In the woods

[bitofafiction]

It was a matter of some internal debate what Sherlock would do after finding his rooms. Options included: read the rulebook; explore the grounds; pick the locks on a dormitory door just to see if he could.

As tempting as he found the last option, he has put it aside for now, and can be found in the north end of the woods with his rulebook tucked under his arm. Occasionally, when he finds a nice spot to sit and read for a while, he does just that.

Comments

[princesspowerful]

Molly was exploring the grounds and when you're exploring of course you go into the woods. Why wouldn't you? She's not afraid! After a bit of wandering she comes upon a man and decides to hover over him to see what he's doing.

[bitofafiction]

The 'man' part of that sentence is debatable, seeing as Sherlock is only seventeen. Then again, age is a complicated subject with him.

What he's doing, at the moment, is reading his rulebook on a bench outside a small pavilion. He doesn't react immediately to her presence, but says as he turns the next page a few seconds later: "Good afternoon, miss."

[princesspowerful]

Seventeen is still much older than she is, so man seemed to fit for her, even if he wasn't an adult. If he was an adult she really wouldn't be talking with him. They're evil, you know.

For the entire time he doesn't respond to her, she just stares. And fixes her frog hat. And rocks back and forth impatiently, "Why are you reading?"

[bitofafiction]

"I thought it might be prudent," he answers without looking up.

[princesspowerful]

She tilts her head, "What does that mean?"

[bitofafiction]

Still without looking up: "Prudent. Wise. A good idea. It is always better to know the rules."

[princesspowerful]

Have more of a blank stare, "OH YOU MEAN SMART. That's dumb! Just play!"

[bitofafiction]

He meets her stare with one of his own at last, silently raising his eyebrows.

[princesspowerful]

"...What?" It made sense to her, just figure it out as you go along.

[bitofafiction]

"Improvisation has its place, but on the whole I prefer to know what I am doing before I try to do it."

[princesspowerful]

Blink, blink, "Imp- what?"

[bitofafiction]

"Improvisation: acting without a specific plan."

[princesspowerful]

"Do you know everything?"

[bitofafiction]

A brief smile flickers across his face.

"I try."

[princesspowerful]

"Do you have a computer brain?"

[bitofafiction]

"No, as a matter of fact."

[princesspowerful]

"Are you sure?"

[bitofafiction]

"Positive. I knew someone who was literally a computer before I came here. The differences are obvious."

[princesspowerful]

"THAT'S SO COOL! WAS IT A ROBOT?"

[bitofafiction]

"Not quite." Sherlock smiles. "An artificial intelligence."

[princesspowerful]

Hope you're not tired of the blank stares yet. She wasn't the tech savvy one of the group.

[bitofafiction]

"A computer that thinks," he translates patiently, "but not necessarily a robot."

[princesspowerful]

"Oh like Leapfrog!" she says excitedly. She knows an artificial intelligence thing! Isn't that so cool!

[bitofafiction]

"Very possibly, yes."

[princesspowerful]

"THAT'S SO COOL! WAS IT YOUR FRIEND?"