PC CATCHALL FOR VAN ZIEKS

[greatdeduction]

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week 2 day 4

[greatdeduction]

[Sholmes is here sitting at a chess board, smoking away at his pipe - Irene is on his shoulder crow form, preening at her feathers.]

[When he sees Van Zieks, he opens an eye, smiling.]

Ah, just the man I wanted to see. I do have something to share, though it will get shared eventually.

[winebar]

[Oh... Well van Zieks will just sit opposite him. Maybe we can play some chess. Adelheid leaps onto his lap as a cat. She looks up at Irene and mewps.]

That's good. I have things I need to tell you as well.

[greatdeduction]

[This board is NOT crazy 5d clown chess like he was playing with Flat earlier in the week. Just regular chess. He moves a pawn.]

I received a message from the dead the other day. And it confirms that, in fact, the dead are truly the people we knew.

[He pauses to exhale, smiling.]

I agreed with Mr. Hoover what the message should be on the night before his death. For Iris, Reiner, and Annie. And the very thing came to me a couple of days ago. So indeed, our dead are not lost forever as one would naturally suppose.

[winebar]

[Why were you and Flat playing the chess from Kekkai Sensen. Anyway van Zieks also moves a pawn bc what else would you start chess with.]

... So somehow, the dead are not truly dead? Or are you suggesting the existence of ghosts?

[greatdeduction]

[Because they're clowns. He moves out another pawn.]

No, I do not think they're ghosts. After all, how could ghosts write? No, no...I do think they may be in a completely other "space" entirely. After all...we keep going to these worlds. Perhaps they're in another one.

[winebar]

[So does van Zieks.]

But we watched Kotetsu kill him. He turned to dust. How does that work?

[greatdeduction]

Ah, but its not dust, it's...a different kind of dust. The one that we saw the first week we were here, yes? When our daemons were changing forms. I think there's something to it. That material perhaps could be reversible...

[He hums, then shrugs.]

Ah but theories, theories. Anyways, we have made a start on something at the very least. Now. [Moving his knight.] What is your news?

[winebar]

It is at least heartening news, if somewhat inconclusive.

Well, I think first off I should... confess as to something I told miss Mikotoba.

[greatdeduction]

...

[Just. Looking at him.]

And what may that be?

[winebar]

[Listen. Don't look at him.]

I imagine you can deduce it. I didn't... if I had known Asogi was like a brother to her, I wouldn't have agreed to your terms.

[greatdeduction]

...

[He's tipping his hat forward, hiding his eyes.]

Of course. He was your apprentice there for a little while, wasn't he? [And a laugh - but its a laugh without feeling.] Still. Do you think it was your truth to tell?

[winebar]

[He's frowning.]

I do not know. But after experiencing her memory of his "death," and how she felt...

You can't understand how it feels. I couldn't... I know it must have upset her, but if the roles were reversed...
[He would have wanted to know.]

[greatdeduction]

...

[His smile twitches.]

I took no pleasure in deceiving her. But I couldn't leave things up to chance. [He shakes his head. His words just sound...tired.] I couldn't allow my farce to become reality.

[winebar]

I'm well aware. I know this knowledge will create complications. But the truth is important. If I could go back in time and prevent myself from learning who Klint truly was, I would not have done it. Even though it is painful to know it.

In any case. It is done. I am informing you because I know she may come ask you about it.

[greatdeduction]

[He lets out a long-suffering sigh.]

Well, at least you have the grace to tell me ahead of my grand reckoning. [...] I suppose I could only put it off for so long.

[winebar]

Indeed.

[A pause. He makes his move. I'm not describing more chess but it's happening.]

On a more... personal note. I did talk with the lieutenant.

[greatdeduction]

...

[INSTANTLY ABANDONING DETECTIVE ANGST HE'S LEANING FORWARD LIKE >8O!!!!!!!!]

You did? Oh! Tell me, tell me, tell me-!

[winebar]

[STOP WHY ARE YOU SO EXCITED.]

It... came up... somewhat organically so I asked him... and apparently he is... the same as us.

[Him just assuming Sholmes is gay and not bi, since I'm sure he doesn't know bi people even exist.]

[greatdeduction]

...

[looks at himself]

[looks at van zieks]





T...........all?

[NO?]

[winebar]

Are you an idiot?

[LIKE, YOU KNOW KIM ISN'T TALL YOU'VE MET HIM.]

[greatdeduction]

Come now, even I struggle to think of similarities! I bet we don't even have the same favorite color!

[MISSING THE POINT]

[winebar]

What we talked about, Sholmes! He prefers the company of men!

[WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS!!!]

[greatdeduction]

.......Oh.

[Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.]

Ah! Well! That's great for you, isn't it?

[winebar]

... I... suppose? In that it is heartening to know even someone as upright as the lieutenant may share these... interests.

[Sholmes he did not ask him out.]

[greatdeduction]

Oh, please. You make it sounds like we're dabbling in devil worship.

[yeah let them summon satan together]

Did you talk about anything else?