blemish - 2.0

Character List:
The Artist | The Lady | The Commissioner | Henrietta | Louise | Firo

"Penbrook's? Just down the walkway and left. It'll be on your right."
"Thanks very much, mate."

The doorbell clanged unpleasantly as Firo stepped into the dimly lit store, a pale Louise trailing at his right side.  A single man sat behind the counter, tapping curiously at a small safe that had elaborate carvings carved deep into it.  The eyes rolled up slowly.  The tapping did not stop.  "Your name?"

"Firo M..  Yours?"

"I'm the Commissioner.  Have you come for information or merchandise?"

"Information.  Or merchandise."

"Quite a hard bargain you drive.  Mmmm.  Fire away, Mr. M."

"I'm looking for a shower.  Or, if you don't have one, information on where I might find one."

The Commissioner raised his eyebrow.  "That's not really a question someone from this world might ask, mind you, but I do indeed have a shower."  He reached under the counter, pulling out a drawer. Firo's hands tightened into fists.  

Louise. 

The maid remained impassive.  This was the first time Firo had ever communicated with her through brainwave consumption.  Her scans had not shown him capable.  Yes, my lord?

We've been discovered already.  He guessed I traveled here from... there, with just one question.

Yes, my lord.

Stop the time.

Yes, my lord.

The Time stopped.

Closing the drawer, the Commissioner smiled, holding up a sphere.  "Why did you do that, Mr. M?  I have a feeling you didn't mean to, if you knew I didn't really mind it."

Firo gulped involuntarily.

Louise.  He's moving.  The Time stopped, and he's moving.