dreamcrystals

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Sender: Anonymous, but signed as 'Gossip' on the bottom
To: Everyone
Subject: Helpful titbit

A place that dozen't ask for any coin, you'd think that'd be a beggar's haven! But findin' myself lacking reason to sell my wares, so feel fortunate you're gettin' the best gossip from Fresno Street for completely free here.

And I got here a bit that's an absolute smasher! Now, got ye eyes glued to the page?

[Since it's all reading now, it's definitely different from telling passer-bys on the street. It's okay, he'll adapt.]

Just between uz, saw a man throw a shoe directly at another fella! Straight from the ground to a treehouse and it knocked the guy clean over! Everyone talkin' about these dreamotion abilities, but I witnessed with my very eyes how effective a shoe can be.

Maybe we should all start practicin' that move. But if you wanna tell me an effective alternative, I got me eyes open. Ya know, in case I run outta shoes.

[Contrary to his icon, Vigil is dressed in a nice enough suit, the blue overtone matching the gloom that seems to surround the man. There's definitely an exhausted air to him as he stares up at the fruit hanging from the tree, because this is apparently his life now. And he thought the whole business back home was tiring...]

Exploding fruits.....

[Because it can't be normal fruits here, they have to explode if touched. So, the only way to get them down is through those abilities everyone's been using, but... he really hasn't been practicing that. He looks around to anyone that's also working on this task and he musters up some courage, before addressing the other person.]

I do apologize, but... are you familiar with these dreamotion abilities?

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Good evening, Mr Vigil.

[ Susato looks tired herself, though perhaps not quite as much as him. Her breaths seem a little heavier as she bows in greeting. ]

I apologize for the dramatics. I do not wish to prolong this anymore than I have to, but... I just want to be sure. This is your life, after all, Mr Vigil. You have a right to experience it for yourself.

[ tl;dr do you want these life spoilers, mr vigil

Kazuma didn't really seem to, at least not at first. ]

[He notices her exhaustion, but he decides not to bring attention to it. Seems fairly impolite to do so and he quite understands how this place can put a strain on people. He knows that he doesn't look any better, probably far from it.

...

At first, he doesn't meet her eyes, the former guard glancing off to the side as if thinking about this. He's here now, right? Of course, that doesn't mean he can't change his mind, he's sure that Miss Mikotoba would understand. But... he wants to know, at least this bit.]

...You must be aware that I've blocked my memories from ten years ago and I request for that to be something I personally work on. But for this future incident... I do want to know the name of the person that died on Fresno Street. It's starting to sound like I knew them.

[ Ah... So that's a no on talking about how he was fired, etc. That's okay--she'd like to think she'd at least be kinder than tag-teaming him the way Kazuma-sama and Mr Naruhodo did, but she'll respect his wishes.

Which means... ]

... We should sit.

[ She nods her head and beckons him to follow, leading him a short distance to a plaza bench that is not a swing threatening to take them into a dreamscape. ]

Technically he... he didn't die on Fresno Street, but he was brought there after the fact. It was-- [ A lump formed in her throat that he was forced to swallow. Regardless, there's no backpedaling now. ] It was... Inspector Gregson.

[Dread begins to develop in his chest as they make their way over to the bench, each step feeling like he's getting into something he really shouldn't know about. But... he's involved in some way, if he appeared in court, not to mention that it's no mere coincidence that this murder took place on Fresno Street. ...Or not.]

I-Inspector Gregson.....?

[It's definitely a good thing they're sitting now, because he would not trust himself to keep standing after hearing this bit of news. Of all the people... he did not expect to hear the inspector's name fall from Miss Mikotoba. He feels his throat tighten, not only because of how generous and worried Gregson has been for him, but how he's really been the one providing for his family these past years.]

H-how? ...Why?

[.....Also why was he brought to Fresno Street if he didn't die there?? Was it just the most convenient place to put his body? He doesn't really understand, and that's just the tip of his concerns. The air around them starts to become more restrictive, and Susato may notice a sensation of something tightening around her neck, but just for a second.]

[ The feeling is subtle, but nevertheless, Susato finds it just a little bit harder to breathe for a second, and her hand scratching at her neck, as if something had just been there. It is an idle gesture however, and as quickly the sensation had come, it had disappeared.

At times like this, she wishes she could just shove her case notes at the person in question and have them absorb it all once. Now, she has to figure out how words work, and while she's supposed to be good at words, maybe when you throw emotions into them, it's not always so easy. ]

...He was shot. On a steamship called the S.S. Grouse while it was docked in Dunkirk, France. Then he had to be stored in one of the ship's freezer rooms until the ship arrived in England... after which he was moved to Fresno Street.

[Shot on a steamship...... in France no less! That's so far away from Fresno Street. It seems like an awful lot of trouble to hide a body in a freezer and moving it around like that. That bit still nags him, but Vigil can't keep one thought for long, feeling them race through his head as his anxiety builds.]

.....I don't understand.

[His voice is quiet, his eyes drawn to the ground. It doesn't seem like he's putting any effort to try and look at Susato in the eye anymore, and his hands are now curled tightly on top of his knees.]

He was not only killed, but shoved into a freezer...? That's unimaginably cruel...

[ ...The assassin's exchange, the Reaper's organization. These ideas swirled about in her head, just waiting for Susato to pick them out and elegantly explain, but her brain basically feels like mush, and all she can think when he says that is how vehemently she agrees.

Actually, "unimaginably cruel" -- does it even begin to cover it? ]

It is all tied to a conspiracy... wrapped up in the highest echelons of the British aristocracy, and buried for a decade. The trial was a closed one, and lasted some days, so it's rather... a lot. But...

Moving the body to Fresno Street was just his way of trying to pass blame. Lord van Zieks was arrested, but we saw through the charade by the end.

[It's not entirely a surprise to know that the high ups of the British aristocracy are keeping secrets from the general public. Conspiracies... closed trials... it's all interesting and terrible to hear at the same time. He imagines that Evie would want to know more about this and he does as well, to some degree.]

Lord van Zieks mentioned that he discovered the corpse-- Gregson, earlier to me. [Because he's not simply a dead body, right? Vigil now knows who was the victim in all this. He's seen many corpses in his life, and often times, he's spoken to them or at least saw them while they were still alive. It came with being the chief warder.

...

A sudden thought occurs to him and Vigil finds himself paling even more.]

The perpetrator, in order to transport Gregson from the ship to Fresno Street, he must've shoved his body in a container and travelled around with it like it was nothing.

[ Ugh. Susato still remembers the excitement with which they took that photographic print, immediately after they disembarked. The large suitcase... none of them ever suspected. ]

...Yes. It was a rather large suitcase, to be specific. And because he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he wasn't searched when disembarked the ship.

[ They have to talk about Jigoku now, don't they? She doesn't even realize she's all but said his name. ]

[A suitcase of all things. So Gregson was carried around like simple luggage after being shoved into a freezer, before finally being deposited on Fresno Street. He still doesn't get why the killer travelled all the way there, but Vigil feels almost afraid to ask.

There's enough things to focus on right now anyway.]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs...? That's terribly high up. It's strange that he'd want to kill a Scotland Yard official, but whatever reason he had... I can't believe it to be justified. [He shakes his head. A murderer is still a murderer, right? Especially one that seems so callous.]

Inspector Gregson... it's truly hard to believe that he died so horribly. I... I didn't know the man too well, but ah...

[He's not supposed to talk about the whole impersonation thing, that was one warning Gregson gave him. Vigil wonders if that bit was revealed in the trial though, it's probably likely, but he doesn't want to bring it up unless Miss Mikotoba speaks about it first.]

...I worked with him back when I was at Barclay. He was always dedicated to his work.

[ Quietly, she nods. Of course, Vigil had already told her (and Naruhodo) about all this, but he doesn't remember, and she isn't about to interrupt. She wonders if she really has to tell him about Gregson's role as part of the Reaper--the fact that he was manipulated. She wonders if she can really bring herself to taint Vigil's memory of him this way.

Vigil does need to be warned... just in case, as a cruel joke, either Jigoku or Stronghart were to show up in Reverein. But... ]

Yes. He... He truly was. He gave Miss Gina Lestrade a new lease on life, you know. I don't think she... or I, could ever thank him enough for that.

[ ...Then, as gentle question, like she's just realized: ]

Do you remember Miss Lestrade?

[The name isn't familiar to him, maybe Gregson mentioned Miss Lestrade to him in passing sometime? But most of the time, the inspector just told him where he needed to be and what he needed to do, before giving him his identification papers. Meetings have always been somewhat brief like that, and that was fine with Vigil, since he suspected the man to be very busy with his police work.

...Sometimes, however, Gregson looked at him with real concern. And maybe something a little more? He's not sure, and guess... well, he won't be able to ask him of anything when he returns. Because Gregson is already dead, even in his time.

As Vigil buries his head in his hand, Susato may feel that earlier sensation around her throat, just squeezing lightly once more. Thoughts of Gregson has him deeply troubled, not to mention the name of another person that he doesn't really recognize.]

...No, I don't recall that name at all. Is... is she someone I'm supposed to know by now? I'm deeply sorry, Miss Mikotoba, this must be tiring for you to deal with.

[ Susato finds herself clearing her throat, lightly rubbing at it once more when the sensation hits. It is deeply unpleasant; nevertheless, she shakes her head sheepishly. ]

N-No, it's quite alright. I should be the one to apologize. I hate to upset you like this... If it is tiring for me, I can't imagine how it must feel for you.

...Maybe it would be best if I answered your queries instead.

[Oh dear, he really hasn't been great company, has he? Of course, he could fault the topic of conversation, but Vigil is under no illusion that he's normally a fantastic conversational partner. He'll have to work on that!! He... wants to, if so that people don't entirely regret speaking with him. Not to mention, he doesn't want Miss Mikotoba to feel bad for anything, especially when it comes to his memories.

He pulls his head away from his hand, and while he isn't smiling, Vigil doesn't look like he's about to collapse. So, sort of an improvement.]

Please, don't feel bad. I... the memories that escape me are most likely no one's fault but my own. I can only express my appreciation that you aren't pushing that subject more.

This Gina Lestrade... is there something in particular I should know about her?

[ Despite the improvement, which is welcome, of course, Susato still watches him like a hawk for any changes. Even though he isn't smiling, she starts to, lips curling--which hopefully helps a little. ]

She is... a bright young lady who grew up in the East End slums. A pickpocket who was once on the dock herself, who turned her life around and found herself working at the Yard... thanks to Inspector Gregson. [ ~~And Sholmes.~~ ]

The Inspector assisted Miss Lestrade with getting a job at the Yard?

[As rough as Gregson could be, hearing this extra bit from Susato only increases the respect Vigil has for him. He truly cared, didn't he? Assisting him with money, even though he didn't have a reason to. He could've just ignored him as Gossip and went along his day.

...

His voice is still quiet, but he smiles just a little, a new appreciative tone coming from him.]

That sounds like him. He was always thinking about others, even outside of his job.

[ Susato nods quietly. Even though Stronghart had tried to take that job away from her... she chooses not to dwell on that and has a somewhat pleasant, reminiscent look on her face. ]

He meant a great deal to her. Much like he did to you.

You two would have that in common, I think. [ She wonders if, even in Vigil's future, whether they ever had a chance to realize that. She doesn't think so. ]

[He really hasn't thought of Gregson in that manner before, but he doesn't really have it in him to argue against her observation. The inspector provided him with a good amount of money to keep his family afloat, but it's not just about the money. Maybe it's the kindness behind Gregson's actions that stick out...

...

Although, is it really that simple? Vigil would like to think that, but there's still something nagging in him. It's not large enough for him to air out that particular concern, however.]

I'd like to meet her someday... it sounds like she's carrying on Gregson's legacy. [He raises his hands suddenly, one resting on his shoulder and one resting on his waist.]

I... don't think the man had children, so I imagine that it would mean a lot to him.

[ She... can't comment on Gregson's family or whether he had children. The inspector seemed content to keep to himself, and he can only guess how accurate Iris's stories are. If she really was estranged from his wife, she would've dared not ask him about it.

Even so, she'd like to agree with him, both for his sake and Gina's. ]

Last I checked, she was... trying very hard. [ Progress was a struggle, but progress nonetheless. ] In truth, I don't know whether I can hope in good conscience that she will show up here, but...I shall be happy to introduce you if she does.

[He's not entirely sure if he'd want more people to be brought here... not even his lovely wife. This place can be dangerous and Vigil would never forgive himself if something were to happen to her. ...He wonders if Miss Susato's father feels the same way, having his daughter be here. It's the responsibility of a parent to watch over their family, after all.

But he nods appreciatively, because he's trying to stop himself from worrying too much about something else.]

Thank you, Miss Mikotoba. [...] I'm unsure if I'd be able to give her much closure regarding Inspector Gregson, but... I wouldn't mind trying.

[ Gina could be difficult, but it seems he's already had plenty of practice with someone far more so in Barok. A small smile grows on her lips, and while she is not standing, she still bows her head lightly. ]

I'm sure you would be great.

[ There's a pause as she considers what to say next. ]

In light of everything... I would advise you just be careful if you are ever to run into the name Seishiro Jigoku. [ ...To use someone he's a little more familiar with... ] Or... Mael Stronghart.

[It's great that Miss Mikotoba has so much faith in him...... he'll do his best to live up to that.]

I'm unfamiliar with Jigoku, but... [It's not hard to figure out that this Jigoku individual is most likely connected to Gregson's death, probably the actual person responsible for that crime. Japanese, sounding, if he knows anything about that. However, Stronghart is definitely more familiar to him.]

...Lord Stronghart? I do know of him. I can only assume that he's involved with the darker conspiracies that you've mentioned about the British upper-class.

... [ She confirms this with a firm nod. The more she thinks about those two, the more livid she gets, so forgive her if she's a little short on the topic. ] I'm afraid he's at the heart of it all... yes. The very top.

[ Granted, he's already been stripped of any power by her time, but she's still not sure what a man that unhinged is capable of doing. Especially with dreamotion. ]

[He notices the anger coming from her, mostly because he's never really quite seen Miss Mikotoba display any sort of hostility towards anyone before. Granted, he still doesn't know her all too well, but... he's gotten the picture of just how vile Lord Stronghart really is. It's starting to sound like Gregson's death is not the only death he's somehow responsible for. Or at least, had a hand in.

It's scary to think that such a terrible person holds such power in their judicial system. Vigil raises a hand to his chest, gripping it slightly as he considers everything she's said.]

...I've spoken to many murderers over the years. Most of them lack any regret for the crimes they've committed. [Especially if they're the ones sentenced to capital punishment in the most secure prison in Britain.]

[ The only regret she saw or heard from Stronghart mainly came from being caught... though, what he says then does give her a stark reminder that it was Vigil's life at one point. Dealing with the worst of the worst.

Even though she was the one who wanted to open up the floor to questions, of course she finds a way to ask one herself, curious as she is. ]

Over the years... that must have been quite horrible to hear, over and over. I can see how you would have come to block it out.

... I do wonder if you miss it sometimes, though. Your old job.

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