Fic: The Definition of Success
Title: The Definition of Success
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG (language)
Characters: OCs: Ava Rainsford, Caleb Coleson, Miss Sarah
Warnings: A mysterious lack of our heroes, again, in an attempt to get the ending set up properly.
Words: 500
“Ah! Caleb! Wait!”
“Ava, excellent to see you, hope you are well, afraid I’ve an errand but I will call upon you later this month, perhaps? Or not as legally we aren’t to be within five feet of each other? Excellent! Good day, then.”
“Caleb, wait. Please, I need to speak with you.”
“Well, you had that chance a few years ago. I’m afraid you’ve rather worn out your favor in my eyes. Excuse me, m’am, sorry.”
“Still a clumsy oaf, I see.”
“And, now, you insult me. I believe you need to return to finishing school. Excuse me, sir. I really must be going, Ava. As I said, I have business to attend to.”
“I have a question!”
“And I have a task at hand. If the constable comes and sees you with me, no doubt I will end up in trouble.”
“Then stop for a moment! Caleb! I know that what happened hurt you-”
“Yes, ruined my reputation, livelihood and self-respect. Luckily, I’ve found a way to survive. Let go of my arm.”
“Caleb…”
“Ow! Woman, let go of me! What in hell do you have on those gloves?”
“I’m sorry, I am! I was fixing them this morning and left a needle in. Really, Caleb, you know I would never hurt you.”
“Hah, yes, innocent Avariella, gentle soul of the town.”
“There’s no need for sarcasm.”
“Just as there is no room for lies. Make your inquiry and leave me in peace.”
“I just wanted to… are you feeling well?”
“I… I’m a trifle dizzy. Unimportant. Continue.”
“Perhaps you ought to sit down. Goodness, how pale you’ve gotten!”
“I cannot… focus. What have you done?”
“What have I done? My dear Caleb, why would you assume that I have done anything at all? From what I’ve heard, you have spent most of the night hunting for my esteemed Detective and Doctor. You must be exhausted from the trip.”
“I’m very tired…”
“I believe you are. Why don’t you lie down? You may finish your errand later.”
“No… no, wait… now… I…”
“Just sleep, old friend, and tell me, where can I find Mister Holmes and Doctor Watson? Caleb? Answer me.”
“Inn… there… need to… send…”
“Is James with them? Caleb? I know he was with you last night and helped you find them. Tell me, is he with them, now? Caleb, look in my eyes, and answer my questions.”
“Mrs. Rainsford? Is that you?”
“Oh, Miss Sarah! Thank goodness! It seems poor Caleb has collapsed. Is Doctor Harrington staying with you?”
“No, but Doctor Shoburn is. Serves this boy, right, anyhow. Jesse! There’s a good, lad! Come here and get Mister Coleson to his feet! Probably drunk, again.”
“If you could take care of him, Miss Sarah. I’m afraid I must go. My husband’s sent me in search of Mister Holmes and I’m afraid I have no time to spare.”
“Then come right along, Mrs. Rainsford. Mister Holmes and the Doctor are staying with us.”
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG (language)
Characters: OCs: Ava Rainsford, Caleb Coleson, Miss Sarah
Warnings: A mysterious lack of our heroes, again, in an attempt to get the ending set up properly.
Words: 500
“Ah! Caleb! Wait!”
“Ava, excellent to see you, hope you are well, afraid I’ve an errand but I will call upon you later this month, perhaps? Or not as legally we aren’t to be within five feet of each other? Excellent! Good day, then.”
“Caleb, wait. Please, I need to speak with you.”
“Well, you had that chance a few years ago. I’m afraid you’ve rather worn out your favor in my eyes. Excuse me, m’am, sorry.”
“Still a clumsy oaf, I see.”
“And, now, you insult me. I believe you need to return to finishing school. Excuse me, sir. I really must be going, Ava. As I said, I have business to attend to.”
“I have a question!”
“And I have a task at hand. If the constable comes and sees you with me, no doubt I will end up in trouble.”
“Then stop for a moment! Caleb! I know that what happened hurt you-”
“Yes, ruined my reputation, livelihood and self-respect. Luckily, I’ve found a way to survive. Let go of my arm.”
“Caleb…”
“Ow! Woman, let go of me! What in hell do you have on those gloves?”
“I’m sorry, I am! I was fixing them this morning and left a needle in. Really, Caleb, you know I would never hurt you.”
“Hah, yes, innocent Avariella, gentle soul of the town.”
“There’s no need for sarcasm.”
“Just as there is no room for lies. Make your inquiry and leave me in peace.”
“I just wanted to… are you feeling well?”
“I… I’m a trifle dizzy. Unimportant. Continue.”
“Perhaps you ought to sit down. Goodness, how pale you’ve gotten!”
“I cannot… focus. What have you done?”
“What have I done? My dear Caleb, why would you assume that I have done anything at all? From what I’ve heard, you have spent most of the night hunting for my esteemed Detective and Doctor. You must be exhausted from the trip.”
“I’m very tired…”
“I believe you are. Why don’t you lie down? You may finish your errand later.”
“No… no, wait… now… I…”
“Just sleep, old friend, and tell me, where can I find Mister Holmes and Doctor Watson? Caleb? Answer me.”
“Inn… there… need to… send…”
“Is James with them? Caleb? I know he was with you last night and helped you find them. Tell me, is he with them, now? Caleb, look in my eyes, and answer my questions.”
“Mrs. Rainsford? Is that you?”
“Oh, Miss Sarah! Thank goodness! It seems poor Caleb has collapsed. Is Doctor Harrington staying with you?”
“No, but Doctor Shoburn is. Serves this boy, right, anyhow. Jesse! There’s a good, lad! Come here and get Mister Coleson to his feet! Probably drunk, again.”
“If you could take care of him, Miss Sarah. I’m afraid I must go. My husband’s sent me in search of Mister Holmes and I’m afraid I have no time to spare.”
“Then come right along, Mrs. Rainsford. Mister Holmes and the Doctor are staying with us.”