Chapter LVII: In the case of Baker Street part IX
Finally the group of five had returned back to Baker Street, Basil turned to a lamp nearby and lit it gently as everyone watched on intently. It was now time to deduct and solve.
Basil then quickly took out a magnifying glass from one of his pockets as he then went to have a closer look at the single piece of paper. Everyone was gathered around him peering over his shoulder or back.
Nozomi was quiet as she looked over Basil's right shoulder intently and then decided to speak, "can you see anything on it?"
Hearing her ask the question Basil looked at her for a moment and then straightened up as everyone backed away slightly as he made his reply, "Well my dear, I can deduce very little."
At this reply Nozomi felt a little depressed thinking that it meant they had nothing, however Riku not fixed on this idea then said, "but you can see something right?"
Listening to his question Basil replied still serious holding his magnifying glass, "yes there are some thing's I can make out," with that he demonstrated slowly as he held the magnifying glass over the points he found on the letter, "here the words are written, with a broad pointed quill pen which has splattered twice." With that he went over two of the splatters to show the point.
Hearing the information Nozomi nodded taking it all in not wanting to miss a single point the famous detective was bringing. With that he then began to point out more of his observations, "that the paper is of…." With that he made the paper softly flutter in his right hand gently getting the feeling of texture and weight as he then spoke out his result, "native Mongolian manufacture… with no watermark."
Hearing this Nozomi creased her eyebrows curious as she said, "well they wouldn't be in Mongolia would they?... wherever that is…" For she was not the best at geography when it came to countries locations.
Hearing her say this Riku looked at her annoyed as he retorted, "just because the paper is made in Mongolia doesn't mean they're in Mongolia, you don't have to be dumb to figure that out."
Listening to him make the rude comment Nozomi looked at him annoyed and then looked away as she spoke pouting, "well excuuuse me…"
Dr Dawson not wanting another one of their scuffles calmly intervened as he said, "um you two I don't think this as an appropriate time for a debate…"
Hearing him Nozomi looked at him but before she begin to make any kind of reply Basil instead spoke looking just as annoyed, "indeed… interference is most unnecessary."
Nozomi then quickly decided to shut her mouth not wanting to get in the way again. Riku simply turned to watch once more as Basil continued on satisfied that the right atmosphere was within the room.
He then began again as he put the paper to his mouth saying, "and has…"
However Nozomi couldn't keep quiet for that as she said, "ewww do you really want to be doing that!? You don't know where that's been! And also-"
Riku then interrupted as he looked at her crossly and put a finger to his lips signalling her to be quiet.
Looking at this gesture Nozomi hushed up quickly but got annoyed again as she looked away from his face once more.
Basil quietly looking at her again annoyed slightly himself finally finished as he removed the paper from his mouth saying, "and continuing has been… gummed if I'm not mistaken if I'm very much not in error by…" with that he sniffed the paper getting a scent as he then finally said, "by a bat who has been drinking rodents delight."
Blinking slightly at this response Nozomi was still quiet as Basil then smiled casually saying as he held the paper for Dawson who had his glasses studying the paper in his hand, "a cheap brandy sold only in the seelie pubs."
Hearing this overall assessment Dawson then spoke out his praise, "amazing."
Nozomi feeling then it was safe to speak again spoke herself, "yeah that was… though not the gum bit I think…" as she thought again of the dreadfulness of putting something so dangerously foreign in her mouth.
Though listening to all this praise though Basil took it lightly as he replied moving quickly to his desk, "oh not really we still don't know where it came from."
Hearing this Riku was quiet as he heard this but then knew by then to expect more out of Basil as he said, "but you have a plan to find a specific location right?"
Listening to this well-defined answer Basil replied with his usual confident smile, "indeed I have, and it'll begin with a further inspection." With that he pulled out a microscope and slid the paper underneath its magnifying scope to get some better details.
Everyone once again gathered around him all incredibly curious as to what else this paper would reveal to them all, looking at the paper closely Basil brought the lens into focus as he gazed upon a certain black spattered substance on the paper, seeing it he finally spoke, "coal dust."
Curious by the side of the wooden table Nozomi repeated, "Coal dust?"
Determined with logic Basil made his reply, "yes, clearly of the type used in sewer lamps." With that he left the microscope alone and as he did everyone watched him walk away curiously.
It was then that Dawson made his own way to the device as he then began to peak through the lens, seeing him do this Riku and Nozomi went up to him and stood over waiting in line for their chance to see too.
However before there was even a second for anyone to look Basil snatched the paper away making everyone look on to see what he would do next.
With his tongue out licking his lip slightly Basil held the paper over a Bunsen burner carefully as he suddenly turned it making it fire like a volcano instantly making a huge burned hole in the letter.
Looking at this shocked everyone started to make their complaints and outbursts.
"But, but, Basil I-" Dawson began.
"What the heck do you think you're doing are you-" Nozomi started to cry out alarmed.
"Why are you? -" Riku spoke also shocked.
"Shhhshhhh! All of you don't speak…" he ushered all of them as he let the burning remains gently fall into a small wooden bowl as it turned into ash in seconds. With that he then quickly took out a wooden grinder as he quickly went to work turning the charred ashes further into a dusty substance in seconds as he stirred in the bowl strongly.
Finished he then went to a ready beaker with a yellow liquid chemical inside as he poured the contents quickly in making it turn a colour blue. No one knew what to think or say at all to Basil's impulsive and unexplained experiment, as they all had no choice but to trust him and remain silent.
Dawson quietly stared at the blue turned liquid but then Basil walked on over as he picked it up quickly saying, "excuse me Dawson." With that he held the beaker in his right hand as in his left was a bottle containing a red liquid of some type as he held it over the beaker carefully ready to pour.
Tipping it gently and carefully Basil spoke still grinning, "steady hand… " With that a drop fell into the liquid making it react with a puff and a hiss as it fizzed slightly.
Everyone continued to watch on curious having no idea at all where this was heading at all, Basil then readied the final step as he put the beaker underneath an apparatus with a Bunsen burner at the end with a green chemical liquid bubbling in a bottle glass like flask and attached to it's end was a twirled ring of tubes that led back finally to the beaker.
Turning the Bunsen on fully Basil watched as the green liquid bubbled furiously and began to react as it then started to flow through the odd twirled glassed piping, as it began to make it's journey Basil spoke, "yes, good c'mon, c'mon, c'mon."
Nozomi looked at this really puzzled as she had no idea what was going to happen as she watched the green liquid make it's journey through the glassed piping as she felt a build of excitement as to what was going to occur.
Watching everyone eagerly anticipated the outcome as they saw the liquid whiz in and around the twirls and curls of the apparatus as it made it's long journey until finally reaching it's final point where it all gathered into a single drop at the end of the tubing.
Everyone's eyes were dead set on as Basil spoke excitedly, "yes! Yes!" With that finally the drip poured and entered the beaker in seconds creating a puff of smoke making the liquid turn red in moments creating more fizzing and bubbles.
Basil then cried out, "aha! Yes we have done it my friends!" As he went and stood next to Dawson proud at his massive achievement.
Nozomi however was expecting something a little larger than what happened as she said, "what have we done?"
Hearing her question Basil was beaming with pride as he replied pointing out the genius of science, " my dear! This reaction could only have been triggered by the paper's extreme saturation with distillation of sodium chloride!" With that he walked off.
Hearing all this Nozomi was left with an extremely puzzled face not getting a word of it, as she stood there clueless, Riku and Dawson meantime walked over to the beaker themselves to look at the pale white blue liquid in the container.
Seeing it Riku knew at once what it was and only smiled since he wasn't a bad chemist himself, Nozomi walking over to the two not understanding as she asked the doctor, "Dawson what did he mean?"
Looking at the liquid further for a moment Dawson looked over at her and smiled as he told her, "well what he means in simple words my dear, is that the liquid has turned into salt water."
Hearing this Nozomi creased her eyebrows and said, "salt water? Then… that means the sea right?"
Meanwhile looking through all the scrolls of maps for a specific one that indicated exactly what they needed Basil spoke, "near my dear Nozomi, what this means and proves without a doubt is that this list came from the river front area!" With that Basil finally found the map that he was after as he pulled it out looking at it eagerly as he then began to pin it up to the wall.
Looking at him as the mouse detective spoke, Riku then decided to voice his mind, "you really do have an extraordinary way of making something out of nothing don't you?"
Smiling at this comment Basil grinned with his usual confidence as he replied, "no, no it's elementary my dear Riku."
Everyone walking over stared at the map that indicated a huge river in the city as Basil looked for his point as he continued to speak on to everyone holding a dart ready in his right hand, "now we merely look for a seelie pub, in the only spot!" With that he then pinned the dart down on the spot he wished for as he then finished saying, "where the sewer connects to the water front…"
Looking at their destination determined Nozomi spoke punching her right hand into her left, "and then we rescue Olivia and the king!..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was dark and misty in the waterfront with the many sounds of creaky ships here and there as they were pulled in and out by the sea's calm flow, the wooden platform also creaked underneath everyone's steps as they descended down to the pub, leaving Toby to wait patiently for them all.
The darkness was eerie as they travelled downwards making a chill in the night air; finally there was one glowing light that revealed to them their destination.
Basil walked forward towards it in his disguise along with Riku; Basil was dressed in a blue long jacket and trousers, a light purple shirt underneath along with a fake moustache under his nose, holding a cigarette and a blue cap on his head. Riku was dressed in a dark red long shirt, and a green chequered long scarf hiding away his nose and finally finishing dark blue trousers.
Unfortunately though, "Basil!" Uttered Dawson from behind in an annoyed tone. Followed by, "you guys!?" Finishing with Nozomi.
Basil though wasn't in the mood for fussiness as he spoke out, "come along you two!"
Riku stopped and waited patiently to see what was going to occur, Dawson then called out once more, "I feel utterly ridiculous!" Nozomi then responded, "Ditto that!"
With the two of them came out of the shadows, thus it revealed them too in their own disguises, Dawson was dressed in a blue cap, an eye patch on his right eye, and a bit too small red and pink striped t-shirt along with dark blue trousers held by a black belt along with an earring in his right ear.
Then next to him was Nozomi, dressed in a big brown cap hiding her eyes away and hair, a white short-sleeved shirt and black braces finishing with baggy brown trousers making her look basically look like a paper boy… which she was not pleased with.
However Basil couldn't see what all the complaining was about as he said, " don't be absurd you both look perfect."
Annoyed Dawson complained once more, "perfect? Perfectly foolish!" He spoke, as he was busy trying to pull down his shirt and cover his revealed middle.
Nozomi in the meantime began her complaining, "yeah exactly! And why do I have to look like a paper boy of all things!?"
Riku looking at her oddly asked her, "What's wrong with you being a paper boy?"
Basil also added as well to the conversation, "Yes I agree, it's a good beginning move for starting work, what's to be ashamed of?"
However these comments were just making Nozomi more annoyed as she then replied, "this isn't a problem about jobs! I'm complaining why I couldn't have something more feminine looking!"
At this Basil immediately gave her a reply, "that is because my disguise wardrobe doesn't have feminine clothes in it, and a maid's uniform is most inappropriate so we have to make the best with what we have."
Riku then uttered his own response, "exactly, besides your chest is small enough anyway so no-one would be able to tell the difference." With that he walked on in through the doors.
At this response Nozomi became infuriated as she cried, "you jerk!!!" With that she started to chase after him into the pub.
Watching after the two as they ran in Basil sighed as he said, "it's nice to be young isn't it?"
Hearing him though still annoyed Dawson couldn't help but bring out a smile as well as he replied, "yes indeed isn't it" With that the two of them headed into the pub.
Entering in they saw Nozomi and Riku just a little near the entrance with her still going on at him grabbing his shirt and shaking him slightly, "why did you have to say something like that! Are you saying that I don't have any feminine charm!"
Looking at her and her childishness Riku rolled his eyes as he looked away saying, "well not now you don't, you're acting more like a whinging kid."
With that comment she'd had enough as she then let go of his shirt looking really sour, so instead she looked at the inside of the pub stepping away.
What she saw was a smoky filled room with many tables strewn here and there with many people sat around, eating, gambling, smoking and drinking and in the centre at the end was a stage clad in red curtains illuminated making it stand out from the rest of the gloomy crowd.
Looking at the stage Nozomi saw a performer, an octopus juggling with various coloured balls, dressed in a light blue top and yellow top hat, he had a happy expression on his face as he danced to and throw with his many legs. The music that was provided came from a pianist beside the stage at the bottom as he played a happy go lucky tune.
Seeing him dance Nozomi momentarily dropped her grudge as she saw it and couldn't help but be impressed by the steps he was making as she watched on.
However it was not the time to be entertained as Basil interrupted the moment and said "all of you now…" to everyone lighting his cigarette up walking in front throwing the match away, "stay close and do as I do."
Hearing these orders the others watched as Basil walked down further into the pub his hands in his pockets, looking inconspicuous as much as possible.
Everyone then followed on quickly not to be left behind for this was a completely different setting compared to most normal things.
As the group of four walked further inside a bar keeper washing a pint glass noticed them all as one of his eyebrows raised.
Basil seeing him do this made a gesture as he winked to the man saluting with a simple wave of his left finger as he then tucked his hands back in his pockets and walked on again.
Seeing him do this the others mimicked the same gesture making grumpy expressions mixing in as best they could within the atmosphere.
Nozomi her hands in her pockets looked around the room and noticed all the other mouse gangsters and thugs looking at them all with dangerous looks of suspicion, it made her chilled slightly inside, the last thing she wanted was to get in a fight with a bunch of characters like these.
Suddenly out of the blue a dagger came flying out of nowhere making Dawson stumble back surprised in fright as he then knocked back into Nozomi and a chair.
"Ow! What the heck was-" suddenly then she noticed she had gotten caught by Riku's arms once more as she looked up and saw his eyes looking at her again with the same old annoyed gaze.
However she wasn't in the mood for him either so just pushed herself off of him, "I don't need any more unpleasantness then I've had so far!"
Meanwhile with Dawson the woman's chair who he had knocked into was dressed in green looked at him with an annoyed face, the polite doctor immediately began his apology taking his hat and holding it in his hands in the usual act of courtesy, "oh I do beg your pardon madam, quite unintentional I assure-"
However suddenly the woman had blown a puff of smoke into Dawson's face making him break out in fit's of coughing as she laughed along with her other buddies playing cards.
Dawson seeing this reaction complained annoyed at the rudeness saying, "how impertinent!"
Rushing though quick Nozomi and Basil didn't want any more hostilities to be caused so grabbing the doctor's shirt he told him, "remember we are all lowlife ruffians!"
With that he quickly released him as he walked on leaving the doctor to complain once more, "Well I was until that-"
However then it was Nozomi's turn then to intervene as she ushered him forwards saying, "yeah I know, I know, just let go of it kay?"
The doctor hearing her sighed as he then walked with her followed by Riku as they followed Basil to a vacant table he'd managed to find, everyone then quickly sat themselves down.
Nozomi felt relief at being able to sit down, however she couldn't remain completely calm as she could still feel those unsettling eyes upon them all making her feel on edge.
So not wanting to think about them she looked back up at the stage again as the others did as well continuing to watch the same octopus as he performed his acts of juggling in his still happy go lucky manner.
Nozomi wondered how on earth he could stay in that same mood when looking around she could see the angry and hostile nature of the customers gazing at him, 'he must be either really brave or really stupid."
Looking then she could see that the pianist was well aware of the atmosphere as even his happy face had vanished leaving him looking on edge as gazed at the audience.
Finally then the performance came to an end as the octopus caught all the balls and now bowed his hat into a bow to the audience the smile still on his face.
At this though there was only one set of applause, from Dawson as he looked on happily, the others all quietly just shook their heads as suddenly there was a huge sound of hiss and booing from the audience.
Suddenly there was a shout crying, "Get off you eight legged bum!"
With that a whole assortment of vegetables and fruits and other items were all thrown onto the stage, even some knives and darts making the octopus flee immediately.
Looking Nozomi couldn't help but feel sorry for him but before she could get into anything deeper suddenly a voice asked, "what's ya pleasure mates?" Turning Nozomi saw a female waitress mouse smiling dressed in a light purple dress and a pink apron, a light blue flower in her blonde hair a mole on her right cheek.
Seeing her Nozomi couldn't help but be a little suspicious about her eyes gazing at them, however Dawson oblivious to this acted in his usual manner as he made his order, "well I'll have a dry sherry with a, oh perhaps a small-" he was cut short though by Basil as he put a hand on the naïve doctor's mouth stopping him breaking out of character anymore.
It was then quickly Basil began to speak switching the attention as he said, "four pints for me and my ship mates!" As he then indicated to Riku and Nozomi who tried to stay best in character as they could as Basil acted out his best shipman accent.
The waitress hearing the order then went to carry it out but before she'd even began to make a step Basil spoke once more, "oh by the way, we just got into port, we're all lookin' for an old friend of mine maybe ya know him? Goes by the name of Rattigan!"
At the sound of that one name the waitress suddenly gasped and then all around the rest of the table's occupants suddenly gasped around them as they all looked at them with the same alarmed expression.
Riku, Nozomi and Dawson were all put on high alert as they looked at all of them with widened eyes as well not knowing what was going to occur.
But then the waitress realising the seriousness quickly shrugged it off as she replied calmly, "I uh, eh, never of him," with that she walked off to fetch the drinks.
Nozomi watched her walk away still suspicious as she said under her breath, "didn't seem that way to me."
Now the attention had been taken off their table Riku turned to Dawson as he said to him calmly with a slight sigh, "you know you have really got to stay more in character for this type of endeavour."
Hearing him Dawson was quite baffled as he asked, "why haven't I been doing that?"
At this Riku shook his head no in answer making the doctor look quite saddened that he wasn't doing that great of a job. Basil was silent as he was calmly excited about what was going to happen next as he held his hands together.
Looking at this for a moment Nozomi smiled finally feeling a little more relaxed as she then turned to the stage to see what would be coming up next.
Suddenly then the pianist started up another happy tune as then a green fat frog came onto the stage being carried by a tired and struggling newt upon a unicycle, his tongue hanging out from the pressure of the weight.
Seeing him Nozomi spoke, "I wouldn't like to be in that newt's boots," as she felt sorry for them as well.
For then right on cue once more the missiles came from the booing audience making the duo leave immediately covered in tomato juices and various other products.
"Seems to be really repetitive doesn't it?" She asked as she turned to Riku.
Looking at the audience for a moment as they prepared for another attack he replied, "it's to be expected I guess, these guys just live for violence."
Nozomi nodded to the response as she watched the stage again to see what poor actor would come out next, it was then the pianist trembling started to play the music as a gentle song began to play.
The assassins were ready with their chairs knives and axes, but what was surprising that showed up was a white furred pretty female mouse dressed in a humble dark blue dress a purple shawl on her shoulders and her hair tied back with a light blue ribbon.
She then began her musical number singing,
"Dearest friends, dear gentlemen listen to my song…"
As the words came Nozomi then noticed all around that the angry gangsters and robbers were all quickly calming down lowering their weapons. Nozomi looked back at the mouse lady impressed thinking it incredible at this lady's song's calming power. She had to admit that she was very pretty as well as she looked on.
Her song then at once began again.
"Life down here's been hard for you, life has made you strong."
"Life has made you strong!"
The whole room was now quiet as they all listened and watched the song continue on as all the attention was completely now upon the woman. Even Riku and Dawson were watching entranced, though Basil was still unwavered.
"Let me lift the mood with my attitude…"
Then at that moment the music's tone changed all together as an upbeat rhythm started to fill the room as the pianist began to play the piano more.
"Hey fella's! The time is right!"
"Get ready tonight's the night!"
Looking at the room everyone was moving in sync to the rhythm making the room more peaceful and happy which made Nozomi smile more, she then looked to everyone on the table and she saw Dawson look up at the lady day dreaming like, Basil was still preoccupied but then Riku… when she looked at him she saw that he was looking at the woman as well with a fond smile on his face. It was one of the gentlest looks she'd seen from him.
Her heart then suddenly thumped hard making her feel hurt for some reason.
"Boy's what you're hopin' for will come true,"
"Let me be good to you."
"You tough guys! You're feelin all alone!"
Basil in the meantime his attention elsewhere spied the waitress whispering to the bar tender and as she finished he watched as he smiled mischievously as he then brought out a small green bottle from his waistcoat and then into the four pints that were on the table in front he poured some kind of pink liquid in making the drinks fizzle and pop.
"So dream on and drink your beer!"
"Get cozy your baby's here!"
"You won't be misunderstood!"
"Let me be
good to you!"
With that the pretty mouse lady withdrew behind the red curtains as she looked at everyone with a gentle smile.
Nozomi looking at her seemed saddened as she looked back and saw that Riku as well as Dawson had the same expressions on their faces all entranced by the beautiful mouse lady. The music then started to become even stronger in beat as the other members of the band started up.
Then suddenly from behind the curtains the mouse lady appeared again and this time was escorted by two more! The two were dressed in light pink dresses with layers and feathered hats while the blue mouse lady completely threw away her blue dress revealing her to be in a blue outfit with feathers coming out behind making her more seductive
"I'll take off all my blues!"
The men in the audience were all practically trying to claw their way to the stage all of them drooling. At this point though Nozomi couldn't look anymore as she averted her gaze downwards, she didn't want to see it any longer not liking this feeling inside.
Everyone loved the beauty and attractiveness of the girl's performance, everyone was smiling especially Dawson, as he seemed bashful from a wink he received from the blue dressed mouse.
Riku nudged him smiling at his luck which made Dawson more embarrassed then looking in Nozomi's direction he then noticed the sad pained look on her face but before he could ask about it suddenly, "there ya all are boys!"
Looking he then turned and saw that it was the waitress who'd come with their drinks, Nozomi turned her head up to look at her and then as she saw the drinks she was immediately put off as she looked away again.
The waitress finished with a smile saying, " it's uh, on the house."
Basil looked at the drink suspiciously while Dawson though was pleased even Riku looked at the drinks without a doubt. Dawson then spoke, "I say, how very generous." As he picked up his own pint happily.
Riku hearing him then spoke as well "yeah it isn't it?" He then picked up his own drink but then noticed Nozomi who wasn't even bothering to look at the beverages, seeing her sulky mood he sat his chair nearer to her side.
Looking at her he couldn't tell what was wrong as he placed her drink in front of her and then asked, "what's eating you up?"
Seeing him Nozomi still felt bad as she replied with a slight harsh tone, "none of your business."
Taken aback slightly by this unusual tone she was speaking in Riku then said, "I don't know what's gotten into you? But you have a free drink here waiting for you?" He then indicated it pushing it more in her direction on the table.
Looking at it for a moment Nozomi just felt disgusted as she said, "I don't want it, besides I didn't even ask or it! I don't wanna drink something that I don't know where it's came from."
Riku then was quietly getting annoyed with her moody attitude as he then said to her, "we've been given these things for free! Are you going to insult this generosity?"
Getting more ands more cross Nozomi then snapped, "I said I don't want it okay! You just drink your own!" With that she then smacked the drink away with her right hand sending it to the floor.
Seeing this Riku was now ultra annoyed as he then remarked, "Fine then!" With that he took his own pint and took a huge swig.
"Riku!! Dawson!!" Basil cried alarmed, as he was too late from stopping the two from drinking their drinks.
Nozomi was then alarmed, as she turned around puzzled, "huh what is it?"
Looking at her he then said," these drinks have been drugged!"
At this response Nozomi's expression then too became alarmed as she watched Dawson and Riku finish as they both licked their lips.
Dawson then spoke looking and sounding drowsy saying, "has a rather nice tang to it um?"
Riku then finishing had a strange look on his face, as it was rosy in the cheeks and then replied in the same tone, "yeah it does? Doesn't it?" He finished with a small laugh and an odd happy smile that was very unusual for him.
Then before Nozomi nor Basil could stop them Dawson and Riku then called out to the mouse ladies,
"Jolly good ladies! Jolly good!"
"You're all great! Super and-"
However then Nozomi then pulled them both down angry as he then said annoyed, "will you both shut up!!"
Basil then quickly joined in as he added, "exactly, you've got to pull yourselves together!"
Unfortunately though it was no use as Dawson once again started to applaud the girls and Riku just laughed heartily saying, "oh relax you guys! It's a party you don't have to be dumb er or uh? Serious, yeah?"
Basil was at a loss at what to do with these two idiots, as was Nozomi, it was then the mouse detective spoke with a sigh, "now what are we supposed to do now with these two?"
Nozomi sighed herself feeling annoyed and she couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of guilt that she was partially responsible for what had happened and then said scratching her cheek, "well… it may not help much…but I'll go and try and get some water for Riku… that might snap him out of it, after all one idiot's better then two right?"
Hearing this suggestion Basil paused for a moment, but then thought it best so replied, "all right then, but you be careful remember that any of Rattigan's men could be around here."
Nodding Nozomi replied as she pulled a giggling Riku over her shoulder, "okay I will, you be careful here too yeah?"
Basil then nodded too as he then watched the two of them walk off together as he was left to look after Dawson.
Carrying him on her shoulder Nozomi felt Riku make no effort to lift himself properly making it all the more harder for her to lead him around, feeling his heavy weight Nozomi then imagined that this was how that newt felt holding that huge fat frog.
"Why is it you have to be such a pain for me right now?" She asked him annoyed.
Hearing her Riku replied drowsily, "I'm not a pain…"
Listening Nozomi replied annoyed, "yes you are."
There was slight annoyance in Riku's voice as he replied, "I'm not you are-"
Suddenly then he leaned too heavily forwards making himself and Nozomi fall forwards, "Riku!!" She cried.
Then the two of them landed in a heap in the corner of the room, Nozomi had cushioned the fall letting Riku fall on her uncomfortably.
In pain Nozomi cringed, "ow! You idiot! Why did you have to go and-"
Suddenly she stopped as she saw that Riku was looking up into her eyes, his cheeks still rosy and his eyes drowsy, she didn't know what to say as she was made to look at him.
Riku drowsy spoke to her, "you know I don't know why you were so cross earlier… I just wanted you to have a drink."
Hearing this Nozomi felt her guilt rise again as she then replied with a sigh, "I know… but I just didn't want it okay…I didn't mean to be that harsh…" it was awkward talking like this as she didn't know if he'd even remember anything that would happen when he was sober again.
Suddenly he did something that surprised her he snuggled into her shoulder as he smelt her dark black hair that had fallen from her hat slightly making her jump, alarmed she cried, "what do you think you're doing!?"
He then spoke ultra relaxed and drowsy, "you smell nice…"
At this comment Nozomi blushed red as she then said embarrassed, "well of course I would stupid… I am a girl after all…"
Riku smiled as he sighed and snuggled into her shoulder, "I don't want to move… let me sleep Kay?" He asked.
Hearing this Nozomi then looked perplexed at being treated like a pillow, as she then said, "no idiot! We have to go I gotta wash your face or something! We've got stuff to do remember! And besides that I-"
Suddenly then Riku looked at her with an almost pleading adorable blushing look that made Nozomi halt in seconds as he asked, "please…?"
Seeing this face Nozomi thought he looked ultra adorable and wrestled with her priorities and her maternal instincts until it then came to a stand still Taking her arms she moved them up and around as she hugged him to her over his shoulders.
"Honestly…" she spoke, as she held him, she then noticed for the first time how wide his shoulders were, noticing she then thought, 'I'd have to figure boys would…'
It was quiet between them for many moments as they stayed that way, but then Nozomi still feeling embarrassed in this situation spoke, "you know this is the first time I've ever seen you so mellow like this… you're always so high strung most of the time."
Riku sounding incredibly sleepy replied, "yeah… I want marshmallows…"
At this Nozomi was then perplexed as she said, "huh?... That has got to be the most random comment you've ever said!"
Riku then just giggled gingerly like a little kid and it was then Nozomi thought naptime was over, "okay come on let's go Kay? We have to-"
However she was cut off as Riku was now ultra close to her face making her blush a deep red as he then spoke to her, "you know I don't know what to think of you at times…"
Nozomi blinked unsure of how to respond and then suddenly she noticed Riku started to lean in closer her eyes widened as she then began to say, "wha-"
But then she stopped, as Riku was coming closer inches from her lips, her heart was thumping hard and crazy not knowing what to do as she looked into his deep pale blue eyes.
He then spoke, "why is that you have to be a-" he then began to move closer, Nozomi clenched her eyes shut… and felt nothing.
Suddenly then Riku dropped back down onto her lap in a deep slumber as a single word fell from his lips, "Kairi…"
Nozomi's eyes widened as she opened them her heart still pulsating not knowing how to react, but then as the name sank in she repeated, "Kairi?"
Curious she then wondered, 'who's that?... Wait could it be?' She then remembered the conversation that they had together in Notre Dame and then realised.
"That must be the name of the girl he liked? Or does he still…" As this thought suddenly entered her mind her heart thumped painfully as she clenched her chest. The pain was awful…
She felt saddened by this… and this feeling she couldn't explain it at all as she then said sadly, "even her name is more beautiful then mine…"
