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[retroductions]

( art credit )

[ INMATE REGISTRY ]

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[retroductions]

[DOES THIS HAVE SUGAR IN IT-- Then yes, he will enjoy it. In fact, it is probably gone by the time he texts her back the next day, after he's gotten all his presents sorted.

Not hard to guess who might have dropped off a present labeled "Herlock", wrapped in Basilisk colors.]

Sprezzatura! You snuck off before I could present to you a gift, too. Come back to the motel lobby!

[velluminous]

[ surely it must. surely it must have so much sugar in it. ]

I had busy night. [ full of MOPING and FEELING SORRY FOR HERSELF ] Coming.

[ she'll drift up after about ten minutes. ]

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[And there he is! He turns on a heel and approaches her with a fond smile.]

A busy night, you say? Is Basilisk having fun with this game?

[He hands her a bright pink-reddish gift. Phoenix colors! The box is small and rectangular.

There's a cat tarot deck within.]

[velluminous]

I don't know. I hope. [ simply. she thought the atmosphere had felt tense and uncertain while she was there, and then she left, and stayed out for most of the night. so. she hopes it cheered up afterwards, if only for long enough to give Rebecca and Ace a reprieve. ] They better understand its intent than I. And Phoenix?

[ she unwraps the gift as she speaks, slowly ]

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[She doesn't know?]

Phoenix is having as much fun as expected. It is hard to tamp down their spirit when a game seems... fashioned for bonding. But are you not participating with the rest of your team?

[velluminous]

[ listen. sometimes you have to sulk instead of win. ]

They are enthusiastic people. You all have warmth befitting your block name. I did not feel like playing so much. [ when the paper opens to reveal the Devil cat, couched in flame, a slow, heavy breath escapes her through her nose; it's almost a sigh. spreads her fingers over the card... for a long moment. looks up. ] Thank you.

[retroductions]

You are quite welcome. And thank you for your gift, as well. It was a drink, by the way.

[But now... the vibes are off, and the detective in him cannot quite figure out why.]

Did something happen within your team, Sprezzatura?

[velluminous]

[ rolls a 3 on her deception check. ok.

he will know immediately upon asking that that something must have: her jaw tenses, and she's already flushed, not in a cute, flirty "tee-hee it's so cold outside" way. in a "frustrated and ashamed" way. ]


Half of them are gone. Those who remain, I argue with.

[retroductions]

[the dice continue their campaign against sprezzatura

Oh, yes. He can tell. He is too observant not to.]

Who did you argue with? Was there a misunderstanding?

[velluminous]

There is always misunderstanding. I move on.

[retroductions]

Do you? It seems to have affected your mood, however, and not in a very good way. What was the issue?

[velluminous]

[ snaps her wrist, Wristpocketing the tarot cards away, and rather than answer, she just holds her arms out to him. ]

Hold me, Herlock.

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[The cards disappear, and Sholmes would like an answer, but her call to be held overrides all of that.]

Of course, of course.

[He steps forward, stepping into her open arms, and wrapping his own around her.

His concern is not diminished, but comfort is just as important.]

[velluminous]

[ care was found, if not necessarily sought directly after, so the hug does not hurt. she takes a couple deep breaths and presses her forehead to his chest. no ugly crying this time! deep breaths. grounding, steady.

at last, ] I do not care for myself as others would like.

[retroductions]

[Grounding, steady. He keeps her close; she's warm, as always.]

And someone on your team took notice of this.

[Thing is, Sholmes would... agree. She does need to take better care of herself-- No, that is not quite it. She needs to feel like it is not a hassle, or a burden, to ask for aid if needed.]

[velluminous]

I take care of myself as I like. I do not enjoy pain. I do not seek to prolong it.

[ softer, ] Arthur healed me. You have nothing to worry about.

[retroductions]

[Good. He’ll have to thank the man for it later.]

I do not think you seek pain. Of course not. And I am glad you are properly healed now.

[His hand rubs circles softly against her back.]

But you were still touting your wounds even amid the game? Surely you can see why your teammates would think… your priorities are not as they should be.

[velluminous]

It was tombstones, Herlock. Hurled at me. I rested. I kept to my room. I do not have clerics at my beck and call at home!

[retroductions]

No, but you have others who care for you. You have me.

I would have brought you another card, and gladly.

[velluminous]

I know, Herlock.

[retroductions]

…next time, will you? Call on me.

[velluminous]

There will be no next time.

[retroductions]

I do love your confidence, my dear, but how can you know? Danger is no rarity in this prison.

[velluminous]

[ sometimes. you have to pick your battles. ]

I will call on you.

[retroductions]

Good.

[He will trust her on that.]

Well, in the meanwhile… if you are not keen on returning to Basilisk, would you like to spend some time at Phoenix? We could pick out matching sweaters for fun — and not for points!