"Thames Osmil. Born in Prolton, Werone."
...
How did I end up here?
After leaving the bar, Thames was picked up by law enforcement as he was caught 'fleeing a crime scene'. Probably related to the various screams and yelling he heard while drinking with Marigold!
Awaking inside the damp cell, he groaned at the feeling of a sore back and neck thanks to the stiff concrete beds. Other than him, there was a grey man with a tiger's tail and something similar to tree bark below his eyes.
Thames learned he was named Kurt and was picked up for a similar reason to him. Being completely unfamiliar to this situation Thames quickly panicked after being arrested but was knocked out.
Strangely, he did not dream! Which was probably for the best since he'd likely vanish from the cell.
Who knows what would happen then! Last thing I need is Ode's door getting knocked down because I'm wanted...
Moving over to the bars of the cell, he yelled down the wide hallway.
"Hello?!? I'm innocent!"
"It's no use!" Kurt barked at him then added, "They don't care about us Oril District bottom feeders!"
Bottom feeders? Wait, I'm not even from the district!
Despite wanting to voice his protests, Thames remained silent but heard the sounds of liberation! An officer had unlocked the door dividing the cells and the main building.
"Officer! Why am I in here??"
Looking at him with disdain, the uniformed man unlocked the cell and dragged him out, bringing him to a windowless room with a single table and two chairs.
"Sit." He demanded as he sat at the other side of the table.
Obliging, Thames looked across at the officer in his eyes.
He was an average looking man, maybe a tad short, and had dirty blonde hair.
"Name and place of birth?"
"Thames Osmil. Born in Prolton, Werone."
He wrote down the information quickly then went on, "Age?"
"Twenty-Four."
"Place of residence?"
"...The inn on Pier Street? I don't actually know the name."
"Person we can contact?"
"Lindel Frize or Rubes Lentil."
"Occupation?"
"Painter."
"Painter? In Ariao?" The man scoffed.
"What?" Thames quickly asked, growing defensive.
"Nothing, nothing." Waving him off, the officer continued, "Bail is-"
"Wait, what am I even being charged with???"
"Public intoxication and obstruction of justice."
"What?!?" He slammed his hands onto the table, "I didn't have even a drink of alcohol!"
"Tell that to the judge. Bail is two gold bills."
Shit... Do we even have that much? How long will I be here if we don't?
Getting up, the officer grabbed Thames and brought him back to the cell with Kurt.
"We'll get you if someone pays your bail or a visitor comes."
With that, the officer left the cell area, leaving Kurt and Thames alone in the damp and cold place.
This can't be humane. We'll freeze!
Kurt, who was now huddled up in the corner nearest to the door, was staring at Thames.
"No luck?"
"They said I was intoxicated and obstructing 'justice'!"
He let out a hearty laugh despite their situation, "They must be low on money!"
"Huh???" Thames asked, propping himself against the far wall.
"Those crimes are just fines usually... Means they need money for something."
"Some officers..."
Kurt nodded.
They didn't do anything about Gin. Should I have just waved around Ode's name?
...
Two hours later...
"Visitor for you Osmil!"
Visitor? Ah, Lin or Rubes.
The officer from before returned, unlocking and taking Thames to a room split by glass. At one booth sat Rubes on the other side. Noticing this, he quickly sat.
"How did you get arrested, Thames?"
He sighed then said, "I don't know! They said I was intoxicated and obstructing 'justice'!"
She clicked her tongue, her dark skin lighting up in the light of the station.
"How much is bail?"
"Two gold."
She clearly was surprised, and he could almost feel her anger rising.
Shit! She's like the last person I should've had as a contact...!
Rubes was the one, other than Ode, who was most aware of their financial issues, and was the one raking in the most cash.
"Is it comfortable, Thames?!" Clearly growing with disdain, she yelled through the glass.
"No, it isn't actually! Can you believe that??? Please, just bail me out! I'll help you out in the Sun District!"
She scoffed then said, "Then cozy up to an heiress for me"
"Huh?"
Cozy up to an heiress? An heiress? The one the people in the inn were talking about then.
"Why?"
"She keeps talking about needing a 'man'." Looking him up and down, she squinted. "You are not the best, but better than Ode. I worry his personality would scare her off."
She was clearly having too much fun with this conversation. He could swear that she had laughed when she said that about Ode!
"Yes, yes. I agree. Just bail me out."
Standing up, Rubes waved down an officer with her ornate black fan. Her fancy dress twinkled as she began to yell.
"I will pay for his bail!" And at the same time, she threw two gold bills at him.
She would've bailed me out either way! This magician!
"You lucked out, Osmil. Your court date is January Seventh. Seven days from now."
"Where is it?"
"The court is on Hickle Road, in the Sun District."
Handing him his pencil, the officer allowed the roughed-up Thames to leave with Rubes.
"When will I meet her?"
"Allie Smith. You will meet her..." Obviously inspecting his appearance closely, "After we make you look presentable."
Tsk... No time to rest then?
...
I hate this day...
Thames was sat at a cafe table across from Allie Smith.
She had dark brown hair, brilliant green eyes, and wore a white dress with a fur coat wrapped around. She had gems in her hair and along her neck, clearly a high roller! Her skin was pale, but not like Thames, she had an ethereal energy about her.
As for Thames, his long black hair was brought into a ponytail like many music conductors. Rubes had dressed him up in a nice black suit with a tie, both cheap as he had thrifted them long ago, but she took a black wool trench coat from Ode for him.
It was a very uncomfortable and unfamiliar look for him, but anything to stay out of that terrible jail!
"I-I'm Thames... Osmil."
"Osmil? What a fantastical last name!"