prompting part XXIII

[sherlockbbc_fic]

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Prompts from this post can be filled on the Overflow Post

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FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

Okay okay okay I'm filling this! The plot bunnies have vicious teeth. The title is from the song Roses on a Brier.

---

One might call Sebastian Moran "down on his luck". It would be a gross understatement.

Sebastian had been a soldier fighting for Queen and Country in Iraq until his dishonourable discharge disguised as an invalidation back to England, pity about being shot but go on home, lad, you've done your part.

Sebastian scowled at the asphalt of the path through the park. Those words were the most transparent lies he'd ever heard, up to and including his little sister pretending she hadn't got into the biscuit tin when she was five and there were crumbs all over her face. Sebastian knew that the bullet through his right calf was the excuse his superiors (superiors, hah!) had been waiting for to get rid of him without the messy paperwork of a dishonourable discharge. He'd been the best sniper in his unit, the steadiest hands, the keenest eyes - he'd been useful in Iraq, more useful than he could ever be in Jolly Old England with a busted leg and boredom weighing down his mind.

I just wish I could find something to do, he thought with a sigh. Some kind of work, a place where I can be useful…I'm not picky where, really.

He said as much to Pip Paget, one of his old acquaintances from uni, when they bumped into each other at the pub. Pip laughed.

"That's the Seb I always knew," he said. "You're not picky about the work? 'Cause - " and here he lowered his voice fugitively " - the boss of my boss's been lookin' around for more security blokes, my boss said. Can't give details, of course - it's all very hush-hush, you understand."

"If I were to apply for this position," Sebastian said cautiously, "what sorts of things would I be doing? If it's just guard duty - "

Pip shook his head, taking a gulp of his pint. "Like I said, mate, it's all very hush-hush. What I can tell you is this: you'll never be bored again." He winked conspiratorially and sat back, taking another drink, watching Sebastian's reaction.

Sebastian thought it over very carefully. It sounded like a government job - standing around looking pretty, guarding important dignitaries and suchlike. While Sebastian acknowledged his talents in both of those areas (modesty was never something he'd found much use for), it didn't sound like his kind of work. "Are you sure it won't be boring?"

Pip nodded twice. "Sure as day, mate. I told you, it's not just guard duty. If you accept the proposition, I can give you more details, but as it stands I can't tell you any more."

Sebastian hesitated, then nodded. "All right. I'll do it."

"You won't breathe a word, right, Seb?" Pip asked.

"Of course not," Sebastian answered smoothly.

Pip nodded. "Right. So, you want the position?"

"I said that already, Pip," said Sebastian, a trifle exasperated. "Yes, I want the position. How do I apply for it?"

"I'll text you the details," said Pip. "Too many ears here."

Seb nodded, finishing his pint. "Thanks, Pip. Appreciate your help." He stood, dropping payment for his drink on the table. "See you 'round, Pip."

"See you," Pip echoed, standing as well.

Sebastian nodded and left the pub, the dullness that had smothered his mind these last few weeks beginning to lift.

---

Jim Moriarty scanned the report absently, not really absorbing the information contained within it. So much useless information surrounding the useful, he reflected. You'd think that they'd at least be able to write a coherent, succint report, but noooo. He huffed. It was impossible to find decent minions these days, not to mention sub-minions -

His eye snagged on a phrase. …he says he's interested in the position and isn't picky about work…

An applicant? For the vacant post?

Jim looked more closely at the description of Paget's friend.

…used to be in Iraq…

…best sniper in his unit…

…invalidated home after being shot in the leg…

…says he's bored now…

Slowly, a grin spread over Jim's face.

"Sebastian Moran, hm?" he murmured, trying out the name. "You'll do…you'll do very nicely indeed."

---

Pip Paget is from The Return of Moriarty and its sequels, a fantastic series by John Gardner.

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[nejem]

Not many fics describe the first meeting between Moriarty and Moran, it's so interesting to read about it! Nice job so far, I'm definitely hooked and I'll be waiting for more (hopefully I won't lose this thread among the million others!)

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

Here, I'll ensure you can't lose the thread by replying, so it'll stay in your inbox forever. :D

Thank you for your kind words! There should be more within a relatively short period of time, assuming I can badger my brain into working.

(Subscription ifittf, Mycroft? Are you saying that more people will follow a story if there's drama and fighting in it? That's obvious.)

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

This is relevant to my interests. I'm quite interested in your Moran. (And I like that he and Moriarty are meeting through a mutual acquaintance in a pub.) I do hope that you continue this!

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

Thank you! Moran's tricky, since we don't see much of him even in canon - I'm glad you like him. :) If you'll look closely, you should see parts two and three below.

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

I'm not the original commenter above, but I can't see parts two and three because I followed a link from the delicious page, which only gets me to part one. Is there a chance you could post a link to the full post?
Thanks so much, I'm dying to read the rest of this!

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

just click on *Parent* on the fill,it will link you to the prompt from which you should be able to see all parts (the links on the delicious page are often like that so I hope this will help in the future too :)

Re: FILL: Neither Bud Nor Brier (1/?)

[the_improbable1]

Do you see the little link at the bottom that says "(Parent)"?

Click on that. It will take you to the main prompt, from which you can find the other three parts.

(Mycroft says "touch electobe". I'm not going to touch an electrode, Mycroft. That would result in me being electrocuted.)