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[ The gnome tips his little hat before leaving. It is unclear whether he takes them up on that offer; it doesn't seem like he will, but Susato lets out a sigh, showing relief that the noises were caused by something so benign.

Toby looks a little disappointed, like he just lost his favorite chew toy before he even got to play with it. ]

...He will be back if we have a problem with the electricity. I'm certain of it.

[ She could go back to reading now, but now her attention's shot, and her mood for the story is rather ruined. ]

[Gina tries to give Toby some gentle little pats to help raise his mood. At least he's earned some treats for his help!

And she answers Susato with a simple nod.]

They're a real 'ard-workin' folk, for sure. [She gives a sigh.] An' that's that, I s'pose. But now I got me energy all up... I can't just go back to sittin' around now.

[ There's a pause. When she puts it that way, she can't really do that either. Doesn't want to. So she looks at Toby for a moment, who looks back up at her with begging eyes.

You said treat!!! ]

Well, let us give Toby his treat, and then take him for a walk together.

[She gives a little laugh and then nods.]

Right, we gotta see to the 'ero o' the 'our, first of all.

[Gina reaches into her satchel to pull out a treat, which she holds out to Susato.]

Sooze, you can take the 'onor o' givin' out the Chief Inspector's reward.

Sure, of course.

[ So Susato gives a nod of her head, and takes the little meaty treat out of Gina's hands. When she turns back, Toby is already sitting with his tail wagging eagerly. ]

Good boy, Inspector Toby. [ And rather than having him sit or shake hands or roll over like he normally would, she simply gives him the treat. Sniffing out their gnome friend is "trick" enough, surely?

When he's done, she adds: ]

Now where is your leash? [ Can he go get it? ]

[It was quite the trick! Finding the being who had tricked her. There's a soft grin on Gina's face as she watches Toby with delight.

Once Susato asks about the leash, Toby lets out a soft yip and eagerly scampers off, returning a little later dragging the leash along.]

There's a good boy. [Her smile grows as she leans down and pets at the dog's head! Before starting to put the leash on.] Wait, didn't I walk ya already? I'm sure that...

[She trails off for a moment, before she realizes what she's thinking of. With a light blush, she finishes putting the leash on with a hurry.]

N-nevermind, I was thinkin' of... sometin' else. Let's get movin'!

[ Susato grins, seeing Toby return with the leash. Another trick in and of itself! Though when Gina seems to pause and even blush, Susato seems surprised, and maybe even a little concerned. ]

...Thinking of what?

[ IS SHE NOT FEELING WELL... Toby doesn't seem to be complaining about (2) walks (???) either way. ]

[Toby's doesn't need to be golden to be good at retrieving! He pants and wags his tail, excited for his walk, the first one he's had today.

Gina tugs her hat down while starting to move with Toby.]

...Nuffin'. [She mutters.] Just musta been thinkin' of a dream wot I 'ad is all.

A dream?

[ She allows Gina to take the lead, and moments later, they're walking out the front doors and down the steps. ]

A dream... where you walked Toby?

[Down the steps they go, with a very excited boy tugging the leash!]

Y-yeah. [She murmurs uncertainly.] I was just walkin' 'im, and then 'e brought me to... [She blushes further and picks up her pace.]

...It was just a dream, alright? Ain't no need to talk about it, it's already a world o' dreams we're livin' in!

But... But you're blushing!

[ Clearly this is important!!! Toby barks just then as they reach the bottom, though whether he's agreeing or just excited to be in the fresh air, neither can say. ]

I- I ain't blushin'!!

[Blushing furiously, she ducks her head down nervously and moves even faster, almost tripping over a stair in the process!]

Why would I be doin' that? I, it ain't like I'm lookin' to get wiv someone anyhow! S-so if Bea- if anyone was in me dreams, it ain't got nuffin' to do wiv nuffin'!

[ When she almost trips, Susato rushes forward to grab and steady her. After that, they stop, and Susato can be heard letting out a small sigh. Toby is yanked back as well, and he looks back at the two with confusion.

What happened? ]

Gina.

[ Luckily she's already had this conversation with Beat, so when she hears "Bee," she is already sort of filling in the blank. ]

Was it Beat?

[Now she stops completely, her face turning tomato-red as That Name was uttered.]

B-Beat?! W- w- Wot're ya goin' sayin' that name for?

[Now she hurries down the last stairs to head right out the door.]

Wot's that cove got to do wiv anytin'? I- I didn't say nuffin' about 'im or any weird gumdrops!

You didn't have t—

[ .....Wow. She's barely managed to absorb what Gina mentions about the gumdrops, and suddenly Susato is several paces behind the pair. She bursts through the door behind Gina. ]

Hold on, you don't have to run! I... I thought we could talk to each other about anything!

[Just imagines aggressive power walking Susato-

That last part does get Gina to slow down! Leaving Toby more confused than ever.]

Blimey... 'Course we can talk about anythin'! I- I ain't sayin' that. But this is just... it ain't even anythin', innit? Wot's there to even talk about?

[ Listen, she's prepared to power-walk-slash-jog for as long as she needs to, but she's pretty glad she got Gina to slow down before she lost too much breath. She seems to reach for Gina's shoulder once she catches up, at the same time kind of catching her breath a bit. ]

Well... [ What's there to talk about? She already knows they kissed, but perhaps it would be best to get her side of the story. ] I don't know. For starters, what's this about a gumdrop?

[She groans in response as she thinks back to the memory.]

You know, those weird things that kept showin' up in the tree at the Harvest the other month? Like weird gumdrop slugs. One of 'em just... got me an' Beat in a little bit of a jam, that's all.

[ Susato bites her lip. She knows all too well what the gumdrops are, of course, having had her own run-in with them; but that is beside the point. ]

...Was it that unpleasant? [ She hopes not. Beat will be heartbroken. ]

I- I didn't say that! [She says, her face turning redder while she crosses her arms.]

...It ain't like 'e was bad at - at wot 'e did, or nuffin'. It's just... rotten it 'ad to 'appen like that.

[ Aw...

Susato allows a moment to pass before she places a hand on Gina's shoulder. She probably could have asked, but to make her say it seems kind of mean. She's... just gonna rip of the bandaid, so to speak. ]

He kissed you, didn't he?

[Her chin starts to sink down as if wanting to recede into her body, while her blush spreads across her face, and her hat sinks.]

...It... it weren't... [She mutters.]

...It was just the two of us snoggin' for a bit is all...

[ Is... Is that not what a kiss is? And what does she mean, "for a bit"?! Susato waits patiently, all things considered, but when Gina doesn't continue, she prompts her: ]

And...?

...A-an' wot?

[She's staring at the ground now. Toby's confused by the lack of movement, but he just sniffs around curiously while seeking out the right spot for his business.]

We did wot we wanted, an'... an' that was the end of it. Ain't nuffin' else to say... It ruined our eatin' contest, it did...

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