Tingen was... not that different. Sure, the clear sky was an obvious change, but what about the rest?
Being also part of the Loen Kingdom it didn't offer anything different. The temperature was pretty much the same. Just a tad warmer—yet it still hardly reaches 30 degrees Celsius.
She walked for a while, enjoying the view—scanning people with her curious gaze. There are less Beyonders in such cities. Which is strange... it's better to hide in unknown places rather than Capitals such as Backlund or Trier.
But then again, these cities were constantly under the gaze of True Gods. If one wanted to keep a low profile but also contact wild Beyonders, it was better to choose Backlund.
This world kept many secrets, sometimes being under the stronger enemy's gaze was better, as it could eliminate other smaller dangers.
For a relatively quiet person like Amanises—Tingen was much more preferable, it contained a scholarly air, totally not because it was also called The City of Universities.
People feel smarter here for some reason.
She passed by numerous streets, glancing at vendors calling out their goods, shop windows displaying books, hats and all kinds of clothing.
There were multiple crowds of gentlemen dressed in black coats and half top hats, women in layered dresses, adorned with sparkling jewelry and white bonnets, and children running around—chasing their friends while laughing happily.
The streets themselves weren't in the best of condition—she could easily catch a whiff of stinky horse remnants and rotten fish. Her feet nearly stepped in a puddle of mud!
Other than that, it was okay. Daly would sometimes comment on whatever catches her sight. She added an unheard and unnecessary comment on a discussion they accidentally eavesdropped.
It featured a middle-aged man, loftily bragging about his successful 'hunt' for a woman.
"I'm telling you! It's just that easy! That woman was in my pants the moment we exchanged glances!"
"Check your pockets." Was Daly's comment—which earned a hearty laugh from Amanises.
She remembered the time she would gossip with her friends during high-school.
One hour of walking and listening to pure nonsense later, both women stopped in front of a small house—near the corner of a street.
Unit 13 Crane street.
It was spacious enough to host two people, but no more than that.
The place was relatively clean but dusty. They would need to solve that.
The entire house had no more than 5 rooms: one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and a small pantry. There was an attic, of course, but it was hard to access and not really needed.
Both Amanises and Daly will share one bedroom. Luckily, this isn't the one bed trope and it has two—one for each.
There were also two different study desks but only one vanity. Seems they would be taking turns in the morning. No problem. We can manage that!
After unpacking and separating shelves and spaces since there was only one closet, for some reason. Amanises threw herself, unceremoniously, on the bed—stretching her tensed muscles and almost screaming when her calf cramped.
Rubbing her leg, Amansies inquired again: "So, what next?"
"Next huh?" Daly rubbed her chin. "Well, next—we go grab a bite!"
Hell yeah! She has been starving!
The woman wanted to throw her hands up in excitement, but held back thinking that she showed too much childishness for the day.
They left shortly for a diner on the nearby street.
***
A sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the dark hallway, sounding like the steady rhythmic drumbeats a heart gives before it dies out.
Low light emanated from a row of candle lamps, giving the man an eerie glow.
Under his feet, the shadow danced and shifted as if it had caught life on its own.
He reached the end of the long dark hallway, pushing a wooden door carved with strange symbols.
Beyond said door, opened a rotunda, it was a large round hall which served as an intersection for the rest of the rooms, similar to the Backlund Sealed Spirit Domain that served as a hidden location for the Arcanists.
That's right, this was the Tingen division of Arcanists, sometimes called—The Blacktorn Branch.
The rotunda was filled with decorative paintings, soft armchairs, small coffee tables and bookshelves. It wasn't as eerie as the hallways since candles here actually illuminated things properly, so instead, it looked like an ordinary room, perhaps one belonging to a fancy castle.
There were a total of three doors, including the one he just came out from. One led to the captain's room, while the other took another hallway.
Pushing the door to the captain's room, sounds of talking could be heard.
"So, what do you think? Accurate description eh?" Joked a voice, one belonging to a young woman.
***
About 2 hours earlier.
Amanises slunched in her seat, completely full.
They had ordered quite a lot. Daly called this a 'celebratory meal'.
The waiter was delighted to bring a plate of pot roast, chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Then, even some chicken noodle soup, two different pies, apple and pumpkin, alongside coffee and two cups of tea.
I could probably rub my belly and say 'ho ho ho'. It should be accurate enough.
Bad day for corset. Eugh!
Daly shared the same feeling, she really ate to her fullest! Well, after coming back to Tingen after so long, a woman should celebrate, right?
"Evelyn." Called out Daly.
"Mm?" Responded the other woman, feeling too lazy to say another word.
"We should head to the Spirit Domain now, we don't want to leave our colleagues waiting."
Amanises looked up, as if she were in the world for the first time and raised an eyebrow. "What's a Spirit Domain?"
Daly looked quite surprised. "You didn't know?"
She shook her head. "Nope, nobody told me anything!"
"Daly pinched her glabella in exasperation and explained. "That's the place where The Arcanists gather in the Spirit World. You seriously didn't know?"
Well, since no one decided it was necessary to let me know! What? Do you think I come with pre-installed knowledge?
She lampooned inwardly, stopping for a second to make sure it wasn't accidentally voiced out.
"Coast is clear." Amansies got up from her seat, Daly already burned money so there was no need for her to bother paying. Let's go to whatever the name of that place is.
Daly Simone stopped in motion and glanced at her in a questioning manner. "What coast?"
Fuck!
***
Unlike her first time passing through, by this point Amanises was an expert at walking through walls.
The entrance to the Spirit Domain was hidden behind an illusionary wall made out of pure dark weathered wood. If one looked closely it was almost turning to dust, but as one would have it, this special wall was more durable than the hardest steel.
It was connected to the back of an abandoned apartment on a lower street, similar to Backlund's branch. However, this apartment lacked the putrid smell of wet wood and peeling paint.
It was still an unpleasant sight, but not that much of an inconvenience.
It doesn't matter. I've already become numb!
Walking headfirst into the wooden wall, Amanises was once again assaulted by illusiory whispers and a spinning head, luckily frequent occurrences like these made her get used to it.
The style of the strange building was somewhat similar but different in its own way. The candles offered little light and were placed on only one side, and the structures carved on the walls were distinct.
The floor was panned with gray tiles, arranged in such a way to paint circles, akin to those made when a pebble is thrown across a still lake.
Walking along the hallway, they reached the grand door, behind it was the familiar rotunda with a dome-like high ceiling.
Glancing on one of the armchairs positioned close, Amanises saw a bunch of scattered magazines, as if someone who was busy reading suddenly had to leave in a hurry and left them by themselves.
So, all of the Domains are built the same way? Or are we in the same building just on different panes?
She wasn't sure where that idea came from, but now it couldn't leave her mind.
Not my concern.
Forcing it away, she started walking towards the door to the right, that's where Cesimir's office was.
Daly, grabbed her by the shoulder and stopped the woman in her tracks.
"Where are you going? Shouldn't we check in with the captain first?"
Amansies wore a confused look. "That's where I'm heading!"
Daly chuckled. "You've got them mixed up, friend!" She walked ahead and signaled to the befuddled woman, before going to the door to the left.
"C'mon!"
Amansies grunted, but followed Daly like a lost puppy, waiting to be guided home.
Unlike with Crested Cesimir, Daly Simone practically kicked down the door in happiness, her expression showed nothing but pure joy. And maybe a little bit of mischief...
"Well, dear, how have you been? Are they kids okay?" She greeted the captain in a strange way, the right corner of her lips curled up—turning into her characteristic smirk.
Wait! Kids!? Amansies' jaw nearly kissed the floor. You have kids????
The captain, whose name she remembered as Dunn Smith, stroked the bridge of his nose in exasperation. From his mouth, hanged a classic curved briar tobacco pipe.
It wasn't lit, and just seemed to be there for decoration.
He scanned Amanises' stupified expression and, as if reading her mind, felt the need to clarify.
"No, we do not have kids. We're not even together, for that matter."
Heh, how fortunate. Or should I say unfortunate? The way Daly speaks about you, not even the most romantic poets could replicate!
Either way, she calmed down shortly after, not letting Daly's unfunny joke ruin the, supposedly professional, first meeting.
Evelyn gave a short bow in greeting, not letting go of her well mannered self to appear like a poor fellow. "Good afternoon, sir Dunn Smith. Pleasure meeting you."
The captain reciprocated the bow with one of his own. His eyes turned gentle and the corners of his lips curled up. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Evelyn. Welcome to Tingen."
He held his pipe to his nose and inhaled the pleasing smell while continuing to speak: "As you might be already aware, we have a strange case on our hands.
"A series of deaths that, at a glance appear random, but upon closer inspection, they actually share a connection."
The grand door carved with decorative symbols opened and a young man walked in.
He had a regular stature, one could call him quite tall, but for Amanises he actually appeared short.
The man had disheveled black hair with strands sticking out of nowhere, emerald-green eyes and a pleasant smile.
He wore a white shirt, dark vest with a black long coat over, classic black trousers and leather boots.
He also had distinct red gloves on his hands and had that poetic vibe to him.
One could call him handsome but Amanises had another world in mind.
Why is he so... zesty? Hmmm...How should I explain it...? It was like the word was on the tip of her tongue.
"Ah, right on time." Spoke Dunn Smith while shoving his hand in the pocket of his dark brown trousers.
"This is Leonard Mitchell. He is also here for temporary reasons.
"Leonard was actually the one who discovered the connection between the cases. If you need any details. He's the one to ask."
The poetic man waved his fingers with a smile.
"It's good to see you again so soon, Miss Daly."
He glanced at the new face. "And this should be Miss Evelyn Dusk right?"
He made a greeting gesture of removing an imaginary hat off his head. "I greet the lady!"
"Likewise." Responded the woman.
Clap!
Daly clapped her hands in a loud fashion, catching the attention of all the members present. Once everyone's gaze was on her, she looked at Evelyn and blurted out: "Alright! The two of you can discuss the details and have a nice chit chat outside. I need a room with this guy!"
Daly flashed her a knowing look.
Amansies wasn't sure if she interpreted it right but still, knowing Daly...
Oh please, we've only just arrived! Don't get busy so soon!
Leonard looked quite befuddled, but signaled for the door nonetheless, opening, stepping out and holding it for the lady to pass.
Amansies quickly stopped in her tracks, turning back at Daly and Dunn with a frown.
She stood there motionlessly for a moment, then turned her head and continued walking in the previous direction.
Captain Dunn Smith didn't even look at the pipe he was holding, instead he turned towards his companion with a confused gaze.
Daly shrugged. She didn't know what just happened either. Whatever thoughts her friend had could be kept to herself.