Telepathic IC 'Inbox' and Messenger Bird Reception

[greatestdefective]

[Catch-all post for one-on-one messages that need to be delivered directly to Sherlock, either through the amulets or with a messenger bird. Meeting in person is also an option!]

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[greatestdefective]

[Sherlock takes the bag with a look of surprise, though his face brightens up the moment he peeks inside. CANDYYY! Amazing! There's a few sparkles dancing around his head.]

Oooh! Is that for me? Truly? You shouldn't have!

[exchangeable]

For Christmas. [ He pauses, hesitating for a moment, and then bows his head slightly to Holmes. ] And— to thank you. For saving my life, back on the ship. [ His voice is quiet, even as he lifts his head. ] Regardless of what occurred, I . . . recognize that I would be dead were it not for your intervention.

[greatestdefective]

[Wow he... didn't expect to be thanked for something like that. Certainly not with candy. It's enough to catch him off guard a bit, though he regains his composure quite fast.]

Well... It's only common sense, isn't it? That I would save you? Keeping you safe was the only reason I'd boarded that ship at all! [Which is... ironic... in hindsight...]

[exchangeable]

[ Asougi starts at that, looking mildly surprised. Sure, the detective had told him about the message, the names, but it was still a surprise that he'd go that far. ]

I had Detective Hosonaga. [ For all the good that did. But that raises another question— ] . . . How did you know I would even be on that ship, though?

[greatestdefective]

[Detective Hosonaga is like a bad luck charm. Anyone who's assigned this guy as a guard is sure to die. So no, that does no good at all. As for that question...]

Oh, well, I have my ways, you know! Connections I communicate with people and they communicate with me, so.. Finding out that Asougi Jr. was to come to England for an exchange project was no trouble at all!

[exchangeable]

[ Makes sense in hindsight that a man like Detective Holmes would have his fingers in a number of different pies and sources spanning the globe. It's mildly impressive, actually, and Asougi nods slowly. Though . . . ]

Did you know my father?

[greatestdefective]

... Not on too personal a note, no. We were introduced and I heard stories of him, that's about it. [The delay in his response may indicate that there's more to that answer than he's willing to share, though.]

[exchangeable]

[ He's caught on to that by now, but he also knows when to press and when to let things be. And given their last discussion about his father . . . Asougi nods slowly, accepting that answer at face value. For now, it was fine. He rubs at the back of his neck lightly. ]

It seems that you get around quite a bit, Detective.

[greatestdefective]

[Sherlock directs the laser pointer towards the wall again and instantly, Wagahai's ears perk forward, her eyes on the red dot.]

One might call it an occupational hazard. Detectives mingle with the most odd, the most unfortunate and the most influential of people. Law-enforcement, coroners, criminals, lawyers, hunchbacked exchange students, victims of theft... I've met so many in my lifetime, I can no longer keep track. [Literally.]

[exchangeable]

[ He crosses his arms and turns his head, shifting his gaze towards Wagahai. What Holmes said explains a lot, to be honest. He can't even imagine . . . well, except in the most extreme case, of course. ]

And you have quite the variety of them, I assume. Legal aide Mikotoba was rather fond of the stories about them, if I remember correctly.

[greatestdefective]

The stories... Ah! You must referring to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, as published in Strand magazine! Have you read them? What did you think?

[Pander to his ego! Pander!!!]

[exchangeable]

I never read them. Legal aide Mikotoba did.

[ How long can he beat around the bush and avoid talking about Professor Mikotoba? For quite some time, apparently. That's what he both does and doesn't want to ask about at this point. ]

She was always quite taken with them, though.

[greatestdefective]

Naturally! Anyone would be taken with them! You would've been taken with them too, had you read them. In fact, I have a copy of Strand Magazine with me! [He grabs his bag, which was sitting close to the foot of the bed, and pulls out a magazine.] By all means, feel free to borrow it!

[exchangeable]

I'll pass.

[ He makes a point of lifting his hand as if to say "no" as well. Asougi got Holmes sweets for Christmas as well as an expression of muted gratitude; it'll take more baby steps to get them past that point. ]

[greatestdefective]

[Excuse you??? Holmes takes a few steps closer, virtually holding the magazine up in Asougi's face.]

Perhaps you didn't hear me. Please, feel free to borrow this amazing bit of literature, as written by my genius housemate who is only ten years old.

[exchangeable]

This "amazing bit of literature" that's also based on the cases you and Professor Mikotoba solved together?

[ Yeah, remember that little eavesdropping escapade? That happened. ]

[greatestdefective]

[For a few seconds, Holmes stands totally frozen. Then he eases himself back out of it and holds the magazine a little closer to Asougi's face.]

Exactly! Doesn't that make you even more eager to read it? Don't you want to know more about those amazing adventures?

[exchangeable]

. . .

[ takes it, with every intention of immediately dumping it on Naruhodou's bed. ]

You're relentless.

[greatestdefective]

[WOW, RUDE.]

You know what they say; a Great Detective must have great persistence! Were that not a part of my very being, I would've given up halfway into every case I've ever handled.

[exchangeable]

[ The thing with Holmes is that Asougi never knows if he's telling the truth, speaking out of his ass, or a little of both. Already, he has a feeling he'll never quite know either, hence the dubious look he gives the detective before giving up, shaking his head. ]

It's a quality that a detective should have, certainly.

[greatestdefective]

Certainly! And the same goes for defense attorneys! Mr. Naruhodou has it as well; that great resolve. [Holmes looks almost proud as he says it. He has been training Naruhodou this past half year, so he'll take some of the credit.]

[exchangeable]

. . . Good. I'd expect no less from my partner.

[ It's hard to tell, but he has softened somewhat at the mention of Naruhodou. ]

[greatestdefective]

[D'awww, they're partners! Sherlock sparkles just a bit at that word. Adorable.]

Ohoh, you have high expectations for him, don't you?

[exchangeable]

Of course I do. Isn't that only natural?

[ The room's getting a bit brighter at that. As you do. ]

[greatestdefective]

It is! When you trust your partner- when you truly believe in his skills... You expect him to be able to reach for the stars and pluck one from the sky!

[He is so not talking about Naruhodou anymore.]