CMO for thefoundation/thefundation

[improbablenotimpossible]

"It's my business to know what other people don't."
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Site 3

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Hello Sherlock.

Were you having a good day?

Good, because, it's BEING RUINED. How?

By the sudden appearance of an innocent looking bullsnake suddenly being draped around his shoulders as he sat down.]

Look who came to visit, Holmes!

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He was in fact having a good day, he was looking up insects native to the Colorado region after seeing a delightful little bumblebee when suddenly.

Moriarty came and ruin everything. As the snake was suddenly draped around his shoulders, the Detective stiffens, his eyes glancing to the reptile, before looking up at the criminal master - to anyone else, he seems just as calm as ever, but Moriarty could see the subtle tightness in his jaw]

Moriarty, where did you get this snake?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

I borrowed her from a friend!

[His eyes glint as he grins down, because now Holmes knows it's not Moriarty's, and thus off limits.

The Bullsnake is actually pretty calm and tame - it's got a beautiful pattern on it with a black belly, and she's clearly enjoying the nice warm person she just got dropped on.]

She seems to like you, Holmes! How wonderful, yes? After all, you could just use Animal Communication to hear her.

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He can in fact hear her, curiously sniffing the warm body she's laid on. In most cases, being able to understand something makes the fear less.

But not this time, he tries not to hold it against the serpents, but he wish they would just slither less, or something]

Well she certainly thinks your hands are a little cold.

[His voice was a touch strained as he tries to banter, and ignore there is a snake on his shoulders, what the hell Moriarty!]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[HEHEHEHEHE SUFFER, HOLMES.

He gives a little chuckle at the banter, knowing Holmes is struggling past his fear.]

That would be due to the gloves, of course. Poor dear - they're so sensitive to temperature, and it IS a little cold in here...

[Which is about the time the snake decides to slide down into his coat proper, whoops.]

1/3

[improbablenotimpossible]

That... would certainly do it. I'm surprise - that her - owner would let you carry her so far.

[He was doing a pretty remarkable job so far, though his eyes are constantly darting to the snake, unable to suppress a shiver as the snake's tongue flicks]

2/3

[improbablenotimpossible]

[Then it happened - the snake slithering into a nice warm spot]

...*grk*

3/3 done

[improbablenotimpossible]

[Too much! Too much! Too much! Nope, Nope Nope to the rope!]

Ah... I really have to check on something!

[He hurriedly stands up, quickly grabbing the snake without hurting it, all but shoving it into Moriarty's grasp]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MORIARTY WANTED -

He laughs loudly, quickly putting her around his shoulders and letting her slither inside of his clothing while he grabs Holmes' coat, trying to stop his movement.]

Hm? Oh, but what's the rush, Holmes? It's been a while since we last chatted, hasn't it? Why don't we have some tea?

[improbablenotimpossible]

You know how lab experiments can be.

[He puts on the tightest of grins. God, he wants to vanish - but that would let Moriarty win and he can't have it]

A minute can make a difference between a successful result and having to clean up and start over.

Post-r4

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He leads Erhard into their room, sitting them both on the bed, leaning against the Doctor]

The subject might be obvious, with what that damnable Harlequin did - while things are better, and safer... there's chances I cannot take.

[With that, he lifted the man's hand, kissing his fingers]

I do not want to the chance of someone forcing such a command on me, especially not if it would risk hurting you. I will have to seek a contract with someone I can trust not to abuse it.

[cryosurgeon]

[It's not like feeling the world drop out from under him, but Erhard can't deny there's something unpleasantly off-kilter in existence at that. He had a feeling this is what Sherlock wanted to talk about, and it brings up the strange determination he's had since the Witches Game ended, the wish he couldn't make.]

... I know.

[The hand in Sherlock's gentle hold curls in frustration, only most of it turned inward.]

And of course I come from a world without magic.

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He was good at reading body language, especially that of his paramour (there's still a strange sort of giddiness referring to someone in such a manner) and he pulls the man close to him]

If there were no risk of us being sent to an area with low ambient mana, contracting with you would not be an issue as I could take it from the environment here...

[But they seen what happened at the witch's game - they cannot eliminate the possibility of a repeat]

[cryosurgeon]

[Being held like this helps. How had he ever survived so long without affection or physical contact?]

If things were different... if I did have enough mana...?

[It’s another bond for them. Erhard doesn’t want to possess the other man like property, he only wants to be of some use. Sherlock is powerful, practically immortal as a Servant. Erhard is simply human. He wants to protect his beloved in the only way he could, if he just had the power to do it.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

Syaoran would have been my option as I can trust he won't abuse the contract.

[And what he says next, inferring from the man's comment was a statement of fact, a tinge of worry in his voice]

You're thinking of trying to contact Kimihiro. It would be safer now, but with the cost of wishes...

[cryosurgeon]

[Of course Sherlock would know. Even without their feelings, the man is a deductive genius.

But Erhard can’t shake the memory of what happened when Watanuki tried to call the grievously wounded Servant to his side that second time.]

You know the price doesn’t frighten me. I want to do something to protect you. Like this, I’m....

[Useless.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

You're not useless. And a soul's worth is not measured in the it's utility.

[His voice was quite firm, with a conviction behind it, kissing the back of the man's hand, the firmness softening]

Promise me whatever price may come, that if it changes your personality, your demeanor, your feelings on a fundamental level - do not take it, I do not want to lose the man I've fallen in love with.

[cryosurgeon]

[Those are the kinds of prices he wouldn’t pay. Gaining the power to help Sherlock while losing his feelings for the man would be a tragic echo of the Gift of the Magi. At least Watanuki would tell him the cost beforehand, Erhard can imagine some witches wouldn’t.]

Of course I can promise that. But if you do contract to Syaoran, won’t you have to be in the same world for the contract to be effective? He’s a world-jumper, don’t forget.

[perfeccion]

[Well, now Szayel has a good grasp of what Moriarty feels like, and he can tell the difference between the pair of them. What he still doesn't understand is why they feel so similar.

He is still flanked by a pair of burly Arrancar bodyguards, but this time he is paying attention to who he's speaking to]

Ah. Finally. You are Sherlock Holmes, the Heroic Spirit also known as "Ruler", yes?

[improbablenotimpossible]

[The Detective was multi-tasking, on a laptop there were about two dozen tabs with lurid descriptions of past crimes, his notebook was out and already covered with writing. He had known Szayel was in the room, but waited until he was addressed to actually look up from whatever he was doing.

He cocks a brow at the bodyguards, before giving the man a cool, inquisitive gaze]

Yes - and I am not that difficult of a man to find, least right now I have no reason to make myself scarce.

[He made note of that 'finally', and the implication]

[perfeccion]

Well. It's a funny story, actually... or, it would be funny, had it not wasted so much of my time... [Szayel takes a seat and shoos the bodyguards away. They go to stand at the entrance of the room] I went looking for you using your spiritual signature, you see, and I found the Archer of Shinjuku instead.

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He swivels the chair around to actually look at him, legs crossed - expecting the funny story, before.

That.

Instead of one, both brows shot up in complete disbelief]

Pardon?

[The Detective utters, unsure if he heard it correctly]

[perfeccion]

Yes. I had sniffed out what I was certain was your soul and found James Moriarty. Now then, the spiritual senses of an Espada are finely honed -- we're like soul bloodhounds, Mr. Holmes. We don't make mistakes like that. Even now, it's only by virtue of knowing who you aren't that I found you. [Szayel steeples his fingers. Despite everything, he looks more curious than anything] Why... might that be?

[improbablenotimpossible]

I suppose the Professor gave you his hypothesis on the subject. Let me think - it is possibly due to our shared origins, and how our nature as Detective and Nemesis that one is not far from the other.

[He steeples his own fingers together, green eyes flicking, his mind sparking over possibilities]

Or perhaps - a fragment from the time...

[Sherlock trails off, uncertain as to let this particular scientist known about the Shinjuku incident]

[perfeccion]

He did indeed. I feel as though that is... possible, though unlikely. After all, Kurotsuchi and myself are from the same "story", and were indeed nemeses for a time, and our souls couldn't be more different. [He tilts his head] ... Care to elaborate?