You can dance if you want to

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone
TONE: PAR-TAY
RATING: PG-Rish?
WHEN: December 24th
WHERE: Hogwarts Great Hall
WHAT: The Yule Ball!
NOTE: The log is going up now due to the holiday season. We'll have a thread for the announcements of the winners for King, Queen, Prince and Princess. Dumbledore will start it off and you guys take it from there because he's going to go party on the dance floor. PS The train home will be leaving on the 22nd for those who want to spend Christmas with their family and 26th so students can stay for the ball, but we won't be doing a logs for the train.

Comments

[3houseswatson]

[Honestly, John's feeling a mixture of emotions, mostly trepidation and excitement, as he mills about the ball. He feels a bit underdressed, wearing robes that are just a bit nicer than his regular school robes. His family can't afford the type of extravagant robes he sees adorning many of his fellow students. That's not really a problem, though. Even if he had the opportunity to dress ostentatiously, he thinks it would feel weird. He's never been much for showy clothing, after all.

Most of his unease is because the castle has played fast and loose with his existence over the last month. Even worse, he can't remember too many details about any of it. He half expects something else to go wrong today.

That said, he has some memories - vague ones, like chasing shadows - of when his future self took his place here. He remembers nothing besides the fact that he was married. So, that's a good sign. Who knows? He could even meet the future Mrs. Watson here at the ball.]

[3potionproblem]

[Despite a general distaste for playing up to the formalities of his station, Sherlock's robes fit him perfectly and were in perfect condition, just waiting for a chance to be worn. He considered it all part of his disguise rather than a uniform for the participation in a social engagement. He wasn't there for dancing or having fun. He was there to observe people and try and figure out what was going on with the random dark magic interjections.

The recent events with mostly Hogwarts style mischief had played rather uneasily at his..well, not heart--he didn't have one. But it had hurt to have John dead in a way that parchment cuts didn't. And it had made him almost pleasantly numb in an uncertain capacity to have dream like memories of a surprisingly domestic future. It was all strange but something about the coming year end at least signaled the end of it all. He hoped.

Walking tall and proud in his best robes, Sherlock searched for John and paced quickly to him, doing his best to float and not bounce his way over the stone. It felt like ages since he'd properly been in John's company. His eagerness to reacquaint himself was almost surprising.]

It almost seems like it should be outside favorable odds we both should meet again.

[3houseswatson]

[John gives him a grin.]

Yeah, no kidding. Especially with us being normal. ... well, what we consider normal anyway, which I admit might be stretching the definition a bit. Not altered by the castle, at any rate.

You're dressed very snazzy for someone who mostly wants to observe others.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock smirks.]

I'm dressed simply enough. You should see the ones I have at home. Silver thread embroidery, platinum buttons--conspicuous consumption at its finest.

You don't look anything near as ridiculous as you think you do.

[3houseswatson]

[John shrugs off the semi-compliment, but clearly looks pleased to have heard it.]

Sounds very over-the-top. Now I'm wondering how many incriminating pictures of you as a kid in Little Lord Fauntleroy-style fancy outfits there are tucked away in your house.

[3potionproblem]

Hardly tucked away though I think I did manage to convince her to hide the ones involving French style smocks.

[He looks around a bit more now that he's found his John.]

I think we can agree that the recent adventures have been benign and not part of an overall dark magic plot, yes?

[3houseswatson]

If I ever end up in your house, I'll find them all. It's a challenge now.

[John crosses his arms and looks thoughtful.]

I think you're probably right. None of it really felt dark, from what little I can remember. But it's mostly vague impressions now. The one from a couple weeks back felt pretty awful, but the most recent one left me feeling rather nice.

[3potionproblem]

Inviting yourself over, are you? Very well.

I was unaffected by the event that had you dead and a ghost. My memories of that time are not pleasant, no. But it was distinctly different from the sense the other occurrences left. Everything here seems rather fine as well. How disappointing.

[3houseswatson]

Not inviting myself over, just stating what I plan to do if I ever end up there. [He wags a finger.] A small but important difference.

A ghost? Damn. Well, I guess that explains it. I mostly remember being very cold and angry about... mm... everything. And I wouldn't be too disappointed by the lack of dark magic for you to investigate. I only vaguely remember two things about the most recent prank the castle pulled on us, and one of them was that dark magic seemed to be on the rise from whenever I was from.

[3potionproblem]

You'd been murdered. You didn't know me. It will not go down as my most enjoyable investigation to date. And whatever future you came from sounds far more interesting than the one I recall. I don't remember anything about dark magic. Just... worry. Guilt.... An out of place peace of sorts.

[He runs his thumb along the inside of his left ring finger. It's bare but the motion is part of memory. There was metal there not long ago and yet so very distant indeed.]

[3houseswatson]

Murdered?

[John looks confused for a moment before it clicks in his head.]

That me wasn't just tortured by Death Eaters, was he? [Technically a question, but the tone doesn't really match.]

And... "whatever future"? Do you think there are multiple ones?

[3potionproblem]

There must be multiple futures unless you believe everything is written in stone and planned from the start. I put no faith in divination, John, and the murdered version of you proves it. Multiple versions of the past were once multiple versions of your future now gone by and solidified into the one, true path.

What we remember is just a possibility. It can be changed as easily as it will be forgotten.

[3houseswatson]

[John nods, looking thoughtful.]

Well... there is part of that potential future that I hope I get to keep for whatever "real" one I get. I just wish I could remember what was between point A - now - and point B - then so I could make sure.

[3potionproblem]

And what part is that?

[3houseswatson]

I'll say it only if you promise not to be completely dismissive and a bit of a prat about it.

[3potionproblem]

A tender subject indeed, then. Alright. You have my word.

[3houseswatson]

Well, I don't know if I'd say tender, but... well. I was married. I don't remember to who, but from the emotions I remember, I'd really like that bit of the potential future to remain unchanged.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock chortles and, feeling that perhaps that was not what he should have done, explains with a smile.]

John, you are an attractive man with saint-like patience, a kind disposition and an attitude not to be ignored. I have no doubts that someday you will find yourself a mate well within your standards.

[3houseswatson]

[John rolls his eyes at Sherlock's chortle, but still goes a bit pink at the ears at the unexpected praise.]

Yeah yeah, I know that, 'plenty of fish in the sea' and all that. Excuse me for thinking the one I had in that maybe-future was a definite keeper. I wish I could remember more about her.

[3potionproblem]

[It really shouldn't have bit at him. "Her". He did not have a crush on John Watson; that would be tremendously stupid of him. He didn't care like that about anyone. Was probably just... a stomach ache.]

Is that what muggles do? Proverbially cast out into the sea hoping to catching their proverbial mate?

Fish in the loch, John. There there be monsters.

[3houseswatson]

[John notices the slight change to Sherlock's expression and chalks it up as...]

Yes, yes, I know hearing about this kind of stuff bores you. And that you intend to be blessedly single all your days.

And what's this about fishing in the loch? What, date Scottish girls? No, I learned my lesson after my first girlfriend. Burnt that bridge a long time ago.

[3potionproblem]

I was married as well in that future world. All the more reason not to think it true.

I mean to say, don't settle for just some ordinary girl. If that's what the sea is, just a vast expanse of single women, then balls to it. Look for her somewhere that isn't teaming with pointless faces and names. And maybe have a bit of adventure while you're at it.

[3houseswatson]

[So John might be openly gaping at that little revelation.]

... wait, really? Really?

But, uh, don't worry about that. I might not remember who she was specifically, but she was definitely extraordinary, and make no mistake. Probably adventurous too, since I seem to recall being vaguely worried about a plan of hers.

[3potionproblem]

Your surprise at this revelation is noted. Thank you.

So John Watson grows up to be a careful doctor with a wild wife. I'm sure you'll both be very happy. Can we perhaps move on to more interesting topics of conversation?

[3houseswatson]

Sorry. It's just... well, you've always been the first person to scoff at the whole relationship thing. Mostly I'm impressed someone got you to change your mind.

[He holds up his hands palms-out in a placating gesture.]

But you're right, we can talk about something else. Especially since you make a strong case that whatever future it was won't be happening.