PC CATCHALL FOR XIE LIAN

[greatdeduction]

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week 0, monday

[greatdeduction]

[Hey, Xie Lian! There's a kid out on the beach, happily building a sandcastle in the sand.]

[Wait no, that's not a kid. That's Herlock Sholmes. His daemon, Irene, is sitting in hare form next to him, just watching as he builds it up. It actually sort of looks like the tower in the middle of the city? He's humming to himself.]

[yueshen]

[ xie lian is out for a walk today, enjoying the beach - it's been a long time since he's seen any sort of seashore - so, when he spots sholmes building something, it does catch his curiosity. he's never even seen anyone do anything like this before, so...?

after a moment, he pauses in his walk, and calls out, careful not to startle - ] Excuse me. What are you doing...?

[ san lang is still in ferret form, curled up around his neck, though he does look up curiously at sholmes' creation. ]

week 0, post dead!

[yueshen]

[ here's xie lian after a great fun death announcement!

by which i mean, it's a little later in the evening, and xie lian is at his board of notes from the town hall meeting earlier in the day. he looks deeply troubled, brow furrowed - though, when someone walks up, he glances back, and greets him politely, bowing his head a little in greeting.

san lang is in qilin form today, instead of ferret - he's pacing back and forth at xie lian's feet. ]

Hello, Mr. Sholmes.

[greatdeduction]

Hello, my dear fellow.

[And he's glancing over the other's shoulder at said board, puffing away on his pipe.]

Doing some information gathering?

week zero, sunday

[greatdeduction]

[Probably after the execution, Sholmes is just dropping by to make sure Xie Lian is doing alright. He'll give him a nod, Irene in hare form perched on his shoulder.]

...Are you doing better, my dear fellow?

[yueshen]

[ here is xie lian! he's on the couch in the lobby, with his ferret curled up in his lap in a ball, xie lian's hand resting on his head. he looks better - his chest is bandaged, now, and the scratch on his cheek has been patched up.

he's got a small smile for sholmes, though, and ducks his head politely in greeting. ]

Hello, Mr. Sholmes. I'm alright; I've fought in battles before, and have always tended to be a fast healer. Thank you very much, for your concern.

week one day three

[greatdeduction]

[Hello, Xie Lian, were you in the throne room?]

[There is also someone else sitting like a total weirdo with legs drawn up almost L-style on the throne.]

[He waves.]

Ah, hello, hello! Greetings! Have you come to have a go at the throne, too?

[yueshen]

[ ha ha... xie lian, unsure whether to laugh or cry: ]

No, that's... quite alright.

[ there's something about sitting on a broken throne that feels a little like trauma, actually? being here reminds him of the heavens, though, moreso than home, so it's kind of nice, anyway. he gives sholmes a polite bow from where he was looking at some of the architecture (he just turned around and sholmes was there?? this cryptid) and then gives him a less sweaty smile. ]

You look quite at home there, Mr. Sholmes...

WEEK 1 day five

[greatdeduction]

[Sholmes is pensively walking the streets, Irene in beagle form running at his side. Five people aren't here. Where can they be found...?]

[He stops when he sees a familiar face, his tone level as he gives his greeting.]

Ah, hello. [And a nod of the head.] No sign of them, I assume?

[yueshen]

[ xie lian is doing much of the same as sholmes, it seems! his qilin walks, nose to the ground, looking for any sort of clue or sign of where their missing folks could have gone.

spotting sholmes, he bows his head in polite greeting, and then shakes his head, brows knit. ]

...Nothing. How truly troubling.

week 1 post trial

[greatdeduction]

[He's here wandering, Irene hopping at his side - when he steps to check out what's on stage, he sees Xie Lian, pausing before giving him a respectful bow.]

I do thank you for your assistance today, my dear fellow. It was most welcome.

[yueshen]

[ xie lian is sitting on the stage today! legs crossed, back straight, eyes closed - it looks like he might be meditating. however, when someone approaches, he opens an eye, and seeing that's sholmes, he offers him a small smile and bows his head in return to the respectful greeting. ]

I feel as though I should be saying that to you, but - that is very kind, Mr. Sholmes. Your deduction was quite impressive.

WEEK 2 day 2

[greatdeduction]

[Here's Sholmes, trying to gingerly walk through a field of shards. This is. Probably going to end up in disaster. His daemon, Irene, in hare form on his shoulder, looks...anxious.]

Oh, if it isn't our local god. [He's waving!] I hope you've been staying careful.

[yueshen]

Mr. Sholmes, ah.

[ this is a little scolding, as xie lian turns pink in the cheeks when he's addressed that way!!! please!!! ] I told you, there's no need to treat me any differently.

[ (mutters in canon) but anyway. xie lian glances over at the shard minefield from where he is standing, and he feels the urge to come help him - san lang chittering as a ferret around his neck. ]

...Do you need help?

w2, post trial

[yueshen]

[ looks at the above thread, laughs. cyoa. its fine

anyway. after the trial, xie lian is also heading out for the gardens! he seems to like it here very much and it is a frequent spot for meditation. he's not expecting company, however, and when spotting sholmes, he can't help but smile. ]

Ah, Mr. Sholmes, you're up and about! How are you feeling?

[greatdeduction]

...Not good, my dear fellow!

[Yeah, he's just. Sitting down on the ground! With an ice pack held to his head. He looks...pained.]

One can't quite get rid of a headache, you see. Ah, but it should pass. How are you? You really shouldn't push yourself...

week 3 day 2

[greatdeduction]

[Sholmes is actually less dressed for the weather, though it's more that he's got his detective coat tied around his midsection as he walks along, making a beeline for the fountain. Seeing Xie Lian, he's quickening his walk to sit down next to him, Irene in hands as a hare. She's not looking too happy with the heat, but she's perking up when she sees San Lang and her owner.]

A most wonderful thing, these fountains. [And he's pausing to cup some water to pat over Irene's head, to cool her off. He bumps his shoulder against the other.] Who knew such a desert area could have so much water?

[yueshen]

[ aw, cute! xie lian is sitting at the edge of the fountain himself, still in his light white robes, though with a new straw hat perched on his head. san lang is in qilin form, a scaled creature that seems to greatly enjoy the heat of the sun - both human and daemon look up to the familiar face. ]

Is it so surprising? An oasis is an oasis, after all. Good afternoon, Mr. Sholmes - I hope Miss Irene is alright?

[ the shoulder bump is allowed! xie lian is very good at resisting urges of any kind, but his bubble is definitely lessened by this wee's strange effect. ]

week 3 friday

[yueshen]

[ he's just

running

to find sholmes ]

Mr. Sholmes - Mr. Sholmes --!! [ i mean RUNNING ] Susato is alive!

[greatdeduction]

Y-Yes!

[And he's here, stressfully puffing away at his pipe, but he's...definitely nodding as the other approaches, only hand combing through his hair.]

Yes! Yes. I have...I have already been told. Thank heavens. But still, we...we don't know where she might have ended up, do we...

w3 saturday

[yueshen]

[ well! after all of that!! xie lian is here. he's sitting on the edge of the fountain underneath the stars with his hands in his lap, gently petting over san lang, who is a tiny rabbit tucked onto his thighs.

he looks... conflicted, unhappy, but still has a soft smile for sholmes when he sees him, ducking his head. ] ...hello, Mr. Sholmes.

[greatdeduction]

Oh, hello.

[He looks exhausted, puffing away on his pipe. Irene, in crow form, is preening her feathers.]

Do you mind some company, on this night?

w4 monday

[yueshen]

[ xie lian looks to be in a very good mood today! he approaches sholmes with a spring in his bunny step when he sees him, ears twitching cutely on top of his head. ]

Good morning, Mr. Sholmes! Do you have a moment? There are some things I'd like to chat with you about.

[greatdeduction]

Oh! Mr. Xie Lian! What a wonderful sight you are.

[His own hare ears twitch - he's given up trying to put his hat on with them for the time being.]

I have all the time in the world for you. What is it?

week 4 day 4

[greatdeduction]

[When he sees him leaving his room, he's going to walk up to him, expression serious.]

There have been some good news, my dear fellow. Mr. Kotetsu and Mr. Turner are likely to be alive.

[yueshen]

[ oh, that's something. xie lian touches his hand to his heart, relieved. ]

...That's good. Two, at least, we can confirm.

[ the relief fades quickly, though, into a more serious expression. ] ... but, by the same logic, Miss Sheba is almost certainly gone.

week 4 post trial

[greatdeduction]

[...]

[This is carnage of a kind, probably.]

[Sholmes stands, a little shocked, as he looks at all the destroyed training dummies. Ah. Well.]

Not that surprised. [He murmurs to himself.] I suppose...I may find some other way to let out steam...

[What to do...]

[yueshen]

[ ah.

whoops. xie lian is here, still! he is sitting, somewhat nearby, leaned up against a structure, but when he hears someone bemoaning the training dummies, he does open an eye, and look apologetic.

...oops. ]

Ah... Mr. Sholmes. [ well, here's a mystery that's easy to solve. xie lian is flushed and still breathing kind of hard; fang xin is resting across his lap. ] ...I'm sorry.

week 5 monday

[greatdeduction]

[Sometime after the role meeting, Sholmes will track the other down, giving him a respectful bow in greeting. His coat around his abdomen is stained red, his expression tight, tired, sullen.]

Xie Lian. Please, I ask of you, do speak your grievances against me. I understand I must have done some transgression against you in addition to what we just discussed, and therefore as a gentleman, I will stand and hear it. I wish to make amends, and it is in your right to say what you must.

[yueshen]

[ xie lian is! not expecting this. he frowns, looking at sholmes; san lang, ferret formed on xie lian's shoulder, also glances and just sort of regards him, for a long moment.

... and eventually, xie lian shakes his head. ]

...It is nothing, Mr. Sholmes. It is as I said - our viewpoints are just inherently different.

week 6 day 1

[greatdeduction]

[There's a pretty butterfly kite careening in the sky in the park. It flaps and flutters, twirling carelessly, free.]

[But not quite free, since its attached to a string, and that string is held by none other than a certain detective.]

[He smiles, lightly, when he sees the other man.]

Hello, Xie Lian. [A gesture to the kite.] Would you like to give it a try?

[yueshen]

Ah...

[ a kite! this is in fact something xie lian is familiar with. he keeps his hands behind his back as he glances up at it, though, watching the kite in the sky up ahead. ]

That's alright, though it is kind of you to offer; these, at least, I am familiar with.

week 6 post trial

[greatdeduction]

[Laying down on the ground, huh?]

[Well, Sholmes is going to sit down and....lay down too. He folds his hands on his chest, his expression serious, before he just settles on:]

The truth matters. It does, yes.

[yueshen]

[ well sholmes will find xie lian is not quite completely on the ground - his upper half is currently being supported by a very large, familiar tiger like he's a giant body pillow.

the tiger growls when sholmes approaches - xie lian turns to say something too quiet to hear in the creature's ear, and it stops growling, tail swishing, as it puts its head on top of a white ball of fur. ]

...Sorry. [ but. ] So it does.