[Action]

[holmes_fanatic]

The second storey apartment of the apartment building that Ran and Conan live in has been long empty. There's nothing to attract attention there -- you could be forgiven for never glancing past the faded curtains. Or not noticing when said curtains were taken down and replaced. Inside the kitchen, lounge and one of the bedrooms have been cleaned up

Comments

[scalethetower]

[Where does Naoki come from? Well... If the bag of soil cradled in the crook of one arm is any indication, he's still been going about his tree-planting. But he has to stop when he notices Conan.

Cocking his head to one side, curiously, he approaches to read the sign.] Opening up shop, Conan-kun? [There is an undercurrent of curiosity to the friendly, if joking, tone.]

[holmes_fanatic]

Mm! I've been answering so many questions lately, I decided why not make it official.

[scalethetower]

[He nods at that.] New arrivals always have questions. And you have a lot of answers, hm?

[holmes_fanatic]

Right! Or there's quite a few people who seem to think so -- I've even been getting referrals.

[scalethetower]

I'm not surprised. You seem to be a bit of an authority around here, Conan-kun.

[holmes_fanatic]

Ha, thank you, Naoki-kun.

Ne ... I think you don't mind being here as much as most of us might, but -- how do you feel about our captors?

[scalethetower]

[Naoki quirks up an eyebrow slightly at that, then turns his attention to the sign, expression unreadable.]

I hate them for what they've put the people I care about through. [The possessions...always those are what he remembers first.] But other than that. [He shakes his head.] I don't much think about them.

[He doesn't like thinking that they are captives here.]

[holmes_fanatic]

[Conan tilts his head curiously.]

So - would you say that changing our situation here isn't something you'd consider a priority of yours?

[scalethetower]

I--guess that'd be right. My priority would be keeping people safe, more than anything.

[Mind, he would try if some way was presented. But as it were... He sighs then, tucking his hands into his pockets and tilting his chin to look up at the sky.]

[holmes_fanatic]

[Conan nods thoughtfully. He hadn't expected Naoki to feel as strongly about their captivity, and Naoki's answer seems to confirm his suspicions that it'd be better not to recruit him for the latest escape effort.]

Speaking of people -- how big is your household currently?

[scalethetower]

[Naoki folds his arms over his chest, thoughtful.]

Five, currently. [A shadow briefly crosses over his face. Mainly because he thinks of Gilbert's other brother, arrived recently according to Ada, and wonders if he'll ask to--no. Naoki won't let him.]

[holmes_fanatic]

Yourself, Ada-neechan, Gilbert-san -- and Jack-san?

[scalethetower]

That's right. Alice, as well. [Pensively:] Gilbert's younger brother, Elliot, doesn't stay with us.

[holmes_fanatic]

How could I forget Alice?

Elliot? I've not met him yet.

[scalethetower]

Heh--don't know. [Said with some amusement. Then he hums.]

He's...well. A bit confrontational. He and Gilbert don't much get along, I think. [...] And Gilbert's other brother arrived recently, according to Ada. [He tries to force a smile, but it ends up falling flat, his uneasiness evident.]

[holmes_fanatic]

His other brother?

[Conan's used to dysfunctional families, but Naoki's manner seems to hint at more ...]