Escordvi Inbox

[book2thehead]

Text | Voicemail | Action

Comments

Around 3/6ish, text

[scooba]

Mr. Heizou, are you around? Would it be possible for me to ask if you have been around my brother, Lyney, lately?

[book2thehead]

[Oh. Yes, this was inevitable, wasn't it~?]

Oh? Why do you ask? And what do you mean by "lately"?

listen the date doesn't matter it's just after alhaitham nearly died/text | un: paridisaea

[empyrean_mirror]

heizou is this a good time to ask you questions?

they might be a little strange but if you are busy please don't worry about me.

[book2thehead]

[It takes him a little bit of time to respond, but when he does-]

Questions about what?

Set sometime after their return from Norhpip

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[Lyney had been quiet after their last encounter on Norhpip, mostly because he hasn't been sure how to reach out to Heizou after... well, all that. After all, having his mask shatter and having the dirty truth of emotion be exposed raw and bloody the way it had isn't exactly something easy to recover from. And after all, should he talk about it with someone who's barely even a friend? Someone who Lyney is sure is only in this "relationship" for the physical aspect of it?]

[In the end, Lyney does reach out, but does so in a way that many Fontainians would; by putting the mask back on, sweeping the mess under the rug, and pretending it doesn't exist. Chaos never happens if it's never seen, after all.]

Up for some company, mon amour?

[book2thehead]

[Seeing Lyney's name suddenly flash in a notification on his shellphone has Heizou staring down at the device for a moment with wide eyes. After what happened on Norhpip, Heizou hadn't quite been sure how to reach out either. Or if he should reach out. The entire thing had happened so quickly, and it had been such a rollercoaster of emotions for both of them... Honestly, he still isn't sure where that puts their little situation. It's still not like they're friends, exactly. Heizou doesn't really make friends easily to begin with. Not actual ones, at least.

But there's Lyney's message on his phone, all lit up on the screen, as if nothing happened. For all he knows this could just be the magician needing an outlet for his stress, and... It strikes him as odd, but maybe it might be okay? If this is just physical, then surely it won't be awkward. Right?]

I'm free tonight if you are~ My place as usual?

[Nice and casual. This is fine.]

text; i was peer pressured into this

[empyrean_mirror]

[there is no text that comes with this photo.]

text;

[book2thehead]

[It takes a while for Heizou to respond. Mostly because he's confused.]

Kaveh, are you drunk?

Backdated to the start of this month sometime

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[The rifts were unpredictable and fickle, moreso than the public opinion of Fontaine’s populace, and that was saying something. Ironically, Lyney had been caught up in them twice now, both times unwilling and unaware of what was going on. Perhaps it spoke of his own nature that he would be caught up in them, but alas, none of the information he’s found explains why the rifts behave the way they do. All he can do is deal with the fallout.]

[When he fell asleep last in this world, it was in a comfy bed, wrapped up in the arms of Heizou, his… friend, with their unusual relationship; calling him a lover felt too intimate, yet they were no longer simple strangers meeting up for nights of passion. Still, it was in Heizou’s bed that he had fallen asleep, and it was here that he reawoke. But this morning, he woke with his mind full of the memories of his clash with Father, and the aftermath of dealing with the ghost of Clervie. Though part of him wonders if it was all a bizarre dream, the sores on his body that are still healing from their duel are still present.]

[He shifts a bit, trying not to wake his sleeping partner, but the pained hiss escapes him unwillingly. Agh… he will have to get some ointment for the burns…]

AAAAAHHHH

[book2thehead]

[To say that Heizou had been shocked to wake up one morning expecting to see Lyney next to him only to find himself alone in a cold bed would be an understatement. He'd thought that maybe the man had just woken up early and had to suddenly leave, but usually that would go along with a note or a text. And there'd been no text, and when Heizou messaged him or tried to call him, there was no answer. He'd even tried to (very nonchalantly) ask their mutual friends if they'd seen or heard anything from him. But no one had.

The entire thing was just plain distressing. Heizou tried very hard not to panic, eventually having to satisfy himself with the upsetting conclusion that maybe Lyney had been taken through a rift; even though he'd heard that one's contact information disappeared when that happened, but who knows, maybe that was wrong. The sleep that eventually claimed him was a fitful one, pulling a pillow into his arms (as a poor substitute) and clutching his phone in one hand, just in case.

When that pillow seems to shift and hiss in his arms... Well. That definitely wakes him up. His eyes flutter open, and it takes a second for his vision to fully focus, but--]

L-Lyney?!?

Text

[scooba]

[Out of all the people of Teyvat he has to talk to, Heizou was the one he was worried about the most. Freminet wasn't blind, Heizou was Lyney's boyfriend. Despite how much they deny it, it was clear to anyone that they were dating. Which was why he kept looking at the message he was about to send. He knew that Lyney might have already said something to him but it still made him hesitant.

What if Lyney didn't? And he just made things worse...?]

Mr. Heizou, are you available for me to talk to you at the moment?

[book2thehead]

[Heizou responds decently quickly. Freminet doesn't text him often, so he figures something must be going on...]

Of course! And you can just call me Heizou, Freminet. No need for the "mister". :)

Text; Set after Heizou's birthday, a day or so after he talks to the other cast members

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[This is by far the hardest message he's ever written. Of all the people Lyney's had to have this conversation, Heizou was the one he worried about the most. Sure Alhaitham posed a fear of physical retaliation, but Heizou... for some reason, Heizou's disappointment was the one he was the most worried about facing. Losing Heizou's friendship was the one that filled him with the most dread.]

[Still, he manages to send out something of a message out.]

Are you available for a quick chat?

[book2thehead]

[He stares at that message for a good while before he chooses to answer. After the last conversation he had with Freminet... Heizou knows what this is about. And honestly he's still not entirely sure how he should feel.

But eventually-]

Of course, just let me know when and where

action | whenever is convenient after the break up

[astudyinviolet]

[ It doesn't take a master detective to see that something has happened with Heizou. Something of a personal nature. Sherlock likes to think that Heizou would have come to him had it been a problem within his expertise to solve or understand. He might have felt insulted that Heizou hadn't confided in him, but Sherlock doesn't know how to comfort someone, much less someone so much like himself.

So, he doesn't pry and does the only thing he can think of to help someone like him: find a case.

A textile merchant wanted help locating his teenage daughter. He stressed that if he went to the police, his daughter would never return. The father's worry was genuine despite his initial reservations about providing information about what he really did. Further investigation brought the truth to light; the merchant had wanted out of a smuggling ring and to go legit because his daughter wanted to learn his textile trade.

The others in the ring wanted continued use of his products and ship, so they kidnapped his daughter as leverage. They threatened that each day the merchant delayed, they would take it out on his daughter. Two days have already passed before Heizou and Sherlock learned of the case and discovered where at the docks the daughter was being held. Three people are playing cards inside the shipyard with the daughter (tied up, not playing cards) and another one stands by the main entrance (by land).

They don't have the leisure of time or ability to disguise themselves as part of the group, but it is late and dark. ]

Ideas?

[ Besides going through the front, ready for a fight like it was a bandit lair in Cordona. ]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou has spent the last several days in a daze. Honestly he doesn't even know how long it's been. He just keeps waning between his different emotions: one day he's angry and revved up, the next he's sad and tired, then suddenly he'll just feel lost. He hasn't gone home in a while, choosing instead to hole up in Kaveh's guest room just to be somewhere that doesn't remind him of his time with Lyney.

When Sherlock sends him a message asking him to join in on a case, it's exactly the kind of distraction he wants. So of course Heizou goes with him, exhaustion and depression be damned.

His brain is also still fried from going in so many circles for so long, so as he stares at the shipyard with a frown all he can really think about it just barging in like a boar. It's really only because of Sherlock's voice that he realizes they should come up with a different plan, and Heizou quickly tries to shake himself free of that reckless thought.]

...We could distract them. See if anything might draw them away from their posts. We'd only need them gone for a few minutes so we can get inside.

[Simple. Good. It's also the best Heizou can come up with at the moment, given the circumstances.]

Sometime early September

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[Once Lyney and Heizou reuinited and reconciled, they were borderline inseparable from each other; spending countless hours in each other's presence and spending each night at one of their houses. Even when they weren't being intimate they were still eating out together, walking hand in hand together, and just taking the time to fully enjoy each other's company in ways they hadn't been before. It seems that both men are determined to make use of the time they previously squandered together.]

[It's late at night, past when both of them fell asleep after a night together. All is quiet in Heizou's house, and both men are tangled in each other's arms. All is calm, and all is still as the two men sleep soundly.]

[At least, it was soundly. But suddenly, Lyney shifts in his sleep. lets out a soft, pained noise. And even in slumber, his expression turns pained.]

[book2thehead]

[Even if Heizou weren't tightly wrapped around Lyney as they slept, he's gotten so attuned to his companion's sleeping patterns and the peace of their surroundings that the moment he hears an unusual sound, he starts to stir. He's not quite wide awake, just peeking an eye open to see if it's anything he needs to be worried about. It doesn't take long to realize there's no external threat, but as Heizou turns his attention to the man in his arms--]

Lyney...?

[Despite the dark of the room, Heizou can see that expression on the magician's face. It's enough that Heizou props himself up a little bit, gently reaching up to card a hand soothingly through Lyney's hair with a look of concern on his face.]

Lyney... Wake up, mon amour...

Sometime in early November

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[At some point during the beginning of the month, Heizou will get a knock on his door. If he answers it, he'll find a very familiar sight; Lyney with a broad smile on his face and a pleasant wave.]

Bonjour, mon amour~ I hope you're not too busy?

[book2thehead]

[Lyney is always a more than welcome sight in Heizou's home. Really the second Heizou sees him, he's taking him by the hand and moving in for a quick kiss as a greeting.]

For you, mon couer? I'm never too busy~

[He practically pulls the other inside, making sure the door shuts behind them with a little grin.]

Seems like something's put you in quite a good mood today, I see!

Sometime in December

[astudyinviolet]

[ The longer Sherlock stays in this world, the more he has to admit the need to establish a life here. Thus, he had gone to Heizou about starting an agency together. The name was perhaps the easiest part of it. S.H. Detective Agency applied to both of them. There are still a number of other tasks required for starting a proper agency. It can't be like back home where Sherlock does it from the sitting room with 221B. His apartment is too small, too cluttered, and he's fairly positive his neighbors would protest people dropping by at all hours of the day.

Besides, there would be two detectives in this one. Heizou couldn't be expected to run his cases from there either, whether they did them separately or jointly. Whether they are currently looking for a place or simply hashing out the details at the moment, Sherlock has a few suggestions. ]

I think we should look for an office space which can fit a set of bookcases, a safe for evidence, a wardrobe for disguises, a settee, some chairs, and four desks or tables.

[ There's only two of them, but Sherlock has his reasons to desire four. The reason is... less practical than it should be. ]

[book2thehead]

[They're just hashing out details over some coffee at the nearest cafe for now. It was Heizou's suggestion to discuss matters while out and about, partially because it would be easy to segue into actually looking around at available spaces if they got around to that. But it's important to know what they're looking for in the first place. And setting higher standards will make it easier to compromise on details when they can't find them.

Heizou's starting to make little notes in a journal about what they want between sips of coffee, thoughtfully nodding his head. It's funny how much this reminds him of when he was younger, starting up the agency with Sango when he arrived in Inazuma city. But at least he's certain that it won't end up the same way.]

I agree for the most part, but... Why four desks?

Sometime during Winterstide

[astudyinviolet]

[ A neatly wrapped package with Heizou's name on it is left at his residence. There isn't any name to hint who it was from as if the sender didn't want to pressure him into feeling he needed to give a gift in return.

Inside is a magnifying glass, but the handle is shares elements and colors of a certain someone. ]

Attack of the Christmas Kaveh

[empyrean_mirror]

[At a certain residence, several packages arrive. One is labeled for Heizou in a beautiful, elegant handwriting.

It contains...a cookbook! Focusing on fried foods. And a set of different spices collected from all three leviathans. There's also a beautiful jeweled pin that resembles a black cat...it looks as though it might be part of a set? I wonder who has the other one.

Kaveh didn't leave his name on it but it shouldn't really be a question who did this.]

Christmas Gift to the right inbox hopefully!

[lucky_e]

To Heizou,

A detective are you? I believe I just might have something that will help keep that mind of yours sharp and hungry for the next twist! Truly, I hope that this gift finds you well and brings you as much joy as it does with me giving it to you.

Happy Holidays,

Santa Claus

[Heizou gets the complete collection of the Softy Boys! Yes, the Softy boys! A very popular and famous series of detective novels in Escordvi, complete with many different twists and turns and suspense to keep the readers guessing, thinking, and on their toes!

...the gift itself is actually hidden! There's a series of cryptic clues on the back of the letter that will lead to another set of clues before he eventually reaches his gift! Hopefully he enjoys it!]

Hi pretend this isn't late, backdated to the 25th

[scooba]

[Well. Now that Freminet knows Heizou is dating his brother, it almost feels a little odd to think of him as a future brother in law. While he couldn't think just about what to give him, he just hoped some chocolate chip cookies and some crime solving novels would be enough. After all, what else can he give him other than his own older brother???

There is also a note that reads:]

Dear Heizou,

Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy your presents.

-Freminet

voice; un: paradisea

[empyrean_mirror]

Say, Heizou, I was wondering.

Have you decided what you'll be doing for your anniversary with Lyney?

[This is the tone of a man here to cause problems on purpose.]

M E N A C E

[book2thehead]

[Whatever he was expecting from Kaveh when he answered the phone.... this was not it.

There's a moment's pause where Heizou is genuinely confused.]

What? It's a bit early to be thinking about that, don't you think?

text;

[oathkeeper]

you know when you think about it if they sky is a mirror of the ocean then the ocean is actually the sky huh

text;

[book2thehead]

People only say that in regards to its colo

[Wait a second. What?]

I'm sorry, who is this?

Early Dragon's Gale

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock has woken up confused and uncomfortable after certain dreams enough times to be concerned about his sanity. He remembers the talk he had (while drunk) with Heizou at Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding, so... maybe if he has to say more about the nature of the dreams... well... maybe... ]

Are you dreaming of another and interacting in ways never done before in reality? Or am I just going mad?

[ Please help. Is this just him, or is there some magical influence going on? ]

[book2thehead]

[Well. That's a curiously phrased question.]

Are you feeling alright, Sherlock? What sorts of interactions are you dreaming about?

text; un: soundsurfer

[stillarhino]

yo hei its beat
you got a sec
might need your help with something

[Someone remembered that they sorta kinda knew a detective.]

[book2thehead]

[Seeing that nickname gets used really does make Heizou smile. So he's pretty happy to respond as quickly as he can.]

Yes? What's going on?

You asked for it

[scooba]

Heizou, can I ask you a question? You seem to be closer to Mr. Kaveh and Mr. Alhaitham, right?

...Do they tend to kiss a lot out in public?

i did >3

[book2thehead]

[This is... not a text Heizou was expecting to read from Freminet today.]

What?

Well, they are a happy couple, so it wouldn't be unusual for them to exchange a kiss or two here and there outside of the house... But I'm assuming that's not quite what you mean, is it?

left on his birthday

[astudyinviolet]

[ There is a thin bound book wrapped inside plain brown paper wrapping. The pages are sewn into a cloth covered chipboard covers with "The Case of the Enchantidrone Ring" in gilt letters. Neat crisp, handwritten words written with black ink fill the pages. That said the writing inside, while accurate, will not win any literary awards. It's too factual, too scientific, too chronological. The author reveals details far too early and ruins the surprises Heizou and Sherlock encounter on their first case together. The writing ends with copies of Sherlock's character profiles and sketches on Jon Sigerson aka Kelp Noodle, Rip-It-Ren aka Shrimpy, Boss Murray the Enchanti addicted wind magic user, Lark the Burly Guard, Chimney Worm, Barnacle, and so on.

... Sherlock tried, Heizou. He really tried, but he's going to leave the writing up to his John Watson. Watson may not be published yet, but he is far better at his craft than Sherlock. He thinks. He's not actually read his works as they've gone to the bin or the fireplace instead of a publisher....

Also tucked inside, almost like a bookmark, is a slip of paper with little number puzzle. When solved, it will read 01061859 06011859. Essentially January 6th, 1859. Heizou is free to smack the smug face off Sherlock the next time he sees him, but he's possibly the only one who knows this date now unless someone had a Sherlock Holmes Fandom back in their world. Even then, the year would be wrong because he baby. ]

text;

[book2thehead]

[Heizou is very much pleasantly surprised by this birthday gift that's been left for him. And he absolutely gives it a proper read-through, even if Sherlock's writing style is a little too.... precise. And even though he had lived through the events that are being written about. It's still fascinating to him to see how Sherlock views the whole thing. Like a tiny peek into his mind.

What's more interesting to Heizou is the number puzzle that's been left behind. It takes him a bit of time to sort out, but when he does he of course has to send Sherlock a message. Along with a picture that shows Heizou's solution, to both give context to what he's talking about and prove to him that he solved it properly.]

Is this your way of gloating, my friend? :3

July 24

[spectacleofphantasmagoria]

[As Heizou returns home for the evening, he will find a faint light coming from further inside the house, all the other lights dim. However, a trail of Rainbow Rose petals have been scattered from the front entrance and leading to their bedroom. And should Heizou follow the trail?]

[He'll find Lyney laying on the bed, wrapped in a red robe and lounging in a way that's both casual and seductive all at once. Welcome home~]

[book2thehead]

[Oh? Now isn't this intriguing. Not that Heizou hasn't expected Lyney to do something for his birthday, but the magician is an expert at laying surprises. And as a lover of mysteries and games, Heizou always has a wonderful time just going with the flow. So he follows the trail of petals with a smile, and when he enters the bedroom and sees Lyney there, it only grows on his face.

He leans against the doorway just to look at him for a moment, appreciating the way the robe is draped over that beautiful, lithe body, raking his eyes over Lyney from head to toe and back.]

Man alive, aren't you quite the dazzling vision~ Could I still be dreaming, or are you looking even more radiant tonight than usual~?

Please enjoy this misfire text

[talizoraaah]

Listen. I appreciate your offer, truly. And I know you believe you are being helpful. But for the final time, I have no interest in moving into any space where listening to you and Shepard having sex is even a slight risk. I don't think my psyche would survive.

HEHEHEHEHE

[book2thehead]

[....Huh. Well, then. Heizou could be polite and tell this person they have the wrong number. But...]

I assure you our lovemaking is gentle and quiet. I would never want to damage a friend's psyche in such a way.

voice; probably a lil backdated but I'm le tired

[empyrean_mirror]

Say, do you have a minute to talk?

[A pause.] No one's in trouble and nothing's on fire right now.

[book2thehead]

[Oh? Consider Heizou's curiosity piqued.]

Hmm? Then what's going on?

Backdated to whatever time works

[astudyinviolet]

[ Enough time has passed since Sherlock's illness that he's on his feet again, but he still refrains from being too active. Leaving his bed helps relieve his boredom. Taking it easy will help keep his illness from relapsing and making him miserable again. What's most important is that Sherlock isn't of a feverish filter-lacking mind.

They're in Sherlock's apartment, hanging out and making sure the weakened detective continues to eat to regain he strength. Maybe Heizou even brought the Tea Time Companion over along with a meal, so the little dapper dinosaur teapot can bonk its head against Sherlock's leg to help remind him to hydrate. ]

I have to commend you, Heizou. I am not sure I could last so long around so much data about someone around me and not comment on it.

[ Sherlock glances to the side as if there would be someone to either encourage or discourage the risk Sherlock feels he's about to take. No one is there to do either. The decision belongs to him alone.

He rests his gaze on his large clue board with its many threads linking sketched profiles and notes together in a confusing web. Heizou is on there, of course, but there are also two men with practically the same face. One has a playful mischievous glint in his expression while the other a fond gentleness. One has closer cropped hair while the other a mustache. The similarities between the two plush could be explained as design choices, but Sherlock's sketches tell otherwise. Especially when he draws what he sees. ]

So tell me... h-have you deduced that there are--were two people in my life called John?

[ This is said as nonchalantly as Sherlock can manage, but in truth, his heart pounds in anticipation. The signs are visible on his body: the fidgeting of his hands, a sheen of sweat not from heat or illness, a tenseness in his muscles. He fears this will go horribly wrong but still opens the floor up to questions. If he can't trust Heizou with this, someone who is so similar to himself, then could he ever trust anyone to understand? ]

backdated to [REDACTED]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou absolutely brought over the tea time companion, not just to serve as Sherlock's reminder to drink water but also to sort of keep an eye on him when Heizou is turned away. He's made ramen again, since it's one of the easiest things to feed Sherlock (he can't stubbornly pocket noodles away, after all), and is currently filling up two bowls with it. One of them is more broth heavy than the other; Sherlock's portion, of course.

He barely even blinks when Sherlock comes around to this topic of conversation, noting from the corner of his eye at the other detective is almost uncharacteristically fidgety and nervous. Heizou just smiles, finishing up what he's doing before he turns to regard Sherlock with a calm, kind look on his face.]

Yes.

[There is no judgment in that one word, in the expression Heizou wears. Perhaps his patience, his willingness to wait for others to be the ones to come forward and spill their secrets no matter how long it takes, is a key difference between the two detectives. For as much as Heizou likes to prod and pry and drop hints big enough to unnerve the other party into speaking up... He always waits. It goes doubly so for those he's fond of. So of course Sherlock has been no exception.]

I take it you're ready to talk about him now.