OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

Comments

[spelljam]

[ oh, no. never the ]

You make me swoon.

[retroductions]

[But who else would hold the the title of the in his life?]

We can’t have that. Not until you’ve taken in the sights properly. Now, shall we?

[spelljam]

Da. Da. I have been waiting for this forever...

[retroductions]

[Well! Then he'll usher her out with that trademark enthusiasm of his, arm-in-arm.]

Wait no longer, my dear girl.

[AND OUT THE DOOR THEY GO

Fast forward a little bit later, and it is, indeed, the wax museum you probably thought it was. Welcome to Madame Tusspells Museum of Waxworks. It's not terribly busy in here, with only a few other curious patrons wandering about, so they'll be able to enjoy the waxwork sights unimpeded.]

Here we are. I know the proprietor of this establishment personally, you know.

[spelljam]

[ in her mind, Herlock Sholmes must know everyone. this is hardly a surprise. she is hanging off his arm with barely-restrained eagerness; those dark eyes drink in it all, everything, from the architecture outside on the way to the wallpaper and lighting inside the actual museum.

how long has it been since she has been permitted to enter a museum, or any place of history? that alone makes her heart beat fast in her throat. ]

Then they will allow us very close inspection, yes?

[retroductions]

[It may display examples of more… sensationalist history, but it is a museum of history all the same. Some might call a place like this tactless or tasteless, but it’s intriguing, as well as informative for those with particular interests. After all, who can frown upon a waxworks museum that held a critical clue in solving a case that revolved around dire murders, conspiracy, and deeply-rooted corruption?

But that’s not what they’re here for.

Her enthusiasm filters into the feedback loop of his own, and he grins wide. Pleased, and truly excited.]

For a guest of mine? We might poke and prod them if we wish!

[(no one probably gave him that kind of permission)]

I’d ask where you’d like to begin, but surely you cannot wait to see your husband-of-wax first? Hmm?

[spelljam]

Da, of course I am wanting. I wish to see how intimately you are having been rendered.

[retroductions]

Very well. Then follow me, my dear.

[And he will lead her, then, into a part of the museum which exhibits a few rather violent, bloodied crimes of London's history. They pass what appears to be a back area—perhaps another exhibit—partitioned away via a thick curtain, but Sholmes seems to have no interest in lingering either here nor there. No, he goes straight towards his own exhibit, which displays a dimly-lit alleyway, a nondescript (waxwork) murdered body sprawled across the cobblestone, and the figure of Sholmes himself, who is crouched over and examining the scene with a magnifying glass.]

[spelljam]

[ she trots right up to the exhibit and drops to her knees beside the waxwork Sholmes—but rather than join him in the investigation of the corpse, she bends low to look up at his downturned face. ]

Amazing! It is looking just like you.

[retroductions]

[It does look like him; it's clear whoever has crafted his facial features put plenty of love and care into the task.

Sholmes proudly declares as she examines "him"-] As I recall, it took a few attempts. The poor woman nearly shattered my nose at least once or twice while in the courtroom.

[?? baffling statement]

But! Perhaps that's a testament to how unique this face is, hm? Captured only by a true craftsman, and nothing less.

[sure sholmes]

[spelljam]

[ he won't hear her argue that. but— ] In courtroom? And how did you so anger her?

[retroductions]

[Barks a laugh.]

Oh, no, it wasn't I who angered her. Nor was I at all the reason why there was a court hearing in the first place!

[Sort of. True. Maybe.]

No, as a witness, she was recalling the details of a rather sordid crime that had become relevant at the time. I suppose she wanted to take her work with her, all the same.

[because things are insane in ace attorney land]

[spelljam]

She... brought it to trial?

[ she's still on her knees before the other Sholmes, but looking at him now directly. ]

Very devoted woman, she.

[retroductions]

That much is very true.

[They're talking about a woman who dug up a grave to properly cast the facade of a dead man, after all. But maybe that part isn't worth mentioning for now.

Instead, Sholmes hops on on the display next to her.]

But her devotion to her craft is evident, is it not? A handsome face, hm?

[spelljam]

[ there he is, close enough for her to touch. she looks from him to the waxwork. ]

Not so handsome.

[retroductions]

[Sputters-] It… it isn’t?!

[spelljam]

Nyet. [ a low purr of a laugh as she cups his face—the real Sholmes' ] I like this one more. It is your motion, and this light in your eyes, and your knowing of all around you which makes you so very beautiful man.

[retroductions]

[Oh. She'll watch realization shift into a bright smile across his features.]

My dear, it's true very little can compare to the original, but to flatter me in such a way... You'll have me blushing.

[spelljam]

[ oh, she'd like for him to blush. ] It is your life I am loving. This... replica, he does not have your joy.

[retroductions]

Ha! [His usual bright bark of a laugh.] Nor my intellect? But most importantly of all, an array of people most important to him. That is where the true joy lies.

[spelljam]

All of that. [ what a strong laugh it is ] You are soft.

[retroductions]

Just so.

[He is, in his own way. Years ago, not so much, but time (and so much of that time spent as a father) has dulled the colder, less personable edges of him.

(Even if it transformed them into annoyance for those who don't know him well.)]

Tell no one.

[spelljam]

[ little smooch... ]

I do not think it is mystery to many...

[retroductions]

[Smooches are always welcome. Even in public. The scandal!]

Oh, no doubt you're mistaken. Iris writes me as a precisely calculating individual with no true attachment to many. No doubt she finds this more compelling for the readers of The Strand.

real tag

[spelljam]

Are you meaning Randst?