PC CATCHALL WITH NERO

[greatdeduction]

Comments

[perfectdistance]

... I guess?

[greatdeduction]

Take it as a compliment.

[A wink.]

May I join you?

[perfectdistance]

Sure, plenty of alcohol. You'll find somethin' you like.

[greatdeduction]

...I really need it.

[And he's sitting, ordering another whiskey.]

[For all his cheerfulness before, its gone, like a light switch flicked off.]

[He just looks tired.]

[perfectdistance]

[So does Nero.

But that's nothing new.]

You uh... okay, after everythin'?

[greatdeduction]

...

[Usually, Sholmes would give a cheerful answer.]

[Here, he just says, dryly:]

No.

[perfectdistance]

Drink up, detective.

[Because that's the best coping they've got for now.]

[greatdeduction]

[He sure will. He's taking a sip.]

You were uncomfortable earlier. I do apologize if I made you feel that way.

[perfectdistance]

They're my problems, not yours.

[greatdeduction]

[...he lets out a sound, like the start of a bitter laugh.]

And yet I seem to be marvelously waltzing over everyone's personal problems, regardless.

[perfectdistance]

Not like you can read people's minds. Shit happens.

[greatdeduction]

I wish it was as simple as that.

[Another sip.]

[perfectdistance]

[He looks away.]

You know... I moved somewhere where not makin' other people uncomfortable was the whole point.

In the City of Rain, we don't talk to each other on the streets 'cause there's so many laws nobody wants to accidentally break one.

[greatdeduction]

...

That sounds...stifling.

[perfectdistance]

It's perfect.

I miss it.

[greatdeduction]

You weren't lonely?

[perfectdistance]

... I'd be lyin' if I said I was never lonely. But mostly it worked out well.

[greatdeduction]

...

May I ask if it was after, or before...him? That you moved to this city?

[perfectdistance]

[He does not meet Sholmes' eyes.]

... After. I wanted an easy place to live, where nobody would ask about me.

[greatdeduction]

...

[He hangs his head slightly.]

I can't say I don't understand that feeling right now. In it's own way.

[perfectdistance]

It's easier that way. Keepin' perfect distances, where nobody needs to know too much 'n nobody has to open up.

Can't really do that here.

[It does make him long for that city where every law is about avoiding unpleasantness.]

[greatdeduction]

[POINTS AT THE USERNAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

But you have gotten some good experiences here, yes? Outside of your...perfect distances....

[perfectdistance]

[lore drop!!!]

I still prefer the distance. But I guess... gettin' to know some of ya hasn't been all bad.

[greatdeduction]

Hah.

[Another sip of the whiskey.]

You probably would just want us to leave you alone, most days.

[perfectdistance]

That's just the kinda guy I am.

... 'm not good with people.