[ Sherlock's head jerks up at the knock. A flurry of thoughts whirl around in his head. Should he delay answering the door to cover his clue wall? Should he use gathering his items as an... no, they are already gathered.
In the end (all happening within the span of a few seconds), Sherlock opts to answer the door and not draw attention to the clue wall.]
I was not expecting that quick of a summons. Come in.
[Azul gives a polite nod of the head before stepping inside--he notices the mess as he looks around, observing the details of Sherlock's apartment, but chooses not to comment on it yet.]
Now then, would you mind showing me the items you spoke of before that had sleep enchantments placed on them?
[ There are stacks of books, newspapers, and loose sheets everywhere. Various pieces of disguises lay round. Random assortment of trinkets end up here or there. A large clue board hangs on a wall, full of crisscrossing threads and pinned notes and sketches. ]
If you follow me...
[ Sherlock will take Azul to his bedroom. On or near his bed are:
2 Moon Pals (debatable sleeping assistance but feels like getting hugged)
2 Doppelplushes (debatable sleeping assistance because they just look like John and Jon and don't do anything else)
Comfort Blahaj (large)
Mr. Trunklops Jumbo Plush (even larger)
Huggable Tapir Plush
white winged horse feathers
Most of these items either keep away nightmares or encourage sweet dreams. They seem small now, but Sherlock says a series of music notes to activate a spell Emet-Selch placed on them. The various plush return to their normal size, far too big to easily carry around. ]
I need all of these in order to sleep. You can see the issue.
[That's... a lot of huge plushies for someone to have.]
Ah... I see what you mean. May I?
[He asks, as he gestures to one of the smallest of these plush here to touch, while his other hand retrieves his magic pen so that he can get a feel for gauging how strong the sleep enchantments that are attached to these dolls are.]
[ Besides Emet-Selch's size changing spell, the individual enchantments are fairly weak, more suggestive and coaxing than an outright effect. The fact that Sherlock needs so many speaks to how bad his dreams normally are. One enchantment isn't enough. He needs several. Quantity over quality.
The Moon Pals do have enchantments, but they do not deal with aiding sleep or dreams. They simply make one feel as if they are being hugged. The Doppelplushes had an enchantment which caused them to have the appearance of someone dear to Sherlock but nothing otherwise.
Sherlock waits to the side while Azul examines the dolls, trying to not feel self conscious about being an adult needing to sleep with so many toys. ]
[If it's any consolation, Azul does not give any commentary or critique about it being odd or the like for Sherlock having this many dolls. Instead, he seems fully concentrated on studying the enchantments that were used on each doll before he speaks again.]
Okay, I think I should be able to copy over and move most of these enchantments onto at least one or two dolls to condense down on the number you've been needing here to have all of the enchantments spread across them work on you. Is there a particular doll out of the set that you would prefer the most having the enchantments attached to?
[ This wish requires a certain level of vulnerability from Sherlock, and he is grateful for Azul's professionalism.
Sherlock knows what his answer will be. However, he still takes a moment to speak the words aloud as if he were thinking. A faint dusting of pink rises to his cheeks and tips of his ears despite his attempts at remaining calm. ]
The Doppleplush with the mustache... or both of them if they cannot fit on one.
[ Or if they all can fit on one, the other Doppleplush can at least have the hug enchantment as Sherlock has two of the Moon Pals. ]
Understood. I should be able to split all of the enchantments between both of them for you, give me just a moment.
[Azul closes his eyes, concentrating on his magic, before he then begins the process: he starts carefully reciting a spell that is essentially transferring the enchantments from the dolls, one at a time, onto the Doppleplushes. He actually takes his time with this, double-checking to make sure that he has not made any mistakes with each transfer and using his magic pen to help further detect which enchantments have been moved over and which have not yet.
Thankfully, it's not a difficult endeavor, and can be done safely (despite the state of Azul's current magic reserves as they will be in a day or two from now lol), since Azul is not using his own magic reserves to place enchantments of his own. He is instead more or less copy and pasting magic that is already being implemented in this case.
It takes a while, but once he is done, he takes a breath and steps back.]
... Alright. All of them should have been transferred over onto both of these Doppleplushes, and you should be able to need these two when resting rather than having all of these at once in order to be able to sleep at night.
[ Once more, Sherlock gives Azul the space and quiet to perform his magic. He cannot see anything, but a shiver travels down his spine as if he feels something going on nearby with his increased sensitivity. (However, he lacks the understanding or even awareness of the fact and attributes the feeling to some other phenomena.)
There is an easy way to test the fact beyond taking a nap. Sherlock hugs one plush and then the other. He feels the sensation of being hugged back. If that enchantment had been transferred over, then the others likely have too. ]
I feel it. Such a change will be far more manageable now. You have my thanks.
[ It's still a bit pathetic seeming, but the practicality has greatly improved. And if he's sleeping through the night, that means he's not playing the violin through the night as well. ]
[Azul smiles upon hearing this, giving a polite bow of the head.]
You're welcome. I'm glad that I was able to grant your wish in regard to this matter.
[A part of him is actually a little surprised by how... genuine that feels to say rather than his usual customer-service smile and pitch. Like it's a relief, in fact, that despite some recent circumstances, he hasn't lost his touch or something when it comes to what he's able to provide in this place.]
[ Sherlock's face grows incredibly fond and wistful when he sits the two plush upon the bed. They mean more to him than just sleep aids. He simply can't help himself but reveal the heart on his sleeve. ]
It made freezing in that costume worthwhile in ways I hadn't considered at the time.
[ And to think he had considered going as his brother before settling on the cultist. ]
I shall be sure to add you to my list of experts to consult with should the need arise.
Yes, your dedication to dressing up was worthy of admiration. Not just your willingness to deal with the cold, but the fact that it was actually scary as one should expect for celebrating Halloween...
[... No offense to Kaveh, we promise. But being hot was not in fact in the criteria for winning the contest.]
Yes, I'm a detective. As you can imagine, there are times when I need to go undercover to gather the evidence and information I need. Disguises are a key part of that.
[ Criminals aren't just going to answer his questions. Well, they usually don't. Some are weird. ]
I see. I must admit, I'm actually kind of fascinated by the idea of needing disguises outside of things like... acting or parties, I suppose? Then again, you do need to be a good actor in addition to having a good disguise while going undercover somewhere, right?
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts. The best disguises are subtle. Have you never needed to avoid additional drawing attention to yourself by certain individuals?
[ Sherlock thinks of all the times his bullies had left bruising on his body. He learned to hide the signs under clothing or makeup. Drawing the attention of adults would only make things worse. Better to hide it and deal with the matters himself, his way. ]
[Funny enough, Azul also thinks of nearly the exact same thing: the amount of times he tried to make himself as small and quiet as possible despite his octomer body whenever he had to swim past other mers, hoping against all odds that they wouldn't notice him and start a new round of tug of war with his tentacles, or trying to steal his things...
The way in that, depending on how you look at it, his human form is itself a disguise in order to avoid drawing attention to the ugly truth of what he really is here.]
... Mm, yes, I can think of a few instances where that was the case. There are some dealings I've had to make before that require a more subtle hand, so I can understand where you're coming from there.
[But he still answers with a smile--a sheepish, "well what can you do" sort of expression to try to prevent any further digging into his feelings behind his response here.]
[ As a child, "freak" and "nuisance" might as well have been Sherlock's name growing up. He learned quickly that his only friend was Jon, and he should not speak to him in front of others. Kids no longer had imaginary friends at his age. Kids were not interested in the sciences as he was. He never understood his classmates when they would chase after skirts or boast about their sports conquests. They might as well have been a different species, and Sherlock was a spindly target with only Jon on his side. ]
I've donned a number of disguises for my cases and will don more in the future. This world provides its own unique challenges.
[ Some parts of the disguises lay about the room. A silvery blond wig, a maid's dress, a box of cosmetics and false mustaches, even a pair of cat ears and a tail. Sherlock uses a wide range of disguises. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-12-05 08:35 am (UTC)[ By prepare, Sherlock means covering up his giant clue wall that tries to puzzle out his existence. Not cleaning his apartment. ]
--> action
Date: 2025-12-05 08:45 pm (UTC)[In fact... there's now a knock suddenly at your apartment door, Sherlock.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-05 09:56 pm (UTC)In the end (all happening within the span of a few seconds), Sherlock opts to answer the door and not draw attention to the clue wall.]
I was not expecting that quick of a summons. Come in.
[ Don't mind the mess. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-06 05:07 am (UTC)[Azul gives a polite nod of the head before stepping inside--he notices the mess as he looks around, observing the details of Sherlock's apartment, but chooses not to comment on it yet.]
Now then, would you mind showing me the items you spoke of before that had sleep enchantments placed on them?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-06 07:17 am (UTC)If you follow me...
[ Sherlock will take Azul to his bedroom. On or near his bed are:
- 2 Moon Pals (debatable sleeping assistance but feels like getting hugged)
- 2 Doppelplushes (debatable sleeping assistance because they just look like John and Jon and don't do anything else)
- Comfort Blahaj (large)
- Mr. Trunklops Jumbo Plush (even larger)
- Huggable Tapir Plush
- white winged horse feathers
Most of these items either keep away nightmares or encourage sweet dreams. They seem small now, but Sherlock says a series of music notes to activate a spell Emet-Selch placed on them. The various plush return to their normal size, far too big to easily carry around. ]I need all of these in order to sleep. You can see the issue.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-06 02:48 pm (UTC)Ah... I see what you mean. May I?
[He asks, as he gestures to one of the smallest of these plush here to touch, while his other hand retrieves his magic pen so that he can get a feel for gauging how strong the sleep enchantments that are attached to these dolls are.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-07 02:18 am (UTC)The Moon Pals do have enchantments, but they do not deal with aiding sleep or dreams. They simply make one feel as if they are being hugged. The Doppelplushes had an enchantment which caused them to have the appearance of someone dear to Sherlock but nothing otherwise.
Sherlock waits to the side while Azul examines the dolls, trying to not feel self conscious about being an adult needing to sleep with so many toys. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-08 12:55 am (UTC)Okay, I think I should be able to copy over and move most of these enchantments onto at least one or two dolls to condense down on the number you've been needing here to have all of the enchantments spread across them work on you. Is there a particular doll out of the set that you would prefer the most having the enchantments attached to?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-08 08:32 am (UTC)Sherlock knows what his answer will be. However, he still takes a moment to speak the words aloud as if he were thinking. A faint dusting of pink rises to his cheeks and tips of his ears despite his attempts at remaining calm. ]
The Doppleplush with the mustache... or both of them if they cannot fit on one.
[ Or if they all can fit on one, the other Doppleplush can at least have the hug enchantment as Sherlock has two of the Moon Pals. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-13 11:50 pm (UTC)Understood. I should be able to split all of the enchantments between both of them for you, give me just a moment.
[Azul closes his eyes, concentrating on his magic, before he then begins the process: he starts carefully reciting a spell that is essentially transferring the enchantments from the dolls, one at a time, onto the Doppleplushes. He actually takes his time with this, double-checking to make sure that he has not made any mistakes with each transfer and using his magic pen to help further detect which enchantments have been moved over and which have not yet.
Thankfully, it's not a difficult endeavor, and can be done safely (despite the state of Azul's current magic reserves as they will be in a day or two from now lol), since Azul is not using his own magic reserves to place enchantments of his own. He is instead more or less copy and pasting magic that is already being implemented in this case.
It takes a while, but once he is done, he takes a breath and steps back.]
... Alright. All of them should have been transferred over onto both of these Doppleplushes, and you should be able to need these two when resting rather than having all of these at once in order to be able to sleep at night.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-14 11:36 pm (UTC)There is an easy way to test the fact beyond taking a nap. Sherlock hugs one plush and then the other. He feels the sensation of being hugged back. If that enchantment had been transferred over, then the others likely have too. ]
I feel it. Such a change will be far more manageable now. You have my thanks.
[ It's still a bit pathetic seeming, but the practicality has greatly improved. And if he's sleeping through the night, that means he's not playing the violin through the night as well. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-16 05:53 pm (UTC)You're welcome. I'm glad that I was able to grant your wish in regard to this matter.
[A part of him is actually a little surprised by how... genuine that feels to say rather than his usual customer-service smile and pitch. Like it's a relief, in fact, that despite some recent circumstances, he hasn't lost his touch or something when it comes to what he's able to provide in this place.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-18 08:22 am (UTC)It made freezing in that costume worthwhile in ways I hadn't considered at the time.
[ And to think he had considered going as his brother before settling on the cultist. ]
I shall be sure to add you to my list of experts to consult with should the need arise.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-20 03:12 am (UTC)[... No offense to Kaveh, we promise. But being hot was not in fact in the criteria for winning the contest.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-22 07:58 am (UTC)[ Kaveh had dressed for a completely different contest (and/or modern sexy Halloween which Sherlock is not aware is a thing yet.) ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-23 03:44 am (UTC)[Interesting...]
Remind me what it is that you do again? You're a detective or the like, right?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-24 03:41 am (UTC)[ Criminals aren't just going to answer his questions. Well, they usually don't. Some are weird. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-27 04:10 am (UTC)cw: childhood bullying
Date: 2025-12-28 06:41 am (UTC)[ Sherlock thinks of all the times his bullies had left bruising on his body. He learned to hide the signs under clothing or makeup. Drawing the attention of adults would only make things worse. Better to hide it and deal with the matters himself, his way. ]
cw: childhood bullying and probably add body image issues too actually yyyyeah
Date: 2025-12-28 05:41 pm (UTC)The way in that, depending on how you look at it, his human form is itself a disguise in order to avoid drawing attention to the ugly truth of what he really is here.]
... Mm, yes, I can think of a few instances where that was the case. There are some dealings I've had to make before that require a more subtle hand, so I can understand where you're coming from there.
[But he still answers with a smile--a sheepish, "well what can you do" sort of expression to try to prevent any further digging into his feelings behind his response here.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-31 09:52 pm (UTC)I've donned a number of disguises for my cases and will don more in the future. This world provides its own unique challenges.
[ Some parts of the disguises lay about the room. A silvery blond wig, a maid's dress, a box of cosmetics and false mustaches, even a pair of cat ears and a tail. Sherlock uses a wide range of disguises. ]