[log] Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary [closed]

[jumpthegun]

Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, Royce Melborn, Alfie Solomons
Location: Building 29
Date: Night 281
Summary: Team meet-up turns to grieving when Mary is lost to an anomaly.
Warnings: Character death, dissociation, hallucination

[A small shed outside the school, going inside reveals sports equipment is being stored in here. There are hurdles, various sports balls, giant mats, and the like. There's nothing that could be used as a weapon, though, unless you're going to try to hurl a basketball at someone's head. This is the only place on the campus it's possible to stay in overnight.]

Comments

[devoutish]

No, I don't. And I don't believe you're asking in good faith either, mate.

[howdull]

No? Is a good faith question only one that doesn't contradict your beliefs?

[devoutish]

A good faith question is asked by someone who's interested in hearing and learning. You just wanna have a debate, Sherlock - and not a proper one, because you don't believe anyone but you can come out on top. I'm not gonna give you the opportunity you're looking for to give yourself a little pat on the back. Find some other way to make yourself feel better about losing your friend.

[howdull]

I am always interested in learning, and theology is not one of the areas that I specialise in. Is it so unbelievable that I might be questioning such things following these events?

[Alfie isn't entirely wrong, though, but nor is he entirely right. Sherlock will never believe in the existence of any god, but he is shaken and it might be comforting to hear the reasons of someone who does.]

[devoutish]

[He crosses his arms over his chest.]

Questioning how?

[howdull]

Simply questioning.

[devoutish]

Then find a better way, or question somebody else.

[howdull]

[He shrugs, not really in the mood for proper argument.]

Very well, though an unwillingness to discuss such things suggests an insecurity or guilt rooted in your belief.

[devoutish]

I'm sorry, Sherlock, but I'm not so easily baited as all that.

[howdull]

An observation, nothing more.

[devoutish]

I wonder, does anyone ever believe you when you say things like that?

[howdull]

Rarely, people are always keen on attributing emotional factors behind most things. Or they just believe that I'm an arsehole.

[Doesn't stop it from being true, in his mind it is just an observation.]

[devoutish]

You are an arsehole. But don't forget that I know how this stuff works - faking innocence, faking good intentions, all of that. It usually doesn't fool people, because that isn't usually the point.

[howdull]

Why would I bother?

[He just sounds tired, nobody ever gets this.]

Why would I fake good intentions to find out about something worthless to me? What would be the point of the effort? I ask because I want to know, and I observe because that's what I do, nothing else.

[devoutish]

If it's worthless, why would you want to know in the first place?

[howdull]

One of the few people I can call a friend died tonight, isn't that enough reason?

[devoutish]

You're contradicting yourself here, mate, all the fucking time. First you wanna pick a fight about it, then you're curious about something you don't know much about, then it's worthless to you, then it's worth hearing about because you're grieving. Be direct, yeah? Tell me what you want. This is a genuine request from me.

[howdull]

I didn't want to pick a fight about it, but can't all of the others be true to some degree? Humans are complex and often contradictory creatures, after all.

[He sighs, shrugging.]

I am asking about your faith, an answer is what I want, that's all.

[devoutish]

But surely you can see how how responses to the answers I have given sound.

[howdull]

[His head tilts slightly, quizzical.]

Bit not good?

[devoutish]

Bit very not good. Yeah.

[howdull]

Ah.

[Noted, though he doesn't apologise for it.]

So, are you going to answer?

[devoutish]

Find a better way.

[He repeats.]

Or question somebody else.

[howdull]

Then I think I will leave you to your sleep.

[He's pushed as much as he cares to.]

[devoutish]

[Alfie gives him a nod, then nestles his head against Royce's shoulder and closes his eyes.]