cape_kore | 001 | Video | Sherlock Holmes

[The first thing that's obvious about the video -- the first thing that's meant to be obvious -- is that everything about it, from setup to framing, is deliberate. The second thing that's obvious is that the man in it has taken pains to seat himself such that the upturned collar of a very distinctive, rather expensive-looking coat is visible, a shirt, unbuttoned at the collar and clearly tailored -- but not his face.]

Mmmm, no.

[The lazy drawl is punctuated by a brief silence and then the faintest of sighs, quick and impatient, and he shifts in his seat, the rustling of his clothing just faintly audible -- and then, all of a sudden, like thunder after the lightning strike, he begins to speak again, words flowing out of him with an almost startling rapidity and a clipped precision which could only possibly indicate irritation.]

Ostentatious, bringing me back. Arguably meretricious; nobody likes a showoff, believe me. Hate the new decor; at least before it looked lived in; nothing is this clean unless somebody's trying to hide something, but that was already obvious, can't say I'm intrigued. Can't say I'm interested at all, in fact. Can say I'm a bit busy, actually astonishingly busy, lives to save -- dull, I know, but one does what one must -- so no. No, I don't think so.

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I doubt that they much care how we feel about being interrupted from our business. Most kidnappers don't. [ The Doctor has the phone held up in one hand while he looks his screwdriver over in the other. He's not much paying attention to anything other than the audio of the conversation. ]

Sorry, no. Hang on. Did you say "bringing me back"? You've been here before? How? When?

Not the sort of people who'd bother to kidnap me.

[He's still not entirely convinced that the last time wasn't in some way intentional. It had seemed to be, by the end, but they'd all grown complacent, so far as he recalls.]

Except possibly this lot. Yes, here before. Can't tell you how long ago without having a look outside, not really important. Still haven't worked out the how, not even entirely clear on the who, which really is rather impressive; generally that's the bit I'm best at.

[Sherlock sounds almost bored, which is of course a cover for profound irritation -- displays of investment are dangerous, apathy is both easier to navigate and safer.]

Someone thinks a bit about himself.

[ There's almost a chuckle at that thought. People say he's got a bit of an ego on him!

He pauses, glancing up at the ceiling from his sonic. He twirls it a few time in his hands as he thinks. ]

Not important? You're so wrong about that. In fact, it's vital information. [ It explains how time passes in Cape Kore. Just how much of a dilation field could be in play. Are they in a pocket universe? Maybe even a stasis cube that separates them from the rest of time? It could be a thousand different things--no, nine hundred and ninety-nine. It definitely couldn't be a dream. ]

No one knows who or why. Important questions mind you. Vital ones even. Again, with the vital unanswered questions! [ The Doctor finally looks to the feed and points the sonic at him, waving it a bit to make his point. ] Let's share what we know. We've got very powerful people in charge who can kidnap anyone from anywhere in space and time. They're good at covering their tracks, and their building changes every millisecond. Can't even get a proper reading on the sonic long enough to lock onto a signal. Oh, they are good!

That's generally when they make the mistakes.

Someone is realistic. Nobody kidnaps somebody in my line of work without a purpose because nobody without a purpose would be good enough to manage it. Not that people haven't tried.

[The rise of his eyebrows isn't visible, but something in the tone of his voice strongly implies it all the same.]

You're right about one thing though, it is when they make mistakes. I managed to get a photograph of one last time. Just a blur, homemade pinhole camera, but the degree of tinting when compared against the length of the exposure makes the results undeniable. Not there for long, but there. Half right about the rest -- might be vital, but asking the question doesn't mean a thing if you can't sort out how to outmanoeuvre them first. Never going to get any answers if you carry on being obvious about it.

Unless they are bored. I drop into plenty of places with big reputations because I'm bored! Maybe they just wanted to add up something into the mix. This could be all entertainment for them for all we know.

[ There is a grin on his face. ]

I'm usually right on more than one thing. [ Still, he's interested in what the man has to say. Clashing of the egos. ] Sometimes being obvious makes them reveal the things you're truly after. You can't be nice in a situation like this, that much we can agree on. They've got loads of us in an ever changing building. Not just anyone has that power.

What sort of photograph is it?

001 | Video | Sherlock Holmes

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