there is room here to expand

[cross_and_bow]

When Juliet leaves the party, she goes to meet the new Jarvis.

She knocks, to be polite.

Comments

[eversomuchfun]

"Downside does fuck with people. Well, it did. Hopefully it now does it less."

[cross_and_bow]

"We're working on it - luckily we only lost a couple of days there - but yeah."

[eversomuchfun]

[cross_and_bow]

"I love you," murmurs Bella. "I wish you could love you too."

[eversomuchfun]

"I used to love me," he sighs. "But I do love you. And Tony. And the various incarnations of Jarvis."

[cross_and_bow]

"If we don't figure out a nice well-rounded fix soon I guess I'll talk to Shell Bell, but I suspect the answer to how Shell Bell deals with it is just "she occasionally despairs, and also she didn't ever get used to hers being any other way'," sighs Bella.

[eversomuchfun]

"Does it really provoke despair?"

[cross_and_bow]

"I don't mean, like, sitting alone in a dark room waiting for the universe to end, kind of despair, I just mean determining that there is a bad thing in the world and nothing to be done about it presents itself and it's time to stop beating one's head against the wall and permit the bad thing to continue to be until further notice, damn it all. Arrogant busybody Bell type despair."

[eversomuchfun]

He snorts. "Ah, that's more like it."

[cross_and_bow]

"Yeah, I don't think I'm in any danger of getting turned into Shell or Sarion just by virtue of you not liking yourself. It'll just - make me sad when I think about it."

[eversomuchfun]

He hugs her.

[cross_and_bow]

Hugs are always good.

"What does Tony think about it, or would I have to ask him?"

[eversomuchfun]

"Guilt, mostly. But he's used to it. I started out that way, after all."

[cross_and_bow]

"Yeah, like - the obvious etiology is the mindset around being a clone, except then there's Pearl and Strat."

[eversomuchfun]

"Pearl has a different reason. Strat has less reason and, perhaps relatedly, less of the problem."

[cross_and_bow]

Bella nods.

She's silent for a minute.

"I want to meet her," she murmurs. "Even if it's just for a minute and even if you're going to torch her gone."

[eversomuchfun]

Sherlock takes, pointlessly, a deep breath.

"All right."

[cross_and_bow]

"It doesn't have to be right now, it doesn't have to be at all if you don't want to. But if you're willing - or her, I'm not clear on to what extent she has preferences when she's tucked away - then I'd like to."

[eversomuchfun]

"It's hard to tell what her preferences are without bringing her out and asking. Which she prefers I not do."

[cross_and_bow]

"I can skip it if that would be pleasanter for - plural you."

[eversomuchfun]

"I'm really not sure," he sighs.

[cross_and_bow]

Hugs.

[eversomuchfun]

Hugs.

[cross_and_bow]

"...Do you want me to go away so you can talk to her in private?"

[eversomuchfun]

"That would probably be best."