barter_system: ({case of the absentee landlady})
ѕнerlocĸ нolмeѕ ([personal profile] barter_system) wrote2012-03-08 04:36 pm

lock and key, for [personal profile] betonit

Sherlock plucked away at the strings of his violin, not in contemplation, but in frustration. His morning spent assuring their landlady, Mrs. Hudson, would have her rent by the next day, and then spent sending a telegraph to his brother to ask for assistance, he was in far from a decent mood to say the very least of it.

Ruminations aside, he should have been pleased, he had a thrilling new case that could prove to be most adventurous, and his mind could use the respite from the monotony of late. Still, his eyes remained fixed out the window of their flat, on the dreary, gray world outside, and the people milling about and going on with their daily tasks.

Flour on cuff. Baker. Grease on cheek and sleeves. Factory worker. Blood specks on sleeve and collar, pattern indicates other cloth was covering the area, so a butcher. Difficult to tell what sort of animal it was from this distance.

Pluck. Governess. Pluck. Teacher. Pluck. Doctor. Pluck. Mother of eight. Pluck--

Footsteps told him of his freshly roused companion, and he continued to pluck at the strings of his violin as he waited for Watson to come to his eventual conclusions. As he entered his room, he did not look up at him, still far too annoyed to offer more than a scathing glance.

"I've taken it upon myself to relieve you of your checkbook and what small amount of coin you had on your person after last night. It's locked safely in my drawer, and I expect you'll ask me for it when you find yourself in need of it."
betonit: (11)

[personal profile] betonit 2012-03-10 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Watson knew he couldn't avoid Sherlock forever yet it didn't stop him from holing up in his own room for as long as he could. He knew the fate that awaited him. He also knew it was entirely his own fault.

The money was gone. He had gambled it away, and it certainly wasn't his first offense of this type. Sherlock had every right to be furious with him. Rent was, after all, due the following day and their only hope was seeking aid from friends or family. Watson imagined Sherlock had already swallowed his own pride and contacted his brother by now. Yet there was no trace of humility as Watson entered the room –– for now, he would remain defensive if only because he felt terribly guilty and embarrassed and didn't care to admit it.

Sighing, he slumped into his chair and began fiddling with his walking stick, letting its end thump roughly against the floor a moment later as he suddenly sat forward. It was a only a prelude to irrational indignation that was to follow once he'd heard the news of his checkbook.

"That won't be necessary, Holmes. I'm not a child," he snapped, stealing a withering glance at his friend. Directing his anger towards Sherlock was undeserved and Watson knew it; he was angry with himself for letting his habit get the best of him yet again but his pride kept him from humbly admitting so.
betonit: (45)

excuse the delay!

[personal profile] betonit 2012-03-14 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Watson couldn't protest much as he was in the very least rightful place possible to do such. He continued looking very resentful nonetheless, even as the charge was laid against him. Three months running. Indeed, it was the truth and there was hardly excuse for it.

Yet he still had no plans for humility.

"As I said, it won't be necessary," he said, stubborn as ever. "I refuse to come begging permission for my own things. Besides, what would you do if you did catch me breaking into it? Report me to Scotland Yard for stealing from myself?"
betonit: (16)

[personal profile] betonit 2012-03-28 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
At first, Watson said nothing. Instead he stared hard at Holmes, teeth clenched and jaw tight. "It isn't your situation to handle, Holmes. It's mine. Mine alone," he said. "I'll pay you back every penny I've lost. WIth interest, if it pleases you. However, that said, I'll be keeping my own checkbook."

His words, a mere product of his anger, were meaningless and he knew it. He was far more likely to simply lose any money he owed Holmes, along with the next month's rent and then some, if he were left on his own.
Edited 2012-03-28 02:46 (UTC)
betonit: (28)

WOW if i ever forget about this like that again you have full permission to smack me

[personal profile] betonit 2012-07-21 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Watson scowled. "I can't," he insisted through gritted teeth, "Without the checkbook."

He was losing this argument and fast. There was but little ammunition left for him to use against Holmes and whatever remained was reaching, but he was still determined to fight on.

"Most of what you do is disagreeable. You're a terrible tenant and flatmate," he went on. "You... you shoot the walls, you never clean... But when, when have I ever confiscated anything of yours?"