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.

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Well...maybe they just need time. And a friend to talk to.

[But giving up on someone entirely like that...she just couldn't.]

That's almost enviable.

[...And of course she takes this to mean:]

Do you need a friend to talk to?

No.

[He has one of those, certainly.]

It's something everyone should have. Even people making the wrong choices.

And those who would let you sit there and listen to their woes while they place a knife and slit your throat?

Then I'd knock them out with my frying pan, tie them up with my hair, and then make them talk.

[This is not unlike events that actually happened in her life.]

Sometimes you don't see it coming.

[This girl would be a perfect target for Moriarty...

Hopefully that won't happen.]

[She certainly hadn't seen Eugene coming. Not in a million years.]

Then you just have to make sure you're ready for anything. [WITH A SONG.]

I hope that optimism stays.

[Sincerity and sarcasm sound very similar coming from Sherlock, hard to make out which that is.]

[It has felt strained the last few days, but it's nearly impossible for her to stay down too long. It's in her nature.]

It will. That's something you can be sure of, Mister, um...

Sherlock Holmes.

[For now, he won't discourage formality. It's a case by case basis, and here it might be useful.]

Well, it's nice to properly meet you, Mr. Sherlock. My name is Rapunzel.

["Fairy tales. And pretty grim ones, too."

An agent of Moriarty? Possible. Would he be so obvious? Also possible. A clue? The same.

Rapunzel. The girl in the tower. Thorns to blind the prince who would rescue her. A fall that caused the blindness. A fall.

"I owe you a fall."]

Indeed.

[None the wiser, she goes on.]

And if you ever want to talk, I'd be more than happy to talk to you.

[Or listen. She could go on for hours either way.]

I think I'll be fine.

[Still, she may have some clue to what Moriarty is planning, whether she knows she has it or not.]

I will remember that offer, though.

[Her voice brightens.]

That's enough for me. It's been nice to talk to you.

Deduction 5 - [ audio / action ]

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;