Sora Holmes - Tumblr Posts
FFXIVWRITE 2024 — 05: STAMP.
“Whether she is cute or creepy has been oft debated, but all agree it is best not to leave her to her own devices.” — Eorzea Database
TAGS: [ isorawrites. » FFXIVwrite » 2024 ]
FANDOMS: FFXIV | Sherlock Holmes.
VERSE: Heavensward » AU.
STATUS: Submitted; 1 chapter.
GENRES: Draft, Short Story.
SHIPS: Murderomantiques.
MUSES: Sora Holmes, Yiune Watson.
NPC: Zhloe Aliapoh.
stamp /stămp/ intransitive verb 01. To bring down (the foot) forcibly. 02. To bring the foot down onto (an object or surface) forcibly.
Nighttime at Idyllshire was as lively as the day, though with a different kind of crowd. Adventurers would flock through the gate, turning in their spoils from their hunts; disciples of the hand and land would rush to the vendors and fight for their share of the trade.
Further behind from the hubbub, there was an orphanage established by Zhloe Aliapoh, a Moon Keeper with a cheery personality. Even so, there was a time that had turned her smile upside down.
Though small and cramped, the foster home had its fair share of guests—from Miss Rowena, her benefactor, to the Warrior of Light, who had been a great assistance with the custom deliveries. However, this pair who followed behind her, weren’t your ordinary helpers.
The shorter of the two was of Xaela origin: clad in full black, with frills that matched her noble upbringing, except for her unblinking grey eyes that shone with cold intelligence. Her partner, a Veena in maid uniform, though appear meek at first glance, had an air of deadly grace—of someone who was capable of walking across wooden boards without a sound, even with her high heels. They introduced themselves as Sora Holmes and Yiune Watson, respectively, and they were recommended by the Warrior of Light himself.
“Here.” Khloe showed the odd duo into a vacant room on the second floor. “I have moved the children to another chamber, but—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the building shook as a thundering sound spook the poor young lady, causing her to lose her balance. Yiune the maid caught her; she noticed that the Viera had large hands.
“…I see,” Sora spoke, completely unfazed by the stamping noise from above. “So this is the reason why you seek our help.”
“T-The children are scared,” Zhloe replied after she had calmed down a little. “We tried to search for the cause of this… strange phenomenon, but we couldn’t find any.”
“What’s above this room?”
“The attic,” Khloe answered, now leaving the room and continuing the tour. “It’s where we keep the toys that the children would pick up and play.”
When the trio reached the topmost floor, the stomping sound began to echo through the orphanage. Khloe pursed her lips when her ears picked up the sound of crying.
“I’m sorry, but please excuse me while I need to attend to the children.”
After the distressed Miqo’te had left the scene, Sora turned to her maidservant. “What do you think?”
“I can feel an odd presence behind this door,” Yiune whispered, placing a hand on the attic’s entrance. Her voice sounded deeper than what one would expect from a pretty lady like her. “But… how?”
“Someone must have sneaked them under the guise of presents for the children,” Sora said, rapping on the wooden surface with her scaled fist. “A poor taste for jokes, if you ask me, especially for the month of All Saints’ Wake.”
She pushed open the door, revealing a room full of toys—or more specifically, dolls. Her nose wrinkled at the dust that shimmered in the moonlight streaming through the rooftop window. The loud stamping also ceased the moment the pair entered the attic.
“You don’t scare us, little ones—I suggest showing yourselves now.”
High-pitched giggling bounced off the walls, probably an intent to confuse the stern guests, but Sora merely sighed.
“If you please,” she said, tapping on the Veena’s arm. “Naughty children should be punished, after all.”
With a curt nod, Yiune pulled out a pair of daggers from the under her maid dress. In a flash, she appeared to slice through the air… only for a handful of broken strings to fall slowly onto the floor. Then, with insane precision, she threw her knives at two particular spots from amongst the towering collection of dolls. Walking up to retrieve her weapon, something was stuck to the end of the blade.
Twinning dolls. One in a red dress, the other in blue.
“Calca and Brina.” Sora grimaced at the culprit behind the annoying stomps. “Who in the world would think that these rascals were worth gifting?”
AUTHOR’S NOTE.
I know the ending is a bit rushed, but I think it works for a quick writing exercise.
When I saw the prompt word, I was immediately reminded of a certain dungeon with certain enemies that were doing exactly that… I am sure most people in the community would agree with me that they were pretty annoying, especially when that sound effect booms through headphones.
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