I've connected the dots!

‎ ❝ Are you insulting my art ? ? ❞

‎ ❝ Wow . . . you sound like a major priss. ❞

"Ah, so I misheard you is all---of course. Marijuana is nearly legal everywhere these days."

"While I'm sure there are benefits for some, the idea alone of the mess they leave behind is enough to be off-putting. I understand we were all children at one point but good grief! Snot? Drool? Changing diapers? Absolutely not." ...

.....

wait a minute.

Odd, it was rare for the actual government would come around to bother her Master. He didn't look like the usual human that was sent every ten years or so. And she knew he's appeared at least four times. Maybe once or twice more.

Eyes shifting, she took the being in front of her in slowly. Trying to figure out what exactly he was here for.

If one were to look closer, the book collection is an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction. Fantasy and more realistic novels. Texts about history, language, culture, and more. Part of a shelf has been filled with tabletop roleplaying game resource books, Dungeons & Dragons and otherwise.

Most show signs of wear and tear, so they're certainly not for decoration.

"Coffee's ready!" declares Laelia and she comes back from the kitchen, a tray bearing three steaming mugs and a cream and sugar set in her hands. "If you take anything in yours, feel free to fix it how you like."

Two of the mugs seem to be personal favourites for the mother and daughter. One is pink with purple butterflies. The other is blue, with Cinnamaroll, the Sanrio mascot, on the side. The last, and the one meant for him, is white with flower designs scattered on the ceramic.

Once Laelia returns and sets the tray down, it's easy to deduce which one is his. "Personally, I drink mine black. Thankyou." He leans over some to carefully pluck his designated mug up off of the tray by the handle and brings the bottom of the ceramic to rest upon his other hands gloved palm.

" Only fair if you intend to ask this much . Can't exactly sum it in a single breath . "

At the response to Sterling's decline on sitting on the bench, Francis went silent once more, staring at the man. Though his expression was seemingly calm, he was panicking internally. How can he convince the guy to stay outside, he seemed stubborn and most likely would not listen.

"I'm bringing you all the files, every file we have for you to look over. You really don't need to come inside for a task as mundane as that. I'm not doing any of the work for you." Did he even know what the building or this strip was? Probably not, at least he didn't react in any manner that indicated as such. "You don't work here, I do."

Watching as Sterling pulled out a notebook, looking over the detailed image that the man had drawn. It was impressive actually, even the smallest features were there. Staring at the image for a moment before looking over at Sterling. "Don't recognize him, I'm not one who really looks over the files we have often either." He didn't care for it.

Even still... he's curious about what it is that Francis does that allows him to have possession over such important documents.

The detective closes his notebook after observing Francis's expression closely, concluding that he in fact didn't recognize the features presented to him. With an acknowledging nod, he tucks it back into his coat.

❝ Somewhat understand. If I just ... manage to be confident and bold, then I can keep a job ? Oh, and never heard that before. Parents & their friends always told me it's good manners to apologize. And that good manners are important. To be polite, and kind to others ... compromise. Never been told that's weakness. ❞

"Yeah, yeah, come in..." he says, pulling the headphones around his neck.

Malcolm takes a moment to turn on the lights and any signs, wanting to get his opening tasks done since that's why he's here in the first place.

Thankfully, no one else has shown up so far, so they can talk.

The moment Malcolm addresses him again with exactly what he wants to hear, his head snaps up with all the alertness of a hound that's just heard it's favorite phrase.

"right. not in person. but she telephoned my office looking to meet. it's not until a day or two from now, though." her brow furrowed as she tried to remember.

He circles his desk and approaches Louise with his head held high, confident in the plan he had just mapped out in his head. The pieces were falling into place.