OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

Comments

[bestbuds]

[Now, no one here is surely naive enough to believe Iris would not show any surprise on her features. Sprezzatura's true form is new and unusual for her to see, even if all she does see matches everything Hurley has described to her. And though the detective no doubt painted a flattering, possibly embellished picture, she too gazes on nothing before her that wasn't characterized in loving detail.

To view it in person is still quite an experience. Iris can easily see the devilish parallels — why, she thinks she even catches the faintest whiff of burning. But all else seems a sharp, pointed elegance. The curve of her tail, the line of her horns, the darkness of her eyes that might compel a man to think her mysterious. Ohh, maybe that's one of many things that made Hurley fall for her, isn't that an exciting thing to think about?

But moreover: Sprezzie's tense. This is an act of trust, and Iris finds that such a precious thing. If her hand is still in her lap, she cannot help but give it an excitable squeeze.]

Hurley was right. You are uniquely beautiful. And so grand.

[This ten year old girl, already faced with someone she is keen to look up to, will of course subscribe grandness and admiration to Sprezzatura from the start. She's even inches more taller with those horns!]

It's no wonder daddy fell in love with you!

/3

[velluminous]

[ the hand-squeeze makes her jump, and— ]

[velluminous]

[velluminous]

[ snf. snf. ]

Oh, why could Waterdeep not have been more like you?

1/2

[bestbuds]

[OH NO

She squeezes her hand again, doing the best she can to reassure her.]

Don’t cry, Sprezzie. You’re in 221B now! Where the both of us love how you look!

[A reprieve from Waterdeep for now, she means.]

[retroductions]

[Aha. The reactions of both are unsurprising to Sholmes, and he just leans to the side to place a kiss on Sprezzatura’s cheek.]

It’s as Iris says. Nothing to be done about the judgment of the past, but there is comfort in knowing the ones that love you now do so for who you are, through and through.

[Honestly, she fits right into this strange little family.]

[velluminous]

[ Sprezzatura's hand feels so small and frail in Iris'. she squeezes back like a dying woman, throat swollen nearly shut, and flinching back from the shame of how hot her cheek when Sholmes kisses it.

if there had only been love... how different her life? ]

You both are really... too much...

1/2

[bestbuds]

[NOOO NO SAD (even if it's the good kind) ALLOWED!! Holds onto her hand as though it is the only anchor she can give her 🥺]

Only in a good way, I hope.

[retroductions]

[Sholmes pipes up, seeing an opportunity to inject a bit of energy into the conversation at hand to spare his wife of the what-ifs that must be making home in her head.]

I think it's time for a bit of music! Perhaps a smidge of dancing to go along ith it! After all, Iris, you've not seen this wonderful form of hers in motion!

[what a way to phrase it]

What do you say?

[velluminous]

[ startled back to herself, Sprezzatura dabs the corners of her eyes with a pinky finger. ]

Dancing? Haah. [ thickly ] I suppose why not.

[retroductions]

[He stands, up like a shot, and offers her a grin. They'll get her smiling again yet.]

In which case... gramophone or violin?

[velluminous]

I would love to hear you play, Herlock.

[ in a tone that, perhaps to Iris' delight, drips of "I love you, Herlock" ]

[bestbuds]

[MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH AND IT'S PRECIOUS

She giggles.]

Do you have any requests, then, Sprezzie? Don't let Hurley pick the piece or we'll both regret it.

[✨savage✨]

[velluminous]

Ah. I do not know your music. What is your favourite?

1/3

[retroductions]

Aha! Iris has a fondness for Herlock Sholmes' Great Improvisation Special-

[bestbuds]

I love the Simple chanson section of Kaleidoscope Op. 50! The violin part sings beautifully!

[retroductions]

[velluminous]

[ her lips twinge, even as her cheeks remain wet with tears. ]

Will you play that for us, Herlock?

1/2

[retroductions]

[He immediately straightens.]

A simple enough of an ask! ...I need merely remember where I placed my violin! Ha!

[Give him a moment, then, as he shuffles off to his side of the room, fossicking under books and papers and-]

[bestbuds]

[Well, while they wait-]

You've heard him play before, haven't you? What a strange prison that still allows its inmates to perform musical pieces...

[Anyway, she hops off her seat and stands.]

Anyway! Let's dance together!

[velluminous]

Da, he has played for me...

[ after she died. her throat closes up—not that she would have told Iris this otherwise—and so she stands and nudges their teacups away from the edges of the trunk.

then she holds out a hand for the girl. ]

1/2

[bestbuds]

[She moves around the trunk to take Sprezzatura's hand, dainty but eager. Ohh, she can definitely scent her this close — she smells a bit like one of Hurley's chemistry sets. They were made for each other!]

Then you know that he's very talented when he's actually trying!

[retroductions]

[In a sudden burst of fluttering papers, Sholmes stands upright in the background, holding violin and bow in both hands.]

What censure from my own assistant! I am always trying, Iris. [sometimes just badly] But I will give it my all for this "recital" in particular.

[Ahems, stepping closer to them.]

Now. Are you ready?

[velluminous]

[ Iris' small, gloved hand in hers. she feels a sudden and infinite affection for her, bordering on something deeper she cannot yet name. ]

Come, come. I will lead.

[ over the girl's head, she meets Herlock's eyes. I love you. ]

[retroductions]

[And it’s a look that cuts right through him in the best way possible — warm, belonging, loved. There’s a smile on his face as he meets her gaze, but one glinting in his eyes, too. And I love you dearly.

But what is unspoken can be made clarion clear through music itself. He intends to play exquisitely for two of the most important people in his life, and so, putting bow to string, a melody (skip to simple chanson, I can’t timestamp in mobile cry) is gladly woven into being.

Iris is happy to hear it, but as instructed, she waits for Sprezzatura’s lead.]