[network] @ASolomons; audio, morning of 265 [open]

[devoutish]

The fuck is going on?

[He sounds exhausted, as per usual, and his voice is hoarse and raw - he's been doing a lot of non-stop talking these past few days, trying to keep Royce engaged.]

Right - the lot of you, sound off. What happened, and what needs to be done?

Comments

@jwatson; text; private

[jumpthegun]

Mycroft, you're in shock. You've just been through something traumatic. You need to let yourself calm down before you go passing judgment over people. This is a private line. Where are you? I'm heading back toward the residential area from the Industrial Zone.

Permatext, permaprivate

[holmesice]

I am fine, John, im not in shock. you don't understand, theyre going to regroup next and come after us. You mustnt let them. I am not sure where I am though it does look familiar.

[What with all those mistakes, definitely not a normal text from Mycroft Holmes.]

[jumpthegun]

Mycroft, look at what you've just written and the number of grammatical errors, and then tell me you're not in shock.

[holmesice]

[There's a long pause.]

Damn.

[jumpthegun]

It's okay. After what you've been through, this is a perfectly natural reaction. You need to let me and other people help you, though. Where are you?

[holmesice]

[Help him? He didn't need--no, obviously he did, if he was in shock--but he didn't want to be treated like he was fragile--even if he was past the point of fragility, desperately picking up the shattered pieces--]

if I am not fine now I will be fine shortly.

I am not sure, but perhaps it is the same place I was before I was taken.

If that's the case I am by the Chapel morgue, just north of it.

[jumpthegun]

Right. Because the great Mycroft Holmes isn't actually human and can overcome his physiological responses immediately. Look, Mycroft, I'm not looking to coddle you. I'm looking to get you the medical and psychological assistance you need to make sure that you don't have a complete mental breakdown and go throwing yourself into the snow instead of going inside for lockdown.

Turn on your video and show me the room you're in.

Text/Video

[holmesice]

I will not succumb to such things. That's what they want, obviously.

[There's an irritated cough as the video turns on.

It's building 83, Mycroft slowly pans to show the living room where the furniture is all clawed up, there are large cat towers scattered around, and the splintered remains of part of an end table litter the area. There's a litter box, too.

Also, maybe more importantly, the door is propped open, letting the cold in.]

[jumpthegun]

I know exactly where you are. It's where I met Stephen for the first time. Found a blanket there, too. Have a look around and play nice with any phantom cats. I'll agree that you going off the deep end is what 'they' want if 'they' is the Prophet cult and not the people who were being mind-controlled by them.

Permatext

[holmesice]

[Mycroft switches the video off before a loud fit of coughing. He wasn't getting sick, no. He wouldn't allow it.]

it doesnt matter. You can't ever trust them.

[jumpthegun]

Yes, Mycroft, we can. As much as we trust anyone else. If you'd been the convert, you would have done the exact same thing. Sherlock went on a murder spree once because of the way this place messes with our heads. I would've joined him if I hadn't been locked up and half-unconscious on pain pills.

[holmesice]

[What John says hits him hard. He flinched, unwanted thoughts of him harming Sherlock filtering through his mind. If he'd been on the other side, maybe he would not have been so fixated on it, if he knew he had no part in wanting to hurt anybody. Objectively he knew that if, in fact, they weren't now under the brainwashing, there was no danger. But he couldn't let it go--he couldn't relax, couldn't quite believe this had actually ended. Perhaps he even this wasn't real, and John was just a visage, or under their control too.]

how do I know they dont have you as well dr Watson? how do i know you arent compromised either?????

>video

[jumpthegun]

[John switches to video and his expression is steady, his tone is quiet command.]

Mycroft. You don't know. You have to trust us.

Still text

[holmesice]

[Mycroft doesn't dare switch to video. He can't switch to audio either, he won't let anyone hear how bad off he is. However, suddenly seeing and hearing John does snap him somewhat out of his spiraling train of thought.]

once lost, trust is hard won, dr. And not easily re-bought.

[He wanted this to end. He really did. He hasn't felt this lack of security and powerlessness since he was a child. Nothing was safe. He had no control.]

permavideo

[jumpthegun]

[John continues the same tone, trying to radiate calm enough to settle the other man.]

I'm not trying to buy you, Mycroft. No one here is. And I know better than a lot of people how hard it is to let go of something that happened and trust again. Sherlock's headed your way. I am, as well, and so is Mary. Whatever happens, you need to know that when our minds clear and everything else is ended, we'll come back and support you. We are here for you, Mycroft. Much as it probably pains Sherlock, he believes in that, as well.

[holmesice]

[There's a long pause. How many times had he heard kindness and platitudes from the converts? However, John's words made far more coherent sense, and he'd not mentioned the prophet.]

what are your opinions on the prophet?

[If he answered well, then perhaps he could finally let his guard down. Maybe.]

[jumpthegun]

Sam is a blind little girl a bunch of cultists turned into some sort of idol. Dunno why.

[holmesice]

[No undying blind devotion, only pure fact. Good. He sighed, a strong irrational urge to keep being suspicious, but logically, he had to take the factors at face value. Unless this was a new level, using familiar people and more subtle techniques. He was cautious, but a tiny bit less reserved.]

It would seem you are unaffected for now. stay that way.

[jumpthegun]

Yes, master. [Have the most deadpan of tones and expressions now, Mycroft.]

Try to eat something and get some sleep, Mycroft. You might feel better after you've had a lie down.

[holmesice]

Doctor's orders.

[Equally dry on his end. But it would be nice if people acquiesced to his demands that easily.]

Very well. I shall attempt to at least.

[jumpthegun]

Thanks, Mycroft. I'll talk to you later. Keep an eye out for Sherlock. He has his vision back.