Shadow Event Log

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone, affected and not
TONE: Ranging from paranoid to angry
RATING: PG to PG-13
WHEN: After the memorial on October 31st through November 2nd.
WHERE: Hogwarts
WHAT: Those who have passed too near to a certain goblet may find themselves haunted by whispers of their unconscious insecurities. From themselves.
STATUS: ONGOING
NOTE: Details for the event are here, feel free to use the log for the whole event

Comments

[3potionproblem]

Hardly any potential for death at all. You wouldn’t let me die.

That aside, you have a better idea for how to test if these shadows mean to harm us or better us? If we can discover the motive, we’re one step closer to uncovering the wizard behind it.

[3houseswatson]

Of course I wouldn't, but just because I know CPR doesn't mean I'm terribly keen on having to potentially drag your unconscious, waterlogged arse to the medical wing if something went wrong.

... right, yeah, okay I don't have a better idea, but I don't think that gives any more weight to Operation Try To Drown.

[3potionproblem]

Leave it to you to have a sense of proportion.

[Somehow, that doesn’t sound like a compliment.]

Fine. We’ll do nothing and just wait around and listen to their insufferable commentary, shall we?

[3houseswatson]

[Although the shade was currently in a lull, who knew how long that would last. And as potentially deadly as Sherlock's plan was, at least it was something. John sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.]

Just. Put it down in writing that, if anything goes wrong, none of it was my idea and that I actively tried to stop you. I bet your family's terrifying and I don't want them pointing fingers at me.

You just want to see how something so stupidly dangerous pans out.

Shut it, I'm still not paying any attention to you.

[3potionproblem]

My family could make things very inconvenient for you. Best not to anger them.

[Sherlock starts off towards the boy’s bathroom]

A sink will do, really. Just need enough to breathe it in. Do you think it hurts to drown?

[3houseswatson]

Oh, right, sure, like me agreeing to let you try drowning yourself wouldn't anger them.

[John follows, not even noticing that he's keeping pace with Sherlock's quick gait.]

Have you ever had a bit of water go down the wrong way when you were drinking? You know how even that little bit of water burns and gets you coughing up a storm? Multiply that by... by a lot. So. Yes, probably!

[3potionproblem]

It’s hardly the worst thing I’ve ever done. By most standards. Generally they’re quite good about seeing things in perspective.

[Sherlock holds the door to the bathroom open for John.]

Now then, experiment parameters. We can’t hear each other’s shades so I’ll be counting on your account of yours’ dialogue. What we’re looking for is a stark change in tune which will try and stop us from enacting my untimely demise. Do they have our best interests at heart of are they trying to drive us to suicide in the first place? Understand?

[3houseswatson]

Jesus Christ, I can't even imagine what you've got up to where potential drowning gets a shrug and a "oh, that's not so bad then".

[The bathroom door shuts behind him.]

Understood.

This is stupid.

Mine just said that this is stupid and for once I'm in complete, no-hesitation agreement with it.

[3potionproblem]

Mine's not too please, either.

That is an understatement. Do you have any idea how much it will affect him if you really do manage to kill yourself? In front of him? With his assistance? You are a threat to his sanity. Try thinking about someone else for a change. Honestly try.

[Sherlock walked over to a sink, not even about to entertain the idea of drowning in a public toilet. He stopped it up and shrugged off his robe as the water filled up the basin.]

[3houseswatson]

[John eyed the water warily.]

Er, last chance for you to come to your senses and realize this is actually a pretty terrible idea. You just said yours isn't pleased - isn't that already a sign that they don't just want to kill us?

[3potionproblem]

I want to know how insistent it becomes. It's fine. I have everything under control.

[He rolls up his sleeves and turns the water off now that it's high enough to put his face in.]

[3houseswatson]

Oh my God, that's the very definition of "famous last words".

[His grip on his cane is loose as he stands several paces away from Sherlock and the sink.]

Sherlock... stop this. It's not a good idea.

[3potionproblem]

I would much rather a physical attack than a mental one. I'll take my chances, honestly, if this will offer up some answers.

[Sherlock takes hold of the sink basin and breaths out so he can't hold his breath under water. He leans down, his Shade quite insistent that no, no this is not good!]

[3houseswatson]

There goes the person who's shaken you out of your funk in God knows how long. Going to just stand there?

Damn it!

[John's cane clatters to the ground, forgotten, as he runs the distance between himself and Sherlock, shoving the taller boy away from the sink and pulling the stopper. The water swirls down the drain.]

Are the chances and answers worth it if you're not alive to know them?!

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock stumbled at the shove, quite confused for a moment as to what happened.

John happened, obviously.]

Did it make you do that?

[Because yes, it is worth it to know, even if that's the last thing he ever learns.]

[3houseswatson]

[John panted, not out of exertion, but due to the adrenaline coursing through his system.]

What? I don't know - I guess it said something. I was a little too preoccupied with you getting ready to potentially kill yourself!

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock frowned, his brow furrowed.]

And that matters to you?

[3houseswatson]

Of bloody course it does!

I don't know where you got the idea that you trying to drown yourself doesn't "matter", but you're wrong.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock stepped in close, not going to fight him on his stance but still very curious.]

What is it saying now?

[3houseswatson]

[John frowned up at him, then glanced over at his shade, which was giving them an odd look John couldn't possibly read.]

Nothing. It's just got a weird expression on its face.

The one time you want it to say something to prove a point, and it's not saying anything. Helpful as always.

[3potionproblem]

Perhaps.

[Sherlock walked over and bent down, picking John's cane up from the floor and giving it a look over.]

[3houseswatson]

[John watched Sherlock walk across the room and reacted with visible shock when he saw him pick up the cane. He hadn't even realized he'd dropped it.]

How...

[He lapsed into awed silence, though his lips moved in a small, soundless twitch for a moment after his speech gave out.]

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock twirled the cane absently a few times.]

I imagine your shade is perhaps suffering from the same issue you face now. What 'useless' person manages to overcome his handicap to come to the aid of another?

Going to need to change your tune, Shadow John.

[3houseswatson]

[John just stared at him in disbelief for a few long moments before his lips began to quirk into a small grin which grew and spread, eventually lighting up his entire face. And then came the giggles.]

You look - you look like a carnival barker, twirling that thing.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock couldn’t help but laugh as well, tension broken, feeling rather foolish but still rather good as well. He didn’t offer the cane back to John, just stopped playing with it and let it rest against his shoulder.

Perhaps that had all been very foolish of him, after all.]

Don’t ever lose him, Sherlock.