retroductions | reverie inbox.

[It’s fine, there’s too much happening—

Despite everything, and perhaps despite how sore it feels to reach over and grab his phone, there is no delay in answering. If anything, he makes certain he’s swift about it when he sees who’s calling.

He picks up!]

Yes, my dear?

[“Is everything all right?” almost seems like a silly thing to ask at this point. Instead, he is here for whatever she might require.]

[ if anyone else asks "is everything alright" to Sprezzatura Vaux one more time, she's going to start screaming and never stop. as it is, the sound of Sholmes' voice on the line has her closing her eyes; guilt and bashfulness land one after the other.

the need for company comes in a close third.

a length pause, broken finally by a rush of static over the line ]

Are you... How are you?

[They may as well be physical things -- Sholmes can sense the guilt, the embarrassment, as though they were standing in the same room as him.

And yet.

And yet his own tone, though gentle, has not lost its airy nature. A bodeful seriousness is perhaps not completely welcome right now, only proving to accentuate the Bad Feelings she no doubt carries in the wake of the oni's presence. The fact that she is reaching out, he assumes, means she wishes to escape them.]

No worse for wear than usual. [And that, at least, is not untrue. Sholmes has been in a far worse state caused by non-onis back in Victorian London. All in a day's work.] Quite functional, actually. You might even see for yourself if you like!

[ he's right; she does want to escape these feelings. and she wants to see him, see what she did to him, and move past it. she cannot undo any of it more than has already been done. what remains is only the opportunity for healing. ]

I would want this. Will you let me into Phoenix?

Of course.

[And he wants to see her to. Even if he avoided the damnable question, Are you all right?, it reverberates in his mind as it would in anyone's who cared for her.]

Though a brisk walk about the prison might eventually work to clear our heads, too. [Better than holing up in shame.]

I don't want to share you with anyone tonight.

You do not have to. You may have the lion's share of my attentions if you so wish it.

[But that doesn't mean they can't go out, eventually.

But for now-]

Come on over, and I will let you in.

[ there is a beat.

two beats.

then, defeated, a bonk as if of her forehead against a wall. ]

...I am already here.

[sprezzatura!!!

Well, then there is no reply. In fact, the line seems to go dead because Sholmes is just like that. To be fair, he is opening the door in the next moment, holding his still-lit phone in one hand.

He is visibly sore, his shoulders a little stiff -- but he grins.]

And shame on this detective for keeping you waiting.

[ oh, she can see it on him, what the oni did, the way he moves. toddles forward, semi-consciously hanging up the call, and thumps her face against his chest. ]

Herlock...

[An arm goes around her immediately, never mind how it hurts to lift it that way. Ah, he expected this.]

Sprezzatura. Chin up, now. You can see all is quite well.

[ chin down, thank you very much.

muffled, ] She went after everyone. May I come in?

["Everyone"? Oh. Terrible business, indeed; though not wholly unexpected. Let out so rarely, of course the oni would want to cause as much trouble as possible, confined not only to Sholmes.]

Yes. [He ushers her in, gingerly, should she raise her face away from his chest. Better to speak in private.] I would not have you stand out in the hall.

[ easily ushered, her. she drifts one hand down to lace her fingers with his, just the tips.

what she wants is to wrap her arms and legs around him like a koala, to be held closely and securely, to breathe deep and feel him breathing in time. but it would hurt him more to do that, so holding hands will have to do. I'm sorry. I'm still here. ]

Do you need card? I have already bought...

[Just the tips? No, Sholmes adjusts his hand so that he is holding hers properly, warm and steady. Soreness be damned; his hand is fine, at least!]

A card? For a bruise or two? No, that would be a waste. Besides, I'm a stubborn sort. I am sore at most, and that will not stop me from moving about as I like.

[ flip-flop, her heart. her posture straightens, as though the small gesture of adjusting how he holds her hand has sent a spark through her. ]

I thought... perhaps tonight, I would give Herlock Sholmes little reprieve.

Oh?

[And 'oh' of curiosity. What could she mean by that? Who is he not, but Herlock Sholmes?

-Well, he's plenty.]

Oh!

[An 'oh!' of realization.]

I presume... You may wish to spend the evening in the presence of a beautifully refined woman? I suspect you do not mean the bailiff outfit, though I am fond of the moustache.

[ bailiff? oh, you and i are so going to introduce roleplaying in the bedroom...

gives his hand a squeeze. abruptly shy. ]

Would you mind?

Mind it? Not at all. It has been a while since Ms Adler has been in the company of someone just as lovely as her.

[Oh, he does not mind in the least. Does she see this glint in his eyes that cannot be tamped down by bruises or pain? That is the look of a man who delights in costumes, in changing his clothes, his persona. He has always been this way; it is fun to him.]

Though I may need assistance... ah, getting dressed. Do you mind aiding me?

Edited 2023-01-21 18:42 (UTC)

[ she must confess an interest in the idea of watching him methodically become another person entirely. without magic, without illusion... and into a woman, at that. how? what will he look like?

slowly... leans her head to the side until she's resting it against his arm. ]

Of course I would, lapochka.

[Lovely, of course.

And here, he ducks down just enough to place a kiss on her forehead.]

Then let me show you her usual attire.

[They'll need to privacy of his room, first, and so he leads her to it. Upon entry, he'll close the door behind him, and he's off to fuss around within his closet -- whether or not she still wants to be guided with, hand-in-hand, is up to her.]

The suggestion box is an invaluable resource when it comes to obtaining my old disguises, costumes, et cetera. And dresses too, of course.

[ she is helpless to his beck and call, like he is the moon and she is the water. of course she follows him. though... with a murmur beneath her breath, she also sets her Mage Hand to quietly turn the lock. she does not trust herself to be normal about this. ]

Why have you never worn any?

[Girl, are either of them normal about anything?]

And who says I have not! Perhaps I have lurked just 'round the corner in disguise and you have not noticed!

[He laughs, the sound reveberating in the closet.]

Though, I should mention that I have "worn" Ms Adler once upon my arrival here.

[ the fact that he really could have done. ]

For what purpose?

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