iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

"Um... Well, no... Was I supposed to?" She looked across the three men. Kincaid had sad eyes.

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

"Really, you can forget we're here. Just legal stuff, you understand?" She considered it. "Um, well I--" "Good. Now, I understand your lawyer, a Mister, uh...." "Underline." "Right. A Mister Underline, is already here, is that right? Where is he?"

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

in the crackling light. She smoothed the fabric with her pale palms, knuckles still white, looking like a doll on a high shelf the way the chair swallowed her. She looked at Kincaid as expectantly as the housemaid. "We're just here to make sure the will reading's legit, Miss Vane," Kincaid spoke.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

She was not a good liar, or wanted to appear that way. Those could be the same thing, for now. "It's just very hot in here to be standing up." She turned and sank into the burgundy settee herself, her dress rustling softly against the heavy velvet before settling around her knees like liquid gold

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Kincaid sat. Ophelia's smile faltered into a look of plain confusion. She glanced at the empty armchair, then back at Hansly's stiff jaw, her dark eyes unblinking. "Oh," she said quietly. "Of-- Of course." Her gaze drifted to the heavy wool of his suit, then back to the radiator hissing behind him.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Her hand trembled just enough to catch the light on her diamond, her fingers curled tight against her palm. She gestured toward the armchairs with a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Please," she said, her voice soft against the steam pipes hissing like snakes. "Sit down."

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Her dark eyes moved between Kincaid's coat and Hansly's cheap, out-of-town suit with a sharp, sizing-up focus. She looked frightened, but it was the quiet kind of fear that makes a person watch everything and say very little, the words in her mouth too great to swallow.

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A champagne dress, but there was no celebration in her face. She had the pale, unblemished skin of a girl who had lived her twenty-one years entirely indoors, shielded from the cold and the dark outside.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

She stood by the hearth, looking barely twenty-one, small enough to get lost in the furniture. Miss Ophelia Vane. Her dress was pale silk, expensive and stiff, but she held herself with a quiet, careful posture, a girl trying to act older than her years.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

every twitch and soaked coat-sleeve was caught and blown up in the glass. Across the rug, tall French doors rattled in their brass frames as the storm hammered the terrace outside.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

On the glass, a silver tray held a crystal decanter of dark rye and a set of clean glasses that shimmered in the firelight. Gold-framed mirrors broke up the walls, reflecting the room from three different angles. There was nowhere to hide in here;

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

In the center of the floor sat a plush burgundy settee and two deep armchairs, crowded so tightly around a low glass table that in Kincaid's estimation any conversation was bound to turn personal.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

After the drafty expanse of the foyer, the parlor felt like a velvet-lined furnace. Dark mahogany paneling climbed up to the ceiling, flanked by built-in bookcases packed with gold-embossed volumes that looked bought by the yard and never read. The air tasted of beeswax and expensive leather.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

"Come on, kid," Kincaid nodded toward the door the housekeeper had pointed at. "Time to play grown-ups." The heat hit them like a wall, dry air prying beneath Kincaid’s collar. A war was raging between the fireplace and the radiators for control of the room, and both sides were winning.

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

window at the top of the stairs, could hear a door shut to their left. Kincaid looked around the dim landing. "Why is it, always the richest that's the stingiest? I can barely see my own two feet."

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Upstairs was mostly dark, their shadows growing longer and getting all watery in the dim light of the chandelier, and for a moment, just a moment-- (( Hansly -- CUNNING OBSERVATION: Failure (8,2,3) )) -- Hansly swore he could see movement against the stained

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

but Kincaid shrugged her off, valuing his possessions too much to let them go scurrying off into Vane Manor's dim recesses. Despite the thin carpeting upon the stairs, their footsteps sounded off against the stone like gunshots.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

carved entirely from black, high-gloss marble. This was money so old it was haunted, making a statement toward a style and a culture about sixty years out of budget. In other words, Miss Vane was about to become a very wealthy woman indeed. The housekeeper gestured to take their hats and coats,

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The woman's eyes swallowed the glint of the badge whole. She nodded for herself, then brought the door back with her. Kincaid went first, being in charge and all, and took his hat off at the door. Dominating the hall was the staircase, a massive, double-return imperial monster

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

"We're here regarding a will reading, ma'am. This *is* Vane Manor, is it not?" "Well . . . Yes, it is, but--" ((( PATIENT DEMONSTRATION: Failed ))) "All standard procedure, ma'am. Lawman's gotta verify it's all been done right. Ain't that right, Sergeant?"

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

most of its engraving had disappeared. "Officers?" Her tone enquiring, as if surprised to be asked the time by a stranger. "DC Kincaid. This is my associate," Glancing at him, piping up before the newbie could say something that ruined their cover. " . . . Sergeant Hansly.

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

A ring of polished brass keys rested against her hip, jingling softly as she moved. She held the door with concern, the skin around her knuckles roughened by years of hot water and lye soap. Her one decoration was a silver brooch at her throat, which had been polished so often that

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Time had simply pared her down. She wore a dark grey wool dress buttoned to the throat, with a white collar so crisply starched it looked capable of cutting paper. ((( CUNNING OBSERVATION: Success ))) There was flour on her dress, save where an apron might have been just moments before.

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

"Woah, woah, woah, what're you doing? I do the knocking. I'm in charge." Kincaid frowned. "I hadn't finished talking yet. We haven't even talked about our appro--" The door opened suddenly. She looked like she was in her early sixties, but it was hard to put an exact number on it.

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

His voice sounded run-through. The day had already gotten to him, and it was only ten. Simply put, he needed a rookie on his tail like a hangover needs a brass band.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Kincaid smoked for a moment before answering. He always found it easier to think with something burning between his fingers. "Because somebody upstairs says it is." He felt the kid waiting beside him for more. "That's it."

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

very good, sir. ( monty puts away his pince-nez and wraps the pendent up in a jade-colored handkerchief. he and k. started to walk, which was a hint for kitty to follow them. )

000

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

on the rim - worth a small fortune down here. this batch was a lot older though, there *was* a kind of antique collector's angle to them . . . would you want to shoot this stuff up? maybe. it stank. it stank like hell. dusty would like them, which meant k. liked them. he closed the case and lifted

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

he clicked open the latches. inside were half a dozen heavy, glass-and-chrome auto-injectors filled with a substance that looked and smelled like liquid earwax. trauma medicine. one shot could knit a shattered bone or close a gunshot wound in minutes. tech you found now only in select hospitals

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

about their lives. or perhaps the opposite, to show how far they had come, how much worse the past had been. life among the savages -- step right in. monty went up to a chest of drawers and pulled out a cream-and-gold box bearing the faded emblem of sixty years ago.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

casting strange shadows in the dim oil lamps of the vault. a museum for two. how could you describe, in words, what you had no concepts of? another of khan's games, to show his clients how removed they were from their own histories, how little they knew, and how little they *could know*

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

( it was hard to tell what most of it was. kitty only recognized most of it from old pictures growing up. this stuff was old, and lacked the luster of the carnival outside. all pre-war, much pre-velo, some pre-empire. back when earth was just earth. all of it was obsolete,

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

( monty takes them through to a massive door. he drags over a wooden stepladder, old as everything else in here, and uses it to climb to the capstan, twisting and twisting . . . )

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

touchy subject. khan's brow raises, as if to say to kitty and zazie 'this guy, eh?'. "allow me to consult my accountant. monty?" monty the chimpanzee butler, and also, apparently, accontant, tilts his head from side to side, nods. "very well! shall we go to the vault?"

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

"is that so? i happen to have some genuine skinaxian healing tapers on sale. i would hate for anything to happen to those . . . capable hands of y--"

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

do *you* think i ought to be paying *one-fifth extra* for your troubles?'

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

'i thank you for saying it, zazie. i've worked on it for many years; travelled to the *very ends of the cosmos* for some of the trinkets you'll find in here. the very ends! i'm positively the moon's *premiere expert* on all things extraterrestrial. so, zazie, you tell me, with your hard work:

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

'new blood?' khan said, looking at zazie. 'and a miner, too? do i have *you* to thank for my pendant?'

100

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

he carried a silver platter with a decanter and four crystal glasses.

210

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

enceladan rhino leather. 'i trust you've got a present for me?' in he came, and behind him further movement burst from the dark recesses of his domain. it was a chimpanzee walking upright on two legs, looking very solemn in a pressed, three-piece charcoal suit. it even had a starch-white collar.

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

oil slick. his waistcoat was made in offensive sun-burst yellow martian silk. 'k.! my favorite client. how are you, how *are* you?' he clasped his hands in delight and wore a small fortune in jewelry: a massive void pearl trapped in a signet on his middle finger, matching his shoes made of genuine

210

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

molted skin of a deep-crater pit viper, all the rage somewhere far away from here in the empire. its scales shimmered in the light, meeting any way you looked at it, from toxic emerald to bruised violent, catching stray flickers of neon coming in from outside. he looked like a peacock caught in an

110

𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 @velocityblues.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

the heavy curtain at the back of the store, woven from thick, gold wire that clinked like coins, was thrown open. "khan is an absolute *slave* to his public!" he came out to the sound of jingling brass rims. if his voice was loud, his outfit was louder. he wore a floor-length duster made from the

110