Below The Surface - A Lackadaisy Fanfiction

Wilted Wonders

A sigh, then fluttering of eyes, all from him.

Rocky watched Mordecai whilst giving the tuxedo cat his usual chipper grin and sparking blue eyes. The two of them, along with Ivy, Freckle, Serafine, Nico, Mitzi and Mr. Sweet were seated at a table early in the morning within the Little Daisy Café. The front doors were locked with a closed sign, so nobody could enter.

The dawn's light gently broke through the windows and laid on surfaces, a warmth gently resting upon everyone's arms and laps. It was a comforting morning, despite the grim topic they were discussing, and what outcomes would be necessary.

"...well, it's nice to have you back, Ol' Serious Face!" Rocky broke the silence for a bit, smiling a bit more. Mordecai raised an eyebrow, tail flicking. He remained silent until Mr. Sweet gave him a gentle nudge.

"...the feeling is mutual, Mr. Rickaby." Mordecai finally spoke: it wasn't exactly a lie...but it wasn't the full truth , either. "Now, elaborate the whole ordeal, and how the six of us are coming to conclude these murders. We are not the police, need I say more?" He gestured towards himself and the rest of the group.

"So that's why you came over?" Freckle tapped his fingers on a glass of orange juice he had. He was a bit anxious near the tuxedo cat. Mordecai nodded again.

"We overheard de lil conversation wit' your boss." Serafine gently ran her fingertips across the blade of her knife. She pointed it at Freckle, and he shrank back, gulping audibly. Mordecai pushed the blade back from Freckle, eyes narrowing when he side–eyed Serafine as a warning.

"So you came up with the idea of...working with us?" Ivy felt Freckle grip her hand.

"Mhmm~ you're saying dat like it's a bad ting~ Are you two scared?~" Nico leaned back, smirking.

"Uhhhh," Ivy's shoulders tensed up, and Mordecai could be heard quietly muttering, "for Christ's sake," at Nico and Serafine's actions.

"Calm down, you three: I can tell you're excited." Mr. Sweet chuckled, facing Mitzi. Mitzi raised a brow, then pursed her lips.

"You wanted to come and discuss why we need these two groups to ban together." She traced the crevices in the table with her finger.

"With the murders affecting both businesses, it draws people away. I want your little group to come together with mine...kill the predator, so to speak." Mr. Sweet extinguished his cigar in the ashtray.

"What?! After they tried killing us?!" Ivy blurted out.

"Ivy, honey...it's only one time that you'll be working with them." Mitzi rubbed her temples.

"Despite them literally shooting at us?" Freckle pointed out.

"All a part of de business, petit feu~" Serafine chuckled. Freckle pursed his lips tightly to bite back a grimace.

"Especially wit' us against de other speakeasy businesses." Nico smirked, and Serafine nodded.

"Dat's jus' business." She repeated. She analyzed Freckle with narrowed eyes and a shrill grin, watching him sink back in his chair.

"Anyway," Ivy giggled nervously, pushing away an empty glass, "where do we search first? Didn't the funeral home collect the bodies for the autopsies?"

"Some are still rotting away," Mordecai pushed up his pince–nez, dropping his gaze to his lap. He avoided her curious and overall concerned gaze, feeling a pang of regret so suddenly. He shoved it down deep, shoulders dropping as he stared into those yellow eyes of hers.

"...rotting away? Like they haven't been discovered yet?" Rocky fiddled with a nearby fork, pointing at Mordecai.

"Exactly that." The tuxedo gave another nod.