our real estate is a great investment

[cross_and_bow]

"Welcome to Sunshine," says Juliet. "And to my front porch and whatever you do don't hit the light, it'll set Sherlock on fire."

Comments

[cross_and_bow]

"Oh good," says Juliet, grinning. "I look forward to showing off for a larger audience. Not that Sherlock's not appreciative."

[pythbox]

Giles reaches into his pocket for his glasses-cleaning cloth, pulls it out halfway, and then changes his mind and puts it back.

[she_sells_seashells]

"If I wished your glasses permanently clean," says Shell Bell, switching fingers to bend, "that would probably defeat some purpose, wouldn't it."

[pythbox]

"Go ahead," he says, deadpan, "but don't tell Juliet."

[cross_and_bow]

"I heard that," says Juliet. "Waste of squares anyway. I only get as many as Shell Bell can make before we find her a door."

[pythbox]

He chuckles.

[she_sells_seashells]

"Going as fast as I can," says Shell Bell, but she pushes a little harder on her bent finger.

[pythbox]

Giles decides not to ask. Not that he doesn't have a pretty good idea.

[cross_and_bow]

Time passes. Juliet studies demons. Shell Bell makes squares. And ultimately the sunset timer rings.

"Well, time to head home so I can meet Sherlock at my house and give him breakfast," says Juliet. "I don't think teleporting me and my truck home would be worth the questions."

[she_sells_seashells]

"I can't teleport large objects with me anyway, unless you're picking them up, which wouldn't be very good for your truck," Shell Bell says.

[cross_and_bow]

"Mr. Giles, you want to come home with me and meet Sherlock there? Shell Bell can just be invisible and fly. Or you could meet us later at the abandoned building I want where our extradimensional guests are squatting."

[pythbox]

"If you don't mind," he says, "I think I'd rather meet the vampire after he's had his breakfast. Where's this building?"

[she_sells_seashells]

"I could teleport you there," offers Shell Bell.

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet just gives him the intersection.

[pythbox]

"Thank you," he says. "When should I be there?"

[cross_and_bow]

"Half an hour," says Juliet, packing up her belongings. And out she goes, Shell Bell turning invisible and following in the air.

[she_sells_seashells]

[There is a thing you'll wanna know, says Shell Bell, [and your Sherlock said I could tell it to you.]

[cross_and_bow]

[Yeah, what?]

[she_sells_seashells]

[In general, Sherlocks and Tonies have sex. With each other. It's not the best surprise to get, so when I thought of it I asked your Sherlock, and this world's not an exception. Your Sherlock and Other Tony haven't with each other, too busy so far, and your Sherlock says he'll clear it with you beforehand if an opportunity even crops up. So, note that when you have your monogamy conversation.]

[cross_and_bow]

[Uh. Okay. That's one reason to reject the "brothers" descriptor.]

[she_sells_seashells]

[No, not really. Mine are actually twins, same deal. I fell down the stairs before they expected me to arrive on their floor and spotted them making out. It led to a difficult conversation.]

[cross_and_bow]

[I'd imagine. Okay. ...You can probably imagine my questions.]

[she_sells_seashells]

[My Sherlock loves me,] says Shell Bell in a sigh. [So much. She loves Tony too, she loved him first, but she loves me. Sometimes I open that up in my mindreading and I can barely breathe. It's okay. It's really okay.]

[cross_and_bow]

[Okay,] says Juliet, after a silence. [Thanks for letting me know. You're right, that would've been a hell of an awkward surprise.]

[she_sells_seashells]

[You'd've done the same for me if our positions were reversed,] says Shell Bell.

And there is Juliet's house. Juliet parks and goes in to microwave some blood; Shell Bell parks in the air, still invisible.

[Told her, she's fine,] she reports to Sherlock.