XV. The Adventure of the Cacophony In Potentia {Video; Open, and Spam}

[so_meretricious]

{Holmes has been in his room most the day and, as his usual, is largely ignoring the noise over the network. He's vaguely aware something is going on, but can't bring himself to care. So, he sits, smoking in front of his fireplace, and talks about what is on his mind.}It occurs, as I prepare for the upcoming art classes, that there is no similar

Comments

{Private}

[so_meretricious]

Very well. Mr. O'Brien, I believe? I shall inform you should I locate for you an instructor, and you have my confidence.

{Private}

[so_meretricious]

Comrade O'Brien, then. It is agreed.

{Video} Bit of a bitch to-day.

[so_meretricious]

{Though his tone is fairly playful.}

I wasn't aware the harmonica required instruction.

{Video} You like it.

[so_meretricious]

It is utterly disastrous in poor hands, I grant.

[Spam] Audacity: It's his middle name! Last name? NOBODY KNOWS.

[tatty_bye]

[Reaver? Is drunk. It is the first time, since their stop in Stuttgart, that he has been so, and this? Is much worse. It's unhappy drunk. It's the kind of drunk he tended to get back home, to stave off nightmares. It was not nightmares that woke him in the early hours of the morning today, but rather thoughts of his Warden. His insipid, self-important, prude of a Warden. Who knew all his deepest, darkest secrets. Who stole from him. Who... sat beside him when he was hospitalized. His thoughts are not especially organized, not even aimed toward any one particular feeling, and they have become more and more jumbled the more inebriated he became, until he reached such a point that he was tired of thinking, and he has now decided he can give talking a try. So he arrives at his Warden's door, nowhere near sober, but smouldering, and raps his fist on the door.]

{Spam} I just assumed it was Danger.

[so_meretricious]

{It takes a moment for Holmes to acknowledge the knock, and then a moment of consideration as to what action should be taken. Lazily, Holmes stands places his barely lit pipe in the rack on the mantel, walking over to his sitting room door. With a sigh he opens the door, raising an eyebrow minutely at the presence before him.}

Good evening, Reaver. You appear thoroughly used.

{He doesn't quite invite Reaver in, not with words at any rate, but steps aside to allow him passage into the room and nods in its direction.}

{Spam}

[tatty_bye]

I require a word, old sport. [The characteristically playful, even hammy tone that Reaver always seems to carry with him is not there. He steps past him, entering his cabin without awaiting any verbal invitation. Or maybe he thought he heard one.]

{Spam}

[so_meretricious]

{Holmes shuts the door, glad on some level that someone here understands Victorian non-verbal communication-even if it manifests merely in a lack of irritation that would have resulted from the opposite. He immediately notes the dour mood as he had Reaver's downtrodden and inebriated state. Not that Holmes is pleased with this, of course, but he hardly expects the habits of a lifetime-of six lifetimes-to die after a few stern words and rather dismal confrontation.}

Then a word you shall have. Do have a seat.

{Holmes himself remains standing, hovering as is his wont near the settee and armchair.}

What troubles you?

[text]

[expectremorse]

Music Therapy.

That's new.

{Video}

[so_meretricious]

I do not intend for it to be such, but if some find education in the arts therapeutic I will not stop it.

{Video}

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman's getting a hang of the video thing. Look! There he is! Slightly...confused to say the least]

....So like, classes? Fingerpainting?

{Video}

[so_meretricious]

{Holmes rolls his eyes. And Holmes only posts video because...then he only has to push one button on this damn thing.}

I shall start with the basics of sketching and colours, with still-life subjects. I don't expect many will be requiring advanced instruction.

[empirical_data]

I am capable of teaching many instruments, and quite willing.

{Video}

[so_meretricious]

I should be ever grateful for your assistance. Would your prowess perhaps extend to the brass instruments?

{Video}

[empirical_data]

Only a few, as I typically relied on Commander Riker's expertise. I can learn exponentially, however, and within a night gain relative proficiency. [He prefers learning over downloading a program.]

{Video}

[so_meretricious]

Relative proficiency within a night? If I had not witnessed the array of your talents that I have I confess I would not believe you, Commander.