[video]

[heartofbakerst]

[ The video turns on to an awkward closeup of a young boy's face, who looks panicked and confused. ]

Hullo? Yes...Um.. My name is John Watson. I think I've lost my family somewhere, because I'm not where I went to bed last night, and I really have to get back, cos mum and dad were going out today and I really have to watch my sister Harry, and if I don't get back soon, I'll be in loads of trouble.

Um... I woke up today in a strange place and there's a weird boy here and he doesn't talk a lot, but he's looking at all the weird stuff that's laying around. There's a gun here, and I'm not supposed to touch those. But if we've been taken, can I use it? It's kind of scary.

Comments

[heartofbakerst]

Yeah, and what good is that going to do us if we can't find a phone box or find someone who can help us?

"Great! We've found our exact location thanks to these bits of rock and tree bark! Now if only we could do something with this information that would help us leave the stupid island!"

[ John is unamused. ]

Fine. We can go to the beach if it'll get you to shut up. But when you see how useless it is, can we please find an adult?

[worldsonly]

[ immediately Sherlock hunches in on himself and locks his jaw, eyes bright. it doesn't matter what John thinks! it doesn't. Sherlock just doesn't want to deal with any other children. almost inaudibly: ]

Fine.

[heartofbakerst]

[ the older boy sighs and runs a hand through his hair and then rises to his feet, offering down his hand to Sherlock, resolved to keep his word about sticking together, even if the boy was being a massive brat. ]

Well, Sherlock? Are you coming or not?

[worldsonly]

[ it takes a few moments for Sherlock to unfold and quietly take the extended hand, and when he does, his face is creased into a crumpled pout, but he does nod. ]

[heartofbakerst]

[ Good. Well at least now he's cooperating. He ignores the pout and begins heading off, not really sure where he's going exactly, other than "down" is usually a good way to find a beach. ]

So how come you don't like other kids?

[worldsonly]

They're so dull. Everything they talk about is so juvenile, and they don't understand the simplest things, but when I try to explain to them, they all --

[ he stops. ]

It doesn't matter. I don't like them and they don't like me.

[heartofbakerst]

[ What an angry kid. Anti-social. Even so, he could hear his mum's voice in his head, reminding him to get along with other kids, even if he didn't like them. ]

So then... um... what do you like? If you don't like to play with other kids, what do you do?

[worldsonly]

[ Sherlock's voice is very small, with the tone of a boy signing up for his own execution: ]

I like the violin. And pirates, and chemistry, and working out puzzles. Not stupid puzzles, but really good ones. [ like where they are right now... it's a really brilliant puzzle for him. ]

[heartofbakerst]

[ Yep. Weird kid. John's first hunch had been right after all. Nevertheless, he smiles awkwardly. ]

Well...Those are all good things. You probably don't get in trouble much.

[ Which, of course is kid-speak for, "You're boring." ]

But how come pirates? Those aren't like... smart or school-related.

[worldsonly]

[ if Sherlock understood the subtleties of kid-speak, he might have had an easier time getting along with other children; but then, probably not. either way, it's clear he's not bragging like any other child might do, simply stating empirical facts: ] No, I get into trouble all the time. I've already been expelled before.

[ defensively: ] Because they're interesting. I'm going to have my own ship when I'm older, and Mycroft will be my first mate, and we're going to explore the world.

[heartofbakerst]

Who's this 'Mycroft', anyhow? Sounds like a made up name to me.

[ John then points out between a pair of buildings where a glimpse of ocean can be seen. ]

Knew we'd find it. Maybe it'll be empty and we can play in the water.

[worldsonly]

Well who ever heard of a girl being called Harry, anyway? Mycroft is my big brother, and when he's not being a prat he's the smartest greatest person ever.

Oh! [ true to seven year olds everywhere, as soon as Sherlock sees the ocean he releases John's hand and takes off after it, as though it might flee if he lets it get away. ]

[heartofbakerst]

Her real name is Harriet, but "Harry" is easier to say.

[ and then Sherlock takes off toward the water, surprising John with his sudden enthusiasm. Like any good babysitter, he takes right off after him. ]

W-Wait for me!

[worldsonly]

[ Sherlock's legs are much shorter than John's so his head start hardly lets him get away, and he grabs for John's hand again almost unthinkingly.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ]

[heartofbakerst]

[ John follows happily alongside him, laughing and grinning like an idiot. These beaches look so much nicer than the ones back in England. The moment that the pair of them hit sand, John pauses to kick off his trainers, roll up his trousers, and remove his shirt, making a bee-line straight for the water. He splashes down in it, soaking his whole body in the salty waves, then turning round and looking for the boy he'd come with. ]

[worldsonly]

[ standing incongruously on the sand still in his little Oxfords and uniform blazer, Sherlock hunches down, pulls a small magnifying glass from his trouser pocket and, exactly like he said he would, begins to peer at the sand. after a moment, he licks it thoughtfully. ]

[heartofbakerst]

[ Little John frowns at Sherlock, trying to figure him out, and what it is he's doing. And is he... ugh! he's eating sand?! What a weird kid! ]

What are you doing?

[worldsonly]

[ spits. ] Determining what chemicals might be in the sand, obviously!

[ but the siren song of the ocean is too much for even Sherlock to resist. finally he shucks off his blazer and lays it out flat, piling sand on the silk lining to take back to that wonderful chemistry set they left behind for more tests, then toes off his tiny shoes and wades into the water after John otherwise fully dressed. ]

[heartofbakerst]

What, you're tasting the sand for chemicals? What if it's poison? Or makes you sick?

[ John makes a face, but grins when he see Sherlock starting into the water. Immediately, John scoops up a handful of water and tosses it in Sherlock's direction. ]

[worldsonly]

[ witheringly: ] One taste won't do anything irreversible!

[ and then he splutters and shakes his head, curls flicking water everywhere, looking absolutely shocked. ]

Wh -- Why would you do that?

[heartofbakerst]

[ John's smile fades into a look of bewilderment when Sherlock looks so frightfully offended. ]

Relax! It's just water! I'm only playing with you! [ The grin returns. ]

Are you frightened of water? [ He splashes him again and again. ] Are you scared?

[worldsonly]

[ WELL DANG IF HE WAS SCARED THEN THAT'S A TERRIBLE THING TO DO, CHILD. fortunately, he's simply unaccustomed to, um. playing. with people. ]

Of course I'm not scared! A pirate can't be scared of water! You -- You should be scared! [ and he launches his tiny self through the water at John to knock him over, like a rugby tackle in miniature. ]

[heartofbakerst]

Scared? Scared of what? You? [ John begins laughing, though not for long before he's coughing and spitting up water from being tackled. Kid was surprisingly strong for being so little. So they were playing pirates, huh? John stands up and puffs out his chest. Very dignified. ]

Well I'm Commodore first class John Watson! And I have been ordered by the Queen to bring every pirate in the world to justice!

[worldsonly]

[ Sherlock's entire body language changes when he realizes John really is playing with him, completely delighted. ]

You'll never collect the bounty on my head, Commodore Watson, I can assure you.

[heartofbakerst]

[ Geez, finally he's gotten to relax. He grins and laughs. ]

We'll just have to see about that, you scoundrel!

[ And just as the littler boy had tackled him before, John similarly returns the favour, giving out a mighty battle cry as he launches himself forward. ]