Starbits

A Murder at Frozen Ocean Casino

A howling wind blows across the Snow White plains of snow and ice as snow pours from the sky. The only sound is that of the wind crashing between the frozen waves. A faint echo can be heard in the far distance... The Silence is suddenly broken as a beautiful sports car comes jumping over a ramp of ice! The powerful V8 engine roars as the car races through a canyon of snow, with three smaller cars pursuing it. Laser blasts ring out as a laser shot deflects off the rear glass louvers of the shining sports car. Inside, a rather dapper Collie shifts the car into a higher gear as the beautiful Springer Spaniel powders her cheeks, fixing her makeup. The lovely Spaniel looks at her husband: "James, if you don't hurry we are going to be late." He turns, giving her a smug smile. "Terribly sorry my dear, shall I get rid of the party crashers?" She fixes her lipstick. "That would be lovely dear." He throws the car in neutral and cuts the wheel, spinning the car around to face their pursuers. Shifting the car to reverse, maintaining a fair distance between them and the smaller enemy cars. At the press of a button, the grill in the front of the car folds down, revealing twin laser cannons. Both blasters fire at the same time, detonating the center enemy car! The other two take evasive maneuvers as the hero's car spins back around. James smiles. "He always did have an explosive personality." His wife opens her compact. "I'm sure he did, dear." He slows his car slightly, allowing one of the enemy cars to gain some ground. Glancing down at a screen, an indicator begins to beep with an electronic voice saying: "Target in range". James presses another button making an electric current surge from the center hub of his wheels overcharging the electric motor of the adversary's car. The agent's eyebrow raises in a suave way. "I bet he found that one... Electrifying!" Adjusting her eyeliner, James' wife responds with a monotone: "I'm sure you are right, dear." He checks his mirrors. "Wasn't there another one of these buggers?" He brings his car to a stop.
In front of them is the exit to the Ice canyon. James looks at his wife. "Flicka, darling..." the final enemy car pulls up in front of the trench's exit, blocking the way out. James opens the center armrest to reveal an ice chest, with an unopened bottle of Albano 19XX. He raises the bottle and two glasses. "Thirsty?" He asks. The enemy smashes the gas pedal flying towards the agent's car. James and Teresa toast their glasses. "To us." He says. She gives him a loving smile as the "Chime" their glasses ring through the cabin of the car, they cross their arms and start to sip their bubbly drink. With his other hand, James presses a button that causes his front ground effects bumper to drop and create a slope. The enemy car charges in, running straight up the lowered bumper and sending his car flying over theirs and smashing into the frozen wall! The two look out the back window and watch as a large chunk of ice falls, crushing the final adversary's car that proceeds to explode. James tilts his head at his wife. "Well, shall we go to the party?" She gives a clever smile. "Indeed we shall, and I'm sure he would be just 'crushed' that he couldn't make it." James gets a large grin. "That's my girl. The Sports car's engine roars as they exit the ice canyon.

Moments later, the car slides to a dynamic stop. The gull-wing door opens as James steps out of the car and walks to the other side, opening the door for his lovely wife. He adjusts a few loose strands of her hair as she straightens his tie.
James looks to the sky and notices the Snow beginning to fall harder and faster. "Looks like a blizzard is brewing. At least we are staying somewhere with plenty of rooms." Flicka smiles. "Remember the first time we got caught out in the snow together?" James' smile grows. "We stayed in a barn, that was the night i asked you to marry me." Flicka plants a kiss on his weathered yet charming lips. "That feels like it was forever ago." She holds up her diamond wedding ring. "Still shines like new. James takes her hand and romantically says. "You know what your father used to say... 'flesh and blood are temporary, but Diamonds are forever'." The two lock arms, as they walk towards a large building built entirely out of Crystal, looking like solid ice in the snow. The two are taken by surprise as a magical portal opens just in front of them! Out hops Cinnamon, dressed in a beautiful long silk dress with a cut up to the hip. Behind her out pops Snickers in a rather suave blazer, but still has his beanie, it sometimes seems like it is attached to him. Glimmer lands next, in a very classy but also warm red gown. Lastly, Wysteria gently steps out of the portal in a heavily anime influenced dress with lots of accessories. James looks at Flicka and quietly says: "It looks like we aren't the only ones who like to make a big entrance." Wysteria standing behind Cinnamon looks up admiring the view. Glimmer looks up also noticing. "Wow Cinn, that dress looks fantastic on you!" Glimmer says very politely. "It makes your butt look HUGE!" Wyst says excitedly. Cinnamon looks back over her shoulder. "In a good way!?" Snickers blushes. Though they have been in a relationship for several years at this point, he still finds himself getting lost in how over the moon in love he is with her. He still feels bashful at times, but not too much to say. "Yeah Cinn, in a good way." He takes her hand, not being able to hold back making contact with her. Cinnamon pulls his head in close, making more of a headlock than a traditional hug. "You look pretty damn good yourself." She says. She turns to compliment Wyst and Glimmers outfits too as James and Flicka walk by.
"Ahhh, to be that young again." He says. Teresa smiles. "Do you know who that is?" She asks. James shakes his head. "No, should I?" He replies. "That is the Princess of BlueMoon. The western kingdom." James looks surprised. "Saffron's Daughter? I didn't know him personally, but I remember him meeting with D from time to time when he was first establishing the Trouble Consultants branch of his Kingdom. What is she doing here? Do you think she is looking for the..."
Flicka interjects: "It probably wouldn't hurt for us to meet with her, she may be as much help to us as we can be to her." James tilts his head in agreement. Cinnamon, looking at her hand. "Well, since we are all dressed up and it seems to be the only place to go, it looks like we are going to the ice palace!" Cinnamon says with a hint of cold excitement. As they walk to the palace, She pulls her fur shawl a bit more snug on her shoulder and around her, the dress doesn't have a shirt, so the exposed skin is rather chilled. "I don't mind showing a bit, but I also wouldn't have minded if this dress had used a thicker material up here!" She says jokingly. Snickers locks his eyes on the very topic of the conversation. "I really like this fashion on you... but I understand!" He says. "How are we gonna get in to the party?" Glimmer asks. "Yeah, we don't even know what kind of party it is?" Wysteria adds. Cinnamon looks back giving them both a smug smile: "Hello, Princess!" She says with a kind sarcasm. Wysteria and Glimmer simultaneously say: "Ooooooh right!"
The bouncer, a large, gruff looking stone with a rather grumpy face, allows a very wealthy looking gentleman in. However, the next in line appears to not have all the necessary information with him. Cinnamon and the gang watch as the Bouncer launches the man into a large mound of snow to a rather satisfying "Pthhhht!" Sound. Glimmer smiles a large awkward smile. "I hope you have some kind of proof on you that shows you are indeed the princess...ahehe!"
Cinnamon smiles a nervous smile herself. "Yeah... me too!"
The Dapper collie and his wife reach the bouncer just before they do. The bouncer's frown seems to grow larger as he mumbles: "Name?" James smiles and says in an iconic way. "The name is Bray, James Bray. This is my wife, Teresa. I believe you have reservations for the two of us." The Bouncer checks his list. "Yes sir, Mr. And Mrs. James Bray. Please, go ahead." The two walk up the few steps leading to the entrance, but don't go in immediately. Flicka, real name, Teresa, looks at James. "Should we wait to make sure they get in?" James turns to watch, but trying to not make it obvious. "I was thinking that very thing." The bouncer looks at Cinnamon and her companions. "Name?" Cinnamon says in a rather perky manner: "Princess Cinnamon of BlueMoon Kingdom." The Bouncer's eyes widen as his frown grows more intense. James starts back down the stairs preparing a story to try to get them in. The Bouncer's frown turns to a kind smile. "Princess Cinnamon. Of course you may go in. I worked for your father's security team once long ago, it was one of my first jobs in the field. That was long before you were born! Go ahead, watch your step, little ones." Cinnamon Smiles and bows. "Thank you, sir. My Dad would be very delighted to see you working in a position of such high importance." The Bouncer blushes. "Daaaawwww thank you, your highness." James nods his head with a look of "Not bad" written all over his face. He returns to his wife as they enter the main ballroom with Cinnamon and Company only a few steps behind them.