004 \\ Sherlock Holmes \\ [Video]

[could_be_dangerous]

Well, if I had to suggest anyone to solve the mystery of the sudden rash of strange symptoms sweeping over our lovely little town, I would pick me, but a better option for you lot would be to start paying more attention and stop opening every suspicious box you find lying about.

Comments

[manofiron]

Sorry, am I hearing you right? You know what's causing this?

[could_be_dangerous]

I have a theory; the theory is probably sound if I'm having it, so yes, I suppose I do. Did you or did you not receive an unmarked package wrapped in brown paper?

[greenisnteasy]

[Bruce has his glasses on and looks distracted. He's also wearing plastic gloves, and he's found a mask to put over his face.]

Oh, and they should bring the boxes to the clinic, but don't touch them.

Thanks.

[The feed cuts out, then on again.]

Unless you've noticed if there's any secondary contamination? So far I'm okay, but I figure people shouldn't take a risk. [That's a question. He's distracted and looking for a consult here.]

[manofiron]

A few days ago, yes. Why?

[could_be_dangerous]

Not that I can tell. On the contrary, I rather suspect they've been hand-picked for us lucky lot, which is thoughtful of whoever sent them. I've my suspicions there too.

Perhaps they were a bit miffed you sat on a few of their colleagues.

[Or smashed them violently, or whatever, but frankly that would be enough. At least Sherlock doesn't sound judgemental about it. Sort of the opposite, if anything.]

[could_be_dangerous]

[Sherlock simply raises his eyebrows. There you are.]

[greenisnteasy]

[Bruce is still distracted, writing with his other hand, all the way up until the mention of the other guy. Then Sherlock gets his full attention.]

They haven't sent me anything. What are your suspicions?

[manofiron]

[ He's silent for a moment, waiting for more, before he taps a finger against the communicator. ]

Hello? New guy? You still there?

[ Tony is, regrettably, still blind and can't appreciate the nonverbal communication. ]

[could_be_dangerous]

Not as new as you are, and yes. You opened yours.

[Obviously.]

Frankly I didn't think I had to elaborate further. That's it, the packages. Was that not completely obvious?

[manofiron]

[ He frowns. ]

The package I opened had gloves in it, not blindness.

[ A beat. ]

Unless it's airborne. Is that what you think it is? Some kind of virus?

[could_be_dangerous]

The powers that be don't appreciate the trouble we've been giving them, which isn't a suspicion, that's quite a sound theory, I feel, under the circumstances.

[Meaning after you killed them. Sherlock is trying not to be completely delighted about that.]

So, extrapolating on that... assuming they're as good at keeping everyone else out as they are at keeping us in, which I feel is a safe assumption given that they've clearly accounted for the possibility, what with the missing radios and anything which might be used to transmit anything at all beyond the range of these wristbands, the conclusion is fairly obvious.

[He pauses, hesitates.]

Much more interesting question: what are you working on, and do you need an extra pair of hands?

[could_be_dangerous]

You're expecting to be able to visibly detect the concept of blindness, then, are you?

The correlation is obvious; everyone who's received a package and opened it has to my knowledge been affected in some way. Sensory loss in some cases, hallucinations in others, loss of inhibition... it's a one to one correspondance. Direct. But really, a better question would be, why on Earth would anyone actually open a package which could only possibly be from our captors?

[greenisnteasy]

They did bring some of that onto themselves.

[Assuming they knew about the other guy before they brought any of them here, anyway. As soon as they did find out -- and no doubt they did -- they should've known what was coming.]

Sorry, what was the conclusion that's fairly obvious? And I'm working on these packages, making as much out of a kitchen chemistry set as I possibly can to see if I can figure out what's the cause of the blindness and the muteness. You're welcome to come on over if you like.

[could_be_dangerous]

That the packages were manufactured and delivered by the people keeping us here.

[And he is coming along, judging by the way the camera now isn't showing much of anything but the inside of a sleeve.]

To what end I really don't know. Keep us in line, perhaps.

[There comes the sound of a few things being shoved unceremoniously into something else and then Sherlock is back again, the image shaking as he descends the staircase.]

I've a few things from when you wanted me to test for toxins in the food and half a chemistry degree padded with more experience than I'd have got if I'd finished it; how does that suit you?

[manofiron]

Did you miss the whole Secret Santa thing? People give other people anonymous gifts all the time. I certainly wasn't thinking the box I opened came from our captors. But then again, when I opened it, I wasn't checking for the blindness virus either.

Did you get a package?

[greenisnteasy]

Oh, well, yeah. I can think of some people who could've pulled this off, but I don't think it's them. [What would be the point of making people blind? He doesn't think Loki would do anything like that without a point.]

I don't need a resume, but you sound right for the job. Not that I've made much progress.

[reluctantsword]

Well, maybe I'd ask you, if I had any idea who you are.

[He shrugs.]

[could_be_dangerous]

Not a one, which under the circumstances I'm going to take as a point of pride.

[Seriously, though, who would leave him a gift? That alone would be suspicious enough to keep him from opening it.]

I suppose they normally sneak into your house to deliver them to you too, do they?

[could_be_dangerous]

Some people would object.

[Read: some people have objected, previously.]

Luckily for them, and you if you'd been a complete idiot, I'm bad at listening.

[could_be_dangerous]

Yes, see, the point of my saying that was to demonstrate that you don't need to, because the answer is really quite obvious if you bother to just... pay a moment's attention, perhaps. Use a few of your brain cells.

[manofiron]

My house has four people in it. If something shows up on the kitchen table, my first thought is that one of them brought it in. Not that the magical mystery invisible people decided to play Santa.

So okay, Great Mouse Detective. You solved one riddle. How about working on how to cure the epidemic that the packages are unleashing?

[could_be_dangerous]

Well, see, I would -- if I thought it were an epidemic, which for a number of reasons I do not. There's also the minor problem of our complete lack of any laboratory facilities whatsoever and -- do you, incidentally, know even a bit about chemistry and modern medicine? What you expect me to cure with only basic pharmaceuticals on hand and none of the requisite facilities -- and, I might add, no medical training, though that's a lesser problem -- exactly?

We'll be lucky if we can so much as identify a vector, which I do intend to attempt to do, but your fondness for suggesting the obvious will be remembered should I require it in future.

[reluctantsword]

[Wallie rolls his eyes, and doesn't bother hiding it. He has enough letters after his name and deeds to his name that he's not exactly hurting at the implication he's just a big dumb guy with a sword.]

I never said I thought you were wrong, either. But, please, medicine isn't my field, maybe it's yours. How does an unassuming box go about blinding someone? Or rendering them mute?

[manofiron]

I'm not a doctor, but you know who is? Bruce Banner. And he can work miracles in the middle of a jungle without a fancy facility in sight. So if you're half as good as you're implying that you are, you should talk to him.

[greenisnteasy]

You could be lying to me completely about who you are and what you do, and the only way I'd really get to figure that out is to see you at work. Besides, you've proven yourself to me well enough.

[Sherlock doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but Bruce got a PhD in physics, and the department wasn't a sea of social competence.]