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 not unheard of.

[This guy sure is tenacious. Not that the Phantom's about to throw in the towel; he's got enough patience to last him a lifetime.]

[dekillerqueen]

No, but it is certainly convenient.

Besides, if it's true... How did you come to the conclusion that I am not John Doe?

[spiritofjustice]

The symbol of Shelly de Killer is quite notorious. That's the thing with having a calling card.

[dekillerqueen]

And your alleged "amnesia" left this knowledge intact?

[spiritofjustice]

I'm a homicide detective. It's my job to know these things.

[dekillerqueen]

[Shelly is... really, really not buying it.]

I am no fool, Mr. Detective.

[spiritofjustice]

That claim is subjective at best. However, I'm sure that you are a reasonable man at the least, so here's how this is going to work. You will continue to address me as Detective Fulbright and stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong. In turn, I'll continue to address you as John Doe.

[The need for self-preservation is strong within him and he's sure that much is the same for Shelly. The conch shell is his calling card, sure, but what's also notorious is that Shelly de Killer is a man of his word. If there's any assassin up for making deals, it must be this one.]

[dekillerqueen]

[Indeed, were it not for self-preservation, Shelly would likely pull out the knife again and teach the "detective" a thing or two about humility.]

... And if I choose not to, you will denounce me to the police?

[spiritofjustice]

And leave a dangerous assassin like you alive in custody? That'd be awfully careless of me, wouldn't it? Hm... What's that saying again? [He feigns a thoughtful expression for a moment.]

Oh yes. Dead men tell no tales. I think you'll find there's an unfortunate accident around every corner.

[dekillerqueen]

[For a moment, it almost looks like Shelly might laugh. He keeps himself as composed as always, though.]

That's hardly the "just" thing to do, Mr. Detective.

[spiritofjustice]

[His mouth quirks into a wide smirk- perhaps a reflex of some sorts as he hardly feels amused. Sometimes, it's hard to tell where the Phantom ends and one of his personas begins.]

"Justice" is also a subjective term, when you think about it. Either way, the choice is yours.

[He's still ready to attack at a moment's notice, should he need to. In fact, he's already considering various scenarios in his head. He could use the wire of his grapple hook to strangle Shelly, or use it to pull over a nearby storage rack and have it collapse on top of him. He has his pistol too, of course, as well as the smaller gun in the guise of a lighter. The latter is a preferable choice, because it produces much less noise when fired.]

[dekillerqueen]

[Shelly de Killer is always ready to counter-attack, even when he's doing nothing but shopping for groceries.]

If that is how all detectives think, then it's no wonder our legal system is the way it is.

... In any case, I am willing to cooperate. But should I have any reason to suspect you plan to turn against me...

[spiritofjustice]

[Shelly seems willing to keep his mouth shut. That's never a guarantee, of course. The Phantom doesn't trust this guy as far as he can throw him, but covering up a murder is always tricky business. He'd much rather avoid such things if he can help it. Besides, murders are committed by the Phantom, while he decided to dedicate his life in Hinoto-Ri to Bobby Fulbright.

His smirk eases into something that looks far more genuine- far more like something the real detective Fulbright would produce- and he laughs. He just laughs.]

Ha ha ha! What reason would I have to turn against a humble baker? None! I'm a guardian of the innocents!

[dekillerqueen]

[...]

You are a very odd man.

[spiritofjustice]

Heh, I like to use the word "eccentric".

[dekillerqueen]

Call it whatever you wish. I stand by what I said.

[spiritofjustice]

[Ohoh, is Shelly getting nervous? He hopes so. Fear is what stops the average human from doing something stupid like, say, go back on their word and stab someone in the back. Literally or figuratively.]

Come now, don't be such a killjoy! [Hahaaah.]

[dekillerqueen]

[Nervous? Not quite. It's just a little unnerving to see such a display of... what would he even call it? He isn't sure. But it almost feels as if "Detective Fulbright" is little more than a skin that this man - whoever he really is - can put on or take off at any moment-- wait what.]

...

Was that a pun?

[spiritofjustice]

Well, one of us has to lighten to the mood in here, isn't that so?

[That, and Bobby just wants to get the hell out of here and into an area more public. He waves a quick, dismissive hand.] So, about that free sample you promised...