* CANDY / SHOP

“Let me check,” Aleera sighed, holding her pen in her mouth and picking up her laptop to check her work email. She vaguely recalled it was something stupid and boyfriend-related. “What was it, two days ago…? Yeah, here we go. She went to meet some guy she met online and he never showed up. Real scintillating stuff right there.”

“And what the hell is one hour gonna do for us ‘cept give them extra time to catch up. No, we go on til they ain’t gonna find us - then we can rest a bit. No motels though, they’ll be lookin’ for hurt folks.”

“ what about your injury ? if we’re gonna keep on the move, can we at least take a second and wrap it up ? it wouldn’t help you any to worsen it. ”

"No, no, no! Don't put that in yet!"

"Are you sure that you cooked it all the way?"

"Well, something definitely smells good in here."

"Are you... baking?"

"Here, you stir this while I set the oven temperature."

"Do you wanna lick the bowl?"

"It's boiling over!"

"Uh, that looks a little... overcooked."

"You got some batter on your face."

"What is this mess?"

"Why are you covered in flour?"

"Are you sure you're supposed to add that much sugar?"

"Ouch! That pan in hot!"

"Don't take that out of the oven with your bare hands!"

"I don't think you know how to use a mixer."

"Wash your hands, and then you can help me."

"Those aren't quite done."

"Does something smell burnt to you?"

It was an honest reply, although she’d be lying if she claimed not to know why it was unsatisfying. The girl Anahel was asking about had been by Aleera’s office weeks ago, for all of five minutes before she declined her case. “I don’t remember,” she insisted. “Look, if I turned down a case, obviously it wasn’t interesting enough to be worth remembering. I’ve got no idea what she wanted.”

“We rest and we’re done in. I ain’t plannin’ on makin’ this whole thing easier on the laws.”

“ and having you injured will make it easier for you to be arrested. i’m trying to help, clyde. can I please just find you a place to hide and rest for an hour ? ”