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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
"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.