EPISODE 1 – "The First Scent"
It's midday in the city. The streets are alive — the noise of traffic, street vendors shouting, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans mingling with the earthy scent after a light rain.
In the middle of the chaos, Riven, in his police uniform, pushes through the crowd, chasing a small pickpocket.
Riven:
> "Stop! Police!"
The thief darts into a narrow, dim alley. Without hesitation, Riven follows… only to collide hard with someone coming from the opposite side. Papers and sketch sheets scatter all over the ground.
The other man, Ashen, crouches down, irritated, picking up his sketches.
Ashen (snapping):
> "Can't you watch where you're going?"
Riven (pausing, frowning slightly):
> "…You."
Ashen looks confused for a second, but Riven's focused gaze doesn't waver.
To Riven, the moment feels strange — two distinct scents hit his senses at once. One warm and comforting… the other sharp, almost metallic.
Riven (muttering to himself):
> "A dual scent…?"
Ashen (raising a brow):
> "What?"
Riven:
> "You… smell weird."
Ashen (rolling his eyes):
> "Is that your idea of small talk?"
Ashen quickly gathers his papers, stuffs them into his bag, and walks past Riven without another word. Riven just watches him leave.
—
Later, at the police station, Riven sits at his desk, flipping through paperwork. His colleague and friend Luka leans against the desk with a smirk.
Luka:
> "What's with you today? You look… distracted. Met someone?"
Riven (not looking up):
> "Trouble."
Luka (grinning):
> "Trouble with good hair?"
Riven doesn't respond. Luka takes the hint and backs off.
---
Meanwhile, Ashen is at his small rented apartment — a space filled with books, sketches, and coffee mugs. He's on the phone.
Ashen:
> "I'm fine, Mom. Yeah… just ran into a cop today. The persistent type. But I'm being careful."
After hanging up, his eyes drift to an old newspaper clipping pinned to the wall. The headline reads: "Illegal Scent Trade on the Rise."
For a brief moment, his expression hardens.
—
The next evening, a cozy café. Ashen is sitting in the corner, sketching quietly. The bell above the café door rings, and Riven walks in. His eyes immediately find Ashen.
Ashen (under his breath):
> "…Again?"
Riven (walking over with a slight smile):
> "Coincidence. Or maybe fate."
Ashen:
> "Or stalking."
Riven:
> "If I were stalking you… you wouldn't notice."
Ashen sighs, a hint of annoyance mixed with curiosity.
Riven:
> "What's your name?"
Ashen:
> "Not important."
Riven:
> "It is to me."
Ashen meets his gaze for a moment — blank expression, but something flickers in his eyes — before picking up his pencil and returning to his sketch.
—
Later, outside the café, Ashen walks down a dim side street. Two shady men block his path.
Man 1:
> "Got a minute, pretty boy?"
Ashen:
> "Move."
One of them grabs his wrist. Suddenly, Riven appears, his grip locking tightly around the man's arm until his face twists in pain.
Riven (low, dangerous):
> "Let go of him."
The men step back immediately. Ashen pulls his hand free, glaring at Riven.
Ashen:
> "I didn't ask for your help."
Riven:
> "But you got it."
Without another word, Ashen walks away. Riven watches him go, a faint smile on his lips.
Riven (to himself):
> "Why can't I stay away from you?"
The final shot — on a rooftop, Eloir speaks into a phone:
Eloir:
> "Found the dual scent."
Fade to black.