asgardeventide | [video]

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[video]

[The feed lurches disconcertingly. Sheets, ceiling, a rather plain wall, a stack of books, all follow each other in rapid and confusing succession until with an intake of breath, the flailing stops and the feed settles into a child's hand grasping the edge of that sheet; the shadow of a sitting up figure projected onto the wall beyond.]

... back here. A dream?

[Too vivid, too real for that. The shadow shifts, hand going to its head as a deep breath is taken. It's a hard transition to make, almost feeling like he's losing Tokyo and everything there all over ag--]

What the--

[The bracelet gets jolted wildly as Conan explores his hair. It gets in the way and is roughly discarded onto the bed, giving a much clearer view of a pale seven-year-old, methodically working his way through his fringe -- what's left of it. There's a patch been shaved off either temple, and something taped onto it with medical tape.]

Doesn't hurt -- a sensor? But that should mean --

[Not wasting any time, Conan slips out of the bed. He's been dressed in a man's shirt, as big on him as a hospital gown, a fact which gives him a moment's pause, but he's undeterred, rolling up the sleeves before turning to pick up his bracelet again -- and making another discovery. What he thought was a bed was a --]

Coffee table.

Looking for this?

[Conan turns to look at Sherlock, standing in the door way, smartphone in hand. Conan doesn't bother with a greeting, making his unsteady way over to snatch at the smartphone. Sherlock lets him, expression simply distant.]

Monitor higher brain functions ... ? Ha, there's an app for everything.

[Sherlock might be looking as unamused as ever, but a new face makes it's way around the door, with an expression that is clearly more welcoming.]

Conan! You're finally back with us?

John's glad. He was complaining that you were unsanitary.

[Conan's clearly not sure how to react.] Why the coffee table? Couldn't you have monitored me from my room -- o-oi-oi!

Don't get excited -- your bracelet. [Ignoring Conan's protests, Sherlock's casually taken hold of his arm and is reaching for the button that will end the feed.] You're broadcas--

[And cut.]

((ooc: Sherlock, John and Conan -- who is going to be doing most of the responses to this post! Finally back after his canon update sleep /o/ ))

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[Given that the last case was a murder investigation, she's much more eager about this one, but she just stays seated and keeps sipping at her orange juice while she waits for him. Part of this is because of the skirt - she hates moving around in them, always feels like they're on the verge of flipping up and flashing the world her secrets, so she'll stay sitting as long as possible while she's in one.]

[When Conan comes back, he's lost the notebook but has gained a stack of library books, his backpack, but a coat as well. You'll be pleased to note that the second book down is Anne of Green Gables, Nakama!]

Sorry about that -- ready to go?

Sure. [She stands up, wondering if they should wash the glasses first, but settles for taking them to the kitchen and rinsing them out for now. No need to leave a mess for his housemates.

Then she reappears, smoothing down her skirt and smiling a little at the sight of Anne of Green Gables.] Did you like it? [She nods at the door, indicating that they can walk and talk.]

Mm! I wasn't sure about it, but I can see why it's considered a classic -- there's a lot in there!

I can see why Nakama-neechan likes it!

That's why I just told you to read it. If you try to describe it, it can sound a bit... mushy. But it's not, it's got a lot of good messages about acceptance and being yourself.

[Conan gives Nakama a side-long glance at that -- she hasn't been talking to Merlin, has she? But on reflection, he's pretty sure that Nakama knows that he's being himself when they hang out.]

Mm! There's more books in the series, right?

There are, but that's the one I read over and over again. I couldn't tell you as much about the others.

[Then, suddenly, she bursts out:] Your books are frustrating! The end is always so complicated, I never figure it out!

[Sorry, Nakama! It's not that Conan's unsympathetic but your bluntness is --

Well, the snort as Conan tries to smother the knee-jerk laugh is very unattractive.]

It isn't funny! [Indignantly. She still hasn't been trained well enough in the fine art of friendly teasing.] It's not that I don't like them, but I work so hard, and then everything turns out to be wrong.

[And that reaction is so very Nakama that Conan's has a moment of nostalgic fondness.]

I missed Nakama-neechan's way of always trying her hardest! But you know, the fun of mystery novels is that you can't solve them -- that's how you know the author's good!

[She stares at him in disbelief for a moment, then deflates completely.] You mean... it's not like a puzzle? You're not supposed to figure them out?

Well, you can read them like that, but if you do, you've got to be prepared for being wrong! And the mystery genre doesn't work like real life cases -- having a water-tight alibi makes you more suspicious in a book!

Well, I'll probably like the rest of them better now. [She looks like she's feeling a bit foolish.

Then she glances down at him curiously.] Why do you like them, if it's so different? Doesn't that mean they're getting it wrong?

It's the difference, I think -- with the Golden Age novels and the Holmes stories especially, the emphasis is on entertaining the audience with the author's ingenuity and cleverness ... you read to be astonished! Police procedurals are more realistic, and for that reason they're easier to guess the ending ... but things aren't as cut and dried, just like in real life, and a good author will still surprise you!

[Conan's pile of books has slipped somewhat while they've been walking and he pauses a moment to shift them back up.]

Real life ... no matter how interesting the case is, you're still left knowing afterwards that someone's died, someone who shouldn't have.

[She considers that, and an odd thought pops into her head. Conan does forensic and detective work and reads mystery novels about the same thing, but...]

I don't think I could ever watch mecha anime or read the manga. Not after... everything.

[Conan blinks, but it's not hard to follow the train of Nakama's thoughts.] I think I'd struggle too now. What Nakama-neechan's told me ... well, I don't think I could ever see that as just a story.

But you can still see crimes as stories. How come?

Maybe it's 'cause I know they're not real? I mean, Tou-san used to read me his drafts before bed ...

I think I'd still think about the real crimes I'd seen and it wouldn't be any fun to read them anymore... [Sighing.] Maybe you're just stronger than me.

I think if it's a question of stronger, Nakama-neechan'd win for sure! A detective can distance themselves, but she's always involved ...

You think being emotionally involved is stronger than being distanced? [That elicits some surprise.] It takes a lot more work to distance yourself...

It costs more to let yourself feel. Being detatched -- you can think more clearly, but you're not as effected. It -- protects you. When you feel, you're vulnerable and that -- you have to be strong to keep doing that.

I've never thought of it that way. [Distantly.] Whenever I've broken down, I've felt weak.

But Nakama-neechan doesn't let that stop her from trying again, does she? That's strength -- trying again.

I guess so. [It's an odd feeling, having someone bolster her up like this, but she's slowly getting used to people seeing her differently here. She smiles down at him.] Thanks, Conan.

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