Into the Attic

[impulsereader]

Sherlock, the bastard, giggled the entire walk back to the house. “Oh, don’t worry, John, that panto you did in uni will stand you in excellent stead. I’m not at all worried about your keeping up your end.”

“Neither am I, as I’m planning to find some unemployed West End swot and pay him to take my place.”

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New challenge – Sherlock is feeling a bit down; talking to John – in my head they’re outside, sitting under a tree – he remembers something from childhood and they set off into the attic to see if they can find it. What object are they hunting for? Also – things which John and Sherlock will find in dotty Uncle Rocky’s attic during the search. Go!

Comments

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I want to make it something quite as sentimental as a teddy. Sherlock is suffering from the Holmes family blues; still struggling with missing out on time with John because of Moriarty; feeling a bit off because things had changed while he was gone and he hasn't managed to slot himself back into the puzzle which is his existence quite yet. I imagine he has just had a nasty exchange with one of his less pleasant relatives and stalked off, but you can't shake unhappy memories quite that easily.

John is very aware that Sherlock is a bit more emotional than normal. He's been watching him struggle with this music that has unexpectedly become a project - and sees too that the music has taken on more meaning than is perhaps mentally healthy for his friend. So he follows, or finds him after a discreet amount of time.

He tries to cheer him up, and there have to be some good memories - perhaps especially associated with this place, because it wasn't Sherlock's actual home - which wasn't particularly happy - but a bit of a country refuge. Maybe Uncle Rocky's attic is where all the really good toys reside.

This link offered by another friend is brilliant - and you know Sherlock had a chemistry kit...I can't see him seeking out his old chemistry kit since he has such cool stuff in the flat, but this sort of thing perhaps? http://www.cracked.com/article_19481_the-8-most-wildly-irresponsible-vintage-toys_p2.html

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Oh, also, Sherlock clearly enjoys Christmas and he presumably spent most of his Christmases at Uncle Rocky's place performing Shakespeare and being tutored in chess, among other things. Perhaps it is a Christmasy sort of item?

[221b-hound.livejournal.com]

Yes, I didn't think a bear would be right, and now you've described the circumstances I can see it's the wrong note entirely.

Might it be related to music, then? Something that happened in this house that first helped him find music, and the solace he experiences with it. Was it Rocky or an aunt who let him stay up late to listen to the quartet playing for the soirée and discovered that it brought order and calm to his overstimulated mind. It might then be an instrument, a kind of playbill (I bet the family goes to the effort of creating programs for their Events). Maybe if this is the place where his music started, it gives him a foothold again?

(poor lad. *pets him*)