notquiteheartless | Deduction 5 - [ audio / action ]

That one there.

...No. The other.

Thank you.

[Sherlock Holmes likes to talk as he works.

Today, he actually has a project. Gone is the boredom and lethargy, but he has not progressed into the mania of a case yet. He is all scientific control now, watching every flame and chemical and reaction with the utmost care.

There's a lot to do. Compounds need to be broken down so elements and simplier compounds can be isolated. Then those have to be correctly combined. A long process with the rudimentary equipment found in the laboratory he and Temperance share in her flat.

And whomever he is speaking to isn't the only one who has to listen to him.]

It's always about comfort.

Truth? Entirely expendable if one is not comfortable with it. People prefer what makes them feel at ease, what seems 'nicest.' Even if it's nothing more than a good story.

[And Moriarty was a very good storyteller.]

Whatever threatens their world-view least, they accept. Are delighted to take as proven fact, even if there is only conjecture to support it.

Sheep, following the butcher to slaughter, bleeting happily.

[Does he sound irritated?]

But everyone makes mistakes. All their deceptions? Eventually come unravelled. Strange as this place is, it is not an exception to this rule.

[That would be because he is. His mood has been just a slight bit volatile since his midnight "chat" with Moriarty. Whom he is quite sure will hear this, whom he wants to hear this, wants him to know he'll be waiting for that one mistake. His conversation with Lestrade hadn't helped either.

To the other in the room:]

That one now.

[A quiet sigh. The look he's getting doesn't need words to make its doubts clear.]

Oxford, John. I know what I'm doing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You are. Home's the same way, actually.

It's human nature. Most prefer to feel a false sense of security or confidence, rather thant he truth about their limitations or how dangerous a situation or person is.

[He does appreciate someone being willing to admit that he is right. Not enough of that in the world.]

Most tips for "crime prevention" rely on that principle. They make people believe they are safe without really making them safe.

Mmhm. If people knew about what really went down on a nightly basis? I doubt they'd be so keen to walk the streets, no matter how many cans of pepper-spray they had.

They'd never feel safe if they knew what goes on unnoticed during the day.

Some would say they're better that way. Stuck out of the loop.

Some.

Some might think that they're only in more danger not knowing.

So. Enlighten me, Mister Detective. Who gets to make that call?

They do.

You can tell them and tell them but until they're ready to listen to you, they won't hear a word of it.

I tried telling. Once. It didn't end so well.

[He knows how that goes.]

They won't until they're ready.

[ and while she's waiting -- over a decade, now -- for that to happen? people keep dying. buffy works on a passable filter. ]

Anyway. Heads up? Chat like that won't make you too popular around here. You gotta develop a social butterfly mode or you won't get anywhere.

I don't care about being "popular."

John's the one who's good with people.

[ laughter. ]

You don't have to care about being popular. You just have to recognize the fact that a penniless village runs on favours and goodwill, instead.

Very mercenary.

Who, me? Nah. I actually genuinely like helping folks. Like right then, with that piece of totally great advice I just gave you. The bill's in the mail.

[ yep. she's teasing. ]

[Very mercenary. And very good at trying to hide it.

All the more reason to keep her under surveillance.]

I'll remember it.

[And not apply it.

People are John's area. Not his.]

Speaking of how no good deed goes unpunished -- how'd those cancer sticks hold up?

[A beat.

No harm in admitting it.]

Confiscated.

Seriously? By who?

My flatmate.

John Watson, right?

Edited 2012-05-19 19:11 (UTC)

He spared me the health lecture this time, at least.

[He's taking the loss of his cigarettes well. He doesn't even sound irritated.]

Did you know that he, uhm, was here? Before, I mean?

[ sparrow has recently reminded her of this fact. ]

He didn't mention that, no.

It's possible that he doesn't remember it. But other people do.

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