As the sun set to another normal day at home, the chill of the cool autumn air was seeping into all the small holes of the beloved Mystery Inc household... Fred got the eerie feeling of more than just cold, was creeping about.
Since it had been such a relaxed day, he had found himself just chilling and watching some random shows on TV after dinner. Nothing in particular, since most of his main series' he had been paying attention too had already been recorded and just was a click away or he could watch on his computer later. But sometimes it was nice to just enjoy lazing about in the living room and watching the tube.
But he was soon, not alone in this venture. As he had the clear feeling of someone sitting at the edge of his vision, lurking on the outside of the room where he was enjoying himself. Hiding around the corner of the living room, peering in and at him for some unknown reason.
But this too... was kind of interesting!
'Who could it be?' He wondered eagerly, trying his best to not turn his head and just look at the person there.
So, he set his mind to trying to figure out who was just there around the corner. Accepting the challenge of the little mystery he was presented that evening. Far more entertaining than seeing which of the houses the couple on TV picked, or if they end up loving the remodel that one lady ends up doing show after show. Plus, this was a rerun he had watched anyway. It wasn't something he needed to devote his attention too or would miss if his mind wandered away from what was happening on the screen.
'Hm, well we all were at dinner. So, no one is missing from the house at the moment.' He reasoned, trying to think things through and making sure he didn't forget anyone that might be the person in question.
Oozing a bit into the couch, he displayed an outward appearance of comfort and a mellow attitude as he seemed to be just paying attention to the show on the screen. But secretly he was in full detective mode and his mind was gathering up all the clues from the afternoon before to lead him to the most logical conclusion of who might be the mysterious guest. And sure, he could just turn and see, but that was no fun!
'Well, that was a really filling meal that the guys made. I am pretty sure that if Shaggy and Scooby weren't out here also enjoying watching TV with me, they have probably K.O'ed to their own food and are passed out till one of them gets hungry later. So, I doubt it is either of them.' Fred deduced, thinking about the pair and their actions from a bit ago. It had been some delicious food, so had he been more partial to food comas, he might have been in one himself. That was some great stuff!
'Also, unless Shaggy is really up to something sneaky, and Scooby is fully in on it... Those two are not known for being all covert and hiding around corners at home. Or at least when food wasn't involved. There was that one time they tried to get Daphne her sandwich by pretending that it talked. Which didn't work all that well. But, they had tried. Plus, Scooby tends to sometimes ruin those acts as well, since he might not realize being quiet is important. Or getting specifically here being sidetracked by the hallway of squeaky toy traps that litter that area. So, probably not Shaggy or Scooby over there right now.'
As the commercials set into motion, he continued to think about his last two options. Daphne, or Velma? Which of the two women it could be? It wasn't like they had family or company over, so it really limited his pool of suspects to draw from. Leaving on the pair left on his short list once the guys were out of the equation.
'Honestly, it could be either of them. I can see Daphne being up to something... But I can also see Velma feeling a bit silly and acting on it. Going on personality only, it could be either of them. So, I guess it is up to other facts using the last little while to help me figure this out.'
Chucking lightly at the goofy commercial, he shifted his weight into the couch and leaned on his knees as the show came back on. But thankfully being a rerun, he didn't need to actually watch it. Though he restrained himself again from peeking, at least before he really thought it out. Since it was more fun to figure it out, then cheat.
But cheating was WAY easier, so the temptation was still there.
'Daphne had left the dinner early, as her mom called her to talk. So, if it is her... she might have gotten frustrated, stir crazy or just thankful to be not getting her ear gabbed off. Possibly all of the above as well. Lovely woman she was, but man! Elizabeth could really talk your ear off! So, for all I know, she is still up on the second floor and it's Velma being all sneaky over there.'
Thinking it a bit more, he tried to remember what each of the two ladies had done throughout that day, and even in the last few days. Because Fred had noticed the longer between two mysteries became, is the more bored Daphne got. And the less he tended to see of Velma as she got caught up in all her many projects and would disappear for hours at a time... and sometimes days.
It wasn't always like that, to be sure. But it tended to default in that manner on average. A totally opposite arching graph of activity of the two ladies over a period of time. So that just put points in the Daphne camp, then Velma. Especially since he hadn't seen the younger woman most of that day, and she had been late to dinner. Much to Scooby's disappointment. Meaning she probably got caught up in some type of something in the basement. And so, that means most likely if Velma was busy, she either was like Shaggy and Scooby and passed out really quickly being tired and full. Or she vanished into the inky depths of the basement to continue hacking at what which ever thing had her attention this time around.
'That leaves Daphne then. So, if it is her... What does she want from me that has her hiding over there? Hm...?'
Rocking on his heels, he got up to his feet. Tossing his arms above his head, he gave into a mostly fake stretch to peek past his arm to see the small form at the edge of the living room entryway. Peering around the arch that lead up to the second floor and the main first floor hallway. Giving a groan as he came down from the stretch, he moved to rub the back of his neck. It was a commercial anyway... so he gave into a small hankering for a drink and got up to see what the hiding figure would do in his absence. Seeing if his deduction was right, and it was Daphne waiting for him around the bend.
So, he left the living room to quench his thirst and see what would happen.
Pushing into the kitchen past the swinging door, Fred made a bee line for the cupboard over one of the counter tops. Pushing around a few of the plastic cup options, he gripped one of them he personally liked to use for drinks. Nothing too fancy, but he liked it all the same. With that in hand, he moved to the girls and his fridge. A normal household looking refrigerator compared to the guys crazy walk in fridge and freezer. A small pitcher of lemonade, didn't need to be in a climate-controlled area like all of Shaggy's veggies and Scooby meat and cheese collection. A pain old fridge would do.
Leaning against the edge of the counter, he wondered what Daphne was doing in the living room or if she was lurking just beyond the door awaiting to pounce on him once he left. Sipping on his glass, he was unsure that the living room might end up a safe place for that lone cup with its precious liquid cargo. After drinking a bit, he decided to gulp down the rest and leave the cup in the safety of the kitchen.
Between eager and sometimes energetic Dane tails, to danger proneness, and just bad luck... The gang had been through a few plates and cups in the past. Plastic, ceramic or even some thin metal had fallen victim of bad circumstances. So, to prevent any accident he could help, he would just have to come back and give the cup a cleaning before bed. Not that Shaggy would mind a small contribution to what might end up a midnight run and possible washing. But he felt responsible for his own mess and would try to take care of it unless something else prevented him from doing so. And would then apologize to Shaggy later.
With cup safely in the sink, Fred moved to head back to his spot on the couch. Crossing the kitchen and passing into the hall to come out the opposite arch that connected the hallway to the living room... He noticed what the now not lurking, form of Daphne was doing...
Stealing his spot on the couch, remote in hand.