Strolling into Hargeon Town at sunset, Victoria made her way to the docks to chat up the local homeless population. She wore a gray jacket with a blue t-shirt underneath and a black skirt with white tennis shoes. In her jacket pocket was the job notice. She was here to investigate the disappearance of a Hargeon Town officer named Klaas Amstel. He was last seen in a local restaurant, but the notice did not specify which one, so it was time to hit the streets for a lead.
Spotting a middle-aged homeless man in a tattered green coat with faded brown pants and black shoes rubbing his hands together, he was a slim, balding man who looked tired, hungry, and just plain worn down by his lifestyle. Victoria approached him anyway. She knew what it was like to be down and just about out.
"Hey there. How's it going?" Victoria asked him. He looked up and nodded at her.
"It can be worse, kid. It's cold, but at least I can always take shelter in the alleyways." He commented.
"Kinda reminds me of Capital Crocus." Victoria commiserated. He raised an eyebrow.
"You lived on the streets of Capital Crocus? How'd that go?" He asked.
"One word. BAD. Police worried more about us inconveniencing the rich than trying to help us, food hard to find, and not much honest work to come by. Don't let the glitz and glamor fool you, Mister. It sucks." Victoria told him bluntly. The man laughed.
"Yeah, I know the feeling, kid. I've been on these streets for twenty years. It's a rough life. By the way, the name's Phil." He said to her.
"Say, you're not from the police are you?" Phil asked suspiciously.
"No. I'm from the guild Black Rose. I was hired to look for an officer who went missing. His name's Klaas Amstel." Victoria told Phil. Phil relaxed just a little. He was still tense.
"Yeah, I know him. He's a straight arrow and treats us fair. He doesn't bully us like the other officers. He's repeatedly turned down five-figure bribes, which is why he went missing. Least that's what I heard." Phil started. He then looked around nervously. Victoria knew why he did that. He had likely overheard something he was never meant to hear and was afraid of reprisal. Since he was homeless and had no family, no one would care if he "disappeared."
[Word Count: 404] [Total Word Count: 404/1,000]
Spotting a middle-aged homeless man in a tattered green coat with faded brown pants and black shoes rubbing his hands together, he was a slim, balding man who looked tired, hungry, and just plain worn down by his lifestyle. Victoria approached him anyway. She knew what it was like to be down and just about out.
"Hey there. How's it going?" Victoria asked him. He looked up and nodded at her.
"It can be worse, kid. It's cold, but at least I can always take shelter in the alleyways." He commented.
"Kinda reminds me of Capital Crocus." Victoria commiserated. He raised an eyebrow.
"You lived on the streets of Capital Crocus? How'd that go?" He asked.
"One word. BAD. Police worried more about us inconveniencing the rich than trying to help us, food hard to find, and not much honest work to come by. Don't let the glitz and glamor fool you, Mister. It sucks." Victoria told him bluntly. The man laughed.
"Yeah, I know the feeling, kid. I've been on these streets for twenty years. It's a rough life. By the way, the name's Phil." He said to her.
"Say, you're not from the police are you?" Phil asked suspiciously.
"No. I'm from the guild Black Rose. I was hired to look for an officer who went missing. His name's Klaas Amstel." Victoria told Phil. Phil relaxed just a little. He was still tense.
"Yeah, I know him. He's a straight arrow and treats us fair. He doesn't bully us like the other officers. He's repeatedly turned down five-figure bribes, which is why he went missing. Least that's what I heard." Phil started. He then looked around nervously. Victoria knew why he did that. He had likely overheard something he was never meant to hear and was afraid of reprisal. Since he was homeless and had no family, no one would care if he "disappeared."
[Word Count: 404] [Total Word Count: 404/1,000]