BridgeWorld

[994AB Day 262]
"So, let me get this straight: the riot was because they liked the song?" the earth pony sergeant skeptically asked.

"Have you ever had to face a hundred and fifty plus griffons who came in already really hungry, only for every single one to hold off on getting any food until they finished listening to a song?" Big Joe asked. "And then when it was over, they ALL want to eat RIGHT NOW!?"

"How long was the song?" Sergeant Fently asked.

"About—an hour and a half," the unicorn estimated.

"No, I can't say that I ever have," Fently said. "And I don't think I ever will want to. What about the band?"

"Oh, they made off like bandits," Big Joe laughed.

"They robbed you!?" Fently exclaimed.

"Sorry! No! I mean they never did so well," Big Joe had to quickly tell him. "They work for tips after all, and their performance today raked in over six hundred bits, better than five times their normal draw. Happy griffons are good tippers, you know."

"No, I wouldn't know," Fently sardonically muttered. "I've never seen griffons of either kind. They sure tore this place up to show just how happy they were."

"That's just because they were still very hungry," Big Joe reiterated to which Sergeant Fently gave a noncommittal grumble.

"Can we speak with the band members?" Fently asked.

"Of course," Big Joe said. "They're just upstairs on their break before going back to work this evening."

"With this much damage, I'm afraid your restaurant isn't in any condition to be open this evening," Fently told him.

"Afternoon everypony," Sergeant Fently greeted the band members when he led his two teammates upstairs. "Would anyone care to give a statement about today's events?"

As Gus explained how the new song that they had sang had such an effect on the customers, Corporal Higgs gave Fently a nudge. When the sergeant glanced his way, Higgs gave his eyes a twitch to focus on one of the band members, using an old Guard trick of silently communicating between each other so as to not alert somepony not in the Guard. Fently let his gaze slide across the members of the band on the way to look at the griffon who was speaking. Only, one creature sitting deep in the back was neither griffon nor pony—but it did match the description for an All Points Bulletin, specifically a Creature of Interest mentioned as being involved in foiling an attempted robbery of a certain Thomas Mane.

"…and so, I really feel sorry for Big Joe about the mess they made down there, but I think the next time we try to do one of those songs, we're going to ask that evergriff has their order in first," Gus finished, laughing.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Fently agreed. "Corporal Higgs, be sure to get everypony's name for the report," he said, nodding to his unicorn companion. Fently took a position to one side of Higgs while their pegasus team member stood ready, should their Creature of Interest try to bolt.

One by one, Corporal Higgs took down their names, species, and identifying features in his notepad, starting with Gus, the griffon, male brown eagle/calico mix. Griz, the griffon, female owl/persian mix was next. Gia, the griffon, female, falcon/jaguar mix. Then Gitaly, the griffon, male, axbird/tiger mix. Gandon, the griffon, male, crow/alleycat mix—note: an acquaintance of but not a member of the band. Fireplate, the unicorn, male, reddish-orange coat, yellow and orange mane/tail, cutie mark: saucer dish holding a flame—note: an acquaintance of but not a member of the band, nephew of restaurant owner.

"And let's go with you next," Higgs said, looking at Jackie Valentine. "Gus said you're the one who wrote that song? Name?"

"Jackie Valentine," she replied.

"Species? And you're not one I'm familiar with," Higgs prompted.

"I—I'm not really sure," Jackie said, looking a little forlorn.

"Let's go with what we can determine," Higgs suggested.

"Oh, maybe I can help," Gitaly spoke up. "Years ago, I used to have my eye on a nimble little minx. A peregrine/cheetah mix. Now she was one fast chick, let me—!"

"Ch-chee-cheetah!?" Jackie exclaimed, suddenly looking down at herself in horror. "I'm a CHEETAH!?"

The Guards all tensed. This was the sign the perp was always going to bolt. What happened next, however, took them all by surprise.

"EYYYYYYYAAAAAGHHH!!!" she suddenly screamed, clutching her head as an insanely sharp agony ripped through the middle of her skull. Writhing and twisting about in excruciating pain, she lashed out with her claws at everything around her….