>>5203412"We've been dealing with a serial thief whose been stealing relics and biomass from our storehouse." Grizzie explained "So far we've had no luck in capturing her but we do have a lead. During one of the thefts we've identified the core class of the thief as a skintalker. We're still investigating the cause and maintaining high alert for now but we'll get her sooner or later. It's also the reason why we've been doing this level of detailed record keeping and immigration process."
"And so the collar is..."
"To make sure that you aren't the suspected thief. Either you refuse to wear it and we kick you out, or you wear it and we let you in. Your choice, Ma'am."
With a sigh, Sathriel took the relic and jammed the collar onto her neck, wincing painfully as the runes and whispers that floated within the Arbiter's vision and hearing faded away from the relic's function kicking in.
"There. Are we done now?"
"Just a one more question."
Grizzie's face hardened. "Have you per-chance seen or heard of the whereabouts of a Susan Loupe?"
Sathriel was mildly surprised at the question. "Who?"
Upon hearing Sathriel's answer, Grizzie gave a sigh and relaxed, her eyes looking past Sathriel and towards Lisa before turning back to address the Arbiter. "Well that's a relief."
"Anything else?" asked Sathriel.
"Well, we've got one more thing to take care of before we let you in. We're gonna need you to pay the fine."
Sathriel never looked so offended in her life. "A fine!? What for?"
Grizzie turned to her bone slate and flipped through the sheets of parchment to cite the information. "Due to your 'unusual travel vehicle', you've been charged with one count of reckless driving, illegal parking, as well as disturbing the peace." the officer cited. "The fine amounts to about two pounds of flesh. One of your arms will do."
With a long heaving sigh full of suffering Sathriel complied. But not without objections as she posed her left hand to keep a certain finger raised before removing her arm at the socket and handing it to Officer Grizzie, who chortled at the fixed hand gesture. Oh how she hated the law at times.
"No wonder people in my homeland complained about the police." Sathriel grumbled.
Grizzie for her part guffawed with a shit-eating grin, clearly amused at the sight of a judge complaining about being on the receiving end of the law.
"Welcome to Wishbone Village, Enjoy your stay."
.......
.......
(cont.)
