[ Well. He's noticed a conspicuous absence of activity in the apartment down the hall for a few days now, but he had (contrary to prior conversations) kept to himself about it. But as days stretch into a week, van Zieks has gone to his superiors about it and made some things certain.
It occurs to van Zieks that he doesn't know where Sholmes lives in this world. Unwilling to communicate this over text, he opts for the next best thing to a visit: Sholmes is getting a phonecall. If he picks up, van Zieks will waste absolutely no time getting to the meat of things: ]
[There is a fair amount of shuffling on the other end once the line connects — as though Sholmes has had to unearth his phone from under a pile of mess once it had started chirping for his attention. His voice reflects some manner of effort when he replies, belatedly, though he isn’t immune from the surprise of 1) van Zieks contacting him out of the blue (indicative of some import, no doubt) and 2) the news itself.]
My good fellow— [He finally manages.] —what do you mean gone?
[ Something about the amount of effort it seems to have required for Sholmes to properly pick up his phone makes van Zieks glad that he could not go in person. Who knows what sighs he could have been greeted with. ]
Gone from being bound to this realm, if my superiors are to be believed.
[ On van Zieks' end of the line, there is the characteristic sound of a drink being poured into a glass, meanwhile. ]
[The telltale sound of liquid pouring into a glass is not terribly unexpected, considering who he's speaking to on the other end. It appears that some things will never change, despite the world they are couched in — Sholmes' propensity to live in organized chaos, and van Ziek's appreciation for a fine spirit no matter the circumstances.
There is still a moment, however, that passes before another reply. A sound of rustling again, though it stops soon after — it is reasonable to think that Sholmes has found himself seated to continue this conversation.]
Just like that? No mention of the fulfillment of his contract?
[He scoffs, a wry sort of thing.]
Or simply gone without a single trace? Imagine. Hell itself should eject the Lord Chief Justice from its realm. I admit that leaves us in a very peculiar position, no matter the reason for his departure.
[ Put like that, it is rather amusing. Too evil for the employ of a literal demon lord... ]
His contract has not been fulfilled, thankfully. Whatever he gets up to back in London, if that is where he is right now, will have to be entirely on his own merits.
[ He regrets now that he told Stronghart what he knows about him - can Stronghart change the future, now that he is warned...? Is such a thing possible? Nothing he can do about it either way, so he just sips his wine and muses. ]
[Entirely of his own merits, indeed. That is perhaps a matter of concern for the both of them, leaving Stronghart to his own devices — however, that is with the assumption that time moves in a linear fashion in this place, compared to what they know in London. There is a chance there is nothing to be worried about at all, but only a chance.]
No small relief for you, I imagine.
[But—]
Though perhaps you are newly concerned about his potential return to London, while you remain in hell?
You are quite perceptive in the strangest of situations.
[ Is it an insult? Is it a compliment? It's both, so Sholmes can just pick whichever he wants more. Barok just doesn't like having his emotions accurately pinpointed by the great detective, even if technically they are the exact reason he called. ]
He was from a previous point in time compared to us. If there is a chance that he can make use of our encounters here as a warning... It is more incentive for us to fulfill our contracts as fast as we can, at any rate.
[Sholmes' ego dictates that he takes that as the highest sort of compliment, of course. What detective would not preen at being called perceptive in even the most inane situations imaginable?]
Need I remind you that it is my job to be perceptive in every imaginable scenario?
[Van Zieks may catch a hint of a smile in his tone. Quite annoying. Though it fades slightly in the next statement.]
A previous point in time? I had not been aware. [Van Zieks!! You should tell him these things beforehand!!] And how much knowledge did you reveal to him about his future? I hope you didn't show your entire hand over the breadth of a single conversation.
[ The protest is weak, though. He does realize now that he messed up by revealing anything at all. He had not expected hell would let go of Mael Stronghart quite so easily. ]
He is aware that I know of his misdeeds and likely enough he has pieced together that I have been acquitted of the most recent murder charges. We have not spoken of specifics - he would have declared me insane, and for good reason, had I tried to recount the inane events of that trial in full.
[ Not that he'd have had any desire to do so even if the trial went a little more normally. ]
The talent of foresight is a very rare trait, Lord van Zieks. I rarely expect it in even the most competent of individuals.
[Whether or not the other man deigns to take that as a comfort or otherwise is up to him. Sholmes continues.]
But you are quite right. That trial in particular was full of twists and turns, and riveting revelations. We mostly have Mr Naruhodo to thank for that, of course. It's unlikely that the Lord Chief Justice will be able to account for every detail that led to his downfall, even if he has the advantage of suspicion.
Not that is much we can do about it here, either way.
Indeed. I don't believe either of us needed an additional reminder that our contracts should be fulfilled sooner rather than later, so that we may return.
[ If nothing else, he does expect this of Sholmes - the man has been taking care of Iris all her life and that feeling of responsibility is not likely to vanish any time soon. No matter how mature, Iris is still nothing but a little girl.
Barok takes another gulp from his glass and sighs. ]
In any case, I just wanted to inform you of the changed conditions.
[His tone skews dismissive, but as with all things, Sholmes does not always let the more sincere shades of tonal emotion shine through. Ultimately, van Zieks is correct in his assessment—Iris has not left his mind for but a moment since his arrival in this hell, and the untraversable distance between them makes her presence in his thoughts all the more prevalent—but let the man be correct. Two plus two equals four, and a foster father shall miss his foster daughter; there is no point in beleaguering the obvious, even if that obvious is currently unspoken.]
I am grateful for your diligence. Of course, the next time you find yourself bearing news of import, you may call upon me in person, rather than using this device which so easily loses itself between the cushions of the sofa.
[How very Sholmes of him, to expect someone to visit simply so that he doesn’t have to dig around for his phone the next time it demands his attention — conveniently forgetting that he never gave the man his address in the first place.]
[ Van Zieks almost scolds Sholmes' talent for misplacing even the most important of objects, but just in time remembers that only months ago his best excuse in a murder trial was 'the gun can't be mine because I lost mine at some unspecified point in the last ten years'. He bites back all commentary. ]
This would require me to have both a tolerance for whatever chemical hazards you are doubtlessly cooking up there and, more importantly, actual knowledge of the whereabouts of your residence.
[Objects, ideas, and memories alike are not immune to Sholmes’ vacillating appraisal of their importance; committed to remembrance one day, and gone the next, like the tide sweeping in and receding. That is much the reality of his mind, just as a mess and various modes of chemical experimentation are the reality of his living space.]
There are no chemical hazards, my good fellow, that would be unendurable for an extended period of time currently present in my living space. And if there were, do you think me so neglectful as to not keep a window open?
[Perhaps that is little reassurance to a man who has never lived with Sholmes before (the list is a short one), but it’s always worked in the past. And he’s fine!]
You’re a man of fine constitution. There is hardly anything to fuss over.
[ 'There are no chemical hazards' is an encouraging start to a sentence, but of course it gets ruined soon after. It would have been too good to be true. ]
I am not so much worried about my physical well-being as I am about what remains of my sanity.
[ And what remains of that is not nearly as much as he would like, between the earth-shattering reveals in London and the goings-on that he is confronted with every single day in Jigoku-cho. ]
But do send me your address, there may be a day when that reference is important after all. I will do the same.
[Sholmes sends his address over. With that information set free, van Zieks will henceforth be badgered into visiting rather than calling him on the phone when the detective himself can't find it; but this is the life he's chosen for himself, clearly.]
Now that I have you on the line, I did have a question for you... Except I seem to have forgotten it. [A lengthy pause.] Ah! Yes, I remember now. The Enma is still sweeping up those little clay figurines appearing in every corner of the city, are they not?
[ Van Zieks will regret this in due time, surely. He might regret it even more to send his own address in return - opening himself up to one Herlock Sholmes badgering him for whatever may cross that genius mind.
Van Zieks is just going to pour more wine while Sholmes is thinking. To his credit, he's not even tempted into hanging up. Talking to Sholmes while getting somewhat drunk (albeit for unrelated reasons) seems to be a good game plan. ]
It remains our top priority order, indeed. A rather cumbersome one, with the frequency those things appear in. I am beginning to think that this won't be settled quite so easily.
[The need to inebriate oneself while on the line with Sholmes is very much a mood, but also guarantees that a conversation will Go Places if given enough time.
For now, at least they can have a proper conversation about the worrisome goings-on in the city. Van Ziek's address is committed to memory, otherwise — with any luck, this information will be remembered.]
No, though I cannot help but feel as though it will be settled sooner rather than later. The Department of the Enma is snapping them up diligently, which has led to quite the collection amassed at headquarters. Or am I mistaken?
One must assume so. Once we hand them in, they are immediately taken below ground - and the access to that area is severely restricted. No Lost Soul has the credentials required to descend there.
[ He does not sound pleased about that either. Every day there are more and more cursed statues placed directly under his workplace and he just... doesn't know what they're doing with them. It does not make for a relaxed work atmosphere. ]
Even if I had access to this classified information, I would not be at liberty to share with you - but as it stands, I admit to my own frustration that I am also in the dark.
It is not the lack of individual access that I find troublesome. Rather, it is that so many haniwa now exist in a single location; a location directly beneath one of the main operating pillars of this district.
[Perhaps van Zieks can see where he is going with this. Sholmes continues nonetheless, always unhesitatingly ready to expound.]
I do not believe whoever is ushering them into the city, and by whatever means, is doing so blindly. There is a clear effort behind the whole endeavor, and with effort implies intention. No doubt they know that the Enma will not let them simply sit scattered in every street corner; that the department will start collecting and housing them under their own care. Perhaps that is the point.
[Logically, that is the only action that could have been taken.]
In summation: you work directly above a ticking time bomb, Mr Reaper, that I am afraid may go off at any minute.
[ There is a long moment of silence on the other end of the line. ]
... even if I desired to dispute this theory, I cannot.
[ And that is precisely why he is so frustrated about not knowing how the Haniwa are stored or treated. It would be a whole lot more reassuring if he could say with full certainty that they are being neutralized. ]
The statuettes are harming the citizens so they can't be left unguarded and they cannot be safely destroyed by individuals - the Department has very effectively been forced into starting a collection to mitigate short term harm. And in the long run... You are not the first who has voiced concern to me.
I would imagine not. The danger is clear, and yet…
[Here, he pauses. More rustling emanates from the other end, and then something that sounds like a match striking. Presumably, he is lighting one of the many pipes he's already gathered during his stay in this world. (And not setting a wayward experiment aflame, don't worry, van Zieks.)
When he speaks again, his tone is contemplative and even mildly impressed.]
...Well, it leaves us with no other recourse regarding how to deal with them. It really is quite a clever plan despite its simplicity, should the worse actually come to pass.
[Inhales a drag of smoke.]
As a detective, I do not subscribe to the "wait and see" approach; I prefer action to reaction. However, in this instance, there is not much either of us can do. So my advice to you is plain. Keep a keen eye out, and be careful.
[When, true to the Iron Bear's words, the blast of an explosion shakes the city, Yujin's first thought comes quickly, and easily, enough. He needs to get to the clinic, as soon as possible. It's a big explosion, and he's only one man. He'll be of more use there-- preparing to tend to any injured Lost Souls that come through, if not from the explosion itself, then from whatever chaos is sure to erupt in the aftermath.
As soon as he's in motion, however, his second thought follows. The blast had been in Shuten territory, so he messages Kazuma right away, but immediately after, it's Sholmes' turn.
They aren't beholden to each others' movements, of course. He's used to this pattern their lives have fallen into once more. He and Sholmes follow their own busy routines: sometimes meeting in the middle, but always meeting again at that now-cozy shared flat.]
Did you feel that?
[This city is dangerous. But it is also not so very big, and his partner could be anywhere on these streets. Yujin's tone is just a little harried as the thought of their home, empty, flickers briefly into his mind.]
[The line comes on in that inelegant way, indicative of someone having initiated the call while still about for it in his trousers pocket. Rustling, rustling, then the voice of Sholmes -- the sound of a heel striking the pavement, the murmured bustle of people walking up and down the street, harried in the wake of an explosion that shook the district like a shockwave had rumbled through it.]
Mikotoba. Whole and hale, and not wracked by any manner of explosion. A blasted mess, all of this, though.
[Yet more importantly: Yujin is safe. That eases something tight in his chest, as though it had been restricted and he might now breathe again.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
retroductions) wrote2022-05-06 08:11 am
audio call!
It occurs to van Zieks that he doesn't know where Sholmes lives in this world. Unwilling to communicate this over text, he opts for the next best thing to a visit: Sholmes is getting a phonecall. If he picks up, van Zieks will waste absolutely no time getting to the meat of things: ]
This is van Zieks. Stronghart is gone.
no subject
My good fellow— [He finally manages.] —what do you mean gone?
no subject
Gone from being bound to this realm, if my superiors are to be believed.
[ On van Zieks' end of the line, there is the characteristic sound of a drink being poured into a glass, meanwhile. ]
no subject
There is still a moment, however, that passes before another reply. A sound of rustling again, though it stops soon after — it is reasonable to think that Sholmes has found himself seated to continue this conversation.]
Just like that? No mention of the fulfillment of his contract?
[He scoffs, a wry sort of thing.]
Or simply gone without a single trace? Imagine. Hell itself should eject the Lord Chief Justice from its realm. I admit that leaves us in a very peculiar position, no matter the reason for his departure.
no subject
His contract has not been fulfilled, thankfully. Whatever he gets up to back in London, if that is where he is right now, will have to be entirely on his own merits.
[ He regrets now that he told Stronghart what he knows about him - can Stronghart change the future, now that he is warned...? Is such a thing possible? Nothing he can do about it either way, so he just sips his wine and muses. ]
They are clearing out his room soon.
game spoilers ahoy
No small relief for you, I imagine.
[But—]
Though perhaps you are newly concerned about his potential return to London, while you remain in hell?
no subject
[ Is it an insult? Is it a compliment? It's both, so Sholmes can just pick whichever he wants more. Barok just doesn't like having his emotions accurately pinpointed by the great detective, even if technically they are the exact reason he called. ]
He was from a previous point in time compared to us. If there is a chance that he can make use of our encounters here as a warning... It is more incentive for us to fulfill our contracts as fast as we can, at any rate.
no subject
Need I remind you that it is my job to be perceptive in every imaginable scenario?
[Van Zieks may catch a hint of a smile in his tone. Quite annoying. Though it fades slightly in the next statement.]
A previous point in time? I had not been aware. [Van Zieks!! You should tell him these things beforehand!!] And how much knowledge did you reveal to him about his future? I hope you didn't show your entire hand over the breadth of a single conversation.
[Or at all.]
no subject
[ The protest is weak, though. He does realize now that he messed up by revealing anything at all. He had not expected hell would let go of Mael Stronghart quite so easily. ]
He is aware that I know of his misdeeds and likely enough he has pieced together that I have been acquitted of the most recent murder charges. We have not spoken of specifics - he would have declared me insane, and for good reason, had I tried to recount the inane events of that trial in full.
[ Not that he'd have had any desire to do so even if the trial went a little more normally. ]
no subject
[Whether or not the other man deigns to take that as a comfort or otherwise is up to him. Sholmes continues.]
But you are quite right. That trial in particular was full of twists and turns, and riveting revelations. We mostly have Mr Naruhodo to thank for that, of course. It's unlikely that the Lord Chief Justice will be able to account for every detail that led to his downfall, even if he has the advantage of suspicion.
Not that is much we can do about it here, either way.
no subject
[ If nothing else, he does expect this of Sholmes - the man has been taking care of Iris all her life and that feeling of responsibility is not likely to vanish any time soon. No matter how mature, Iris is still nothing but a little girl.
Barok takes another gulp from his glass and sighs. ]
In any case, I just wanted to inform you of the changed conditions.
no subject
[His tone skews dismissive, but as with all things, Sholmes does not always let the more sincere shades of tonal emotion shine through. Ultimately, van Zieks is correct in his assessment—Iris has not left his mind for but a moment since his arrival in this hell, and the untraversable distance between them makes her presence in his thoughts all the more prevalent—but let the man be correct. Two plus two equals four, and a foster father shall miss his foster daughter; there is no point in beleaguering the obvious, even if that obvious is currently unspoken.]
I am grateful for your diligence. Of course, the next time you find yourself bearing news of import, you may call upon me in person, rather than using this device which so easily loses itself between the cushions of the sofa.
[How very Sholmes of him, to expect someone to visit simply so that he doesn’t have to dig around for his phone the next time it demands his attention — conveniently forgetting that he never gave the man his address in the first place.]
no subject
This would require me to have both a tolerance for whatever chemical hazards you are doubtlessly cooking up there and, more importantly, actual knowledge of the whereabouts of your residence.
no subject
There are no chemical hazards, my good fellow, that would be unendurable for an extended period of time currently present in my living space. And if there were, do you think me so neglectful as to not keep a window open?
[Perhaps that is little reassurance to a man who has never lived with Sholmes before (the list is a short one), but it’s always worked in the past. And he’s fine!]
You’re a man of fine constitution. There is hardly anything to fuss over.
no subject
I am not so much worried about my physical well-being as I am about what remains of my sanity.
[ And what remains of that is not nearly as much as he would like, between the earth-shattering reveals in London and the goings-on that he is confronted with every single day in Jigoku-cho. ]
But do send me your address, there may be a day when that reference is important after all. I will do the same.
no subject
[Sholmes sends his address over. With that information set free, van Zieks will henceforth be badgered into visiting rather than calling him on the phone when the detective himself can't find it; but this is the life he's chosen for himself, clearly.]
Now that I have you on the line, I did have a question for you... Except I seem to have forgotten it. [A lengthy pause.] Ah! Yes, I remember now. The Enma is still sweeping up those little clay figurines appearing in every corner of the city, are they not?
no subject
Van Zieks is just going to pour more wine while Sholmes is thinking. To his credit, he's not even tempted into hanging up. Talking to Sholmes while getting somewhat drunk (albeit for unrelated reasons) seems to be a good game plan. ]
It remains our top priority order, indeed. A rather cumbersome one, with the frequency those things appear in. I am beginning to think that this won't be settled quite so easily.
no subject
For now, at least they can have a proper conversation about the worrisome goings-on in the city. Van Ziek's address is committed to memory, otherwise — with any luck, this information will be remembered.]
No, though I cannot help but feel as though it will be settled sooner rather than later. The Department of the Enma is snapping them up diligently, which has led to quite the collection amassed at headquarters. Or am I mistaken?
no subject
[ He does not sound pleased about that either. Every day there are more and more cursed statues placed directly under his workplace and he just... doesn't know what they're doing with them. It does not make for a relaxed work atmosphere. ]
Even if I had access to this classified information, I would not be at liberty to share with you - but as it stands, I admit to my own frustration that I am also in the dark.
no subject
[Perhaps van Zieks can see where he is going with this. Sholmes continues nonetheless, always unhesitatingly ready to expound.]
I do not believe whoever is ushering them into the city, and by whatever means, is doing so blindly. There is a clear effort behind the whole endeavor, and with effort implies intention. No doubt they know that the Enma will not let them simply sit scattered in every street corner; that the department will start collecting and housing them under their own care. Perhaps that is the point.
[Logically, that is the only action that could have been taken.]
In summation: you work directly above a ticking time bomb, Mr Reaper, that I am afraid may go off at any minute.
no subject
... even if I desired to dispute this theory, I cannot.
[ And that is precisely why he is so frustrated about not knowing how the Haniwa are stored or treated. It would be a whole lot more reassuring if he could say with full certainty that they are being neutralized. ]
The statuettes are harming the citizens so they can't be left unguarded and they cannot be safely destroyed by individuals - the Department has very effectively been forced into starting a collection to mitigate short term harm. And in the long run... You are not the first who has voiced concern to me.
no subject
[Here, he pauses. More rustling emanates from the other end, and then something that sounds like a match striking. Presumably, he is lighting one of the many pipes he's already gathered during his stay in this world. (And not setting a wayward experiment aflame, don't worry, van Zieks.)
When he speaks again, his tone is contemplative and even mildly impressed.]
...Well, it leaves us with no other recourse regarding how to deal with them. It really is quite a clever plan despite its simplicity, should the worse actually come to pass.
[Inhales a drag of smoke.]
As a detective, I do not subscribe to the "wait and see" approach; I prefer action to reaction. However, in this instance, there is not much either of us can do. So my advice to you is plain. Keep a keen eye out, and be careful.
voice;
As soon as he's in motion, however, his second thought follows. The blast had been in Shuten territory, so he messages Kazuma right away, but immediately after, it's Sholmes' turn.
They aren't beholden to each others' movements, of course. He's used to this pattern their lives have fallen into once more. He and Sholmes follow their own busy routines: sometimes meeting in the middle, but always meeting again at that now-cozy shared flat.]
Did you feel that?
[This city is dangerous. But it is also not so very big, and his partner could be anywhere on these streets. Yujin's tone is just a little harried as the thought of their home, empty, flickers briefly into his mind.]
Sholmes, please tell me you're safe.
no subject
Mikotoba. Whole and hale, and not wracked by any manner of explosion. A blasted mess, all of this, though.
[Yet more importantly: Yujin is safe. That eases something tight in his chest, as though it had been restricted and he might now breathe again.]
You're off to the clinic, I presume?