ADVENTURE 003: Jobs are Dull

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Action; Pharmacy.]

[Sherlock had heard about the possibility of being droned, so here he is at work. And he's actually, you know, working. He's not here for his own gain, nor to do research. And he's actually pointing customers in the right direction, after telling them something about themselves they'd rather keep hidden. He doesn't sound like he wants to help. He sounds more like he's here under threat of punishment - which is pretty much true.]

Need help with anything?


[Action; City Bench.]

[Sherlock is reading a book - or pretending to. He's actually watching drones and people milling about. He's hoping to try to think his way out of this place. And he's hoping by observing others, he'll learn something.]

Comments

[gezellig]

I guess that's a long time for people.

[He'll look over again, somewhat curious that the man wants to talk some more.]

. . . why would I name him that?

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

Isn't that what people do? Name their pets?

[Sherlock isn't sure.]

I just know a little girl who named her rabbit "Bluebell." It would be an odd coincidence if yours had the same name.

[He takes another drag of the cigarette.]

[gezellig]

I guess, but he has a good Dutch name.

[He looks pretty satisfied.]

It's Poffertje.

[Which is basically Dutch for cream puff.]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock looks amused.]

You named your rabbit "cream puff".

[He can't resist the joke.]

I suppose that could work in a "rough-tough-cream-puff" sort of way, considering it's a Lop. That would be a bit more difficult with something the size of a Flemmish.

[gezellig]

[The joke is a bit lost on Holland, who continues to watch Sherlock with a slight question in his face as the man talks.]

It's because his tail looks like one. He's a very cute rabbit.

[This is all said very seriously, almost stone-faced. ]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock hums in thought.]

Does it glow in the dark?

[Sherlock had a case with a missing glow in the dark rabbit, he knew it was dead, but well, John's not here to tell him to behave.]

[gezellig]

. . . I've never heard of a rabbit that glows in the dark.

[Does it exist? He needs to know, now.]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[A quirky slightly smug grin appears.]

I visited a research facility. They spliced the gene of a jellyfish with a rabbit to make it luminous.

[gezellig]

[The look on his face is pretty impressed, now. It's saying something, when he usually wears such a passive expression. Reign it in Holland, wow.]

I've never heard of that. Are they calling it a new breed?

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock loves to get reactions out of people.]

It's... top secret. If this were the real world, I would have to kill you now.

[gezellig]

[Sarcasm isn't his strong point, but he'll give what could almost be a smirk, but not quite.]

Before I came to this town, I hadn't died since the World Wars.

[He says this almost off-hand.]

Why would something like that be top-secret?

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock takes another drag before responding to that.]

You look young to have served in either War.

[Sherlock, of course is referring to the World Wars.]

[gezellig]

Maybe if I were a human. I've looked this way for . . .

[He'll think a bit.]

. . . well, it's around 400 years.

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

If you're not human then... what are you?

[He doesn't mean to be rude, but he doesn't know how else to ask.]

[gezellig]

[He understands, even if there are other non-humans here who are a bit more obvious.]

I'm the Netherlands. Koninkrijk der Nederlanden.

. . . you sound like one of England's.

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

You're the Netherlands, as in -- the country itself?

[This is... odd, as John would say.]

[gezellig]

Ja.

[Welcome to countries being people.]

The territory and the people are mine.

[And he can't help but feel a lot little possessive of them.]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock smirks.]

Oh? Where do you store them?

[Sherlock, funny doesn't suit you, stick to ice.]

[gezellig]

Obviously it doesn't work that way.

[At least you can count on Holland to be blunt.]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

Clearly. So, I'm owned by another like you. What does that mean?

[Sherlock isn't sure he likes that idea.]

[gezellig]

Maybe not much, to you.

Even if England is a jerk.

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock looks bemused at the last remark.]

So, you're personifications of countries. How does that work?

[Seriously, he needs to understand this.]

[gezellig]

I'm just the Netherlands.

[What doesn't this guy understand. . .]

I've lived a long time.

[That should help, right?]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Well it's a bit odd to think of... countries as people, rather than people making up countries.]

Your age is a matter of some debate. If you go strictly by the name, then I would be forced to ask which "Netherlands" you are. For instance, if you are "The Kingdom of the Netherlands" then you've only been around since 1830. If you go by "Austrian Netherlands" then you would only be 81. But then, I suppose, you would be dead, since that no longer exists. If you're the actual landmass, then you are roughly the same age as every other landmass on the planet.

[gezellig]

I remember the vikings.

{Does that help, Sherlock. . . ]