OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

Comments

[retroductions]

[lol,]

Iris loves to assign nicknames to those she’s fond of. No doubt you’ve noticed “Hurley?”

[spelljam]

Da. That one... surprised me.

[ don't just say that in front of her!! ]

[bestbuds]

But “Hurley” is perfect! That’s what I’ve always called him. “Daddy” makes him cry. [Sholmes just chuckles at that as she continues-] And I think “Sprezzie” suits you, too.

…Oh, unless you’d want me to call you something else?

[ARE YOU GOING TO DENY THIS CHILD HER FOND NICKNAMES]

[spelljam]

[ DADDY MAKES HIM CRY? no!! she's going to cry! ]

Well...

[ sholmes, help her!! ]

I suppose... it is... fffff...ine...

1/2

[retroductions]

It’s perfect, Iris!

[Is that helping?]

[bestbuds]

[She grins, giggling a little.]

Hurley and Sprezzie… Oh! [She seems to remember the items she’s holding.] You’ll have to tell me even more about yourself over tea. Hurley’s told me you’re an academic.

[Of MAGIC.]

I’d like to hear all about your studies, Sprezzie.

[spelljam]

[ suddenly she can't stand the idea of talking about her studies to this young girl. that she doggedly pursued her life's work until the day it was taken from her, and has flagged in that pursuit ever since? ]

Oh. I am on leave from my studies for now. Another time.

1/3

[bestbuds]

On leave...? Oh, because you're visiting us in London, you mean?

[retroductions]

[And this is where Sholmes deigns to step in a bit more helpfully than before.]

There are times in which even the most diligent of minds require somewhat of a sabbatical for the sake of renewal and reinvigoration. Indeed, to apply oneself too strenuously all the time leads to a decrease in efficacy more often than not.

But besides that... you've all the time in the world to ask your questions over tea. Hm?

[bestbuds]

[Iris, though her questions and wonderments are aplenty, would certainly not leave them all tea-less. She nods, holding up her small little shopping satchel.]

Of course. I've purchased a few new blends, too. Sprezzie, what sort of tea do you like the best?

[spelljam]

[ her gratitude wells up; had she her tail, it would wend its way around Sholmes' ankle in silent thanks. instead, she drifts one hand towards him and brushes the knuckles against his hip, where his little vials rest. ]

I like black, with spice. You are making your own?

[bestbuds]

[Sholmes gives her a fond, knowing smile, offered in the space between Iris moving to her side of the room, setting her things down, and remarking brightly-]

I have a whole collection of my own blends, some a bit more successful than others. But only the best for our guests; Hurley gets all the experimental ones.

[And he probably takes them proudly.]

[spelljam]

He does? I feel I am suddenly understanding him better, da?

[retroductions]

[Eheh, he slips an arm around her playfully as Iris sorts through her various tea blends on her side of the room.]

Meaning you admire my boldness? My willingness to experiment?

[spelljam]

Your lack of restraint.

[ touching his arm again as it loops around her. watching Iris work fills her with a sense of... not envy. not wonderment, either. somewhere in between. ]

1/2

[retroductions]

Oh, yes, I have hardly any of that!

[One should not declare that so easily and with pride; but no doubt this surprises no one, as he ushers her to sit on the settee next to him as Iris works to prepare the tea, humming the entire time.]

[bestbuds]

[Indeed, as she works-]

Oh, but I've never made you sip something as... interesting as your own concoctions, Hurley. Sprezzie, he's not made you drink anything that changes your hair color yet, has he?

[This might be a sneaky little segue into her human appearance vs tiefling appearance...]

[spelljam]

[ DON'T SOUND SO PLEASED WITH THAT, SHOLMES? ]

Hair colour...? No, no.

[ turns to look at him. questioningly. ]

He has not offered me anything to drink at all.

[ UNDER THE BUS WITH HIM ]

1/2

[bestbuds]

[AGHAST]

Hurley! Your own wife!

[retroductions]

[SPREZZATURA WHY-]

We... we were otherwise engaged, my dear!

[spelljam]

[ little spark in her chest hearing Iris call her his wife... ]

He gave me tour.

[bestbuds]

Oh? Did you venture into the attic? That’s where Runo and Susie used to stay! I really do miss them.

[yes, how thorough was your tour, Sprezzatura-]

[spelljam]

[ not familiar names. she files them away regardless. an attic...? that could be a good place for a living to be made. ]

No, he only shows me his room and then you arrived.

1/2

[bestbuds]

[Ohh, Hurley really is a terrible host, she thinks. Though it's not all that surprising — he's so easily swept away in the moment, and what a moment it must be, being reunited with his wife.

What a concept, too! Hurley falling in love and getting married... She really must know more about what kind of woman this Sprezzatura is.

A bit of clinking, the smell of fresh tea wafting, and Iris brings a steaming tea set over to them on a silver tray, which she sits down on the closed trunk that serves as a table in front of them.]

Then I'll show you the rest later! Maybe after you take a look at a few of my newest inventions — I'd love a second opinion.

[retroductions]

Oh, and what am I? [He jokes.] Chopped liver?

[He supposes his second opinion means nothing when Sprezzatura is among them, though of course he's hardly offended. He reaches forward to take a teacup on a saucer and offer it to Sprezzatura first.]