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[retroductions]

( art credit )

[ INMATE REGISTRY ]

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[gunmettle]

It woulda been stupid of us to walk away from that talk without gettin' something from Yatagarasu in return. Like paintin' ourselves into a corner. I wasn't gonna let that slide.

[ He sighs. He's not sure how to explain the latter, nor is he sure he even wants to. ]

But the fact is, nobody was gonna like bein' picked. You heard everyone else argue against themselves, too.

[retroductions]

[He scoffs, waving a hand.]

I have accepted that everyone felt the exchange was necessary. That is not the issue.

[What, then? His mind laces the words together with not as much ease as he'd like.]

It is the thought that I am in need of protection at all that bothers me. That you think that I am some fragile thing whose life should be considered more precious than the rest. And before you say it, yes, I know that was not the intent. But I am allowed to feel slighted because of it.

[gunmettle]

I don't think you're fragile. That's not why I--

[ He cuts himself off with a grumble as Sholmes' attempt to preempt him only proves half-successful, in the end. ]

I get it. It feels like you're bein' coddled. Hunter felt the same way.

[retroductions]

...Yes.

[That is, in fact, exactly it.]

I am a great detective! I have not only thrown myself into danger during my cases, but I knew all of the risks as I ventured forth. Simply because I do not possess you or Mrs Forger's strength does not mean that I should be an automatic consideration for protection.

[gunmettle]

... I know. I know that.

We didn't have the same kinda criteria that Yatagarasu had. Not one of us loses themselves like they do when their monster takes over. I had to go with my gut. Hunter was the easy choice. The obvious one.

[ The kid talks a big game, but Juzo knows that, deep down, Hunter doesn't want to die. ]

And somethin' in me just told me the other one had to be you. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you.

[retroductions]

[He's quiet for a moment; the answer is unsatisfactory to him, as though there is something more layered beneath the actual reasoning, information that he does not have access to. Yet he does not think Juzo would be anything but honest with him in these matters, so Sholmes is left with little more than exasperation.

He slumps a little further into his chair.]

So then I am supposed to be flattered, rather than disgruntled?

[gunmettle]

[ Truth be told, it's not a very satisfying answer to him, either. Da Vinci had called his choice instinctual, emotional, and that feels right. Everything in him constricts when he thinks about it.

Sholmes is a friend, a damn good one, but why him? Out of all of Phoenix, the people he has come to call family in a very short time they've known each other, why him? ]

I'm not gonna tell you how to feel. You're well within your rights to be ticked off. I've been in your place, I know.

[retroductions]

[With time, the irritation will fade. Even now, having acknowledged the matter with Juzo, he can feel it dulling into something a little more distant.]

I am not “ticked off” at you. [He starts, straightening enough to tend to his milkshake, swirling his straw around.] As I said, I understand your reasoning. It is sound, and perhaps in your place, I might have made a similar decision. But this whole blasted situation…

[He trails off. He does not think he needs to go into detail about how frustrating it all is, that they need to even consider making such choices in the first place. Juzo knows it as well as he does.]

Well. Maybe I will choose to be flattered, instead. Just to spite our circumstances! It is proof that I have grown on you, isn’t it? And to think you were so distant at the beginning.

[gunmettle]

[ The strange tightening in his chest eases a little as Sholmes' mood seems to improve, even by small degrees. With all the shit that's happened, having Sholmes be upset at him was like an extra-shitty cherry on top. He hated it.

He leans back a little, chuckling. ]

You're a real pain in the neck, Herlock Sholmes. But you're my pain in the neck.

[ "My people", he'd said to Wilbur. Each and every one of them. ]

[retroductions]

No, see, that is exactly where you have it wrong, sir. You are a pain in mine.

[I.e. he wishes to protect his team--and Juzo--not the other way around. Stop making it hard to claim responsibility for you lot!]

[gunmettle]

Those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive, ya know.

I can only hope I cause you half as much grief as you cause me.

[retroductions]

[A smile quirks.]

We will see. I do have grand plans to make you— well, not purposefully squirm. But no doubt you will be cursing my name again soon enough!

[ah, he must be referring to the date.]

[gunmettle]

[ ....... oh yeah. ]

I was really hopin' you'd forgotten about that.

[retroductions]

Not a chance!

[ :) ]

[gunmettle]

Lucky me.