Inspiration Stealer

Camilla said Mr Buck can't handle alcohol, he never drinks. So... someone must've spiked the milk.

Wait, there's a sticky fingerprint on the jug. Small... child-sized, even.

The prints lead from the street right up to the window. And there's melted snow inside... No attempt to cover their tracks, looks like it really was just a kid.

So a kid poured booze into Buck's milk and knocked him out cold. Better have another look around, see what else I can dig up.

Excuse me, do any kids ever visit Mr Buck?

Kids? Visiting Buck? You're kidding, right? What kid would wanna hang around him? The guy barely leaves the house, unless it's the tavern or the theatre. And when he talks, it's like listening to a bad play in reverse.

Not just kids, we hardly speak to him either. He's a nuisance. No one can understand a word he says. He hasn't done anything illegal, has he? 'Cause I always said there was something off about that man.

(Mr Buck rarely leaves home and keeps to himself, most people hardly know a thing about him. So if a kid somehow knew about his weakness for alcohol... they must've picked it up somewhere.)

(The Asphodel's no place for kids, and no one's seen any near Buck's house. That leaves one place: the theatre. I should check it out.)

(A kid selling popcorn outside the theatre... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

Mr Buck spends plenty of time at the theatre, he's bound to have crossed paths with that kid more than once. Probably turned down his beer sales every time...

And those popcorn kernels on the kid's sleeve? They match exactly with what I found under Buck's window. Everything's pointing to him. Time to have a chat.

Gimme another bottle! I'm not drunk... Twenty beers? Barely a warm-up! C'mon, keep 'em coming!

(This guy reeks of booze... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

What does popcorn taste like, Papa? Can I try some, please?

A proper young lady doesn't eat junk like that. After the opera, Papa will take you to Silverpeace for a proper meal.

Aww... okay...

(A kid outside the theatre, eyeing popcorn longingly... Could she have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

Achoo! It's getting colder...

Even a Charon has limits on cold tolerance... The temperature will be down by twenty degrees this evening. We might lose a few kids to the cold. *sigh*...

Hello.

Greetings, my dear patron! Did you enjoy the play? You must be hungry after sitting through the show for three hours! Would you like some snacks and drinks?

Or perhaps you were captivated by the thrilling performance, how about a poster with the thespians' signatures?

Okay, let's see what you've got.

A special edition poster signed by Vitti, Tales of Icelake souvenir albums, glacial meltwater, theatre-themed popcorn... and refreshing beer!

Don't you worry! This barely contains any alcohol and won't get you drunk!

That's hard to say... Do you happen to know Mr Buck the playwright?

Of course I do! Mr Buck frequents the theatre and is one of my most cherished patrons! Despite being a noble, he actually respects Charon kids like me. Mr Buck is one fine gentleman!

I know people make fun of Mr Buck, but unlike most people, he genuinely deserves respect.

That may be true, but I doubt it gives you the right to sneak into his house through the window and pour beer into his milk.

H, How did you know?

Mr Buck has a habit of writing his works at night. Your actions have delayed his progress for a month, so he hired me to find the mysterious "Inspiration Stealer".

Your business income isn't enough to cover your needs through the winter. Mr Buck might not be wealthy, but he is a noble and his house is warm enough. So, you sneaked into Mr Buck's home for the heating.

As for why you chose Mr Buck, even the smallest amount of alcohol makes him doze off. You could then sleep in his house without the fear of freezing to death. Am I right?

Ugh... You are indeed a great detective. You've got every detail right.

You might as well arrest me. I'm truly sorry for what I did. Though if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't be here for you to arrest...

I don't get to decide what to do with you. I'm taking you to my client.

(Just as I thought.)

Camilla said Mr Buck can't handle alcohol, he never drinks. So... someone must've spiked the milk.

Wait, there's a sticky fingerprint on the jug. Small... child-sized, even.

The prints lead from the street right up to the window. And there's melted snow inside... No attempt to cover their tracks, looks like it really was just a kid.

So a kid poured booze into Buck's milk and knocked him out cold. Better have another look around, see what else I can dig up.

Excuse me, do any kids ever visit Mr Buck?

Kids? Visiting Buck? You're kidding, right? What kid would wanna hang around him? The guy barely leaves the house, unless it's the tavern or the theatre. And when he talks, it's like listening to a bad play in reverse.

Not just kids, we hardly speak to him either. He's a nuisance. No one can understand a word he says. He hasn't done anything illegal, has he? 'Cause I always said there was something off about that man.

(Mr Buck rarely leaves home and keeps to himself, most people hardly know a thing about him. So if a kid somehow knew about his weakness for alcohol... they must've picked it up somewhere.)

(The Asphodel's no place for kids, and no one's seen any near Buck's house. That leaves one place: the theatre. I should check it out.)

(A kid selling popcorn outside the theatre... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

Mr Buck spends plenty of time at the theatre, he's bound to have crossed paths with that kid more than once. Probably turned down his beer sales every time...

And those popcorn kernels on the kid's sleeve? They match exactly with what I found under Buck's window. Everything's pointing to him. Time to have a chat.

Gimme another bottle! I'm not drunk... Twenty beers? Barely a warm-up! C'mon, keep 'em coming!

(This guy reeks of booze... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

What does popcorn taste like, Papa? Can I try some, please?

A proper young lady doesn't eat junk like that. After the opera, Papa will take you to Silverpeace for a proper meal.

Aww... okay...

(A kid outside the theatre, eyeing popcorn longingly... Could she have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

Camilla said Mr Buck can't handle alcohol, he never drinks. So... someone must've spiked the milk.

Wait, there's a sticky fingerprint on the jug. Small... child-sized, even.

The prints lead from the street right up to the window. And there's melted snow inside... No attempt to cover their tracks, looks like it really was just a kid.

So a kid poured booze into Buck's milk and knocked him out cold. Better have another look around, see what else I can dig up.

Excuse me, do any kids ever visit Mr Buck?

Kids? Visiting Buck? You're kidding, right? What kid would wanna hang around him? The guy barely leaves the house, unless it's the tavern or the theatre. And when he talks, it's like listening to a bad play in reverse.

Not just kids, we hardly speak to him either. He's a nuisance. No one can understand a word he says. He hasn't done anything illegal, has he? 'Cause I always said there was something off about that man.

(Mr Buck rarely leaves home and keeps to himself, most people hardly know a thing about him. So if a kid somehow knew about his weakness for alcohol... they must've picked it up somewhere.)

(The Asphodel's no place for kids, and no one's seen any near Buck's house. That leaves one place: the theatre. I should check it out.)

(A kid selling popcorn outside the theatre... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

Mr Buck spends plenty of time at the theatre, he's bound to have crossed paths with that kid more than once. Probably turned down his beer sales every time...

And those popcorn kernels on the kid's sleeve? They match exactly with what I found under Buck's window. Everything's pointing to him. Time to have a chat.

Gimme another bottle! I'm not drunk... Twenty beers? Barely a warm-up! C'mon, keep 'em coming!

(This guy reeks of booze... Could he have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

What does popcorn taste like, Papa? Can I try some, please?

A proper young lady doesn't eat junk like that. After the opera, Papa will take you to Silverpeace for a proper meal.

Aww... okay...

(A kid outside the theatre, eyeing popcorn longingly... Could she have been the one who spiked Buck's milk?)

I found the perpetrator.

Oh! My brave saviour! Allow me to express my gratitude a millionfold! From this evening forth, I shall once again be graced by the goddess of inspiration!

As for you... the little thief in my dreams, you have given me a most unexpected surprise!

I'm very sorry, Mr Buck... But please believe me, I never intended to hurt you...

Oh, my little burglar. I'm well aware of how people scoff and snicker about me behind my back. They label me a third-rate playwright whose works never see the light of success.

Adorning my prose with the most exquisite words hasn't made them appreciate my efforts. They close their ears and their hearts... From what I see, someone who truly speaks from the heart is indeed a rare gem.

Sir... I don't really follow.

What I mean is that you, unlike others, have never seen me as a fool chasing impossible dreams. Therefore, I hold great respect for you, my young friend. If the winter proved too harsh, why didn't you come to me sooner?

I would gladly prepare a room for you. And if you wish, you may even peruse some of my manuscripts as bedtime stories. Though, I can't guarantee they will help you sleep.

What...? You'd really let me stay at your place...? Sir, you don't have to do that... But I can help with chores around the house. Please let me do this to make up for the delay I caused.

Thank you for everything you've done, my dear Phoxhunter! You are indeed the most meticulous detective in all of Icelake. This tale of unexpected kindness has given me much inspiration and forged a friendship between two kind souls.

Ah! I am brimming with inspiration! I must hurry and pen this down! If my prose achieves fame, your name shall be celebrated for centuries to come!