judicialassistant | inbox 🌸 [ic]

[Noise confirmed! Gina frowns thoughtfully while glancing around, trying to figure out where it came from.]

Dunno. It don't sound like it was from the Harvest. [That would be less unusual if it was just something from downstairs.]

It's... somewhere up 'ere. [She hears the knocking again, and now it's starting to feel creepier now that the possibilities are narrowing down. The boys aren't here, it's not from the restaurant...]

...Wot, wot could it be...?

[ It just sounds like some generic knocking and thumping, and it's hard to pinpoint where it's coming from. Susato does set the book aside, however, standing up as she looks up to the ceiling...

...

......No, not there. She narrows her eyes, moving along a wall, and eventually she can hear a voice.

She can't understand what it's saying. Is she even hearing it at all? She freezes, closing her eyes in hopes that it might help. ]

[Gina gets up to her feet uncertainly. Part of her's grateful that Toby's nap doesn't seem to be disturbed by this noise, but part of her also wishes he could be up and helping her feel safer!

In any case, she follows Susato and listens carefully. ...Even as she feels a chill!]

Oi, it's... it's alive! [He whispers nervously.] Or - is it dead?

[She wonders with a gasp! Could this be a ghost?!]

[ Toby doesn't remain undisturbed for long, sadly. When Gina stands and starts to follow Susato, his little head perks up as if he's noticed her absence, and he blinks. Where you going, mum???

When the noise continues, his little ears twitch, and he barks. Susato, who'd been just about to answer Gina, seems startled. ]

Oh! Toby... You scared me.

[ ...... ]

...Maybe he can help us find where it's coming from.

[Indeed, because wherever they go, he should go too! Such is the Toby way.

Gina is also startled by his bark! She flinches slightly, but then she quickly adjusts her hat while trying to pretend that didn't happen.]

D-don't go an' startle Sooze now, boy. [Yes, Susato and only Susato was startled by that.]

Good thinkin'. Sounds like a job for the Chief Inspector alright. [Can dogs smell ghosts? That is the question. She kneels down beside the pup.] Oi, Toby. Ya smellin' anytin' out of the regular? ...There... there anyone 'ere wot ain't us...?

[ Toby is still alert. Susato, too, looks on with interest, and speaks encouragingly: ]

Go on, Toby! If you sniff them out, there's a treat in it for you.

[ Who are they kidding? Toby is totally spoiled by now, but he still seems pretty motivated. He stops panting and puts his nose to the ground eagerly, and his tail even stops wagging as he concentrates. It's SERIOUS TOBY time as he trails along the wall at first, then seems unsatisfied and starts to move into another room. ]

[ His tail starts wagging again as they continue to follow, getting closer to the source.

Then he stops to paw at a panel in the floor! Bark, bark! ]

[Will he do it for a Toby snack??

Gina follows in his footsteps while watching him curiously, eager to see what his sniffer settles on.

And it settles on... the floor! Gina stares down at the panel in question, uncertainly.]

Down there...? [She frets and kneels down.] Wot could in there? It's... too 'igh for nuffin' to be buried there, right...?

[She's still hesitant to lift the panel. What if it's an (un)dead body??

The knocking resumes, louder than ever.]

[ Susato similarly follows Toby. As they huddle around this panel on the floor, the voice becomes clearer. Still muffled, but also in distress, and the knocking sounds desperate.

Whatever is under there isn't dead. ]

I'm going to pry it loose.

[ So Susato reaches for the edge of the panel. Toby's tail wags excitedly as he moves back an inch to give her space...

And a moment later, yanks the panel upward like ripping off a band-aid, and out pops a familiar-looking gnome creature! "Thank Gods! It was gettin' hard t'breathe in there!" ]

...!!

[But ghosts can talk too!!

Gina watches uneasily as Susato goes to lift the panel, admiring her bravery - and ready to protect her if need be!

Just as the gnome jumps out, Gina is startled.]

Ah!!

[She's immediately reloading her gas gun, ready to blast the creature, but she manages to pause as she processes the situation.]

Wait! You... Wot're you doin' down there? I- I thought the lot o' ya cleared out!

[ WOW GINA SO VIOLENT--

yeah okay Susato is not surprised in the slightest but she is staring as Gina loads the gas gun, then turns her head towards the gnome. For a moment she's rendered speechless, but at the very least Gina did not blast him to smithereens.

"Well, I got stuck, obviously! Di'nt wanna scare nobody but m'glad you two finally noticed. Guess I gotta thank the furry one too, eh?"

Another bark from Toby. Apparently he likes this friend! He gives good pets. ]

...W, Well, consider it a thank you for the work you've done with electricity! Um... [ Awkward. Do they adopt him now? But no, it seems like the gnome will want to catch up with the others. Lots of buildings to get through! ]

[So what if Gina chooses violence in a number of situations! In any case, she lowers the gun while the gnome speaks.]

Yeah, uh, sorry about that. But it's fine. Ya didn't scare us or nuffin'. [No one was scared, end of story!!]

If you're 'ungry or thirsty, go right on down to that restaurant downstairs an' tell 'em we sent ya. [She says as she waves him off.]

[ The gnome tips his little hat before leaving. It is unclear whether he takes them up on that offer; it doesn't seem like he will, but Susato lets out a sigh, showing relief that the noises were caused by something so benign.

Toby looks a little disappointed, like he just lost his favorite chew toy before he even got to play with it. ]

...He will be back if we have a problem with the electricity. I'm certain of it.

[ She could go back to reading now, but now her attention's shot, and her mood for the story is rather ruined. ]

[Gina tries to give Toby some gentle little pats to help raise his mood. At least he's earned some treats for his help!

And she answers Susato with a simple nod.]

They're a real 'ard-workin' folk, for sure. [She gives a sigh.] An' that's that, I s'pose. But now I got me energy all up... I can't just go back to sittin' around now.

[ There's a pause. When she puts it that way, she can't really do that either. Doesn't want to. So she looks at Toby for a moment, who looks back up at her with begging eyes.

You said treat!!! ]

Well, let us give Toby his treat, and then take him for a walk together.

[She gives a little laugh and then nods.]

Right, we gotta see to the 'ero o' the 'our, first of all.

[Gina reaches into her satchel to pull out a treat, which she holds out to Susato.]

Sooze, you can take the 'onor o' givin' out the Chief Inspector's reward.

Sure, of course.

[ So Susato gives a nod of her head, and takes the little meaty treat out of Gina's hands. When she turns back, Toby is already sitting with his tail wagging eagerly. ]

Good boy, Inspector Toby. [ And rather than having him sit or shake hands or roll over like he normally would, she simply gives him the treat. Sniffing out their gnome friend is "trick" enough, surely?

When he's done, she adds: ]

Now where is your leash? [ Can he go get it? ]

[It was quite the trick! Finding the being who had tricked her. There's a soft grin on Gina's face as she watches Toby with delight.

Once Susato asks about the leash, Toby lets out a soft yip and eagerly scampers off, returning a little later dragging the leash along.]

There's a good boy. [Her smile grows as she leans down and pets at the dog's head! Before starting to put the leash on.] Wait, didn't I walk ya already? I'm sure that...

[She trails off for a moment, before she realizes what she's thinking of. With a light blush, she finishes putting the leash on with a hurry.]

N-nevermind, I was thinkin' of... sometin' else. Let's get movin'!

[ Susato grins, seeing Toby return with the leash. Another trick in and of itself! Though when Gina seems to pause and even blush, Susato seems surprised, and maybe even a little concerned. ]

...Thinking of what?

[ IS SHE NOT FEELING WELL... Toby doesn't seem to be complaining about (2) walks (???) either way. ]

[Toby's doesn't need to be golden to be good at retrieving! He pants and wags his tail, excited for his walk, the first one he's had today.

Gina tugs her hat down while starting to move with Toby.]

...Nuffin'. [She mutters.] Just musta been thinkin' of a dream wot I 'ad is all.

A dream?

[ She allows Gina to take the lead, and moments later, they're walking out the front doors and down the steps. ]

A dream... where you walked Toby?

[Down the steps they go, with a very excited boy tugging the leash!]

Y-yeah. [She murmurs uncertainly.] I was just walkin' 'im, and then 'e brought me to... [She blushes further and picks up her pace.]

...It was just a dream, alright? Ain't no need to talk about it, it's already a world o' dreams we're livin' in!

But... But you're blushing!

[ Clearly this is important!!! Toby barks just then as they reach the bottom, though whether he's agreeing or just excited to be in the fresh air, neither can say. ]

I- I ain't blushin'!!

[Blushing furiously, she ducks her head down nervously and moves even faster, almost tripping over a stair in the process!]

Why would I be doin' that? I, it ain't like I'm lookin' to get wiv someone anyhow! S-so if Bea- if anyone was in me dreams, it ain't got nuffin' to do wiv nuffin'!

[ When she almost trips, Susato rushes forward to grab and steady her. After that, they stop, and Susato can be heard letting out a small sigh. Toby is yanked back as well, and he looks back at the two with confusion.

What happened? ]

Gina.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2