bakerstreet | the winter festival meme

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the winter festival meme

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!

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[ Susato is wearing a purple shawl around her shoulders today on their outing today to keep warm. Despite the cold, her face is absolutely alight with glee, seeing the festivities, the decorations, and just... the people. The atmosphere is so lighthearted, she's totally put it out of her mind that the last time they were in such a crowd, there had been murder.

Instead, she allows herself to be just a little less careful than usual, letting down her guard. She slips away for a moment, and soon returns with two cups in either hand, looking hot to the touch. Naturally, she'll offer him one. ]

Something to warm you up?

[ Spoilers: it's hot chocolate. Sure, they're big on tea, but... something different for a change? Refreshing. ]

[Ryunosuke may or may not have told this to Susato, but for the last couple of nights he had a reoccurring bad dream, possibly a borderline nightmare. He didn't remember too much about it, besides this one part- and this was the important part.

In his dream, Iris (probably) had made Lord van Zieks a special gun, and Lord van Zieks had used it to rapid fire hallowed chalices everywhere. Everywhere. Explosions of hallowed chalices in brightly colored smoke and glass. Everywhere. His objections couldn't stop the tide.

Needless to say this was very exciting and a welcome distraction. Festivities! Crowds! A lack of concerning events! (No murders, no signs of prosecutors armed with chalice-firing guns.) Ryunosuke was caught up in it enough that he failed to notice that Susato had slipped away for a moment, until she came back]

-oh!

[And listen, listen, he knows that drinks exist other than tea. But look, even if you know that drinks besides tea exist, if you drink tea enough, you expect tea. You just assume it's tea without looking or taking a moment to consider the smell. Blame the lack of sleep from Lord van Zieks, if it helps.]

Thank you.

[CHUG-

...it's a supreme force of effort to keep from splutter up the hot chocolate, because it's not bad, very sweet but in a good way, and it would ruin the moment, but even if something's not bad, it caught him off guard, please, give him a moment to navigate this ill thought out chug that's threatening to turn into a splutter-spit.]

[ ......She did catch him waking up in a cold sweat, when she was up late mending his armband last night. Again. She didn't think to ask though, beyond making sure he was alright, and was more focused on making sure he got some sleep. Either way, even her wildest imaginations would not have come with such a thing.

When it looked like he was about to spit it out what he just drank, she winced, willing for him to keep it down. ]

B, By the way, it's hot chocolate-- [ said a moment too late. ] Do you not like it?

[ ...SHE SHOULD HAVE JUST GOTTEN THE TEA, WORST JUDICIAL ASSISTANT EVER-- ]

[His mind blanked on appropriate hand gestures to convey, "No, it's actually quite delicious, I like it, it's just surprising and also too hot to swallow and I don't want it to go down the wrong pipe." Like a thumbs up? A thumbs up would be great, but it didn't get popularized until World War 2. It would be an anachronistic gesture (in an already anachronistic series, but still).

His eyes bulged for a moment, in that courtroom sort of way. He swallowed, through a force of will.]

It's...it's quite good. [Tongue slightly scalded. Objections will be a bit more tender for the next few minutes.] I was surprised, that's all.

[ Susato helplessly stands by, waiting eagerly for a sign. Does he need to spit it out? Is it too hot? What? That must be it, now that she thinks of the way he'd gulped. It's probably too hot. You're supposed to take sips, Mr Naruhodo.

When he finally swallows, she is relieved. ]

Yes, I can tell. My apologies... [ Still intends to watch him over intently for the next few minutes. [ You were expecting tea, weren't you? I will be faster to warn you next time, but please do be careful.

[ As if to demonstrate, she daintily and gracefully takes a sip from her own cup. ]

[There were a number of differences between him and Susato. They held their chopsticks differently, and liked different colors. They had different opinions on if the scales should be balanced or not on Kazuma's armband, and they looked at wardrobes in different ways.

But the largest difference between then - or at least, the thing Ryunosuke thought was the biggest difference - was that Susato was innately graceful in a way he was not. Take the sip. She sipped, and he felt...something...for the keen awareness that if he tried to sip? It would be a slurp instead. They were just two completely different people in so many ways, which was one of the reasons why they were such great partners.]

Well.

[Or something like that.]

Yes. You'd think I'd learn by now.

[He sipped...or tried to, but ended up slurping. Slurp.]

At times like this it really hits me how different things are.

[ Don't forget about their ongoing shovel vs spade debate. (It's a shovel, by the way.)

Although this time, Susato doesn't quite follow. She's become quite aware of their differences as partners over the past year-plus, of course, but she can't say she'd been thinking about any of them when he seemed to literally be choking. ]

How do you mean? Between hot chocolate and tea? Yes... as a general, I think the former does tend to be sweeter than the other. [ At least, depending on the type of tea? ]

[Well, there was a more philosophical point that he could have made hovering in the air over yonder - him and Susato, yin and yang, Japan and England, something about how people were like gemstones and no matter how hard you looked you'd never see all of the facets they had to offer, and the commonalities and differences between people of all sorts - but then she had to mention hot chocolate and tea. And now he had to think about it.]

That does depend on the tea, as you said. I know some of Iris' blends can be rather sweet.

[Slurp. Now he's properly trying to taste it, like he's at a wine tasting event trying to act like he knows what he's doing.]

Do you think she's ever tried...mixing the two?

[This somehow feels like a cursed thing to have spoken into existence, actually.]

I mean, on the surface they seem rather different, but they're both hot drinks. Surely there must be some way of doing so. [Without making it awful, that is.]

[ "As you said"? She didn't. But it has interesting that after all this time, he has finally picked up a thing or two from the Mikotoba School of Mind Reading^tm.

Susato can't help but wince though, because--first of all, why, and second, why? ]

......I suppose I don't know why she'd want to? But I feel like she would try anything once. [ There is a pause as she considers all the various concoctions and inventions she's seen over her time on Baker St. ] ...At least, Mr Sholmes would.

Well...

[Gosh, war flashbacks to court here. Now all he needs is someone smashing something glass for the image to be complete.]

They're both people of science. I suppose...

[...]

...and it's not like they wouldn't want to overcome the challenges of blending them together.

[...]

...I suppose...

[...-]

Oh, do you hear that? I think I hear music.

[This is what's known as a Big Lie, capital letters intended. Well, sort of. There might be something off-key going on over yonder, but it likely had been going on for a while, and also probably didn't count as music. But, it's either going 'look, a distraction' or continuing on a conversation in which Ryunosuke knew would result in him drinking whatever abomination his mouth came up with.]

[ Music.....

She can hear carolers, maybe. The stores are probably playing music appropriate for the holiday. In the end, though, Susato chuckles, sparing him any further efforts to talk him this "distraction." She tugs him by the arm. ]

Come on, silly goose. I think it's part of some sort of light show.

[Why did it feel like Susato had looked upon him, saw his bad excuses for what they were, and, instead of pressing him, chose instead to show mercy and not raise an objection- and why was he thinking in court terms?]

Coming.

[As if he was going to fight the tug.]

All of this is so grand, but honestly, if we haven't been here for as long as we have, I'd wonder if England was capable of being anything but grand. The streets are grand, their law system is grand, their [hotel prices are """grand"""...nvm] er, their everything is grand. At least from the outside. And I have no doubt that when the new year comes, we'll be treated to some other sort of grand spectacle as well.

[ Mr Naruhodo has come a long way, but she finds he still needs that gentle pull (or push) in the right direction. Since he doesn't seem to resist, though, eventually her grip loosens, allowing her arm to swing freely as they approach a street that has been closed off for the festivities.

On either side of them, street vendors have set up stalls to sell their wares, shouting over the crowd, trying to pull in business: hot drinks, fruits, handmade necklaces and other trinkets. The stalls themselves, along with the adorning trees and other storefronts, were also dressed to the nines, with lights in all of the colors of the rainbow, swiftly changing and very bright.

Grand was a very good word for it, she realized, as her smile grew bright to match the décor. ]

It is nothing like the shrines and temples we visit back home, I must admit. [ Though they would both have something to say about their ""grand"" legal system by this point, but details!! She raises her voice to be heard over the crowd. ] It is all very... loud. B, But in a good way!

Would you like-

[He was being drowned out by the crowds, and, of all things, it made him think of his first court trial, the one in which he raised his hand nervously like he was a schoolboy and said yes instead of something firmer - an objection, a take that. In hindsight, it was a wonder anyone heard him. One of those bittersweet memories that made Ryunosuke smile, in the 'I've come so far, but I also started as a murder suspect, so I can only be so fond of where I started' sort of way.]

Do-

[Louder, but using his indoor court voice also seemed wrong. Plus, what was at that stall over there, did Susato see that stall? A merchant trying to sell lanterns of all kinds, made of brightly colored glass and glowing like they were ornaments.

And next to it, a stall, selling animal hats. (As in, hats looking like animals, not hats made of animals, there's a lack of swan hats- anyway...)

Anyway, leaning in-]

Shall we take a look, Miss Susato?

[By which he meant that he was tempted to impulse buy something.]

[ From what she could understand, there was a crowd gathering along the Thames to release the lanterns as part of their festival of lights. The brightly colored glass of the lanterns indeed grabs her attention, for just from a glance, she could spot all the hues of a rainbow: pink, blue, purple, red, any color a child could want. And right next to it? Any animal they could think of, in the form of a hat.

Clearly Susato has outgrown such childish pleasures. Normally she would scold Ryunosuke for even considering making the various unnecessary purchases he does, as has become his habit, but today... just for today, at least, the lanterns look gorgeous.

So gorgeous, in fact, she's afraid she won't be able to bring herself to let go, but perhaps they could find one they could keep at their flat. She would say yes, but she's already looking-- ]

There are so many different colors. Which one would you release?

[ She holds two lanterns in her hand: a pink one, like her kimono, with an array of hearts displayed on its surface, and a purple one, like her shawl, aligned with stars. Of course, neither is also an option... ]

[And really, what option is there besides-] Neither, of course.

[Blink.

In his hand is a bright orange garish thing that he is neither going to buy nor want to keep, and, in fact, it's put down almost as quickly as he had picked it up. Because it's garish, and also- well. This is more important.]

Both of them remind me far too much of you, at least in their own ways, even down to the patterns. I can't hardly release anything that makes me think of you into the Thames.

[He Is Not A Savage.]

...What?

[ Susato doesn't know what to think at first, given his choice. Had she really chosen that poorly? But... then, she glances to one lantern, and then the other, and she kind of understands. Both choices are rather egregiously Susato-flavored, so as it turned out, she didn't choose poorly, but rather was just a bit predictable.

...Sigh. ]

Oh. But, they're so beautiful... [ And no, that is not why they reminded him of you, you get that idea out of your mind right now, young lady. ] Would you really rather release something unsightly?

Well.

[...]

Yes?

[The 'yes' was said slowly, in the way one would when half-suspecting a trick question of some kind - either the question before, or a following question. There was some point he was missing. Some...thing that was flying over his head, much like a bottle flying into the galley.

Nevertheless. Even if he didn't know what he was getting at, the truth was out there, murky and vague, but present.]

No one would miss this-

[-wait, this part would be better with the lantern in hand again. And again, he grabs the orange thing.]

-this, or if they do it's only because it's so garish the absence is noticed immediately. Of course I'd release it to the Thames.

[It's safety cone orange, not even a nice orange. And the design is something like tiger stripes or lightning bolts, it's difficult to tell. They were trying to do something. Who knows what.]

Whereas with those you have- [...stare.] the patterns are even right. You've given me courage, and you've shown me the way countless times.

[Heart, star, it works way too well.

He is missing something, but that's okay.]

...

[...why is he holding the orange lantern, down it goes again.]

But we could, I mean, if you'd prefer. I'd just rather keep something which reminds me so much of you close, if I could.

[ She could practically hear the cogs turning in his head as he settled on his answer. There is an innocent tilt of her head as he lifts up the safety-cone colored lantern with the overly flashy design. Then--well, she has to look somewhere else, because she might just be blushing.

In that moment, she chose to look back at her chosen lanterns again as he addressed them. Could she really let them go, given what he's just said? ...Did they have a place in their crowded, but homey little attic? ]

I, I don't know... I'm normally the one scolding you for buying things we don't need. But they do remind me of home, too...

[ In addition to what he's said, they are pretty Japanese-flavored as well. ]

I could keep them in my room, but that would hardly be fair to you. [ He'd never see them. ] ...So I must insist we find an appropriate place together. In our office.

[ ...... ]

In the meantime... we can find something else for the Thames. Something slightly more neutral, perhaps.

There's surely something here that would suit that.

[Now he needs to take at least one of the lanterns Susato's carrying, because if they're going to look for one to toss into the Thames, they both need at least one hand free. RIP if he trips.]

Something that's...plain, but not too plain, but not so [reminiscent of Susato, er, no, what's a good word] remarkable it would be a shame to lose it. [He either nailed it or didn't.]

Perhaps this one?

[And this time, he picks up a slightly overcooked asparagus green (the same shade of asparagus left in a microwave to cook) lantern.]

It's a very...ah, refreshing color.

[ Susato, on the other hand, starts looking and finds a red one reminiscent of Kazuma's headband--or rather, the one he used to wear. It is plain, and she is looking it over when she glances up at Ryunosuke's choice.

......Hmm. ]

I don't hate it, but that color is... [ Maybe it's the shade? She doesn't normally have anything against green. ] It is doing something to my stomach. Maybe it is just me?

[ She supposes it would be a relief to release it then, at least... ]

[Maybe it's the years of wearing student uniforms in stark black that have done in his sense of color. Maybe it's the fact that London is a simultaneously drab and vibrant city in a weird mishmash of expectations, and that throws him off when it comes to colors. Maybe it's just his experiences. Like how there's that one over there, silver-gray with some design that's like gears or a clock. Reminiscent of Mael Stronghart, actually...and now that he made that connection that lantern is terrible, nevermind, horrid, get rid of it.]

You know...

[Now he's really looking at it, and really considering it, and also really going to put that down because she's right.]

To be honest, it is somewhat pea colored, now that you mention it. Whatever is London's obsession with peas, anyway? I barely had them before coming here, and I feel like I see them everywhere.

[That red lantern, though...it is like Kazuma, but Kazuma is the sort of man whose life was one long journey, so...it's fitting, anyway. Whereas the Susato-lantern is going to be kept close, and it's also possibly giving him the spark of an idea, an idea which is a bad one but is also going to be one that he pursues, maybe.]

...Ah. [ Susato watches as he puts it down, and suddenly it all makes sense. ] So that is where I've seen that color before.

[ She doesn't see the one with gears, but ew, get it away, burn it. Instead, she looks back at the Kazuma-red one, and seems to like it the more she looks at it. She doesn't exactly want to release it, the same way Ryunosuke seems attached to the ones that remind him of her, but the idea of setting him free is kind of... nice. ]

Do you like this one? It is rather vibrant, and it'll be easy to keep watch on it as it floats the current.

[He's going to say it. He is going to say it.]

It kind of makes me think of Kazuma. It is his color, isn't it?

[And here it comes:]

He was always the most adventurous of the three of us. Is it bad that I think he'd enjoy being the one to brave the Thames? It seems...fitting. And as you said, it's bright and I don't think I'd be able to miss it.

[He got hit enough times in the face by Kazuma's hachimaki, after all, that color is seared into his brain.]

[ ...She regards him with just a stare for a moment, with a hard to read expression. Almost like she's... surprised, or impressed, maybe? Either he picked up a bit of Mikotoba mind-reading over their months together, or she is getting worse at concealing and not feeling. Which is... sadly probably true.

Either way, she seems pleased. ]

No, I don't think that's bad at all. It will be good to set him free, from whatever demons he may be fighting.

[ She doesn't necessarily say it, but it is obvious that she misses him. ]

Let's do it. We can release it together.

the winter festival meme

2/6/1? c:

omg yes

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