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]

[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.

/SCREAMING

[spiritofjustice]

[Hm. Is this baker just being kind or is there something else at work, here? Bobby's not quite sure. Then again, what motive would he have for planning anything questionable? He's just some baker, most likely from a different world.]

... Well, alright.

[dekillerqueen]

[As he heads into the back, gesturing at Bobby to follow him, he says one more thing.]

Have you ever been injured at work, Mr. Detective? By a criminal, for instance?

[spiritofjustice]

[As the baker walks away from the counter to head for the back, Bobby catches a glimpse of something on his apron. A small symbol, like a conch shell. He must've seen it before, because it's stirring a distant memory, so he tries to run it through his head to figure out the context. A shell... Shelly... De Killer? The notorious assassin?

No, it couldn't be. The symbol might just as well be a similar one. Even so, Bobby's hand finds its way to his watch as he strides after the baker. If something happens, he'll be ready to react.]

Injured? Hahaha, I'm sure there's plenty of criminals who'd like to get their hands on me after I found the decisive evidence that got them convicted, but the iron bars of justice are keeping them locked away securely.

[dekillerqueen]

[That's enough, the baker thinks.

As soon as they are in the back room, he shuts the door and draws a knife in quick succession. Wait, where was he keeping that...? Oh well.]

You are not being entirely honest with me, Detective Bobby Fulbright.