Melpomene’s Tragedy, Thalia’s Comedy / [KILL THE PAST/ END]

Gray had rolled on his side to face the closet’s way. A little peek never hurt anyone! His lips curled into a sneering grin, “We should consider ourselves lucky that we were able to go out and nobody turned up dead nor missing.” He hummed. Sure, he was only saying it for the bit, but there was defin... View More

Like October 15, 2022 Edited

That’s true. Perhaps the universe finally decided it owed them some mercy by being giving them one day together. A festival was the prime spot for a kill, or some climactic event. About two percent of his focus was spent on checking the background for the creep’s presence. What would be more super v... View More

Like October 14, 2022

Reluctant, Gray tossed the blankets away and started with the dressing-up process as well. Obviously, he would be behind Carmine in terms of time since he had decided to sleep in. Black pants with a matching tie and a white collared shirt. Not the most imaginative but it did suit the event, it was s... View MoreReluctant, Gray tossed the blankets away and started with the dressing-up process as well. Obviously, he would be behind Carmine in terms of time since he had decided to sleep in. Black pants with a matching tie and a white collared shirt. Not the most imaginative but it did suit the event, it was solemn. Plus, it matched his partner’s outfit if one ignored the subtle embroidery adorning the cuffs and neck. I mean, it had come from Gray’s side of the closet after all. “…So, the police won’t be involved at all?” Gray frowned with certain concern. That… well, he did not know a lot about crime and law, but it sounded rather out of character for Carmine not to work alongside the blues. His reasoning was sound, the extra attention might only draw in more violence, but still… “And what’s our story then? Are we just visiting Berry’s store…? Oh, I know! Maybe we could say that we’re coming in to remove rotting fruit from the fridges and all that!” it was more like him to be thinking of the story-telling aspect of it all, whilst ignoring the shady details of the mission. That’s right! Gray needn’t to be worrying about the legal stuff, that’s Carmine’s thing and he trusts that stallion with his own life! Soon as the pants were on and the shirt was buttoned, Gray walked over to give the detective a hug from behind. “Hah, I just realized… if I’m the good cop, that means you gotta be the bad one, huh?” the actor smirked. “To be honest, I can’t even picture it, Carmine. I mean, you can be stern, but mean? Hahaha!” He cackled, gave him a playful squeeze, and then walked past him to find a belt and a jacket to toss over his shirt. “Guess we’ll be seeing your alter-ego… Car-mean!” the actor spread his arms with dramatic antics. “Do you think they’ll notice I didn’t take a shower today…?” He bit his lip, oh… now that the time was running short and he had first seen the state of his mane in a mirror, he was beginning to regret his own poor time management. All the actor could do was hope that a quick brush and some cologne would mask his laziness.

Like October 15, 2022

“So… you don’t know anything but what Mrs. Sakura told your mom, right?” Gray confirmed. That was going to be a fun conversation for sure! The actor frowned greatly as he briefly recalled the horrors of that night. “Hah, maybe it’s better that way…” Believe it or not, even after all this time he cou... View More

Like October 16, 2022

[“Nah. I just wanted to make sure that was clear. I can’t think this guy’s involved at all. Turns out you were right. I think it’s best we move on after some questions.”] That’s all he needed to know. Had Lorne known about it before, it’d have been suspicious, but Trip’s explanation cleared away an... View More[“Nah. I just wanted to make sure that was clear. I can’t think this guy’s involved at all. Turns out you were right. I think it’s best we move on after some questions.”] That’s all he needed to know. Had Lorne known about it before, it’d have been suspicious, but Trip’s explanation cleared away any lingering suspicion. Carmine put away his cell phone and perked up. “That’s what I keep hearing,” the young pegasus nervously chuckled. “I should… I should probably pay her a trip sometime. Maybe when she’s feeling better? I dunno how she’d react, but…” He sighed and rested his chin on the smoothie’s bar. “It’d still be nice to see her.” Carmine solemnly nodded. “I think that’d be best. I’ll send you the details to her hospital room later. It’s… kinda supposed to be a secret. So don’t go tellin’ anyone, ‘kay? If word gets out where she is, the psycho’s gonna come after her.” He might even be able to amp up the questioning now that Lorne’s showing some compliance. “You ever… hated her for what she did? Back then?” At that, Lorne quickly shot up. “Wh— No! Mr. Gumshoe, what happened was an accident. A tragedy of errors. If anything, I’m mad at myself for not stopping her… if I had— if I’d been there, then maybe she’d be ‘normal’, and Meeks would still be alive.” Carmine nodded. “You loved him?” “I did. I never got to tell him, though. Being the gay kid wasn’t super popular back then, so I kept to all… bottled up. And I told myself I’d tell him when he got out, and he… he never did.” His violet eyes looked back down to his drink. Sadness… but again, no lingering maliciousness. Just to satisfy any suspicion, he’d sniff once. “My mom told me that ‘bad things can’t be changed, but they also can’t change you. Adapt. Be stronger.’ Don’t get me wrong; I was heartbroken when I heard he died… and thinking about what he went through does make me angry. But even if I hated Berry with all of my heart, and wanted to see her dead… nothing I could do would change that. I killed the past. Berry’s still stuck in it. Mettle, too.”

Like October 17, 2022

[Gotcha ;)] Trip typed, he put his phone away for the time being after that. He made as if he was reconnecting into the conversation taking place, however, he had never stopped listening. Gray frowned still, “If anything good could be made out of this tragedy… at least it seems to be bringing estr... View More

Like October 17, 2022

“You didn’t know?” Both Carmine and Lorne spoke in unison. Carmine was more or less surprised because… well, given all the attention Strawberry’s gotten from stallions, Lorne’s never once tried to make a move. That was his first hint, but what confirmed it was a full on confession shortly after Meek... View More

Like October 17, 2022

Carmine’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better moment. Trip crossed his arms and allowed his enthusiasm to show in the form of a sly grin. “…Sorry kid, this shit’s kinda urgent. We’ll leave you two to whatever you were doing as soon as this is taken care of.” He forwarded to Dot since Carmine had ... View More

Like October 18, 2022

“I don’t want to talk to you! Either of you, just— just leave me alone!” That promised temper was beginning to flare, just as Carmine expected. Trip’s input only further antagonized him. Mettle began to grit his teeth and stared daggers into the detective’s stern face. That evil eye’s cast was ruine... View More“I don’t want to talk to you! Either of you, just— just leave me alone!” That promised temper was beginning to flare, just as Carmine expected. Trip’s input only further antagonized him. Mettle began to grit his teeth and stared daggers into the detective’s stern face. That evil eye’s cast was ruined by the presence of a mystery stallion lingering all too close by the detective’s side. “Who the hell is that? What; gonna get this one killed, too?” “Mettle! Chill!” Dot was quick to condemn the comment, even without prior context. The only reaction that Carmine dared show was a fist clenched far too tight. He didn’t mean it. He didn’t mean it. Somehow, even if it were false, just repeating that phrase in his head made him feel a bit better. “He don’t matter right now— what we want is information.” “Last time I gave anything up to you, you got my friend killed. You must still be guzzlin’ alcohol like it’s fuckin’ air again if you think I’m gonna tell you Jack shit!” Regardless, Carmine continued. “Where were you when Strawberry was attacked?” “None of your god damn business!” He glanced to Trip, but only briefly. “Do you know anyone who might be willin’ to hurt her?” “Try the whole fuckin’ city!” “You weren’t involved?” “Fuckin’ no!” Carmine appeared satisfied. Or, rather, he took a second to digest Mettle’s attitude and how best to proceed. He smacked his lips, and looked around. “Yeah… guess you wouldn’t be, would you?” There’s a momentary pause. Once again, Mettle’s gaze shifts to Trip for a brief moment, but falls back on to the red stallion. Carmine then heaved a sigh. “Yeah, you wouldn’t. I know you hate her, and you hate me, too, but you ain’t the type to do shit about it, Mettle. You’d rather just sit back and curse and spit at anyone who’d walk by. When are you gonna grow up?” Mettle’s pupils shrank to pinheads. He couldn’t speak nor think nor even try to run; his only instinct was to release an animalistic scream and throw a right hook directly into Carmine’s cheek. He made no effort to block or dodge— it seemed to have taken him by surprise entirely. Needless to say, Carmine reeled backwards with a solid fist-shaped mark on his face. He could still take a punch… and while Mettle did land a solid hit, Carmine was able to correct his landing to prevent a fall. He still had to bend, to hold his cheek and breathe through the pain. The Pegasus raised his fist again, but Dot was quick to hold him back. “Hey! Mettle, shit, I don’t know what’s going on but you need to cool off!” “No!!” Dot’s hands were quickly shaken off. “Not until he finally gets the fucking hint! I don’t care if this fucking loser got beat on the head.” He gestured toward Trip. “I don’t care that Berry got herself nearly killed! I don’t care about *you*, Carmine. Just go! Go and leave me the fuck alone!” The detective’s head was fuzzy, but he could hear Mettle’s fatal mistake. His gamble paid off. If only he could work through the pain and the blood in his mouth to actually say it.

Like October 18, 2022 Edited

The whole interrogation Trip stood still, arms crossed. He might have been quiet but his stare was piercing. It wasn’t only for added pressure either, no, the tinkerer was also watching and measuring Mettle’s reactions, his words… The guy was reaching his boiling point rather quickly, and even tho... View MoreThe whole interrogation Trip stood still, arms crossed. He might have been quiet but his stare was piercing. It wasn’t only for added pressure either, no, the tinkerer was also watching and measuring Mettle’s reactions, his words… The guy was reaching his boiling point rather quickly, and even tho Trip expected it, that punch came out of nowhere, giving him no chance to interfere. “!!!” His eyes widened, he began to move but Dot got to Mettle first. Since she held him back, Trip didn’t further attempt to get involved. Gray was not so gracious, from the very beginning that one comment Mettle made regarding him had put him on edge. If he didn’t say anything at the time it was for Carmine and Berry’s sake. As to not throw this interrogation off by reacting. But, oh, how he wanted to defend Carmine against the harsh words. He didn’t see that punch coming either. All Gray had been able to do was watch and gasp in horror as Mettle’s fist met Carmine’s face. “Carmine!!!” The actor shrieked and draped his body over Carmine’s hunched form to act as a shield. Hateful daggers were also cast towards Valor’s younger brother. He was too shaken to notice the slip, his entire attention diverted. “Carmine?! Carmine are you alright!?” Gray bent, he cupped the detective’s face into his hands to take a look at him. “Oh my god…” Gray bit his lip and brought his beloved into the protective hug again, this time turning his head all the way to hiss at Mettle. “Nobody here cares about you either, you fucking moron! All we want is answers! I honestly don’t see the resemblance. The way Carmine speaks about his fiancé? I see none of that in your sorry ass. You drag your whole fucking family line through the mud, that’s how you pay tribute to your brother! And then you have the gall to blame what happened on Carmine?! fuck off!” “Gray. Calm down you too. Carmine can take a punch.” Trip interfered. “Forgive him, he’s emotional.” The tinkerer smiled slyly, eyes shifting in Mettle’s direction. “Say kid, it’s funny that you mention that thing about me getting clobbered… how’d you find that out?” He also took that moment to turn his head and look at Dot. “You owe me nothing, and I no longer owe you anything either. I gave you the opportunity to get out, it was up to you.” Trip sighed. “I only want to make that clear. Whatever happens from now on will just be the product of our choices.” With that, he returned to Mettle. “So, how did I get clobbered, Mettle?”

Like October 18, 2022

Both of the younger adults looked between the other faces in the room. Neither one of them looked to be on their A-game, but the stallion was the one most notably on decline. “I told him,” Dot quickly spat out. “Look— Mettle’s my friend, and I’m shit at keeping secrets. If I know, he knows—” Carm... View MoreBoth of the younger adults looked between the other faces in the room. Neither one of them looked to be on their A-game, but the stallion was the one most notably on decline. “I told him,” Dot quickly spat out. “Look— Mettle’s my friend, and I’m shit at keeping secrets. If I know, he knows—” Carmine would’ve normally soaked in Gray’s affection like a touch-starved sponge, but it took all of his focus to dissect what they were saying. He pulled out of Gray’s grasp and regained those steps he was forced to take back not a moment ago. “No you didn’t. Not even the news mentions Trip. Closest we have is that the ‘police are suggesting multiple victims are involved’ on a tabloid. Trip’s injury is only known to those who were actually there: the three of us, Berry, the attacker… and you. I bet not even *you* knew how he got there, did you miss..?” “Dot,” she sternly answered. Her eyes searched Mettle for a reaction. He was… stunned. So many words, so many emotions and none of them made him feel any better. In a surprising change, he seemingly got so angry that he just circled back into his true nature: a hurt kid. “I… I… Carmine, I…” Gumshoe did have a weakness, and it was family. As angry as he was before, seeing the eyes of his past love glisten and tremble in his younger brother’s face tugged on his heart strings more than any sad animal shelter video could. He slowly approached the stallion and let his hand fall from his face. “Are you in trouble, Mettle? Did someone make you hurt Trip and Berry?” The pegasus swallowed a large lump within his throat and met Carmine halfway. His striking handle trembled with the pain of punching another’s bone, but it appeared he wouldn’t feel anything aside from some bruising. After an air of silence, Mettle did the unthinkable and dove in to Carmine’s chest for a hug. Teary, muffled “I’m sorry’s” could be heard behind the detective’s tan coat. The zebra stood, her eyes locked on to the image before her. “…We should go some place else. I have to explain a couple things.”

Like October 19, 2022

Samantha shrugged her body as Carmine snapped, the reaction was expected though. “Yes I am!!! I’m the reason you two are LIVING in a tiny apartment— and not floating in Gray’s old pool! it isn’t like I had a choice!” She snapped right back. “My mother’s gonna fucking kill me when she finds out…” the... View MoreSamantha shrugged her body as Carmine snapped, the reaction was expected though. “Yes I am!!! I’m the reason you two are LIVING in a tiny apartment— and not floating in Gray’s old pool! it isn’t like I had a choice!” She snapped right back. “My mother’s gonna fucking kill me when she finds out…” the agent snorted through her nostrils. She was driving them uptown, actually, she seemed to be taking them back to her place. Sammy didn’t want to further explain herself, but it wasn’t like she would get away with half-excuses either. Now that the detective was actively questioning her, it appeared fruitless to even try and get past him. “Tch… you know that money is power, Gumshoe. Specially underground…” she sighed. The car pulled into the driveway of one of those pretty houses. A smaller villa, california style. 2 Stories high, right at the edge of a hill and overlooking the city. “It all started back when your cousin dispatched Domino…” “…Or so I heard.” She was no longer driving, meaning she was finally able to turn her body around to check the backseats. “I have no idea what happened. Only that she messed up, bad. She was going to wind up dead. The problem was that *you* as her cousin would have tried to do something about it.” “…And that’s where Gray comes in…” she briefly looked at the actor, he wasn’t meeting her gaze back. He kept his eyes low and sulked on the side, trying to assimilate her whole story. “It wasn’t long till my mother reached out to me with clear instructions. I’m sorry.” Samantha sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of her nose. “It would have been seen as a betrayal not to sabotage. I-I had to! My mom’s… She’s from a… a line— and they respond to the Eights!” “I figured that… as long as you two didn’t get involved, it’d just be a matter of time until things resolved themselves… I was promised no collaterals.” “A-and then one day I woke up to find that my client’s been internalized??? They stabbed you???” Gray shrugged. Trip had shut up as instructed, he was merely looking and listening to the tale with wide curious eyes. “… I need a drink.” Gray muttered. Samantha frowned greatly. “I’m sorry Gray…” she returned her gaze to the detective, “My mother’s from Abyssinia, ever heard of Il Sindicato? They don’t do much… they smuggle goods through different territories and launder money.” “…But here in Equestria, they do respond to the Eights. I normally don’t get involved with her side of the family, this wasn’t something I wanted but she’s my *mother*. Please try to understand…”

Like October 20, 2022

He didn’t understand right away. It sounded like a betrayal initially, but could she be… looking out for them? Carmine blew a breath through his nose and processed it all. “I have,” he said in response to her query. “Only rumors… I didn’t think Il Sindicato even worked in Equestria.” But it appears ... View More

Like October 20, 2022 Edited

Trip was out without issue. He lingered back to help Dot and Mettle out after Carmine, though. “How about *you* look out for your own family, Mr. Gumshoe?” Samantha clicked her tongue right back at him, slamming her car’s door shut as she walked out, hands to her hips. “Don’t try and preach to me w... View More

Like October 20, 2022