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a post that I stole from bakerstreet
The Winter Festival Meme
Brrr! It may be (literally) freezing outside, but that doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up indoors. In fact, with the beauty of the fallen snow, the many holiday celebrations, and the myriad activities one can only do in cold weather... many might consider winter to be the most fun and romantic time of the year!
1. illuminations
Who doesn't love a light show? Decorative strings of lights dazzle when they adorn houses, trees, or festive sculptures.
2. hot drinks
Wassail, cider, cocoa, mulled wine... 'tis the season to indulge in something warming from the inside out!
3. winter sports
Whether you're a snowboarder or a skiier, festival competitions are your time to shine! Or perhaps you prefer something more low-key, like sledding or ice skating on a frozen pond with a friend?
4. snow art
Do you wanna build a snowman? Your imagination (and the temperature sensitivity of your materials) is the limit when it comes to snow angels, ice sculptures, and snow sculptures!
5. snowball fight!
The age-old tradition of pummeling your friends with icy cold projectiles!
6. holiday market
Keep your fingers warm with a hot drink while you get your shop on!
7. Santa's village
Wait - those aren't real elves, are they?
8. new year
Put on your sequined best and wait for the ball to drop at this year's New Year's Eve bash!
9. hatsumode
Don't forget to wish for good luck at your first shrine visit of the new year.
10. wildcard
Anything goes!
stolen from bakerstreet
Who doesn't love a light show? Decorative strings of lights dazzle when they adorn houses, trees, or festive sculptures.
2. hot drinks
Wassail, cider, cocoa, mulled wine... 'tis the season to indulge in something warming from the inside out!
3. winter sports
Whether you're a snowboarder or a skiier, festival competitions are your time to shine! Or perhaps you prefer something more low-key, like sledding or ice skating on a frozen pond with a friend?
4. snow art
Do you wanna build a snowman? Your imagination (and the temperature sensitivity of your materials) is the limit when it comes to snow angels, ice sculptures, and snow sculptures!
5. snowball fight!
The age-old tradition of pummeling your friends with icy cold projectiles!
6. holiday market
Keep your fingers warm with a hot drink while you get your shop on!
7. Santa's village
Wait - those aren't real elves, are they?
8. new year
Put on your sequined best and wait for the ball to drop at this year's New Year's Eve bash!
9. hatsumode
Don't forget to wish for good luck at your first shrine visit of the new year.
10. wildcard
Anything goes!
stolen from bakerstreet
9!!!
Some days after they have settled in, Susato gifts them with their own kimonos for hatsumode. She explains that, per tradition, they will be visiting their very first shrine of the new year, in hopes that it will bring them good luck and no murders.
While Iris excitedly caught up with Ryunosuke, she got to spend some time with Sholmes, helping him fit into his kimono. It was pink, not too far off hers. Very subtle, Susato, wanting to match and all. ]
Is it comfortable?
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But after arriving, a few days settling in, and adjusting himself to the change in time, it seemed time to get out and about! And apparently preparing to visit a shrine at some point, thank you, Miss Susato. When in Rome, as they say...
The gift of the kimono is quite the surprise but certainly not unwelcome. Sholmes had seen pictures but seen male Japanese clothing rarely as Mikotoba had a tendency to wear mostly western clothing during his stay in London and Naruhodo kept wearing that varsity uniform the majority of the time.
When she takes him aside to fit him with it, he has to admit to being quite impressed. The colour is something he notes as being similar to her own and he rather likes it. What impresses him most is that everything is tied, or looped, and there is a distinct lack of fasteners... Leave it to Sholmes to find that fascinating. ]
Quite, my dear Miss Susato.
[ He manages to answer as he pats around the waist obi tie as if examining the magic that keeps his entire ensemble together. And then he stops, to continue: ]
I can't say, however, that I am accustomed to so much of a breeze about my ankles.
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My apologies, Mr Sholmes. [ She tried. ] Perhaps we could convince Iris to brew us some of your favorite tea for the walk over, to keep warm. The clouds do look ever so gray outside... It's possible it may snow.
[ Quite the contrary though, Susato sounds excited about this. A walk to the shrine on new years' with your idol, with a sprinkling of snow... She dares say it sounds quite romantic.
As the final piece to this outfit puzzle, Susato hands him his belt with whatever colorful chemicals he likes to keep on him. They shan't need them today, of course, but it is just like him to be prepared. ]
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No, wait, they had a particular name. Her father told him that at on at least one occasion - Sholmes digs in in the recesses of his mind as he absently takes his vials with a pensive look in his eyes and straps them on, somehow, without thinking. ]
Ge... Get... o? Geta? Yes, that's it, isn't it. The shoes! I'm right, aren't I? [ he doesn't wait for confirmation because of course he is] Am I to wear those as well, Miss Susato? Should it snow, I can't be expected to make sure these clothes remain unscathed by it.
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Still, she shakes her head. ]
No, no. You are quite correct! But while we certainly do have geta sandals, we will not make you wear them. I'll be wearing my usual boots myself, after all.
[ It wouldm't be fair to make their guests wear something less comfortable! ]
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Or at a time like this, in fact. Case in point. ]
Perhaps another day when the weather is not quite so foreboding.
[ He gives her that Sholmes grin. ]
Now, now. Should we get going? Or are there further ties, bits and-or bobs that I ought to know about?
[ Herlock starts to pat himself down to make sure everything is secure - though certainly he has no concerns about Susato's skill in putting this together and on. ]
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I think we're ready! Let us quickly check on Iris and Mr Naruhodo, and we can be on our way.
[ She hums, taking a short walk over to another room. Herlock is free to follow her or not, but either way, it seems they have finished first in this competition (if there was one), and they've been given their blessing to go ahead. They will meet them there. ]
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And then he follows, tossing Iris and Naruhodo a grin and a wave as they pass by - "Take good care of Mr Naruhodo, would you, Iris?" He's pretty sure that Ryuunosuke says something about not needing to be taken care of but he's already behind Susato and approaching the door by the time that happens so it's of little consequence or note. ]
Then shall we be off?
[ Sholmes put on some shoes first, you were just talking about this ]
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She is a Mikotoba taking after Yujin, after all. She points down to his feet, speaking with a slight teasing tone to her voice. ]
Are you not forgetting something?
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[ The only beat he missed was when she had the opening to point it out. Perhaps that was intentional all along, or perhaps not. One will never know. At the doorway, he's quick to slip them on, rather liking how they look with his current ensemble. A pleasant jumble, as it were. Sliding the door open, he gestures to her to take the lead out of the house itself. Ladies first. The Japanese are known quite well for their manners, back in Britain (with the exception of Mr Naruhodo, perhaps), the least he can do is return the favour as a guest in their country. (Until he gets overly excited over something, at least...) ]
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Off they go, and since it is a bit of a walk, Susato takes it upon herself to fill their guest in on what to expect. ]
I'm not sure how much my father has told you about our traditions, but typically, during hatsumōde, wishes for the new year are made. Do you know what you might wish for, Mr Sholmes?
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Of course, all of this good nature and good will doesn't really shine through once he opens his mouth. He sounds pleasant enough saying it, but! ]
Wishes are nothing but a superstition, Miss Susato. The very idea that something or someone can grant us anything that we ourselves do not or cannot accomplish on our own is just a load of hogwash.
[ Way to kill the mood, Herlock Sholmes! ]
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She looks away in mock-offense, although the slight smile tugging at her lips betrays her amusement. ]
Hmm... that may be true, but I wonder if you'd say such a thing if Iris were here.
[ Yeah, that's right. She knows your weakness. ]
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[ otherwise Susato would not have brought her up. She truly takes after her father when it comes to observation. That or she has spent far too much time in his company. Which, again, one could easily say of Mikotoba Yujin as well. ]
But Iris has little to wish for, with the exception of knowing that one little fact that few share knowledge of. She has me, after all!
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Yes... that she does. How delightful that she has finally realized it, but that does leave me in quite the predicament.
Christmas may be over, but what do you get for a world-renowned detective and his daughter, who seem to have everything...?
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Sholmes moves as if to flip the brim of his deerstalker that he is certainly not wearing. ]
Half of the enjoyment of gift giving is the search, is it not? But I can assure you, Iris has always been pleased to receive anything, especially if it pertains to medicine, writing, or tea.
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She gives a nod as she swings her hands jovially, a light spring to her step. Iris would be the easier to shop for of the two of them. ]
And what about you, Mr Sholmes? What do you look for in a gift? You must have preferences too, surely.
finally after 10000 years
My dear, would not a bar of caramel do? Economical and delicious. Though if one must insist... As you know, music is one of my dearest hobbies.
best xmas gift <3
I see. Well, then, you will have your caramel! And... while I'm sure it won't compare to your Stradivarius, I will... see what I can do.
[ Ominous. ]
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You needn't burden yourself with a gift at all, Miss Susato. Though I certainly appreciate the gesture, something like this is more than enough. An experience is very rewarding, I feel.
[ And this is (or is going to be) one, to be sure. For as long as he's been friends with Mikotoba, he had never been quite certain that he would make it to Japan to visit the man and his family. ]
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A quiet hum, and she is nodding as she walks, excitement growing.
After a while, a crowd comes into view, slowly filing into a make-shift line leading to a rather extravagant set of stairs.
It appears they have found the temple entrance. ]
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Though people, people are much the same everywhere. So he settles for taking in as much of them as he can on the way - and there are a decent number of people following the same path as they.
It's a good enough distraction that suddenly, despite the quiet, they have arrived at the stairs - and Sholmes' eyes light up as he smiles and glances at Susato. ]
What mystery awaits us at the top?
[ Rhetorically asked, but the curiosity is plain in his voice. ]
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Everyone will be waiting to make their wishes for the new year, and purchase new omamori charms for blessing and protection. You may think it is largely hogwash, but perhaps I can get you one you anyway that you can carry on your person.
For the experience.