THE ONE WHERE AN APOLOGY IS ISSUED

[whippings]

Franziska sighed as she lowered her phone. This was the place where she'd arranged to meet with Scruffy: a small cafe not far from the district courthouse. It had been some years since she'd last been to Los Angeles as her work now took her all over the world. More consultant than lawyer these days, Franziska could not help but have a certain nostalgia for those years past, even if she had been younger and angrier back then.

Time had changed her. Not for the better or the worse; she was just... different, now, or at least that was how she liked to think about it.

She had been seated at a small table with a sensible floral arrangement placed in a vase at the centre. Franziska had always despised those places that never left enough room for one to comfortably peruse the menu. What did she feel like drinking? Was this a situation that called for coffee, or for something stronger?

Franziska's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Comments

I see he's going to make her work for it :,)

[whippings]

One of her hands subconsciously drops to her lap, where her whip remains coiled, comforting but unused. With more uncertainty than she'd care to admit to, she answers, "Physical negative reinforcement has been proven to be ineffective when encouraging improvement in others. So, yes, the whipping."

The way he asks, however, makes her feel that there is more she could (should!) apologise for, but she can't quite pinpoint it at the moment, which is bothersome indeed.

"Perfection is not a goal, but a journey. I am perfect in every way," she reiterates, fingers tightening around the handle of her cup with more intensity than she intends, "and that extends to knowing, perfectly, when I have acted poorly in the past."

It's never easy with him

[trenchdoting]

Gumshoe rubs at his cheek vacantly, likely a spot where a whip has struck in the past, and he smiles warmly. "Huh, what do you know. That explains a lot!" He did often still mess up anyway after being attacked. "And you put it so perfectly. It's like you just became even more perfect, sir! Thanks... This has gotta be one of the nicest things someone's said to me!"

and now they're just validating each other... pure...

[whippings]

Franziska beams, the first time she's truly smiled since sitting down in the cafe. She'd known that this had been the correct course of action from the very beginning: she rarely erred in her decision-making, after all. Taking a long, deep sip of her coffee, she settles back in her seat, looking more and more relaxed with each passing moment.

"You deserve praise when you do good work."

It really is like patting a dog, she feels.

yes good!

[trenchdoting]

Wow, he's not sure he's ever seen her truly smile! Or rather, a smile that wasn't the one of a snake about to attack her prey. And what she says definitely also numbers among the nicest things that have ever been said to him. His own smile remains, pure and warm, as he chuckles softly.

"I do?" He questions it for a moment, and then he goes on. "Yeah, you're right, sir! I do!! Thank you, Miss Von Karma!!" Then, he deflates slightly as he scratches at his head. "But y'know, I do still mess up sometimes. And that's still not good either! I have to do my best, to help make sure that the perfect prosecutor has the perfect case, after all!!"

[whippings]

Franziska scoffs. "You are merely human," she assures him. While she may be above making the detective's sort of mistakes, he certainly is not.

"Never fear, when you err, I will reprimand you." She drains the rest of her coffee and sets it down on the table with a loud thump.

"Sternly."

[trenchdoting]

He's only human... well that's good to know. Gumshoe still winces as the mug is forcefully placed on the table, but it doesn't take long for the smile to return to his face.

"...That's fine by me, sir. And I'll take your lessons to heart!" He tugs at the lapels of his trenchoat. "You're lookin' at a brand new Gumshoe! From now on, I'm never making the same mistake twice!" He hopes.

[whippings]

"You better not, because if you do, I will hear about it." And what will the consequences be? Franziska feels that at this stage, Gumshoe's imagination can come up with worth punishments than she could even implement.

She gestures at his coffee cup. "Would you like another?"

[trenchdoting]

"Of course you will!" He says with a soft chuckle. "But don't you worry!! Just like you try to be a perfect prosecutor, I'll do my best to be a perfect detective!"

He shakes his head gently at her offer and pats at his mug. "No thanks, sir! I should be good with just this one. ...But I appreciate the offer!! You're a kinder and more generous person than I ever imagined, Miss Von Karma!"

[whippings]

The implication that Gumshoe didn't already think of her as a kind and generous person stings a bit, but she tries not to let it bother her. She would simply have to prove herself, wouldn't she?

"I'll get the bill," she says, waving their waiter over.

[trenchdoting]

Sorry, Franziska. Those weren't exactly qualities that stood out in their past interactions.

"Are you sure about that, sir?" He asks, just to make sure. "That's awful nice!"

[whippings]

"Of course I'm certain," she insists. Let her do this, Gumshoe, because she is a nice person!

The waiter scurries over with their bill, still eyeing Franziska warily, and she promptly removes her credit card from her wallet and places it on the tray.

"See? All done."

[trenchdoting]

She does definitely seem very nice at this moment! Gumshoe's starting to wonder if he's having some kind of very surreal dream.

Regardless, his gratitude shines in his smile.

"Awww... Thank you so much, Miss Von Karma!! I owe ya one!"

and then gumshoe wakes up. IT WAS ALL A DREAM.

[whippings]

Franziska dismisses Gumshoe's statement with a wave of the hand. "Nonsense. You can repay me by simply being the best that you can be."

And even though Gumshoe's best might not be anywhere as good as Franziska's, he could try, and as long as there was improvement, Franziska would be satisfied.

That would be his luck!!

[trenchdoting]

Gumshoe's smile turns into a confident smirk, and he nods. "Alright... If you say so, Miss Von Karma. I'm going to give the absolute best repayment that I can put together!! Count on it, sir!"

Now, he begins to feel truly inspired by her.

i mean, it would still be a very pleasant dream, SO

[whippings]

The waiter returns with Franziska's card and receipt; the former she tucks neatly back into her purse and the latter she crinkles up in her hand with the intention of throwing into the trash when she walks out.

No need for Scruffy to know how much their coffees cost, after all.

She dusts herself off as begins to stand up.

"It was good to see you again," she says, finding that she actually means it.

Very true...!

[trenchdoting]

Gumshoe watches as the waiter returns and the receipt is crumpled. Oh well... He'll have to find some way to pay her back!

Even now, he's still surprised that Franziska could be pleased to see him. But he won't dwell on it. Instead he rises to his feet and salutes her.

"Thank you, Miss Von Karma!! I'm happy to see you again too, sir!" It would be a wonder if anyone in the cafe did not notice his loud display.

it would help if i actually used a smiling icon oops

[whippings]

"Inside voice, Scruffy," Franziska quips, but there's no malice in her words. Indeed, there is instead a small smile curving at the corners of her lips - another true smile.

"Until we meet again," she continues, with a small incline of the ahead, acknowledging the detective's salute.

Second time's the charm! Iconic

[trenchdoting]

"O-oh, right. Sorry sir!" He says bashfully as he lowers his voice. But at least he doesn't sound like her correction stings. He's still smiling!

"Until then... take care, Miss Von Karma!" He just remains there, grinning like a buffoon.

[whippings]

She skirts around him, kitten heels clacking against the floor as she brushes past.

"Take care."

That had been a successful meeting indeed.