[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cidcoverpage_9560.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:@@the real magic is in the choice. ;-D@@]]

A ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' fanfic by Cephied_Variable, found [[http://archiveofourown.org/works/184018/chapters/270773 here]].

Cities in Dust is an AlternateUniverse fic, in a FilmNoir setting. Set in the corrupt, crime-ridden city of Newternia, where Derse agents, Prospit agents, and humans are all second-class citizens in a troll-dominated society. Dave Strider is a HardboiledDetective, and one of the few human detectives in the city, who is forced to partner up with a highblood legislacerator. {{Continuity Nod}}s and {{Mythology Gag}}s abound, and the characterization is stunningly loyal.

And like the comic it was spun off from, it comes with its own soundtrack. The author frequently links to music to go with the scenes.
----
!!shit lets be hardboiled
* AlienCatnip: [[spoiler: The human drug insulin is toxic to trolls.]]
* AllJustADream: The entire story takes place in [[spoiler:a dream bubble, created by Aradia to stabilize Billious Slick]]. All they have to do to accomplish that is [[spoiler:[[ArcWords Wake Up]]]].
* AlmightyJanitor: Hinted at with John. He's an optimistic homeless [[MythologyGag street performer]] who mysteriously knows a lot of things. Later chapters tell us that [[spoiler:John is more than likely Awake, and trying to push the other dreamers into waking up so they can all go home.]]
%%* AlternateUniverseFic
* ArcWords: "Wake up."
%%* BadassLongcoat
* BerserkButton: For Dave, trolls who hunt humans for sport.
%%* CheshireCatGrin
* CrapsackWorld: Not as bad as Alternia, but that's not saying much.
* DaChief: AR, now Authoritative Redresser.
* DeadpanSnarker: Most of the characters, but special mention goes to Dave.
* DramaticUnmask: [[spoiler: That chap with the Derse carapace is... Karkat?]]
* FantasticCasteSystem: The troll hemospectrum system from ''Homestuck''.
* FantasticRacism: On top of hemospectrum shenanigans, Newternian society is troll-dominated, with carapacians and humans as second-class citizens.
%%* FilmNoir
%%* {{Gorn}}
%%* HurricaneOfEuphemisms
* ImAHumanitarian: Terezi claims to have eaten her last partner as punishment for insubordination. She explains this to Dave on their first day on the job, although she reassures him that she only eats other trolls.
* IAmTheTrope: Terezi jokingly suggests that Dave call her "The Law." He spends the next few chapters sarcastically calling her "Ms. The Law."
* ImpossiblyTackyClothes: Terezi picks out her clothes based on how good they ''taste''. This occasionally results in her wearing a lime-green and purple checked dress with a bright red dragon on it.
%%* INeedAFreakingDrink
* JabbaTableManners: Terezi has a habit of getting donut all over her face when she snacks.
-->>WATCH PYROPE CONSUME EVERY LAST BITE OF THAT VERMILION BAKED CONFECTIONERY TREAT\\
what you are watching is a disaster. it’s a goddamn tragedy. it’s a three train pile up and every single train was filled with deaf children on their way to their first circus ever.
* JudgeJuryAndExecutioner: Legislacerators [[IAmTheTrope are the law]].
%%* MonsterClown: [[TheUntwist Guess who?]]%%ZCE
%%* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: Terezi.%%ZCE
%%* MythologyGag
* NeverSayThatAgain: Dave's reaction to Terezi calling him "Coolkid".
* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Terezi is usually cheerful while inspecting gory crime scenes.
* ThePollyanna: John, true to form.
* PosthumousCharacter: Tavros, [[spoiler: Feferi, Nepeta and Equius]].
* ProfessorGuineaPig: Terezi's reaction to finding that a troll has been poisoned by topical contact with [[spoiler:insulin]]? Start touching everything in the room and tell Dave to time how long it takes before her fingernails start bleeding so they can establish a chronology.
* PsychicPowers: Vriska and Rose.
* RaisedByDudes: Karkat was adopted and raised by the Midnight Crew. Spades Slick is a bit of an idiot and gave him horrible advice, but the more level-headed Diamonds Droog and Hearts Boxcars were able to act as decent parental figures. Karkat still picked up Slick's temper though.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Both of our protagonists.
* ReligionOfEvil: The main religion of Newternia worships the [[EldritchAbomination Horrorterrors]]. Not especially surprising, considering that thousands of years ago, [[spoiler:Newternia used to be Derse]].
* SensoryOverload: Used by [[spoiler: Karkat]] while fleeing from the detectives. It doesn't work too well.
%%* SerialKiller: [[spoiler:Gamzee]]%%ZCE
* SheCleansUpNicely: Invoked and subverted. Dave is worried this will happen when he has a social meeting with Terezi, but it's ruined by her [[RummageSaleReject fashion sense]].
%%* ShipTease: For all of the pairings. All of them.%%ZCE
%%* SlasherSmile: Guess who!%%ZCE
* SmokingIsCool: Although Terezi disagrees, as it interferes with her "sight".
* SnarkKnight: Dave.
* SophisticatedAsHell: Dave's inner monologue.
* SoundtrackDissonance: The music played while investigating crime scenes is usually hilariously inappropriate. Of course, [[NightmareFuelStationAttendant Terezi]] always thinks it's perfect.
%%* SunglassesAtNight
* TogetherInDeath: [[spoiler:Equius and Nepeta as a mockery of their Moirailigience.]] [[BerserkButton Terezi doesn't take it well.]]
* VigilanteMan: Vriska and [[spoiler: Karkat]].
* WhamEpisode: Three in a ''row.'' Chapter seventeen [[spoiler: reveals that Vriska's dead]], chapter eighteen [[spoiler: gives us the dance scene, where it's revealed that Jade disappeared, that Dave still considers himself in love with her, and that Terezi is genuinely in love with Dave]], and then chapter nineteen trumps both with the reveal that [[spoiler: this may not be exactly an AU after all.]]