greatestdefective | Telepathic IC 'Inbox' and Messenger Bird Reception

[ Asougi can feel his blood run cold as Holmes speaks, though his face remains neutral. The truth is so very dangerous — did he know? There was no way he could have known, Judge Jigoku had been far too careful with all of his planning (though perhaps that was more the judge's overseas ally than the judge himself). Asougi barely had any idea of the true scope of things — could this half baked detective have possibly picked up on any of it?

Either way, one thing was true: involving Naruhodou in any of this directly was dangerous. ]

That doesn't explain why you kept the truth from him for two years here. It's an excuse on top of another excuse at best.

[ When in doubt, deflect, deflect, deflect. Though there's heat to Asougi's words, the temperature seems to have cooled immensely around him. ]

...? [He was doing it, to keep everyone safe? It's hard for him to just accept that, and it just leads to more questions. Then he remembers something, one of the last things he heard before coming back here.] Does it have something to do with that piece of morse code we heard? [Asougi's name was on there....and Watson, who ended up actually dead. His attention turns to Asougi as he questions why Sherlock hadn't bothered to say something here after all this time.]

...He has a point. It's not like we remember anything that occurs here once we go home so...why couldn't you tell me here?

[He'll just conveniently ignore that bit about the morse code because uh... Uhhh... Let's not go there right now.]

Because once you know, you know. There's no going back from that. It's not a simple matter of 'he is still alive', as there is a 'why' that would undoubtedly be questioned, yet there is there and here is here. To walk around with such knowledge here would be a burden.

[ Morse code? Huh. He'll have to ask Naruhodou about that later. But more importantly, what the heck does Sherlock actually know? Did he know the dirty truth behind the exchange program after all?

He crosses his arms with a frown. ]

More of a burden than what he had already been carrying?

[They are among friends??? Surely it would have been fine to about government secrets! Definitely!]

...Well now the truth has shown itself, despite all your efforts of keeping me in the dark. Just like how you wouldn't tell me what was troubling you from home days ago... [He rubs his right arm, fiddling with the armband.] Do you not trust me to understand your reasoning, after everything we've been through?

[The temperature drops a bit further around Sherlock and the lights seem to dim. He looks a little torn between desperation and impatience, because really, how can Naruhodou not get this? Why is he still asking ridiculous questions when the answer is clear as day?]

It's not about trust, Mr. Naruhodou! It's about hurt! Because... Because solving a puzzle means breaking something, you see! Sometimes, knowing the truth is a bit too painful.

[ So here's the problem: it's hard to be incredibly angry with Sherlock when he actually . . . agrees with him on that front. The truth behind everything is painful, and he doesn't even have the full picture himself. But if Naruhodou knew what Japan and England were really "exchanging" . . .

The air around Asougi cools even more, but he remains silent, watching this exchange play out between the two of them for now. ]

[Because right now he feels betrayed to be thinking logically.]

Don't you think I already know that!? What I have to do everytime I step in a courtroom? [Holmes wasn't going to explain himself, not really, just like every other time before. He really thinks he can't handle it? He sighs heavily, and turns around with all intentions of leaving. It's probably a lost cause at this point to keep perusing this.] I'm going for a walk.

[... All right, perhaps speaking to an attorney about the weight of truth as if he wouldn't know is a bit stupid of Holmes to do. Especially an attorney who got disbarred for six months because of a painful truth. But then... Holmes was there for the disbarment and he saw how it'd affected Naruhodou- And that was just for something as silly as tampering with crime scenes and getting a not-guilty for a guy who was guilty as sin. Anything involving a best friend- a partner- is an immediate private affliction with a difficult recovery process.

So he says nothing. He merely stands there and waits for Naruhodou to leave because, really, what else can he do?]

[ Asougi hangs back as well, not following Naruhodou but not leaving just yet either — making sure that his friend gets the space he needs. The only movement he makes is to pull his sword back from pinning the cloak to the floor, sheathing it once more. ]

[Aaand a few seconds later, Naruhodou is out the door, so now it's just the two of them. Holmes sighs and finally removes the cloak, tossing it onto the floor. It's already got a hole in it now anyway, so he doubts Asougi still wants it that badly.]

[ He might not be in any rush to get it, but Asougi's not just going to leave it laying there either. He takes a step forward, reaching over to scoop it up. As he does so, Asougi glances over at Holmes, giving him a wary, searching look, as if trying to figure out exactly what he knows. ]

[Sherlock is silent for a moment, then just forces himself into a broad smile that's obviously not genuine. He's a little too rattled to say the following sentiments and mean them.]

Sooo sorry about that, Mr. Exchange Student! It's rude, isn't it, to argue in front of guests? And I suppose I should say... Welcome to Empatheias!

[ Asougi straightens up, giving him a suspicious, uncertain look at that. But after a moment, he does respond, though it's a bit strained. ]

. . . Thank you for the welcome, I suppose.

[ He supposes. ]

I don't suppose you recall, but we actually met on the ship more than once. [Remember the steak thefts, Asougi? Good times.] I resuscitated you when all those amateurs declared you dead on the spot. Good grief, leave it to cabin crew to make such a terrible mistake.

[Feel free to interpret 'resuscitate' any way you like, Asougi. Holmes has been taught CPR in the past, but who even knows what falls under a successful resurrection in his book.]

[ That seems to faintly ring a bell. Given the state of his memory up until recently, it takes Asougi a moment or two to think hard on that, trying to pull pieces out of the haze that had been dumped back in his head unceremoniously. ]

. . . Naruhodou's meat ghost.

[ That was memorable, at least. Asougi eyes him flatly when he continues though. ]

I would say "thank you" — if it weren't for the circumstances.

[It was his birthday- he was totally allowed to have a good meaty feast.

His shoulders slump at that last remark and he hangs his head. Look, Sherlock tried his best, okay. Anything for another one of Mikotoba's cute little orphans. It's just hard when assassins or serial killers get involved and the next thing he knows, he's hiding vital information about them to keep them safe.]

Well, that is... I mean... I assumed you would be safe in Hong Kong. How was I to know you would go wandering around before you could be dropped off there? Last I saw you, you could barely speak, let alone stand.

Why would you assume I would be safe in Hong Kong?

[ It's an honest question this time, unlike his heated accusations from before. But he's genuinely curious as to why. ]

[ERRR. Rats.]

W-Well, I mean! It's safer than continuing all the way to England in your condition! Because a steamship is not at all equipped with the proper medical supplies to tend to someone who's barely conscious, see?

[ dude. dude. ]

If that were the case, then you wouldn't have led Naruhodou and Mikotoba to believe that I was dead. There would have been no reason not to tell them about my condition.

[Mikotoba, what- oh that Mikotoba. Right.]

But when I have no choice, I have no choice! Sometimes, a Great Detective stumbles upon such reasons and then, well... Then the wool has to be pulled over people's eyes.

What were you trying to do, Detective? What exactly were you trying to prevent?

[ It's vague wording, but— he has to know. It comes out almost impatiently, like he's tired of beating around the bush. ]

[His gaze moves from Asougi to the window. ...Well, they were right about one thing: they won't remember when they go back home. It's a burden for Naruhodou, but Asougi... Well, Asougi is made of stronger stuff, probably.

His breath leaves him in another thick, misty cloud.]

... Assassination.

[ He sucks in a bit of air at that. So the detective knows. He couldn't have known everything — how he's not planning on actually going through with it (yet), how he knows he'll inevitably have to bite the hand that feeds him and may very well become a scapegoat, how it's all just— become a high wire act without a net for him in his own search for the truth and then, for justice.

The lighting in the room flickers, dimming. ]

. . . I see.

[He 'sees'? That's it? ... Asougi is definitely a strong, formidable person to take it so easily.]

... Then, you understand? Why I couldn't tell anyone of your fate?

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