OPEN POST; [ HERLOCK SHOLMES / TGAA ]

[retroductions]

(( hold you in my dreams ))

Comments

[retroductions]

[Predictably-]

Miaow.

[velluminous]

[ making her feel like she has to go to her room? ]

Ah...

[bestbuds]

[Iris' powers of observation may not have reached the same level of Sholmes' yet, but it's not hard to read the way Sprezzatura's on the verge of feeling guilty-]

Oh, don't worry. I give it ten minutes or so before Waggy falls asleep on my bed, and then I'll be out to join the both of you again, if you like!

[Cats have a tendency to prioritize naps above all else. Wagahai is no different.]

[velluminous]

Of course we would like you, little flower.

[ she just. may try to sneak a few more kisses while she's gone. ]

1/2

[bestbuds]

Then you’ll see me again soon!

[A succinct nod, declaring it so.]

Come on, Waggy. We can test the new iteration of my Cat Tree Converter together—

[She turns and she’s off down the hall, to return soon-ish.]

[retroductions]

[One final miaoow?? of Wagahai trails after them, and Sholmes smiles.]

Precocious, isn’t she?

[velluminous]

[ with emotion: ] Herlock, she is perfect.

[retroductions]

You have no idea how much it warms me to hear it, my dearest. You will be good for her, I know it; and I hope in time you may come to love her as much as I do, as well.

[velluminous]

[ it's already begun. because— ] She is being so much like you. She copies your mannerism.

[retroductions]

Ha, do you think so!

[Perhaps Sholmes has noticed it time and again, too, but only subtly; for one only subtly knows of their own mannerisms, even someone as keen as Sholmes, who wavers between bouts of self-awareness frequently.]

It would be strange if she did not pick up a few traits here and there. I've raised her from the cradle 'til now, after all.

[velluminous]

What you are doing right now, she does this also.

[ and she mimics it, too, because the mimicry makes it incongruently easier to express: ] What wonderful job you have done, papa.

[retroductions]

[He’s never seen her mimic him like that before, and it draws out a delighted laugh.]

And who ever thought that I would make a halfway decent father? A fact not nearly surprising as your clear capacity to be a wonderful mother, hm?

[velluminous]

So you, too, did not believe it?

[retroductions]

[He laughs at her indignant look.]

I meant as you believed it! Such uncertainty you showed me earlier, as you’ll recall.

[velluminous]

Yes, Herlock, because I am not accustomed to having good mother, never minding being her!

[retroductions]

And yet more often than not, we try particularly hard to not be like our parents. Thus, the outcome for you was quite predictable.

/2

[velluminous]

[ could he not have told her that?! ]

[velluminous]

Dance with me, Herlock.

[retroductions]

[ :))) ]

Oh? Shall I put on a record?

[velluminous]

No.

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[Beckons her into his arms, then.]

Come here, then, dear girl.

[velluminous]

[ she sinks into him with a laugh. never can stay annoyed at him for long. ]

I like it when you call me this.

[retroductions]

[Smiling, he holds her close enough for a very casual yet intimate sort of dance.]

Do you? And what else do you like for me to call you, so that I might always please your ears?

[velluminous]

[ in the quiet of the room, swaying gently ]

That is enough.

[retroductions]

Very well.

[Ehe. In his head, it’s a slow and gentle melody. Led by a violin, of course.]

My dear, dear girl.