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[He's waited until the moment of lockdown so that Mycroft can't do anything stupid, like run out into the snow and get killed himself. Not that he thinks that he would; for all his other faults, Mycroft's intelligence is generally stronger than his occasionally displayed sentiment.
Despite killing Moriarty earlier, Sherlock still looks like a twisted creation. Half of the back of his skull is missing, blood smeared everywhere, and his hands are completely metamorphosed into guns. His voice, though, is surprisingly level and mostly free of any Irish accent.]
Mycroft, you must watch the following video closely, do not look away even for a moment, is that clear?
Despite killing Moriarty earlier, Sherlock still looks like a twisted creation. Half of the back of his skull is missing, blood smeared everywhere, and his hands are completely metamorphosed into guns. His voice, though, is surprisingly level and mostly free of any Irish accent.]
Mycroft, you must watch the following video closely, do not look away even for a moment, is that clear?
[He's been in the same building long enough that cabin fever has slightly started the set in, even though he recognizes what's happening. The floor was rippling, like it was made of water. Curious, but nothing more. It's just an illusion, it's not real. He'd leave as soon as that creature outside his door left. He didn't think he could bring himself to fight it off. It had to eventually wander away, right? He had already made a couple of mad dashes to the restroom with his umbrella and it had tried to shuffle after him. Right now he locked himself in one of the rooms. Worried about Sherlock, biting back the horror and trying not to think of the twisted mangled thing as their sister.
And then he got this message. He turns on video, in return, not bothering with audio this time.]
Sherlock!?
Where are you? What are you doing!?
[He sounds worried. The sight of Sherlock brought back hope and relief, though he recoiled visibly at the state of him. His hands, his hands, how was that even possible!? And his head...there was no way he could be functioning with that massive wound. How on earth did the nanites manage to pull this off? Maybe they were right, and it was a shared hallucination. But hallucinations didn't hurt, and even if the pain was somehow an illusion as well, he'd thrown rocks at John. They'd reacted to his larger form as expected.]
And then he got this message. He turns on video, in return, not bothering with audio this time.]
Sherlock!?
Where are you? What are you doing!?
[He sounds worried. The sight of Sherlock brought back hope and relief, though he recoiled visibly at the state of him. His hands, his hands, how was that even possible!? And his head...there was no way he could be functioning with that massive wound. How on earth did the nanites manage to pull this off? Maybe they were right, and it was a shared hallucination. But hallucinations didn't hurt, and even if the pain was somehow an illusion as well, he'd thrown rocks at John. They'd reacted to his larger form as expected.]
Edited 2017-06-02 21:56 (UTC)
[Good. Mycroft is still alive and looks unhurt, and something in him can feel the pull of the light in him even over this distance, so he has managed to avoid anyone who might have taken it away.]
I'm in the chapel, one of the morgues is located here.
[He swings the tablet around as best he can, though it's a clumsy effort without fingers, to show the rows of sealed drawers. His voice is all rapid enthusiasm, the sort of energy that an upcoming experiment brings.]
In a short time an anomaly will appear here to kill me, such is the punishment for attempting to remain past lockdown in one of these buildings, but I am also an anomaly currently. I should be able to damage it, perhaps even kill it, for examination so that we can see what truly makes up the monsters that stalk us through this place. I'll record the whole thing and you must watch.
[He doesn't say it's because Mycroft might catch what he misses, or that his brother is cleverer than him when it comes to observation. He doesn't need to, Mycroft will surely hear the subtext.]
If I do die, I need you to keep the footage so that I can view it when I return.
[When, not if.]
I'm in the chapel, one of the morgues is located here.
[He swings the tablet around as best he can, though it's a clumsy effort without fingers, to show the rows of sealed drawers. His voice is all rapid enthusiasm, the sort of energy that an upcoming experiment brings.]
In a short time an anomaly will appear here to kill me, such is the punishment for attempting to remain past lockdown in one of these buildings, but I am also an anomaly currently. I should be able to damage it, perhaps even kill it, for examination so that we can see what truly makes up the monsters that stalk us through this place. I'll record the whole thing and you must watch.
[He doesn't say it's because Mycroft might catch what he misses, or that his brother is cleverer than him when it comes to observation. He doesn't need to, Mycroft will surely hear the subtext.]
If I do die, I need you to keep the footage so that I can view it when I return.
[When, not if.]
[....what.]
What the hell!?
[Mycroft's mouth drops open and stays open as it just seemed to get worse and worse. For one thing, despite what he may have been involved in with his work, he actually wasn't keen on watching violent deaths. He knows why Sherlock wants him to watch it, he does pick up on that subtext. It's not a comfort as he realizes what is probably going to happen, despite Sherlock being an anomaly. He'd studied enough of the network over the past couple of days to know how horrific staying in a Morgue was, not to mention his conversation with House before.]
Sherlock, that is the most ridiculous idea you've had in a long line of ridiculous ideas. Get out of there, now!
[His voice took on the tone he used when ordering his people around.]
What the hell!?
[Mycroft's mouth drops open and stays open as it just seemed to get worse and worse. For one thing, despite what he may have been involved in with his work, he actually wasn't keen on watching violent deaths. He knows why Sherlock wants him to watch it, he does pick up on that subtext. It's not a comfort as he realizes what is probably going to happen, despite Sherlock being an anomaly. He'd studied enough of the network over the past couple of days to know how horrific staying in a Morgue was, not to mention his conversation with House before.]
Sherlock, that is the most ridiculous idea you've had in a long line of ridiculous ideas. Get out of there, now!
[His voice took on the tone he used when ordering his people around.]
[....no, no, no, no,no. Lockdown. There had to be a way out, there had to be--he was about to say so, but really, he knew it was futile. Sherlock was trapped in there. His only hope was that he would indeed be able to kill it. Or run from it. Or something.
The alternative was too loathsome to think about.]
Do you realize what you've done!? What if it does kill you and you don't revive!?
[Probably not helping there, but his filter was at its limit, what with the nonsense transformations, the sad creature that very well might be Eurus, the whispers she'd spoken, this place in general--the floor continued its merry rippling as Mycroft felt he might very well be losing the plot. This had to be a dream.
It needed to be a dream.]
The alternative was too loathsome to think about.]
Do you realize what you've done!? What if it does kill you and you don't revive!?
[Probably not helping there, but his filter was at its limit, what with the nonsense transformations, the sad creature that very well might be Eurus, the whispers she'd spoken, this place in general--the floor continued its merry rippling as Mycroft felt he might very well be losing the plot. This had to be a dream.
It needed to be a dream.]
Edited 2017-06-03 14:48 (UTC)
Then I'll hardly need to worry about if you've kept the footage properly, will I?
[He sounds mildly impatient. Not because he doesn't feel guilty over making Mycroft watch this, but because he does and he's not good at expressing it. He is also aware that they're under a tight deadline, there can't be much longer before it begins.]
But I will. Amber was an anomalous piece of data, an outlying statistic, it's almost certain that people who intentionally or knowingly accept their death will return. A perverse punishment, perhaps.
[Making it so those who kill themselves can't stay dead, if that's what they want.]
[He sounds mildly impatient. Not because he doesn't feel guilty over making Mycroft watch this, but because he does and he's not good at expressing it. He is also aware that they're under a tight deadline, there can't be much longer before it begins.]
But I will. Amber was an anomalous piece of data, an outlying statistic, it's almost certain that people who intentionally or knowingly accept their death will return. A perverse punishment, perhaps.
[Making it so those who kill themselves can't stay dead, if that's what they want.]
Damn it, Sherlock!
[He hisses the words. Mycroft's not doing a very good job of hiding how appalled he is, how upsetting this is for him. Sherrinford hadn't been that long ago for him anyway. It sounded like Sherlock was being flippant about it all and that was irritating enough, and dangerous besides.]
It's not guaranteed. Nothing is guaranteed.
[It wasn't like he could look away, either, no matter how bad it got. The data would be valuable, and if this was Sherlock's last wish--
--no, he had to think positive.
But how could he? How could he after all this!?]
[He hisses the words. Mycroft's not doing a very good job of hiding how appalled he is, how upsetting this is for him. Sherrinford hadn't been that long ago for him anyway. It sounded like Sherlock was being flippant about it all and that was irritating enough, and dangerous besides.]
It's not guaranteed. Nothing is guaranteed.
[It wasn't like he could look away, either, no matter how bad it got. The data would be valuable, and if this was Sherlock's last wish--
--no, he had to think positive.
But how could he? How could he after all this!?]
[Flippant?
No, not exactly. But it's far easier to be blase about this, than it is to admit there's a possibility he might not return, or tell Mycroft how frightened he is that Moriarty might actually corrupt his mind once and for all. To lose all he is, his genius, that's horrific to him.]
Then I'm sure that you and John can spend many happy hours thoroughly abusing my memory should I not return.
[There's the bite of sarcastic impatience to his voice now.]
But for now, if you would be so kind, shut up and watch.
No, not exactly. But it's far easier to be blase about this, than it is to admit there's a possibility he might not return, or tell Mycroft how frightened he is that Moriarty might actually corrupt his mind once and for all. To lose all he is, his genius, that's horrific to him.]
Then I'm sure that you and John can spend many happy hours thoroughly abusing my memory should I not return.
[There's the bite of sarcastic impatience to his voice now.]
But for now, if you would be so kind, shut up and watch.
[--this was not actually happening.
Mycroft gripped the sides of his tablet.]
Sherlock, don't be--you realize what this would do to your friend if you don't return!?
[Subtext: Do you know what this will do to me if you don't return?
He looked intently at the screen, despite his stomach threatening to evacuate the meager contents he'd consumed--he was basically out of food--and he would indeed do his very best not to miss a thing.]
Mycroft gripped the sides of his tablet.]
Sherlock, don't be--you realize what this would do to your friend if you don't return!?
[Subtext: Do you know what this will do to me if you don't return?
He looked intently at the screen, despite his stomach threatening to evacuate the meager contents he'd consumed--he was basically out of food--and he would indeed do his very best not to miss a thing.]
Precisely what happened to him the last time I didn't return, for two years, at least. He will find a new purpose, he will lean on Mary, and he will continue.
[He falls silent after that.
It's a fair wait, enough that he begins to believe nothing will happen, before everything goes nuts. Mycroft will obviously only be able to see up until the tablet explodes.]
[He falls silent after that.
It's a fair wait, enough that he begins to believe nothing will happen, before everything goes nuts. Mycroft will obviously only be able to see up until the tablet explodes.]
[Mycroft falls silent too.
He wants to say something, he wants to reassure him, but he can't find the words. He wants to tell Sherlock how proud he is of him, but the words die on his lips as he can't quite say it--if he says it, it brings a finality to the situation. He couldn't accept that this was the end, possibly--though a part of him wants to tell him about Redbeard, about Eurus...but no. He wasn't going to burden Sherlock with that knowledge, not right now.
He loses his nerve, right before it all goes nuts, and is about to say something stupidly sentimental, but then--
--madness.
That was--that looked like--that couldn't be her, it couldn't--]
SHERLOCK!
[--and then the other tablet exploded and the connection cut off. Breathing heavily, his eyes wide, his mouth dropping open, he frantically tries to reconnect, with no success.]
Sherlock!? Sherlock!
[It takes an hour before he gives up, stunned, and fearing the worst.]
He wants to say something, he wants to reassure him, but he can't find the words. He wants to tell Sherlock how proud he is of him, but the words die on his lips as he can't quite say it--if he says it, it brings a finality to the situation. He couldn't accept that this was the end, possibly--though a part of him wants to tell him about Redbeard, about Eurus...but no. He wasn't going to burden Sherlock with that knowledge, not right now.
He loses his nerve, right before it all goes nuts, and is about to say something stupidly sentimental, but then--
--madness.
That was--that looked like--that couldn't be her, it couldn't--]
SHERLOCK!
[--and then the other tablet exploded and the connection cut off. Breathing heavily, his eyes wide, his mouth dropping open, he frantically tries to reconnect, with no success.]
Sherlock!? Sherlock!
[It takes an hour before he gives up, stunned, and fearing the worst.]
[You were supposed to keep them safe. You promised.
Instead:] Mr. Holmes...I've just seen the obituary.
Are you somewhere safe?
Instead:] Mr. Holmes...I've just seen the obituary.
Are you somewhere safe?
Edited 2017-06-07 00:22 (UTC)
[He promised John he'd look after Mary too, didn't he?]
Yes. I had to leave the previous building I was in.
[Mycroft sounds, for lack of a better word, broken. He's doing a tremendous job trying to keep his voice plain.
Cold.
He's failing.]
Yes. I had to leave the previous building I was in.
[Mycroft sounds, for lack of a better word, broken. He's doing a tremendous job trying to keep his voice plain.
Cold.
He's failing.]
Edited 2017-06-07 00:27 (UTC)
I killed Doctor Strange. [She pauses, hesitates. Continues.] Left him for dead. He was getting more and more violent.
[She clears her throat. No she is absolutely not crying, no tears at all.] Do you know what happened?
[She clears her throat. No she is absolutely not crying, no tears at all.] Do you know what happened?
[He doesn't know Dr. Strange well enough to feel much of anything other than a slightly clinical regret at the potentially permanent loss if another doctor, but the man did have his brother's face, and considering Mary's history, well. It was concerning.]
Clearly, that was necessary.
[Self-defense was nothing to regret.]
I...I don't know what happened to John. They were both transforming into anomalies, and I locked myself in one of the rooms. The next morning, they were gone.
[Coward. He should have done something.]
They were afraid they were going to attack me, so they left. Sherlock ended up at the morgue, trying to do an experiment. I have the video.
[A pause. He really was doing his best to sound calm. He ended up sounding...sad.]
He died.
Clearly, that was necessary.
[Self-defense was nothing to regret.]
I...I don't know what happened to John. They were both transforming into anomalies, and I locked myself in one of the rooms. The next morning, they were gone.
[Coward. He should have done something.]
They were afraid they were going to attack me, so they left. Sherlock ended up at the morgue, trying to do an experiment. I have the video.
[A pause. He really was doing his best to sound calm. He ended up sounding...sad.]
He died.
Send the video.
[Mary doesn't trust Mycroft not to get himself killed, and if Sherlock is sending footage then it's something he wants kept.]
Strange was afraid he would do the same, but as when John had turned into an anomaly before I didn't want to leave him. ... ultimately he didn't leave me a choice.
[Running her hands over her face, she tries to gather herself. Reminding herself that death is evidently not permanent here does little to ease her frayed nerves. If Mycroft listens for it, he'll catch the slight waver in her voice.] I plan to double back, as soon as we know where both Sherlock and John revive. No need to return if they may start nearby.
[Mary doesn't trust Mycroft not to get himself killed, and if Sherlock is sending footage then it's something he wants kept.]
Strange was afraid he would do the same, but as when John had turned into an anomaly before I didn't want to leave him. ... ultimately he didn't leave me a choice.
[Running her hands over her face, she tries to gather herself. Reminding herself that death is evidently not permanent here does little to ease her frayed nerves. If Mycroft listens for it, he'll catch the slight waver in her voice.] I plan to double back, as soon as we know where both Sherlock and John revive. No need to return if they may start nearby.
[He sends the video. He has a similar line of thought--if something untoward should happen to him or his tablet--and apparently as numerous as these anomalies were becoming, it was likely--the video contained valuable data.
His hands shake as he clenches his tablet tightly. If Sherlock and John hadn't gone, there probably would have been a horrible fight. But now they were dead, and not him.
Stupid. It should have been him. At least it would have only been one down, instead of two. Though Sherlock hadn't been able to shoot him before, in Sherrinford, and turned the gun on himself...who knows what he would have done in this state.
It was unfair. All of this. As much as Mycroft presented himself as cold and aloof, this place was tearing him to pieces.]
I was headed in the direction that Sherlock had gone. [Hopefully.] Is it likely he'll revive in the same spot?
His hands shake as he clenches his tablet tightly. If Sherlock and John hadn't gone, there probably would have been a horrible fight. But now they were dead, and not him.
Stupid. It should have been him. At least it would have only been one down, instead of two. Though Sherlock hadn't been able to shoot him before, in Sherrinford, and turned the gun on himself...who knows what he would have done in this state.
It was unfair. All of this. As much as Mycroft presented himself as cold and aloof, this place was tearing him to pieces.]
I was headed in the direction that Sherlock had gone. [Hopefully.] Is it likely he'll revive in the same spot?
[A rather closed off person himself, England allows himself to be genuine in return.] Of course. I'm glad to hear he got into contact with you. Though... [A beat of hesitation. England isn't sure how much to be concerned about this, or if showing his concern would be appropriate.]
If you've already spoken with him, I assume you noticed something was a bit...off?
If you've already spoken with him, I assume you noticed something was a bit...off?
[Bloody hell. That video was enough to give her pause, as if she wasn't already upset enough--she hadn't thought to turn the voice feed off while watching the video and Mycroft will hear her choked gasp.
It takes a few moments for her to collect herself; when she does, she's back on the line with her hands over her eyes and carefully regulating her breathing.]
As John? Not necessarily. There are a handful of morgues. The funeral parlor, the chapel, and the police station from what I gather via various maps. I don't believe there are any others, but I can't be sure knowing this town.
It takes a few moments for her to collect herself; when she does, she's back on the line with her hands over her eyes and carefully regulating her breathing.]
As John? Not necessarily. There are a handful of morgues. The funeral parlor, the chapel, and the police station from what I gather via various maps. I don't believe there are any others, but I can't be sure knowing this town.
mr holmes
i read your conversation with winter
it would not have been polite to interrupt
but i do not believe i am in my body
i am not human and do not have a human blood type
here Dr. Watson found my blood type to be listed as type o, adjusted
not what it is at home
the fact it was altered is the only reason a transfusion was possible
i read your conversation with winter
it would not have been polite to interrupt
but i do not believe i am in my body
i am not human and do not have a human blood type
here Dr. Watson found my blood type to be listed as type o, adjusted
not what it is at home
the fact it was altered is the only reason a transfusion was possible
[He immediately pays attention.]
You should have jumped in, she's a computer, you needn't worry about being polite to an object, even one that can speak.
What differences are there between your original self, and who you are now, besides the blood type?
You should have jumped in, she's a computer, you needn't worry about being polite to an object, even one that can speak.
What differences are there between your original self, and who you are now, besides the blood type?
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