O Come, All Ye Lawful | M&D Law Firm Mingle Log

[slideruler]

WHO: James Moriarty and you!
WHERE: M&D Law Firm (located between Poundland and Auguries of Innocence in Brick Alley)
WHEN: December
WHAT: Mingle log! For anyone who wants to make him regret posting his address on main, or holiday shenanigans later in the month
WARNINGS: none so far, will update if necessary

Comments

Action; after the conversation and little bit of indecisiveness

[myriadeclipse]

[ There may have been a bit of agonizing over what to bring. There didn't need to such agony, but no matter the time and thought to took, Hugo stood before the door to the office, holding a small basket of dark, woven wicker with a white and lilac cotton lining inside.

Lifting his hand, he gave the door three solid, slow knocks and then dropped the hand, waiting. This was the address. He made sure on his way there three times. There was also a period outside of trying to mentally rehearse what he was supposed to say to THE James Moriarty. It was a rare moment where Hugo felt like he could make a fool out of himself. This just happened to be one of those times.

It was fine. He had Earl Grey loose-leaf tea chosen by his very picky fiancée, and a few pastries similarly picked out by that wolfman. A little berry tart, a scone, a piece of cake, and a Crème Brulé that Hugo was fairly unsure about serving at room temperature. Oh well. He will deal with it as he had to. ]

[slideruler]

[ What sort of person does the name James Moriarty bring to mind? Possibly a sly yet charismatic older man—or at least a composed gentlemen of commanding presence, someone undeniably worthy of the title 'Napoleon of Crime'.

Most people probably don't imagine this James Moriarty, a young man of twenty-five with unruly silver hair and a questionable fashion sense, but that's who ends up opening the door. Sorry, Hugo. ]

Yes, hello?

[ Given the late hour, deducing the identity of his visitor isn't an especially difficult task. Eyes the color of pitch flicker up and down Hugo's figure, taking in the finer details of his appearance and the offering he's carrying before Moriarty smiles, genial. ]

Ah, my vampire friend from the network. You know, I don't think I caught your name actually.

But where are my manners? Come in, come in!

[ He steps back to allow Hugo passage. The office behind him looks surprisingly well lived-in for how recently he arrived. The walls are lined with book-filled shelves; two plush red couches flank either side of a low polished wooden table near the center of the room. There's a large desk near the back wall, likely belonging to Moriarty, considering he's the only one here. ]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo pressed a hand to his chest, giving the other a bow after the door was opened. Sure, what greeted him was not at all what he thought he was going to see. Moriarty was always described as older and distinguished, if not troublesome. What he was viewing now was as if he were staring into chaos as a seed. This sproutling with the most questionable color combination sense he's seen yet in his city was? Is? Would become?

He was in one stage or another of become The Napoleon of Crime.]

Yes. Pleased to see you face to face.

[ He waits for the invitation, smiling once it was given, crossing inside with a bow of his head. Stepping into that office, the blond took a quick look around the rather lived in office. He took account of how everything was laid out as he approached the table in the middle, setting the basket down. ]

Hugo. Hugo Vlad. A name that wouldn't be familar... Although I find the 'vlad' part ends up being well known due to it's association to other vampires. There is tea and baked goods inside. Please help yourself and think of it as my welcome to you.

[slideruler]

[ Were it actually the older Archer-class James Moriarty standing before him now and not his younger Ruler-class counterpart, he would surely applaud Hugo's keen observational skills. For Hugo's assessment is correct, of course.

Compared to the graceful Ulysses butterfly that serves as his future self's calling card, this version of James Moriarty is closer to an unhatched chrysalis, having not yet reached his full potential—for evil or otherwise. ]

Oho? How generous of you.

Given that we seem to be close in age, I hope you won't mind if I call you Hugo?

You're welcome to call me James in turn, if you'd like—although I'll admit I answer just as quickly to my surname. In fact, I'm called Moriarty more often than not!

[ Moriarty moves over to the left-most of the two red couches and sits down, gesturing to encourage Hugo to take the seat across from him on the other side of the table. ]

Either way, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance properly.

Posting on that app was novel in its own way, considering it was my first time doing anything of the sort, but I think we lose something when reduced to words alone.

Action | Recieved Directions

[ghostbutler]

[It took some finagling to sort out his new phone. Whisper much preferred his Yokai Pad. Eventually, however, he did find the provided location. He whistled. A law firm? That was certainly impressive!

Whisper knocked on the front door. It was only polite! Then, turning Incorporeal, he peaked his head through the door itself.]

Helloooo, there! May I come in?

[He was technically already inside but doors do mean little to ghosts. A butler could afford to be a little mischievous, as a treat. After all, he wasn't beholden to a master here, so he had no reputation to uphold.]

[slideruler]

[ Whisper catches Moriarty in the middle of getting up from his chair, from behind the large desk on the other side of the room. He startles, eyes widening. ]

—you're already in, aren't you?

[ He does finish getting up and coming around his desk, arching his eyebrows at the ghostly butler. ]

I would say the door is unlocked, but you're clearly beyond such things.

[ghostbutler]

I gather you have excellent deductive skills too! Smart and observant!

[Whisper was grinning like a fool as he stepped inside fully through the door. He patted down his sleeves, swiping out invisible dust off himself then straightening his butler's garb.]

So good to meet you face to face, old boy. When you said you were new too, I wasn't expecting you to have such accomodations! I mean, a law firm? That feels like quite the accomplishment.

[He took a moment to look around. A whole building. He was looking for any speck of dust he could find.]

Have you tried any cases yet?

[slideruler]

[ Well, praising him is one way to immediately earn his favor. Moriarty brightens. ]

You're correct. I am also very persuasive.

[ More like annoying—in this particular case, at least—but hey, free real estate is free real estate. ]

But yes, I arrived in this city myself not all that long ago.

My name is James Moriarty. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[ Cases, huh... ]

Not yet. As I said, I'm still establishing myself here, although I am not entirely without clients!

I HEARD WE HAD A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

[doubledollar]

[ did dante warn you about the seven foot tall tree? no? well its coming into your house office whatever combo it is right now and he's carrying a basket that's almost big enough to cover his damn head. ]

--Hey! --Oughh, this is heavy--Uh, snow. Snowing! Sorry! Getting water on your--wow, that's a NICE rug--

[ sorry about this ]

OH GOD HOW ARE YOU EVEN TALLER THAN THE SPARDAS

[slideruler]

[ Dante definitely did not warn him about the seven foot tall tree, and frankly, Moriarty is emotionally unprepared for this.

He hastily hurries over to meet Vash by the door. ]

Can I help you?!?!

[ The question is part genuine offer, part reflexive alarm. Oh god, the snow is getting everywhere, not his poor rug— ]

BY THE POWER OF THE GACHA GOODWILL GIVING HIM AN EXTRA FOOT

[doubledollar]

[ omg look at you coming over to help you're so sweet, mr moriarty
this is going to go poorly for you.

as Vash moves to start handing him some of the heavier items he's carrying with a grin and a hum. ]

Yeah! Thanks!! I appreciate it! I was afraid I was gonna start dropping stuff. Oh--I should have asked if you even like Alchohol, I'm so sorry, I'd just assumed. And sheesh, I didn't even bother to ask if you had any allergies...

[ this isn't helping solve any mysteries is it ]

Action | The Gift That Keeps On Giving

[ghostbutler]

[Since Moriarty was so generous as to get Whisper a gift even after arriving in Kaisou so soon, Whisper figured he had to pay him back in kind. It wasn't much, but he figured it would be a nice personal touch to the office law firm that was still gaining its foothold in the strange city. Not that he paid attention much to Moriarty's business, but clients seemed far few in between...]

Sir! Oh, Sir, I have a gift for you!

[It was gift wrapped, such a helpful thing! Whisper entered the room from his closet-bedroom, completely forgetting the door. It was a bit spooky when he just announced his presence like that. At least the ghostly butler would knock on Moritary's private room when he needed to clean. You never know.]

[slideruler]

[ Luckily, Moriarty has always been quick to adapt, so it didn't take him long to move past the point of him startling every time Whisper unexpectedly pops through a solid surface. Indeed, he doesn't even flinch when the ghostly butler suddenly calls out to him, merely glancing up from the book he's reading with an elegant arch of his brow. ]

A gift?

[ Truthfully, he'd gotten Whisper a Christmas gift earlier because it simply seemed like something a reputable employer should do. He's trying to project a certain image, after all, of someone who is trustworthy and reliable and good. Someone people should definitely want to hire to handle their sensitive legal matters—or anything else, at this point.

Moriarty will return to doing odd jobs for locals if he absolutely must, but he hasn't thrown in the towel on securing himself more legal business just yet. Seriously, does no one ever get sued around here? ]

[ghostbutler]

Absolutely! As your butler, I want you to enjoy your life as best as you possibly can. One thing I think would help is giving a more personal touch to the decor! Thus did I see this piece and think 'You know, Whisper, me, Master would love this, its so welcoming. This would guarantee more clients for him. You're so smart, me!'

[So smart, so humble. But it was a bit concerning that even Whisper noticed that Moriarty wasn't getting much work at all. His occasional ice cream payment must be starting to rake up. Whisper had to do something!]

Ta-daaaa.

[It wasn't a large gift, but it was flat. As expected of decor. Moriarty could open it without much trouble.]

I hope you like it! It seemed so fitting, after all!

[To Whisper, it did. He was recently declared that his spirit animal was a the humble bird. However, since this piece of decor features two very red cardinals for no particular reason, perhaps it fit Moriarty more. They were, uh, sleek! Just like Moriarty!]

Text initially, Action later | AFTER THE BIG CHRISTMAS PARTY

[slideruler]

[ For the most part, Moriarty has been content to do his own thing. He's not a particularly needy Servant; in fact, he prides himself on his independence. He'd rather not rely on his Master, if he can otherwise help it.

Which is why, apart from the magical energy he drains from Dante daily simply by existing, he hasn't asked for much else from the older half-demon.

Of course, that prideful resolve immediately goes out the window as soon as he wakes up with a pair of soft rounded animal ears and black-tipped white tail. ]

MASTER

[ In an incredible show of restraint, Moriarty gives Dante exactly 4.78 seconds to notice he's being texted and formulate some kind of response. When that doesn't happen, Moriarty continues blowing up his phone. ]

MASTER I NEED YOU TO COME OVER RIGHT NOW
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY SAINT GRAPH

[ It doesn't matter if Dante actually knows what a Saint Graph is or not. From Moriarty's perspective, the fact he's reaching out at all surely indicates how dire the situation must be.

Of course, the more worked up he gets about it, the worse things are going to get for Moriarty personally. Is he simply imagining things, or do his nails seem a little longer and sharper than they were a few minutes ago?

Moriarty restlessly paces the perimeter of his office, his brand-new tail twitching anxiously behind him each time he completes a circuit of the room.

He's gripping his phone between his hands like it's his one and only lifeline, his gaze laser focused on the small screen, awaiting the moment that little 'Read' receipt appears. ]

[advivo]

[ he has absolutely no idea what a Saint Graph is nor what could possibly be wrong with it but the panicked way Moriarty is messaging is enough to drag him from the depths of his nap. it takes him a moment, maybe two, to actually get up off the couch in the office of Devil May Cry, rubbing his eyes as his phone buzzing frantically. ]

Alright, alright...

[ blindly he grabs at his phone, squinting at the screen and the messages. he doesn't respond, but it does register that he's at least read the messages. instead Dante gets up, makes his way down stairs, and groggily plods his way next door. ]

What's got you blowing up my phone? I was taking a nap.

[ ... where is Moriarity? ]

[slideruler]

[ There. Master read his messages! Finally!!!

Moriarty narrows his eyes at the screen, waiting expectantly for some kind of acknowledgement of his distress, but no typing notification appears. His eyes widen as a realization begins to dawn.

MASTER IGNORE MORIARTY? MASTER IGNORE MORIARTY LIKE SPAM CALLER? OH! JAIL FOR MASTER! JAIL FOR MASTER FOR ONE THOUSAND—

The front door opens. ]

MASTER!

[ Moriarty is at his side in an instant, practically vibrating with urgency. Yes, he knows he's supposed to call Dante 'Dante' and not Master; they've been over this multiple times. Will that stop him? Absolutely not. He's in crisis mode. His new snow-white ears twitch. ]

There has been some sort of critical malfunction with my Saint Graph.

Look: behold the terrible corruption of my young and incredibly handsome form.

[ Dramatically, he uses both hands to point at the two animal ears currently poking out of his hair. He's got a tail now, too. ]

I might be dying? I think I'm dying.

[lanternae]

[Knock Knock.

It's a few days after the whole Alastor incident, and Flins has now realized that his magic may have gone a little haywire when the 'deal' he'd made with eradicating a certain demon resulted in no eradications of certain demons. Woe, weasel be upon ye.

After making a quick stop to the antique shop next door to turn one of Vergil's expensive vases purple with yellow stripes, he goes to the door of the law firm and gives two firm knocks.

Figuring this didn't operate by vampire rules (he's not a vampire anyway), he opens the door via the handle and peeks his head in.]

Sir Moriarty, I have some questions for-

[Ermine. That's a man with unmistakable ermine features.

He can't help but put his hand to his lips.]

I now have zero questions for you.

[slideruler]

[ As soon as he hears the knock at the door, his head whips around expectantly—but it's not his Master. He's surprised instead to see that it's his fellow Goodwill connoisseur, Flins, who has probably picked the worst time possible for an impromptu visit.

Great. Master has clearly abandoned him to his fate. ]

You may want to reconsider.

I can't promise you'll get another chance in the days ahead.

[ For he's dying, you see. Probably, anyway.

Moriarty collapses (dramatically) on top of one of the two red couches in his office, rolling onto his back and folding his hands over his chest as if he's already imagining himself inside a coffin (also dramatically). ]

...Ow.

[ THIS STUPID TAIL—his melodramatic repose is ruined by the fact that laying on top of his brand-new appendage like this is actually quite uncomfortable. He's forced to sit up, grimacing. ]

action; early december

[hoshikiri]

[snf snf snf

Takame saw the network and he knows there is a Servant about. While the man seemed to have no intentions of starting problems (on purpose/right now), Takame wanted to gauge the man himself. And see how he was sustaining himself for that matter. Did another Master arrive with him? Or was the ambient aether doing something for him... he did not know for certain.

Nor did he know much about a Ruler class, what in the kami's name...

Things to ask the man about, perhaps... but first Takame had questions of his own. So here he is entering the law offices of big Mr Crime Man Lily.]

... Excuse me?

[slideruler]

[ Moriarty did blatantly post his home address on the network and invite people to come check out his brand new business, so really, Takame is only doing as he asked. ]

Welcome to M&D Law Firm! Is it a lawsuit you're here for? A settlement?

At a time like this, I couldn't care less what the job is!

[ He can't afford to be picky. ]

[hoshikiri]

Ah.

[... well, he was eager to be sure. What was it the young folks said, acquire the grain? Obtain that sack? Takame still wasn't in on all of the lingo, he's still too afraid to ask what crashing out means let alone why the number sixty-seven is so popular.

Anyway, Takame shook his head.]

No, nothing of that sort. My apologies, but I do not have any work for you at this time. However, if I become aware of someone in need of such services I will inform you.

[... being honest he'd send them to Jusis first. It's okay Moriarty doesn't need to know that. Takame gave the man a long, head to toe scan just to confirm some things. To see the man's form of mana. Read what he could from the parameters Waver spoke of long ago.

But also just to gauge what he could of the man at face value. Besides uh desperate as hell.]

It is, however, you I wished to see.

action; mid-late december

[fionnuisce]

[The person who stepped through the doors of the office might have looked more than passably familiar to someone that had dealings with Chaldea; but at the same time, just slightly off in the way of a distorted reflection. His clothes were in shades of black and dark green, long hair pulled back into a neat ponytail--and the hand not currently carrying a small paper bag was leaning on a silver-handled cane at his side.]

Okay. Let's just be very clear right from the outset. I don't want to fight unless you want to start shit, it's none of my damn business what you do here, but unfortunately as a Master as well as a Clock Tower mage I have to at least make it my business to ask a couple questions.

[He set the bag on Moriarty's desk; inside was an immaculate new teacup and tin of looseleaf tea.]

Peace offering, in a manner of speaking.

[slideruler]

[ Unfortunately for this particular iteration of the Ruler Class Servant James Moriarty, he doesn't have the benefit of even a passing familiarity with any version of the man standing before him now. His dealings with Chaldea were extremely limited—with Moriarty personally interfacing only with Ritsuka Fujimaru, Mash Kyrielight, and Kadoc Zemlupus.

He does not know this unfriendly Brit, but he has a guess on who he might be. ]

Waver Velvet, I presume?

[ LISTEN, IF HE KEEPS SAYING IT, ONE OF THESE DAYS HE'S GOING TO BE RIGHT. Besides, the man just owned up to being a Master, as well as a magus affiliated with the Clock Tower. This has to be that mystery Saber's Master from the network.

Moriarty narrows his eyes slightly at the bag that's been deposited on the desk in front of him. Regardless of whether it makes him look rude or not, he opens the 'gift' on the spot, just to make sure it's not secretly a bomb or something. ]

...Which I'll choose to accept.

[ Just gonna tuck the paper bag out of reach behind his desk, so Waver can't possibly take it back. ]

I have nothing to hide. Ask your questions.

[fionnuisce]

I am, yes. My Servant isn't here, in spirit form or otherwise--I don't care for needless hostilities, and the war doesn't exist in any form here.

[He moved to settle into the nearest seat, leaning his cane against the couch and crossing his right leg over the left.]

...In my timeline, there are only seven Servant classes, none of which are 'Ruler'. I was hoping you could elaborate a little as to its prerequisites and what it means.