we are invariably pleased to welcome tourism

[cross_and_bow]

Sherlock is usually very puncutal. He's only one minute late, but that's still not quite as punctual as usual. Bella peers out the window, not yet allowing herself outright concern.

Comments

[eversomuchfun]

"Damn," says Sherlock.

[luminous_regnant]

"Rather. Yes. And in that time Edward thought I was dead, which was worse. Diamond vampires - as I have decided to call us - mate for life in the most serious sense possible."

[eversomuchfun]

"Well. That's unpleasant," he says, not quite as flippantly as he means to.

[luminous_regnant]

"I thought he was dead too. I turned out to be mistaken regarding the identity of an ash heap. I was, just barely, functional - it helped that there was Elspeth, even before I took her from her grandparents and aunts and uncles."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Do you want a hug?" asks Shell Bell.

[cross_and_bow]

"Yeah," agrees Juliet, "hugs, available things."

[luminous_regnant]

Golden has to think about this, but it takes an imperceptible amount of time.

"All right," she says, and she receives hugs, which she returns very, very carefully.

[eversomuchfun]

"I am familiar with the circumstance," says Sherlock. "You have my sympathy. And another hug, if you'd like one."

[luminous_regnant]

"I'm full up, thanks. Familiar how? Does your sort do this too?" She peers at Juliet's profile. "Sunshine vampires?"

[cross_and_bow]

"Not the specific thing, he's just - lost people," says Juliet.

[luminous_regnant]

"Mm. Mates are special, but not - infinitely special, so the sympathy's likely informed, regardless. Elspeth occupies a similar priority for me compared to Edward. But this is largely because my mind is safe. It's not true for Edward comparing me and our daughter. His original relationship with her was destroyed years ago. It's better now. But it'll never be the same."

[eversomuchfun]

"Specifically," says Sherlock, "the circumstance of loving someone so much you are not sure you can survive without them, and then having that put to the test." He quirks a faint, humourless smile. "Twice."

[luminous_regnant]

Golden nods. "She has his hair," she murmurs. "She used to complain that I wouldn't let her cut it until it swept the floor. When the relationship-destroying witch came along she chopped half of it off." Pause. "The relationship-destroying witch is the only person I have ever personally killed."

[eversomuchfun]

"I have killed quite a number of people," says Sherlock, "but the first human was the man who hid a gang of vampire assassins in our basement and thereby caused the death of everyone I had ever loved. I expect even if I had my soul pinned back on, I would still stand by that one."

[luminous_regnant]

Golden nods.

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet hugs her Sherlock.

[eversomuchfun]

Sherlock hugs his Juliet.

[toblameforit]

The suite's front door opens.

"New Bells!" says a cheerful voice. "Hi, new Bells! Hi, —holy shit vampire Sherry."

[eversomuchfun]

"Hello, Tony," he murmurs, looking away and keeping very still.

[she_sells_seashells]

"Hi again, Tony," says Shell Bell. "I'm pretty sure Juliet wouldn't hang out with him if he were an asshole people-eating version of himself. At least currently. My Sherlock thought when I asked her that this one would want to meet you, it's good you're here!"

[cross_and_bow]

"How could you tell by looking? I can't even tell by looking and I'm supposed to be able to tell by magic," mutters Juliet, releasing her Sherlock from the hug in case he wants to hug Tony instead.

[toblameforit]

"I don't know," he says, "I just—Sherry, are you okay?"

[eversomuchfun]

"Not particularly."

[toblameforit]

"Dammit," Tony sighs, and hugs him.

[eversomuchfun]

Hesitantly, Sherlock hugs back.

"Half of the aforementioned dead family," he says, mostly for Golden's benefit.