Sapphire Night Noire: Book 1- The Mane Inspector

"Psst!" My ears twitched , making my eyes flutter open and glance at a certain filly who rudely awoke me...

I groaned, glancing at the clock, "It's 5 in the morning Gale, go back to sleep..." I grumbled and pulled the covers over my head.

"But I can't sleep... Can I watch a movie?"

I sighed, getting up groggily and going into the T.V. Room, setting up the projector and putting in my favorite movie, Shadow Spade and the Mystery of the Black Dove. It was a classic Noire Film, and my older sister's favorite. It was thanks to her love of old detective movies that led me to become a private investigator. If not for her, I would probably be working in some factory, or worse...

I went back to my room to get Ghost Gale, only finding that she was wearing my fedora, posing in front of the mirror, "Such a fabulous item!" She giggled, unaware of my presence, or the snarl that was growing on my face.

I snatched my fedora off her head and put it on, "Hooves off my fedora!" I snapped, putting my necklace on as well, "The necklace too!"

Ghost Gale whimpered and backed away, "I-I'm sorry... I just saw it on the table and wanted to try it on..."

I sighed and patted her head, calming down, "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have snapped at you..." I positioned my fedora on my head correctly, "It's just that these mean a lot to me..."

She eventually calmed down as well, the fear in her eyes replaced by a child's curiosity, "Why do you care so much about a hat and a piece of jewelry?"

I perked an eyebrow, "You just met me last night and you want me to tell you my life story?"

"I was just curious..." She mumbled.

I looked away, wrapping my tail around me, "Why do you even wanna know? I'm taking you to the orphanage soon anyhow..."

Gale stiffened and furiously shook her head "What do you mean no?" I growled, "That was the deal, I let you stay overnight, then you go to the orphanage the next day."

Gale whimpered, "I don't wanna go to the orphanage!"

"Why not?"

She looked away, "Because I'll be all alone..."

I froze, hearing those words... I was a strict loner at the time, so I wasn't eager to take anyone in, but I couldn't just abandon this filly...

I sighed and took her to the movie room, "You can stay with me until we find you a proper family to take care of you..." I turned the movie on.

Gale gasped and smiled, "You mean it?!"

I nodded, "Now sit down, the movie's starting."

After the movie, we decided to go out for breakfast. We went to a place called Maple Mint’s Café and Bakery, which I was a regular to.

The bell rung on the the door, announcing our presence. The owner, Maple Mint, a reddish brown earth pony, greeted us with a warm smile, “G’morn’n Sapphire! Good to be see’n ya!”

I smiled back, “Good to see you too Maple Mint, how've you been?”

Maple cleaned a spot off the counter for us, “I’ve been busy as a honey hive, it is Goldberry Season of course.”

“Ah that’s right! I totally forgot!” Gale and I took a seat, “Word has it that the crop is especially ripe this year. You been able to try any yet?”

Maple shook her head, “Not yet, but I be plan’n to, but at the moment all the stock’ll be going to the customer's food.” She then got my coffee as usual and put it in front of me, “A teaspoon of Vanilla Cream’r and three dollops of powdered sugar.”

I took a sip, relishing the bitter sweet liquid on my tongue, “Perfect as always Maple, thanks.”

Maple nodded and looked to Ghost Gale, “And what about you little missy?”

“Hot chocolate please!” She squeaked happily.

Maple nodded and got it for her, giggling when she filly plunged her muzzle into the whipped cream, “So who’s the youngster?”

“Her name’s Ghost Gale,” I stated, taking another sip, “I bribed some slave traders to set her free, so now she’s staying with me until we find a good family for her.”

Maple narrowed her eyes, “Slave traders huh?” She shook her head, “I never did like that this empire legalized slavery…” She looked back to Ghost Gale and smiled a bit, “At least you saved this one. I would take her myself if I had the time to dedicate.” She sighed, “But I'm afraid this place takes most of my time, but I hope you find a good home for her.”

“I hope so too… Anyhow, I'll take a Goldberry Crepé.” I put the menu down.

“Oh yes! Right away!” Maple got the ingredient and started to cook, “I'll be honest with ya, when talk’n with ya, I often forget I'm at work.”

This made me chuckle, “Well then it’s good that it hasn't reached the morning rush.”

Once we started eating, it was quiet for a while, until Maple spoke up, “Oh yeah, I just remembered, Clock Work told me to tell you that he finished repairing your forensic kit and brass hooves.”

I nodded, “Great, l pick them up after this.”

“Also, are you going to the party?”

I shrugged, “Haven't decided yet.”

“Well you should.” Maple took our empty plates, “I'll be catering, and it would be nice to see somepony I know there.”

I nodded, “No harm in it I guess…”

After I paid for the meal, Ghost Gale and I left the café and went to Clock Work’s house, knocking on the door. It opened and the stallion poked his head out, “Oh! Sapphire Night! I assume you for my message from Maple?”

I nodded, “She said you finished the repairs.”

“Yes I have, come on in.” He lead us inside, going to his workshop and giving me my inspector’s bag, my gear inside.

I took out my brass hooves, putting them on, taking the bag with my tail, “Thanks Clock Work. They're good as new.”

Clock Work nodded, “Well I do owe ha. You haven't told anyone about my side work right?”

I shook my head, “Our deal stands strong.”

Clock Work looked to Ghost Gale and smirked, “So who’s the runt?”

“Her name is Ghost Gale, I saved her from Slave Traders and she’s staring with me until we find one to take care of her.”

Clock Work got down to the filly’s level and offered a smile, “I'd be willing to take her, she could be my apprentice, dipped and brass are true works of art you know.”

I growled and pushed him back, “As both know you would use her as a delivery mare for your side work, so keep your hooves off.”

“Ooh, protective aren't you?” Clock chuckled.

“Shut up…”

“Well it was worth a shot. Let me know if you need anything, alright?”

“Yeah, take care.”

We walked out of the place, staying silent for a bit, until Gale spoke up, “What did he mean by ‘side work’?”

I glanced at her, “Why do you wanna know?”

“Just curious. Is it something I should be worried about?”

“No.” I shook my head, “He’s a weapon’s dealer.”

“As in making and selling weapons?”

“Exactly.”

“What’s so bad about that?”

I looked back in front of me, “Not all the weapons he sells are legal, like sniper Ruffles and poisoned blade.”

Gale gave me a funny look, “And you don't arrest him?”

“I'm a private investigator, not a cop. I don't have the authority to arrest anyone. Besides, even if I could I wouldn't. This town runs on the criminal underworld, everyone has a side job of a sorts. If it were exposed, the Valor Slums would crumble more than it already has." I explained.

"I see..." The filly seemed to ponder it for a moment before looking back to me, "So what's your side job then?"

That made me trip.

"Are you ok?!" Ghost Gale helped me up.

"I don't have a side job." I brushed myself off, "Maple Mint and myself are the only ones around here that don't have a side job."

"You sure?"

"Plenty sure..."

"Alright..." She sighed, "So what's this about a party?"

"It's just a party at the Dwellgood Mansion." My tail twitched, "I probably won't go."

"But you should go!" Gale squeaked.

I perked an eyebrow, "Why?"

"You don't seem to get out often, a social event would do you good!"

"How did you know I don't get out much?"

"I didn't, you just told me."

I growled, "Oh you're good..."