vector felt himself and Espio twitch with the intent to catch them before they spun the other way and stumbled right. All the while their hand was raised in the air as if waiting for a teacher to call on them.
“Wa- wait!'' Finally they came to a stop and hunched over, one hand on their knee to support themself as the hand still in the air wilted slightly from a palm to a single finger.
“Sorry, just. Wait ” they painted “ give me a moment”
“Barry?” Vector called their name again, voice coated with concern. And watched the little quokka catch their breath. “you good there pal?”
“Peachy” they wheezed
“Hey, you’re part of the staff, aren't you?” officer red boiled egg face asked. Said face twisted into a deep wince of sympathy as He watched Barry's battered form heave for breath.
Like a deflating balloon they coughed out a squeaky “Ye-yeah” and Vector could feel the collective group wince.
“yeah , yeah im part of the staff '' Barry slowly straightened up. Whipping the sweat from their forehead as they took a step forward and put themself between the officers and the Chaotix
“And these people were invited!”
The cops exchanged glances. And Vector could tell they were hesitant to contradict Barry for some reason. Staff or not Barry wasn't a mobian Vector could imagine one describing as intimidating but both officers were staring to back off with huffs of frustration and looks of resigned annoyance.
“Aye, all right. If you’re sure” and just like that the tension popped. Vector ignored the quiet simultaneous sighs of relief from behind him to focus on the one let slip by their very own savour in front.
Scanning an eye over his friend Vector was glad to see that aside from the tumble down the stairs they were looking good. What he assumed was a museum staff uniform fit snug over a white pressed button up. And their fur was looking healthy and clean.
Which was a bit of a relief for Vector. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t worried about them a bit after the gang's murder train party adventure. If any mobian knew how hard it was finding work in the city it was Vector.
But it didn't escape the crocodiles notice that as the tension released Barry relaxed like they hadn't been sure if their word alone would work.
They had been prepared to stall until someone else could come and, what, fix it? Prove their employment? That they were supposed to be there?
Looks like this mystery was already starting
“Barry” he greeted again. Walking over to stand next to the Quokka and rest a supportive hand on their shoulder. “It’s good to see ya pal! Thanks for sorting that out for us”
“Oh! No problem!” they perked right up and waved happily at Espio and Charmy as they joined them in their little huddle. “Sorry about all that. I thought we’d be out here to welcome you guys in but, ahh something…”
As they trailed off Vector cocked an eye ridge and followed their gaze back up the stairs where a shadow slithered its way out of the dark of the still opened doors and into the light.
It didn't take a detective to notice the change in the present officers and Barry's body language as a lioness of impressive height stalked into the sun.
With each clack of her black polished high heels on stone Vector grew a little more certain that this job request was more than it seemed.
At the point just above the group of detectives still gathered on the stairs she came to a graceful stop. Her tail swished behind her as piercing blue eyes looked down on them from her perch above.
“Good evening, Detectives' ' slowly she scanned the crowd of them. As her eyes passed by the two cops Vector watched as each ducked. Seemingly either unwilling or unable to meet the woman's icy gaze. But she brushed over them quickly. Both so beneath her notice she didn't even wish to waste the time it would take to berate their incompetence.
a murmur awoke again, drifting quietly throughout the group still on the stairs but even then the pitch never dared to rise above a whisper.
“That's Olivia, '' Barry whispered through the side of their mouth. Espio shushed Charmy before he could blurt out a question and seemingly at the perfect time as immediately after the lioness, Olivias, voice cracked over the crowd
“Mr Coal-mane is aware of the… extra bodies” she said in the direction of the officers.
And, extra bodies? Who calls someone that? Vector felt his face scrunch up at the description and then twitched when he found Olivia's stare on him
“Were late” she laid the statement at his feet but her eyes shifted back to the cowed officers as they avoided her eyes.
“Sorry, Miss Olivia Mam-”
“Thank you so much for coming” Barry begins again, even quieter than before. Talking under the cops as they fumbled through their apologies.
“Yeah of course Barry” Vector assured. “But what is going on?”
Because If he’d known Barry was involved somehow then of course he’d have come. Twam Chaotix never leaves a friend hanging. but they didn't know and Vectors found himself as confused as before about what was happening.
“Not here” they beg in a whisper. The urgency rising in their voice and something heavy drops in the vector's gut.
“I promise it'll make sense later, but first you need to meet David”
“I thought our client was Mr Coal mane?” Espio butt in.
“It is,” they agreed hesitantly and then added “technically”
And something like panic exploded through Vectors veins as he leaned down to Barrys level and hissed
“Barry! no ones going to pay us a million dollars over a technicality!”
“You have been hired!” they assured their voice raising in volume now as the conversation grew heated
“By who!?” and a growl slid out his throat unexpectedly startling the three others in their little impromptu huddle.
“Gentlemen" Olivia's voice erupts through the conversation and leaves only ringing silence. cold eyes passing over the Chaotix before landing on their anxious friend.
"Barry"
Barry stiffens almost invisiblely but holds their ground in the face of the lionesses now cutting glare.
"Apologies" she drags the word out her voice projected to everyone "for the delay"
With a flick of her wrist she gestures them forward and it occurs to Vector in that moment as he pushes down the panic and straightens his spine, leading the group up the stairs and through the middle of a group of their rivals, that she is gloveless,
And she has claws
With his boys at his back and their newly reunited friend by their side, together, Vector leads the Chaotix at the front of the pack. At the threshold he stops. And catches Olivia's apathetic stare and refuses to look away first.
“Mr Cole-mane will see you all now”
With a swish of her tail she turns and heads deeper into the museum. And Vector watches her go. Aware of Barry looking up at him from around his elbow as Espio and Charmy stare hard after the lionesses retreating back with him. the other detectives flow around their frozen group with harsh side eyes and quiet whispers
“Vector?” Barry asked nervously. Looking between the group slowly leaving them behind and the Chaotix stood still in the entryway.
‘She looked away first’ Vector thinks to himself
‘But it still feels like I lost somehow..’
“So, Mr Coal-Mane doesn't want us here?” and it's less of a question and more of a statement. as he says it he can feel Barry's sheepish wince as they answer
“Yeah..”
“And this David? Our actually client?” at Barry's nod Vector continues with some humour in his voice.
“He’s not willing to give us any details until we're inside?”
“Yeah”
“Does he even want us to find anything?” Espio grumbles under his breath and still Barry mumbles out.
“Well. he's mostly hoping you don’t?” and that's just great isn't it.
“And were competing against eight other detectives for this money too?” Charmy points out oh so helpfully. And Barry has almost lost their head between their shoulders in a sheepish hunch.
“Barry” Vector turns to them “that's every person in this building against us. Hoping we fail”
“I know” they snap out of their hunched posture and throw their fists down to their sides, finally standing tall and looking Vector straight in the eyes. Determination plain on their face
“I know! Okay? But please, hear us out! we’ll explain everything inside! Just not here”
“hehehe”
Barry twitches in surprise at his laughter and Vector can only imagine the viscous smirk that's broken through onto his face by how wide their eyes get as they stare at him.
“This is already getting interesting”
Hums of agreement sound from Espio and Charmy. Equally as enthused as he is. The air feels electric. This case is way more than it seems already and they're not even through the door.
Closing his eyes Vector lets out a huff of amusement and claps Barry on the shoulder
“Come on now! Or well get left behind”
through the towering double doors into the Central city museum of history and fine art is a mystery. One no one wants them to solve.
But those are exactly the kinds of cases the Chaotix detective agency excels at solving. Their speciality.
And the doors close behind them.
-