Fanart: "Scientifically Sound Explanation Is Optional"

[beeinmybonnet]

Title: Scientifically Sound Explanation Is Optional
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock Holmes
Genre: Portrait, Pencil; Illustration
Rating: G
Medium: Graphite drawing; retouched in Photoshop Elements 5.0

Disclaimer: This is a transformative work of art based on Guy Ritchie's adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories.



Full size: 724x849

If there is one thing Watson is certain of at this very moment, it's that there must be a scientifically sound explanation for this.

Probably. Possibly.

No. There definitely is a scientifically sound explanation, and Watson is convinced that if Holmes hadn't just turned into a child, he'd be evaluating the facts already, developing theories.

—A Silly Phase

Have you read zarah5's A Silly Phase? No? Then toddle off and read it. Take it from someone who is iffy about both kid!fics and spontaneous-metamorphosis!fics — it's that good.

As for my drawing, I know it's bit off, but I don't draw children very often. (I think the last time was... what, two years ago? Anyways.) Also, what is it with Wikipedia and having no information whatsoever on children's fashion during the 1880's?
Reference used ad nauseam. The model? Well... take a guess.

Comments

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

Depends on who's having the sex, if you ask me. While I won't prevent any two consenting adults from having it, I don't want watch everything. RDJ is in the want-category, though. I honestly can't say anything about the company I'm keeping -- I'm only social on the internet, so I suppose that is... a bad thing?

Ah, sorry! I spend so much time there I don't even give it a second thought. Er, ooops?

If you're up to writing that many beginnings, I have nothing against it. :D
We could, in theory, really mess with the readers by having that oogie-boogie prologue and have Holmes act more threatening/omnious/dark/untrustworthy/whatever than what he actually is, although that could backfire because then the readers expect Holmes to rape Watson at some point through the entire fic? Oh, so many possibilities! ♥

Really, your bedside manner is most appaling, my dear fellow. You are far too hostile; have you never heard of the act of soothing? It is a wonder you have any patients at all, my boy.

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

I suppose it does. But then I guess if I don't seek it out, I won't see it. Usually.

It's cool. In a supreme show of willpower, I managed to close the window fairly quickly.

The suspense could be interesting, you know. I have trouble believing that Holmes would rape anyone though. Perhaps, by contrast, it could be good to show Holmes as doing Holmes-y things in the prologue - chemical experiments and whathaveyou, and then move on to Watson being determined to catch him, confusing and intriguing the audience.

You have told me time and again that you do not need a doctor, and I tend to save my excellent bedside manner for people who might appreciate it. You are not ill in any way I am qualified to help you with. If you want soothing, have a cup of tea.

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

The only instance I could see Holmes commit rape would be if his mind snapped and he became delusional/didn't know what he was doing. And I know I don't want to read that.

True, that idea could work as well. Although then we don't have the tea party with Moriarty, which I am so ridiculously attached to. (And Colonel Morgan spying at them via the old hole-in-a-painting trick or whatever, and Holmes and Moriarty know very well he's there, know that the other knows, and both ignore it. God, that would make the whole fic look like utter crack, wouldn't it?)

And because I'm obstinate: further matters to bring up before we encounter them halfway into the fic and found ourselves at a loss.
A) At what point does Watson become/realise he's attracted to Holmes? I imagine Holmes is from the very beginning, but one can make up many different scenarios for Watson. Is Watson attracted to him from the start but in denial? Does he get attracted to him over time? Does he accept it, or does it creep up on him, or is he as surprised by the victory!sex as Holmes is?
B) What kind of, and how many, cases are there going to be in the fic? This I'm particularly interested in because I might as well do some good and research a bit. Holmes specializes in over-the-top thefts, right? Then we need the case which starts it all, then possibly several more depending how in-depth we go into Watson's "research", and then we arrive at the Beauty&theBeast period. We need one case where they try it out for the first time, one where they encounter Irene and the one which is pretty much the finale of the fic. Possibly some others inbetween?

Do you have any points you'd like to bring up?

Casting aspersions upon my mental health? Watson, this grieves me deeply. I shall retire to my rooms, alone, and wait for this pain to go away. (I'm afraid I can't; I conducted an experiment yesterday, when you were out helping the poor, and our supply of tea had to be sacrificed. Do not worry; it was in the name of science.)

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

I am not willing to sacrifice the Moriarty tea party - *but* I see no reason it couldn't take place while Watson was, say, chained to the radiator in the sitting room whilst it goes on and Moran is upset with Moriarty because he didn't go to such lengths to woo him into being his partner in crime. And Moriarty is just a little jealous because Watson is younger and prettier and has a better moustache than his sidekick.

I am not entirely sure, but I think a realisation moment that he is thinking about sexxing his captor and then a bunch of "I am not an invert" angst where he things he has actually snapped under the pressure but then realises that he had been attracted to the man's mind even when he was investigating him (facilitated but subtle hints in the narrative, not least of all ignoring his girlfriend) might be the way to do it. I am, of course, up for suggestions.

I think that yes, there needs to be the one that starts it all, and then a few more which show Watson that Holmes is actually a clever little bastard - they could perhaps escalate in scale? I want Watson to obsess for a reason, not merely because he is naturally obsessive (because I don't think he is).

And I don't know why but I desperately want the one where they meet Irene to take place at the British Museum, like one of those horribly cliched robberies with trip lasers and junk - except without the lasers, and with whatever crime prevention methods were in place at the time (guards, I imagine, but I do not actually know).

The others I am up for suggestions on but if you know of any actually occurring robberies of the time, those could be fun to incorporate.

I do have a question, actually - in which year would this be set? Early 1880's? Later? Because the boys got together in 1881, I believe, after Watson had been home for a little while, but maybe he needs a bit longer to establish himself? - I'll leave that question up to you.

Oh, Holmes. I did not wish to injure you; come sit with me on the settee and tell me all about your experiment. I promise not to shout at you over the tea.

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

asdjskhdsfhkgsjakfhkjjh OKAY, WE'LL GO WITH THIS VERSION, ALL RIGHT? God, that would be awesome. This has to be pretty early, I think, so Watson is still fighty and "::splutters and hisses:: FUCK YOU" to everything and everyone, and Holmes has to explain away his behaviour. "You have to excuse Watson, Mr Moriarty; he's... adapting himself at the moment and is a bit petulant. More tea?"
I wasn't going to make a dirty joke about Moriarty/Morgan, but again it proves to no avail -- you only end up doing them instead! (But yes, please, can't we have some seriously subtle subtext between them? You know, that can be just as easily brushed off as them being long-time partners and generally quick to take offence. Pretty please? :D)


YES, that sounds like a very good plan! ♥ I think it would be the most logical. And if Watson ever hinted at these things--homosexuality and ~sodomy~ in general--Holmes would be "... yes, so?" about the whole thing which just confuses Watson all the more. (I have this guilty pleasure idea that Watson might even forgo all kinds of intimacy with Mary because of Holmes, at least on occasion, like when Holmes just has commited a new crime. Then he'd be so busy doing research has no time for anything else kthxbye.)

Excellent; I'll do my best to think up situations and do some research. (Because incorporating actual robberies is a marvellous idea.) Which ties in nicely to your question when the hell all of this takes place. Well, we have a lot to play with. In canon, Holmes and Watson meet in 1881; Watson meets Mary in '87 or '88. The movie, on the other hand, takes place in '91. So we can pretty much pick and choose as we like. But I think that '84 or '85 would be the best? Like you said, then he's had some time to establish himself again and get those good-looks of his back and he'd be pretty much "going with the flow", so to speak.

... I agree. They meet Irene at the British Museum. Because we're allowed some clichés, dammit!

Well, if you insist. Move over-- there, perfect. Mind if I rest on your lap? So, I started wondering about the various effects off... [insert incomprehensible chemist nerd lingo]

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

LOL at Holmes treating Watson more or less like a new pet. Naturally this is what actually happens, which upsets Watson even more. And of course there are Moriarty/Moran undertones. I am a big fan of subtext.

Yes x1000 to Holmes being indifferent to Watson's suffering about his sexuality, and totally not getting why it might be a problem. (Also LOL "But John, can't we just-" "Sorry Mary, Holmes struck again, gotta go")

I am intrigued to know what tells us that the film takes place in '91, because I have been trying to place it, but that is largely irrelevant and I think '84-'85 works nicely (unless, of course, something really cool happened in '83 or something, besides which dates can be fudged since this is AU)

Cliches have a bad name - they are over used because they are actually pretty good.

[Insert contented sigh and absent hair-petting]

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

Well, Holmes treats him lovingly as a pet, because he actually doesn't know what else to do to show his affection other than to pet Watson's hair and coo at him. Which Watson doesn't get because he thinks he's being humiliated. Fuck, are we going to work subtle d/s vibes into this as well? I wonder if Watson would be suspicious of Moriarty and Morgan as well? I mean, in a paranoid way, not in a gaydar way. "All right, so Holmes is insane and paws me all the time; will those two colleagues of his do that as well? Eeek, get away from me!" "Don't worry about Watson, he doesn't bite. At least, not much, anyways."

Holmes is already on the wrong side of the law and has had previous lovers (I assume?) so of course he doesn't see why it should be a problem. As long as none of them go around with a sign saying "I sod men and like it" they ought to be fine. (Yes, exactly like that! With Mary steadily getting more and more cutting until she pulls that Victorian equivalent of "Well, if you like him so much, why don't you marry him?")

If I remember correctly--and according to internet resources--the paper Moriarty reads says "January 1891" or something like that. In the 221B game the dates on the various papers and such are November-December 1890, so that adds up.
So, '84-'85 is our starting point, unless an awesome crime was commited in another year, in which case we stretch our timeline a little. Correct?

Some clichés are horrible, but like you said, they're not all bad. The meeting-in-a-museum one isn't bad at all! :D

So. Anything else we need to discuss and/or have forgotten? ♥

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

Moriarty is sus, the Colonel even more so so I don't see why Watson wouldn't notice this. I melted a little at the suggestion that Watson would be concerned over being petted by everyone who walks through the damned door. Poor Watson.

"I sod men and like it." I lol'd. Harder than I should have. And I think we have discussed before that Holmes is a flaming queer. Sometimes literally on fire, even. But not obvious.

Ah, I never played the game - goes to show what you miss out on. Anyway yes, that's about the timeline.

I don't think there's anything else. Gimme a day or two to get something to you and we'll work from there?

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

Well, naturally, it would be hilarious if Watson thought he had been dragged into a molly house, but, uh, maybe that's too crack-y? Or perhaps not? As long as Watson tries to keep himself as far away from M&M as possible, I'm happy. (And this is the reason why this has to happen early in Watson and Holmes', er, acquaintance, because it has to be before Watson realises Holmes would never let him come to harm. Yes, I'd love to see Holmes deliver a no-holds-barred beatdown to a thug who attacks Watson. With Watson gaping stupidly at him for it.)

Holmes is, though, isn't he? I mean, even in the movie, unless I was hallucinating. Just, there was something horribly affected in his manner in the resturant scene, was it not? Not just him being rude and awkward, but actually eyebrow-raising. That cravat was so, so gay.

You haven't? I haven't finished it yet, but it's pretty, and have awesome briefing videos with Lestrade (♥!) and it fills in the plot of the film nicely. (It's a canon prequel to a canon fanfic!)

So soon!? I mean, certainly, of course, take all the time you need! ♥♥ I'll PM or e-mail you if I come up with something that cannot possibly wait, and you'll do the same, right? All right, we're ON!

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

Within days of his capture, I should think. Or possibly on the day of, and Watson has a horrible moment where he thinks he's going to be sold to the two of them, or something.

I suppose it was, come to that. Cravats, though, are the mark of a proper gentleman, slightly more concerned with fashion than Watson is (remembering that Holmes is interminably vain).

I am allergic to Facebook. It makes me sad.

Yep - if you come up with something, feel free to tell me about it, and I shall do likewise. *is excited*

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

... Let's keep that oh-my-god-is-he-going-to-sell-me-as-white-slave thing in, pretty please? ♥ Because then we can have Watson internally panicking and having to talk himself out of it by reminding himself he's a near expert at Holmes, and Holmes doesn't dabble in human trafficking, so get a grip on yourself already.

Oh, I know Holmes is vain like a peacock, but the first thing I noticed was that he wore the cravat under his collar rather than over it, which, hm, gave an interesting effect. (This is one of the drawbacks of swotting up on fashion. ::facepalm::) But he acted sort of snarkily flamboyant, clearly playing it up. Maybe that was another factor for Watson's irritation/awkwardness? "Brilliant, old chap, do act like a total nance, no one will notice it, I'm sure. Gargh!"

::coughs:: I hate Facebook with the passion of a gogolplex boiling saucepans, but my fangirlism won over in the end and I created a fake account. You don't have to do much more than that; only a (fake) name and (real) e-mail is required, thank god. (I wonder if the clips are available on-line. Hm...)