Open for Business

[dekillerqueen]

Who: Open to all!
Where: A nice little bakery in the Virgo district.
Summary: There's someone new working at the shopping ward. He looks a little weird, but his sweets seem pretty appetising...
Warnings: None that I can think of, save for Shelly being kind of creepy as usual Probable Dual Destinies spoilers in the thread with Bobby!

Maybe you're a regular at this bakery. Or maybe you've never noticed it before. Either way, there is a new face selling baked goods here! A kind old man with a white streak on his hair is taping a few flyers to the window, announcing some appealing new deals and brand new desserts for sale.

Come a little closer, and you may catch his eye. You may also notice the line of stitches running down his face.

But with a smile like that and delicacies like these, who wouldn't want to come right in and buy something?

Comments

[spiritofjustice]

That's right! Bobby Fulbright's the name.

[He's pretty sure he introduced himself during their conversation last week, but he can't expect this guy to remember his name. He probably had other things on his mind.]

[dekillerqueen]

[Oh, he remembers Fulbright's name, alright. But not because he introduced himself.]

Anyhow... What may I interest you in, Mr. Detective?

[spiritofjustice]

Hm... What would you recommend?

[There's a lot of new pastries and sweets in the bakery that weren't there before, and all of it looks appealing.]

[dekillerqueen]

Let me see...

[He goes behind the counter and, after a brief moment of thought, shows Bobby a cake.]

A chocolate-dipped strawberry cheesecake. Almost painfully delicious, if I do say so myself.

[spiritofjustice]

[His eyes widen at the sight of that cake. Wow, that's impressive. Better suited for a birthday party, probably, but impressive nonetheless.]

That does look delicious! It's just... I was looking for something a little smaller.

[dekillerqueen]

Are you quite sure? I would say this is perfect for sharing with your co-workers.

[spiritofjustice]

[The co-workers he doesn't know that well? Hm... Tempting offer, but he probably shouldn't bring cake unless there's a special occasion. Successful conviction of a murderer or something like that.]

Hm... No. No, thank you. Perhaps another time.

[dekillerqueen]

So, you are looking for something you can enjoy on your own...? A freshly-baked sweet roll, perhaps? I dare say they are exquisite enough... to knock one unconscious in surprise.

[Did his monocle just glint...? No, surely, that's a trick of the light.]

1/2

[spiritofjustice]

[Knock one unconscious? Well, that's an odd expression. Then again, for all he knows it's a perfectly normal thing to say in other worlds. Different cultures and all that.]

2/2

[spiritofjustice]

{He'll just dismiss it with a very loud laugh. Can't go wrong there.]

Is that so? Then, they must pack quite a wallop!

[dekillerqueen]

[... Is this detective playing dumb, or is he genuinely clueless? Shelly doesn't think he hit him hard enough to cause brain damage back then.]

Would you care for a free sample?

[spiritofjustice]

Hm... [There's a moment where he seems to be considering the offer. That is, Bobby Fulbright is wondering whether this would be bribery or not. A very ridiculous thing to wonder, because it's not like the baker's committed any crimes, but a member of the law enforcement needs to always think twice before accepting anything for free.]

Sure, why not?

[dekillerqueen]

... Is something the matter, Mr. Detective? You seemed unsure for a moment.

[Shelly will squeeze something out of him today. Whatever it is.]

/fighting very hard to avoid an awful joke right now

[spiritofjustice]

Oh, no, I was just wondering whether it'd be the just thing to do.

don't fight it... GIVE IN....

[dekillerqueen]

The... "just" thing to do?

Shelly can squeeze something out of Bobby any d- GODDAMMIT

[spiritofjustice]

Of course! Every police officer needs to follow the path of righteousness. That's why every decision they make has to be just.

>8]

[dekillerqueen]

And how would accepting my free samples be unjust...?

Mr. Detective, do you suspect me of anything?

[spiritofjustice]

[Oh, did he accidentally insult the nice baker? That wasn't what he was going for at all.]

No, not at all! It's just that I can't let myself become biased. You know how it is.

[dekillerqueen]

... Is that so.

[It barely sounds like a question. Shelly doesn't like this - either the detective is lying, or something is wrong. He needs to figure out which is the case.]

I am curious about something, Mr. Detective... What sorts of cases have you dealt with in the past?

[spiritofjustice]

[The problem with having very little emotion and empathy is that he has trouble reading other people's emotions too. The way he perceives a person's reaction is very analytical and superficial. That's why most of Shelly's suspicion is going straight over his head right now.]

Homicides, for the most part! It's my job to find killers and make sure they face the iron fist of lady justice!

[dekillerqueen]

Killers? How terrible.

... What kinds of killers?

[spiritofjustice]

What kinds? ...Terrible kinds. People resort to taking the lives of others for all sorts of selfish, desperate reasons. It's truly sad!

[dekillerqueen]

[Wow tell him about it.] Petty murderers, then? Not an ounce of honour to be found...?

[spiritofjustice]

Not even a tiny little shred!

[Of course, anything that 'Bobby Fulbright' says on the matter carries a strong note of irony that he's perfectly aware of.]

[dekillerqueen]

... Shall I get your free sample from the oven? You may accompany me, Mr. Detective. I insist.