retroductions | reverie inbox.

[You still look like you need a nap, friend.

But Sholmes will take a moment to read the conversation, taking the phone to scroll, his expression taking on something a little more serious.]

I see.

[Mmm. He hands the phone back, fishing into his pocket for his pipe.]

I must be frank with you, Mr Emmet. “Demands”, couched in reason as they are, will always make me uneasy. After all, they are promises just waiting to be broken the moment the Warden puts us in a position that we cannot control — much like before.

[And then what? Ill feelings escalate; solidarity goes out the window.]

Secondly, I can already predict one thing very, very clearly: Mr Inui will not take kindly to threats upon our team, whether or not they are born of reasonable agitation.

Edited 2022-07-06 15:25 (UTC)

Mm-hmm. That is why I wanted to show you immediately.

[ He sighs, shoulders slumping a bit. There's no script in his head for this.

And so, for once, he goes off script, his words much less composed and clear as he fumbles through them. ]

I . . . Wilbur talks. Wilbur talks a lot. That is how he is. And he is angry. He can . . . rub people the wrong way. But he doesn't mean it like that. [ And at that, he rubs at his face. ] I think the biggest thing is keeping Hunter from targeting Adrien in the future. This— "witch" thing or whatever. It has messed Adrien up.

[He pulls out his pipe, but does not bother to stuff it with tobacco. He only brings it to his mouth and cinches it against his teeth -- an old habit hard to fight. This is obviously difficult for Emmet, too; he is not sure he has seen him quite like this, and Sholmes chooses his own words after a pause.]

Mr Wilbur is upset and wishes to protect his team. I can empathize with this keenly.

[Ah, blast this tricky business.]

But I do not wish to go into a meeting where the blame is ready to be thrown straight into Mr Hunter’s lap. The young man did not choose his target out of ill-will, and he feels bad enough about the whole business already. He does not need to think that he failed, or made things more difficult for everyone. I ask for some kindness, regarding his treatment.

No matter what these talks come to, can Mr Wilbur promise at least that much?

Probably.

[ Which is not a great response, he knows, but— it's Wilbur. The man is like a walking natural disaster sometimes. ]

I know, at the very least, that Adrien did not want Hunter to feel bad. It was . . . how did he put it? He would be "annoyed" if he was fine, but he would feel terrible if he was awful. But . . .

[ ughh. He pinches at the bridge of his nose. ]

Wilbur will get loud. It is a matter of redirecting that somewhere, I think. Somewhere productive.

[Probably is not ideal, but somehow, Sholmes thinks this is the best they will get for now.]

He may direct his loudness at me if he likes. I have nerves of steel, you know.

[Said with a quirk of his lips, but it is true. His performative nature is a wonderful sort of distraction, or armor, or both.]

Or better yet, the Warden herself. If he sees himself as an organizer behind future retaliation, then logically, would he not prefer cooperation instead of strife between us?

I think he would, once he gets his upset out of his system.

[ Emmet taps his fingers against his side idly, thinking. Thinking. It could work. ]

But— that could work. I think. If you could warn Mr. Inui and whoever else comes in advance that Wilbur has a rather— vibrant personality and to let you handle him, I think that could work. [ a beat. ] He has retaliated in the past against her. I heard he bombed the clock tower once. And he was organizing something a few days ago, I believe. I was not paying attention.

[Bombed? Good lord.]

He must be a very ambitious fellow. And with ambition comes pinpoint focus, which is easy to redirect with a bit of nudging.

[Once Wilbur gets it out of his system, as Emmet suggests. Sholmes’ teeth clack against his pipe.]

Mm, very well. I will speak with Phoenix, as there is only so much I am willing to speak for them — but we may as well go ahead and arrange this meeting. I know for a fact that they will wish to participate in discussion.

For what it is worth, Lotor seemed interested. Adrien is understandably wary, but he is a good sort. Percival should be fine. He seemed okay. [ that thread is still pending, but. details. ] And Ashley does not remember anything from the task which, to be frank, is probably for the best.

[ He heaves a sigh. ]

It is Wilbur who will be a challenge. But I think— I think this can work.

[He nods.]

And I do not think anyone on my team will prove to be an issue. Mr Inui is merely protective. [Sholmes makes a mental note to not let him take the brunt of all the anger, either; thus why he offered himself up!] And Stoat… well. Stoat speaks its mind, and very bluntly, but I believe it also has the best interests of the team at heart.

[EVEN IF STOAT WOULD ARGUE OTHERWISE. MAYBE.]

So. Nothing more to do than crack on and hope it goes well, hm?

Yes. Stoat will be manageable. Wilbur may rile him up, but that is fine. That may also help, quite frankly.

[ Emmet's shoulders slump a bit as he nods. ]

But yes. Please let me know once Phoenix is ready and we can arrange a time for everyone to meet.

And bodily put ourselves between our teams if necessary.

[He laughs, loudly and obnoxiously, holding his pipe so that it doesn’t go tumbling out of his mouth.]

Let us hope not! My nerves may be made of steel, but my body is not!

[Yeah, let them hope for a good outcome and not... that.]

Very well. I will be in touch with you soon. Thank you again for arranging all of this, Mr Emmet. I know it can be tiring. I see it on your face.

It is the least I can do.

Yes, but do not forget to treat yourself well, too, once this is all sorted.

I will. I promise.

Good.

Well! Then I shall be out of your hair. Hopefully, the next time we meet that isn’t a precarious team meeting I will have a cake in-hand to present to you, as well.

Aha. Well, take your time with that, of course.

[He nods, then affects a shrug.]

I suppose I will return, now, to relay this information to my team.

Be in touch!

Yes, of course. You do the same!

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