<< march open log: of truth and lies >>

[seaboards]

This is our special event that everyone earned by their thread donations back in January! Because it's a unique event, all threads are worth 6 points each. Since this is also our only open log, players are free to include MANTA Board quests in their toplevels.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated Month ##)

Canon - Character | Corsair/Paladin/Undecided
Canon - Character | Corsair/Paladin/Undecided

NORHPIP

CHALLENGES

COMMENTS

NORHPIP

Upon arriving at the ancient crab leviathan, Norhpip, everyone will be greeted by a small army of crabs of all types and sizes. They are, understandably, very distrustful, but some are also quite curious and more welcoming. It will soon become clear that Norhpip is a leviathan that is even older than Nogard, Elah, and Eltrut, existing from times before the great flood that changed the world of Escordvi to what it is today. It's also clear that the leviathan could have important answers about the rifts and the relic that people are still searching for, however they won't be given so easily. Those who are brave enough to face the challenges held within Norhpip's mountainous shell may garner some respect and trust from the leviathan, and perhaps then he may reveal some of the world's secrets—and those important clues.

However, it won't be easy. All over the leviathan there is a strange atmosphere that will make everyone feel one of two things. Sometimes this feeling will switch around, but it will be one or the other with varying degrees of intensity. Some may feel more distrustful and suspicious of others, making it more likely that they will try to do things on their own than work with others. There's a higher chance to betray and lie. The other will make people more trusting and believing of others, making it more likely they will follow whatever they hear no matter how ridiculous it may sound. There's a higher chance they will only tell the truth, regardless if it's a good idea or not.

Finally, some may feel a bit crabby and actually turn into crabs at random intervals. It's a temporary effect, but one that could make exploring either easier or more difficult depending where they are. It will certainly make performing the challenges more, well, challenging.

Perhaps pitying the explorers, occasionally the little crabs will appear and offer to "relieve their mind" of whatever effect is currently influencing them most. However…is this also a test? Should they trust the crab? Roll a 10 sided die to determine how the crabs help you. If it's 6 or higher, the crabs will offer a friendship bracelet woven from colorful grasses to clear the enchantment; 5 or below, they get a big pinch that… somehow also helps, but not quite as well as the bracelet. The higher or lower the number, the stronger or worse it is (ie, a 10 will have the best effect in clearing one's mine, while a 1 will be the most painful pinch of their life).

Coral Forest. Lining the lower parts of the crab's shell are vast rings of coral forests, some stretching as high as dozens of feet tall. While some are harmless, there are sharp anemones among them, so adventurers should watch where they turn lest they get pricked by one, which may make the more weak-willed susceptible to telling bold truths or lies until the pin is safely removed. There are also old shipwrecks caught within, and who knows what treasures and secrets might be found there? These ships no doubt hold stories of the crews that once lived on them, so go forth and explore! Just watch out for the crabs that have made a home on these ships—they aren't too fond of visitors!

Clam Fields. Further up the crab's shell are the clam fields which are exactly as they sound: stretches of clams that have attached themselves to Norhpip as a means of both travel and safety from underwater predators. That doesn't mean that the clams are welcoming, however. Some are very protective of the pearls and jewels that they hold, and they will trap anyone inside that wanders too close or dares to steal from them. Only way to get out is to either pry them open or tickle them from the inside. However, there are others that will hand over their treasures to anyone that can protect them from the seagulls that swoop in looking for food.

Toxic Vents. Occasionally, Norhpip's body will rise just far enough out of the water to reveal its underside. Anyone daring enough to journey beneath the shell will find themselves in the most hazardous, steepest terrain of all. Only experienced climbers should wander below. Norhpip's shell has vents to allow steam and water to flow through, and sometimes, that steam can be toxic. Breathing too much of it has some side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and in more severe cases, paranoia. But there could be great treasure, including hard to find relics and artifacts. Scraping off the barnacles attached underneath will also yield valuable materials used in healing and detoxification.

Pools. Around Norhpip's shell are dips where small pools of water with their own ecosystems have formed, many different kinds of fish calling them home among the reefs. However, thanks to the leviathan's magic, the water in these pools can be collected and used as a mild truth serum. They are also shallow enough that anyone interested can take a small dive into the pools to check them out.

Seagulls. All around Norhpip's shell, there is one threat to rule them all: the seagulls. They are relentless in their attacks, dive bombing and stealing smaller crabs right out of their homes as well as anyone who might threaten their food. Protect the crabs, fight them off, but be warned: they are aggressive and truly an enemy to be reckoned with. They travel in large flocks, so taking them on alone is not recommended. One must also be on the lookout for the dangerous sharkgulls that may appear…

Crab Nursery. Aww look at those little baby crabs—oh no. Help collect all the little crabs that try to escape using whatever means necessary. Nets, buckets, shirts, whatever can be used! However, these little babies have really honed in on their "stranger danger" lessons, so they will not only be distrusting, but very quick to pinch and bite unless they can be convinced otherwise.

Relic Hunting. One special task the crabs will set is to find special crab statue pieces that are scattered all over the leviathan. Parts of claws, legs, shell, eyes—whatever can be found. The more pieces found, the higher Norhpip's approval rating for everyone will go and the more likely he will reveal more information. Other artifacts and relics can be found that are free for the taking, though most of them will be either cooking, swimming, or water related.

Due to the unnatural tension caused by the atmosphere around the leviathan, the two Armadas have become more suspicious of one of another. Distrust and doubt only feed into the already hostile opinions the two groups have for each other, and while it starts off as moderate at first, as time goes on it gets worse and worse and attacks and fights become more frequent. Eventually Corsairs start trapping Paladins or become more cruel and ruthless in their deceptions and lies, and Paladins are more quick to try and arrest and isolate any Corsair they come across even if all they're doing is just stand there. At some point, they will see each other as a threat, and some will even kill without question. Even those who only act out of self defense will find that option preferable over other alternatives.

Of course, the opposite is also true—while conflict is more likely to rise, a sense of trust and willing to give the other benefit of the doubt will also bloom between Corsairs and Paladins. They will try to defend and protect each other even more fiercely, which can also cause a ripple effect in conflict. But even so, this may also be their only hope in preventing a complete collapse between the already tenuous relationship the two Armadas held prior to exploring Norhpip.

NORHPIP

CHALLENGES

COMMENTS

CHALLENGES

Once inside the mountain shell, explorers will find numerous paths, tunnels, rooms, and walls they will have to try and pass through. To make it even more challenging, they will often find themselves suddenly moved from one location to another, often separated by those they were originally with and now in another group entirely. This often occurs via sudden holes appearing at their feet, revolving walls, and even activating a hidden teleportation stone that will move them.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), there are many little "crab guides" that will help inform and direct those who are lost and confused, and give instructions once they reach a particular challenge. As fun as it is to watch everyone be bewildered, they also don't want anyone to be stuck within the leviathan's shell forever. On the other hand, free meals…

Perhaps it's the crabs everyone should be most suspicious of all.

In-between the challenges, there will be unique doors that can only be opened if someone either tells the truth or tells a lie. The doors will either be clearly marked or have a crab to warn them. Each person must stick their hand into an opening in the shape of open crab claws that will either not move if answered correctly and allow them to pass freely, or will clamp down and squeeze painfully until they do. Careful, there are rumors that some have lost their arms…

(Note: this is not an exhaustive list of challenges and players are free to come up with something else so long as it fits the theme! All effects from the previous section are active in this section.)

Tests of Loyalty will be ultimate challenges of trust, even with those they normally wouldn't grant it. They will have to set aside those differences and work together to get through.

🌉 Invisible bridge. There are occasionally large gaps that must be crossed, and the method to create the bridge or get past will be different. A person calling out instructions for the other to step on invisible tiles; taking turns holding down a button at different checkpoints to create a portion of the bridge for the other to cross; completing small objectives to unlock passages for the other to get through. The key point is they are separated and must rely on each other to get across.

🧗‍♂️ Co-op climbing. Whether it's using one rope, forced to be connected to each other in some way, or have to link arms and press back against each other to "walk up" a narrow tunnel upwards, they must work together to climb up. If they start doubting each other, however, water will trickle down the walls to make it slippery.

💦 Water room. Trapped in a small cave, it will slowly fill with water. One person will be able to escape through a small hole before it's sealed off, and they must solve a few simple puzzles or answer questions to make it and stop and free the other. However, they will also be tempted to escape early as they will also have water filling the room, but are free to leave at any time. So long as there is continued trust, the water level will remain low and flow slowly, but if there is doubt or suspicion, it will rise faster.

Betrayals Most Foul is where the goal is to harbor doubt and betray those they are with. It is the most selfish of the challenges and will surely test relationships after.

💻 Crabmongus. There are multiple rooms with multiple people trying to perform tasks, but someone is a saboteur who will "capture" people in a bubble while pretending to be an ally. Either figure out the saboteur or if the saboteur, be the last one standing (either scenario will allow everyone to proceed; if the saboteur wins, they will be sent to a farther location).

🔪 Backstab. Tensions will rise as you never know when your partner will turn on you and literally stab you in the back—with a plastic crab claw. The trick, however, is that no one will know when this challenge is active, and the person that is "stabbed" must actually have some belief in the person they are with. It won't count if they are suspicious.

🦀 Crab-and-Seek. Trapped in a maze-like cavern, there is a very large crab that roams through, hunting looking for any unwary adventurers. While working together to get past is an option, at the end of the day it's every person for themselves and others within the maze will try to make the crab go towards other people instead to give them the opening to escape. Those caught by the crab, well… Perhaps they can escape, or perhaps play the big con and try to betray it instead.

Deceive to Believe is similar to betrayal, however the sting is a little less and there is a bit more cooperation between those involved. A battle of lies, wits, and trickery, can they lie their way to victory?

🚪 Escape room maze. Trapped in a maze like room, the only way out is to pass through without alerting the crab statues that watch from various pedestals. They can do whatever they need to to deceive the statues, such as distracting one while the other activates a door or covers it, even destroying them. Just don't blink or turn their backs on them or the crab statues will move and try to squirt tartar sauce on them.

🃏 Card games. A simple challenge where players can pick a variety of different games that are designed to trick and deceive each other to end with the winning hand. A particularly easy one is Old Maid, where one must try to subtly trick the other in taking the Crab Joker card and not be left with it in the end.

🎭 Posers. The oldest trick in the book is to pretend to be something you're not, and for this challenge everyone will need to brush up on their acting skills to get past a very discerning panel of crabs. Whatever the act, they must convince them and receive a passing grade before they continue. If they don't, the crabs will chuck tomatoes at them.

Honest to a Fault will have people wishing they could bury themselves in a hole after they are forced to spill out truths they may have preferred to keep secret. Sometimes honesty isn't the best policy.

🎈 Truth balloons. There is a giant balloon that one must sit on to cross over a large gap of tartar sauce, and to make it move they must answer whatever question that appears honestly. If they don't, the balloon will pop and they will fall into the pit. Questions will likely be embarrassing or something very difficult for them to admit the truth of. Need some help? Try a random question generator for ideas!

🍻 Never Have I Ever. A fun game especially for those who like to drink. Those who participate must go through five (5) rounds with a very potent but delicious crab vodka as the drink of choice. Someone asks a question, and if the act has been performed a drink is taken. If not, then they continue as is. After the five rounds, they must try and walk over a path made of swaying giant crab shells, but they can help support each other. The crabs will have Lobsterade as a detox drink for them whether they cross or fail three times. Should they fail to pass, they have to start the game over. (The crabs may give a bottle of the vodka to those who answer three questions honestly.)

🥊 Brutal Honesty. Sometimes people tell white lies to spare feelings. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times. Armed with giant boxing gloves in the shape of crab claws, two people must face each other on a raised platform and "fight" not only by trying to punch them off the ring, but also by saying only the worst, honest statements about them they can think of. True compliments and flattery can work, but only the hard truth will strengthen the claw and inflict stronger hits.

NORHPIP

CHALLENGES

COMMENTS

Comments

Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2023) | Paladin

[astudyinviolet]

Relic Hunting: A treasure hunt? Used to do lots of those in my childhood. For myself and...

[ Upon arriving at Norhpip, Sherlock has to once more regain his footing, though the prospects of a mystery distracted his mind from his tendency toward seasickness. The ginger and peppermint has also helped. He can even add either into coffee which allows him to keep his exhaustion at bay for a little longer. Unknown to Sherlock, he has more to worry about than feeling ill. He'll easily feel the effects of the strange atmosphere, fluctuating depending on whether the atmosphere heightens his paranoia and fears or his pursuit of the truth and need for companionship. ]

Another treasure hunt, is it? I'm almost beginning to think this place is making me revisit my childhood. Well, so be it. I think I see a piece from here.

[ This task is as good of a place to start as any. Once they know what to look for, they can continue to search for them while exploring the leviathan further. ]

Invisible Bridge: I see things that are not there

[ Sherlock kneels down and examines the space before them. There is nothing there, but Sherlock remembers having walked on air in that other world. He's still not certain any of this is real or another delusion brought about from his madness. ]

I shall start walking and map out the path. If I fall to my death, I will know not to continue in that direction the next time. You can then follow me safely.

[ Wait, what? No, that is not the kind of logic which should be applied here. Surely, someone else understands that this is not a normal response and will come up with an alternative.... ]

Never Have I Ever: I am fine, thank you for asking

[ The rules are simple enough, and the best strategy for them to complete the task would be to ask questions which no one has done. No one would risk becoming inebriated and therefore have a greater chance of crossing the path.

However, if the other person wants to know more about him, they can ruin that strategy. Given that Sherlock has yet to develop a drug problem, has even refused drink, and gets affected by these things more... he might be a bit of lightweight. ]

Do you wish to ask the first question or shall I?

MANTA Board: Stroking the haft

[ Sherlock knows he has to build a new wealth of knowledge in order to best use his skills in this strange world. The MANTA Board provides him the perfect opportunity. The job at the Nodding Kettle might not be his usual line of work, but he's among the workers, listening to their talk, and familiarizing himself with new blade types. All worthwhile endeavors. ]

I've brought another set of swords to sharpen. Have you finished with that one already?

MANTA Board: Supply Side Logic

[ Going undercover into this den seems the best course of action. Going in by force without the numbers or information risks the thieves scattering and taking their drug elsewhere. Sherlock is dressed in some ragged clothing he bought for such a purpose. He doesn't have to do much to his face. The exhausted bags under his eyes and stubble already give an impression of a hapless soul. He shakes out his hair so most of it falls at odd angles. ]

When we are in the vicinity, call me Jon. Jonathan or Sigerson if you wish something a little more formal.

[ Truthfully, Sherlock doesn't know how confident he is in completing this quest. He's good with disguises. He's a good actor. That hasn't changed, and he only needs to obtain a few samples. But... still... ]

Wildcard

[ Want to do something else? Write a prompt or drop me a line at Sherry's journal, aviekokyre, or on Discord @ aviekokyre and we can plot something out. ]

sherlock please use your head (Invisible Bridge)

[treebornekettlegirl]

[You know, when she ended up here with this guy, she gave him her confidence in him that she wouldn't be disappointed. No one could possibly give some malarkey for a plan. And yet...]

... You wanna say that louder and figure out why that's a horrible plan for yourself, or do I need to tell you?

[His solution was to literally walk off a cliff like a lemming!]

But he is! Badly!

[astudyinviolet]

[ The strange atmosphere of the leviathan has made Sherlock more trusting when normally he would keep this knowledge much closer to his heart with a stranger. ]

I know it sounds the height of madness, but I have crossed an invisible path over certain death before.

[ He furrows his brows a little. ]

However, I did have a guide to limit the number of times I fell once I understood the impossible task wished of me.

[ Sherlock looks around. Is there something they can use? The invisible bridge is only part of this puzzle as he thinks he sees a solid path in the distance. ]

he's a little confused, but he's got spirit

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Ranma still looked very straight-faced as Sherlock explained himself.]

Next time, maybe lead with that. It's an... idea on paper, but I'd rather neither of us plummet into who knows what could be down there. [Solid ground, moat of ravenous beasts, tartar sauce. She can't tell from how far up they are. Up here, it looked like a bottomless pit with no bottom to be seen.

Furrowing her brow and rubbing her chin, the martial artist looked around until she noticed what looked like a button on the floor. Ranma'd walk over and stepped her foot on it, and with a rumbling sound, whatever enchantment or veil over the first portion of the bridge was lifted. A stone bridge appeared right before their eyes for a second, and when Ranma took her foot off in shock at the sudden unveiling, disappeared once more.

Blink blink. On, off, on, off. Visible, invisible, visible, invisible. Tangible, intangible, tangible, intangible. She does this about four or five more times, before looking over at Sherlock.]

Think I found our solution, but it looks like one of us is gonna have to stand here and keep the button pressed.

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock is still completely serious about crossing invisible bridges when the young woman finds the button, and a bridge appears from thin air. He watches it vanish and reappear a few times. It can't be that simple. Could it? ]

So you have.

[ Gods, what has that place done to him for him to overlook such a mechanism? To think of some... absurd method first? ]

I'll test the bridge, miss, if you would just stand there. Then I will report back.

[ He's not sure he fully trusts what his eyes sees, but he's not able to have a young lady test whether it's sound. ]

[treebornekettlegirl]

['Consulting detective', her right foot! Then again, it's not like she noticed until she actually stepped away and looked around the place. Though she's not the one who decided that blindly walking off the edge was the best course of action... surprisingly.]

Knock yourself out... Actually, hold on there a sec. [Ranma isn't so sure whether or not this is a trick either. For all they know, that could just be an illusion. The martial artist took off one of her shoes and tossed it onto the bridge to see if it'll pass through.

Thankfully for her, it connected with solid stone and stayed, sitting there idly for now.] Okay, now knock yourself out.

[astudyinviolet]

[ Traumatized baby consulting detective haunted by Cthulhu. There is an important distinction.

Sherlock pulls out his magnifying glass as if that would help explain what is going on. It does not. There is something at play beyond his understanding. Again. He puts a foot onto the bridge, tests his weight, then continues to walk across to the end of the bridge. Nothing happens. ]

There is a path further ahead as we thought, and there's a switch I can pull. Watch for any changes.

[ He pulls the switch, and a click echoes through the room. Nothing else seems to change. Following what he said earlier, Sherlock walks back across the bridge, retrieving the shoe on his way back. ]

Your shoe, Cinderella.

[ Should Ranma step off the button, the bridge will remain visible and solid. ]

[treebornekettlegirl]

[And that being??

The detective wouldn't find much to do with the bridge that makes it clear how it work. The most he could find before it was made visible was that faint outline of dust surrounding it. Ranma reckoned it had something to do with magic or some kind of glamour to keep it from being there.

She waited patiently for the other to return, keeping an eye out. When Sherlock pulled his switch at the end of this section, while it made the first part of the bridge appear, Ranma was sure she saw another part briefly blip into existence before going back out. The little display of chivalry made the tiny fighter roll her eyes.]

Thanks a lot, Charming. [She said flatly as she took her shoe back.] There was another part of the bridge that appeared when you pulled that switch. I'll go on ahead this time while you keep it up. [Ranma wasn't waiting for him to agree or disagree, stepping on the visible portion of the bridge to get to the next section.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ The solution to some puzzles was him suffering great pain and dying.

At least Ranma doesn't have to worry about Sherlock doing more than a fairy tale reference. He's not about to flirt and propose. ]

If you insist.

[ Sherlock follows the young lady to where he had pulled the switch. Then he pulls it again and holds it down. The second part of the path appears. He's reminded of when John had done such a thing and then threatened to kick Sherlock for not moving ahead fast enough. (Maybe he had been teasing John a bit much then.)

The bridge appears. ]

I'll hold this down until you tell me otherwise.

Never Have I Ever: I am fine, thank you for asking

[fatalism]

[ unfortunately for sherlock, he has met the one person who does. fyodor is drawn in by intelligence and this is no exception.

except despite his robust tolerance for drinking, fyodor is also of delicate constitution so any excess drinks must be planned for accordingly. what a shame if they both got super inebriated, right? ]

If you don't mind I am happy to pose the first challenge. [ then, after a brief pause ] Never have I ever forgotten to attend church for confession.

[ RIP ]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock doesn't take a sip. He doesn't attend church and thus would have no need for a confessional. ]

Never have I ever flown in the sky like a bird.

[ He's been in air balloons before, but that's not flying like a bird at all. ]

[fatalism]

What a curious statement. [ fyodor doesn't take a sip either, after all, airplanes are not like birds and neither are helicopters. ]

Never have I ever wasted imbibed with the goal of passing out.

[ drinking to excess is a terrible habit. ]

[astudyinviolet]

It may be a curious one, but it still fits within the rules we were given.

[ Sherlock does not take a sip at the statement given to him. He generally avoids substances which could greatly alter his mental state... caffeinated beverages being the exception. ]

Never have I ever read every yellowback in Barnes's Bookshop.

[ He doesn't read those sensational stories. He prefers reference books. ]

[fatalism]

[ they're far more similar than fyodor had initially assessed. his own drink remains untouched.

then he decides to give something true: ]

Never have I ever read until I passed out.

[ and he takes a sip. ]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock thinks back to the rules. Just like there was nothing saying he couldn't make outrageous statements, there wasn't one for saying things which the speaker had also done. What is this man's aim? It's at odds with his earlier statement about drinking to excess and will hamper the next part of the challenge.

Still, Sherlock takes a sip, and he can't hold back the cough after. Oh, that is very strong. ]

Never have I ever been in a romantic relationship.

[ He'll give a more realistic statement for his third to see how the man reacts. ]

[fatalism]

[ the rules are more like guidelines right now and fyodor is simply testing the water. he finds sherlock interesting enough to play this game, but that is not necessarily a good thing for anyone.

the liquor is strong but, well, fyodor has drunk vodka in copious amounts before and remained soberish.

the statement causes fyodor to tilt his head, then shrug before taking a sip. ]

Never have I ever fallen off a horse.

[astudyinviolet]

[ Has Sherlock ever been on a horse instead of pulled by one? All evidence, timelines, locations, and legal guardianship suggest that he may not have. (Certainly not for sport or leisure as Sherlock would rather occupy his time with other matters.) If he ever had been on a horse, he was so young that he would be in the saddle with someone else and not in control. There was a rocking horse in Cordona, but that likely doesn't count. ]

Nor have I.

[ Sherlock tents his fingers together before his lips and thinks about what to say next as if he's debating his next move in chess. ]

Never have I ever baked a cake.

[ Mrs. Hudson has banned him from doing anything more than making a cold sandwich in her kitchen for good reason. ]

relic hunting

[everblooms]

[ The woman who thrusts herself into his business may be small, willowy limbs belying the raw determination that decorates her stare, but she moves with such understanding of the situation that one would be forgiven for thinking she already had it under control. Aerith's green eyes are lit up from within, burning with a sense of purpose now— and perhaps... a little excitement? There are a great deal of things in the world she never got to do; hunting for the remnants of something lost to time feels like a thing she should be doing, no? ]

I've been talking to the crabs. [ She says it so simply, one might think she talks to crabs all the time. ] It's parts of a statue. One that looks like them, if you can believe it!

[ Off to the cove is where her gaze roves, falling upon an opening in the rock. Where it long ago split rests an opening to a little whirlpool: Nothing intensive, but definitely nothing to attempt with help. Below the surface, wedged between coral and barnacles, shines the dull but golden promise of a statue crab limb: a claw. ]

[astudyinviolet]

It would follow that they would create works in their image.

[ Sherlock then takes one look at the little whirlpool, and his skin manages to go a shade paler. The lady cannot be suggesting they enter the water, could she? ]

... I shall look for something we may use to fish it out if you would keep your eye on it in case it should shift.

[ He already knows that he won't be able to retrieve that relic piece if it remains underwater. Sherlock can't swim. He'll black out. ]

[everblooms]

It does? [ She says it softly, invitingly. As if he'll unravel the secrets of crabkind to her if she shows him enough interest, and Aerith's green gaze saccades between him and the whirlpool for a moment. ]

Fish it out? How 'bout we just jump in and take it? [ She's never swam in a whirlpool— so for a moment Aerith considers that perhaps he knows something she doesn't. Tilting her head, she wears sweetness and curiosity as well as a bird wears it's feathers for a moment. ] Hey, you okay there?

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock would rather explain his thoughts on why the crabs would create works in their own image than why he does not want to go into the water. ]

I'm fine. I just don't want to spend the rest of the day with water-laden clothes.

[ Among other reasons. ]

[everblooms]

[ If she knew him better, she might prod. Unkindly and aggressively, smoothed over with a sweet and teasing smile so that he knows it’s not born from a malicious viewpoint. But because Aerith has only met him recently, she can only cant her head silently, blinking. Hm, this look says. Fair enough, right? But somehow she doesn’t trust him with that alone. ]

I can get in then. You can spot me, can’t you?

[astudyinviolet]

[ People who just don't want to get wet don't turn shades paler at the thought. They just get grumpy, and even as vain as Sherlock can be, just getting wet (such as from the London rain) won't cause the same reaction. ]

Spot you?

[ He's not entirely sure of the exact usage, but from context he understand that he's helping her go into the water. ]

Are you sure that's wise? Once you're in the water, you'll be weighed down and moving with the current.

[ Does she really want to depend on the strength of the exhausted Victorian twink detective? Does she really? ]

[everblooms]

[ Worry is an understanding reaction. He's a stranger, and she is one to him— but Aerith has a trump card. With a smile, she nods her head and then points to the little glimmer in the water that seems so horribly far away right now. ] Wise or not, we won't be getting that piece until we just go for it, will we? Besides, I can take care of myself, you know.

[ Without another word, Aerith pulls from her back the Mythril Rod, a dual-bladed staff, and beams. ] Just trust me. Okay?

[astudyinviolet]

[ It's less that he doesn't trust the woman and more that Sherlock doesn't trust himself. If something goes wrong, there's little he can do.

Still, he gives a slow nod. They do need to get the artifact fragment. ]

What would you have me do then?