OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

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[retroductions]

[Bah, all a mess that can be cleaned up later. Stains and all! (By crumpling up the pages and tossing them in a wastebasket.)

He packs it in tightly, then fusses around the nearby end table’s drawer for a match. Soon, a little dancing flame is struck and he puffs at the pipe to get it started, match held towards its end.]

Oh? You may take as much as you like with you to Waterdeep when that day comes. I have plenty to spare.

[velluminous]

[ cheap though it may be, she relishes the scent. pulls her tail up her belly, languid. ]

I smoke more when you are away from me. And you smoke after sex.

[retroductions]

Then you will undoubtedly have more use for it than I when you do return.

[Not entirely true. Sholmes smokes like a chimney on a case, or out wandering the dreary London streets, or in his room. But the fact remains that he hopes the day of her departure is very far from now, indeed.

Smoke begins to drift from the pipe and, satisfied, he offers the item to her.]

Ages from now, I hope.

[velluminous]

[ parting her lips for him to set the mouthpiece between ]

Ages?

[retroductions]

[Gently sets it between her lips, and his retort expels what remains of the smoke from his lungs.]

An utter eternity before your other home calls you back. ["Other", because this one is very much hers, too.] That's what I hope for — selfishly, I admit.

[velluminous]

[ she puffs languidly, feels the nicotine coat her lungs, exhales with slow pleasure. ahh.

"other"... ]

I would like to stay. If you and Iris will have me.

[retroductions]

[And like any proper Victorian man living in London, he will very much appreciate the secondhand smoke wafting his way.]

For as long as you like, my dear. Who am I to shoo my own wife out of my flat?

[velluminous]

[ after a few puffs more, she holds the pipe back to him ]

I think I am going to very much like it here.

[ it's starting off pretty good. :) ]

[retroductions]

[He takes the pipe and places it between his lips, teeth keeping it in place with a light clack.

Puff puffs.]

You will be both loved and spoiled to the highest degree... Ah, I've said it a hundred times before, but Iris is very excited to meet you. She's not had a mother figure before, you know. You'll be the first.

[velluminous]

[ how different those words are, when someone else says them aloud. "mother figure". she never wanted that, to be a mother, and yet she has Minato, and now she may have Iris, too. better she than Eunoia Vaux.

the feeling clenches in her chest. ]

[retroductions]

[A non-reply is about as telling as one spoken with words. Sholmes is aware that being motherly was never a lifelong goal of hers, and perhaps the notion feels strange, despite how (in his opinion) well she wears the title.

But he understands; he never thought himself suited to be a father, either, in his younger days. But he’s doing decently enough now.]

Does the idea still overwhelm, my dear?

[velluminous]

Bah.

[ she plucks the pipe and brings it once more to her lips. a deep inhale, causing the bowl to glow, and then an exhale of tendriling smoke through her nostrils. it gives her a distinctly devilish look.

a few moments more before she answers. ]

Do you know, Minato asks to call me same thing? "Mother". This was always such ugly word in my home.

[retroductions]

[He rather likes the look. Here, in London—no, on Earth—her devilish appearance is quite literally otherworldly. He is blessed to be privy to such a sight.]

But you are not in that old home of yours when you are with Mr Arisato, nor when you choose spend time with Iris. The ugliness of “mother” can be left to rot in those old halls, don’t you think?

[velluminous]

[ maybe.

she hopes so. ]

If I am to being mother figure for Iris, then you are father figure for Minato. You can call him that. He is not your colleague.

[retroductions]

[Sholmes is certain of it.]

Ha, it’s only fair. Very well. I accept my responsibility as father figure to Minato, as well!

[velluminous]

[ it still unsettles her. fortunately, the opportunity to tease him takes precedence. ]

Papa...

[retroductions]

[Oh. That sounds-

Strange.]

Maybe… not “papa.”

[The teasing works.]

[velluminous]

[ she stifles her laugh and exhales smoke before returning the pipe. ahh. she feels so incredibly light. ]

Why not "papa"?

[retroductions]

[He takes it and explains with a few exuberant puffs.]

“Papa” makes me feel like a wizened old grandfather — why, I didn’t even call my own father papa. No, Minato can make due calling me the Greatest Consulting Father Figure, instead.

/2

[velluminous]

[velluminous]

"Father", then.

[retroductions]

[His grin returns with ease.]

A bit trite, but acceptable.

[the way they’re making this decision for Minato]

Though it is your daughter and not your son that you need prepare to see now. Shall we get dressed?

[velluminous]

[ this ain't about him ]

Oh. I...

[ abruptly nervous ]

[retroductions]

[Immediately bounces off the bed, onto his feet, turning to offer her a hand up.]

No need for nerves, my love! I'll be by your side.

[velluminous]

[ she takes his hand and allows him to pull her up. papers crinkle. the slickness between her thighs begins to leak out...

she shudders. ]

Has nothing ever unsettled you, even little bit?