[A nod of his head, John can imagine considering his conversations with Sherlock during their time in Rapture.] Probably doesn't help that me and him had a row about the whole thing. Might've thought you would have gotten on his case about it too. [Sherlock on drugs is less tolerable than normal.] He's not so bad on a normal day but offensive is definitely a Sherlock trait.
[And now they're going to gossip about themselves.] One, an older sister. Harry - Harriet. You?
I tried to hedge my bets a little when it came to getting on his case. I mean, obviously I was on your side, but I wanted to know more about him and I thought going all out would just make him clam up. [ A beat. ] He's— [ She means her Sherlock, not his. ] —like that with me sometimes. You know, a little petty.
[ Harriet. Joan smiles at the name. ] One, an older brother. Oren. [ She waggles her head. ] That's kind of close.
He was a bloody idiot for taking it. I got angry and obviously would not make a very good sober companion. [He has to hide Sherlock's cigarettes after all and search for other drugs on occasion.] God help us if they ever met and got on. [That would be like some sort of nightmare.] As it is I've got a seven year old miniature version of him living with me.
[Thinking of his sister brings up mixed emotions - though her comment about it being close is amusing. Sherlock thought he had a brother.] Is he a pain in the arse or do you get along?
[ Oh god the thought of two Sherlocks. ] I'm not exactly sure they'd be able to be stand in the same room together. All that ego and hot air in one place. [ She laughs in a way that's both rueful and fond. It's maybe a little obvious that she misses Sherlock. Things aren't quite the same without him around. ]
[ Joan sips her tea when she considers her brother. Eventually she makes a noncommittal sound. ] A little of both in that kind of brotherly way? Ever since I changed careers, things have been a little strange, but that's just growing pains I think. [ A beat. ] You?
[Completely horrifying.] I don't know about yours but the one here would make witty cutting remarks. It's what he does. [She is welcome to borrow his Sherlock anytime she wants. Even Watsons need a bit of a break every now and then.]
[He licks his lips at the question.] Harry is...an alcoholic. It ruined her marriage and she's trying to fix her life. We don't always get on but she was there when I got discharged from the military and I'm helping her stay sober.
PROBABLY FOR THE BEST. OTHERWISE IT MIGHT GET WEIRD
[ Joan's expression changes at the mention of Harry's alcoholism. She's a sober companion (or was, up until very recently) so she understands what that means, has an idea of the impact that must have on his personal life. There were a dozen questions she could ask — standard fair, really, for getting on with a new client — but her newly-revealed connection to John made them feel strange and inappropriate. ]
I'm sorry, John, [ she says at length and it isn't emotional pandering in any way, it's genuine and sincere. ] I know how difficult that can be from experience. Not just from just a professional point of view but a personal one, too. And— I don't want to sound like I'm headshrinking you, but if you ever want to talk about it—
[If his sister ever did show up here, John would direct Harry to Joan. He's not exactly someone who can help her through her alcoholism. There's not anyone else he'd trust with the task on this boat and lord knows there's sometimes alcohol to go around.]
It's fine. [Okay, not really.] I mean, there's not really anything to be done from here but if she shows up I might take you up on it.
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consultantsdoctor) wrote2013-02-06 05:16 am
YES IT'LL BE NEEDED
[And now they're going to gossip about themselves.] One, an older sister. Harry - Harriet. You?
OR WINEDATES AS THE CASE MAY BE orz
[ Harriet. Joan smiles at the name. ] One, an older brother. Oren. [ She waggles her head. ] That's kind of close.
STILL DRINKING OUT OF TEA CUPS
[Thinking of his sister brings up mixed emotions - though her comment about it being close is amusing. Sherlock thought he had a brother.] Is he a pain in the arse or do you get along?
OKAY THEN WE CAN STILL CALL THEM TEADATES I GUESS
[ Joan sips her tea when she considers her brother. Eventually she makes a noncommittal sound. ] A little of both in that kind of brotherly way? Ever since I changed careers, things have been a little strange, but that's just growing pains I think. [ A beat. ] You?
THAT'S WHAT WE TELL EVERYONE ELSE AT LEAST
[He licks his lips at the question.] Harry is...an alcoholic. It ruined her marriage and she's trying to fix her life. We don't always get on but she was there when I got discharged from the military and I'm helping her stay sober.
PROBABLY FOR THE BEST. OTHERWISE IT MIGHT GET WEIRD
I'm sorry, John, [ she says at length and it isn't emotional pandering in any way, it's genuine and sincere. ] I know how difficult that can be from experience. Not just from just a professional point of view but a personal one, too. And— I don't want to sound like I'm headshrinking you, but if you ever want to talk about it—
[ She leaves that sentence as is. ]
YEAH DON'T WANT WEIRD
It's fine. [Okay, not really.] I mean, there's not really anything to be done from here but if she shows up I might take you up on it.