"Don't call this world adorable, or useful, that's not it.

It's frisky, and a theater for more than fair winds.

The eyelash of lightning is neither good nor evil.

The struck tree burns like a pillar of gold. 

But the blue rain sinks, straight to the white
feet of the trees

whose mouths open."

In many ways, Aves Holmes was fundamentally less interesting than their siblings. They were not some famous detective, scholar, chemist, virtuoso violinist, expert marksman, swordsman, singlestick fighter, pugilist, and brilliant deductive thinker like Sherlock. They were not even a typical, one case detective like Enola was becoming. Nor were they...whatever Mycroft was doing. It seem particularly important, thought Aves could never quite figure out what it was. Nor were they an intrepid run away and the beginning of a mystery not even the greatest detectives could solve, as their mother was. 

In fact, their one claim to fame was a case they had not even been able to claim credit for - society believed it Sherlock's case. Even if proper credit was given, both Enola and Lord Tewksbury had respectfully agreed to not mention their name anywhere near the case. The last thing Aves need was to be swarmed with case offers. They much preferred bees. 

But there was one thing Aves had beat every single one of their siblings in: the art of making friend. 

Now it should be known that they had not meant to make those friends. A troublesome lot, every single one of them. Like mother, they were revolutionaries, though less prone to mind games and abandonment. At the moment their attention was on the Lyon Matchstick Factory, and the conditions that were killing girls with an unknown illness. Typhoid they said. But typhoid caused high fevers, stomach pains, and constipations.  

It did not cause abscesses in your mouth as your jaw rotted away. And it most certainly did not cause your gums to glow. 

It seemed that Aves Holmes had found themselves another mystery. One that went unnoticed, as its victims were poor girls instead of a well known Marquess. And they weren't the only one. 

"Doesn't the wind, turning in circles, invent the dance? 

Haven't the flowers moved, slowly, across Asia, then Europe, 

until at last, now, they shine

in your own yard? 

Don't call this world an explanation, or even an education."

The Case of the Minacious Matchsticks

Aves Holmes — Violet

Faithfulness & Remembrance 

"I did not come looking for a mystery. Unfortunately, it appears mysteries continue to come looking for me."

Coraline Conn — Coriander 

Hidden Worth 

"It is becoming clear that no one consulted a doctor while concocting this lie. Embarrassing. A shame upon liars everywhere." 

James Hermann "Picky" Pickering XII — Southernwood

Consistency; Jest & Banter 

"A family full of geniuses, and not a single one of you have figured out how to develop a personality. I'm going pretend I'm stunned." 

Enola Holmes — Hollyhock

Female Ambition

"I would be his equal, a detective in my own right, worthy of the Holmes name."

Bessie Chapman — Daisy

Innocence & Loyal Love 

"She's a detective."

Mae Izley — Borage

Bluntness & Courage 

"She looks like she'll blow over in the wind."

Sarah Chapman — Black-Eyed Susan

Justice 

"It's time for us to use the only thing we have. Ourselves." 

William Lyon — Sweet William 

Gallantry & Finesse

"They're watching." 

Lord Tewksbury — Magnolia

Nobility & Love of Nature

"My lords, reform is not a task to be accomplished, nor a bill that can be passed. Rather it is a constant need for change."

Sherlock Holmes — Butterfly Weed

Solitude & Rejection of Others 

"Strange how those seeking advice so often like to dispense it."

Eudoria Holmes — Moss

Material Love

"Pull on every loose thread you find."

Mira Troy — Begonia

Individuality & Peace; Beware

"Without power, we women must rely on our wits for our fortune, because our chances are short."

Edith Grayston — Gladiolus

Flower of the Gladiator; Integrity & Strength 

"She likes causing trouble, doesn't she? It's as if she was molded that way."

Inspector Lestrade — Geranium

Folly

"Why ever would she do that?"

Superintendent Grail — Crab Blossom

Ill Nature

"Good God, another one."

"When the Sufi poet whirled, was he looking

outward, to the mountains so solidly there

in a white-capped ring, or was he looking 

to the center of everything: the seed, the egg, the idea

that was also there, 

beautiful as a thumb

curved and touching the finger, tenderly, 

little love-ring, 

as he whirled, 

oh jug of breath, 

in the garden of dust?"

— Mary Oliver, 

Where Does the Dance Begin, Where Does It End?

RIP Aves's chill time. All they wanted was to make a bird dictionary, and now they're stuck solving a mystery with their weird ass siblings. Again. 

But jokes aside, I'm very excited for Aves story in this. They interact interestingly with the plot (what with it being focused on the feminist movement and gender, even more so than the first movie) and it's a chance to delve into relationships that didn't get that much attention in the first part (mainly Aves and their mother.) 

Coraline and Picky are genuinely really fun side character and foils to Aves. Also, them just accidentally making more friends than their siblings is hilarious. Like...lol. Losers. 

PS: I entirely forgot how much I loved the language of flowers until I was writing this.