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[judicialassistant]

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[judicialassistant]

[ Really, she should have just left it at that, but if you thought the idea of Asogi protecting her would just sit quietly at the back of her mind, well. She'd wish you were right.

She maintains her composure, though, enough of it to tease her idol and his terrible memory, despite his brilliance. ]

And... forgive me for asking, but do you even remember what that blade of his is called?

[thegamesafoot]

I will handle that delicate knowledge with the utmost care that you expect from a great detective! [ ... Comforting, right? But no, he files that information away in his brain attic. Maybe he'll find it again. ]

You truly think I would forget the name of such a stately blade? Like many swords of legend—Excalibur, Durendal, Zulfiqar—it carries a name that strikes fear in the hearts of any who would wrong the honorable Asogi clan ... [ Is he yammering to buy more time to think?

Is this long, dramatic pause strategic? Yes.

Finally, with admirable confidence, he declares: ]

Caramba!

[judicialassistant]

......

[ The disrespect. After all that! She knew it. She's no stranger to Sholmes needing a light nudge in the right direction at times, but this felt oddly...personal. She huffs, correcting him with a slight puff of her cheeks. ]

I, It's Karuma. Ka - Ru - MA! The very soul of the Asogi clan, passed down through generations, and you would do well to remember it from now on. [ She clears her throat to keep from adding an or else, but she otherwise softens a moment later, the spike in anger dissipating before long. ]

Thank you... for dancing with me today.

[thegamesafoot]

Ka-Ru-MA! Of course! [ He finds her anger endearing—a clear symptom of her strong feelings. Besides, how often was his own anger piqued when acquaintances were wrong about Mikotoba: when they referred to him as "Chinese" or assumed he didn't speak English? Plenty. He shouldn't sink to the level of his countrymen. ] Truly, I meant no disrespect, Miss Susato, for Mr. Asogi or his most sacred heirloom.

[ He offers her a smile before bowing once more. ] And thank you for such a fetching crown—it warms me with fond thoughts of dear Iris.

[ If she was here, she surely would have stepped on his foot at multiple points in this conversation. ]

[judicialassistant]

[ ...She should have stepped on his foot. He would have deserved that much. Susato seems to glance down, as if able to hear his thoughts, but then she simply looks up at her hard work in the form of the iris crown. ]

...You're very welcome. Let those thoughts keep the crown alive, as they do her memory.

Enjoy the festivities, and... do try to avoid any murders. [ JOKING......mostly. Her tone is so dry, but really, please. ]

[thegamesafoot]

[ For a moment, Sholmes is afraid Susato can read his thoughts. She had an uncanny knack for doing that with Ryunosuke, didn't she? ... Then again, Mr. Naruhodo also had a terrible habit of muttering—when his thoughts weren't plainly advertised by his overly-expressive face. ]

All crimes and the investigation thereof shall wait until after the festival. [ This is declared with a decisively-raised finger before he's distracted by movement from the stage. One of the musicians is trying to flag him down. ] Ah! My new friends are missing their first-violin! I must bid you adieu, my dear.

[ Sholmes turns, but as if to further smooth over his repeated missteps, he calls over his shoulder: ] Do give Mr. Asogi my regards when you see him. I hope he is in fine enough fettle to enjoy this lovely event!

[ Is that another wink? Maybe. ]