(Untitled)

[withoutincident]

(DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 4)

The lake outside Milliways simultaneously offends Bruce's sense of logic and fascinates him. That the lake exists at all behind the bar might be acceptable, but the fact that you can't walk around to the front of the bar without ending up where you came from is bizarre. The random island-style inlet in what appears to be

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

The first sign of Sherlock's presence is a faint scent of smoke on the breeze, but by the time he comes around the bend in the path a minute later his hands are empty.

He spares Bruce a thoughtful glance without breaking his unhurried stride.

[withoutincident]

"Comes with the territory of intellectual curiosity, I guess."

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes, rather."

[withoutincident]

"So."

He rubs his palms together contemplatively, eyeing Sherlock.

"You won't mind if I ask why you're named Sherlock Holmes, then."

[if_inconvenient]

"I needed a name; I chose that one because I knew I could live up to it."

[withoutincident]

"What was wrong with your first one?"

[if_inconvenient]

His lips quirk.

"I don't think that is a question that can properly be answered. You see, the reason I needed a name is precisely because I did not have one at all."

[withoutincident]

His eyebrows go up.

[if_inconvenient]

"So, in fact, my first one is Sherlock Holmes, and there is nothing wrong with it whatsoever."

[withoutincident]

"Right."

Beat.

"That sort of begs the question of why you didn't have a name in the first place."

[if_inconvenient]

"Doesn't it?"

He smiles slightly.

"I'll tell you if you tell me how you acquired your Mr Hyde."

[withoutincident]

Bruce opens his mouth for an automatic denial--

Closes it, eyeing Sherlock thoughtfully.

"Why do you want to know?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Because I want to know everything."

[withoutincident]

"Yeah?" Wry, "What's your background in the biological sciences?"

[if_inconvenient]

Oh, that's rich. He grins.

"I never pay attentrion in class, but I have something of an amateur interest."

[withoutincident]

"You'll need at least a master's to understand the details. More likely a doctorate."