003. ᴛᴇxᴛ

[considered]

[ so perhaps there are no riddles today. or perhaps there are always riddles to what she says, who knows, truly. there is a disappointment and there is interest in what this city has dealt her. it leads her to contrasting urges ( destroy. observe. participate ).

the choice will have an impact, certainly. but for today, just a message. ]

It would seem that the gods of Asgard have finally understood what some knew all along; that two of Holmes in the same city will either lead to madness or to a disappointing stagnancy from both sides. Especially if the two answer to the same first name; and any measure of stagnancy from one answering to the name Holmes would be a tragic matter.

As such and in an attempt to balance the equation, it would seem (1) Sherlock Holmes is no longer among us.

I trust that if you have a matter to settle with him his partner, miss Joan Watson would be all too pleased to assist you.

[ and then; as if the next thought is a fleeting thing, it is voiced, too. as if it has any connection to the previous subject.

(it has everything and nothing to do with it). ]

How many of you know the natives by their first names, I wonder?

Jamie Moriarty

Comments

[medica]

You clearly know the answer to that. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't need to know more details. I'm not Sherlock. ( and joan could never bring herself to follow blindly. there arrangement is a partnership, after all. )

[considered]

No, you're not.

[ very plainly but then jamie moriarty is not one for sugarcoating and she has reason to suspect joan watson is quite the same in that regard. ]

but truly, Joan, this doesn't seem very -- sophisticated in its mysteries. In a city wrecked by war, the most crime known is that someone decided to burn down a school. After what you've seen in New York, I'm rather confident you could do well on your own.

[ a casual shrug ]

Though there is always another Sherlock.

[medica]

( joan isn't sure what to make of moriarty's confidence. she feels the other woman's thoughts are genuine, though. )

They're different people. One can't just replace the other, any more than the other Moriarty can replace you.

[considered]

Is that a compliment, Joan? I must wonder.

[ a small smile. you're too sweet etc etc. ]

[medica]

( she gives jamie a look. joan couldn't reach any conclusions about the other moriarty quite yet, though she figures it's not as simple as seeing which of the two could potentially be worse. jamie is the more familiar of the two, though. )

Don't flatter yourself.

[considered]

[ jamie is the one who would not let a soul in the city harm joan. her fascination with the woman is well known. dear sherlock has made it known to her counterpart, or so she suspects. she does appreciate jim, he's a darling, of course; she would share this sandbox with him and fight him over very little.

but joan is certainly someone moriarty will not share with any other moriarty, darling as they may be. ]

it is a small competition. I fear it cannot be helped.

[medica]

( joan realizes that moriarty has a fascination with her. once, she had told joan that she's drawn to things she does not understand. when moriarty figures that out, whatever it might be, she can't help but wonder how the woman might change towards her. )

I wonder what type of...collaborations he might have planned with you.

[considered]

[ perhaps she'll never find out; perhaps a part of jamie doesn't want to. perhaps the riddle that is joan is beautiful to her and she wants to solve her as much as she doesn't want to. it's a curious thing, this fascination and to jamie joan is --

well, who knows. who wants to put a name on this. ]

If he had, I have yet to learn of it. Oh Joan, you don't have to worry. We play nicely but I doubt we would play together as often as you think.

[medica]

Nicely, hm? ( she hopes that asgard doesn't ever have to deal with any of them playing together. )

I hope none of your playing around attracts negative attention from the gods. For your sake. ( there's a warning in her voice. after all, divine retribution isn't usually fun. )

[considered]

[ she smiles, it's charming and it's indulgent. ]

Your concern touches me profoundly, Joan.

[medica]

If that's what you want to call it.