dear_mun | So many ideas left unexplored

Entry tags:

canon: sherlock holmes

So many ideas left unexplored

Ah, Mun, here we are again.

It's been another... hiatus you call it? How many years this time? Six? More? And what has inspired you this time? All those little ideas that continued to percolate? They just wouldn't let you go...

And now you've returned to me, because you're just like me: a user . I've been terribly slow. 14 years in, and I've finally discovered that you utilise me for "stress processing".

Well, I have some home truths to tell you: there is doubtless any John Watson around to help you play out any of these situations. Let alone Mary, Molly, Lestrade... or... others.

[He means his brother, Mrs Hudson, or the other Yarders.]

So, what you need to do is pack me up and put me away. Then just go and write these stories. You don't need me to play them out. You are actually quite capable of working them out on your own.

"More fun," you say? For whom? Oh, that's right, because it's all about you. Never mind me.

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..They do love "situations", don't they?

[She speaks up, softly; letting the consulting detective have his space as he points his abilities in a certain someone's direction.

But it's also a statement of its own - that she can relate, at least on some level.

And also, hello. She's still here, sometimes.

She hesitates to respond to anything else included in his mun-focused tirade, even if it did involve her own name.]

I'd ask what you'd rather be doing, but that'd be a stupid question, wouldn't it?

[There's just the tiniest crack of a smile at the corners of her mouth.]

[ooc: I literally read our last thread earlier today! The one where Molly fell and hurt her hand and ankle and Sherlock turned into a chicken-shit and ran away because he couldn't deal with his emotions about Mary's death being his fault and Molly being hurt at all... I'm so glad you tagged! :) ]

[Sherlock hears the familiar voice before he realises that Molly is stood there before him. That she's actually here and not just a figment of his or his Mun's imagination.

He smiles and then catches himself. He schools the expression into something more neutral. Which means his face becomes completely ridiculous.

He hums in agreement to her first statement - because he can't quite find his voice yet. Then it takes another moment for her second question to sink in... Is she teasing him? Yes. Probably. A bit. Not that he doesn't deserve it.]

I was perfectly happy being 'retired', so not a stupid question.

[He stops just short of saying that Molly has never really asked a stupid question. All the things he's done to her and she just... keeps giving him anything she can. It's more than he deserves.]

[Ooc: ohmygoodness YES I remember!! Them both looking out for each other but also misunderstanding each other whenever they start talking about the hard stuff - I'm gonna go reread that myself now]

And here I thought "mysteries" was the obvious answer.

[Had she seem him smile a moment ago? It had been all-too-brief, so maybe her eyes were seeing things.

Still, she was glad to hear that he'd been happy. Though the implication that he might no longer be was bittersweet. But she won't press on that, not yet anyway - it's good to see an old friend. Even one as prickly as Sherlock Holmes.]

So you've been good, then? Hard to imagine you taking it easy.

[ooc: I'm THIS close to purchasing a membership, just so I have all my icons again LOL. Those two threads (the meme and the one in Molly's journal) was such wonderful angsty goodness. But I think these two should have SOME relief LOL]

[He sighs heavily.]

Impossible to take it easy in this headspace. Always 'researching' and always learning. Which wouldn't be bad, if she studied things I was actually interested in. But, no murders for years. And hardly any science. About the only thing we can agree on at this point is music.

[Ooc: I know the feeling! The default icons are never quite enough. And agree on both counts, they need a break from the drama]

[She nods.] Mine'll look stuff up from time to time, but it's not really her bailiwick.

Music's quite nice for me, too. She knows a lot about musicals. [It's very nice for her to have wider horizons than what her past self got from Glee.] Hopefully yours isn't on a Fleetwood Mac streak right now.

Fleetwood Mac has it's moments. But no, we're quite in agreement on Classical Music. And she's studied far more than the Show-runners did, so she does challenge me in that way.

[He means that the show-runners only picked the most boring and familiar pieces for him to play, which weren't challenging at all and the Mun has actually studied music a good majority of her life, so there's always more to listen to and learn.]

I wouldn't mind a well-written musical. But these days they tend to write them more like film soundtracks. Or for the masses. Neither challenging nor interesting.

Oh, lovely! I'm glad you're getting challenged somehow.

[As she listens to him continue, she's nodding at first, then blinks. Sherlock Holmes had an opinion on musicals. My how the world changes, sometimes.]

Hang on, so you want a niche and technically challenging musical? Does well-written only apply to music itself, or the whole libretto?

[It's still music, of course he has an opinion.]

It should be a package deal, libretto and score, of course. While many of Gilbert and Sullivan's works are considered humorous and therefore not taken seriously by the general public - they go to simply laugh - some of the pieces within their works are challenging. Or sometimes a specific instrumental part has something challenging constructed within it.

Now, if you take musicals and turn them into films, it's less impressive since they can do many 'takes' and get everything 'perfect'. Boring! At least on stage, if there's an error, you have to have some skill to adapt and cover for the error.

Now, if you take musicals that are lifted directly from films and they usually leave quite a bit to be desired in the challenge department. About the only challenging thing there in the technical department: lighting, costumes, sets. But, people want to see exactly what they see in the film - goodness knows why Just go watch the film if that's what you want. So basically, there's no creativity.

[There were reasons why he forced Mycroft to go see Les Miz with their parents. It was a good show, the first time, but then... it lost it's magic. Which his mun is currently glaring at Sherlock for that thought, since Les Miz has plenty to offer in the challenge department.]

I think I'm following so far, at least in the broad strokes.

[Molly's also rather enjoying this - for once she isn't the lead person sharing opinions on the subject. It's a nice change of pace.]

But does that mean you've got a favorite? [She tilts her head ever so slightly, piqued with curiosity.] Or is it just the most challenging composition?

I don't really do favourite anything. Though, for obvious reasons, I do enjoy the pieces that are challenging on violin. Or challenging to conduct. Watching a good conductor on a challenging piece is sometimes more entertaining than the actors.

I get that. [The latter parts, at least. Even if it is Sherlock, the idea of no favourites is one she has a hard time picturing, personally.]

So it's the craft and skill you enjoy the most, it sounds like. I'm a sucker for a good story. [And how the music makes her feel.]

I'll admit I like watching the ensemble members a lot, especially if they're also playing music in character. [Maybe it's not the same, but she tries to relate to him all the while.]

[Sherlock thinks this is the longest they've ever not talked about dead bodies. Ever. And he knew she had Toby, but this is a side he hasn't really seen before.]

Well, then I'll not invite you to any concerts or recitals, then. Wouldn't be your cup of tea.

[Subtext: he was considering it. After all, he has a LOT to make up for. And sitting next to someone for two hours and not having to talk at all was a good compromise in his mind.]

[It absolutely was the longest they'd discussed anything outside of their mutual field, and Molly was thrilled by it.

She tilts her head at him for a moment. His statement makes her....curious.]

Oh?

That's a shame. I might've said yes.

Oh, I am absolutely certain you would have said, 'yes'. But you wouldn't enjoy it. Not that kind of story-telling, anyway.

[He's almost curious if she would enjoy the ballet? Or if that would lack story. No. He wouldn't go those himself. Will not happen.

There is a very long pause. He doesn't know what to do. How to go forward. Everything at once is ancient history and... oh so fresh.]

Thank you.

[He has a very long list of things, if she needs him to get specific, but he figures he should start with those words.]

[Just because it's different doesn't mean she couldn't learn to follow along, she thinks. Sure, she lacks knowledge on the art itself, but that didn't mean she couldn't learn. Maybe she just needs a proper guide.

But he'd already made up his mind, it seemed. A mind that she wished she could understand better when long pauses like this transpired.

When he speaks again, Molly shallows her anxiety slowly and nods.] Of course. But... for what?

[He manages a small awkward kind of smile. Well. Perhaps he should start at the beginning - all the things he never thanked her for.]

The Christmas present...

[The one that led to how he treated her so very badly. But, well, he still appreciated the actual gift when he finally got around to opening it.]

[ooc: No idea what your headcanon is, but I always headcanoned that Molly gave him a bunch of slides for his microscope. And some had even been prepared with samples - little mysteries for him to figure out. Because she's kind of wonderful like that.]

[Oh heavens above. She hadn't let herself think about that in ages. She hadn't asked him about it later; to do so would've invited knowing if he had opened it and what he thought of it ‐ which, in those earlier days she would've taken too personally.

Like Schrodinger's cat, it had been easier to leave alone, letting it simultaneously exist and not exist.

She swallowed, quietly asking]

Y-You didn't... mind it?

[That's the best on-the-fly self-editing she can do, Sherlock. In spite of how much thought and effort she'd gone to, part of her still feared he'd hate it.

But why was he bringing that up now, after all this time? All she could do was look at him and continue to listen.]

[OOC: That's quite lovely, actually! I had considered something similar in terms of microscope-related (enlarged images of microscopic structures as art) but I think the practical application of yours works really well]

[Sherlock tilts his head for a moment.]

Am I doing 'thank you' wrong?

[Because why would he thank her if he didn't like it. He's far more likely to use that as fodder for other miscalculations she might make.]

Because between cases, it was quite helpful...

[To have something to do. Kept him off of drugs and cigarettes.]

[She holds up her hands, shaking her head.] N-No, you're good! You're doing fine. Good.

[She takes a breath, exhaling and putting down her hands.] You just surprised me with the timing, is all.

Yeah? [She had always liked giving gifts, something about the simple ritual of it always brought warmth to her heart. She visibly brightens, smiling at him.] Then I'm very glad.

I... Thought I should start at the beginning, so I didn't miss anything...

[One of many reasons why his timing is very off the few times it is off. He wants to ensure everything is addressed.]

You should be proud. It clearly took a lot of effort on your part.

[That's...actually rather sweet, she thinks.

She can't help slightly ducking her head, the way she often does when she's pleased but uncertain how to take a compliment.]

I- y...es. Yes, it did.

[Acknowledgement. Acceptance. The words weren't easy to say, but she said them. And for once didn't try to water it down with any sort of dismissing statements to herself. Therapy must be doing something.]

It had to be something that suited you, which... wasn't going to be anything on the store shelves. Heh.

Y-You said the gift was the start, though. Was there something else?

[He smiles down on her when she accepts the compliment. It was good that she did. Really, one person not understanding society norms in a conversation is more than enough.]

Oh... Loads. Everything from that night... until just before the jump. And everything from the Watson's wedding until...

[He breaks off, still can't say it, everything still raw and oddly painful surrounding Mary's death and all that happened at Sherrinford, rebuilding 221B, and... everything...]

...now.

[Yes, easier to not get specific.]

That's...a lot.

[Understatement of the century. God, she could smack herself! But between his words, she could feel the weight of memories pressing onto him as much as they did her. She pushes her own thoughts away, taking a moment.]

..I didn't know you wanted to say so much.

[Usually he just did it, if it mattered. So the fact he was saying this now...after all this time...that meant it mattered. He wouldn't make the effort it wasn't.]

I've got time.

[She takes one step closer to him, and ever so slightly nudges his elbow. She doesn't have anywhere else to be. Right here is important.

And rather than push him to speak, Molly stands in the silence with him. She can only hope he'll understand her intent: I'm listening. To whatever you need to say. ]

[And now Sherlock goes all awkward and nervous. After all, hadn't he just said "thank you"? Wasn't it better to not go into details? He looks from Molly, then to each of the Muns...]

Erm, Molly? Is this really the right place for that?

You tell me. I don't know what you're going to say.

[She's not a mind reader, Sherlock.]

We could go somewhere else. I-If you have more you wanted to say, I mean.
[Why did he suddenly seem to be on the back foot about talking?]

M-maybe you don't, I thought you did but I could be wrong... I-I'm probably wrong.

[Aaand now it's her turn to be nervous. Clearly she make it weird and ought to go. And her mun should stop glaring at her] S-See you around?

[Well, his mun needs to damn well make up the actual canon point to discuss any of these things, or it will go pear-shaped very quickly. Though could do a different canon point for each?]

[Sherlock is actually afraid she will leave. It's the last thing he wants. Now that he's back (again) and she's the only one he's encountered so far... He really can't do this alone. Not again. He reaches out to take her arm, to stop her.]

No... Molly... It's... just a lot. All those years... so many things we should talk about and say. And it doesn't need... witnesses. That's all. Just... not here?

[When had they last spoken for real? For -canon- as it were. So often her memories jumped around to different points depending where she was and whom she was with. Some points were more common than others for her, but if needed, she could remember it all; everything after Mary, tending to Rosie, that phone call, 221b's restoration....but did she need to? And was it better or worse if their respective memories didn't match?

She does stop, easily. The minute he makes contact, she stops, turning to look at him.]

Okay. [She nods firmly to punctuate it.] Okay. That's all you had to say, Sherlock.

[Now what?]

Right. No prying eyes. [She tilts her head in a direction. Perhaps a familiar pink journal?] Come find me. Or follow me, I guess? Either way, we'll talk. I promise.

[Sherlock visibly relaxes when she stays. But this... this is the challenging part.]

Molly? You've always been there for me. Never questioned, never argued, always supported.

[His lips twist in how he wants to explain it.]

Let me do this for you... Your pick. Your lead.

[But he remembers what Molly had said about Tom... He awkwardly clears his throat.]

Just no sex, okay?

[Not a joke, but trying to be light-hearted with the reminder. And, that line from Janine had worked once she explained it to him.]

[Oh. That last bit feels like a bit of a wake-up, and she has a flustered face journey before she responds.

That was a clear boundary, setting appropriate expectations. Her throat feels dry all of a sudden. Like what they're dancing around is about to change something.] S-Sure.

Must be one hell of a talk.

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So many ideas left unexplored

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Annnnd I have zero selfcontrol, so Icons

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So many ideas left unexplored

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Annnnd I have zero selfcontrol, so Icons

*claps*

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claps