Log: The Investigation (Shigure)

[aloof_savant]

[ Caesar is sitting on the grass just nearby the lake. Normally he would be napping around this time, but he seems to be deep in thought, perhaps even troubled. ]

What's gonna happen if they really can't go back...?

Comments

[aloof_savant]

Nothing in particular.


Why is my subconsciousness so interesting to a detective?

[what_a_pain]

I was always told to try harder when it came to socializing. Both of my bosses stressed that a lot. It used to be way more of a pain, but it's getting a little more easy. Not by much, but still.

If it makes you feel better, you can ask me something.

[aloof_savant]

[ Has this wary feeling that he might be a target of investigation, a "tactician's intuition" he would call it, but doesn't want to show it in case it's nothing. ]

Well, don't mind if I do, detective. Hmmm... [ Quizzically puts the pipe back in his mouth, actually getting the hang of this smoking thing by now. He exhales a cloud of smoke before continuing. ]

Have you ever told anyone a deep secret?

[what_a_pain]

Yes. It was actually pretty boring when I think about it again. [He's supposedly good at getting other people's secrets but he sure doesn't divulge as much in detail himself.]

[aloof_savant]

Secrets? Boring? Boy, the oxymorons sure keep rolling in.

[what_a_pain]

It really is disappointingly dull. Everyone else usually has more interesting secrets.

Anything else?

[aloof_savant]

With answers like that, I don't know if I can get anything interesting out of you... and I don't bother with humdrum questions. You know, too sleepy.


... [ He looks at the pipe he's been holding and offers it back. ] ...But I do owe you.

[what_a_pain]

Sorry about that. Maybe I'll tell you some real doozies when the time's right.

[Keeps it in his hand for a minute to at least try and not look like he missed it that much.] For what? This?

[aloof_savant]

Yeah. I just had my first smoke, I've always wondered what it's like.

Don't see myself taking it up, though. Got way too many eyes on me, you know?

[what_a_pain]

I could see your concern. You are part of a family with status so there are gonna be people out there watching you like a hawk sometimes. I know I'd find it a pain.

[aloof_savant]

Yes, and if any of this gets back to my teacher, I'd be in a world of trouble. Thankfully she's in another country, so I can be more relaxed. Even though Agnes is breathing down my neck.

So... our little secret, okay? Besides, you'd be in trouble for letting me have it in the first place.

[what_a_pain]

[Laughs just a little.] Yeah, you're right about that. Fuyo would scold me big time for letting a kid smoke this!

[Finally gets a puff out of his returned item.] Can't let you getting addicted to this stuff. It might screw up your sense of smell and it'd suck to not be able to smell the flowers anymore!

[aloof_savant]

Hmm, I'd be more worried about charred lungs than being able to smell any flowers. Then again, isn't "stop and smell the roses" some kind of metaphor about appreciating life?

Either way, I have no intention of dying anytime soon.

[what_a_pain]

It could be. I'm not good at metaphors... Do you like the smell of roses?

Well, speaking rhetorically, what would you wanna do before you did die? I know I'd like to take a look at some things they offer here if I couldn't make it back home. I'm curious about that theater I heard about. Wonder if they got any plays worth checking out?

[aloof_savant]

[ Again with the 20 questions, now he definitely feels like he's being interviewed. He figures this chit-chat should have run it's course when the pipe was returned. ]

...Detective, remember what I said about deep secrets earlier? I have yet to tell you mine.

[what_a_pain]

I never really said anything myself so I don't expect you to return the favor.

[aloof_savant]

But I did say I owe you for the pipe, and I don't like being in debt.

... [ Well, he's come this far, might as well make this interesting. ]
It's about Agnes and me.

[what_a_pain]

What about you and Agnes?

[aloof_savant]

Well, you see, I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest about the nature of our relationship. She is actually my fiancé.

[ Pause for dramatic effect. ]

[what_a_pain]

... Are you being serious? [Would press way harder than that about this revelation, but it would also make his job immensely easier if true. He wasn't getting far with his questions before anyway.]

[aloof_savant]

My parents are strict about me marrying a girl of status, but to hell with that! I can marry whoever I want, right? And until we ARE married and it's official, she is pretending to be my housekeeper so they don't catch wind of this...

...and for the record, I was the one who proposed! [ Recalling Shigure's earlier joke. ]

[what_a_pain]

This secret... it really is a deep one. I see why you were hesitant to spill the beans. [Gets up and takes another inhale from his pipe as he's still genuinely surprised by this information.] I don't think I can top this.

[aloof_savant]

[ He laughs to himself, not many people can top a made up story after all. ]

So you see, that's how it is. And now we're square, detective.

[what_a_pain]

[He's positive he's got what he came for. Even if it turned out much much much differently than he was expecting.]

Heh, yes. It looks that way... Well, I hate to cut this so short, but I'm sure you've got a lot to think about. Maybe we can chat again some time in the near future?

[aloof_savant]

[ Not surprised at all by the abrupt end to the conversation, this confirms Caesar's suspicions, although he's more amused than bothered at this point. ]

I look forward to it.