Detective of Justice Joker Lalafin Nonomiya/Bond Story

*Capable detective at Pinkerton Detective Agency, a place filled with rogues. His missions' success rate is high, but his sense of justice leads others to treat him as a nuisance. From "Golden Gunfight."*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Gold Nugget One Should Truly Aim For

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"You know the rules for gunfighting, don't you, kid? We turn our backs to each other, walk three steps, and draw our guns."

 **Lalafin:****(Jack)**
"—I know."

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"All right. The next time we turn around, only one of us will be standing. Ready!"

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"1...!"

 **Lalafin:****(Jack)**
"2..."

 **Lalafin:****(Joker & Jack)**
"3! BANG!"

 **Shizuha:**Oh...

 **Lalafin:**Oh, Shizuha!

 **Shizuha:**That line... Is it from the quick-draw competition scene in "Golden Gunfight"? We only just got our scripts. You're just raring to go.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah! I wanted to try different portrayals of this highlight to see which would be the coolest and most heated way!

 **Shizuha:**Gunfights are the main highlights of Western films for sure.

 **Lalafin:**The nervousness of determining the winner and loser in a split second... The thrill makes my heart race!

 **Shizuha:**It looks like both the script and production team feel the same way, so they've been examining this scene over and over again.

 **Lalafin:**Really?

 **Shizuha:**Yes, for example, gunfights etiquette. To sum it up, there are various things to take into consideration for Western film's gunfights—

 **Shizuha:**Apart from a three step draw, there's also the ten step one. A three person gun fight or a group brawl...

 **Lalafin:**I didn't know there were so many different kinds of gunfights! I should go look it up too!

 **Shizuha:**When I bumped into Misora-chan in the Resource Room earlier, she asked for Western film recommendations. She might be planning to have a screening party tomorrow.

 **Lalafin:**Misora's all fired up too! I'll have to be well-prepared before rehearsals start.

 **Shizuha:**That reminds me. You were doing the gunfight scene earlier – does that mean you've already decided which role you want to audition for?

 **Lalafin:**Well... Of course, Jack! If I'm going to aim for a role, it should be the lead! You too, right?

 **Shizuha:**Heh heh, I'm aiming for the role of King.

 **Lalafin:**What?! King as in that scary and stern bodyguard...?!

 **Shizuha:**Yes. Calamity King, bodyguard of the Brontier family – just his name is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many.

 **Lalafin:**I see...! While it does seem to be a role you'd be spectacular in, I'm surprised. I thought you'd be aiming for Jack.

 **Shizuha:**Jack is also a charming role. He surpasses his fears and gains strength. I think it'd feel great to enact that process.

 **Shizuha:**But I still felt more brilliance from King than Jack. He's not the lead, but in terms of the style of this stage, you could call it "gold".

 **Lalafin:**Gold...?

 **Shizuha:**People in the Wild West dreamt of gold and chased after it. The brilliance that will change one's life in an instant.

 **Lalafin:**...Looks like you are already ahead of me in the game. It's like your heart's already entered the Western film!

 **Shizuha:**Heh heh, you might be right. Actually, my heart won't stop racing. How is my life going to change with King...?

 **Lalafin:**...I can't feel it yet – a brilliance like "gold".

 **Lalafin:**You see, Jack being the lead is of course part of the reason why I want the role. But it's also because I want to try playing Jack!

 **Lalafin:**He cares for his friends and even though he had a sad past, he's still able to get over that! Jack has everything that a hero needs!

 **Lalafin:**But...

 **Shizuha:**......

 **Lalafin:**I still don't see Jack's role as dazzling, bright gold! Or a role to get one's life on!

 **Lalafin:**But this won't do! I have to find my own "gold"! It could still be Jack or maybe another role—!

 **Lalafin:**So I'll do my research on Western films and also think long and hard about the stage setting!

 **Shizuha:**Yes, I'm sure you'll be able to find it – your own gold.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah! After hearing about you aiming for King, the world suddenly feels a lot bigger! I'll definitely go find my own shining gold!

Lalafin's Ace

 **Lalafin:**Hm, Jack sure is cool. Overcoming one's trauma is a classic when it comes to heroes!

 **Lalafin:**But, surprisingly, everyone seems to be aiming for roles other than Jack... Earlier on, even Misora said she was interested in Jack's partner, Ace.

 **Lalafin:**Ace is grateful to Jack for accepting his pathetic self and is really attached to him.

 **Lalafin:**And Queen, the informant at the bar where Jack and Ace gather... Queen has also had a difficult past, but different from Jack, she hides it inside her and carries it all by herself...

 **Lalafin:**And then King... He has the least number of lines, but in return, has the most instructions for gazes and gestures. A role that allows the performer to properly show off their sense and talent.

 **Lalafin:**And then Joker... The "enemy" in this story, or so I had originally thought, but that might not be the case.

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"To think there'd be someone in the wilderness who doesn't know me. Hup!"

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"Listen up. Here in the West, I have the world at my feet. I'm Pinkerton Detective Agency's capable detective, no—"

 **Lalafin:****(Joker)**
"I'm the detective of justice, Joker – cracking down on traitors! I deem you bunch evil and challenge you to a gunfight!"

 **Lalafin:**Pinkerton...?

 **Lalafin:**Come to think of it, the names of all the roles are related to cards. Is that also true for "Pinkerton"?

The next day...

 **Shizuha:**Heh heh, a beautiful moss green. The perfect morning smoothie... Oh?

 **Lalafin:**\*yawn\* G'mornin'! Shizuhaa...

 **Shizuha:**Morning, Lalafin. My, what a big yawn.

 **Lalafin:**Heh heh heh, a bit. Oh, this smell... Orange?

 **Shizuha:**Yes. I just finished making an orange smoothie. Do you want some? I also have a healthy kale smoothie. Which do you want?

 **Lalafin:**Is kale that green, bitter one? I prefer the orange one!

 **Shizuha:**Oh, but it's good for you. ...Here you are, orange smoothie.

 **Lalafin:**Thank you! \*gulp\* \*gulp\* Ahh, I'm all awake!

 **Shizuha:**You stayed up pretty late last night?

 **Lalafin:**Yes, about that! I was doing some research on the "Golden Gunfight". And I've decided to audition for Joker!

 **Shizuha:**I see you've found your gold.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah! I thought about the Joker's backstory of working at the Pinkerton Detective Agency and his "justice" for the whole night. And it came to me!

 **Lalafin:**Do you know about the Pinkerton Detective Agency too?

 **Shizuha:**Yes. It started off as a security company established by Allan Pinkerton who had prevented president-elect Lincoln's assassination.

 **Shizuha:**As the times changed, surveillance and spy work increased and it became a great success as a private detective agency.

 **Lalafin:**That's right! Because they held so much power, it ended up turning into some kind of Mafia organization. They came to be regarded as dangerous around the world.

 **Lalafin:**It's sad to see this "power of justice" that's supposed to be protecting people turn into something that harms people.

 **Shizuha:**Yes, a tragedy that's been repeated many times over in history.

 **Lalafin:**The script doesn't mention what kind of place the Pinkerton Detective Agency is, but if it's according to history, I feel like Joker might have been sticking to justice in his lonesome within this changing detective agency.

 **Shizuha:**Joker is a skilled detective, but if it's in the name of justice, he would even betray his superior's orders. It's even written that he's seen as a nuisance within the agency.

 **Lalafin:**Yes, and then Joker is tricked by bad guys and turns to fight against Jack and the others.

 **Shizuha:**Joker, who has a stronger sense of justice than anyone else, ends up siding with the enemy – even though he was tricked into it.

 **Lalafin:**Yes, that's it! But I don't think the reason why Joker got tricked was all due to the cunning evil ways.

 **Lalafin:**Joker must've thought he was doing the right thing.

 **Shizuha:**Perhaps the Pinkerton Detective Agency in history might also have felt the same way.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah. And it's definitely something that concerns everyone... Even I could end up doing something like that.

 **Lalafin:**Losing sight of justice for someone or something's sake, and end up hurting people...

 **Shizuha:**You're saying Joker has the negative side of those who aim for justice.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah. That's why I want to play him. Because I carry the same strong feelings towards justice.

 **Lalafin:**It'll probably get more difficult as I get more into the role, but that pain is the meaning behind me playing Joker.

 **Lalafin:**I think it's my bright, sparkling gold!

 **Shizuha:**This might be my first time hearing you say a role will be painful to play.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah, I think it's a first!

 **Lalafin:**But I'm super stoked! I can't even imagine myself playing any other role now...! I couldn't even fall asleep!

 **Lalafin:**It's a never-ending theme for those heroes who seek justice.

 **Lalafin:**I've also always been troubled over it – same as those heroes on the other side of the screen, and I know I'll continue to be troubled over it still.

 **Lalafin:**So I'm hoping to be able to express everything I've thought about "justice" up until now through Joker... When I think about that, my heart won't stop racing!

 **Shizuha:**Heh heh, I see. You had such a big yawn, but you look really energetic.

 **Lalafin:**Heh heh, this is what "gold" is, Shizuha!

 **Shizuha:**Once you've made your decision, all that's left is to go get that "gold" – the audition, and the stage ahead of us.

 **Lalafin:**Yeah! Let's get this exceptionally big and shining "gold" together through this stage!

 **Shizuha:**Yeah...!

 **Lalafin:**I just went to the library to borrow materials on the Wild West. It's all so I can get my hands on my shining "gold"!

 **Lalafin:**The capable detective, Joker, loses someone important to him and loses sight of the true meaning of "justice"...

 **Lalafin:**All the heroes I like also face the question of what "justice" is, and they always find the answer.

 **Lalafin:**Just what answer will my Joker reach – look forward to finding out in the performance!