2 whips

[chastise]

[Room Filter]

[She's pretty much done the opposite of what Mycroft was intending to do with that little spiel. But she's ignored the younger Holmes entirely for a week. She thinks she's let him stew long enough on the question she presents. And now that she's a little more knowledgeable on the 'castle', it clears some things up for her.

Which is precisely why she's dressed to the nines, and taken a seat on his bed, fingers shifting the pins in her hair, to keep it perfectly pinned up, content to wait for his arrival]

Comments

[workaphilic]

[He's aware that something is off when he walks in. Not sure what, at first. Isn't always aware of the intermediate steps between the observations and the deductions. But something is Off.

He maneuvers slowly through the flat, the kitchen, down the hall to his room. Eases the door open.

Oh.

(John is here, isn't he? Of course. Didn't even notice. Oh, John. Always so blissfully unaware.)

He tilts his head in greeting, shrugs off his coat and hangs it on the door. Shuts it behind him. (Better to keep John in the dark.)]

Miss Adler.

[chastise]

[There's a smile playing about her lips, at his reaction. That would be score two for her. But for now she's content to rest where she is]

Mr. Holmes. You arrived sooner than I expected.

[workaphilic]

Would have been quicker if you'd made an appointment.

[He's watching her, scanning her. Trying for information and coming up remarkably short.]

To what do I owe the pleasure?

[chastise]

You're simplifying, but I do enjoy your wish to be more accommodating.

[She wasn't just talking about the arrival, amongst others, the addition of her name hasn't escaped her notice]

Your conversational skills of course. I've come to ask you to dinner.

[It's testing, genuine, and something else all at once]

[workaphilic]

Have you?

[It seems like he almost has to drag his gaze away from her. He turns toward the bookcase and starts rifling through papers.]

Seems a bit forward. We've only just met the once, after all.

[chastise]

Mm.

[Her gaze follows him, and even if he's turned away, she rolls her shoulders in a careless shrug]

I am offering you the chance to catch up, if you can.

[workaphilic]

[He makes a noncommittal sound.]

Not here to fill me in on my "future," are you? Didn't think you were that boring.

[chastise]

No. I am simply presenting the opportunity.

[She likes to watch you work, what can she say?]

[workaphilic]

[A beat, and he turns to face her again.]

And if I said I wasn't interested?

[He is, of course. So very, very interested.]

[chastise]

I would hate to call you a liar, Mr. Holmes. But if you prefer a girl to play harder to get...

[If you want a chase, she's capable of providing]

[workaphilic]

Future or not, I've no guarantee that you have anything actually worthwhile to share. Why should I bother?