The dark smoky room was oppressive. An inhale caught in one's lungs without respite.

Viola sat across from her opponent, a rather brusque fellow with far more muscle than any natural species had a right to have, playing with the tip of one of her cards. She had figured him out a while ago, the little tics she could do to throw the larger creature off. Even now she watched as his ears ticed in time with her thumb. Tic. Tic. Tic.

To his credit, he had not asked her to stop. Either an attempt on his part to seem tough in front of his peers or because he had an ace up his sleeve. Somehow the snow leopard doubted the latter.

This had been a simple job. Find out who had murdered Sergent Wittz, a police officer who had been stationed in the district. As he had been well known as a proficient gambler, it had not taken much to determine that it had been this seedy joint that had been witness to the deceased's passing. By playing cards and winning respect, the detective could find out who had been the killer. Gamblers, despite their reputation for keeping their secrets close, were rather outspoken once they believed they had the upper hand.

At least, that was usually the case. For this monster in front of her, Viola suspected it was the exact opposite.

Finally, after one long minute, the muscular lizard-like being in front of her finally played his hand.

"I bet ev'ryting" he muttered in a thick accent.

Viola merely nodded and with a smirk pushed all of her chips over the table.

At the same time, both players placed their hands down. Four Kings to Four Queens.

By this account, the game should've ended in Viola's loss but they were playing by a different set of rules. One that could see the crowned men toppled.

As both players studied each other, an energy began to stud the air around the dealer. A youthful Selachi, the lithe shark-like being seemed to drink up the attention. The lights on their body glowing brighter despite the lingering threat of violence.

Digging into his bag, he withdrew a single wooden chip. The icon upon which would determine which card had more weight. Viola had figured this out. If it was anything except for the bird or scepter, she would lose.

Like a performer about to perform a grand finale, the Selachi paused with a grinning gusto before flipping over the wooden chip.

Upon its dark wooden undercarriage was the image of a bird taking flight.

Almost immediately the muscular reptilian male shouted in anger and flipped the table, scattering cards and chips astray everywhere and sending the Selachi dealer scurrying for the underside of the nearby bar.

"YOU CHEATED" he bellowed, pointing a finger at the calmly sat detective as he pulled out a dirty dagger, its surface marred with the blood of past fights.

It was true, but he didn't need to know that.

Taking out her own gleaming dagger, its burnished golden hilt marking it as a dagger that could have only been made by a master Engineer Blacksmith, Viola began to pick at her claws. "Do we need to get the local constable involved mate?"

The muscular man laughed, his voice like that of a wheezing horse. "Haugh haugh haugh, I don tink dey can! There's no un here to come rescue you, sweetheart! Not after I wiped ut the last fool who came in!"

Bingo.

Viola began to thumb her knife, watching as her opponent's ears once more began to flick in time with her tics.

The arrest was always her favorite part.

---

Detective Viola Lin is an interesting character. While I'm not the biggest fan of her initial design, something that will be changed in the future, I do rather enjoy her childish/serious spin to the usual detective garb. She sees the lighter side of things, which is saying a lot considering she probably sees the worst of it on a relatively frequent basis. Strong, determined, capable, she's the kind of detective that finds it easy to talk to others and separating out what is actually important. Because of her experience, the police force within Timepiece will frequently use her experience to find missing individuals.

A well-known leader as well, she employs a multitude of more junior detectives. Each of whom she hopes will be able to carry on in her stead should something happen. Within Refuge, this is a very real and dangerous prospect.


Art by and Adopted from an Unknown Artist. Recognize the art style or watermark? Please let me know so I may give proper credit.

Detective Viola Lin belongs to  Umbreon07