022 || written/dictated;

[workaphilic]

[ Private ]

[He plays.

A month is far too long to go without music. Couldn't stand to go any longer; his violin is the only thing from the flat he'd bothered to retrieve. He could always use the distraction. The solace.

Sometimes, if he plays well and enough, everything goes quiet. For a moment, there's nothing but the violin and the sound and the backs of his eyelids. Sublimation of thought into music, anxiety into vibrato, frustration into full lows.

(What time is it? Can't tell. Neglected to buy a clock.

The line between late and early is too thin to matter.)

Every so often the music pauses, notes appearing on the page in sequence. He repeats bars from the beginning, dragging his thoughts in order, pressing and shaping them into something worth using.

Then, abruptly, it stops. The strings squeal from the twist of the bow being removed.

He scratches out everything from the beginning.]

No. No, no, no, that isn't right.

[He goes silent. A moment later, there's a rustle and the pen returns, scratching roughly underneath the string of notes.]

20 Aug., 2 m 4 d

[And the journal shuts.]

----

[ Those Attending the Expedition to Lastlook ]

[It's hours later before he opens it again, purpose clear in mind. He writes.]

Hope it goes without saying that you keep the rest of us apprised.

Specifically, me. I've seen the summaries of previous expeditions made for the castle at large and the organisation is shoddy at best. If there was someone willing to provide more careful reports, it wouldn't go unappreciated.

SH

----

[Filter finished, he hovers, thinking, and nervous energy is being released via rapping his pen on the page. Over and over and over.

Taptaptaptaptaptaptap.]

It's been very agreeable, the castle, these past few months. [For once, he doesn't sound like he's complaining. In fact, he sounds distracted, if the insistent tapping of his pen is anything to go by.] Thought more of you might be concerned.

So. Enjoying the reprieve while you have it, or has the pattern finally gotten old?

Comments

Dictated

[save_the_souls]

[Is sherlock making...small talk? Weird.]

There's not much point in becoming concerned over it.

dictated forever!

[workaphilic]

[Sherlock Holmes always have an ulterior motive. Gosh, Allen, it's like you've never met him before.]

No? Thought you of all people would like to be prepared.

and ever!!

[save_the_souls]

I've been here five and a half years, if I didn't know how to prepare without concern by now...

[workaphilic]

You'd be fairly standard, as far as I can tell.

Sherlock Holmes

[jimfromit]

For some of us the pattern got old long ago.

[ Jim Moriarty ]

[workaphilic]

Oh, I'm aware.

[It's been old for months now.]

Sherlock Holmes

[jimfromit]

No doubt.

Feeling the effects of this mediocre little cycle are we?

[ Jim Moriarty ]

[workaphilic]

Something like that.

SH (because it's more fun with initials)

[unnaturalpause]

[You know what? He can't help it. So this is carefully written.]

If you are so concerned over information concerning the expedition then I do think you should join us.

JW

[ James Watson ]

[workaphilic]

[PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE FILTERS GO.]

I have extenuating circumstances.

SH

SH

[unnaturalpause]

[NOT CHANGING IT NOPE]

While understandable certainly why focus on this if you are focused on other matters?

JW

[ James Watson ]

[workaphilic]

[Worst, James. His initials aren't that rare!!! B(]

Not going to miss out on potentially useful information just because I have other matters to tend to.

SH

written, expedition filter

[psych0p0mps]

of course mr or ms sh
i personally am planning to keep a daily account of the journey
plus you can be sure we will send back word promptly when we find anything interesting

aa

written, expedition filter

[workaphilic]

Good. Provide as much detail as you can.

SH

[psych0p0mps]

is there anything in particular youd like me to keep special eye out for

aa

[workaphilic]

Use your judgment. Any possible settlements, signs that previous residents have passed through, interesting flora or fauna. A more detailed map would be excellent.

SH

expedition filter; written

[hellshaped]

[the person replying here is obviously left-handed; the letters slant and there's the occasional smudge of ink.]

If you like paperwork so much, you could come along.

expedition filter; written

[workaphilic]

[Noted and cataloged! He is always careful about remembering handwriting.]

Can't, actually. Circumstances don't permit it.

Hence the request.

SH

expedition filter; written

[hellshaped]

Circumstances such as?

Filter

[the_effect_she_has]

Why? What's happened before?

[Information. She needs it, and maybe this fellow will be willing to spare some.]

[workaphilic]

[Unfortunately, this particular fellow doesn't know much about patience.]

Plenty. Your journal only goes back to January, most likely, but that's more than enough history to get the idea. Read it if you're so keen.

[the_effect_she_has]

Will there be punishment if I do?

[Because frankly in a magical castle that grants wishes, she can't imagine anything is really free.]

[mom_to_us_all]

[Splotchy writing, it's like if they are using some kind of brush:]

The pattern?

[workaphilic]

Period of relative calm followed by an isolated incident of high emotional cost, repeat ad infinitum. Go back and look for yourself, it's very reliable.

[mom_to_us_all]

Oh, those! I thought you meant something else. I've noticed them.