❚❚❚2 || video

[predominates]

[ For Irene, her presence on the network has been spotty lately. And for her that meant business. But she realizes her last broadcast was her arrival, which would have to change. It was about time she made her video debut. She's also bored at the moment. It's just fun to keep people guessing.

She appears relaxed as she looks into her camera phone, lips freshly painted red and hair up in its distinctively complicated coif. The lace around her shoulders suggests something much more casual though. ]

Ooh, quite a lot of repressed emotions these days. Are we all done committing our deadliest sins already? Definitely made things interesting. [ yes, she's well aware that is old news, but it doesn't make it any less true; it was very revealing, in fact. ] Or was everyone busy on Monday?

[ an amused raise of both eyebrows. at least this will tell her how many people pay attention to the news -- something she's interested in knowing. ]

Nevermind that. Look at these new faces. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to say hello. My hands have been full. [ a smirk. ] How are we all doing? I'm fine for those wanting to ask.

Comments

[voice, private]

[predominates]

[ a slight twitch of a smile when he switches, though it's still only a voice. interesting. ] Both. But it depends on what you're really asking me.

So am I. [ NOT LIES. ]

[deductives]

[Oh he believes it. For once.] Good.

And I'm simply saying [not asking] you're acting strange. Speaking of repressed emotions.

pretend that was [video, private] forever

[predominates]

I'm sorry? [ strange. really, it's hilarious that she's once again become unreadable. ] How should I be acting then? Or should I say, what am I repressing?

[deductives]

[omg Irene stop being confusing]

You're-- annoyed with me.

[She doesn't normally care if he's not in contact, as long as she gets to bother him.]

[predominates]

[ sorry, nope. ]

How did you come to that conclusion? Was it the lack of dinner proposals? Don't tell me you're suddenly hungry.

[ She knows very well she hasn't bothered him lately. But annoyed still isn't the word she would use. ]

[deductives]

[The talk of 'dinner' only reminds him of She-Hulk's behavior from the week before, which he shoves out of his mind with a grimace. It's not like Irene could know about that. ...And what would it matter, if she did?]

A small piece of the puzzle. But you normally don't care if I don't reply, and suddenly you're asking for my attention. Hence me calling it strange.

[predominates]

[ Finally, he clarifies his point. Though her eyes narrow slightly, not giving away any hints that what he says is true. It's still not completely accurate. She wonders how frustrating this must be for him. For her constantly slipping out of reach. ]

Asking? I don't recall asking for anything. Definitely not a reply. [ because when has he ever replied? except that one time, but it was under special circumstances. ] I'm investigating. Your focus, that is.

[deductives]

Not outright, you didn't.

[He plays back part of her post: "For those wanting to ask."]

I haven't asked. You normally have no qualms with that. Nor with texting, but these little slips in temper are giving me ideas. Pardon me to pieces for that.

[predominates]

[ now she does let her eyes roll. ] Yes, you're right. I don't. But what you're failing to understand is that I do think you've wanted to ask. Even if there was no need. It bothers you that I might have given up my attention. Or maybe you thought someone was after me already.

[ he craves the attention just as much as she does, especially from someone so likeminded. there's really no denying that parallel. she's just testing the theory. ]

So, am I leaving you in pieces then? You seem to care very much whether or not I care.

[deductives]

[Though Sherlock has been keeping an eye on her, he had been worried, with the lack of one sided communication, that something happened to her. She was allowed to put her attentions elsewhere; he knows it won't stay there.]

We're back where we started, Miss Adler. I don't need. To ask.

[predominates]

[ her expression steels, and she's speaking quickly. perhaps even losing her patience. ] We are, dear. And you're still avoiding the question.

[deductives]

I'm just curious as to what I've done to earn the ire of the "woman who beat me."

[predominates]

Are you implying that my title hangs in the balance of my answer? Or concerned I might want to again? Literally.

[deductives]

You're making the latter obvious.

[Dull. But as for her "title," Sherlock was sure no one would do that again, man or woman. And for her having it-- that was special, whether he could admit it to himself or not.

So why she even thinks it would be in jeopardy only serves to confuse him further.]

Why do you feel threatened?

[predominates]

I thought I was being obvious.

[ Echoing him. But wasn't she? It seemed to be the only way to make her point, to reassert her position.

This wasn't London. He'd been here for a few months before her, and supposedly even longer before. Also since Karachi. So many unknown variables. She admitted to having the disadvantage, except relying on what she did know. That their experience together had an effect. ]

You're curious; so am I. Things are different here.

[ She's back to her casual tone of voice. No snaps or quips. Just facts. ]

[deductives]

[Sherlock pauses when she says that. She was right about that.]

They are.

[And it was why he was so defensive, both of himself and of her in his own ways.]

[predominates]

[ Even though she can't see his face, the tone he's taken on tells her enough. She shifts slightly, expression as unreadable as she can manage. ]

I know. So, do I need to ask if you're including me in that statement?

[ Still the exception? It's a simple one-worded answer. ]

[deductives]

Why would I? Things from home are--

[He pauses. Sherlock never makes things that simple.]

almost thankfully static.