Earphones plugged in, Theodora marched with a beat in her steps, the bass keeping her head mildly nodding along in time as she approached the bakery. Her even breath frosted in snowball-like puffs before her in the frigid air. Even the cloth strap of her sling bag in her hands felt dangerously like gripping a frozen poker. Perhaps she should have worn something warmer than jeans ripped at the knees and a singlet. Theodora hadn't experienced many winters, but this first of hers was infuriating, making her think of humid air and tropical climates with a pang of loss. At least she had a windbreaker on, and music to keep her blood bumping.

As Theo neared the lit bakery, she came to a standstill in the doorway. Kiku was crouched next to an incapacitated Madame Lilacflour, shattered glass and a crimson puddle painting a crime scene around them. She cast one glance at her employer, conscious and mouthing words that Theodora could not hear over the song pulsing in her head. Averting her eyes, Theodora muttered, "[color=39b54a]Feel better soon, Madame Lilacflour. If you need any help, Kiku, you can call for me.[/color]" and pushed through the double doors leading into the kitchen, not waiting for a reply.

As the doors swung shot behind her, Theodora plucked out her earphones and tucked them away into her pocket. Chucking her bag to one corner, Theo shimmied out of her black-blue windbreaker, the kitchen warmed to a decent temperature by ovens, as was to be expected in a bakery. She eyed the small girl working busily away. "[color=39b54a]Good morning, Sumiko,[/color]" she greeted flatly, taking a stool and perching herself atop it. Balancing her elbow on the spotless counter surface, Theodora rested her chin on the heel of the palm, expressionless eyes watching her colleague bake away. Madame Lilacflour was in no fit state for company, and damn if Theo was going out there to suffer the fumes of alcohol. She was handicapped enough in manoeuvring around average social situations as it was, and an intoxicated boss did not assist matters.