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[retroductions]

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[ INMATE REGISTRY ]

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[retroductions]

Mm.

[-he says at first, considering. Wondering at how he would approach matters if he were a detective born into her world, rather than his own. He does not seem to mind the point of contact, and he easily notes her flickering tail. The air between them is casual, it would seem -- less the air of student and teacher, but simply friends.]

I admit it is fascinating. And the privilege of being frustrated is only one that would happen in theory. My detective-ing will remain in London for the foreseeable future.

[velluminous]

[ gives a little pull on his pipe and lowers it, exhaling the smoke slowly through her nose, which gives her a distinctly bullish appearance. it's always all just theory, isn't it? the one thing she cannot do is break between worlds.

so far. ]

Yes. Indeed it will.

[retroductions]

[He inhales a fresh take of secondhand smoke.]

Such is one's lot in life. To think that I would not have known about all these other worlds without being brought into this... blasted prison.

[velluminous]

And now you know what lays beyond your stars.

[retroductions]

I do hope I have the honor of remembering it once we are returned to where we belong, as well.

[velluminous]

[ honestly, the thought that they might not makes her entire chest clench unpleasantly, but for once, very little of it shows. the stillness of her tail is maybe the biggest tell, but only if one has come to recognize what its usual constant motion means.

her gaze is on where her ankle hooks over his knee. ]

And if this were all one prolonged dream?

[retroductions]

[The stillness of her tail means something where it is usually so active, he can deduce at least that much.]

Well, then what a dream it would have been. One of my better ones.

[velluminous]

[ how befitting of her that she might dream of a world where she was trapped and moved like a puppet, that she was loved, and everything she could possibly learn or grow from would vanish with wakefulness.

...bah. she can't think these things.

brings the pipe to her lips again ]

You must have some awful nightmares, Herlock.

[retroductions]

[At that, he glances at her again, considering the remark.]

Or perhaps I simply seek to wring out the best of any experience. Though fraught, this would not constitute a wholly terrible dream. I have met many interesting people, and grown fond of an equal amount.

[Gestures at her.]

That does include you, of course.

[velluminous]

[ sincerity! why!! scoffs—gently—raising her eyes to the ceiling ]

Oh, don't say that.

[retroductions]

Why not! It is true.

[sincerity!]

[velluminous]

Because!

[ because it's making her teary ]

[retroductions]

Ah, because it is too sentimental for you, is it?

[velluminous]

[ sets his pipe on the table and hops down so she can grab his face in her hands. because he's sitting and she's standing, for once he's the perfect height to kiss. mwah. ]

Because.

[ it's too sentimental. yeah. ]

[retroductions]

[Oh— for once, he’s caught off guard by that, but his smile curls against the kiss anyway.]

Of course. Because.

[Definitely too sentimental. He chuckles, tilting his head into her hands before she deigns to let go.]

Have you gotten over your fear, then?

[velluminous]

[ she gazes at him almost dully, without speaking, for long enough that he can probably guess that no, she hasn't. ]

[retroductions]

[He clicks his tongue.]

Well then, I shall take it as a compliment that you are willing to face it when it comes to this great detective.

[velluminous]

Well. I had nice time.

[retroductions]

As did I! I certainly hope there was never any doubt as to that?

[velluminous]

No doubt. No.

[ he had smiled and laughed the entire time. it had been nice.

she turns, picks up his pipe, and holds it out to him ]

[retroductions]

[He takes his pipe back, casually slotting it between his teeth with a faint clack.]

Mm. Good. In that case, my only hope is that your reticence from now on--when it concerns your belief regarding a certain correlation to solitary--lightens its load on your shoulders, Ms Vaux.

[velluminous]

[ she will dare to brush the back of her hand against his shoulder ]

Don't vanish on me, and perhaps.

[retroductions]

[He only grins.]

I do not plan on going anywhere until the mystery of this place is well and truly solved.

[velluminous]

No one in solitary meant to go to solitary, Herlock.

[retroductions]

Perhaps not, but you will find that I am a uniquely stubborn sort of man. Infuriating, at times, as I have been told.