retroductions | reverie inbox.

[ She doesn't reply!

But she'll show up soon enough, stepping into the hut and folding her arms over her chest. ]

So, is the ice cream helping?

[In one hand, his already half-eaten ice cream cone. In the other? A fresh one, for her. He holds it out, seated at a little table with wooden chairs.]

Helping? Do you think I am discontent over the outcome of the meeting itself?

You answered that by asking me that question, you know.

[ And she takes the cone with a little nod, settling in one of the chairs. ]

It's not the outcome, but something else. Or so I'm inclined to believe.

Perceptive as ever.

[He crosses an ankle over his knee, leaning back and inspecting his ice cream, though it’s clear he’s considering how the entirety of the meeting went.]

You overheard how it all went, did you not? That in exchange for agreeing to never target two on their team, we would offer two names in which we expected the same courtesy from Yatagarasu.

Mr Hunter was the first chosen for us. The second was myself -- which I find absolutely inane.

I overheard the majority, except for most of what Phoenix was discussing amongst themselves. I promised Emmet I'd stay by his side.

[ Poor guy. She pauses to lick at her cone. ]

... So my question here is why? Why were you chosen and why did you find your selection inane?

Because Mr Inui was adamant about his choice. And Mrs Forger put her foot down on the matter, as well. Citing reasons like the need for a rational mind on the team, or kindness.

[He waves a hand dismissively with his free hand.]

And it is inane because I am not some newborn babe in the woods. I am a great detective; I have brushed with death before, and I am more than willing to give up my own guaranteed protection for someone else’s.

[He wants to protect his team, not feel protected.]

If I am to be frank with you, Da Vinci… the whole discussion put me on edge. Deciding who is more deserving of life more than the rest.

You're always frank with me, Sholmes.

[ With a faint, amused smile, though she did listen to him rather seriously. ]

But that's part of what had me pissed off at this last task. Having to discuss who to target, who to avoid... this is just a different angle. And to be completely honest, there's no way to hold that argument logically. There will always be biases. Emotions. That's just human nature.

[He clicks his tongue. He is not as moody as before, right in the wake of the game, but clearly this exasperates him.]

Then human nature is flawed!

[Takes a bite of his cone. Chews solemnly.]

I realize it was a middling decision. That it does not guarantee I might be someone else’s target, someday. But even so, that it had to be discussed at all is… Well, my story about Lady Carfax still very much applies.

Yes, I know. It's a very crappy situation for us all to be in the first place and this is less of a "solving this very big problem" and more of a "sticking a very large bandage over a leak" with the full expectation that we'll be put through hell again over some thing or another.

But if the rest of your team agreed to those choices, that's that.

Of course. I did not argue the point too much but I am still very much allowed to be discontented with it.

And to drown my sorrows in free ice cream.

How unfortunate it is to be adored and looked up to and cared about by your team.

[ calmly. ]

But yes. You have every right to be unhappy.

You know that is not how I mean it.

[In regards to her first statement.]

It is because I care for my team that I have any grievance at all.

Yes, I know. Phoenix has become pretty close-knit, which is - pretty frankly - adorable to see.

[ Sphinx is still not quite there and may never be there but they're doing their best. In her opinion. ]

I'm sure Hunter probably also protested being selected. No one would have willingly accepted it right off the bat, except maybe your ferret thing.

Stoat! Stoat is a stoat!

[For clarification.]

And I am not so certain; even it rejected the notion after some discussion. But I think you are right when you conclude the whole decision was too reminiscent of what we all had just undergone to be comfortable for anyone.

[He finishes the last of his ice cream.]

Nothing for it now, I suppose.

Nothing for it. Frankly, I'm just glad Sphinx will probably never have to do this.

For starters, even if Han Suyeong and Yu Junghyeok didn't volunteer each other to be protected, Kim Dokja would somehow hear about it and kick down the door to vote for them. And Ingo would be like "I unfortunately must live for my brother!" and Emmet would kick down the door we just put up and go, "I am Emmet and Ingo must not die!" and I don't know about Arthur, Kusumit or our two mysterious and ambitious students, but Tolovir would be all torn up about it and Crow and I would just be shrugging and going "We're already dead, so don't bother."

It would be a headache.

Your imagined scenario does sound like a trial.

[He has to chuckle a little, though.]

Well, I hope this never comes to fruition. Sphinx must be quite the handful. Oh, I am glad you were there for poor Mr Emmet, however.

I asked if I could come along as an impartial party, in case a mediator was required or if I needed to distract Juzo with my magnificent chest.

[ wow. ]

I figured it would be fine, since you'd be there, so I just wound up more moral support than anything. Not quite what I expected, but if it helped him, I'm fine with it. The poor guy passed out in Ingo's room not long after we got back to Sphinx.

Your magnificent chest? ...You would have killed the man.

[Wow indeed.]

Well, Mr Emmet needed the rest and I am glad he received it. Perhaps I, too, will take a very long nap after another round of ice cream.

It was only for emergencies.

But I'd recommend following his example, definitely. I just wanted to touch base.

Murder is murder, Da Vinci!

[He is, obviously, joking — which is a sign of his mood improvement by increments.]

Oh? Were you worried about me?

I was worried about Juzo. In your case, I wanted to see what kind of expressions you were making.

Expressions? And what have you observed?

You were sulking into your ice cream. Your expression's lightened up now.

[It’s true.]

Are you gathering up points of reference for a future sketch, perchance?

Or I'm just bored. But you're right that I can be productive about it.

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