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Richard Moreau was on the prowl this day, though for what, he wasn't particularly sure nor was he really that picky. It was one of those rare days for him, where the shop taken out of his hands and left in the hands of his ever reliable staff and taffy maker. Yes, days off for Richard weren't all that common, and for the most part, he always had something planned on those days. Like anyone with a busy schedule, he cherished his days off, and heaven help those that dare call him on this day, the day of his time off.

So today, the day of his time off, he figured he'd scope around various parts of Destiny City, looking at other shops and business and seeing if he could perhaps draw some inspiration for his own business. Not that Sugar Shanty was doing poorly or needed a boost, but he was always open to new ideas, new methods of staying successful and ahead of the game. And today, he decided the best way to improve his candy was to look around for new flavors.

And where, one might ask, would one go to seeking inspiration for new, fantastic flavors? Why, bakeries and restaurants, of course!

Which is what brought Richard to this quaint little place, 17 Waverly, and already he suspected that this one was a risky gamble. He spent a few moments looking it over, looking for a clear sign of the establishment's name and wondering if he had gone senile to have not seen it, or if was simply not there. Not that it was DIRELY important for him to know the name of this place, not unless he found a flavor for his candy that was worth crediting (assuming this place had enough revenue or influence to back it up).

"Tacky little place, and looks utterly dead," Richard said, to no one, only to himself if only to hear himself talk. He glanced down the street from right to left to see if there was anyone around so that he could ask them about this place, but alas, there was no one here but his fabulous self. Which meant the only way to get an opinion on this place and what treats it had to offer was to venture inside himself. "Still, cannot judge a book by its cover, or whatnot. Into the dragon's den I go."

Or, rather, the culinary battleground, as he immediately noticed the two combatants locked in a fierce duel when he walked in. He kept quiet, physically, but his mind was racing, and an amused smile rose on his face at the sight. A normal customer might have been surprised, or a good business man would have been appalled, but Richard was simply too humored at the sight before him. Part of him had wanted to join in, but that would have been a bad idea. Bad business protocol from a fellow business owner, and not to mention the thought of anything ruining his favorite sports jacket didn't settle well with his vanity.

He wondered if he should have cleared his throat to get their attention, or simply sit back and watch (and hope he didn't get caught in the crossfires). What a dilemma Richard found himself in!

Richard always enjoyed a good show, and despite Noah's embarrassment, the candyman felt nothing but enjoyment from this little visit, ever before looking at the menu or tasting their pies. He remained as he were, hands behind back and a rather amused grin plastered on his face, watching Zia and doing little to prevent his gaze from landing on her legs and her skirt. He didn't get too far up before he eventually glanced away, more out of not 'spoiling his mood' for later than out of respect, and the cook's momentary temper tantrum was a good enough distraction for him.

Who was Richard to deny Zia's invitation, though he didn't immediately run forward to take her hand. No, for now he'd simply look, and the way he strode up to her was calm, smooth, trying to appear he was interested but not that interested. Zia was, after all, a very beautiful woman, one that Richard wouldn't have minded taking home, though the one at the counter wasn't too bad either. Perhaps some day he could take them both home, though he'd have to work overtime to get that stick out of Noah's a** (but not impossible, mind you.)

For now, he merely wanted his interest to remain on his business and perhaps the food he was about to ingest, though their antics made it increasingly hard to concentrate on that. Once it seemed that their banter was finished, Richard addressed Zia, the more open and inviting of the two, and his mirth was genuine. "This place is certainly inviting, and lively, with just the three of you. It'd be great to have such a presence in my store."

Which, on the other hand, was usually filled to the brim with gluttonous children and chocoholics, though if all of them looked and acted like Zia here, he wouldn't have jumped at the chance of running out and exploring the market. "Is pie your specialty here? Which ones would you suggest, or would it be better to just sample them all?"

He moved towards her, keeping his hands to himself but not so much his eyes. No harm came from looking, especially with a confident woman in that dress, right?

Richard rather liked the treatment he was receiving from Zia, though what man wouldn't be enjoying such a situation? Zia was a very attractive woman, very energetic, and would have been a great waitress, or mascot if his candy store were more adult themed. The possibilities were endless, but Richard tried his best to keep his mind on the prize, which, according to Zia, was pies.

He watched the banter between the two and found it hard to be anymore amused than he was at this moment. If Noah wasn't such a damn stick in the mud, he would have easily considered taking him home as well, but it seemed that the only thing Noah was interested in was getting the 'customer' served and out of the door.

He gave a shrug and muttered beneath his breath, not truly caring if Noah heard him or not, as he cheered Zia on. "Hm, she told you."

Then, he spoke louder, picking up a menu and giving it a gander, keeping his tone sugary sweet and not wanting to get himself in too much trouble. After all, this was partially a restaurant and rule number one when you're a customer is not to piss off the waiter, or the head of the establishment, unless you want to sample the 'Secret Sauce'. "Thank you, and no hurries, friend. I've worked up quite an appetite."

Oh yes, Richard found himself liking this Zia more and more, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on the original task at hand when all he wished to do now was sweep the saucy lady off her feet and free her from this drab little place. He wasn't sure where he could put her at his candy shop except as perhaps a greeter and mascot, but surely it'd be a refreshing change for her, even if it was only temporary.

"I'm not one for cheeseburgers, I'm afraid," Richard admitted, addressing Zia and keeping his tone respectable, doing his best to hide just how hungry this wolf was becoming for something that wasn't quite on the menu. "I'm sure the cheeseburgers here are fine in their own little way, but I'm a rather picky eater. The best burger I ever tasted was a bison burger, with sauteed onions and chopped bell peppers..."

The thought of that feast made his mouth water, but he was a gentlemen and felt he hid it well enough. He wasn't expecting a place like this to have such a burger on its menu, but he wouldn't mind if he was pleasantly surprised. He looked to Zia, making it clear that he valued her opinion over Noah's at the moment. "I'm in the mood for something tart. What pies would be best to make my lips pucker?"

By this time, Richard's full attention was on Zia and Zia alone, as he completely missed out on the what could have very well been a very rare occasion, an event that would likely never happen in his lifetime, and that being Noah's laughter. As spiteful as it might have been, it would have been a miraculous sound, had Richard bothered to take his eyes and one-track mind off the rather saucy lady before him.

When she brought attention to his hair, he barely refrained from running his own hands through his locks. He was vain, and he accepted it, and he answered truthfully. "Absolutely. Red seems to run in the family, though thankfully not of the ginger variety. I barely trust anyone to cut these locks, much less risk damaging it with dyes, though I often imagined how I'd look with something different. Pastel, perhaps... oh well, one can only imagine."

He resisted the urge to return the gesture and play with her hair, if only because she was at an angle where it would have been a little too noticeable that he was flirting, not to mention pretty damn awkward. He did have a hunkering for some company later on tonight, but he didn't want to appear TOO desperate. 'Here for business, Richard. Only for business.'

And she did a great job in lassoing him back in by mentioning his candy store. Focus, focus! "More like a family business, as my brother's name is on the lease, but I pretty much run the place. He swoops in every once and awhile to admire his twin brother's good work, never announced and always a surprise. But, he gives me free reign on pretty much everything, and I worked hard for that lot, from purchasing it to even designing the interior, so I consider it mine."

He even took the time to paint the walls, though he wouldn't go so far as to give out that information. He had a reputation to keep up, after all, and he didn't want people knowing that the same person that helped make those delicious candies was the same gentleman that haphazardly painted the walls.

Richard would have been content to allow Zia to have her way with him- after all, her hips probably had more going for him than anything this restaurant had to offer, and he wasn't too interested in spending anymore time talking about his brother. He may have been a snooty, no-fun-allowed twit, but he was his snooty, no-fun-allowed twit of a brother. Not to mention he wasn't all that interesting to talk about.

"Well, he simply had his own business elsewhere and he does help with paying the bills from time to time, so I can't complain," Richard said, though he had said bills, they weren't necessarily bills as they were bails, but Zia didn't need to know that. "But yes, it is hard work. Days off like these are rare and I try to enjoy every second of it."

Which brought him back to why he was here in the first place, and why he hadn't just offered Zia to come home with him. He was taking it slow, though a little slower than usual, and he wasn't quite sure why, besides of course, Noah being present. But it at least seemed that Zia was on the same page, her sensual touches and flirting not going ignored, and it took everything, everything for Richard to not want to cross his legs by the time she brought the card to his pocket. A restaurant was no place for such a thing, but he'd be damned if she didn't hit the right spot.

And once again, Noah was there to lure Richard back into reality, as his warning came just moments before a pie miraculously appeared before Richard's face. He was so preoccupied about discussing their 'assets' that he never noticed Noah fling the plate towards him, and he no longer needed to hide when Noah broke the news to him. 'Rob me blind? Well, that certainly won't do...'

But still, Richard tried to play it cool, trying not to allow Noah to see just how disappointed he was at the very notion that such a saucy lady was only interested in business and petty theft and not... "Well, considering that business is my livelihood and I've grown attached to my modest lifestyle, I simply can't have that, now can I? Thank you, friend."

That didn't mean she wasn't available later. That simply meant he'd have to keep a close eye on her, and given her saucy nature and body, that wouldn't be too difficult for him. He liked a little danger in his life, and if all else failed, he always had his brother, right? Which left him down to trying this pie, the sole reason he came all this way in the first place! Leave to Richard to be distracted by a beautiful, scoundrel of a woman!

He took a bite and immediately felt his lips wanting to pucker. But not to much in a bad way- if anything, adding more lemon to this flavor would certainly make for a great sour tart for the kids. Throw this in their mouth and that'd force their lips shut quicker than Alum in the old Looney Tunes cartoon...

Richard knew a thing or two about sibling rivalries, and he couldn't help but find himself sympathizing with Noah now. He waited until he swallowed the first bite, giving it a moment to settle in his mouth and mingle with his taste buds, never once realizing just how eagerly Noah was waiting for a reaction as he called his own experience with his brother. "Daran and I have our moments, though thankfully, his business, and him, are elsewhere for the most part. I don't think I can imagine working with him, as living with him was stressful enough."

And the worst part was being mistaken for him, hence why he'd even consider dying his hair, but he was too stubborn to go that far to differentiate themselves. Let HIM change his appearance! Richard felt he was perfect the way he was! He tried to take his mind off of the matter now, as he pulled the card from his pocket and gave it a glance over and outwardly appeared completely uninterested in it. Inwardly, he vaguely recalled the same brother he was complaining about just seconds ago mentioning a business, or perhaps it simply had a similar name (could have easily been Richard not paying attention and therefor the detail was lost to him). Part of him wanted to just leave the card on the table and follow Noah's advice, but he stuck it back into his pocket for now. If anything, it gave him a number and an address to reach Zia by for later, should she change her mind.

He couldn't help but express his disappointment with a sigh, when Noah told her that Zia wasn't interested. Part of him (the small, wimpy realistic part that was hidden in a corner and fed nothing but denial and scraps of ego) suspected this, but it was still a bitter blow. He gave a sigh, before taking another bite of the pie to eat away his disappointment, but at least it got his boner back down, so a dose of reality wasn't too bad. "A pity, because she looks like she'd be fun. Oh well, one can dream, can't he?"

Now he noticed Noah's intent stare, and part of him had wanted to play around and make the poor man suffer a little more, but given that he gave him the pie for free, as well as gave him some very helpful advice, Richard refrained from pulling at his heartstrings any longer. He puckered his lips again, and only spoke when he was certain that there were no pie bits left on his lips and the front teeth. Appearances and what not. "This pie is very, very tart, but in a good way. I personally love tart, though I'd recommend you push it a little further, if that's what you're aiming for. If not, there's always cool whip, and maybe check the expiration date on your ingredients."

There was also the matter of presentable, but Richard was willing to give a pass on that. After all, it looked like the poor fellow had a lot to deal with and craftsmanship, while important, came second to taste. At least in Richard's opinion. "I like it, and I think a lot of kids would like it too. They love anything tart and sour... little masochistic things, they are. How much for a whole pie?"