Chapter 1: John has a Joke
Chapter Text
Even when fighting, John found the time to tell jokes.
“Oi *wheezing breath* mate!” Slowly (and painfully), he gets up off the floor.
“You ever heard the joke *huff* about the two gems *huff* that crashed into a bar?” John was up on his feet, hunched over, hands on his knees trying to catch his breath as looked across at his opponent.
An ear-piercing shriek was the only reply from the crystal abomination in front of him. John was thankful that all the humans within the area ran away as soon as they saw him landing in the street, especially when it landed as if it fell from the sky. Hard for him to believe that considering it had launched him hard enough from Baker Street to there.
He even considers himself lucky that no one was in The Criterion when he was thrown by the creature through the pub’s door. The action itself was enough to obliterate the front door and even shatter the front windows.
“Huh, been a while since I was here”, he thought as he laid on the floor, in enough pain to make him wonder how he hasn’t poofed yet. As he was getting up, he thought telling the creature a joke he just thought of would help stall for enough time to collect himself.
It wasn’t a big creature, although John wished it was. Bigger enemies were easier for him to take down; they were easier to predict. Plus he only saved his gauntlets for the REALLY big threats. This thing was no bigger than the supposed Great Danes of Earth, and looked almost exactly like one had it not been for the discolored ripples of white & gray on its skin and the numerous white quartz shards sticking out of its body. Even its TAIL was a long quartz quill! Its core white Quartz gem was on its chest, much like John’s Ruby gem. The creature wasn’t big but it was still strong and fast, which John knew was just as bad.
“Oh, I think you’ll like it”. He felt a small chuckle escape his lips despite his labored breathing. He takes a deep breath, straightens his spine, raises his fists, and with a mischievous smile he says “It’s got quite the punch-line” before lunging towards it.
Chapter 2: Dangerous Dane
Summary:
The fight between John and the creature goes on. John is able to hold his own, but his opponent gets the upper hand. However, a certain friend comes to his aide...
Chapter Text
The creature was ready as soon as John took that first step. The white long quartz quill that was masquerading as its long pointy tail detached from the crystal canine’s body, floating in the air to take aim towards its intended target. The moment the quill found its mark, it shot through the air like a bullet towards John.
“Oh shit!” John slid to the floor on his back and watched as the crystal quill soared right above his face hitting the back wall. Before John could register how narrowly he dodged it, the Crystal Dane (a nickname John decided to stick with for the creature) pounced on top of him.
Its left paw stood next to John’s head, but the right paw was resting on John’s chest, where his Ruby gem resided. It wasn’t the weight of the Crystal Dane that John worried about; its claws were what he worried about the most. The crystal hooked nails were only touching his chest, but they were close enough to pierce his physical form if the claws dug deeper.
The Dane lowered its massive muzzle towards John’s face, making direct eye contact towards him – his prey. The eyes seemed soulless; no irises, no pupils, only small white marble orbs trapped within the canine’s eye sockets. However, John had to remind himself that hidden behind those soulless eyes is a fellow gem trapped in its own body. He’s fighting a corrupted gem.
Less than a thousand years ago, a burst of energy shot from the sky towards Earth by the all-powerful Diamonds in order to destroy the rebellious Crystal Co once and for all even from beyond their reach. Their leader Sherlock protected all three of them from the blast, but any gem on Earth at that time was hit with the combined Diamonds' powers. Those that were on Earth at that time ended up corrupted, and when a gem is corrupted…the results are monstrous.
He was suddenly pulled from this memory by the Dane’s hooked claws scraping along his Ruby. It's one of the few times we was happy to be a Ruby or else those claws would’ve left deep streak marks along his gem. Ruby soldiers are supposed to be as tough and unbreakable as their Ruby gems. But he could still feel the claws scraping along, and the feeling wasn’t pleasant.
Looking up at the colossal canine, he saw its jowls move in an act of aggression to reveal teeth that were somehow sharper than the claws. John worried those teeth would latch onto his throat and make him finally poof. He'd rather not have his physical form burst into a cloud of pink smoke leaving nothing behind but his vulnerable gem.
Before its teeth could get any closer to John's neck, a loud whistle was heard in the distance. It was the kind of whistle used to call Earth dogs. The Dane took its empty eyes off John, moving its head in the direction of the distant whistle. Distracted, it lifted its paw off of John’s chest and slowly turned to walk out of the pub.
Walking past the shattered door frame, the Dane heard that whistle again and looked in the direction where it came from. John had enough strength to crawl up to see through the pub's open windows (quite literally, as the windows' glass was nothing but fragments on the ground). He spotted the whistle's source and saw it as a human woman's silhouette walking towards what was left of the Criterion. The only details he could recognize were her average height and her long curly hair pulled into a bun. "Who is she?" John angrily asked aloud. "And why is she walking towards the snarling crystal monster?!"
“Hola perrito! I think you were playing too rough with my friend there. That’s okay, you can play with me instead”, the woman said to the Crystal Dane. Her voice was cheerful, yet her demeanor gave away her true intentions to fight.
John knew that voice and felt a wave of relief roll over him. She isn't a human woman after all. She is a gem much like himself, except she is a Pearl and a fellow Crystal Co member.
“Finally, bloody hell”, John remarks. He decides to take this time to recuperate, as he knows Mariana is great with dogs.
Chapter 3: Mariana the Dog Whisperer
Summary:
The fight with the Crystal Dane reminds Mariana of a former beast she knew in her past, and how John and Sherlock helped saved her then so she could save the day now...
Chapter Text
The first organic being Mariana ever encountered on Earth was a dog. A rather small yet intimidating creature called a ‘Chihuahua’; a dog breed much older than even humans care to remember.
She could remember the moment and the events that led to it as if they happened only a few days ago, although more accurately it happened over 1,000 years ago. Mariana was a Pearl to her employer/owner Hardstone Agate. He was cruel, but he chose her. She was to be nothing more than a pretty servant that only did as she was told. But that all changed thanks to the strange encounter of a certain Sapphire and Ruby. They were an odd pair to see, but they were so comfortable with each other that it was hard to imagine if there was a time they were ever apart.
They claimed they were just poor gems in need of help repairing their ship after a rather nasty ‘crash’ with an asteroid field. Hardstone was apparently foolish enough to believe them, but Mariana only needed a short glance at their ship to know two things:
1) the ship wasn’t theirs, and
2) asteroid damage never leaves bullet marks
Hardstone had to leave the room so he could order other lowly gems like herself to fix the ship. “Cater to these two gentle-gems while I am gone”, he told her in a pseudo-friendly tone loud enough for the other gems to hear as he gestures his arm towards them. However, he leans in close enough to whisper to her in a threatening tone, “If they sit on my new couches, you will pay dearly”. His threat made her refrain from telling her boss about her suspicions. She watched him walk away and as the door slammed shut, she muttered under her breath “pendejo”.
With a fiery confidence that was buried deep within her for years, she turned to face the ‘gentle-gems’, marched towards the duo with an accusatory finger and interrupted the Ruby soldier before he could even say a friendly greeting to her.
“Alright you two, my boss may not be smart enough to notice, but I know a stolen ship when I see one. And unless asteroids shoot lasers, someone wasn’t too happy about the ship theft. So answer me this.. Who are you two? Really??”
It was the Ruby soldier that did most of the talking. He introduced himself as John, and then introduced his tall Sapphire friend as Sherlock. It shocked her when he asked for her name, which she secretly found joy in telling him. “It’s a long story, but we’re just trying to get to a planet called Earth. Sherlock here says it’s a planet far away from the Diamond Authority's reach where we can live freely and peacefully. A fresh start for us”, his index finger motioning between himself and his Sapphire companion. Sherlock stayed silent throughout the whole exchange, arms behind his back as he looked down at John and listened intently to every word he said. When John was done rambling, he and Sherlock stared at Mariana, awaiting her response.
“Wait, you guys just want to be…free?”. She hesitated on the last word. The idea of freedom was only a distant dream to her.
“Yeah!, John exclaims. “...would you like to join us? The more the merrier as they say, ey Sherls?”. John playfully directs the question to Sherlock. Sherlock’s neutral expression doesn’t change, but after a small pause he does acknowledge John’s question with a simple confirming nod, as well as an audible ‘Mm-hmm’.
“Ha, good one”, was Mariana's immediate response as she assumed they were joking. But the sincerity in John’s face made her realize their offer was genuine. “Wait you’re serious? Why? I’m not a rebel… I’m just a Pearl”. She says this last line in a defeated tone; there’s no point in fighting what she was always told should be.
John looked just as hurt from that as Mariana felt in saying it. He immediately responded with, “But you’re more than ‘just a Pearl’! Look Mariana, we may have only just met but I know you deserve a better future than being stuck with that pretentious PRICK forever. If you come with us, maybe we can help you decide what YOU want to do with YOUR life. You should get a say in that–”
“What are you doing with MY Pearl?!”, roared Hardstone’s voice from across the hall. “Step away from her you REBELS! Oh yes, I know what you two are. Did you really think I would fix ‘your ship’ without confirming who the true owner of the ship was? I was simply dismantling it so you would have no means of escaping, AND I’ve called the authorities. They’re on their way as we speak. Pearl, get away from them and come here at once!”
“John is right. You DO have a choice”, Sherlock quickly whispers into her ear. Hearing him finally talk caught her off guard enough to listen. “Now would be the time to decide.”
She slowly made her way to Hardstone, giving her enough to think. These two gems have shown her more kindness within a few seconds of meeting her than anything Hardstone had shown in the years under his control. They promised her the kind of freedom she only ever fantasized about, and they’re giving her a choice on it. The choice was hers…
The choice she made surprised even herself. Once she was in front of Hardstone, his cocky smile was enough for her to decide. Putting both hands behind her back, she smiled a pseudo-smile back at him as she conjured her spear from the gem on her back, and swung to pierce it through her former boss’s face; right between his eyes, just like she did in her daydreams. He didn’t have time to say anything else before he poofed, leaving a cloud of blue smoke and his gem to fall and clatter onto the floor. Even in that moment, she knew she would never regret it.
She told them they could all escape in Hardstone’s luxury craft in order to evade the authorities. Sherlock immediately made his way to the controls, inputting coordinates for the supposed planet they are meant to find their freedom on. The moment the coordinates were set, the ship hyper-jumped through space like a high speed comet. Within seconds they were in the Milky Way Galaxy, moving towards a blue-green planet. They were heading for Earth.
“Yes, get in!! We’re here, Sherlock! We’re finally going to Earth!”, John exclaimed. He was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. “We are indeed, John, just as intended”, Sherlock began to explain. “I knew that a highly esteemed gem just as Hardstone would have the proper ship to take us far enough to the Milky Way Galaxy, however I had only planned for us to take one of his ships the moment he was distracted with our destroyed vessel. I had not anticipated Hardstone’s Pearl to be just as rebellious as us”. He arched his brow in Mariana’s direction when mentioning ‘Hardstone’s Pearl’. “Well done.”
“Well done indeed, Mariana! Thank you so much. You got us one step closer to our home”, John says with a warm smile. For the first time in her life, she was happy to say the following words: “Glad I could help”.
They landed somewhere dry and barren. Wherever they were it was devoid of the human life that Sherlock and John were predicting to encounter. The only living thing they came across was a little creature with short tan fur. It was small in stature, with watery eyes big enough to make the trio wonder if they’ll pop out at any time. The creature was shaking and it made Mariana believe the shaking meant that it was scared of them, but that was her first mistake on Earth. It may have been afraid, but that fear only fueled its aggression. This small creature was ready to attack any unknown threat it encountered.
It lunged at her the moment she took that single step. It was quite a comical scene to see a Pearl be chased by such a small creature. John certainly found it hilarious, as the scene made him belly laugh hard enough to fall to the ground. His laughter continued while he was on his back, legs swinging alternately in the air. Sherlock didn’t show as much of a reaction as John did, but there was also no urgency in him to stop the chase. He had a rather bored expression throughout it all, watching Mariana be chased by what he originally guessed was some kind of large Earthen desert rat. “A harmless creature”, he thought to himself. “Nothing to worry about”.
The creature eventually collapsed to the ground from exhaustion, panting labored breaths that blew dust off the ground with every quick exhale. Mariana looked back the moment she heard the faint *thud* from behind her, and cautiously crept towards it. She saw its eyes look up at her in paralyzed fear and realized her mistake in how she approached the terrified creature. She assumed it would be friendly like John, when in reality it was acting more like herself before she earned her freedom: cautious and afraid of the unknown. But what lowered her guard was that both John and Sherlock gave her a choice to stop being afraid and finally be free. She was given a choice; now it's her turn to give that to another being.
She knelt down to the ground, lowered her hand closer to the creature’s face, and waited for its decision. At first it growled, but after a moment it sniffed her hand, then gave it a few gentle licks. Once it recovered, it stood up, shook the dirt off its body, and ran away.
“Congratulations, your first interaction on Earth was in taming an Earthling rat”, Sherlock remarked from behind her.
“…thanks, Sherlock”, Mariana said through gritted teeth, but she did feel rather proud after the experience. All it took was offering the same kindness that freed her from the trapped life she was stuck in.
Eventually they found out the ‘rat’ was actually a Earthen dog breed known as a Chihuahua. Much like gems, there are many of its kind and they can come in different colors. Sherlock was very ashamed of being wrong about the type of creature it was, but Mariana comforted him by reminding him that at least he wasn’t the one it chased after. John still finds the incident hilarious to this day.
Regardless of the embarrassing incident, she grew to love Chihuahuas because they were the first Earthen creature she interacted with and she could sympathize with them. Both of them are fierce creatures that are more than how they appear to others, and when given the choice they can be surprising.
Mariana was relieved that the corrupted gem standing in front of her was in the form of a Great Dane and not a Chihuahua. She felt less morally conflicted with attacking it, and unlike a real dog this thing wouldn’t show mercy or kindness. And neither would she.
Her point is proven true when the monster telekinetically removes its remaining quartz quills from its body and propels them into her direction. She slid to the ground to miss the first three quills, then rolled forward to dodge the last four quills that puncture the concrete behind her. 1-2-3-4!
Once on even footing, she propels herself into the air. In quick fashion she conjures up her spear from the gem in her back, and aims true as she plummets down to her intended target. She strikes right between its eyes. Before it could react, the creature explodes in a cloud of white, leaving behind its white Quartz gem.
“Huh”, she says to herself as she picked up the gem, “‘deja vu’, as the humans say”. She forms a clear bubble around it, and taps the bubble to teleport it back to their ‘Bubble Room’ at home base: 221b Baker Street in London.
Chapter 4: The Curious Case
Summary:
After their fight against the Crystal Dane, John and Mariana are ready to go home after yet another mission accomplished.
However, there were two things they weren't expecting back at the flat:
1. Sherlock's agent friend, and
2. A case unlike any they've had before!
Chapter Text
“Alright John, the scary dog is gone. You can come out now”, she shouts out as she makes her way to what remained of The Criterion.
“For your information”, John groaned as he pulls himself up off the bar floor, “I was taking a breather from the arse-whooping I just received from that ‘scary dog’. Do you know how bloody FAR that beast launched me??”
“I do. All the way from Baker Street. It was kinda funny”, Mariana answered back.
“Oh really? Was it funnier than your ‘first Earthling encounter’? Now THAT was hilarious”, John says with a chuckle, only to wince in pain from the action. “Ughh, so funny it hurts.”
“Hardy-har, now let’s get out of here before the city blames us for destroying part of London…again”.
“Right, yep. Let’s get out of here”. John painfully limped over to Mariana, lifting his left arm up over her shoulders as she helps to support him.
Some durable Ruby soldier he was. With his permanently cracked gem, the beatings he took from enemies hurt worse and the pain lasted longer. If he was back at Homeworld, other gems would be calling him a ‘weak’ or ‘defective’ Ruby. But here on Earth, the worst he receives are looks of pity from the humans. It was nice that neither Mariana nor Sherlock gave him such pitiful looks. Mariana had asked once about what happened to his gem, but his nervous hesitation lasted long enough for Mariana to sheepishly interject with, “It’s okay. You don’t need to tell me if you don’t want to”. She hadn’t asked about it since, and continues to respect privacy on that certain topic. But Sherlock…he knew. He was there when it happened. In fact, Sherlock was the one who saved him from an even worse fate…but neither are willing to talk about that day.
“Ready?”, Mariana asks.
“Ready. Let’s ‘hop to it’”, John answers with a proud smile on his face from the joke.
“Ugghh, your jokes are painful”, Mariana moaned.
“Good. Misery enjoys company. Now can we please go home?” John was ready to collapse on the couch and not move for quite some time.
Mariana propelled herself and John up into the air as she hopped back to their home on Baker Street.
When Mariana and John landed in Baker Street, they could see Sherlock standing in front of the main entrance of their flat building, in deep conversation with a woman wearing an Interpol uniform.
“God Almighty, Interpol is here?! Were they really that pissed off about the fight??”, John exclaimed. “It's bad enough that I got my arse handed to me by a crystal dog, now we have to deal with human authorities?!”
“Relax John, it’s only one Interpol agent”, said Mariana. “Let’s just go meet up with Sherlock and see what they’re talking about.”
“Yeah, alright. Ngh, Damn leg.”
“Oof, that kind of day, huh? Where’s your cane?”
“In the flat. I didn’t think I’d need it when taking down that Crystal Dane.”
“Crystal Dane?”
“Yeah, the dog monster. Looked kinda like a Great Dane but crystallized, right?”
“Sort of, yeah. Need me to carry you so you’re not on your feet? How about getting on back?”
“No Mariana, I’d rather not talk to the Interpol agent while I ride piggy-back on you”, John responded in an agitated tone.
“Okay fine, well how about bridal style?”, Mariana asks with a cheeky smirk on her face.
“...I’d rather run a marathon”, he says dryly. Mariana can’t help but laugh at his comment.
Another reason why John loves making jokes: he loves the sound of laughter after he makes the right ones. He especially loves making Sherlock and Mariana laugh. The sound of their laughter is healing to him; it reminds him that he’s not as ‘useless’ as his stupid brain wants him to think. Their laughter proves he can do something good even when his body is weak and in pain. And in some ways, it’s healing to him in a literal sense. Just hearing Mariana’s laughter makes the pain in his leg slowly fade (still there, but now faint like a whisper) and gives him the strength to be able to walk without her assistance. As he moves his arm from her shoulder and starts to walk on his own by Mariana’s side, John can’t help but think about a common phrase the humans of Earth say. 'Laughter is the best medicine'. Huh, guess they were right about that.
As they make their way to the door, John and Mariana can hear the conversation between Sherlock and the Interpol agent much more clearly.
“-was the condition of the corpses?”. Sherlock passively asks as if he were asking the agent about the weather.
“We know that the victims died from some form of arsenic poisoning, however we're unsure of what type of arsenic poisoning could do…that…to the human body." Despite speaking in a professional manner, the agent seemed uncomfortable at even the memory of the bodies.
"Do what to the human body?", John interjected. He couldn't help but include himself in any conversation about human anatomy. During the trio's first few years on Earth, John was astounded by the fragile yet resilient nature of human bodies. One human could live without a limb, but another could die from something called 'the common cold'? How mental is that?! So much so that John just had to know everything about human anatomy…including how to help it. As a broken Ruby soldier, he knows what it feels like to be strong yet fragile; to have your body be weak yet perservere through it. He decided then and there that he wanted to be a helping hand for the humans he shares a home with. After many many years of studying, he was able to become the first gem doctor for humans. Both Mariana and Sherlock were nothing but ecstatic over this accomplishment. Sherlock in particular was proud enough of the accomplishment that he decided from that point onward, he would publicly address John in his earned title whenever he felt like it.
"Ah, hello doctor. Hello, Mariana. Perfect timing. Agent Gwen Lestrade here was just disclosing information over a rather interesting murder case."
"Murder case? Wait, hold one…this is the secret agent friend you've been hiding from us?" John's expression changed from bewilderment towards Sherlock to friendliness directed at the agent. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Agent Lestrade! I'm John". He stretches his hand out as an open invitation for a cordial handshake, which Lestrade obliges.
"I know", Lestrade remarks bluntly while shaking his hand.
"Oh?", John asks while tilting his head slightly to the right. She knows about him already? To be fair, isn't shocking that Sherlock would need to mention to Earthen authorities that he's not the only crystal-based alien inhabiting Earth. But he can already feel his low self-esteem making him wonder how Sherlock describes him to other people…he's sure it's positive…but how can he REALLY be sure??
"Don't worry, he regards you very highly", she said with a friendly smile. He would've audibly sighed in relief from this if he wasn't still sore from the fight.
Agent Lestrade then pivots her attention over to Mariana, standing to John's left side. "And you must be THE Mariana, if I'm not mistaken?", she asks with a coy expression on her face.
"Oh! Y-yes I am", Mariana says with a blush. "But 'THE Mariana'? It makes me sound like a celebrity. Like Madonna or Taylor Swift."
"Well based on what Sherlock has told me about you, I'd say you have a reputation worth the praise ", remarks Lestrade.
"Can we please continue with the case details, Agent?", Sherlock asks impatiently.
"Right yes, 'course. John, Mariana, I just mentioned to Sherlock that there is a ongoing case I believe is in your area of expertise…a case about a murderous gem".
"Really? Well Mariana and I just took down a murderous gem a few minutes ago. What's one more, eh?". John lightly nudges Mariana with his shoulder while mentioning the previous fight.
"I mean I took it down in the end", she shoots a side glance at John which he acknowledges with rolling his eyes and smiling with a 'whatever you say' expression on his face, "but yes we would be happy to help take down any corrupted gems causing harm to humans!"
"Based on what Lestrade has mentioned to me, four humans dying of the strangest form of arsenic poisoning ever recorded in human history would certainly constitute as 'harm' towards humans", says Sherlock. "And according to how they were killed, she believes this gem wasn't corrupted at all. This is a gem consciously murdering humans."
"What?!", both John and Mariana shout.
"But mate, that's…impossible! The only gems we get around here are corrupted ones, and the uncorrupted ones steer clear of Earth! Why would a gem of sound gemstone and physical form be murdering humans?!"
"I'm not sure yet…but it's quite the curious case for us!". The pure glee on Sherlock's face was enough for John and Mariana to know this would certainly be a case unlike any they've had before…
"Can we bring this discussion inside, please? I'm quite knackered and my leg is starting to act up again", John states while gripping his thigh.
"Here John, let me carry you in", Sherlock says as he moves closer to John. Before John can even register what Sherlock means by that, he's suddenly thrust off his feet and being carried…bridal style!
"AHH, Sherlock!!" John tries to wrestle out of Sherlock's arms even in his sore state. "Put me down NOW!"
"What? You said your leg was acting up and Mariana had just helped you to the front door, therefore it is my turn to assist you".
"Mate, you're carrying me like a damsel-in-distress in front of your agent friend!", John rebuttals bitterly.
As Sherlock effortlessly carries John through the front door despite John's constant struggle to escape his hold, Mariana and Lestrade look to each other and laugh as they follow into the flat after them.
Chapter 5: A Humble Abode
Summary:
Before getting into the case, Agent Lestrade gets to see inside the infamous flat of the Crystal Co
Chapter Text
"Welcome to Crystal Co's home base, Agent Lestrade", Mariana managed to say after containing her laughter.
Lestrade replies between a fitful of giggles, "Gwen please, and…oh"
"Argh, sorry about the mess. I always clean up my own space, but you can only tell boys so many—"
"Oh, no I didn't mean that! It's a lovely place, it's just…"
"Not what you were expecting?"
"Exactly. It seems too…bog standard for you lot."
Gwen Lestrade's statement was fairly accurate. The flat building appeared far too normal to be the home of THE Crystal Co, Earth's only defense against gem threats such as corrupted gems or any future Homeworld invasions (so far, none have returned since the supposed 'Wave of Corruption' as Sherlock described it).
Going through the main entrance, Gwen took notice of two things: a door to her right that read 221a (with a Pearl emblem underneath the numbers) and a set of stairs that supposedly led up to THE 221b flat. Sherlock was already ascending up the stairs, with John still struggling to escape from his arms.
"Mate, let me go! I can manage the rest on my own!"
"Nonsense, this method is much quicker."
"Urgh, Sherlock!"
As they made their way up to the flat, Gwen glanced over to see Mariana with a sheepish look on her face.
"…sorry about…them"
"Don't be. Now that", Gwen points her index finger towards the stairs, "was already expected". The women share another laughter with each other as they slowly make their way up the stairs, with Mariana leading the way.
"So all three of you live in the flat together?"
"Oh no, the boys have 221b. I'm in 221a downstairs by the main door. I love them, but a girl needs her own space if you know what I mean", followed by Mariana looking back at Gwen to give her a playful wink. "Besides, it isn't as small as it would appear. You should see our bedrooms, now those are what humans call 'magical'".
"Heh. Not the first time I've heard someone claim their bedroom was 'magical'."
"Oh uh n-no, I didn't mean—"
"Relax, I'm only taking the mickey since I saw an opportunity. Sherlock has told me enough about your 'portal rooms' to believe they're magical. Yours especially sounds like the perfect tropical vacation. A WHOLE ISLAND as your bedroom?! Fantastic! I just wish I could see it for myself."
"…maybe you will soon", Mariana mumbles to herself with a faint blush producing in her cheeks.
"What was that?"
"Uh I just said we're here", Mariana hurriedly says as they make it to the stop of the stairs to a white door that has 221b on the door.
Mariana goes to grab the handle and open up the door. "After you", she says while moving her arm as if taking a bow.
"Why thank you", Gwen acknowledges with her hands flexed out to her sides and her knees bending slightly enough to enact a playful curtsy. As the agent makes her way inside, Mariana trails after and closes the door behind her.
"Welcome to 221b", Mariana proclaims to Gwen, making sure to wave her hands towards the apartment for emphasis.
"Wow!…this might sound redundant but-"
"It also wasn't what you were expecting?"
"Not in the least, no", Gwen says with a bashful chuckle.
The flat itself appeared no different from most other flats in London. As Gwen and Mariana made their way past the entrance, Mariana lead the way to the living room area. The closer they got to the room, the more clearly they could hear bickering.
"-told you not to carry me like that in front of guests, mate!"
"Would you stop being such an irritable patient, doctor? I brought you to the sofa to rest. I even laid a blanket on top of you."
"Ah yes, a blanket makes up for the bloody embarrassment that you caused me. Real ace of you to carry me into the flat like we just got bloody married!". John was fuming enough for his face to turn a darker shade of red than his normal hue.
"Are we interrupting the newlyweds' first bicker?", Mariana playfully remarks.
"Shut it! ", John shouts back at Mariana only to glance over and catch Gwen standing right next to her. The irritation on John's face fades away as his embarrassment from earlier is made more evident on his face. "I am very sorry, Agent Lestrade. This isn't normally how we are".
"Please do not lie to Lestrade in the name of pleasantries, John. She is more than aware of what would be described as 'the norm' for us", Sherlock says in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I just meant we're more professional than this. Speaking of, shouldn't we get back to discussing the case details?"
"Yes of course, and please John call me Gwen".
"Here Gwen, make yourself at home", Mariana says as she guides her to spare chair parallel to the couch. When taking her seat, she had a better chance of properly examining the whole living room. It truly did make her feel at home with how similar it was to her own place. The living room was a modest area with the following decorum: a grey love seat that she was currently sitting on, a 32" flatscreen tv across from her that resided on a wooden shelf full of miscellaneous items, an oval-shaped coffee table in the center of the room situated top of a square red carpet, and directly behind the table was a long dark brown couch where John and Sherlock were sat comfortably on. John was practically buried under a red blanket that had the Great Britain flag printed on it. Suddenly aware of Gwen looking at him, John tried hurriedly to remove the blanket off himself only to flinch from the pain that was still apparent in his leg. Sherlock's face had quickly changed from nonchalance to genuine concern when noticing his friend in pain.
"I'm alright mate, I promise. But…I do appreciate your help, even if I seem rather miffed."
"Of course. I'm always happy to help you". Gwen was practically shocked by how different Sherlock acted towards John compared to how he was to her. He always spoke to her coldly and directly; she was never offended by it, and considered it as his natural way of speaking. However, the way he speaks to John is that of a different person; as if like clay Sherlock's face softens to form an expression of worry that she so rarely sees in him. It made her realize that she may never truly know the mystery that is Sherlock, Earth's only Consulting Gem Detective.
"Alright", Mariana says when clapping her hands together. "Would anyone like refreshments? Tea? Water?"
Gwen, Sherlock, John, and Mariana were all in agreement on wanting tea. While Mariana was grabbing the kettle, Sherlock turns his attention towards Gwen and takes a quick breath inward before saying, "So, tell us about the green bodies".
Chapter 6: On God's Green Earth
Summary:
Gwen Lestrade is truly shocked by what Sherlock just said. How could he possibly know that fact about the case already?? Well it's quite simple for him to explain...
Chapter Text
"What?!". John almost fell off the couch in surprise. "Green bodies? Isn't that what bodies got through long after they've died? Doesn't that take a while??"
"Now wait a moment Sherlock, I had only mentioned the victims being killed by some form of arsenic poisoning, and that our possible culprit could be a gem. How on God's Green EARTH did you know the bodies were that color?". One of Gwen's eyebrows raised quizzically, genuinely wondering how Sherlock could possibly know that one detail despite not knowing the entire case yet.
As Sherlock was taking a quick deep breath in, John leans in slightly closer to his left to tell Gwen, "Prepare yourself, he's about to show off"
"Indeed I am, John. Well, in the millenia I have spent my time on God's green Earth, it is safe to assume that I am quite aware of what is considered normal or not for certain physical ailments in humans. Humans of course know of all possible ways that someone could have died based on whatever symptoms remain leftover on the body. In this instance, you and the authorities understand that the cause of death was some form of arsenic poisoning due to the more common symptoms associated with those deaths such as vomiting, diarrhea, and changes to the skin including either swelling or development of so called 'warts' or 'lesions'. Although the dear doctor here",
Sherlock directs his hand towards John whose face suddenly blushes to a brighter shade of red,
"can agree with my statement and will confirm these symptoms to be correct for them being most common results of arsenic poisoning deaths, there's no hiding the fact that the mere color of the bodies is enough to rattle even you, Agent Lestrade. On the subject of the color green, rumors have been circulating amongst the Irregulars, which as you know are a secret informative network of human individuals that act as my most reliable resource outlet for all Earthen information regarding the…unconventional crimes that might have to do with gem folk. More specifically, the rumors of case mention the color green more than once. First mention of the color green refers to the shade the bodies take after they've died — a rather bright shade of leek green that is quite different from how green the human body even after decomposition sets in, and the other mention is having to do with the certain light green flakes floating within each half empty glass of water left at every crime scene. Or would it be more accurately glasses half full of water? Regardless, I still need to investigate the case further alongside my associates John and Mariana in order confirm my theories as to what type of gem would be able to do this as well as knowing the why of it….Does that answer your question, agent?"
Both Gwen and John could only stare in astonishment at what Sherlock had said in just a few minutes. John's astonishement, however, was that of familiar amazement for someone's incredible gifts despite knowing them for a lifetime. The power Sherlock has to entrance a whole room by simply talking is truly a remarkable thing; the deep smoothness of his voice was already alluring enough, but the confident assertiveness in his voice is that of a leader who can encourage armies to fight for or alongside him. Only John knew how true that statement was…
"Er…yes that is all correct, Sherlock. I was hoping this case wouldn't reach the public just yet, but unfortunately…it appears it already has", Gwen says through bitter resignation.
"Nonsense, the public are still unaware of this case which was the right decision on your part, otherwise there would be mass hysteria over something as trivial as contamination in the water supply", Sherlocks clarifies.
"What was that about contaminated water ?", Mariana asks as she makes her way into the living room with four mugs of steaming hot tea on a tray. She delivers a mug to each person in the room until only one mug remained for herself. When the tray was placed on the coffee table, Gwen could see that there lay stirring sticks and options to add to their own teas such as cream, sugar cubes, honey and…marshmallows?
"No seriously, should I be worried about our tea right now, Sherlock??", Mariana asks more insistently.
Sherlock, while directly looking at Gwen, motions the hand holding his plan white mug carefully towards Mariana's direction to emphasize his point. "Once again I am proven correct by my associates", Sherlock says with a proud smile as he sprinkles marshmallows into his cup. Did Gwen see that right?
"Nothing Mariana, the tea should be safe", John reassures. "Although…it wouldn't it really affect the three of us. 'Ell, we don't even need food or water or even rest like most humans, but I still enjoy a cuppa or even a pint of Guinness every now and then. But polluted water would still be bad for Gwen's case as she's a huma—"
"I'm so sorry to interrupt John, but Sherlock did you just put marshmallows into your tea??", Gwen asks in a bewildered tone of voice.
"…indeed I have, Lestrade", Sherlock responds as if it were the most obvious observation.
He said no more on the matter, which lead to John quickly jumping in with a more proper explanation. "A couple days ago he saw I was drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows in it and was wondering if marshmallows would be good in other hot drinks. How is mate, by the way?". Despite the question being spoken rhetorically in a teasing manner, Sherlock had answered it sincerely.
"Quite refreshing, John".
"Oh is it? Want to tell all of London about your crime against tea? You would be found guilty by the way, and I'd agree with them".
"You only tried it once. It is an acquired taste, doctor".
"One time is more than enough, my tastebuds still hold a grudge against you!"
"We are gems John, we technically do not have tastebuds".
"Maybe you don't, which explains why you're still drinking that!"
"Boys, boys, behave while a guest is here!", Mariana announces with a bright smile while shooting the boys daggers with her eyes. Gwen momentarily staring at Mariana as the boys instantly stopped their bickering the moment they heard her. Finding herself aware of what she was doing, Gwen swiftly reached for the honey to pour into her tea, then taking a stirring stick she profusely stirs her mixture in order to distract herself from the slight blush forming on her face. Sherlock clears his throat before saying
"Right, of course. Sorry Mariana".
"Yeah what Sherlock said, sorry Mari".
"That's alright. Now, what were you all talking about before I came in with tea?"
"Oh the usual", John says facetiously. "Sherlock already guessed correctly what the case was about before Gwen here could tell us more"
"Ah, I see. But seriously, what kind of case are we getting into?" Mariana immediately cuts off Sherlock before he has the chance to go into another long-winded explanation much like the one from before. "Ah! Can I hear it from the person who is actually part of the case and decided to come all this way to tell us about it?"
He pauses for a few seconds as if contemplating on the question, until John lightly elbows Sherlock in the rib. With a stern look from John, Sherlock begrudgingly obliges with nothing further to say.
"Now, you were saying, Gwen?". All three of the Crystal Co members had their full attention on her.
By this point, Sherlock had placed his mug onto one of the coffee table's coasters and was leaning towards Gwen with his elbows resting on his knees, hands together with all fingers interlocked except for both index fingers touching his lips as if in preparation of being deep in thought whenever case details are brought up. His eyes were primarily focused on her, and she couldn't help but feel intimated by his hardened yellow eyes.
John had taken a few seconds to prepare his tea with cream and sugar mixed together in his mug which had the Swindon Town emblem on it. Why a gem would have something as trivial as a football team's mug, she wasn't sure. But after he prepared his tea, he also placed it on another coaster on the coffee table, and after fidgeting with the blanket he was under to be more comfortable, his full attention was now on Gwen.
Mariana was already waiting patiently and attentively for Gwen to discuss the details of case, holding the smiley avocado-shaped mug in her hands with kind eyes staring right into hers. Gwen was much more in awe of the female gem that was in front of her . It was safe to say that even though Sherlock and John were the most talked about members of the Crystal Co, Mariana was truly an underrated gem (pun-intended) of the group. She can only imagine how often Mariana has had to directed them to stay focused on the cases at hand. Thank goodness she didn't blush again, as all eyes were on her now.
"Okay, from the top."
Chapter 7: Sparks Flying, People Dying
Summary:
After Agent Lestrade debriefs the whole case to the Crystal Co team, they share their thoughts on the case...and of a certain romance possibly forming?
Notes:
Hey y'all! Soooo...yeah it's been a while. Writer's block was kicking my butt for the longest time (not to mention my teaching credential program keeping me too busy to write).
Anyways, here's the next chapter that took me way to long to write! It feels good getting back into writing, so hopefully the wait times between chapters won't be so long.
(Also forgive me, but there will be some mention of Harry Potter as we know Mariana is an avid Harry Potter fan. Fortunately 'She Who Will Not Be Named' is not mentioned here).
Chapter Text
"Thank you again for the information, Gwen", Mariana says with a smile as she leads the agent through the building's entryway. "You have nothing to worry about with Crystal Co on the case!".
"I'd be daft to doubt Sherlock Holmes's abilities", Gwen half-jokingly retorts. After passing through the door frame, she pivots her body to directly face Mariana, who stands in the center of the doorway.
The stories that Sherlock recounts to Gwen about both John and Mariana are as accurate as his deductive skills, but nothing compares to seeing them in person. All the stories of them soaring through the stars and influencing human history, what astounds her the most is how modestly human they are.
A few seconds of silence pass as they watch each other, only for them to both blush and look away. Gwen then sheepishly says,"But after meeting your team, I know this case is in good hands. You'll update me on any new developments Sherlock comes across, right?"
"Of-of course, agent—uh I mean, Gwen!", Mariana quickly says in a totally-calm-who-said-I'm-not tone in her voice. "Hopefully we'll see you again soon." Her smile could melt an iceberg with its warmth.
"Well we do have a serial killer gem to capture", Gwen quips before returning to her serious agent persona and say, "but yes, I expect our next meeting will be soon. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mariana".
"As was meeting you too. We'll be seeing you soon, Agent Gwen Lestrade", Mariana said with a bow, much like the one she did before when showing Gwen through to 221B.
Gwen breakers character by chuckling and returning the bow with her fake curtsy from before. As she walks away from their building back to her vehicle, Gwen can't help but turn around to see Mariana watching her as she walks away. There was no evident blush on her face this time, but the embarrassment of getting caught in the act was visible enough to make her quickly close the door. Gwen smiled to herself, already thinking their next meeting couldn't come any sooner.
"Soooo…when's the wedding?", John loudly asks as soon as Mariana steps through the doors of 221B. She didn't even need to see him yet to know he had a giant grin stretched across his face.
"What are you talking about, John?", Sherlock asks John, already sounding annoyed about the question asked. Sherlock was still sat in the same pondering position as when Agent Gwen Lestrade had started debriefing the whole case so far, and had only bared moved to directly ask John that question. Rarely anything could pull Sherlock out from the deepest of stupors, with Mariana's years of experience to confirm this as true. And in those many years she also learned that John would be the exception to this fact. Were they not magical beings already, she'd believe it was a magic trick that only John knew. It never even takes much effort for him to snap Sherlock back to the present, whether it's John needing Sherlock to focus for a client or Sherlock simply reacting to John's outlandish discussion topics (Mariana currently in favor of the latter).
John was now sitting upright with the blanket covering his legs, his head facing towards Mariana and proving her right that the grin would be there on his face.
"Yeah John, what are you talking about?", Mariana asks looking down at John when close enough to him by the couch, hands on her hips in defense hoping that faking ignorance would convince even herself.
"C'mon, even Sherlock you could've deduced the sparks flying!", John says excitedly, gently nudging Sherlock's shoulder as he briefly glances over at Sherlock. Sherlock's unchanged expression was the only response.
"Also, I saw that little 'be-seeing-you-soon' scene from the window". John gestures his thumb towards the window. "And that confirms you weren't just chatting with Lestrade, you were ~chatting her uuuuup~", the last word emphasized in a sing-song way while wagging his index finger moving in a circle at Mariana.
"I'm glad that you're a doctor and not a lawyer because that doesn't prove your ridiculous point", Mariana says quickly to dismiss the accusations. "Right, Sherlock?" Mariana changes her attention from John to Sherlock in hopes that he'll rescue her from the metaphorical romance trap John has placed her in.
"Forgive me if my mind was focused on more important matters, such as murders committed by a possibly uncorrupted gem", Sherlocks states monotonously to both John and Mariana. A brief moment of silence follows after for John and Mariana to remember why the agent was there to begin with.
"…r-right yes, course mate", John says remorsefully. "Alright, well you've had your 'mind palace' time during Gwen's debriefing of the case. What are you thoughts on it?"
"First all, stop calling it a 'mind palace'. I don't even know where you got that idea from. Secondly, my thoughts", Sherlock takes a brief breath in to recollect his thoughts, "are only on re-examine the basic facts of this case. As mentioned by Agent Lestrade, there have been five deaths up to this point. Three of those deaths occurred in the States, thus why it had taken so long for the authorities to notice a pattern and realize that the murderer had traveled here to the UK. All five victims were male and were found lying on the floors of the living rooms in their own homes, skin turned a shade of green too dark to be humanly possible. Other than self-inflicted scratch marks on their necks due to their struggle to breathe during asphyxiation, no other outward physical trauma were present. The only common evidence left at every crime scene were two cups of water: one empty cup dropped to the floor by the victims in some way, and the other a half-full glass of water left untouched on the coffee tables. 'Untouched' meaning there were no visible fingerprints, not even faint smudges normally left behind from humans wearing gloves. The Earthen superstition is to believe that a—", Sherlock raises both his hands up with only his index and middle fingers pointed up to move them down at the next word, "'spirit' is haunting these men. In a literal sense this would be absurd, but I wonder if this murderer truly is haunting these men…", Sherlock mutters to himself as he suddenly falls back into deeper thinking.
"Looks like we already lost him", John whispers to his side at Mariana before saying louder for Sherlock, "Uh hey Sherls? Earth to Sherlock, hello? Yeah, we need your thoughts on what our next steps are, this is our first requested case, mate! Shouldn't we, I dunno, start investigating?"
"Of course, but not tonight"
"And…why not tonight?", John asks with eyebrows furrowed confused look.
"Oh please tell me you haven't already forgotten", Sherlock says incredulously as he dramatically rolls his eyes.
"Forgotten what?", John asks with his confusion steadily turning to worry.
"Oh right, he's back with us tonight!", Mariana declares out loud as she makes it to the realization quicker than John.
"Who is he—" a buzzing sound interrupts before John can finish saying his question.
"I believe the answer to your questions is at the door, John", Sherlock says all-knowingly. "Right on time, as she promised".
"Who is she??", John asks while raising his hands up as his nervous confusion turns to aggravated disbelief.
Mariana faintly mumbles "Ay dios mio" to herself before saying out loud to John, "Carol is dropping off Archie tonight, remember?"
A few seconds pass for the memory to finally come back to John with him lowering his hands down and slowly saying to himself, "Oh yeah…"
"I'll go down to greet them", Mariana says already making her way to the door. Closing the door behind her left the flat in total silence…but thanks to John the silence did not last for long.
"Seriously, Sherls, you didn't notice anything between Mariana and Gwen?"
"Oh of course I did, I just didn't want to waste precious time on Mariana acting flustered and denying what is obvious. After all, we have much more pressing matters to focus on", Sherlock saying the last part more thoughtfully to himself.
"Right, those murders…", John says solemly.
"What murders?", asks a voice much too young to be knowing of such things. Small footsteps drew closer until a young plump 8-year-old boy with sandy hair stood before them. Archibald, or Archie, a half-human half-gem child whom the trio consider as like their own son.
"The kind that John knows not to mention in front a child, right John?", Mariana asks out loud as she closes the door behind her.
" Uh right, of course, I knew that", John remarks as he hastily tries to change the topic of discussion. "B-but I'd rather hear all about your trip with Carol, Archie-boy! How was it?" 'Saved it', John thought to himself.
"It was AMAZING!! Our first stop in Edinburgh was the Elephant House for brunch like Mariana said to do but when we got their it was closed—" Archie says in one breath before needing to take another deep breath in, "—so we ended up eating at another cafe close by but it was still wicked to see! They had a yummy hot chocolate."
"Wait what? Why was Elephant House closed??", Mariana says worriedly as if told a family member of hers had been injured. Count on a Potterhead like Mariana to be deeply upset over the 'birthplace' of the Harry Potter series being closed. Mariana considers the series to be her favorite amongst all the other Earthen fictional books she has read during her time on Earth. John and Sherlock can only wonder what Mariana, a Pearl from outer space that has abilities far beyond that to humans, finds so fascinating about a a human boy only having power through a fancy twig. Also, just what is a Ravenclaw and why does Mariana claim she is one??
As her and Archie talked of nothing but the Harry Potter locations he and Carol were able to visit in Edinburgh, with John interrupting to fake-cough the word 'nerds' at any chance he got, Sherlock conjures up his ear defenders from his gem and places them over his ears to muffle out the overlapping voices. Sherlock was right, as always. Tonight would not be about the case, for their son was home and they wouldn't want to waste any of their precious time together again.
Chapter 8: So Close
Summary:
Sherlock decides to take a rather unconventional start to investigating. One that involves a surprise location and a rather close call...
Notes:
Y'all I promise I love writing for this series, but substitute teaching and credential program kept me VERY busy this year. It's still a bit busy for me, but fortunately I was finally able to finish this chapter.
I'll try not to make the next chapter a longer wait! (Key word 'try' lol)
Chapter Text
"Oi", huff, "slow down, you two!", John spurts out in between uneven breaths. He silently curses Homeworld (like he needed more reasons to) for deciding that Ruby soldiers should have such short legs. How Rubies are supposed to be quick to battle when his legs can barely catch up with Sherlock's determined strides down the sidewalk, he'll never understand. At least he wasn't left alone while being left behind, as Mariana walks the same pace alongside him wearing her brown wedges, floral maxi skirt, and bright orange blouse that complimented well wit her brown skin. With her long wavy hair left down and topped with a yellow sun hat, she embodied the warmth that her presence makes others feel. Unfortunately, her presence also brought up feelings of self-consciousness for John with how he's currently dressed. He went with what is considered a 'lazy look' for humans: a shark t-shirt, brown khakis, and Vans (new, to replace another pair lost in battle). His disguising options are limited when his own gem limits him. The most John can do with shapeshifting into a human disguise is produce short wavy blond hair - bushy mustache included, blue eyes, and fair skin; in his words, he wanted to look like 'any other British bloke'. He couldn't hide his scars so the best he could do was make them look more human, but he made sure his shirt was loose enough to hide the ruby gem with golden fractures on his chest.
"You need to slow down, John, your leg just started feeling better!", Mariana scolds. "Let's enjoy the peace back here while those two", motioning her hand at Sherlock and Archie far ahead of them, "meet us up ahead. They always leave us in the dust whenever we go". Up ahead, Archie and Sherlock keep pace with one another as Archie excitedly tells Sherlock about what he's looking forward to at their steadily approaching destination. Sherlock acknowledged the boy with short answers to his never-ending waffling ("He gets that from you", as him and Mariana tell John often). He also took the time to scan his environment, ear defenders positioned comfortably over his head, flattening some of his wild black curls. Sherlock's human disguise was just as average as John's with a simple maroon sweater, jeans, and Converse with skin a darker shade of brown to Mariana's. As Archie was half-human, he naturally looked the part with his sandy hair and light skin. He wore Lightning McQueen crocs, brown trousers, and his Flash t-shirt as he claims the whole outfit makes him 'fast enough to catch up with Sherlock'; Sherlock couldn't argue with a sound theory as the outfit proves to be doing its intended purpose.
"Yeah yeah, you're right as always", John replies while rolling his eyes, only to lightly chuckle when glancing back at Mariana. "My leg felt much better this morning and I intend it to keep it that way. Gonna be a Good Leg Day, I'll guarantee that. But just in case—" he pats the grey backpack strapped to his back, "I've got my travel cane packed in here. Figured I would need it for where we're going. Can't believe Sherlock wanted to go to the—"
"Farmer's Market!!!", Archie exclaims as he sees the Farmer's Market up ahead and practically vibrates in place from excitement as him and Sherlock wait for John and Mariana to catch up to them.
"Right you are, Archibald!", Sherlock says to Archie, a faint smile visible on his face as he looks down at the energetic boy.
"Sherls, mate, you know you can just call him 'Archie'. I call him that, Mariana and Carol call him that. Although personally…", John says slowly as he sneaks his way up behind Archie, "I prefer calling him my Archie-boy! HAHAHA", suddenly surprising Archie by giving him a playful noogie to the head, causing a fit of giggles to escape from Archie. After he's done, John places his arm comfortably over the boy's shoulders.
"Yes yes, I remember the numerous reminders", Sherlock rolls his dark eyes, "although I still have to disagree on that Archibald is an honourable and dignified name that shouldn't be shortened to 'Archie' just for the the convenience of—"
"Enough talking, let's go!!", Archie says as he takes John's arm off his shoulders and tries pulling him closer to the Farmer's Market across the street. Strangers on the street witnessed this and thought the act delightful whereas John found the experience rather uncomfortable due to Archie never holding back the strength from his gem side whenever he's with the three of them. Sure ruby soldiers were meant to be durable, but the boy was strong enough to make John still worry for the day Archie might accidentally tug his arm hard enough to pull it right off.
"Hey hey easy there Archie-boy, before you take my arm without me! We can talk while we go, because Sherlock here still hasn't told us why we're going to the Market today".
"Why not?", Sherlock asks jovially. "It's a rather beautiful day, and I know how excited our Archibald—"
"God sake", John mutters to himself.
"—gets over going to the Market whenever he stays with us. So I decided what better way to spend our first full day together than here!", moving his arms forward at the distant market to present his conclusion.
"Yeah but mate we just started a new case like yesterday and it wouldn't look good to tell Gwen our first investigation was at a Farmer's Market. With a case like that, she doesn't seem like the kind of person to just—"
"WAIT!", Sherlock says sternly as he uses both of his arms to hold back John, Mariana and Archie. Before John could ask him why (a frequent question he asks Sherlock on a daily basis), a flash of green passes right in front of them before they could step off the sidewalk. Sherlock then says rather astutely, "that green car was running a red light".
"Oh my gosh, Archie, are you alright??", Mariana asks with some panic in her voice as she inspects the boy as if something would be missing.
"I'm alright", Archie says, albeit a bit shaken.
"That's good, because they won't be", John angrily mutters with murder in his eyes as he prepares to make his way to the driver for a 'quick chat' until he is stopped by Sherlock's hand touching his shoulder. And just like that his red vision clears and his angers slowly dissipates like fog. "That won't be necessary, my dear companion. Now we may continue to the market".
"Sherlock…we almost just got hit by a speeding car!!"
"I'm well aware of that, John, as I was the one who stopped all of us before crossing the—"
"They could have hit Archie, that—", Mariana cuts herself off with a huff through her nostrils so as not to say any 'not-so-family/friendly' words in front of Archie. "Shouldn't we report them?"
"Also not necessary, Mariana. Come along, it should be safe to cross now", Sherlock calmly says as he leads the group across the street.
"Again, we almost got hit by that BLOODY CAR!!", John yells at Sherlock with the remaining anger left in his body. "We need to report them to the local authorities!"
"Yes yes, in due time as I've already memorized the car's make, model, plate number and taxi business name—"
"Wait how—", John interjects only for Sherlock to cut him off and continue speaking.
"—but for now we must march onward to Marylebone Market!", Sherlock says dramatically as he points forward. "Right, Archibald?"
"Yeah, haha ONWARDS!!", Archie shouts energetically, as both him and Sherlock raced across the walkway and leave the incident behind them.
And once again, John and Mariana are left behind to let their true feelings out.
"Hijo de puta!", Mariana angrily shouts in the direction of where the green car sped off to.
"I can't believe him".
"I know, that guy could have hit us!"
"No I mean the Master Detective up ahead. I can't believe he's just letting that guy go. I swear if Archie got hit—"
"You know we would never let that happen, John", Mariana assures him as they make their way across the street as well.
"I know…I just hope somebody stops them soon. They were driving like bloody maniac!"
"Right?! Talk about a close one!"
"You said it, Mari! Now let's hurry up before Archie and Sherlock decide to buy all the sweets before we can even get some."
Birdiful_Human on Chapter 3 Wed 23 Oct 2024 03:45AM UTC
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