Ask Dgs - Blog Posts
How did Naruhodo and the Mikotobas' boat ride home go? How have things been back in Japan?
Hullo, dear friend.
The trip back to our home country was certainly a bittersweet one. It was not my first time having to say goodbye to my second home, but it could be argued that this time was even more difficult. The three of us managed well enough on the boat, with plenty to do to keep our minds occupied, but as I lay awake in an empty bed, I longed to be with my partner.
I feel immense pride for those two fine young adults. They have been getting along better and better as of late, sharing an experience that few could possibly hope to understand. I long for such camaraderie myself.
Things have been successful in Japan. The three of us have worked hard to implement new ideas within our legal system, adding some contingencies in the hopes of stopping any situations like that of The Professor to happen in our country.
I would like to say I do not regret the choice to leave immediately, but I cannot say that in full confidence. I go back and forth on whether or not I made the right idea.
In short, the situation is complex but progressing smoothly. Signed, Dr. Yuujin Mikotoba
Dear cousin Iris,
20, 5, 12, 12
5, 22, 18, 25, 15, 14, 5
20, 8, 1, 20
20, 9, 13, 5
9, 19
21, 16
6, 15, 18
13, 5
2, 12, 1, 13, 5
11, 1, 18, 13, 1
Henry
My dear cousin Henry,
I have solved your little puzzle and I must say, I fear for you. Truly, I do. I do not know what fate awaits you, but I can only plead for you to find some way to avert it. Holmesies and I will find some way to discover the truth about your circumstances if the need be, but I hope it does not have to come to that.
With great concern, Iris
*a letter was left in Strongharts cell this time with a pencil and paper*
Dear Mr. Stronghart,
How are you feeling? I know it must not be the best but it is a formal thing to ask. I was the one who had given you the carved wooden bird and I was wondering if you liked it. I'm by no means an expert on wood carving, but I like to do it when my older brother is busy so I'd like to think I've gotten good at it!
Sincerely,
-T.V.Z.
To T. V. Z.,
I have been living in the dark for quite some time. I long for unbiased news from the aboveground as I rot in this pit of Hades. I am surrounded by the deranged people whom I had the misfortune of knowing in my first life, though I have been blissfully separated from them, as I am at a high risk for being attacked. I spend my time writing. There is quite a lack of things I am allowed to do.
I did quite enjoy the bird you gave me. I am not allowed to have violent instruments such as whittling tools or knives with which to cut my food (if the food were better than the bland slop they feed me). It was nice to see the work that went into it. I ran my fingers down every crevasse, feeling the mistakes, the details, the knots within the wood.
It has given me something to do, and I have noticed that my fingers are so often on the bird that the natural oils produced by man have begun to naturally weather the wood into a smoother texture, far more pleasing to the touch.
Signed, Mael Stronghart.
P. S. - I notice your unusual initials. Would you, perchance, be related to the van Zieks family?
Prosecutor Asogi, how have you been holding up since Van Zieks' trial? And if it's not too personal, how much of your memories have you recovered?
Anon.
The trial was not easy. I doubt you would be surprised by such a thing, but it turned the beliefs of my life upside-down. I had to spend weeks questioning things I had believed for years. I needed to be alone during that time.
Lestrade, on the other hand, needed to be in good company. She convinced me to visit the Holmes household more often than I would have liked, and, I must admit, it was more fun than I had expected it to be. I know Mikotoba-sama often spoke highly of the fun he had in London, and I can understand why. There is never a dull day on Baker Street. Somehow, some weeks ago, that heinous detective managed to convince me to move in. I... have enjoyed my stay.
It is difficult to remember what you... cannot remember. How am I to recall what memories I've lost if I have lost them? I believe I remember most of everything, but even before my injuries I had trouble with my memories. I lost focus during conversations and seemed to wake up minutes later, or would feel as though I were a bystander to a conversation I was participating in.
I think... I hope. That I have recalled everything important. I remember flashes of my childhood and my father, but not much. I remember growing up in the Mikotoba house, I remember meeting my good friend Naruhodou, but... there is much that I cannot recall. It is impossible to tell what of that is from my fateful trip on that boat and what is natural loss over time.
Signed, Asogi Kazuma
Dear father,
I found the letter you send to my brother and I'm very confused my brother had been away for some time and for him to request something like this is strange. Because you see Miss Karma and my brother Henry had been very close very close I might add. So I don't think my brother would request to destroy evidence like that in fact when it came to a case he would gladly look it over again making sure everything is not fishy about it. May I say that also My brother is planning to look over Miss Karma’s case again after he is back from his trip so I don't think he would want to destroy any evidence about the case? Maybe you got the wrong letter by chance.
Your daughter,
Heather Van zikes
Dear Heather,
I must encourage you to be careful engaging in this matter. I would not be surprised if your brother is in serious danger. I would keep any news about your brother to a minimum in case your letters are being monitored. While it is unlikely, it is always a possibility. I do not believe he would want to destroy evidence if he was still interested in it, and would not be surprised if there were some sort of third party involved here.
Signed, Barok van Zieks
To anyone,
Ladybug
Attack
Snake
Tent
Number
October
Test
Mate
Eat
Bee
End
Colorful
Army
Rose
Even
Fake
Uncle
Late
Key
Ask
Request
Mine
Attorney
Henry Kilnt Van zikes
Aha!
My dear fellow, it seems you have sent me an amateur puzzle. Fortunately for you, I am an amateur puzzle master, and therefore puzzed over this for about a minute.
It is clear that the first letter of every word is what is important, though I also wanted to see if there were any sort of deeper meaning to the words themselves. While there is not much in the beginning, there were a few words that caught my attention, those being 'key ask request mine attorney'.
As this is coming from an attorney, I am gathering that you are in some sort of deep trouble. Last not me, be careful, Karma. Or, perhaps, Last not me, be careful karma. Or, last, not me, be careful, karma. Or, last, not, m-you get my point.
What I gather, no matter what, is that we all must be quite careful.
Yours, Sherlock Holmes
Dear father,
I have a request for you.
Please destroy any case files that has something to do with Victoria Karma.
Henry
My son,
While I understand you may be hesitant to re-experience a difficult time in your life, I will not be a part of any sort of destruction of evidence. I am honestly surprised that you would ask me, of all people, to do something like the conspiracy our family was dragged into all those years ago.
I will not be complicit in this. All I can ask is that you talk to someone about the trouble you are in. Particularly your Uncle Sherlock, if you can manage it.
With care, Lord Barok van Zieks
Dear Uncle Naruhodo,
Did you had go through a time were the person who you were defending turned out to be nothing but a liar but couldn’t do anything about it.
You see my friend/judicial assistant brother Factor Karma.
Did something unbelievable and it ended up in my friend/judicial assistant Victoria Karma being gone forever.
Sorry if this to inconvenient for you
Henry Kilnt Van zikes
Dear Henry,
I am afraid that I have experienced quite a similar situation in my past. While we did not know for certain whether or not my client was guilty, I (as well as my judicial assistant) suspected that he was openly lying on the stand, even going so far as to manipulate the evidence and bribe members of the court.
While I do not know the particulars of your situation, it sounds like an upsetting one indeed. I know that, if I lost my judicial assistant, I would be... well... lost. She is the cornerstone of my court experiences; without her, my skills as a lawyer would crumble.
If you need to talk to someone about those events, I have quite a bit of free time.
Respectfully, Naruhodou Ryuunosuke
Enoch:
Not long after your incarceration in late October, and due to some tragic events, The Professor case was reopened. Following the trial Lord Van Zieks has made the truth of those events known to the general public.
Has anyone told what that truth was? If so, how has made you feel?
Dearest anon,
I feel about that trial the same way I feel about that entire portion of my life: a time that must be moved on from. I feel grateful for the knowledge that I was not imagining what I saw that night, and of course enraged that the truth was kept quiet through the ending and ruining of lives, my own included. I did what I did to bring the truth out of hiding, and I am glad it lives in the open. I wish it could have been sooner, but I am happy that the public now knows.
Gratefully, Enoch Drebber
hi hello ⚙️ anon here! I sent the "Dr. Iris" ask and the one abouch Enoch Drebber's past - did not put my emoji on them because I Deadass Forgot.
I can prouldly say I have read the entirety of the Sherock Holmes canon and oooooh I like what this implied - our Enoch is the son of the Study in Scarlet victim? 10/10 move
P. S. I haven't read your fic yet but I'm looking forward to it!
Hello again! Nice to hear from you once more.
Yes, you got exactly what I was implying! The Enoch we know is Enoch Jr., son of the victim from Study in Scarlet. If you've read that story you might be able to imagine why he doesn't like his dad and might want to leave his family.
P.S. that's okay, I hope you enjoy it!
Signed, Mod of the Baskervilles
"I have made my own sacrifice because of my family trying to protect their blood in much the same way"
If I may ask you to elaborate on that headcanon?..
An excerpt from the diary of Enoch Drebber:
May, 1879, somewhere in the Atlantic--
I find that my arm has started to give off a foul smell. It would appear that my injuries had not healed enough when I found my way onto this boat, and now infection has sunk in. I fear I may lose more than a few fingers this time, though had I waited another few days, I doubt I would have ever made it out of Utah again.
The only reason I made it out of there without my father was, I believe, was that wronged man, Jefferson. Had he not shown up in Cincinnati as he had, my father would have had me in chains. And then in a cart, and then in a ring, and stuck on a farm. I still can hardly believe I made it out of there with my life.
I am surrounded by animals and their dung, which is not the place to nurse a wound, but it was all I could afford. If someone happens to check down here, I would not be surprised if I am thrown seaward, doomed to freeze or drown. That is, if I can survive the loss of my hand, my eye, the lack of food or warm, and the horrific thoughts within my own head.
I have lost track of the days, I know not if I sleep through them, I hope only that I can find my way to London, and to school within it.
Fearfully, E
...
...😳
...
...😱!!!
M... M- Mr Asman!!
Well I never imagined this! That this unusual postbox would allow for a contact with the afterlife!
🤯 H- Hello! I- I'm Nos E. Prick, reporting for The Daily Circus, sir! Oh, you sir, have no idea! You are a myth, a legend amongst us young journalists!
QUESTION!!!: What is the secret to effectively utilizing 🎩 gentleman power🎩 to achieve one's life goals?
With great admiration! 😍
Mr Nos E. Prick
Dear Mr. Prick,
It is wonderful to hear from someone who holds me in the regard I have earned over the course of my life. I do not understand the mechanics by which the living are able to contact me in this afterlife, nor have I really figured out how to contact others undead, but I am happy that I was able to hear from an upstanding young man as yourself.
I cannot speak on just any life path, but I do know how to achieve one's goals if such goals are in the esteemed field of journalism. The advice I will give will be obvious, though not easy to follow.
You must do anything you can in order to get the news. You may find yourself causing scandals anonymously so that you can be the one to have the first story out about it. You can bend the truth if it would benefit you, because outright lies are far easier to prove than simple exaggerations.
Involve yourself with those who make headlines. Politicians, criminals, wealthy men... anyone who can give you a leg up on the competitors. Create good relationships with those who are in the thick of conflict or scandal, and they will tell you about it. Do not be afraid to portray their side of the story. Outrage still pays the bills. If you desire more advice, I could go on and on, though I would hate to bore you.
Yours, Odie Asman
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
dre... bber...
...
...
Enoch... Drebber!!!!!
🔥🔥GAaaAaaaaAAAaaaaAaaarrrgh AAAARRRrgggggghhh!!!!!🔥🔥
🔥Do. You. Dare. Mock. Me. Now. 🔥
🔥🔥DO YOU? 🔥🔥
🔥Aha ha ha ha ha haaaaaa 🔥
Well 🔥Do what you will...
You'll see... In due time🔥
I will be watching over her... Closely... As I always have...
And should the thought of deceiving her... Even fleetingly cross your mind...
🔥🔪I WILL NOT SPARE YOU🔥🔪
IT IS ONLY FAIR NOW
THAT I SHOULD PROTECT MY OWN BLOOD THIS WAY
Wouldn't you agree...
Mr Drebber?
🔥🔥🔥🔥AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
To presumably Courtney Sithe, or at least what remains of her,
I am glad to see I can always count on your levelheadedness in any sort of precarious situation. I am certainly thankful that your work is, or at least was, in that of dead bodies, rather than alive.
I am in no way trying to deceive your daughter. As for blood...
I have made my own sacrifice because of my family trying to protect their blood in much the same way. Do be careful of how tightly you hold onto them, as you may be applying a tourniquet to a wound or instead a healthy limb. Is it worth it to tempt the possibility of necrotic tissue that must be removed?
Scientifically yours, Enoch Drebber
To juror n3 AKA Magical Waluigi
I am a reporter from the independent newspaper The Daily Circus. While investigating Mr Enoch Drebber's past fraudulent exploits, an anonymous source from the man's vicinity has expressed that you were once present at the enineer's workshop and were presumably **a client of his**.
How do you respond to the allegations?
Mr Nos E. Prick
Dear Sir Prick,
Of course I was a client of his. You forget that, in addition to his scientific fraud, he was also a magician. He made science look like magic, but, more importantly, he made magic look like science. Even a great liar can still have his truths.
P.S. Who is this... Waluigi? Fellow?
To odie ASSman,
Did you ever realize the man you hired for your last great deception was someone whose life you ruined years ago?
Btw why did you decide to publish his name back then?
And lastly... How is hell for you? 🤭
RIP Bozo you won't be missed,
Anon
To anon:
I do not appreciate your poking fun at my name. It is something I have heard a great deal of times, so if you could try and come up with something a tad more colorful, I would much appreciate it.
I did not realize that he was someone whose life I had ruined. I tell the news, the truth, in any way that I can. The fallout from such actions are not my concern. I published his name because I did not see any reason not to, as people may question the veracity of the account if I did not state my source.
Hell is hell. And I'll see you there. Odie Asman
To Seishiro Jigoku
Why?
Ten years ago, during that travesty of a trial against your close friend Genshin, you stepped up to the witness stand to defend him. You even destroyed said stand in your fury.
A few days later, when commanded by Stronghart, **you chose to put a bullet to your friend's heart**. You had a choice, and yet you chose to betray that friend you had tried to defend with all your might.
...
...
*Why?*
To my anonymous writer,
I don't think that it is possible to explain the kind of duress I was under on that fateful night. I fully believed in Genshin's innocence. He was my best friend. I would not have destroyed court property if I had not believed that I was correct.
When you are given an order by someone who terrifies and awes you in equal amounts, who holds their fate in your hands, who is urging, demanding that you do something drastic for the fate of yourself and your friends, what do you do? If I had not shot Genshin, I think Stronghart would have shot him instead. I do not believe there was any chance he would have made it out of that cemetery alive.
I was foolish, selfish, reckless, and manipulated. I was too much of a coward to stand up to this order, the time pressure and possibility of Yuujin being caught in the crosshairs... I can never forgive myself for what I did. I hope nobody can forgive me. I deserve every torture in the world.
But nothing I ever do can bring him back.
Jigoku Seishirou
Mr Drebber,
You? Being a college to my daughter? You must hold yourself in a too high regard to think you could be an intellectual equal to her. Ha! Do you think she'd be as foolish as to accept any drivel coming from a fraudster such as you? Do you think that *I* would allow you to go anywhere near her, you vile wrench, you abomination? Has it not been enough for you to ruin my life that you would seek to ruin my daughter's as well?
Besides... You, working for Scotland Yard? Do you think they would accept you, given your history? Was it not you yourself who said you had grown to despise this most upstanding institution? Or are you changing your tune now, as you have well done before, because it's convenient for you?
I will not accept this. I *will* make sure you stay away from my daughter, even if it means I'll have to drag you to the depths of hell with me!
Dr Sithe
To my until recently esteemed colleague,
I would like to thank you for putting such words into my mouth. I do not consider myself to be an intellectual equal to your daughter. If everyone in a workplace had to be as intelligent as one another, some morticians would have lost their jobs a tad sooner.
However, you do bring up a point that I had not properly considered. I was so enamored by the idea of progressing scientific knowledge that I forgot I would be autopsying for that horrifically corrupt organization. Though I hope it will be making changes to fix such things, I know too that I cannot depend on anyone or anything other than myself and the greed of humanity.
With all that said, there is one thing you've failed to consider: your daughter is intelligent and well capable of making her own decisions. Whether or not I become her colleague or friend is up to her, not you.
Best wishes, Enoch Drebber
For Madame Tuspells:
I would like to preface this by saying I am a great admirer of yours, of your work as an artist and of your determination in the way you effectively utilized ✨girl power✨ when you broke into the cemetery that Fateful Night and contributed to Lord Stronghart's downfall 🤭💖.
That being said, what have you been up to since the events of that November when The Great Secret Trial was held? It is my understanding that since Lord Van Zieks made the truth about the Professor case public, you were formally asked to close down your special exhibit. How have you been since then? Are you planning to replace your special exhibit with another new work?
Best wishes,
Anon
Bonsoir, Anon.
I am always thankful to hear from a happy customer! While I do appreciate any sort of publicity, good publicity does tend to help me. As for the downfall of that old man, well, I am happy to rid the world of such men. Men who demand instead of ask.
That trial has changed the environment in this foggy city. The fog descended for a while, muddying the minds of everyone on the streets, curdling the joy that was in the air from the great exhibition. In those months, my beautiful museum was closed. I used the time to create new exhibits... including one about that very trial.
I have discussed the events with many of the people I met in that trial, and while I wanted to do a figure of that detective who was killed, a fierce young girl convinced me not to. A shame, too, as it was so well preserved in that photograph...
Ah, well. I am fortunate to be joined in my creative and sales endeavors by a charming young lady with an affinity for flames. The two of us have gotten on like a... like she says, like a barn on fire.
Esmeralda Tusspells
To Enoch Drebber
Have you thought of what you will do once you're released from prison? What are your plans, if you have any?
With care,
Anon
To anon:
I much appreciate your care. I have had much time to ponder this, and I know what I would prefer to do, though I doubt it would be possible. My dream... my ever-present dream has been to become a world-renowned scientist. I don't believe there is any sort of scientific organization that would accept me considering my history.
I not only destroyed another scientist's dreams, but also blackmailed, manipulated, got people killed... In addition to the grave robbing.
That being said, I've seen much of the new coroner, and the two of us get along rather well. Despite how I treated her mother in the past, we are both fascinated by scientific endeavors, human anatomy, the pursuit of knowledge... and we both understand that our tone, or lack thereof, does not mean that we are not interested. I think she could be a good friend, and, perhaps, colleague.
With care, Enoch Drebber.
mr holmes on a scale of 1-10 how babygirl is professor mikotoba
My dear Ribbon,
I'm afraid I don't quite know the definition of the term you're using. Yuujin is a very mature man, which I suppose would make him the opposite of a baby girl? Though your use of it as an adjective rather than a noun compels me.
Yuujin is a man with a great wealth of knowledge and experience. After we had parted for ten years, he came back with a significant amount of grey in his hair. He had a delightfully well trimmed moustache to match, as well... it took everything in me to focus on the astonishing importance of the case I was on, rather than admiring my partner.
I would give him a 10, regardless of his babygirl-ness. Sherlock Holmes
miss iris, if you were to make a charm of dr mikotoba, what animal would it be?
Dearest Ribbon,
It is rather difficult to choose a proper animal for such a thing! I had Papa as a bunny, but then when I met Susie I realized that she would also be best represented by a bunny! I made Roxy a cat, and then I realized that Kazumie would also be a cat! So, I wanted to get some more variety within the animals I have.
With a mouse, a bear, two cats, two bunnies, and a hedgehog... Hm. I do rather like the idea of him as a fluffy little dog. A very cuddly, warm, sleepy creature... or perhaps another bear, like mine! That way, Susie matches Papa and I match his partner!
What do you think? Iris
NARUHODOU ALERT: THE GIRLS (asougi and van zieks) ARE FIGHTINGGGGG!!!!!!!
Augh!
I have done all that I can to prevent such a thing from happening, and have received countless letters already detailing how precisely Asougi feels about the man. He tells me both of certain incidents that have happened as well as how his personality grates against everyone else's.
He had told me that van Zieks is in a much brighter mood as of late, though, so hopefully the fighting should stop soon! Though I will admit I do not know the contents of this fight in particular.
Thank you for letting me know! Naruhodou Ryuunosuke
mr holmes if professor mikotoba were a worm would you still love him
Ah, my dear Ribbon! That is a rather silly question, one that did puzzle me quite a bit. Mikotoba did inform me that he was asked much the same question, so I would only hope that he would still love me as a worm.
In terms of him being a worm versus a man, I know I would most certainly miss the sound of his dancing. While worms can dance, they do not make a sound while they do it, and I would be unable to see the joy in his face. That would be quite a loss.
But, there is no way I would ever stop loving him, even if he were a worm.
With love, Sherlock Holmes
To Albert: What compelled you to visit Enoch Drebber at prison after all that has happened between you too? What are your feelings regarding him?
Dear anon,
That is quite a difficult question, if I am being perfectly honest. I felt as though I could not move forwards with my life if I did not discuss with him what happened.
He was a large part of my life for a great many months. I thought the two of us were friends, that we could continue to be friends, and I sympathized with his plight. While I hate that he did what he did, that cannot be changed. All I know is that the two of us were a fantastic team.
Furthermore, he is a very smart person, and I needed advice in some social scenarios I found myself in. I am hopeless when it comes to such things, but Enoch seems to find a way to the center of every problem. I have been coming back regularly... it seems he simply wanted someone to listen to him, and I have endless time to do so!
With care, Albert Harebrayne
To anyone,
WHY WEREN’T YOU AT ELF PRACTICE?
🎅
Ah, St. Nicholas!
Ah! My good fellow, I knew there was something I was forgetting. I am afraid it rather slipped my mind, as I had various cases going on in the foggy December evenings. I studied dentistry, astrology, heraldry, zoology... Elfistry somehow fell by the wayside.
My deepest apologies! I shall be better next time.
With love, Sherlock Holmes
*leaves a present with a hand carved wooden bird inside the box in strongharts cell*
To the anonymous gift giver:
I must say... this is an immaculately crafted carving. While such talents should be used in more proper forms of carpentry, beautiful ornate furniture and the like, I cannot deny the beauty of this simple object.
I would like to while away my hours with whittling, though I have been put under immense isolation and careful watch. I argue that I am not a dangerous man, and yet they will not allow me tools for woodworking. I will treasure this.
Mael Stronghart.
Dear cousin Iris and Papa and Daddy,
My brother Henry had been acting weird lately.
You see my brother is a prosecutor like papa and is known as the storyteller and lately his been depressed and I don’t know why ever since his last trial.
What do you think I should do?
With love your daughter and cousin Heather Kelly Van zikes
To Heather,
Sometimes things can be very taxing on people! I am not sure what exactly the context of this trial was, but what I do know is that you are always free to ask. Even if you don't come up with an answer, you will at least know that you have tried.
I've found that whenever Papa or my Uncle Barok are feeling down, when I just spend some time with them, they tend to feel much better.
I hope you can come up with a solution!
Iris
Dear Gina, any updates on the move to 221B? What's it like? Best, 🥝
Dear 🥝,
I'm still trying to figure out some money so I can pay Mr. Holmes and all them. It feels wrong to not be able to pay for it, what with me being used to being on the streets and all. I know I don't need a place like his, yeah? But he's still just being so kind, and I can't really get why.
After a whole lotta convincing, though, it was actually Asougi who helped me make up my mind. (Asogi? Asoogi? I asked Toby and he wasn't too sure either. Sorry!) He basically said that he would pay for it if Mr. Holmes needed money, he just wanted to make sure I was livin somewhere safe. I moved all my stuff in yesterday, slept there last night an everythin.
(I think really his reason for sayin that, though, was that he knows what it's like to be lost and sad and lonely. I think he needs me there to help him feel better even when I make myself feel better.)
What do you think?
Detective Gina Lestrade