Archive of Our Own

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “Oh, well done, Mr. Sholmes!” she smiled. “How simply marvelous of you! To uncover the secret hiding place in just one day…”

YOU — Wasn’t it supposed to take thirty minutes?

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “As I believe I told you, my dear fellows… skin prints are extremely useful in such situations. Wouldn’t you agree, Gregson?”

LOGIC — They reveal the truth where eyes cannot. One touch and a suspect’s presence is revealed.

LOGIC [Medium: Succes] — Better wear gloves if you ever plan on killing anyone for real.

INSPECTOR GREGSON — The inspector munches on his frites, but he remains quiet.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] — He’s clearly jealous.

IRIS WILSON — “Gregsy's been happily munching in agreement this whole time you know, Hurley!” The little girl smiles.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She frowns, cocks her head. There’s that look again, the one you get yourself multiple times a day – somewhere between concern and confusion. “Happily?” she echoes. “I think perhaps ‘humourlessly’ might be closer to the truth…”   

HERLOCK SHOLMES — "So, it transpires the man fashioned a hiding place in the ceiling. " The man balances precariously on a stack of books Mr. Natsume had left behind. He’s tall -- but not tall enough. The tombs upon tombs of English literature wobble beneath him, a sure sign of what’s to come.

NERVES [Easy: Succes] — He will fall. Bad things will happen. The air inside the room is suffocating; your fellow countryman has departed by now, but he left behind the cursed lodgings. Perhaps he was right: this place *is* destined for death.

MUSCLE-MEMORY [Easy: Success] — You step back unconsciously. There’s always a splash zone near Mr. Sholmes and often, it’s best to be out of range.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — Fortunately, the books below him do not collapse. He unlocks some hidden compartment in the ceiling. It creaks as Sholmes swings it down and, once it's open, he takes out a rusted metal box. The *loot*.

NERVES — Here it comes.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — The man turns to step down the tower of books. At that moment, they wobble again. Mr. Sholmes stumbles, lets out a high-pitched scream and falls face-first onto the floor. The metal box joins him on the ground, ending up at Susato's feet. 

EMPATHY [Trivial: Succes] — That must've hurt.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She picks up the box.

YOU — "And…? What's in it? What exactly is the 'loot'?

HERLOCK SHOLMES — The man jumps to his feet in a matter of milliseconds. Red vertical marks with the texture of wood grain paint his face, but he doesn't seem to mind as he looks over your shoulder at the box. "Let us look then, if you're ready. Let's examine the late burglar's haul…"

PERCEPTION (Taction) [Medium: Easy] — He is so close, you can feel his breaths on the back of your neck.

AUTHORITY — The man clearly has no sense of personal space. Push him away, show him he can't just *stand* there, breathing down your neck.

• [Authority: Formidable] Tell Mr. Sholmes to give you space.
• Ignore him (move on).

AUTHORITY — You're a joke.

SUSPICIOUS BOX — Susato unlocks the metal box with two satisfying clangs.

YOU — What the…? What is that?

PERCEPTION (Sight) [Easy: Success] — It's some sort of collar, or maybe a large bracelet. It's studded with several red gemstones. The clasp and the metal holding the gems in place is *gold*.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "It… looks to be some sort of neckband or collar..."

EMPATHY [Medium: Failure] — She is frowning at the collar but her mind is as indecipherable as always.

YOU — "A collar?! It's huge, though!"

CONCEPTUALISATION [Medium: Failure]— It would be hard to imagine a dog that wears a collar as big as this. Maybe very fluffy… or very muscular dogs. The working kind. You try to imagine the kind of dog that would wear this collar but all that comes to mind is several images of various big, albeit normal, dogs. None quite invoke the image of the beast that must've worn this.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Challenging: Success] — The length of the collar is approximately 75 centimeters. The following breeds fit the criteria: Bloodhound, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman, Great Dane, St. Bernard, Tibetan Mastiff, Wolfhound, etc.

NERVES [Easy: Success] — Any one of those could rip your throat out. Be wary, old friend.

RECALL [Challenging: Success] — Two years ago, your first arrival in Tokyo: you were looking for a place to eat after moving into your dorm. You wanted to get beef hotpot but there had been an enormous St. Bernard, sitting outside the entrance. You loitered outside that restaurant for thirty minutes, hoping its owner would come and collect it. Nobody ever came. 

 You finally decided to toughen up and just go past the dog and get that promised beef hotpot. But when you did, the large beast jumped to its feet and barked at you. You fell unconscious.

TACT [Easy: Failure] — Fainting because a dog barked at you was very appropriate for the situation.

RECALL [Trivial: Success] — Kazuma laughed when you recounted that story, once. Then he took you to a dog park. You fainted again.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Failure] — Dogs look so soft to the touch, but we're never getting close to another dog for as long as we live.

• Wait, do I have a fear of dogs? When did that happen? (Pursue thought).
• It's a perfectly valid fear. Dogs are scary creatures.
• Thank you for this trip down memory-lane. Can we return to the real world now? (Conclude).

RECALL[Godly: Success] — At five years old, a neighbour's pet chihuahua bit you.

YOU — Wait. That's it?

RECALL — Yes.

• It's a perfectly valid fear. Dogs are scary creatures.
• Thank you for this trip down memory-lane. Can we return to the real world now? (Conclude).

AUTHORITY — They are not.

RESOLVE — They are not.

PERCEPTION — They are not.

LOGIC — They are not.

TACT- — They are not.

• Thank you for this trip down memory-lane. Can we return to the real world now? (Conclude).

IRIS WILSON — She is now the one holding the collar. "And look at all the gemstones set in it! I can see why it was claimed to be worth a thousand pounds! ...Perhaps I could have it as a belt…"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She squints at the collar, and gasps. "Oh! Have you noticed on the inside there? There are some dark stains."

• Deny the existence of blood on this very suspicious-looking collar.
• [Perception: Medium] See if there are, in fact, blood stains on this suspicious-looking collar.

+2: Susato pointed them out to you.

-1: The lighting is quite poor. 

PERCEPTION (Sight) [Medium: Success] — The collar itself is quite dark, but it's undeniable. On the inside of the collar are some darker red-tinted stains

YOU — "…You–you don't think... ...they could be blood, do you?" I mean, there's quite a lot of it…

IRIS WILSON — "On second thought, perhaps I won't have it as a belt." She practically forces the collar into your hands.

LOGIC — What if it's not blood? What if it's paint? You should feel it just to be sure.

• Don't touch the suspicious-looking definitely-bloody collar.
• [Perception: Challenging] See if it feels like blood.

PERCEPTION (Touch) [Formidable: Failure] — You run a finger along the collar's inside. There's definitely some dried liquid there, but is it blood? You can't really tell. Also, what does blood even *feel* like?

LOGIC — It's still definitely blood.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She’s no longer looking at the blood. Like oil and water, her eyes are pointedly avoiding looking at the dark stains now. Instead, she’s studying the ornate gold letter at the front. “Then of course there’s this emblem here… A large letter ‘B’ and a small crown…”

PERCEPTION (Taction)  [Medium: Success] — Sholmes is no longer breathing down your neck.

PERCEPTION (Hearing) [Medium: Failure] — He’s talking with Inspector Gregson. Their voices are hushed, the words blend together. There is no way to tell what they’re talking about. 

YOU — You turn to Susato. “What does it signify, do you think?

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] — The collar has parts of gold – or at least a very expensive metal. It’s ornate, expertly-crafted. Susato is right: the letter also has a small crown. There is a high chance this collar belongs to royalty or nobility.

NERVES — Blue blood spilled. Hidden away. An onion of deceit. Run like the wind, do not get involved.

THE GREAT SWORD KARUMA  — Bad blood ought to be removed from circulation.

IRIS WILSON — “Oh! I, I hadn't noticed that!” She hums.  

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] — There’s that look of hers again. She’s trying to put together the pieces. She had that same look when she deduced everything about you when you first met her.

IRIS WILSON — “Hm... I feel as though I've seen that emblem somewhere before, you know... Where could it have been...?” 

RECALL [Godly: Failure] — You yourself have never seen the emblem before. 

PERCEPTION (Hearing) [Easy: Success] — Footsteps on creaky wooden floors. Fabric shuffling. 

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “That's enough of that, I think.”

YOU — “What?” You turn to face him.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — All the color has drained from his face.

EMPATHY [Heroic: Failure] — What issues could he possibly have with this collar? He doesn’t like us messing around with this, that much is for sure, but *why*?

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Well, Inspector, I believe you ought to be taking this, oughtn't you? It could be valuable evidence, after all. It must be kept safely under lock and key.”

INSPECTOR GREGSON — The inspector joins Sholmes by his side. “Ah... Yes... Get your grubby hands off that, you lot! And hand it over. *Now*!”

• Hand over the collar, no questions asked.
• “What, why?”
• [Authority: Godly] Refuse to give it up.
• [Rhetoric: Heroic] Come up with a reason why you should keep it.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — …

INSPECTOR GREGSON — “Well, it’s a bloody collar, ain’t it? That’s not the kinda thing to be entrusted to civillians like you, ‘specially not nosy foreigners. Now, hand it ‘ere.”

• Hand over the collar, no questions asked.
• [AUTHORITY: Godly] Refuse to give it up.
• [Rhetoric: Heroic] Come up with a reason why you should keep it.

-1: the collar has no visible connection the case

RHETORIC [Heroic: Failure]— Yeah, I’ve got nothing.

YOU — “Uh, um…” You flounder. “But we should keep it because… because…”

INSPECTOR GREGSON — He raises an eyebrow.

YOU — “Because it looks interesting!” You blurt out.

INSPECTOR GREGSON — “Guess we should just hand over  every piece o’ evidence to nosy civillians ‘cause they look ‘interesting’, eh? Sorry, sunshine. Doesn’t work like that. Give it ‘ere.”

• Hand over the collar, no questions asked.
• [Authority: Godly] Refuse to give it up.

+1: Just won two trials in a row.

-1: Given the raised eyebrow treatment.

AUTHORITY [Godly: Failure] — It starts off well. From somewhere in the depths of your mind, you find the strength to straighen your back and stand tall. All you have to do now is say “No”, nice and strong. You can do it!

YOU — “Okay.”

FINE MOTOR SKILLS [Easy: Success] — You’re halfway to handing the collar to Gregson when a voice calls out “Wait!”. You managed to catch it before it falls to the floor.

IRIS WILSON — “I remember that emblem now! It’s the mark of one of the noble families, isn't it? The Baskervilles?”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Eh?”

INSPECTOR GREGSON — “Eh?”

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] — They’ve been caught off-guard. 

IRIS WILSON — “Yes, I’m certain now! My father sketched it into one of his notes, from that case 10 years ago!” She’s beaming now, proud to have recalled something so small.

INSPECTOR GREGSON — “Now, hold on. No need to go squealing ‘bout that, Your Ladyship.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Remember what we talked about regarding that case? It’s not yet time.”

YOU — “What case?”

INSPECTOR GREGSON — He averts his gaze.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He takes blows on his pipe. Several colorful bubbles float out. It’s completely at odds with his guarded expression. 

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS [Medium: Success] —Bingo.  You’ve got them now. Prey always runs when pursued, but it’s in your nature to chase. You’ll catch them.

• [Authority: Godly] Refuse to give it up.

+1: Just won two trials in a row.

+2: Their behavior is suspicious

• Drop it (Conclude).

AUTHORITY [Godly: Success] — You begin much like last time. Straightened spine, confident posture. The thrill of a mystery is giving you strength and the two are clearly avoiding the subject. You won’t let that stand, will you? Show them you won’t tolerate lying, or cover-ups or whatever it is they’re trying to hide here. Put them in their place.

YOU — “Mr. Sholmes, Inspector Gregson, I believe it’s best if I hold onto this for now. There may be more here than we’re going on and… and…”

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] — Careful, now. Don’t get too excited. Keep steady: being serious will unnerve them more than anger.

RESOLVE [Challenging: Success] — Nobody can stop you now.

MUSCLE-MEMORY [Trivial: Success] — Finger’s already pointing. Some things come naturally.

YOU — “You’re hiding something, aren’t you!” Your voice comes out louder than you’d intended. You are quieter when you continue, but steady and firm. Calm, even. “This collar has more significance that you want to keep secret. So, I don’t think I should just hand it over, not if it’s so important. Not before you tell me what’s going on here… Well, Mr. Sholmes?”

MUSCLE-MEMORY [Trivial: Failure] — Oops. Forgot to breathe.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He smokes his pipe, reticent. “I can see how you won those trials, Mr. Naruhodo. Truly, your stubbornness is something to admire.”

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS [Medium: Success] — He’s avoiding the question.

YOU — “And?”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Very well. You may keep the collar, if it so interests you. Come along, Gregson!” He laughs one of his full-belly laughs. 

INSPECTOR GREGSON — “But–Mr. Sholmes! What if—”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Now, now, Gregson. You know what I say mysteries: they’re irresistible! Let them at it!” He whispers something to the Inspector in a lower voice. At once, his cagey attitude is gone, replaced with a jovialness that almost seems out-of-place. He blows a few more colorful bubbles with his pipe, then puts it away and almost dances away.

EMPATHY [Godly: Failure] — The man truly is an enigma.

IN LIGHT [Heroic: Success] — So the root of the collar is found: the Baskerville family of the British nobility.  Its paper trail tracked it back to a jeweler in Clerkenwell, commissioned by the wealthy family as a gift to another. It disappeared from the world in a theft, holed up in the box of a poor man’s flat. Now, it resurfaces, bringing with it the story of a terrible truth.

NERVES — Don’t dig any farther or be buried with it. This can’t end well.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — Still browsing through the mass of documents and newspapers they’ve amassed, she sighs. “That’s it, I’m afraid. No information about who the collar had been given to, or why there’s blood on it. The paper trail ends here.”

LOGIC  — We were lucky to find as much as we did.

YOU — “What now?”

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] — Susato looks down at the papers, brow furrowing. She had been hoping to find more, something to explain where the blood came from, or why Mr. Sholmes had been acting so mysterious about it. This has been plaguing her mind as well.

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS [Challenging: Success] — You’re not the only one wh0’s been having a hard time focusing on your regular studies. In evenings, when you’re supposed to go over legal tombs, she always ends up searching on information about the collar.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She collapses back in her seat. “I suppose Mr. Sholmes was right. Perhaps this truly was a waste of time.” Susato looks your way. “What do you think, Naruhodo?”

• “You’re right. Let’s abandon this little project.”
• [Resolve: Medium] “We should keep searching. There has to be something.”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She blinks, straightens in her chair. Her eyes are analyzing something on your face. “Ah, I see. You prefer this over reading about property disputes, don’t you?”

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — She’s onto you. Not that you were ever very convincing.

DISCIPULUS IURIS [Godly: Failure] — It *is* hard to get excited about property disputes. There is so much paperwork. Who knew lawyers have to deal with so much paperwork, even just for research? You’re a victim of false advertising.

YOU — “Is it that obvious?”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “Oh, Naruhodo,” she chuckles. “Everytime you pick up a book on anything other than criminal law, you get this look of disgust and pain on your face.”

YOU — And she finds them riveting, I suppose.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “That’s not quite right. I’ll admit. I’m much like you, in that regard. Civil Law is much less interesting than Criminal. But if you look closely, there’s always something interesting in the most mundane of topics.”

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — Oh, please. You’ve seen her study. She saves candy to reward herself for getting through ten pages. You’re both the same. And she’s got the right idea! You should get some candy, too!

RESOLVE[Godly: Failure] — If it helps you study, it may be worth considering. You need all the motivation you can get; I sure can’t provide it. 

YOU —- “Well, okay. You’re right. I did want to avoid the Dreaded History Book of Property Disputes. But I also want to know about what happened with this collar. Don’t you?”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “Well… we did what we could, Naruhodo-san. And it’s not our place to investigate in the first place. We also have other priorities…” she trails off.

RHETORIC — She’s giving excuses, but she doesn’t want to commit to saying what the other priorities are. You can convince her if you play your cards rights.

• [Authority: Godly] Just say you’ll investigate further. You *are* technically her superior.

-1: But it’s Susato. You’re *equals*. 

• Appeal to her love of mysteries.
• [Conceptualisation: Challenging] Come up with a new way to approach the investigation. Concrete solutions before argumentation should sway her.

YOU — “Um. But don’t you want to know why the collar’s all bloody? I mean, what kind of beast could’ve worn such a thing?”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “Of course I want to know. But our paper trail has run dry. There’s nothing more we can do.”

• [Authority: Godly] Just say you’ll investigate further. You *are* technically her superior.

-1: But it’s Susato. You’re *equals*. 

• [Conceptualisation: Challenging] Come up with a new way to approach the investigation. Concrete solutions before arguments in favour.

CONCEPTUALISATION [Challenging: Success] — Newspapers and documents aren’t the only way to pursue a mystery.

DISCIPULUS IURIS — Witness testmony. Perhaps you can try and talk to the owners of the collar?

YOU — “This collar belonged to the Baskervilles, right? So why don’t we just talk to them?”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “Um, but… Naruhodo-san. The Baskerville family belongs to the high English nobility. Who is to say we could even get an audience with them? Surely, they would have no reason to entertain some law students from abroad.”

• “We can always ask, right? Even if they’ll probably reject us.”
• “You’re right. We don’t even know where they live.”
• “Why don’t we ask someone else to help contact them?”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “With all due respect, Naruhodo-san, I doubt Mr. Sholmes would be either willing or able to help us in this matter.”

YOU — “No, not Mr. Sholmes! I meant Prosecutor van Zieks.”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — Her eyes widen; the answer has clearly caught her off-guard. “The Reaper of the Bailey? Why him?”

YOU — “He’s from a noble family himself, isn’t he? If he asks the Baskervilles to talk, they’re more likely to listen than if we asked.”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “I–I supose you’re right. Would Prosecutor van Zieks be willing to help us, though?”

ENDURANCE — Aaaand there’s the catch. It was nice while it lasted.

EMPATHY — Prosecutor van Zieks hates your guts. He’d never help.

COMPOSURE — He is a most intimidating man to reason with. You would have to show him the collar to convince him — and Mr. Sholmes has made it clear he doesn’t like you showing it around.

TACT — And you can’t exactly stroll into his office and ask for a favor. 

DISCIPULUS IURIS — He’d probably throw you out for trespass. And maybe sue for assault for existing within ten metres of him.

RESOLVE [Challenging: Success] — But there’s a chance. A small chance, but a chance nonetheless.

• "We should still try. Who knows? Maybe he will help us." 

1. "Yeah, no. Prosecutor Von Zieks would sooner break a wine bottle over my head than indulge our favors."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She nods, still running through the idea in her mind. "If you believe so, Naruhodō-san. Though perhaps it's best to do so tomorrow morning. It's rather late today."

TACT [Easy: Success] — You'll have a better chance of success if you show up at a reasonable time. Not in the middle of the night.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] — He most likely isn't at his office at this hour anyway.

YOU — "So, you think we should try talking to him, then?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She nods. "As you said, it's worth a try."

Task gained: ask for Prosecutor van Zieks' help with the Baskervilles

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Oh, and one more thing. Don't forget you also have a meeting with the Lord Chief Justice tomorrow morning."

RECALL [Medium: Failure] — Meeting? What meeting? 

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — As if she can read your mind – and she probably can – she frowns. "You already forgot, didn't you?"

• "Oh, no. I definitely know what you're talking about. A tea-party with the most intimidating man in Britain? How could I forget?"
• "Um…"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "It's not a tea-party, Naruhodō-san." Her gaze hardens. It's not unlike the look she gave you when you first awoke on the SS Burya on that terrible night. "It's rather serious, in fact. You should come prepared.”

• "Um…”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — Susato sighs. She takes out her notebook and browses through the pages until she lands on a page.

SUSATO'S NOTEBOOK — Her handwriting is pretty, but nigh incomprehensible. She writes like a doctor. Not surprising, given who her father is. Still, you have to squint to see what it says.

PERCEPTION (Reading) [Formidable: Success] — it says: "Meeting with Lord Chief Justice Stronghart at 10 o'clock in the morning regarding Ryūnosuke Naruhodō's performance in court during the Crown v. McGilded trial."

LOGIC [Challenging: Success] — It's about the suspicious evidence Mr. McGilded used, suspected to be forged.

NERVES — Nobody except Lord Stronghart cares anymore. McGilded is dead. You're the only one left now to take the heat.

THE GREAT SWORD KARUMA — Well, there's Susato. But she's the last person who should be held responsible.

DISCIPULUS IURIS — If the Lord Chief Justice suspects you were in on the evidence tampering, he could retract your license to practice law. 

RESOLVE — You'll just have to convince him otherwise.

YOU — Alright, enough of that. I've been quiet for too long, I don't want Susato to think her handwriting is *that* illegible.

YOU — "Do you think Lord Stronghart will think we intentionally helped Mr McGilded? I mean… we barely arrived in time, there wouldn't have been any time. S-Surely he wouldn't think we were the ones to mess with the omnibus."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "We should hope for the best, but prepare for a good amount of suspicion. And, of course, there are the circumstances around his death…"

IN LIGHT [Formidable: Success] — He perished in a fire, trapped in a vortex of heat and smoke. There were screams. Many screams. Some tried to help. None succeeded.

NERVES — Maybe the Lord will think *you* killed him. How many times can you stand trial for murder before the noose tightens around your neck?

CONCEPTUALISATION — Third time's the charm, as they say.

LOGIC [Easy: Success]— There's no evidence of that.

RESOLVE — You'll prove yourself innocent however times you have to, be it of murder or forgery.

ENDURANCE — But it never gets easier. It was as difficult onboard the SS Burya as it was in Japan.

RECALL — There were extenuating circumstances aboard the ship. Hard to properly defend yourself after such a horrible revelation — and with such heavy handcuffs.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Naruhodō-san? Are you alright?"

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] — It's been 5.3 seconds since she last spoke. You haven't said a thing.

YOU — "I was just… thinking." Though 'talking with imaginary voices' might be a more accurate description. Susato doesn't look the type of person who'd believe that, though.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "I understand. I was thinking, too."

EMPATHY [Hard: Success] — But not about the McGilded case. There's something else on her mind.

YOU — "Yeah? What is it?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "There is someone else we could ask about the collar other than the Baskervilles."

• "Iris?"
• "Inspector Gregson?"
• "Natsume Soseki?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She shakes her head. "Maybe her as well, but I meant Mr. Sholmes. I assumed earlier he couldn't help us, but..." Her gaze hardens. "Think, Naruhodō-san: Mr. Sholmes has to know something if he doesn't want us investigating."

YOU — "Maybe. But if he does know something, would he even tell us? You said it yourself: he doesn't want us investigating."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — Susato deflates like a popped balloon. "Ah… you're right."

RECALL — He let you have the collar. And he hasn't stopped you from looking into it on your own.

EMPATHY [Heroic: Success] — It's clear he's not happy about it, but not to such a degree that he would stop you. A part of him respects your desire to know the truth, even if there are other circumstances he hasn't mentioned.

IN LIGHT [Impossible: Failure] — Is he protecting himself? Somebody else? You? His motivations are shrouded in fog… and his own enigmatic nature.

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — It's unlikely a conversation with him will yield much information, but you have nothing to lose.

YOU — "We can ask him, too," you say. "We've already investigated everything we could with the collar. Even if he takes it back now, we won't lose much, right?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Right. Let's ask him, then! And maybe we can convince him to help us." She grins. "Just think: to get the Great Detective Herlock Sholmes on our side!"

RECALL — His last deductions haven't exactly been accurate before.

Task gained: ask Herlock Sholmes about the collar

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — Iiiiiit’s dinner time! Gimme that sweet grub!

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS —- Now is a good time to ask Mr. Sholmes.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — But food first! Iris said there would be pudding. With *chocolate*!

DINNER TABLE — Iris Wilson is placing plates and food onto the table. Herlock Sholmes is already salivating over it – it’s taking all his strength to wait for you and Susato to sit down. In the middle of the table, positioned between the breadsticks and the jug of orange juice, lay the promised pudding. It wasn’t yet the time for desserts–

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — It’s *always* time for dessert!

DINNER TABLE – –but when it is, there is sure to be a war.

EMPATHY — Sholmes is already planning strategies in his mind.

LOGIC — Though  his skills as a tactician could be debated.

IRIS WILSON — “Well, dig in!” her words launch Sholmes into a frenzy, like a timekeeper at a race signalling for start.

COMPOSURE — He’s really not holding back.

DINNER TABLE — Iris is a great cook. In the two weeks you and Susato have been here, she has never botched a meal.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — There’s always room for seconds… and pudding! You should take some before Sholmes snatches it all.

DINNER TABLE — Before you know it, dinner is finished. *Pudding* is finished. 

YOU — You rise to your feet, ready to take all that food and sleep it off.

RECALL — Don’t forget to ask Sholmes about the collar.

DINNER TABLE — Iris and Susato have already excused themselves for the night, leaving you and Sholmes alone to talk.

RESOLVE — And do the dishes. Don’t forget to do the dishes.

MUSCLE MEMORY [Easy: Success] — They’re easy to do mindlessly. You’ve done the dishes lots, both here and in the dorms back home.

• Ask Sholmes about the collar
• Stay quiet

YOU — “Um. Mr. Sholmes?”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Yes, my dear fellow?” What the man was doing could only loosely be described as ‘cleaning the table’, he was stacking cutlery to make a mini-model of the Eiffel Tower. “Tell me. What plagues your mind?”

• “About the collar…”
• “Nevermind.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — His tower of cutlery collapsed. “Ah, yes. How has that been going for you?”

• “Susato and I are thinking about asking the Baskerville family about it.”
• “Why were you so cagey about it when we found it?”
• “That’s all I wanted to ask.” (Conclude)

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Is that so?” Sholmes joined him by the sink. “All on your own?”

CONCEPTUALISATION — Sholmes, doing chores. What a strange idea.

YOU — “We plan on asking Prosecutor van Zieks for help."

PERCEPTION (Sight) [Formidable: Success] — Sholmes stills, frozen.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Failure] — But it’s impossible to tell why.

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — No. He froze when van Zieks was mentioned. It’s possible he knows something about the prosecutor we don’t. Don’t let this slip by.

RHETORIC — But be subtle about it; if he thinks you’re trying to dig information out of him, he might close off.

• “What’s wrong, Mr. Sholmes?”
• “Do you think van Zieks will hellp us?”
• “Have you met Prosecutor van Zieks, Sholmes?”
• “I’ll be direct. What does van Zieks have to do with the Baskervilles’ collar?”
• Stay quiet, let Sholmes fill the silence.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He’s scrubbing the plates fiercely. “On a few occasions. He is… an old acquaintance of mine, you could say. A respectable fellow, if a little glum…”

IMPROV — He’s right! The only drama Prosecutor van Zieks partakes in is the smashing of wine bottles. Charming… but not very fun.

EMPATHY — Nor friendly to the cleaning ladies.

CONCEPTUALISATION — The thought comes to mind before you can stop it: Prosecutor van Zieks, dressed as a maid, sweeping the broken glass shards and untasted wine off the floors of the London’s highest court.

IMPULSE-CONTROL — Banish that thought whither it came from.

IMPROV — Spoilsport.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — Buzzkill.

• “Do you think van Zieks will hellp us?”
• “I’ll be direct. What does van Zieks have to do with the Baskervilles’ collar?”
• Stay quiet, let Sholmes fill the silence.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He hums a small tune.

RECALL [Heroic: Failure] — It’s vaguely familiar and yet impossible to place.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “It’s hard to say. I believed van Zieks to be a good man when I knew him… but from what Miss Susato has recounted to me of your trials, he seems to have developed quite an animosity for the Japanese.”

YOU — “That’s about right. He called me an ‘Eastern trickster’. And that I was ‘playing tricks on the jury’.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “And, of course, there is the matter of the collar… I’m afraid I can’t predict van Zieks’ stance on the matter, my friend. You wil just have to ask him and see.”

• “I’ll be direct. What does van Zieks have to do with the Baskervilles’ collar?”
• Stay quiet, let Sholmes fill the silence.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — The strategy would’ve worked, had you not been at the near end of finishing the chores. Sholmes cleans the last glass and places it on the rack to dry. There is nothing keepin ghim  here anymore. But he doesn’t take the opportunity to run away from this little interrogation; he turns to you, hands still wet – he either doesn’t realise soapy water is dripping down onto his vest or doesn’t care.

“Tell me, Mr. Naruhodo, what do you wish to accomplish with this investigation?”

EMPATHY  — It’s a genuine question. He’s not trying to trick you, he genuinely wants to know.

IN LIGHT — He is considering helping you… based on how you answer.

RESOLVE — There is only one answer to this one.

• “To find out the truth, I suppose.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “I see,” he strokes his chin, leaving behind soap bubbles on his chin like some sort of white stubble. “And even if doing so harms others?”

YOU — “Um. I-I don’t understand what you mean. I don’t plan on *torturing* anyone for information.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Ah, let me rephrase: are you still willing to pursue the truth, no matter how horrible it is… or who you may attract with your search?”

RHETORIC [Heroic: Success] — A slight emphasis on ‘who’: he already has someone in mind who might object. 

IN LIGHT  [Godly: Success] — There’s a hint of fear there — but not for himself.

CONCEPTUALISATION  [Formidable: Failure] — What could be so horrible about a bloody collar?

NERVES — What *wouldn’t*? It’s a blood collar, something horrible is to be expected.

YOU — “Uh, well… I mean, I think it’s good to find the truth, right? If it stays hidden, maybe it’ll be even worse that way.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He wipes off his soap-stubble and hums that tune again

RECALL [Heroic: Success] — Oh, it’s one of those folk songs you used to sing in primary school, back in Japan! You never were too good at singing, though.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] — How does Sholmes know the tune? He isn’t Japanese. He must’ve heard it from somewhere, or some*one*.

RECALL — But you haven’t hummed that  tune since you’ve been here, and neither has Susato. 

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Pursuing the truth… a worthy goal, I must say.”

YOU — “You think so?”

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — He, too, takes joy in unravelling a good mystery. You’re kin in that way, even if continents apart.

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Of course. Why, what kind of *Great Detective* would I be without a healthy dose of curiosity? Yes, yes, you’ve got a point, my dear fellow. Very well.” He straightens, gives you one of those dopey grins that are so transparent and simultaneously cryptic. “I’ll help you, should you need my assistance. I request just one favor.”

YOU — “Favour?”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Please, do not discuss anything you find with Iris.”

YOU — “Oh. Of course. Um. Why?”

 HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Iris is a bright girl, I’m sure you agree. But she is only ten. Perhaps it’s selfish of me, but I do not want her involved with this just yet.”

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — He’s sincere and yet withholding so much.

RHETORIC — He is picking his words carefully, not revealing too much, but giving a good picture of the nature of this case.

NERVES — It’s an ugly, ugly case. The bloodied collar is but an omen — matters won’t get any lighter the deeper you go.

EMPATHY — Iris would hate to be excluded like this. She loves a good mystery just as much as her ‘Hurley’. All the same, it’s easy to see where Sholmes is coming from.

YOU — “Alright. I’ll ask you before I tell Iris anything.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Thank you.” His voice is serious in a manner unfitting for him. The next second, it’s back to his usual light-hearted goofiness. “Now, what do you say to a violin recital, Mr. Naruhodo?”

RHETORIC — He truly is an expert at changing the subject.

TACT — That wasn’t even subtle.

YOU — “A-a violin recital? I didn’t know you played violin.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Yes, well… the muses have been playing tricks on me. I haven’t had much time to practise lately.” He fetches a case from his stacked shelves – the same shelves with strange doodads and foreign objects — and unlocks its clasps. Out he takes a deep red instrument, a violin.

RED VIOLIN — The violin model should have some significance to you, maybe, but it just seems like any other instrument. 

HERLOCK SHOLMES — And he shoves it in your face. He’s like a proud father… of a piece of wood.“...But now that we have new lodgers,” he not-so-subtly glances your way. “I think a new audience wouldn’t hurt. Don’t you?”

YOU — “Uh…”

EMPATHY — Susato and Iris are likely already in bed.

YOU — “Tomorrow, Sholmes.”

HERLOCK SHOLMES — He deflates, but puts the violin back. It’s more than what you expected of him. Sholmes grabs you by the shoulder, into a friendly embrace—

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT — He’s taller than you. Much taller. Are all British people this tall?

HERLOCK SHOLMES — “Yes, tomorrow is a good time. It’s a big day tomorrow, Mr. Naruhodo. Good luck.”

COMPOSURE [Godly: Failure] — Facing the man never gets easier. Pupils are all over the place, jumping from point to point.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Heroic: Failure] — Knees weak, arms spaghetti.

RESOLVE [Formidable: Success] — But don't turn back now. Skipping this meeting would be even worse.

IMPULSE-CONTROL [Challenging: Success] — Legs thankfully do not bolt away the moment a gruff  "Enter!" is heard.

NERVES — He is going to tear you apart in there.

ENDURANCE [Hard: Success]— You've been through it before, you can handle it again.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Naruhodo-san." She side-eyes you. Standing beside you, she's a witness to all the anxiety radiating off you in spades. "Are you alright?"

• "I'm fine."
• "I'm not fine."
• "Let's just get this over with."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "In that case, you may want to get the rest of your body on the same page." She says, diplomatically. "Ah, pardon me for my boorishness, but you look rather… agitated."

• "Let's just get this over with."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Yes. Let's."

IN LIGHT — At the telegraph office, a platinum blonde man hands the clerk a letter to be sent. It reads: ' No need to call her home. This is the year shit hits the fan. Best to stick together. Will you be there? Stop.'

RESOLVE — Nevermind him, focus on the task at hand.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS [Medium: Success]  — The imposing door to Lord Stronghart's office opens with a satisfying 'click' and a heavy push. 

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE'S OFFICE — The chambers of his Lordship are nothing if not meticulous. The air in here carries the weight of a hundred years of history and the title to whom it belongs. The sheer volume of this 'office' has to be bigger than all of Baker Street 221B.

It's raining outside today. The droplets falling into the glass windows are drowned out by the steady ticking of the giant clocks that call the office home.

PERCEPTION (Hearing) — They are as regular as a metronome.

LORD STRONGHART — He stands in the middle of the room, not even sitting down, with a pocket watch in hand. If you checked the seat behind his desk, would it look as good as new? The man is always on his feet, it seems.

AUTHORITY — And he embodies his title perfectly. The lord  could have you hung and nobody would question his word.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She must've sensed your inability to get the words out, because it is she who first greets the man. "Lord Chief Justice Stronghart. Good morning."

YOU — "Oh, yes! G-Good morning, sir!"

LORD STRONGHART — "Ah, Mr. Naruhodo. Miss Mikotoba. Good morning." He doesn't look up from his pocket watch. "Hm. Eight minutes and thirty-one seconds early. I presume you are here for the meeting?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "That is correct, sir."

LORD STRONGHART — "Please, come this way. We have much to talk about." He gestures to the seat on the other side of the desk, opposite his own. As you had suspected, his own chair is barely used. There is only one chair for you.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She makes no move to reserve the lone chair on your side. She will have to stand.

AUTHORITY [Impossible: Failure] — It would be best if you were the one standing… but it's not like you can just say 'no' to the Lord, can you?

YOU — He's terrifying!

AUTHORITY — Right. Then sit in that dinky chair like a good boy, hm?

THE CHAIR — It can hardly be described as 'dinky' but it *is* much less fancy than the Lord's. And much more used.

It's made out of metal, in a room that is as warm as a winter night: not at all. When you sit down, it saps your butt of all warmth. You may as well be sitting down on a block of ice.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT — You'll probably get hypothermia from this chair.

LORD STRONGHART — "So, then. Two weeks ago, you demonstrated your skills in court thrice, one time without my permission."

LOGIC [Medium: Success] — Natsume Soseki’s *second* trial. You never did come to Lord Stronghart to ask for permission, you just strolled into court.

RECALL [Medium: Success] — No, Susato did all the necessary paperwork. It’s true you never reported to Lord Stronghart until after you already defended Mr. Natsume the second time, though.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — “We apologize for our presumptive behavior, my Lord. We believed Mr. Natsume needed our assistance beyond what was assigned to us.”

YOU — "Yes, and um… the two cases were connected! Tangentially…"

LORD STRONGHART — "I see." The man checks his pocket watch again. 

CONCEPTUALISATION — What are the other duties Lord Stronghart is responsible for? He must have quite a full schedule, to be so aware of the time at all moments. 

DISCIPULUS IURIS [Medium: Failure] — Probably… law stuff.

LORD STRONGHART — "Of course, we will talk about the matter of your defending Mr. Natsume as well. There was another matter I wished to discuss with you."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She's silent, for once. Either she doesn't quite know what to say herself or she's letting you take the lead now.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] — The first.

YOU — "Y-Yes? What did you want to discuss, sir?"

LOGIC — It's about the McGilded trial, genius.

LORD STRONGHART — "Your first trial in the country. If I'm mistaken, you were defending one Mr. Magnus McGilded. Is that right?"

LOGIC — Told you so.

YOU — "Yes, that's right. He was charged with…um. Murder. In an omnibus."

LORD STRONGHART — "It has come to my attention that some questions have arisen regarding the legitimacy of the evidence used in that trial. Rumors have arisen that unscrupulous methods have been used by the defense." 

He snapped his pocket watch shut with a sharp ' clang' and his eyes lock with yours. "What do you think of this, Mr. Naruhodo?"

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT — A shiver runs down the spine.

FEAR — It's a trap. Whatever you say, you're doomed.

RHETORIC [Hard: Success] — If you deny your involvement, he'll think you're lying to exonerate yourself. If you say you had your own doubts, he'll ask why you continued to defend him. And you can't very well lie and admit to something you didn't do.

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She's quiet and she doesn't quite meet your gaze when you glance at her. She's busy avoiding Stronghart's attention by pretending to read her notebook. It's a fail-proof strategy of hers.

RHETORIC — The question was specifically addressed to you so she can't help you even if she had the perfect response. You're on your own.

YOU — "Um, well… "

YOU — Crap, what do I say?

RHETORIC [Godly: Success] — Don't admit to anything specifically, but don't deny everything either. Just tell him the truth: you were unaware of any tampering of the evidence and did what you could with what you had.

RECALL [Medium: Success] — You arrived with maybe five minutes to spare before the trial started. There wasn't any time to check the authenticity of the evidence.

RHETORIC [Hard: Success] — …so if the evidence was tampered with, you used it unknowingly. Better suck up half the responsibility for the shit show than deny everything and get accused of masterminding the whole thing.

TACT — You should probably say something now. You've been quiet for a solid three seconds.

YOU — "Um. Well, as you know, we only arrived at the courthouse minutes before the trial, so I couldn't have had a chance to prepare any strategies."

LORD STRONGHART — He raises an eyebrow. "And did McGilded not tell you anything?"

RECALL [Formidable: Failure] — Come on, man. That was like a week ago.

YOU — "Nothing I can recall." Your voice comes out more unsure than you'd hoped. "A-Anyway. If it ends up the case that I unknowingly used improper evidence in court, I apologize for not catching it sooner myself."

TACT — Bowing while sitting down is a tad awkward but it gets the gesture across.

LORD STRONGHART — His face is stone. "Even so, you are aware it is the responsibility of the Counsel to make sure all evidence used is scrupulous."

YOU — "Yes, b-but…"

COMPOSURE [Impossible: Failure] — That raised eyebrow of his makes your legs shake on the spot.

COMPOSURE — I'm sorry I can't help you through this, Ryunosuke.

RESOLVE — Whatever you do, *don't* cry.

MUSCLE MEMORY [Heroic: Success] - Doing my best here.

LORD STRONGHART — "Alright, then, Mr. Naruhodo. I will be generous with you, as you are no doubt a foreigner to our magnificent empire and thus have much to learn of our ways. Since you claim to have been unaware of your responsibilities, I will show you some leniency."

YOU — "Oh! T-Thank you, sir!"

LORD STRONGHART — "You will only have your license to practice revoked. Graciously, the Crown Prosecution Service will not pursue any criminal charges with you. That is all."

YOU — "Huh?"

DISCIPULUS IURIS [Easy: Success] — What he means is 'you're not allowed to work as an attorney anymore but at least we won't put you in jail.' 

-1 Morale

YOU — "Oh, but… how will I study law, then, if I might ask?"

LORD STRONGHART — "The same way all students of law do." He gestures to the bookcases behind him. "By reading. Surely, you haven't forgotten about your formal education, or lack thereof. Do not forget, Mr. Naruhodo, despite the permission I gave you to practice when you first arrived, you are not a qualified attorney by English standards. You will have to go the long way around like everybody else."

YOU — "You… want me to read?"

LORD STRONGHART — "I will arrange a temporary deal for you to study under the highest qualified professors at King's College. When you think yourself fit for a second chance, visit me here and I will determine whether you are ready."

YOU — "So, I can defend people again? If I get qualified?"

LORD STRONGHART — "When you complete all your *other* duties, yes."

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] — "Other duties"? What does he mean?

EMPATHY [Impossible: Failure] — No clue, man. He's stone.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] — Well, we don't have anything else to do here other than study law so… I suppose he means that.

LORD STRONGHART — "You must understand, I am being quite generous with you, Mr. Naruhodo. To not only ignore any criminal charges you may face, but to give you the opportunity to study at a prestigious university. Many would kill for that opportunity. Be sure you do not disappoint."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Of course not, Lord. Thank you."

YOU — "Yes, um. Thank you."

LORD STRONGHART — …

YOU — "Oh! What about the, er, the second of Natsume's trial you wished to talk about?"

LORD STRONGHART — "It does not matter now. You successfully saved a man from a guilty verdict once more, did you not? Your decision to defend him without consulting me is impulsive, yes, but it is done. Make sure you do not repeat the same mistake twice."

He consults his pocket watch. "Now, if you must excuse me, I am one hour, twelve minutes and fifty-six seconds late for my next engagement. Good day."

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Good day, Lord."

YOU — "Good day!"

VAN ZIEKS' OFFICE — Prosecutor van Zieks' Office is a floor beneath Stronghart's.

YOU — "Is he even here, you think?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "He is most likely working, yes."

YOU — "You don't think he's out investigating a new case?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — "Perhaps, but… Prosecutors tend to do less fieldwork themselves, no? Prosecutor van Zieks most likely has detectives gather the evidence for him. And anyway…" she pauses. "The newspapers haven't mentioned anything about the Reaper taking on new cases. We were the last."

YOU — "Oh… But wait, if he's not taking on any cases anymore, why would he be at his office? I mean… if he's retiring, shouldn't he be at home?"

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — She considers this. "That's a good point, Naruhodo-san. But we're here already, we might as well knock. If Prosecutor van Zieks isn't here, we will just have to visit the Baskervilles on our own."

YOU — "Yeah, you're right."

COMPOSURE — The idea of knocking on van Zieks' door makes you shake less than Lord Stronghart's.

RECALL — Strange. Van Zieks has been much more hostile to you; Lord Stronghart has been nothing but generous – helpful even. So why is approaching Van Zieks easier?

FINE MOTOR SKILLS [Trivial: Success] —You knock. 

The fine wood of Van Door echoes against your knuckles. A few seconds pass. Then, the door opens.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS —  He was expecting somebody else. When he is faced with you, he stops. Narrows his eyes. "Oh. It's *you.* My learned Nipponese friend."

YOU — "It's Ryunosuke Naruhodo. Um. Just in case you didn't know."

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”

YOU — “I was wondering if you could help us with something. Please.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Hmm. Is that how it is? You show up at my door during work hours, you do not bother with greetings and you demand my assistance on some trivial matter.”

YOU — “Well, I didn’t *demand* it, but…” you trail off. 

RHETORIC — Terrible start. Not only do you sound defensive, you seem desperate.

• Apologise and leave (Conclude).
• Let Susato handle it.
• [RHETORIC: Hard] Convince van Zieks to hear you out.

-1  van Zieks thinks you’re rude.

-1  you’re Japanese

+1 but he *is* intrigued

RHETORIC [Hard: Success] — Go for pathos!

YOU — What, like an emotional appeal?

RHETORIC – Yes.

YOU — With van Zieks?

RHETORIC — Yes.

YOU — I… don’t think that’ll work. Would being extra desperate really convince him? The Reaper of the Bailey?

RHETORIC — Yes. He’s vulnerable to emotional appeal. Can’t you see? He’s surprised you’re coming to *him* for help — he’s concerned. And you don’t have a more concrete reason to be asking for his help at the moment.

IMPROV [Medium: Success]— I can do desperate! Desperate is easy. Act what you know, right?

YOU — “Please, van Zieks, can you just hear us out? Five minutes, we won’t ask for more.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — He shifts on his feet. He’s looking you over. Perhaps for signs of injury? Then, he backs up and opens the door wider. “Five minutes.”

YOU — “Oh, thank you!”

VAN ZIEKS’ OFFICE — It’s much smaller than Strongharts but still glamorous. There’s a rack with bottles upon bottles of luxury wine in the corner, the same bottles he regularly smashes in court. There’s a big painting of a man that resembles Van Zieks in all the most basic details — hair and eye color, height, rough face shape, style of dress — but once you look closer, it’s clear the artist has painted him more handsome than he is in reality.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS —  “Sit, my Nipponese friends,” he gestures to a chair. A pair of chairs, in fact. For Susato as well.

TACT — He still didn’t call you by name.

AUTHORITY – You’re not ‘Naruhodo’ to him, you’re a nameless man, a Japanese.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Tell me, then. What could you possibly want my assistance with?”

YOU — “Oh, well. We were hoping you could help us talk to a noble family. We’ve got some questions for them. And, we thought since you’re…. From the nobility yourself, that you could help us get in contact.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — He leans back in his chair, pouring a glass of wine. For himself, not for you — not that you’d drink it anyway. “Which family? Please tell me it’s not the Grosvenor.”

YOU — “No. It’s the Baskervilles. Have you heard of them?”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — He stills.

“What did you say?”

YOU — “The Baskervilles? I thought— they’re a noble family, aren’t they?”

RECALL — Iris seemed to think so. That was one oversight on Mr. Smarty-pants’ part: he assumed only a noble family could commission such a collar. But you never did double check who the Baskervilles were.

LOGIC — It was a logical conclusion. A poor man certainly couldn’t afford such a treasure.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Yes, they are.” He takes a sip of his wine. His hands are a tad too mechanical in motion. “Where did you hear that name, I wonder?”

YOU — “Oh, from…” you trail off. Sholmes said not to get Iris involved and while he said not to tell her anything, it wouldn’t hurt not to mention her to others either. 

IMPROV [Medium: Success] — The newspaper clippings.

YOU — “...a newspaper.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Do you read the newspaper, my learned friend?” He swirls the wine in his glass.

YOU — “...yes.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Then you should know the family hasn’t been mentioned in the newspapers in a long time. They sold their manor near London some years ago.”

YOU — “...it was an old newspaper.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — He meets your gaze. “How old?”

YOU — “Like… five, six years ago, maybe?” 

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “I see.” His posture relaxes.

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS [Hard: Success] — It was not the answer he was expecting.

EMPATHY — But he’s happier that way.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “And what is it you wished to discuss with them, then?”

• [Improv: Medium] Half-truth. 
• Tell van Zieks about the collar.
• Refuse to answer

IMPROV [Medium: Success] — Mention the robbery of their treasures but not the collar. And use the newspaper clipping.

YOU – “There was a robbery at their manor a few years ago, wasn’t there? That’s actually the newspaper I was talking about. It said they had some treasures stolen. That’s what I wanted to ask them about.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “I suppose this is for another one of those clients of yours, isn’t it? Have you moved onto burglars now that you’ve run out of murders to defend?”

LOGIC — So he hasn’t heard about your suspension… He thinks you can still practise law.

YOU — “Something like that.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Alright.” He gulps down the rest of his expensive wine. It’s the first time you’ve seen him actually drink the stuff. “If it gets you to leave me alone, I will help you.”

YOU — “Wait, really? You’ll help us?”

TACT — Try not to be so surprised.

YOU — “I mean… um. You can get in contact with the Baskervilles?”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “As it happens, our families share some history.”

YOU — “History?”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS —  “The daughter of a Marquess married my brother. They have both since passed away, but the families remain in contact. I can get you an audience with them, my learned and most nosy friend.”

HUNTER'S INSTINCTS — He doesn’t like it when you ask so many questions.

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Pray tell, is there anybody specific you wished to talk to?”

YOU  — “Oh, no, not particularly. It’d be great if it were someone who knows about the treasure that was stolen but we… couldn’t really find any names.”

SUSATO MIKOTOBA — After so long being quiet, she cuts in. “What Mr. Naruhodō means is, “We would be happy to speak to anybody who would spare us the time.”

YOU — “Yes, that.”

PROSECUTOR VAN ZIEKS — “Hm. Very well, then. I will draft a letter. Expect an update in, say, two weeks.”