The Artisan Twins (Angels of Death)

Chapter 2: "Your Perfect Piece"

(Present Day)

(Shirou's POV)

I had just began sketching out a new design while Shin polished a piece we'd recently finished making.

We have been running this shop for almost a year now.

It's funny how we were always told that we couldn't be together but we are still always together now.

It was quiet in the shop today.

Well, it was never usually very busy, due to us not being the easiest to find. Not unless you were looking or just good at noticing things.

But it was much quieter than normal today. We were using it as an advantage to finish our unfinished pieces and begin work on new ones.

I looked up from my sketch book at Shin, still working on the piece.

"Nearly finished there?" I asked him

He looked from his work at me "Nearly. Why, are you in a rush for me to be finished?"

I shook my head "No. I was just wondering"

I was about to turn back to my sketch when the small bell above the front door rang. 

Looks like we have a customer.

"I'll see to them" Shin said, standing up and walking towards the purple curtained doorway that lead to the shop.

"I'll be there in a minute" I called after him. I'm not too sure if he heard or not though.

(Shin's POV)

"Welcome, Madam. Were you looking for something?" I asked the young woman in the shop.

She looked at me, startled by my sudden appearance no doubt.

"O-Oh, n-no. I was j-just...admiring this beautiful furniture..." she stuttered, nervously.

A smile made it's way on to my face.

She was pretty enough. Long blonde hair, probably not natural though, pulled back into a braid, fair skin and hazel eyes.

"Ah, thank you, Madam. I am very glad to hear that" I said.

"We make all the furniture in here ourselves" Shirou said from behind her.

She spun around, startled once again. She probably thought she was seeing double at first.

Hey, don't scare her like that!" I said to Shirou.

"Ah, my apologies, Madam. You see..." Shirou began.

"We artisans are twins" I finished.

The woman didn't look any less uncomfortable.

"Hmm, I'm sure you would make some lovely furniture, Madam" Shirou said, walking over to stand beside me, his eyes trained on her the whole time.

"I agree. We are accepting custom orders, Madam. How would you like a piece of furniture that is your very own?" I asked.

"Oh, well, I don't really know...I mean it sounds nice..."

"We assure you that it will look much better than 'nice' once it's finished" Shirou told her.

"Yes, we guarantee that you will be very satisfied once it's finished" I added.

She uncomfortablly looked down at the tiled floor, making a decision.

"A-Alright then.." she said when she looked back up at us.

I smiled again "Wonderful! We just have to ask a few questions to help us create your perfect piece. Please, come with us to the back room." 

She followed us behind the curtain to the back room. 

I gave Shirou a knowing smile, that he returned. She luckily didn't seem to notice.

"First question. Is that natural blonde hair?" I asked, sitting down across from her.

She shook her head "No. My natural hair was brown"

"What is your favourite colour and what colour do you hate most?" Shirou asked

"My favourite colour is blue as it resembles beautiful things such as the sky and an ocean. I hate grey, it's very dull" she answered.

"When did you kill your first bug?" I asked.

She hesitated this time, an almost horrified expression on her face.

"The first time I can remember is when I was 10 and killed a small spider that was in the bathroom" she answered, even though she had looked uncomfortable answering.

"Finally, what part of you would you consider to be most beautiful?" Shirou asked.

This time her horror was clearly shown on her face.

"M-My hair, probably. W-Why are you even asking these questions?" she asked, trembling with nerves. She probably suspected something now.

I simply smiled "We told you, Madam, to help us create your perfect piece of art"

Shirou picked up the large blade on the table behind her, asking me a question with his eyes.

I smiled and gave him a nod.