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

[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.

[luminous_regnant]

"I suspected," Golden murmurs.

[she_sells_seashells]

"This one has a Jarvis at home," Shell Bell says tentatively.

[eversomuchfun]

He hugs Tony a little tighter.

[toblameforit]

"Hey," he says gently, "kinda squishy over here." Then he sighs. "Jarvis too, huh?"

[eversomuchfun]

He un-clings a little. Just a little.

"Jarvis too."

[cross_and_bow]

"Amariah said Jarvis is an AI," says Juliet. "Forgive me if this is rude, but is there any possibility of - copying him and bringing one back to Sunshine with us?"

[she_sells_seashells]

"I don't have big coins but I can do squares, squares can conjure nonmagical objects," pipes up Shell Bell.

[toblameforit]

"...We can ask," says Tony, pulling back some to look at Sherlock's face. "You wanna go ask?"

[eversomuchfun]

For purely psychological reasons, he takes a deep breath.

"Yes."