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"'It's important', my ass." Maria muttered under her breath.
She felt she could have remained at home trying out that game Susato lent her for her witch, she would have been cuddled nice and snug on her sofa enjoying it. But no, she has to haul herself over to the prosecutor's office for 'something important'.
On CHRISTMAS DAY.
It's common knowledge on their friend circle he has been secretly procrastinating on his paperwork, he probably needs her help (for some reason) to haphazardly finish it.
Helps van Zeiks is visiting his niece back in Baker Street. How else would he get away with that?
She opened the door aggressively, it slammed itself on the door frame with such force.
"What do you want, Prosecutor?" She grumbled, her eyes then laid themself on the room and the occupants of it.
Her jaw dropped.
The first thing that caught her was the outfit he was wearing, from collarbone to toe he was dressed in red save for his hair, obviously a wig.
The Second thing was Gina Lestrade, also in a costume and she was sitting right at van Zeik’s des, typing away.
And the third thing was some big shark plush - or it at least looked like a plush - sitting on top of the desk.
He would not like this.
"Ah, Miss Gorey." Asogi said, warmly. Inspector Lestrade was next to him. "It's nice that you managed to come over."
Maria continued to stare at him.
Asogi's outfit was too distracting, she couldn't help but be reminded of Naruhodou’s outfit during Halloween.
Wait.
"I need to ask you something important."
"Ask?"
Ignoring her, he asked his question. "Do I look stylish?"
Maria blinked. "Pardon?"
"Stunning, ravishing, chic." He listed.
Maria blinked.
"'Es askin' if 'e looks good in that." Gina said, not looking up from her phone.
"I know that." Maria grumbled.
Maria had to witness Asogi attempt to strike a pose. It didn't look as striking as he probably thought.
He didn't look half bad in that outfit though.
"Umm… you look fine."
Asogi frowned. "Just fine, Miss Gorey?"
Maria groaned, best to play along with this charade so she could get back to her switch quicker.
"Scratch that, you're better than fine." She corrected. "You really do look stylish. Sexy even."
Asogi smiled. "See Lestrade, I told you I could pull this look off."
"Yeah, I believe ya." Gina replied.
"Look I'm sorry to interrupt." They turned their attention to her. "But what the fuck are you two wearing?"
"We're cosplayin'" Gina looked up from her phone. "Duh."
That explains the unusually eccentric taste in clothing. "Okay new question; why are you cosplaying on christmas day?"
"It's a long story…" Gina scratched the back of her head. "Ta keep it short, it's 'coz of 'alloween."
"I didn't expect Ryuunosuke to dress up as Bayonetta of all characters - and he was fantastic. I can't wait another year to do this again!"
Maria should have guessed. That Naruhodou crossdressed during the Halloween party two months ago, and he was absolutely stunning in it.
He was dressed as some character named Bayonetta, Asogi too was dressed as another character whose name she did not know.
It was agonizing looking up "blue swords man katana white hair" just so she could have material for her fanfic.
No one could blame her, Naruhodou and Asogi had great chemistry during that party.
"Okay and where is Naruhodou?" Maria asked.
"Well him and Susato-San are supposed to be here by n-"
"Sorry I'm late!"
Maria squealed as a new voice appeared, it was too close to her for comfort and it almost made her stumble.
"Oh Gorey-san!" She turned around to face… some felon wearing had to toe motorcycle gear?
"'Ey Sooze!" Gina called out.
"Gina-san!" The motorcycled person waved. "Look lovely!"
"Sus… ato?"
She took off the helmet revealing yes, this was Susato Mikotoba.
"Gorey-San! Didn't expect to see you here!" She looked ecstatic to see her then her head drooped down. "Oh, you're not in costume."
"Why would I be in costume?"
"'Coz we're 'anging out, innit. I mean it IS Christmas after all, ya think we're gonna miss out for another day of costumin'?" Gina said.
"Oh sorry, I thought Kazuma-sama invited you." A twinge of disappointment was in her voice. "Who better to help him with catching up with the paperwork?"
Maria glared at Asogi.
So it still came down to this after all.
"Say, why ain't 'Oddo wiv ya?"
"We flipped a coin on who's getting takeout, he lost."
Asogi's stomach grumbled. "He better hurry then. I can't work without eating."
Maria shook her head. She should really get back to her switch.
"Oh, Kazuma! You do look ravishing in that Jeanne cosplay." Susato clasped her gabs there and smiled.
"Thank you, Susato. I called Miss Gorey over here just to see if I pulled this off."
"Spoiler alert: she agreed."
'Agreed' is too strong of a word.
"Wait 'ang on…" Gina put her phone away. "'Ey, wot 'bout me? Do I look good?"
Gina stood up, walking away from the desk.
If he costume during Halloween mate people think she needed a coat… wearing an outfit like that in the SNOW?
It was some sort of all purple skin tight-ish purple suit, the right arm was exposed, a hole was present in her left shoulder and for some reason her hips were exposed.
She was even sweating sunglasses.
What was the vibe she was giving of? Honestly? Maria had absolutely no clue.
"Um… you look nice as… as…"
Gina looked on, anticipating a response.
"Yeah um, who are you dressed as?"
"Oh… right." Susato rested her fingertips on her temple. "You don't know who Kate Bishop is."
"Who?"
"Oh C'mon! She's 'Awkwye."
"...what's an 'Awk-Eye'?"
"She means Hawkeye." Asogi decided to join in. "You know, Clint Barton?"
"Should those names mean anything to me?"
Gina looked towards Susato. "Make yer next comic recc a 'awkeye one Aight?"
"'A' Hawkeye run? No, how about THE Hawkeye run?” Susato pumped her fist, enthusiastically.
“Matt Fracion and David Aja?”
Susato nodded.
Gina looked at Maria, all giddy like. The twinkle in her eyes - hidden behind sunglasses - clearly says "enjoy it or else."
"Right right…" She was here for 10 minutes and she was already exhausted.
She just wants to get back to her switch.
"Look this has been… fun but if this is all I have to experience, I need to go." Maria turned away and walked towards the door, passing Susato on the way who looked at her with a frown of some sort.
"You don't want to stay, Gorey-san?"
"Sorry, Susato." She didn't look back. "Mama isn't home and I have a missile with Kraid's name on it-"
"Wait… Kraid?"
Maria turned her head towards Susato. "Yeah what of it?"
"You're really playing Metroid Dread?"
Maria pursed her lips, struggling to get worse of her mouth.
"Using the copy I bought for you?" Her eyes glowed with glee.
"Yes."
"Oh that's excellent!" For some reason there was a sizeable pocket on her person just big enough to hold… a hand held Nintendo switch?
Okay what the fuck?
"I got a digital copy on this thing. You can stay and post it here!"
"As she helps me with paperwork just like all of you." Asogi said right before getting elbowed in the rib by Gina.
"If the cheif inspector gets a free pass, so does 'Ria." She hissed.
"Wait… Toby is here?"
"Yeah 'e's always been 'ere." Gina put her fingers to her mouth and whistled.
Suddenly the shark plush came to life springing itself off the desk, landing gracefully next to Gina. It's mouth opened revealing the fluffy had of Toby.
He barked joyously as Gina picked him up.
"'Ere 'e is." She said. "Meet Toby the pizza shark."
"Pizza shark?"
"Long story…" Asogi sighed.
"So Gorey-San, you still want to spend time alone?" Gorey like Susato but her chipper-ness is grating on her.
Before she opened her mouth to answer, the door swung open, a figure covered lightly in snow holding a two plastic bags.
The hot smell of donner kebabs invaded her nostrils.
"Achoo!" He sneezed. "Sorry I'm late, weather."
She looked around, everyone seemed to act weirdly: Gina tried to hold back a snicker, Susato tried to keep her composure and Asogi.
He looked like his heart got ripped out and crusted in front of him.
He stumbled just by looking at him.
"Ryuunosuke…" He whispered. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WEARING!?"
He dropped his bags in shock. "What are you talking about? You told me to wear this."
"This is the last thing I wanted you to wear!"
Naruhodou slumped down in a swear. "Make up your mind then. First you want me to dress up as Dante from Devil May Cry and bitter you don't want me to dress up as Dante from Devil May Cry."
Asogi looked up with fire burning in his eyes. "That's not Dante!"
"'E is to me."
Asogi glared at Gina. "Shut up, apologist."
"I have the text right here," Naruhodou pulled up his smart phone. "Dress up as Dante from DMC"
Maria just stared blankly. She understood none of this but these shenanigans did feel entertaining. Now she remembered why she liked having out with these idiots.
She likes her solitude but a lithe chaos doesn't hurt.
Asogi looked at the phone, again the crushed heart look shattered across his face once again.
"How…? How!"
He pulled out his phone, typing furiously.
Maria looked over his shoulder and cocked her head.
"Is the m supposed to be lowercase?"
"No…" He slammed his hand on the ground. "Blasted autocorrect!"
"Ryuunosuke, I wanted you to dress as DMC3 Dante. Not reboot Dante!"
"DMC3!? In this weather?"
"How else can I see your pecks!?"
"I don't have pecks!"
A smile forced its way onto her face. Now she has another idea for a fanfiction.
Naruhodou picked up the bags of donner kebabs. "Anyway who's hungry?"
Maria raised her hand.
"Okay, you first Gorey-san." She smiled as she was passed the paper wrapped takeout food.