songerein | [OPEN] A Late March Catchall

Entry tags:

[OPEN] A Late March Catchall

Who: Herlock Sholmes ... and you?
Which: Open Log
Where: Around Reverein (The Wild Harvest, The Communal Garden)
What: Sholmes enjoys some intellectual pursuits in public
Warnings: Threads may include spoilers for GAA/GAA2 and will be marked accordingly. Feel free to opt out or simply write an OOC note in the tag.

A. The Curious Tale of the Man with the Jars

XXnd of March(?), Throughout the Day
The Wild Harvest

[ If one happens to visit the Wild Harvest today, they will find one of its tables has been completely overtaken by a single guest and his clutter: a stack of books*, a (normal) journal, a handful of measuring tools, and--depending on what time you find him--half-eaten plates of food, a sweaty glass of ice water, a cup of tea, or a neglected pint of beer. His overcoat, deerstalker, and leather bag are discarded on the seat next to him, leaving the detective to comfortably study in his rolled shirtsleeves.

However, all of that aside, one may find a mismatched collection of jars to be of much greater interest. Judging by the stubborn residue from their labels, the containers previously held pickles, jams, and spices, but peering into them now will reveal various specimens, living or otherwise: insects, plants, colorful stones, mysterious fluids, one or two familiar orange hate feathers and a few four-leaf clovers. ]

[[ * OOC: This is a random mix from the bookstore. Feel free to make up titles or recognize a volume from your character’s canon if you’d like another excuse to make small talk! ]]

B. The Adventure of the Fickle Fiddler

XXst of March(?), Late Afternoon, Trending into Evening
The Communal Garden

[ Alternately, if one happens to be enjoying a late-day stroll by the communal garden, they will catch the sound of a violin. A few bars of a tune play, followed by a pause, some muttering, and a bowed revision. It's a bit difficult to make out the song or the violinist's actual skill given the choppy progress, but if, by chance, one hails from some variant of Earth and has a keen ear for classical music, they may recognize phrases of Paganini.

Venturing deeper into the garden, one will find the source of the music: a man standing by the pond with a violin tucked under his chin. After bowing out a bar, he bends to write (or erase) notes on the makeshift sheet music paper laid out across a bench. A chorus of singing fish poke up from the depths of the pond to helpfully parrot his melodies. ]

C. WILDCARD

[ Hit me up via PM or discord if you have other business or scenarios you'd like to address with Sholmes! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Weirdly enough, there is an actual reason van Zieks is visiting this particular location, although the timing may be mere coincidence. With the hopeful opening of a drinking establishment he'll be providing for, he's come to the gardens to seek some... inspiration, let's say. To see what others have managed to grow, and what might be appealing.

He probably won't be paying much attention to the plants, though, now that the disjointed playing has drawn his attention to a familiar blond.

Well, you couldn't avoid him forever, Barok.

... even if it's tempting.

...... really tempting.]

Mr. Sholmes.

[His tone is only slightly less biting than previous meetings of theirs; his reluctance is clear, but he is still, for some reason, actually bringing attention to himself.]

I was informed of your arrival. [He glances at the fish, his harsh gaze scrutinizing them.] I see you have taken to this place quickly, as I suspected you might.

[As nice as the words alone might be, it doesn't sound like he's complimenting the man...]

[ Sholmes glances up from scribbling a note. It's strange to see the prosecutor in such a verdant setting; much easier to imagine Barok van Zieks striding regally among headstones or the weakly-lit halls of a cold, colorless manor. ]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do find the unrelenting chaos quite agreeable, Mr. Reaper! [ The nickname flows out of habit, as much as it no longer fits (and conflicts with at least one other resident of Songerein.) He tucks his pencil behind an ear. ]

And lo! You've saved me the trouble of flushing you from your dark burrow, just when I require the ear of a man of culture. [ The violin perches back under his chin, bow hovering at the ready. ]

You are no doubt familiar with Paganini's "La Campanella"! Tell me, which sounds more accurate ... [ He bows out a short phrase followed by a pause (and the fish), then a second variation which sounds much the same but for a few adjusted notes. After the fish complete their go, Sholmes raises his eyebrows expectantly. ] The first or the second?

[Yeah, that's what he thought.

As unfamiliar as Sholmes may be with van Zieks in this sort of environment, he at least doesn't have to contend with any other oddities to his appearance; he's as grey-complexioned as ever, and the furrow to his brow isn't any softer, either.]

How fortunate.

[This man's flippant attitude and immediate request don't serve to make the encounter any more enjoyable, even if the mild recognition of his status might even things somewhat. ... Nope, the fish ruin it again.

But it's not like he wasn't interrupting. He supposes. He considers for a moment...]

The first. Though I wonder if you plan to use that information for the sake of replication or contravention.

[Unrelenting chaos, and all.]

The first? Really. [ His eyebrows raise skeptically. Sholmes repeats the handful of measures to confirm, bobs his head in hesitant agreement and then drops a hand to his sheet music, erasing a couple of notes and replacing them accordingly. ]

Contrary to what you may believe, I do possess some restraint, my good fellow. I would never deface Niccolò Paganini's celebrated works with my own improvisation, as inspired as I may be.

[ An indignant swish of his bow in van Zieks' direction. ] This is not some puckish errand. This is a service to Reverein's nascent musical community!

[ He continues bowing out notes, softer this time, so as to continue speaking. ] I have no doubt that you have been similarly moved to improve the community's viticulture.

[The prosecutor labors to believe that the man has any true restraint outside of life or death situations, but he simply lets his incredulity display through his judgmental gaze and folded arms. ... not that that's an actual change in his expression, or any different from what Sholmes is used to seeing.

For a brief moment, he's inclined to bristle at the idea that Sholmes could assume much of him with that level of certainty, but it's not a hard deduction to make, is it? Without a legal system in place, anyone with passing knowledge of van Zieks's personality and habits could make the same guess. He's not exactly... unpredictable.]

I would not frame it as some noble endeavor to grant the gift of fine drinks to another world. [Honestly, he'd probably go mad without some involved task to attend to.] ... but I am in the process of establishing a winery with a fellow of similar interests.

My deepest apologies. I should know better than to accuse you of such wanton benevolence. [ He plays a few bright notes. ] Clearly, you only seek to replicate your own hallowed cellar.

[ The mention of a collaboration takes him by surprise. This "fellow of similar interests" must be an exceptional individual; he can't fathom van Zieks would tolerate anything less in a business partner. ]

Have you found adequate fruit from which to make your must? I have yet to see a single, humble grape, as yet unadulterated by dream energies. No telling how that might complicate the process.

[Yeah, that's right. He's just a surly man who wants to be left alone with his grapes. Much like his compatriot, who is a surly young man who wants to be left alone with his winery.

Well, okay, that's not true. Ragnvindr is not nearly the misanthrope van Zieks styles himself as; he's more reckless, instead. Back to grapes, though:]

I would hardly consider finding truly mundane crops in a world conjured from fantasies a possibility, nor would it be worth the effort in keeping them untouched from such things. [And without the manipulation of said dream energies, they hardly would have grown enough to taste in the time he's been here.] But those I have grown are similar enough, and the results thus far have proven satisfactory.

[A high bar to pass for his exacting standards, to be sure.]

Satisfactory, you say! Impressive, given the variables at play. [ He pauses his idle playing long enough to tap the tip of his bow to his chin. ]

Fermentation is such a fickle, but fascinating chemical process. Yeast! Those wonderful little creatures, gobbling up sugars, excreting them as ethanol! How I do enjoy the sweet byproducts of their ferocious metabolism. [ A laugh. ] I can only imagine what magical yeast might be capable of.

[ He reaches out with his bow to tap the freshly-bloomed branch of a magnolia. At the touch, the flowers release glowing motes of pollen. ] The dream influences are quite insidious, aren't they? Plant, yeast, human ... none are safe from its influences--positive or negative.

[Van Zieks turns his eyes to those plants and the magical dusting of pollen they release with... a smaller amount of disdain than he would have regarded them with when he initially arrived. It's certainly lesser among the strange things he's seen, now.]

You would be familiar with such subtle infiltration, wouldn't you.

[Barok has no idea, having yet to encounter a certain chocolate monstrosity. But the fact that Sholmes has made his way here is enough proof to him of the fact that the detective will find a way to sneak in and get involved wherever he pleases, regardless of who may or may not want him there.]

Much as in any other dream, I would surmise the possibilities are limited merely by willpower and imagination. In the same fashion, it requires no small amount of discipline to keep the results within an acceptable scope if one is hoping for any amount of precision.

[... imagination is a strong word to use in the case of van Zieks, so thus far his aforementioned satisfactory results may fail to impress in terms of something magical and new. Those sorts of possibilities are for later, after he's more certain of how to manipulate the process.]

[ Sholmes has nearly forgotten how energizing it is to thoroughly annoy someone. Gregson had filled that role for so long--rest in peace--and, like a fine vintage, it will be some years yet before Gina Lestrade is worn down to the point of quality irritation. Until then, van Zieks makes an excellent stopgap. ]

Such a cool, logical approach to this so-called dreamotion energy! My good fellow, I daresay you have the makings of an admirable scientist. [ The combination of science and van Zieks naturally bring someone else to mind; Sholmes could scarcely forget such an unusual defendant ... or an equally odd friendship. ] Maybe some of your fluffy-haired friend has rubbed off on you?

[What an honor.........]

Science is far from the only field to use basic concepts such as logic, unless you have forgotten, "Detective." [A downgrade to just the "Reasoning Spectacular" these days, is it, Sholmes?] Without further influence, I am just as capable of applying a thorough examination to the concept of manipulating thoughts and ideas as I am to arguments in the courtroom.

[That said.]

Albert would likely be far more... ambitious with his efforts.

[Barok is just trying to replicate reality as he knows it, not invent something new.]

Consulting detective. [ He can hear those quotes around his self-styled title, van Zieks, and that drip of disdain is like sweet nectar to his ears. ]

If I didn't know better, I'd say you were scandalized by the mere suggestion! Are you afraid of becoming a wild-eyed, mumbling eccentric? [ He bows out a few more notes of Paganini for his fishy audience. ] But you're quite right—I'm positive Mr. Brainchild's wild imagination would thrive here, unburdened by the strict bounds of physics. Or murderous machinations, for that matter.

[With the way Sholmes seems almost to revel in the correction, van Zieks has to remind himself that karma shall revisit upon the man the irritations he inflicts upon others. Hopefully.

Regarding any perceived scandal, he knows what he is and is not. Setting the record straight is not a defensive act so much as a preservation of the truth. However, instead of expressing that notion, his thoughts and words merely return to the memory of his friend's trials and tribulations as of the last time he saw the man. It's been several months now, in van Zieks's perspective...]

One must hope he will have the fortune to remain without the latter regardless of location.

Agreed. If he lands in legal trouble again, the poor fellow likely won't have the benefit of Mr. Naruhodo's dogged defense. [ And boy, did the man need it. Sholmes has scarcely seen a defendant so hellbent on scuttling his own chances at acquittal.

Sholmes shifts his weight and with it, the topic. ] Speaking of, you did experience your own trial in its entirety, correct?

I ask because some of our cohort clearly have not. [ He hums, a bit glumly. The fish mimic the tone in their turn. ] And it's really a terrible shame—they missed the stunning debut of my Remote Cinematograph!

[All the more reason it was important for him to take up the prosecution and find the real truth of the matter—but it's unlikely he'd be available in such a situation, either. So, hope (and perhaps an occasional check-in) are really the only recourse van Zieks has regarding that matter.

Ah, the memory issues.]

That chapter of my life has thankfully concluded, yes.

[That... wouldn't be a pleasant revelation to have two times. It was difficult enough the once. He isn't certain whether Sholmes brings up his creation simply as a lighthearted matter, or because it's bruised his ego that much.]

Have you spoken with all of the others?

[ Sholmes gives a single nod, happy to hear confirmation from the prosecutor himself. As much as he absolutely revels in giving the man a hard time, van Zieks certainly didn't deserve a decade of lies, or to have the truth delivered so brutally. Honestly, after all of that, Sholmes respects how quickly the man was able to resume his perfectly stiff upper lip. ]

Yes. And you've been rather elusive, but in the end, all it took was a bit of Paganini to finally lure you from the shadows. [ Yes, this was surely a calculated scheme and not just happenstance. ] Though I must say, you missed quite the shindig when Gina and I first arrived—the Mikotoba house was utterly rife with chaos. You would have despised it!

[It's a defense mechanism.

Barok merely shakes his head at the idea of accepting the invitation the Mikotobas had sent; it had been difficult enough to attend to the simple tasks he'd previously committed to without the addition of any unpredictable arrivals.]

I was hardly in a state for pleasant company, let alone what you describe.

[If he'd been capable of feeling much more than exhaustion, the dread of seeing their Eastern acquaintances at that point might have been enough to keep him from attending anyway.]

I'm certain it made for a more familiar introduction to this realm than it would have been otherwise.

[ Even with his wild imagination, Sholmes has a hard time picturing van Zieks in any social setting outside of a courthouse. Even in his "good" moods, he expects the man is only suited to those deranged London clubs where men sit quietly and read. No dogs chasing chocolate cats, no drafts from ruined doors, no Susato takedowns ... not even a great detective vomiting out of a window.

He leans forward and tilts his head like a curious bird, trying to get a better view of the man's face. ]

Nightmares running roughshod on your sleep, Lord van Zieks? [ Of their number, he certainly has plenty of fodder for bad dreams. ] Or more terrifying yet: a recent run-in with one of the Noctaere I've heard so much about?

[ Maybe one particular Noctaere? he thinks. ]

[And he will pray to god that he will never have to be involved with any such detectives being ill in such a fashion.

Van Zieks avoids Sholmes's gaze, his own finding a point somewhere on the horizon to his left to wander to.]

... a creature capable of creating nightmares, yes. Whether it was a Noctaere, I cannot say.

[He only has so much knowledge of the things; although he's come to understand that Asogi's affliction was related to nightmares and their corruptive influence here, it's not as if he has any experience otherwise. While he certainly has had a run-in with said particular Noctaere, it was much earlier into his time here, and irrelevant to the recent situation.]

Yes, indeed! Your face looks decidedly more wan and tortured than usual.

[ He shifts his own face to obstruct van Zieks' avoidant stare. This is probably about as advisable as looking an apex predator square in the eye. ]

Pray, prosecutor. Give me your full testimony. Indulge me with the ghastly details!

[His eyes narrow.]

No.

[Even if the details weren't horribly personal in nature, and even though the man could likely guess as to the subjects of any nightmares van Zieks may have, he has absolutely no interest in indulging him further.

He almost entertains the thought that it would be safer for Sholmes to know the details of those "bleeding heart" creatures, rather than to leave him in the dark about the possibilities of possession or other such dark magic. ... But he can learn elsewhere, or else deal with it.]

[ Sholmes doesn't budge an inch at the blunt reply. ] Then allow me a slight revision: kindly set aside your misgivings about the World's Greatest Detective and consider instead the greater public good.

[ His tone is admirably clipped and businesslike. Perhaps making a concerted effort to speak the man's language. ] I am in the process of gathering all the facts available vis-à-vis nightmare spawn, such that we may devise reliable defenses against them. If you have useful information, it would behoove you to share it, Lord van Zieks.

If you are truly interested for the sake of more productive matters, you can seek information regarding the creatures known as bleeding hearts... elsewhere.

[His answer is still ultimately no. Herlock can do the legwork. It wouldn't even be difficult, given that two of their mutual acquaintances encountered van Zieks while he was under the thing's influence. It's likely he could learn all that Barok would be able to provide and more that way, anyway; the prosecutor hadn't exactly looked into them further afterwards.]

I see. [ Well, at least it's a lead. That specific variant hasn't come up before. Sholmes finally takes a step back, out of the prosecutor's space. ]

In the interim, you leave me to draw my own conclusions about the incident. [ He gives a lilting hum. ] Bearing in mind the whims of this place, those "bleeding hearts" could have afflicted you with anything—ghastly claws, razor-sharp fangs, incurable hiccups, a beard of candy floss, pink polka dots ...

[ He taps his bow to the brim of his hat decisively. ] Pending any evidence to the contrary, I choose to believe you were struck by all of them at once.

[Whether the response is meant to provoke him into answering or merely exasperate him for the sake of Sholmes's amusement, Van Zieks finds himself unimpressed. At the same time, though, he doesn't feel insulted enough to take his leave.]

Are all of your deductions conducted with such flippant disregard of the victims, or is that reserved merely for a privileged few?

[OPEN] A Late March Catchall

B... for barok! :D

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