Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

[3houseswatson]

WHO: John Watson and Sherlock Holmes
TONE: Was meant to be friendly and fun... but now tinged with concern.
RATING: PG-13 for potential language
WHEN: Friday, November 30th, after dinner.
WHERE: The Dining Hall
WHAT: Sherlock suggested meeting up to play a friendly game of Wizard's Chess, which John agreed to. But thanks to a tense conversation with a certain Slytherin, John's got a bit more to think about than a simple chess game.
STATUS: Ongoing



[To say that John had a lot on his mind would be an understatement.

Originally, this was just going to be him and Sherlock meeting up so the Ravenclaw could obliterate him in a game of Wizard's Chess. John had no problems with the notion of imminent defeat on the chessboard; he always seemed to have a good time when he and Sherlock were together, putting aside moments of occasional awkwardness when they didn't quite see eye-to-eye on certain matters. He fully expected that as long as he was in Sherlock's company, he wouldn't mind losing.

But then he had words with Jim Moriarty and between that and what he'd gleaned from Sherlock about the situation, a bit of suspicion and worry seemed all too rational. He wasn't sure if he could convince Sherlock of anything, but he could damn well express his concern.

Now that dinner had been cleared away and the other students had gone off to do other things, the Dining Hall was mostly empty. John scanned the room, wondering if Sherlock had already arrived.]

Comments

[3potionproblem]

Sherlock hadn't been in attendance when it came to the food but with his own chess board under his arm to be set up on the Hufflepuff table one could only consider him early. He paid the stragglers no mind and went about setting up the obviously expensive and pristine set with it's enchanted pieces.

He wore his new scarf with his robes rather than his usual, uniform, standard issue scarf.

He was having quite the good day all things considered. He was very much looking forward to getting to spend the rest of the evening with John.]

[3houseswatson]

[John spotted Sherlock and made his way over.]

There you are. I was looking around the Ravenclaw table.

[He took the seat opposite Sherlock, noticing the scarf.]

Nice scarf. Not part of the uniform. Did you bring it from home?

[3potionproblem]

I thought I would give you the home field advantage as they say.

[He smirked as he crowned the whit corner with its rook.]

A friend of mine got it for me. Very early Christmas present.

[3houseswatson]

Ta. God knows I'll need any leg-up I can get.

[This could be the in he needed. But he'd have to be sure first. He casually went about setting up his own side of the board.]]

Oh? Was it Tony or one of the other Ravenclaws?

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock made a slight face. Uhg, the 6th year boys... well, the less said about them the better.]

No, I have a long time acquaintance in the Slytherin house. He purchased it on my behalf.

Chose your color, Watson.

[3houseswatson]

[John looked at the board.]

Looks like I already set up white on the side closest to me, so I'll take that unless you really want to spin the board around.

[And... now.]

Was it Jim Moriarty?

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock nodded. He'd wanted John to be the white. It was good to see John was aware of the set up rather than just easily swayed by circumstance.]

You know him, do you?

[Sherlock sat down on his side to finish standing his own large court.

[3houseswatson]

We've only talked a few times. But I just found out he's the one you mentioned at Hogsmeade, the one who decided to play around with a girl's feelings for fun. Found out the girl was Molly as well.

I actually wanted to talk with you about all that.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock shrugged.]

If you like. Can you converse and lose at the same time or will it shortly become a slaughter rather than a challenge?

[3houseswatson]

Never underestimate my ability to lose spectacularly at chess, no matter the circumstances.

But in all seriousness, Sherlock, I'm sure that guy is bad news.

[3potionproblem]

I'm aware of what he is. How is that important?

[3houseswatson]

It doesn't bother you?

[3potionproblem]

I don't agree with some of the things he does but I'm not the greatest judge in these matters anyway.

[He gestured for John to go first.]

[3houseswatson]

[John pushed one of his pawns to F4.]

I'm worried that if he's capable of toying with and manipulating Molly he'll do the same to you.

[3potionproblem]

You sure you want to make your Queen vulnerable this early on?

Molly isn't me. Jim and I have an understanding.

[3houseswatson]

I'll stand by it.

What makes you so sure he won't change his mind and go back on this 'understanding' - whatever that means? He's made it pretty clear that he's got no morality tethering him back.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock shrugged and moved knight to f6.]

Because we're friends. He is one of the few people of whom I do not hesitate to use that term. His morality aside, he respects me. I've no reason to fear him.

[3houseswatson]

[John placed a pawn at G3.]

Friends intentionally cause relationship drama? Friends toy around with their friends and acquaintances for fun?

[John shook his head.]

Even if he really never will harm you in any way, you don't see anything wrong with him pulling stuff like that on others?

[3potionproblem]

Jim can't help the way he was born any more than I can. I'd just as soon blame a dog for barking.

Not all of human nature is good intentions. Not everyone has a conscious that is synched with normal standards.

[pawn to d6]

[3houseswatson]

[Knight to a3.]

Just because someone doesn't have a conscience doesn't mean they can't control their actions. You're suggesting he doesn't have the ability to choose whether or not he'll do something.

[3potionproblem]

[Bishop to g4.

Sherlock scowled.]

Right and wrong are very grey concepts, John. Did he know better when he asked Molly out as a social experiment? Yes. But he was bored. In his mind, that is a far graver wrong than almost anything that can be done to alleviate it.

[3houseswatson]

[Pawn to B4.]

I understand boredom. You had to have seen that it was one of the things that really kept me down before things began to look up. Not being able to do what I used to enjoy, feeling trapped in my own skin.

But if I knew that the only way to keep me from not being bored would be to lie and exploit, I'd stick with the boredom.

Just because he's of the opinion that his own entertainment is worth more than others' feelings doesn't justify his actions.

[3potionproblem]

That is because you're normal, John. Neither he nor I are. It might not be easy to understand but the value of normal people isn't the same as extraordinary ones. Like ants to giants.

[Knight to d7]

[3houseswatson]

[John stared at Sherlock for a second, disappointment written clearly across his face.]

Wow, Sherlock. I've heard you say some iffy things, but that just goes above and beyond. At least as bad as when you still used 'Mudblood' in front of me.

If that's how you really feel, maybe there's no point in me being here. He's made it clear to me how much he fancies you; I'm sure you'll make each other so happy.

Just try not to crush too many of us ants underfoot as you two trod along your merry way. You two giants might not notice it, but the mangled ants left behind sure as hell do.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock paused. Normally it wouldn't bother him but he likes John. He's very much enjoyed their interactions. Damage control it is, then.]

There was a time when I thought us both giants. Then eventually we discovered I'm just a rather tall ant. He lets me walk beside him but I do try to look where I'm going.

I'm here with you right now, aren't I? Not him. And not simply to ruin you in wizard chess. So play.