A dim light shone onto the case files on the mans desk, the detective tapping a pencil on the side of his desk while struggling to figure out who was behind the mask. Mumbo had been assigned to find the identity behind a famous thief, the Pearled cat. He'd robbed hundreds of museums, and Mumbo had reason to believe his next heist was just around the corner. The detective scratched his head, there was no pattern to the robberies, it was all just a jumbled mess. Mumbo leaned back in his chair, his hands over his eyes as he let out a bothered huff. If he didn't catch this cat, then Mumbo would be out of a job.

"Mumbo?" A voice called, with some tapping on his office door. Mumbo quickly situated himself, gesturing for Keralis to take a seat in front of his desk. Keralis played with his thumbs, clearly on edge, especially since he hadn't called the Detective 'Bumbo'.  Keralis pulled out a photo, which was of a necklace, made out of all sorts of pearls and treasured gems, clearly valuable. He handed the detective the image, Mumbo studying the prized pearl necklace in awe.

"I think the pearled cat is going to go after the La Peregrina pearl. It's a famous necklace that we've just recently gotten at my museum. We haven't announced the exhibit to the public yet, but I heard you were on this case, and I thought a heads up would help you catch that mangy cat." Keralis said, Mumbo's eyes going wide. If the pearled cat was really after the necklace, then Mumbo had a head start.

He could finally put that cat behind bars for good.

~~~~~~~~

If the pearled cat was really after the La Peregrina pearl, then he was taking his sweet time. Mumbo sat behind a desk, watching the security footage, waiting for the cat to show. If the detective could just stop the pearled cat, then maybe he could work the case a little longer, instead of getting fired. But for now, he had to continue to wait, all night long that is. Mumbo loosened his tie, taking a sip of his coffee while his eyes seemed to doze off. The coffee wasn't seeming to help, Mumbo was exhausted, this was his 4th night without sleep, he'd been waiting for the pearled cat to show for who knows how long.

One camera cut out, the footage going to static, one after the other, the footage cut out. It had to be the cat, Mumbo had to catch him before he got away. The detective hopped out of his chair, pulling out his handgun and bolting out of the security office, running down the hall towards the back room, the lock that used to be on the door being broken off. Mumbo looked through the crack of the door, spotting the grey hoodie that the cat was always seen wearing. Mumbo loaded his gun, kicking open the door and pointing his weapon directly at the cat, whose back was facing the detective, as the Pearled cat studied the necklace in front of him.

"Step away from the necklace, Pearled cat. You're under arrest." Mumbo spat, narrowing his eyes at the skilled thief. Without turning around, the cat raised his hands in the air, in way of surrender. He turned around, the small thief wearing a silver mask, decorated with pearls and silver, the mask resembling a cat's face. The thief let out a small giggle, taking a few steps towards Mumbo, the detective slowly moving his finger towards the trigger.

"You and I both know you won't do it, boo." The cat cooed, Mumbo's cold glare never breaking. The cat let out yet another giggle, lowering his grey hood, revealing his dirty blonde hair. He then slowly removed his cat mask, his cold, blue eyes locked onto the detective. Over his right eye, there was a cat scratch that went from his forehead to his chin. The cat's smiled at Mumbo's confusion, the thief grabbing the pearled necklace and slowly approached Mumbo. He placed one finger on Mumbo's handgun, the detective never fighting the cat, even as he pushed Mumbo's gun, pointing it away from the thief.

"You think it looks good on me, Mumby?" Pearled cat asked Mumbo, showing off the necklace which was wrapped around the cat's neck, the pearls glistening in the dim lighting. Mumbo was at a loss for words, stumbling with no idea what to say. The detective's eyes were drawn to the thief's soft lips, Pearl smiling when he noticed Mumbo's attraction towards him. "I know that little case you've been working. You're trying to turn me in, yes?"



"W-w-w-w-w-well-"

"Awe boo. You don't always have to follow the rules." Pearl said, tightening Mumbo's tie, the detective honestly embarrassed about his messy appearance, completely forgetting about his case, to focused on trying not to show his hot red expression. Pearl smiled, his hand on Mumbo's chin, forcing Mumbo to look right into the cat's cold, blue eyes. Pearl gently kissed the detective right on the lips, Mumbo's face going entirely red, his eyes going wide. While he was distracted, The cat slipped his hand into the detective's pocket, pulling out Mumbo's keys and tucking them away, without the detective noticing.

 After a few minutes, Pearl pulled away, Mumbo at a loss for words. Pearl placed his silver mask into the palm of Mumbo's hands, before smiling with a wink. Mumbo went red once more, the cat saying goodbye with a kiss on Mumbo's cheek. Pearl put on his necklace, Mumbo unable to comprehend what he was feeling. He just wanted to let the thief get away, because Mumbo wanted to see him again.

"Call me, boo!" The cat called, dashing out of the room without another word. Mumbo stammered, trying to respond, or even run after Pearl, but his legs nervously shook, barely obeying what the detective wanted. Mumbo loved him, he really did. The way that Pearl thought so quick on his feet, and his playful flirting just made Mumbo loose himself. But was that an act? Just to distract Mumbo? He didn't know, but the detective knew one thing:



He was gonna get fired.