It is amusing that the Master would allow such a mundane individual into this Domain. Detectives are expected, but he does not speak of his professional pursuits all that often and usually desires to explore the entirety of each hall and door he spots while here. I only wished that he didn’t entertain those bottles of poison as much as he wishes to linger here.
“…Mundane?”
Lying upon his desk would be three books stacked upon each other. The book on top was titled The Best English Detective Stories of 1928-1929, edited by Father Ronald Knox and H. Harrington and was approximately 420 pages in paperback. It was old and dilapidated, but the clearest dog-earing of a page would lead one to the preface of the book written by Father Ronald Knox, but across that first page of the preface was some writing in deep red ink and an impeccably immaculate penmanship: “Knox’s Decalogue—The ten commandments created by Ronald Arbuthnott Knox and used in heresy trials. Knox’s 1st: It is forbidden for the culprit to be anyone not mentioned in the early part of the story…”
The second book was heavier, bound in black leather with gilt-edging, and simply titled THE HOLY BIBLE: KNOX VERSION upon its front and spine. Glancing through the pages would reveal its odd format compared to most bibles; no subheads, no verse numbers at the beginning of sentences—the entirety of the scripture was written in chapters and paragraphs as it were an ordinary literary novel, with the verses in tiny numbers on the outside margin that would hardly distract. The third book was its partner: a paperback edition titled On Englishing the Bible which contained 72 pages of good monsignor Knox’s experiences of translating the aforementioned bible from Latin while consulting Greek and Hebrew texts.
Upon this all was a note gently pinned to the bible with a twin-keyed brooch dipped in gold. The contents of the note, written in the same penmanship of the scrawling in the first book, were the following:
I thought you might appreciate some light reading. I ask that you respect its teachings, bring honour to it by learning from them, and have compassion for those who bear a banner different from yours by passing what you have learned through the readings.
—-
“Hm! Now what is this~?”
“Miss Knox! This is so incredibly thoughtful of you. If I didn’t know any better, which I do, I’d think that you had a little crush on me. Really, though, yes; I’ll begin reading these over the break, beginning with the bible. It’s been a little while since I read it all the way through, and considering the time of year, it seems rather appropriate.”
“But for now, I must wrap your gift…”
Tinsel: What perfume/cologne do you wear?
“Lately I’ve been favoring Classic Old Spice cologne… mostly because it’s similar to what I normally wear at home in London, but is actually obtainable in Japan. I suppose I could go through the effort of importing but… nah, I’ll just pick up anther bottle when I head home in the next few months.”
Holly: Who was the last person you sent a letter to?
"Ah, my dear friend Suzuki Sonoko… we’ve gotten into the habit of being sort of pen pals over the past couple of years, though neither of us are terribly diligent at keeping up with it… particularly as she has a boyfriend and all, now. I think she’s been saving her stationary for him.”
Hot Cocoa: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
“About myself? Ah… perhaps it’s my uncanny ability to walk circles around just about any topic or question and not actually end up giving a straight answer whatsoever."
△ To crack rp
▷ To serious rp
▽ To plot something- anything!
Sounds to me like we need some tea parties to discuss serious business.
“Now that sounds absolutely lovely.”
“I suppose you enjoy those areas for the FOOD? French cuisine, after all, has impeccable TASTE.”
Or so she’d read. She wasn’t too much of a varied eater, and it was rare enough she went outside anywhere to eat. The master’s tastes were pleasing enough to her palate.
“It does, indeed… but that is not the reason why I will be going there."
Hakuba reached for a cup and tea pouch, setting to work to make himself some. Because, as previously noted, tea solves everything and is perfect.
"I have family in England and work in Paris. Well, I suppose that I have work everywhere, but France is a place that I’m particularly fond of. No one seems to care if you’re a halfer as long as you can speak the language with relative fluency… and I’m rather fond of the Bohemian ideals, were I to be honest with myself.”
He set the cup to steep, then looked back to Dlanor.
“Still, Paris is a city just like any other… with its high points and its own set of problems."
“It is one of the many places created by the MASTER. It is often frequented by others, so I thought it might be a place you would LIKE.”
She slid in to the side across him and removed her spectacles, having no need for them here. Empty cups had been summoned; as was a hot kettle. If the inquisitor seemed pleased that the location was to Hakuba’s liking, it was well-hidden by her usual Iron Maiden’s expression. “Your pick of the brew, as USUAL. Has anything of interest happened with you on your side of THINGS?”
Dlanor didn’t usually care for the happenings of other fragments—not since her falling out, but while a guest was here she may as well inquire of the comings and goings of their world.
“Lemon and ginger, I think,” Hakuba said quietly, pushing the idea of Earl Grey out of his mind. He needed practice to be able to adapt. “And, no, not really… not as such."
The detective leaned back in his seat, looking up at the ceiling for a moment as he considered. There were always cases, certainly, and he had found quite a few things ‘interesting’ throughout his interactions with others. But interest being subjective, Hakuba didn’t think that anything he had to say would be of interest to the woman. Not sincerely, at any rate.
"I may return to London for a time… visit Paris again. That is the only thing of note that I can really think of at present.”
“CERTAINLY.”
Dlanor led the man into a rather dark-looking pub area. Judging by the various booths and the bar that sat straight in the middle, it seemed to mimic the old 1920’s speakeasies. One or two felines slept their cares away upon some of these booths as if they were patrons themselves. She picked a candlelit booth near the window, the weather outside being something akin to the pitter-patter of blues rain. “Sometimes, tea seems best served when the atmosphere is COLD. That way its warm aroma penetrates and soothes the BONES.”
The level of appreciation that Hakuba had for Dlanor was quickly doubled – no, tripled – as he looked around the pub. He soaked it all in, reveling n the chill, the sound of the rain, the flickering lights against the dark walls. God, it’d be difficult to focus on tea when this place clearly called for scotch.
But then, tea was perfect.
He waited for Dlanor to take a seat before taking one himself, content smile fixed on his face.
“Very intriguing choice, Miss Knox… I very much approve. I was not aware that such little nooks existed in this place… but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised."
“Certainly, if that is what you WISH… Know that whenever you are craving tea in company, you are certainly more than welcome to call upon ME.”
Sometimes it was difficult to tell when a normally stoic individual such as she playing host to the detective was joking, or attempting to tease. “Do you prefer to drink your tea in a certain SETTING? The garden, or the library, PERHAPS? Some change in SCENERY?”
That was quite the generous offer, really. Hakuba often craved tea and company. Multiple times per day, in fact. In the spirit of not being rude, he decided not to mention this fact, and instead nodded gratefully to the woman, and contemplated the answer to her question.
“Any is fine, so long as the company is agreeable – which it is. That said, it might be nice to see another section of this dream world.”
“I have not changed any since we last MET. I trust matters are pleasant on your side of THINGS?”
If the slight term of endearment was noticed, she didn’t bring attention to it. For once such an easy distraction was welcomed—she was hoping a certain warden was not the cause of this sudden load of work.
“They remain about the same; neither here nor there.” Which was Hakuba’s way of saying that life was, as always, difficult and painful, but he was pretending that everything was fine. But that is why he was there in the first place, wasn’t he?
“Have you eaten yet?”
“Ah… <Mr.> Hakuba. My apologies for not paying closer ATTENTION.”
Nothing but piles of stacks of paperwork neatly towering the area around her workspace—and who knew which stack was done and which ones were still in need of looking over? Honestly, it would have been a miracle indeed if the petite inquisitor spotted the man beforehand. “I can certainly manage the TIME. Quite truthfully, I have been needing the break from all this PAPERWORK.”
“Indeed, Miss Knox. Allow me to assist in distracting you from this endless sea of what appears to be bureaucratic busywork. How have you been, my dear?”
He hoped that the bit of verbal affection would not be taken the wrong way or considered too informal. Hakuba was honestly pleased to see her again.
