Emmy Altava.

At first, Alfendi had thought she was nothing but a myth - a concoction from his old man's brain. Same went for their "adventures" that he had been told about growing up. A girl in ice, a village full of robots, a machine that could store memories. Ridiculous, they were.

Yet every word Alfendi's father had said about those adventures and Emmy - from bumping into her to saying goodbye - had been dead-on accurate.

The red-headed inspector groaned. Most people chose to relax at this time of the year, but he was still hot on his toes. He had to be, in theory; he reckoned chilling in his PJs would do nothing to help him find his answers.

Where could Father have gotten to? Alfendi thought. He's not the type to go somewhere afar without prior word. Unless he's trying to escape Flora? But still... he would have to tell someone. That someone would probably not be me either. Why...

No. Absolutely not.

Alfendi's grip on the cup handle tightened, and so did the pains in his stomach. For just that split second, that small moment in time, the inspector considered the possibility of this happening if his bond with his father had been stronger. Could he be the reason his dad was missing? He hoped not. But before he had time to think on it, the door to his office opened. A rather wrapped-up Emmy was poking her head around it, eyes on the inspector.

"Are you ready?" she said.

...

"Yes. I am." He pulled a loose strand of hair behind his ear and his thick winter coat over his shoulders. "Let's go, Emmy."

And thus, a most unlikely duo set off on their quest. Whether or not they would succeed, Alfendi wasn't sure. But he wouldn't let them go down without a fight - for that is what a gentleman does.