Win or lose, it's how you play the game. ◌ Accidental Video ◌ 006

[missthewoman]

[The Guide starts filming, showing the brightly coloured lobby of a laser tag arena. Irene is looking up to something off-screen intently, then frowns slightly. She is reading the score from the last round, and the result is not as favourable as she could have liked. All the same, she turns to America with a smile.]

Tied again, dear. Another round?

Comments

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[missthewoman]

Indeed it will.

[There is no helping their past, and perhaps Holmes just wouldn't be Holmes without showing some sarcasm towards her. All the same, she feels quite pleased and at ease when she comes knocking at his door two hours later.

In hand she has a bottle of red wine and two glasses. After all, she would not be herself without teasing him just a touch.]

[action!]

[yes_mother_hen]

[It's strange, to have her knocking at his door-- but Holmes obliges her by answering, his violin tucked under one arm, dressed...surprisingly nicely for the occasion.

He quirks a brow when he sees the wine, however, and gives her a dry:]

Our favorite vice.

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[missthewoman]

[His being dressed nicely is duly noted. Completing the whole ...'nostalgia' of this meeting, Irene had gone home to change into her favoured fuchsia dress that she'd been wearing when she'd arrived. (She was going to change anyways. Might as well be that dress.)

At his comment she smiles in reply.]

I thought perhaps we might like to toast something at some point.
And do not worry, dear. It would be boring to try the same trick on you twice.

Re: [action!] I love this thread so much, afsd;lkg;s....

[yes_mother_hen]

[His vast mind is whirling quickly, trying to calculate her moves, think one, two, three steps ahead of her--

--before it stops itself, gears grinding to a halt, reminding itself that this is, in fact, a social visit. Innocuous, as she couldn't possibly be planning anything: there was nothing of value that he had to her, besides his violin and his time.

With a sigh, he steps aside, letting her in.]

You'll need to to wet your throat at some point, I suppose.

Me too--!

[missthewoman]

[Yes, just a social visit. Unheard of before in their relationship. But now, months after her arrival, they have (somehow) come to it.]

[She chuckles lowly at him as she breezes past him into the room.]

I'm afraid I'll have to enjoy it after I sing for you. Alcohol dries the voice, and I do wish to do well. But would you like me to pour you a glass to start?

Re: Me too--!

[yes_mother_hen]

[It's taken them a while, but they at least have a tentative truce-- it's more than Holmes could have imagined, really.]

Mm. We can save it for after the recital-- concentration is required on my part, and my mistress deserves my utmost attention.

[He gestures at his violin. That's his 'mistress', after all.]

[missthewoman]

[She gives the violin an amused glance.]

Indeed she does. A lovely instrument - you clearly take better care of her than many other of your possessions, and rightly so. A Stradivarius, yes?

[yes_mother_hen]

Stradivarius, yes.

[He plays a few notes on it, letting Irene evaluate the tuning.]

One of the only possessions that made it onto this ship, incidentally.

[missthewoman]

[It sounds so much better when he's not making random noise with it. She nods appreciatively.]

Out of everything, it's good that it was something so important.

Now, shall we? [She makes a small gesture, inviting him to start when ready.]

[yes_mother_hen]

Better now than never.

[He spares her one last wry look, before his attention fixes entirely on his instrument, fingers curling over strings and bow, positioning themselves in proper violin-stance. He plays the first few introductory notes in rapid succession, merely to familiarize himself with the motions, before launching into the actual song, slowly and with purpose.]

[missthewoman]

[As Holmes fixes his attention on the violin, Irene fixes her attention on her breathing and stance. With a slight nod to the tempo, she enters into the song softly, her voice moderated for the small room, but no less rich.

It has been a while since she's sung solely for her own pleasure, and she embraces the feeling with a sincere smile.]

[yes_mother_hen]

[It's strange, to have this level of sincerity between them: it's usually the case that at least one of them (most of the time, it's Holmes) is on-guard and ready to make a biting comment or two (really, it's mostly Holmes). But the instruments make for a nice mediator, and Holmes fixes his playing to match to Irene's voice, making sure that their tempos match.

Really, they could make a good team, in some other life. Or something.]

[missthewoman]

[She nods at his moderation. They could indeed make a good team. And perhaps it need not be in some other life. But it would take some time yet.]

[At the end of the song she bows gracefully, then applauded Holmes. Knowing he could play well was one thing, but hearing it was another.]

That was lovely, thank you. Shall we do another?

[yes_mother_hen]

[He gives her a slight tilt of the head in acknowledgement, flourishes his bow, and quirks a faint smile.]

Name the song, and I'll see if I can't oblige.

[missthewoman]

[She considers for a moment.]

'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'? It is very popular in America now, but I do not know if it would have yet reached your ears.

[yes_mother_hen]

Mm. I'm not familiar with it.

[He brandishes his bow at her-- ill manners, but he's pressing her to go on.]

Start, and I shan't be far behind.