a post that I stole from bakerstreet

[rarelogic]

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

Comments

[rarelogic]

[ the only thing that keeps him from doubling over laughing is the fact that Iris is on his shoulders and he dare not accidentally throw her to the ground, no matter how soft the snow might be. Still, his grin is from ear to ear as he guffaws. ]

Aha ha ha ha! Leave it to you, Iris, to include that fine detail!

[ And this is why she is the author of the household. He merely sees the detail; she puts it into play. ]

Indeed, with Mr Reaper standing guard, no one would dare approach for nefarious purpose. Perhaps we should consider replacing the scarf with a cravat instead, as well!

[catflapomat]

[ Hee hee! She finds the laughter a bit contagious, and also the vibrations she feels from his guffawing kind of tickles. She still manages to keep her balance well enough, though, considering his suggestion. ]

Well! I could always give him one of mine. It doesn't look like his, though. Mine is like a little bow. [ She sounds almost proud of this fact. ] --Ooh! But I bet it wouldn't matter if we could find something to use for that cool cloak he wears sometimes.

[ No one tell her that it doesn't matter regardless. ]

[rarelogic]

Ah yes, the cape. And perhaps a bottle of wine to cradle in his arms as well, as these hands are less than capable of holding a, what was it?

{ He questions, as if he does not remember, but of course he does. ]

Yes, of course. The hallowed chalice.

[ it will have to be an empty bottle, of course - not only is leaving a full bottle of wine out in public a bad idea, but it isn't as if he has the money to do that in any case. ]

I think that settles it. What should we make the cape out of, my dear?

[catflapomat]

[ A bottle of wine, too, huh... Well, she's pretty sure she can find something empty around the flat to use, though they won't be anywhere near as fancy or custom-made as Mr Reaper's.

Either way, she suspects they're maybe putting a little too much effort into this, but it's hard to deny she deserves the fun time, after yet another successful issue in Randst magazine the week prior. ]

Hmmm... we prooobably shouldn't give potential burglars a free weapon made of glass. But the cape should definitely be black. Maybe an old blanket would do?

[ She's trying to think if she's ever owned such a thing. ]

[rarelogic]

[ The details matter, dear Iris, and though they can't match everything precisely, it is only they that will likely notice the difference, given their proclivities.

And Sholmes has an idle thought that, perhaps to mimic the bird's ostentatious feathers, they might use a patterned or fringed curtain of some sort - but he must concede to Iris' point. Definitely black. ]

Certainly, black is the colour. He would hardly be the Reaper otherwise.

[ Even if he's not-- ]

I have just the thing.

[ Sholmes adds that with a nod as something occurs to him, and he kneels down a bit as to encourage Iris down off of his shoulders. ]

[catflapomat]

...? [ Iris tilts her head at the gesture, a little sad to be losing her ride, but she ultimately obliges, giving Sholmes' shoulders a break. For daddy's sake. ] You do, do you?

[ There is a knowing smile as Iris straightens out her skirt once she is on her feet, and then she will steal a line she's heard him say--and has written herself!--a million times before, albiet a little more playfully. ]

Go on, then! Impress me.

[rarelogic]

[ Whether she's saying it because she takes after him or because she's the author of his case files, it matters not. It still brings a spark of joy into the heart of this consulting detective, and as always, he is certain that he can and will impress her.

And so, he offers a slight bow, hand on his hat as if to tip it to her. ]

By all means, dear madam.

[ And with that, he disappears into the flat, rummaging around in a few places, because he knows what he's looking for is there, but just where--

It actually doesn't take him that long (surprisingly) before he's back outside, something made of black fabric tucked surreptitiously beneath his arm. ]

Are you prepared?

[ He says, eyes carrying a hint of a sparkle. ]

[catflapomat]

[ That bow is so gentlemanly. A curtsey is still far more appropriate for her, of course, but she'd be lying if she weren't tempted to pick up more of daddy's mannerisms. They way he twirled his hand as he bowed...

--Oh, wait. Crap, was she supposed to follow him??

Before she can chase after him, he's already back outside, something black and mysterious in his arm, and an irresistible sparkle in his eye. ]

...You didn't make a mess when you pulled that off, did you? [ Teasing smile. She has to ask. ]

[rarelogic]

[ How can one make a mess when things are already a mess? An organized one, but a mess none the less? ]

That you'll have to deduce once we come in out of the cold.

[ The sparkle does not falter, even in the face of potential admonishment from his dear daughter. Not when he has this - the black fabric is pulled out with a flourish, it's full length unfurling into the exact cape Lord Barok van Zieks wears. Gosh! How did he ever get that? ]

Behold.

[ Sholmes visually puffs up (more than he already is normally), waiting on Iris's reaction. ]

[catflapomat]

.........

[ The shock on Iris's face is palpable, and she thought she was far past the point of being surprised by her daddy. She had seen and written about everything! She had even seen him cry.

Yet this "puzzle" she doesn't immediately solve is intriguing to say the least. ]

It even has the design. [ But she knows they're not exactly friends. Most of all, she knows Barok would never willingly give him his cape, unless there was a good reason. ] ...Did someone at the Yard owe you another favor?

[rarelogic]

[ Hmph, favour at Scotland Yard? Well, with Gregson gone, the general temperament of the officers there have improved, when it comes to him, no doubt in the hopes to be Iris' next featured inspector.

However, the Yard is not where he got this from. This was obtained through his own ingenuity. Or, what some might call theft? ]

Oh no. I would hardly ask anyone at the Yard to provide me with such important cargo. Tell me, Iris. Have you not seen the Lord Prosecutor in court? When he decides to take his role most seriously and doffs his cloak with a dramatic flair?

Where, pray, do you think that cloak ends up?

[catflapomat]

...In the gal--

[ And then there's a gasp. Iris clearly has never thought about it much before, but the answer seems obvious once she thinks about the layout of the courtroom, and the trajectory of the object.

It starts with an impressed chuckle. Then she just starts giggling.

He did not. ]

No way! You mean... you simply took it? And he never noticed?

[ He never inquired after it with the clean-up crew or some such? Perhaps he simply had too many to care! ]

[rarelogic]

[ A tip of his hat at her conclusion. ]

A family like the Van Zieks live in a world that neither you nor I can truly fathom, my dear. The very idea that his wardrobe would hold but one cloak is ridiculous. The closets of his manor are very deep indeed.

[ Has Sholmes been in the Reaper's closets? Hmm. ]

Though his suits are identical, it would behoove him to have duplicates to make sure he is always presentable at all times, don't you see? And so, if he lost one cloak, it would be a minor trifle at best, I should think.

[catflapomat]

[ Iris is left smiling. If Hurley can't fathom a life of someone in the upper aristocracy, then certainly it is beyond her, but what he says makes sense. ]

Well, he did promise to visit me soon. If he hasn't noticed by then, he'll definitely see it... but he's smart, so he'll probably figure it out where you got it pretty quickly.

[ A pause, and then an innocent shrug. ]

...Let's put it on.

[ It's not like he's going to ask for it back after it's been all wet in the snow, not to mention trampled in the gallery. ]