As Soon As Barok Responds To The First Letter, Red Handwritten Writing Begins To Appear On A Blank Page.

benjamin if barok van zieks were a worm would you still like him

Dearest Ribbonroad,

I am already quite fascinated by Barok in his human form, I would be only more interested if he suddenly became a worm! I would have to examine how different he is as a worm, what it was that turned him into one (a woodland faerie, perhaps?), what his favorite foods would be, how he reacts to rain.

I love him quite a lot, and I would still very much love him in any other form! Especially if that form was a worm.

With love, Benjamin Dobinbough

Barok if you had a dog… what would you name them?

Dear Anon,

I'm afraid I don't quite know what I would name a dog if I had one. I do have a rather strained relationship with that species, no matter the breed. All dogs remind me of my brother, as he was quite the fan of such animals. And thinking of dogs in relation to my brother leaves me in quite a foul mood. It is something that I am working on.

I suppose when I was younger, I would have taken inspiration from him. He took his dog's name from a work of classic literature, and I suppose I would do the same. In that case, something like Excalibur would be the best I could come up with.

Though, Benjamin and I have been discussing bringing some kittens into our lives...

Signed, Lord Barok van Zieks

For herlock, what are your intentions for my friend and your self proclaimed “partner”?

-genshin

Dearest Genshin,

My intentions for my partner all depend upon what his intentions for me may be. I assure you it is nothing improper, and--

EGADS!

Detective Asougi?! You have been dead for many years! Am I conversing with a ghost? How could this be possible?

Do not scare me like that, Detective! I know I frustrated you in life, but you do not have to frighten me so!

That being said, I have sent him a letter expressing my feelings towards him and asking him to come to England. Perhaps, if he cannot, I may visit him in Japan. I miss him dearly.

Frightened, Herlock Sholmes

Iris, what are your thoughts on dinosaurs? - 🌹

Dearest 🌹,

Dinosaurs are quite fascinating! I do think that it would be quite fun to journey out and dig for fossils, become a renowned paleontologist. How incredible would it be to discover an entirely new species and put it together?

I've even heard that Zieksie has some fossils somewhere... he won't tell me where. Someday I'm going to find out!

Love, Iris

(squints at the masked disciple) who do i know this man

Ribbonroad.

This man, this thing, is a husk of myself. I am no longer the masked disciple, a name I despise as it implies I had anything to learn from either Vortex or van Zieks. I despise the both of them, and this unwilling servant of the two of them is not someone I want to associate with.

Kazuma Asougi

To Enoch… he lives here

Thoughts on Rosie?

Anon,

I am afraid I don't quite know who you are referring to. Is it a woman? A child? An animal? Simply the flower in general? Either way, I seem always a bit calmed by roses. The concept of such a beautiful flower being protected by thorns, especially ones that will not affect me due to the metal nature of my hand...

I cannot help to relate to such a thing. They inspire me. I cannot explain as to why.

Signed, Enoch Drebber

Dearest Enoch, how has prison been treating you? I am truly sorry for your eventual fate, it was unfair on you. I hope you've made friends and have had the chance to pursue science. Love, 🌹

🌹,

...

...

I appreciate your concern on my behalf. I don't think prison is quite the place to make friends, though I have been... reflecting upon my life so far.

I do not regret the death that I caused. I do not regret the trouble the coroner got into for helping me with that death. I think he deserved to die, and she had done some reprehensible things.

The one thing I keep coming back to is Benjamin. Despite his idiocy, he clearly has a passion for science. Given a guiding hand, I believe he could have become something great. I do not know what he is up to now. I do not know how he feels about me. All I know is that I reflect on what I did to him quite a bit.

Signed, Enoch Drebber

Mr. Sholmes, Dr. Iris, what were your first ever encounters with Lord Stronghart like? What did you make of that man back then?

((yes I've sent this exact question to another askblog once. I'd like to hear your take <3))

Hello, anon!

Papa and I had very different first encounters with Lord Stronghart. When I first met him, he was old, and considered himself to be infallible. He carried himself with a gravitas of importance, and acted as though I were the least important person in the world. I know that's false! I am, in fact, rather delightful. He pretended I was a waste of time.

As for Papa, he told me all about it. Stronghart, rather than just ignoring people, was actively scornful and malicious back then. He regarded anyone who was quite obviously intelligent, or possibly even more intelligent than he, with active distaste. Scoffing at his every statement, not even looking at him...

Either way, he was very annoying!

Love, Dr. Iris

Dear Mr. Holmes, erm, it's Gina. Inspector Gina Lestrade. You know who I am, we've met. This is probably a stupid question, but... would I be able to come live at Baker Street? Asougi can sleep on the floor. He said he's waiting on a special bed to come in for him. Or I could sleep in the same bed as him. Or I could sleep on the floor! I've certainly slept in worse places.

Inspector Lestrade!

How nice it is to hear from you! I have certainly been wondering if I would receive a request of such kind. There is always a spare couch at Baker Street if you so desire. You needn't pay rent if you cannot afford it, though I would certainly appreciate a spare bit of money. I am an avid spender! My methods are occasionally quite costly.

That being said, you are very near and dear to my family. It is clear that both Kazuma and Iris care for you quite a large amount. Kazuma has received the futon he was waiting on and therefore you could sleep in his old bed if you so desire, so long as you can put up with his general restlessness and tendency to stay up well into the night.

Please, come and enjoy dinner with us, if nothing else! Sit by the fire, recount some of your investigations for us, visit Iris's garden. We would love to have you.

To whomever wishes to respond,

Can you tell me something that is quick, is easy, and it is free?

To anon:

There are a great deal of things that are quick, easy, and free. Tripping upon the cobblestones. Making a fool of yourself. Pacing back and forth. Concerning your neighbors. Taking from children.

While I do not recommend any of those things, they are certainly quick, easy, and free. One must find ways to entertain oneself when one is bored.

Signed, Venus