PC CATCHALL FOR VAN ZIEKS

[greatdeduction]

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[greatdeduction]

Well, either shrink yourself, or be bold. No other options here, I'm afraid.

[And that makes him muse for a moment, thinking.]

Mmm. So that trial...was it finished?

[winebar]

[SIGHS.]

Yes. I take it that is not the case for yourself?

[greatdeduction]

Oh, it is, in fact. That's quite fascinating, actually...

[Does he elaborate on this?]

[No, he's just standing here looking like a ho.]

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[Why are you like this. He is pointedly not looking at you. He is now finding himself some pants. All he is going to find are jean shorts.]

I spoke with miss Mikotoba earlier, she had only just returned from Japan herself. What is the last thing you remember, Sholmes?

[greatdeduction]

It's very, very interesting. A little conundrum, if you will. See, I was told that, as well. But....ah, as Shakespeare would say, there's the rub.

[And he leans his head back, smiling.]

I was just seeing her leaving for Japan, myself.

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[Nodding.]

Asogi had told me she and Naruhodo were to be returning to Japan. I'm uncertain what to make of these disparities.
[But boy is he tired. His daemon shifts, shrinking and changing shape to a Russian Blue cat, that snakes around his ankles, rubbing against his leg.]

[greatdeduction]

There's quite a list of things that could be considered "disparities", yes. One that includes the cute cat you have at your feet. Quite adorable for the Reaper of the Old Bailey.

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[At being acknowledged, the cat seems to dissapear?? But no, a sharp eye will spot the odd little arachnid scurrying up van Zieks's leg, coming to rest at the inside of the collar of his shirt.]

I don't recall giving you permission to speak about Adelheid.
[SHE'S SHY.]

[greatdeduction]

Adelheid? A German name...and oh, there she goes.

[Now extremely adorable, even if it is...a spider.]

Well, if that's the case, you can talk about Irene here all you want! Go on! Here she is!

[Taking the hare off his shoulders just to hold her out! Look at her!!!]

[She looks a bit Done.]

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[Technically the harvestmen, or daddy-long-legs, are not spiders, they are more closely related to mites.]

It's a Dutch name as well. [Which... his family must have some sort of Dutch heritage.]

Even she seems to be tired of your nonsense.
[God.]

But... While you're here. There's something I want to ask you.

[greatdeduction]

[look he thought snakes drink milk give him a break]

Oh, she's not, I assure you. [Putting her back on his shoulder and giving her head a pat.] And....mmm? What, pray tell, do you need?

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....

[Ugh he hates to have to ask Sholmes for anything, but.]

I wish you to tell me about Iris.
[My NIECE that you KEPT from me.]

[greatdeduction]

...

[His expression is a bit unreadable, and although he doesn't have his characteristic hat, he just raises a hand to sort of shield his eyes a little. Ah, yes. Of course he'd be interested.]

That's a high order of a question, even coming from a prosecutor like you. What about her do you wish to know?

[winebar]

... I hardly know the first thing about her.
[He sounds almost guilty??? His NIECE....]

Anything you have to tell me, really. I don't know where to start.

[greatdeduction]

You do have eyes, yes? You have seen her in court, alongside that brilliant Japanese student.

[And a huff.]

But she is brilliant in her own right, you know. She got her medical degree only around...a year or so ago? Yes.

[winebar]

A medical degree already at her age?
[HELLO????]

Certainly that’s proof positive of some great brilliance...
[An askance look like he’s wondering how someone like the farcical great detective raised her to such great results.]

Before trial the other day she was speaking of bespoke tea blends. I suppose that’s related... Perhaps there’s some instinctive nature in her to do what she can to help others.
[Like Klint. Just directed differently.]

[greatdeduction]

...

[Yes, of course. He's thinking about his brother. And now, knowing what he knows....whether he can see part of his brother in her, somehow. The ghosts of the pasts, lingering.]

[Also wow, don't give him that look, he's a good father. Somehow.]

She's a sweet girl. [A pause. He's looking away now. His voice sounds thick.] Truly, I could not ask for...a kinder daughter.

[winebar]

[Listen maybe if you didn't act like a clown he wouldn't have to give you this look. At least he's polite enough not to say anything.]

So it would seem.
[She went out of her way to offer him, the Hated and Feared Reaper of the Old Bailey, her special tea. An invitation to her home.]

I trust you will continue to keep her well and cared for. I... there is little I can do for her now.

[greatdeduction]

[Sometimes a clown gotta clown, okay.]

...

[And he manages to collect himself, looking back at Van Zieks.]

But of course. I may remind you that there is little I can do for her now, while we are both stuck in this place of all places. I haven't seen her around, so I can only suspect she has been left behind. More "hope" than "suspect", perhaps.

[winebar]

Mm. While we do not seem to be in any immediate danger...
[Frowning a little, because he is sick and tired of convoluted nonsense that for some reason seems to happen whenever these people are about, though this is beyond any of that, really.]

Given that we seem to be arriving here from, somehow, different points in time, I wonder whether Iris will even notice you missing.
[Are we perhaps unstuck in time.]

[greatdeduction]

[A pause.]

[And then a barking laugh.]

What if I happened to return and then there were two of me! Ahahaha! Solving mysteries at twice the pace, at twice the power! And you'd have to deal with my twin. Wouldn't that be something?

[winebar]

...

[van Zieks is a man who believes strongly in the importance of Law and Order, and while he understands why Klint did what he did, he doesn't condone it, as much as he cares for and respects his late brother.

However, at this moment he does wonder for a moment whether it would be acceptable to murder a duplicate Herlock Sholmes.]

Lets not consider such a scenario before we've even worked out the one we're in now.

[greatdeduction]

[(sholmes voice) i triple dog dare you to kill my double)]

Ahahaha! But in exchange, there may be another you. Now that would be a sight to see.

[HE JUST SAID NOT TO CONSIDER IT]

[winebar]

If you do not have anything further to say that's of any actual use, then this conversation is over.

[GO AWAY.]

[greatdeduction]

[.....]

[He does turn away, as if to leave, but turns his head over his shoulder.]

Say. Are you the type of man who dispenses favors?