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nexus_crossings2020-05-07 02:49 am
highfunctioning_sociopath) wrote in nexus_crossings2020-05-07 02:49 am
Disquiet
Sherlock has been here about a month. He's more or less kept to himself, except when he's had to go out to get something to eat. It took about five days to settle in a bit and stop fighting the question if he was dreaming or not. He didn't like accepting that this wasn't a drug-induced high or that he was stuck in his mind palace. In the end, it helped that no one he recognised was here. After all, in his mind palace, there was always at least one person he knew.
But, it took that long because either of those options were preferable to the truth: he was in some weird alternate reality with no way home. Well, unless he found whatever door he had stumbled through to get here. And, he wasn't sure he wanted to go back. All that waited for him back there were recovery and facing the loss of Mary. Culverton Smith had been a fantastic distraction from the horror that it was his fault that Mary died. (Even if John told him it wasn't, he shouldn't have pushed Vivian.) It was a reality he didn't want to face. Yet, even here, the grief and guilt would sneak up on him.
It's why it was better to avoid people than be around them. Well, that, and the strange person who acted like she knew him so well and she didn't know him at all. That was... troubling. And he kept a look-out for her every time he did wander out. He hadn't decided what to make of her yet. So avoidance of that was the best possible answer. Still, he needed money. And while in theory, he understood the PIN devices, he wasn't sure they worked quite like the internet back home.
So, he's sitting on a bench in the plaza, next to a sign, which reads:
Sherlock Holmes,
the world's only consulting detective.
This is what I do:
1. I observe everything.
2. From that, I deduce everything.
3. Once I've eliminated the impossible,
whatever remains,
must be the truth.
But, that was really just attention seeking. He has a question of his own. So whenever anyone ventures close enough to read the sign, he allows for general introductions and eventually asks: "How do you live with yourself, if a vow you failed to keep led to the death of your friend?"
But, it took that long because either of those options were preferable to the truth: he was in some weird alternate reality with no way home. Well, unless he found whatever door he had stumbled through to get here. And, he wasn't sure he wanted to go back. All that waited for him back there were recovery and facing the loss of Mary. Culverton Smith had been a fantastic distraction from the horror that it was his fault that Mary died. (Even if John told him it wasn't, he shouldn't have pushed Vivian.) It was a reality he didn't want to face. Yet, even here, the grief and guilt would sneak up on him.
It's why it was better to avoid people than be around them. Well, that, and the strange person who acted like she knew him so well and she didn't know him at all. That was... troubling. And he kept a look-out for her every time he did wander out. He hadn't decided what to make of her yet. So avoidance of that was the best possible answer. Still, he needed money. And while in theory, he understood the PIN devices, he wasn't sure they worked quite like the internet back home.
So, he's sitting on a bench in the plaza, next to a sign, which reads:
Sherlock Holmes,
the world's only consulting detective.
This is what I do:
1. I observe everything.
2. From that, I deduce everything.
3. Once I've eliminated the impossible,
whatever remains,
must be the truth.
But, that was really just attention seeking. He has a question of his own. So whenever anyone ventures close enough to read the sign, he allows for general introductions and eventually asks: "How do you live with yourself, if a vow you failed to keep led to the death of your friend?"
no subject
But the ego stroke does him some good. And back to her offer, he tilts his head considering her again. He doesn't make many deductions here now. It's been wrong more often than right and that is painful.
"What sort of help could you be to me? The only thing I need help with is finding some elusive door that I somehow came through and ended up here."
no subject
His reaction is not what she expected, almost caught off-guard by his direct inquiry. Most are eager to ask about the Nexus multiverse, but she should've known that someone as intelligent as him wouldn't need help. It's still a wise idea to establish good rapport with people.
"Alas, I can't offer any help with your missing door. But based on that, I'm assuming you're stuck here and that can be a problem to some." She shrugs her shoulders in slight resignation. "Asking just felt like the right thing to do. I could be completely useless in the end, but it's still worth the effort to ask."
no subject
But he doesn't care what people in his own universe thinks of him. Let alone people in others. She is trying hard. In some sense, too hard.
"So, no one can help with the door, there's no mystery or crimes for me to solve. So what exactly is the point of this place?"
He didn't miss the box shape of her bag, nor how she's clinging to it. He will mention it when the time is right.
no subject
He seems smart enough to do so, and maybe a small nudge in that direction will help. "The point of this place is to make it into whatever you like. A blank canvas of sorts. The crimes might not be on this world, but another. You simply have to go out there and find it."
Her free hand finally stays put in her pocket, grabbing onto something within the fabric. She's not eager to pull whatever it is out, but based on the grip, it's most likely a cell phone or PINpoint.
no subject
He watches her. "And one fact I know, is I have no control over this place, and so far, no one I have met has. So your advice about 'making it what I want' is imprudent."
He pauses. "But then there's you clutching to your bag that has a box in it. A box of some importance given the way you're protecting it. And in your pocket. A device you're grasping. Though not as tightly. You find the object in your pocket important, but not as precious as whatever is in your bag. A mobile or... PINPoint I think they're called here? I have one too, not overly useful to me just yet. But the box is far more interesting."
no subject
"The IRIS. I've heard it's the foremost facility in the Nexus for studying science, technology and the multiverse in general. It's not my area of expertise, but you might find something of use there." The card is extended to Sherlock, her phone returning to her pocket. Now she has to address his observant skills, her eyes drifting to the box.
"You want to know what's inside? I'd be more than happy to share that information. Or do you want to make a game of this?" So long as he doesn't damage the contents, she's fine with it. The box is dark blue, dotted with yellow stars and wrapped with a golden bow, with an easy to remove lid. If he were to pick it up, it's clear that one side weighs slightly heavier than the other. For something so valuable and worth protecting, she's quite alright with letting him take a look. Maybe the gift isn't important to her after all.
no subject
He means working for anyone other than himself. Or working with others, for that matter. But then she's all about her box. His eyes narrow. She could be trusting him simply because he pointed out how protective she was of it. People do try to hide things when they're called out on their actions. It's very human. Even he does it.
He considers her for a long moment. Finally, he does pick it up, but he's watching her more than the box. "The weight is uneven. Could be the box isn't the right fit for the object, or the object itself is unevenly weighted."
He gently shifts the box from one direction to another to see if the object moves. And then gently shakes the box, to listen for any sounds.
no subject
She watches him carefully, arms crossed over her chest, but there's a strange aura of agitation around her. Not at him, but her gaze is firmly rested on the box, as if the contents bother her. It's clearly a gift, but she's obviously just the deliverer. Given the importance of carrying it around, she clearly purchased it and intends to deliver it to someone in due time. Anger turns to minor glee at seeing him shake the box, secretly wanting him to solve the mystery.
The left side of the box hardly budges upon being shaken, a dense weight, rectangular in size and made of glass. As for the right side, it shuffles with ease. A second smaller box is inside and the faint sounds of metal, resembling a chain, can be heard. Jewelry, most likely.
She nods her head to his assessment, confirming that his guess is rather spot on. "The latter. It was wrapped rather hastily, with little care for the balance."
no subject
He examines the box, looking to see if it has wear, or any sign of being used previously.
"But why would that bother you so much? Perhaps the gift is for someone you don't like. Or from someone you wished liked you. People do sentiment."
He gently shakes the box again. "The gift inside. Glass, not quite square, but close. Perhaps rectangular. The weight is dense, but not overly heavy given the size and shape of the box. Another item moves, too. A smaller box. A chain, or some type of metal. Not two gifts, or they'd be wrapped separately. These items go together. Perhaps a chain to hold the rectangular object. A type or form of chandelier or light. The chain to attach it to the ceiling."
His face falls. He shouldn't have started. Something tells him, as with so many things here, he's entirely wrong.
no subject
"They go together, yes, thematically speaking. Originally it was only supposed to be one thing, but the seller insisted I take the additional gift as well. I shouldn't have." Regrets are running about in her mind, especially after the accusation of sentimental feelings. She can't hide that distemper after all. It's clear that she's making the second gift look like a simple accident, even though it isn't. Giving jewelry to a non-significant other is simply taboo.
"The job is simply to find what my clients are looking for. I have no emotional stakes in the matter, nor should I." A complete lie, but she'd rather try to conceal the truth than admit her feelings. "This is simply an obligation I must fulfill."
no subject
"So I'm half wrong. Wrong about the gift. Not about you. Well, I suppose that's an improvement, these days and in this place, it's been the other way around."
He gently shakes the box again. "Seller insisted you take it." He pauses. "Interesting. Means you, or the person you're dealing for, didn't have to pay for it. So, why do you regret taking it?"
He pauses again, longer this time. "Ah, thematically connected. One gift is from your client." Another shake. "The other is from you, or on your behalf. Otherwise, the fact that you're playing it overly calm doesn't make sense."
He looks at the box again. "The box can easily be reused. And easily opened by anyone. But this is the first time it's been used. A special event then, one where a grand gesture could be made of opening a gift without the hassle of wrapping paper and the like. So not a birthday or holiday. Something more intimate than that."
no subject
"I was asked by a friend to purchase a specific item for her significant other. That's my job, as I'm actively involved in buying and selling antiques. However, her significant other is a good friend of mine. Refusing the job due to personal feelings was out of the question. I do regret taking the assignment, along with allowing myself to add another gift to the order."
She's visibly shaken up, knowing it's impossible to hide any additional facts from Sherlock. He's got her number. "An anniversary." Her shoulders slump a bit, crestfallen. "You've got me beat, Sherlock. I wasn't expecting an analysis of my personal actions, let alone for you to be spot on."
no subject
His expression turns the tiniest bit compassionate. He can see she had revealed far more than she ever intended. “Sorry I didn’t disappoint you.”
Had he been wrong, she wouldn’t feel the way she did.
no subject
"No, it's quite alright. A bitter medicine to swallow, that's all." She'll persevere, this is but one of many problems that need to be addressed. It takes a second opinion to open ones eyes, and despite her disappointment, she's grateful. "Thank you for speaking the honest truth to me."
no subject
He raises an eyebrow at her gratitude. “Really? People are not normally grateful for me being so honest, as you put it.”
Mary was. But then, she was nearly always ahead of him. She even knew Vivian would try to shoot him. And still he didn’t shut up. It’s why she’s dead. He takes a soft intake of breath at the memory.
no subject
"I should probably see this through to the end. Perhaps in the future we can talk again, Sherlock." She'll reach down for the bag once everything is in order, but pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts. "There's a nice cafe for people-watching down the block, red and black in color. The owner is from Finland and won't bat an eye to anyone who stays for a long time. Give her my name and she'll get you sqaured away with a nice meal and drink, on the house."
Hopefully that piece of 'advice' doesn't ruffle the detective's feathers, as she's just trying to be polite and helpful once more.
no subject
"Thank you, Marie. Such a place could prove useful as I continue to adjust to being here."
He offers her a faint smile.
"Good luck with your deliveries. And if you need me, I'm sure these PINPoints are useful for that."
no subject
Marie calms puts the box back in her bag, but instead of picking it back up, she reaches back into her pocket one last time. Procuring a professional-looking business card, she offers it to him. It has her personal PINpoint number on it, just in case he does need to reach out to her for something out of the blue.
"Take care of yourself, Sherlock. Please reach out if you need anything."
no subject
If she's trying to flirt with him, that goes over his head. He takes the card though. He hasn't decided if he will put anyone's numbers into his PINpoint, which makes the card more important.
"The same goes for you."
no subject
Sherlock isn't the type of person to go chasing after, but she can truly respect his intellectual mind. She sees him as a potential companion, maybe a friend later down the road. Nothing romantic, since he really isn't her type.
With bag in hand, she gives him one last nod, before heading off deeper into the Nexus.