INBOX ⦿ EDGE OF REVERIE

[gunmettle]

INBOX

"This is Juzo Inui. Leave a message."

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Day 51 evening

[retroductions]

[A wild pocket note appears!

However, this time, instead of the hurried scrawl of Herlock Sholmes, this script appears delicate, purposeful, and refined.]

My dearest Mr Inui,

I admit that it has been difficult for me to employ patience up until now, having heard so much about you. That you are wonderful, and strong, and so very thoughtful! But the arranged day is now upon us, and I look forward to finally to making your acquaintance, to confirm these merits that define the mien of a proper gentleman.

Meet me at the beach. Our time together will assuredly be wondrous, indeed.

Sincerely yours,
Ms Irene Adler ♥

1/2

[gunmettle]

[ WHY IS HE LIKE THIS ]

[gunmettle]

[ but FINE, since he knows there is no way he's getting out of this because Sholmes will hunt him down otherwise, he shows up to the beach. ]

[retroductions]

[The clothes he dons to play the part of Ms Adler are not often categorized as a “costuming”, but the prison costume shop has an impressive assortment available, and at a surprisingly high quality. Thus, finding the proper attire of a lady is not a difficult task, and “Irene” waits for Juzo at the beach, a white parasol held in one gloved hand, slung over a shoulder.

He faces the sea, yet turns to smile at Juzo when he hears his approach, expression somewhat shaded by a large sunhat with a wide brim. Sholmes looks every bit a lady as he did in the shared memory; wig, makeup, clothing — none of it feels theatrical, but instead only natural and authentic.

Even his voice sounds light and airy.]

Mr Inui. There is a bracing chill by the sea today. But it warms my heart to know that you have agreed to share your company with me, and so I may be armed against the cold yet.

[gunmettle]

[ He almost doesn't realize it's Sholmes at first, just because the disguise is that good. But who else would be out here in this kind of ridiculous clothes at this hour? And in this weather?

He'd already told himself he wasn't going to freeze up, but when Sholmes (Irene? Ms Adler??) turns around, he nearly drops his cigarette, covering the fumble with an unconvincing cough. ]

You really went all-out, huh?

[retroductions]

[He spins his parasol gently, and it twirls in his fingers as he moves closer. Sholmes treads across the sand with a gentle sort of ease.]

And what sort of lady does not look her best on a date? I hope you were not expecting anything less, my dear.

1/2

[gunmettle]

[ He has. Literally no idea how to deal with this. ]

[gunmettle]

Stop talkin' like that already! You're weirdin' me out!!

[retroductions]

[Juzo. AT LEAST TRY...

Brightly!]

Oh, Mr Inui, I have heard so much about you, but who knew that you were such a comedian!

[He holds out his arm, as though expecting the other man to hook elbows with him.]

Come, let us take a turn about the beach.

[gunmettle]

[ He doesn't want to try!!

But Sholmes isn't going to break character, and Juzo knows by now that the guy is as stubborn as they come. Better get this over with. (That's probably not the first time he's had that thought tonight. It won't be the last.)

Silently, and painfully awkwardly links his arm with Sholmes'. ]

[retroductions]

[As soon as their arms are linked, Sholmes leans in and tilts his head up at Juzo, eyes twinkling.]

My, you are tall enough that I hardly need a parasol at all. Your own marvellous frame might shade me well enough.

[Starts walking! He will avoid straying too close to the water for Juzo's sake. Best not to test too many things at once.]

[gunmettle]

[ INSTANTLY looks away. His barrel feels hot.

This had better be a short walk or he's not going to make it. ]

The sun's not even out.

1/2

[retroductions]

[Wow you really know how to flatter a lady, Juzo.]

…Then all the more impressive that you cast a shade at all!

[retroductions]

Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself?

[gunmettle]

[ Somehow the roleplaying makes this a million times worse. ]

You fir-- uh. Ladies first.

[ AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE. ]

[retroductions]

[He trusts in your ability to adapt, sir. What a valiant attempt!]

Oh, me? [He chuckles lightly.] I'm something of a performer. A contralto singer!

Have you ever been to an opera, Mr Inui?

[gunmettle]

[ God, this is so stupid!! Maybe he'd have an easier time if he stopped thinking about this as what it literally is and started thinking about it more like a job.

That takes some of the edge off. Enough that he's able to look down again. ]

Can't say I have. Guy like me tends to stick out in highbrow places like that.

[retroductions]

[Sholmes senses a slight shift — not quite enough for Juzo to be completely comfortable, but enough to continue a conversation without too much issue. That is the point, after all; and if he puts whatever technique he’s using into practice, no doubt he’ll acclimate in no time at all.

Maybe.]

But I think “a guy like you” would look very handsome in a finely-tailored suit. I can just imagine it.

[gunmettle]

[ Maybe is right. Whatever little bit of composure he's managed to gather falters for a second. ]

I-- I'm not really one for dressin' up fancy.

[ Besides, he has a bad habit of destroying his clothes. ]

[retroductions]

["Irene" grins daintily, a little mysteriously.]

Oh, I don't know. I think I could find you something very fitting.

[The parasol twirls again as he guides them across the beach.]

Speaking of very fitting, would you like to hear a secret, Mr Inui?

[Yes, he's going to squeeze an Echidna quest into this date, fight him.]

[gunmettle]

[ Oh, that smile is entirely unfair. He glances back at Sholmes in time to catch it and glances away again just as quickly.

Even pretending this is a job isn't helping him as much as he'd hoped it would. ]

I suppose so?

[ He doesn't sound very sure of that. ]

1/2

[retroductions]

[Under the pretense of sharing a secret, what is a lady to do? Sholmes leans in closer, of course, unhooking their arms just long enough to cup a hand to the side of his face, whispering conspiratorially.]

Well, it may be improper for me to share, but I feel as though I am safe in telling you. While I was getting dressed for our outing today, I found myself in a very difficult predicament. This dress was built for a certain... body type, shall we say. One that is fuller in certain areas of which I am not naturally inclined.

[The boobs. He's talking about the boob area.]

So I conjured up a trick to make the fabric fit a little more snugly. Do you want to know what it was?

[Sholmes leans in even more, smile tilting up at the corners.]

[retroductions]

[And then, blandly, in his own tone of voice:]

I stuffed a pair Miss Jiang Yanli's steamed buns down the front of my dress. One on each side. I am walking about with food beneath these fabrics, Mr Juzo, so that the garment does not droop while we walk. Please appreciate the lengths I will go to for your sake.

1/

[gunmettle]

[ Hopefully they've stopped walking, but either way, Juzo stops dead in his tracks the instant Sholmes leans in to whisper at him, and-- ]

[gunmettle]

[ OH HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT SHOLMES IS TALKING ABOUT ]