PC CATCHALL FOR VAN ZIEKS

[greatdeduction]

Comments

[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?

[winebar]

What do you mean?

[greatdeduction]

...You know. Like...hobbies? How the day is? Or did you just find out he likes men and left instantly?

[winebar]

O-Of course not! How impolite do you take me to be!?

[greatdeduction]

Well, you're not telling me what you talked about, so I can only assume...

[winebar]

What we talked about is none of your business! You should be grateful I'm giving you any update at all!

[greatdeduction]

Aw...

[Sulking........]

Ah, but at least it is a blessing to hear the great Van Zieks starting to reach out to others.

[winebar]

I suppose. I do not know if he has any interest in anything beyond working together, though. I fear I have made a fool of myself in front of him rather frequently.

[greatdeduction]

...

[Staring at him.]

Van Zieks. Believe me. If you make a fool of yourself in front of him, that's appealing to him, I think.

[winebar]

[Squints.]

What are you talking about?

[greatdeduction]

Mm. Did he tell you of the man he was working with, before he came here? He does deeply respect him, quite obviously so.

Though...the man is, himself, quite a loose box of firecrackers, haha!

[winebar]

Detective Du Bois was mentioned, though we did not speak of him at length. In any case, respecting someone on a professional level is quite different.

[greatdeduction]

[Snorts.]

No, I think they appreciate each other on a friendly level, my dear fellow. Anyways, you shouldn't let yourself be afraid to offend the man. He's not quite as stuck-up as you think.

[winebar]

I don't think he's "stuck up." I just think he's a professional. I-I have-
[Looks back down at the board, evasive.]

Nevermind.

[greatdeduction]

...

[HMMMMMM?]

You have...what?

[winebar]

I said nevermind!!

[He's getting flustered again.]