OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

Comments

[velluminous]

Yes, but I want them to writhe in envy.

[bestbuds]

[Hm! she says.]

That shouldn’t be too difficult. He’s head over heels for you, so it’ll be easy to describe his infatuation in detail. The two of you will be inseparable — just like you are now!

[velluminous]

[ she melts into a smile and they turn about the room once or twice more before she moves Iris into another spin. ]

But I will be intelligent woman, too.

[bestbuds]

Well, that's a given, Sprezzie! Intelligent... [She smiles at Sholmes, who smiles back as he plays, as they take one more turn around the room, and she spins once more, too.]

...mysterious, thoughtful... But still so very kind.

[velluminous]

[ NOOOOOOOOOO she's too darling... ]

With perfect daughter?

[bestbuds]

[Oh the DOTTIR word

Iris has been excited about Sprezzatura's arrival for a while now, and this has been reflected in her demeanor every second since she returned to 221B today. But what she says now makes something altogether different arise in her smile — the delight of an unspoken want being fulfilled, and the happiness that blossoms from it.

Her reply, simple:]

Yes! Exactly that, too.

[velluminous]

[ her heart wants to burst. Herlock was right about this girl. ]

Our girl.

[ an impulsive woman is she: she sweeps down lower and lifts Iris off the floor in a true embrace, and spins them both around the room once, face buried in pink pigtails as they bounce ]

Hhah, I thought—

[bestbuds]

[She laughs in delight, picked up. Sholmes, too, beams in the background, but refuses to interrupt their moment — besides, he must finish his piece to the end!

Iris is slight, easy to lift; she puts her arms around Sprezzatura as they spin about.]

Y-you thought what?

[velluminous]

[ once, twice in a circle, and no longer in time with the music Sholmes plays ]

That I would never be mother. I did not wish to be.

[ with one arm hooked beneath Iris' legs, she can sway them both gracelessly around the room. she's a strong little lady. ]

1/2

[bestbuds]

[The music is reaching its conclusion, anyway, so the twirling is well-timed with the decrescendo of the melody.

Wow, she really is strong. Maybe stronger than Hurley? (low twinky bar) She would wager that she is!]

Really? But you make a wonderful one already.

[She's known Sprezzatura for one thread and would die on this hill.]

[retroductions]

[And so the song ends with a flourish! Though Sholmes will continue playing a few improvisational notes if they wish to keep spinning about the room.]

Well, I certainly never thought I’d be a father back in my more youthful days.

[Or married. Or romantically involved in any kind of long-term way. Funny how life strays from even the iron-clad predictions of a once-Herlock Sholmes.]

Yet life has a way of surprising us all.

[velluminous]

[ mm, but Iris is a girl and not a doll for her to whisk around the room with. she'll have to put her down before it becomes almost patronizing how she carries her about.

so, indeed, she sets her down as the song ends and Herlock drifts into improvisation as he'd first wanted. ]

I cannot remember...

[retroductions]

[As if Iris would at all see it that way. But put down she is, all the same, though she holds onto Sprezzatura's hand for a moment more.

Sholmes, meanwhile, pleased with his performance (he loves to mentally pat himself on the back for them), removes bow from violin with a little bit of a flourish.]

What can you not remember, dear girl?

[velluminous]

I cannot remember being so happy.

[retroductions]

[His heart twinges, full to bursting.]

In the presence of family that loves you dearly, there is, indeed, no better feeling.

[And with that same flourish, he just tosses his extremely expensive violin and bow onto the chaise, where it bounces into the corner of it. He then strides over to her, catching her by the waist with one looping arm, and draws her closer. Iris laughs.]

Come here.

[velluminous]

[ oh! she's swept close and in, cheeks flushed. ]

Here I am. Herlock.

1/2

[retroductions]

[In many ways, he is ceaselessly predictable: pulling her close, their bodies bumping together, he dips in for a kiss.]

[bestbuds]

[PARENTAL UNITS BEING CUTE ALERT]

Oooooh…

[velluminous]

[ heart skipping beats. she loves him, she loves him, she wishes she could take him to bed again right now and ride all the nervous energy in her out.

wrapping her arms around his back, and her tail around the back of one knee—safe, with Iris watching. she swallows a hiccough and smiles into his mouth. ]

You play beautifully.

[retroductions]

[Tilts his forehead gently against hers, smiling bright, careful of her horns as usual.

He loves her, too. Radiantly so.]

Better than you even remember, hm? There was not much room to grow, but even I’ve improved since my return to London!

[velluminous]

You have loved people to play for.

[retroductions]

[Hey not to interrupt, but suddenly, there's a small cat sitting nearby and looking up at the trio.]

Miaow.

[velluminous]

—No!!

[retroductions]

Yes!

[Wait, what? Oh.]

Ah, did I forget to mention we have a cat? [yes you did, sholmes] This is Wagahai!

[Wagahai: miaow.]

[velluminous]

[ she restrains herself valiantly from backing away ]

Well, keep it elsewhere.