Amnesty Drabble Cycle
Aug. 6th, 2011 09:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
capt_facepalmAuthor: ![[info]](https://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=1)
capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters: Dr John H. Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Summary: Compilation of Amnesty Prompts
Warnings: Link of all 10 drabbles is deliberate, but coherence suffers due to self-imposed 100-word drabble limit
Word Count: 10 x 100
Author's Notes: Numbers in [square brackets] represent prompt number. An index is provided at the end.
[4]
Cherbourg 1896-11-27 11:30AM
CHANNEL CROSSED WITHOUT INCIDENT STOP
ON TO PARIS STOP
NO NEED TO WORRY STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
London 1896-11-30 3:00PM
HOW IS MEDICAL CONFERENCE QUERY
SH FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 5:30PM
CONFERENCE VERY INTERESTING STOP
MANY NEW ADVANCES STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 6:30PM
CHANGE OF PLANS STOP
RECEIVED NEWS OF BUCKLANDS DEATH STOP
LEAVING FOR BELFAST IMMEDIATELY STOP
MEMORIAL IN DERRY TO FOLLOW STOP
EULOGY REQUIRED STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
London 1896-11-30 7:00PM
NO INTERESTING WORK HERE STOP
AVAILABLE FOR TRAVEL IF NECESSARY STOP
SH FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 7:05PM
APPRECIATE OFFER STOP
MUST DO THIS ALONE STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
[2]
An impertinent tap on his shoulder made Dr Watson jump. An impatient Frenchman gestured that the queue had moved.
The Irish Sea remained calm for December. The railway snaked along rivers sandwiched among the rolling hills, making good time.
Watson’s heart was heavy with his upcoming task. He was still too young to be attending the funerals of his contemporaries. Dr Samuel Buckland had been with the 66th at Maiwand and had remained with the medical corps until his retirement.
Large white flakes of snow and a sombre delegation met him on the platform to accompany him to the church.
[9]
Here rests Samuel Buckland, our good friend
And this makes us question the divine plan
Of why such a fine man’s life must end
But, you see, Death has no respect for man.
As Surgeon-Major he kept his men alive
Earning commendations in far away Sudan
As a civilian doctor he helped his patients thrive
But what respect has Death for man?
Look past the disease, the pain, the ending, and the shroud
We mortals honour him as best as we can
And in his life well lived we must be proud
For callous Death has no respect for man.
[7]
Derry 1896-12-07 8:30AM
IS TRAVEL OFFER STILL OPEN QUERY
LIVERPOOL THURSDAY NIGHT STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
Sherlock Holmes met a tired and saddened John Watson at Liverpool Station and they boarded the London train.
Watson pulled out a battered book and handed Homes a picture of a fresh-faced young soldier.
‘Preston found some of my things from Khandahar.’
‘That’s not you! Where’s your moustache?’
‘Couldn’t grow one.’
Holmes’ amusement dwindled as he compared the old photograph with his friend. Watson had been very young indeed.
‘Eventually, Frazer chloroformed me and inked one on,’ Watson smirked.
Holmes chuckled.
WHUMP! CRASH!
‘What the…?’
[1]
‘While I appreciate your defending my honour, to do so against three gentlemen twice your size errs on the side of foolhardiness.’
Holmes and Watson listened at the door.
‘But Sarah…’
‘Tommy Marchant, you are an imbecile!’
‘But Sarah… oww!’
Watson slowly opened the passageway door. Outside, a young man crouched, bleeding against the wall. The doctor motioned to Holmes for help. Young Marchant would have a blackened eye and bruises from his rough treatment.
‘Doctor, am I crazy?’ the boy asked.
‘You were outnumbered… is she worth it?’
‘Yes. Absolutely.’
‘Well then, next time, strike first and strike hard.’
[8]
At 2:15AM, Watson woke to the lack of movement. The light in the passageway was enough to reveal Holmes awake and wary.
‘I don’t know where we are. We’ve been stopped for an hour. Now that you’re awake, I’ll go and find out why.’
Watson nodded, standing and stretching. The compartment was stuffy from the overzealous heating system and smoke from their earlier tobacco. He opened the window a fraction and was met with driven rain.
A few minutes later, Holmes returned.
‘We’re stuck here. Flooding has taken out the tracks ahead.’
‘I cannot see outside.’
‘There’s nothing to see.’
[3]
The rain continued and daybreak found the train still stalled. Both Holmes and Watson found sleep elusive and remained awake.
‘Watson, please reconsider your decision to stay in Kensington. Move back to Baker Street.’
‘Mrs Hudson put you up to this.’
‘Of course she did. But she is right. You don’t live in your house, you haunt it.’
‘What I wouldn’t give to turn back time, but I have my practice now. I really do help people.’
‘You used to help me…’
‘…and I always will.’
After an urgent knock, the conductor entered.
‘Mr Holmes, there has been an attack!’
[5]
Dr Watson examined the victim, one of the young men who had earlier assaulted Thomas Marchant, and diagnosed a severe concussion. The young man had been struck on the back of the head and had not regained consciousness.
A line-up of suspects was assembled. Although the evidence pointed squarely at Marchant, Holmes began a long description about dust, footprints, and cigarette ash.
One the victim’s friends became agitated. A sudden punch caught Holmes in the nose.
The fleeing suspect impacted the door which Watson just kicked shut.
Watson helped the detective to his feet.
‘Not everyone appreciates your long-winded exposés.’
[6]
William Deegle, glared at Holmes from rapidly blackening eyes as he sat, securely bound in a chair. He had plotted to frame Thomas Marchant for attacking his friend in revenge for his earlier beating.
Watson smiled as Sarah clung to Marchant’s arm with loving admiration.
‘Come along, Holmes. This situation has been resolved.’
‘You see how I still need my Boswell?’
‘To patch you up when you tangle with ruffians…’
‘More than that! My reflexes are slowing. I need my right-hand man, more than ever.’
‘Excuses! I suspect you let that blow land on purpose!’
Holmes raised a non-committal eyebrow.
[10]
It took another full day before Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson could return to London. Waiting for news was more tiring than actual travelling. Eventually, they had to take a carriage to circumvent the flooded section of rail and rejoin the line at Birmingham.
At Euston Station, Holmes turned to Watson.
‘So, you’re resolved to remain in Kensington.’
‘Does that make me seem ungrateful, especially when you rushed to Liverpool at my request?’
‘Not at all. It hurts to lose one’s friends. I’m glad I could be there…’
This time. Those words, though unspoken, were nonetheless understood by both men.
Authors Notes: Index of Prompts
[1] “While I appreciate your defending my honour, to do so against three gentlemen twice your size errs on the side of foolhardiness.”
[2] Railway, white, snake, jump, sandwich
[3] Pivotal plot point (Watson did not move back to Baker Street after the Hiatus)
[4] Epistolary in Telegrams
[5] Punch in the nose
[6] Gratuitous and shameless H/C/Schmoop
[7] Fan-fiction using Pompey’s OC Phils Frazer (Trust to Your Luck), and mention of Surgeon-Major A.F. Preston
[8] Natural disaster - flood
[9] Rhyme time
[10] Beginning and an ending
capt_facepalm Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters: Dr John H. Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Summary: Compilation of Amnesty Prompts
Warnings: Link of all 10 drabbles is deliberate, but coherence suffers due to self-imposed 100-word drabble limit
Word Count: 10 x 100
Author's Notes: Numbers in [square brackets] represent prompt number. An index is provided at the end.
[4]
Cherbourg 1896-11-27 11:30AM
CHANNEL CROSSED WITHOUT INCIDENT STOP
ON TO PARIS STOP
NO NEED TO WORRY STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
London 1896-11-30 3:00PM
HOW IS MEDICAL CONFERENCE QUERY
SH FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 5:30PM
CONFERENCE VERY INTERESTING STOP
MANY NEW ADVANCES STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 6:30PM
CHANGE OF PLANS STOP
RECEIVED NEWS OF BUCKLANDS DEATH STOP
LEAVING FOR BELFAST IMMEDIATELY STOP
MEMORIAL IN DERRY TO FOLLOW STOP
EULOGY REQUIRED STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
London 1896-11-30 7:00PM
NO INTERESTING WORK HERE STOP
AVAILABLE FOR TRAVEL IF NECESSARY STOP
SH FULLSTOP
Paris 1896-11-30 7:05PM
APPRECIATE OFFER STOP
MUST DO THIS ALONE STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
[2]
An impertinent tap on his shoulder made Dr Watson jump. An impatient Frenchman gestured that the queue had moved.
The Irish Sea remained calm for December. The railway snaked along rivers sandwiched among the rolling hills, making good time.
Watson’s heart was heavy with his upcoming task. He was still too young to be attending the funerals of his contemporaries. Dr Samuel Buckland had been with the 66th at Maiwand and had remained with the medical corps until his retirement.
Large white flakes of snow and a sombre delegation met him on the platform to accompany him to the church.
[9]
Here rests Samuel Buckland, our good friend
And this makes us question the divine plan
Of why such a fine man’s life must end
But, you see, Death has no respect for man.
As Surgeon-Major he kept his men alive
Earning commendations in far away Sudan
As a civilian doctor he helped his patients thrive
But what respect has Death for man?
Look past the disease, the pain, the ending, and the shroud
We mortals honour him as best as we can
And in his life well lived we must be proud
For callous Death has no respect for man.
[7]
Derry 1896-12-07 8:30AM
IS TRAVEL OFFER STILL OPEN QUERY
LIVERPOOL THURSDAY NIGHT STOP
JHW FULLSTOP
Sherlock Holmes met a tired and saddened John Watson at Liverpool Station and they boarded the London train.
Watson pulled out a battered book and handed Homes a picture of a fresh-faced young soldier.
‘Preston found some of my things from Khandahar.’
‘That’s not you! Where’s your moustache?’
‘Couldn’t grow one.’
Holmes’ amusement dwindled as he compared the old photograph with his friend. Watson had been very young indeed.
‘Eventually, Frazer chloroformed me and inked one on,’ Watson smirked.
Holmes chuckled.
WHUMP! CRASH!
‘What the…?’
[1]
‘While I appreciate your defending my honour, to do so against three gentlemen twice your size errs on the side of foolhardiness.’
Holmes and Watson listened at the door.
‘But Sarah…’
‘Tommy Marchant, you are an imbecile!’
‘But Sarah… oww!’
Watson slowly opened the passageway door. Outside, a young man crouched, bleeding against the wall. The doctor motioned to Holmes for help. Young Marchant would have a blackened eye and bruises from his rough treatment.
‘Doctor, am I crazy?’ the boy asked.
‘You were outnumbered… is she worth it?’
‘Yes. Absolutely.’
‘Well then, next time, strike first and strike hard.’
[8]
At 2:15AM, Watson woke to the lack of movement. The light in the passageway was enough to reveal Holmes awake and wary.
‘I don’t know where we are. We’ve been stopped for an hour. Now that you’re awake, I’ll go and find out why.’
Watson nodded, standing and stretching. The compartment was stuffy from the overzealous heating system and smoke from their earlier tobacco. He opened the window a fraction and was met with driven rain.
A few minutes later, Holmes returned.
‘We’re stuck here. Flooding has taken out the tracks ahead.’
‘I cannot see outside.’
‘There’s nothing to see.’
[3]
The rain continued and daybreak found the train still stalled. Both Holmes and Watson found sleep elusive and remained awake.
‘Watson, please reconsider your decision to stay in Kensington. Move back to Baker Street.’
‘Mrs Hudson put you up to this.’
‘Of course she did. But she is right. You don’t live in your house, you haunt it.’
‘What I wouldn’t give to turn back time, but I have my practice now. I really do help people.’
‘You used to help me…’
‘…and I always will.’
After an urgent knock, the conductor entered.
‘Mr Holmes, there has been an attack!’
[5]
Dr Watson examined the victim, one of the young men who had earlier assaulted Thomas Marchant, and diagnosed a severe concussion. The young man had been struck on the back of the head and had not regained consciousness.
A line-up of suspects was assembled. Although the evidence pointed squarely at Marchant, Holmes began a long description about dust, footprints, and cigarette ash.
One the victim’s friends became agitated. A sudden punch caught Holmes in the nose.
The fleeing suspect impacted the door which Watson just kicked shut.
Watson helped the detective to his feet.
‘Not everyone appreciates your long-winded exposés.’
[6]
William Deegle, glared at Holmes from rapidly blackening eyes as he sat, securely bound in a chair. He had plotted to frame Thomas Marchant for attacking his friend in revenge for his earlier beating.
Watson smiled as Sarah clung to Marchant’s arm with loving admiration.
‘Come along, Holmes. This situation has been resolved.’
‘You see how I still need my Boswell?’
‘To patch you up when you tangle with ruffians…’
‘More than that! My reflexes are slowing. I need my right-hand man, more than ever.’
‘Excuses! I suspect you let that blow land on purpose!’
Holmes raised a non-committal eyebrow.
[10]
It took another full day before Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson could return to London. Waiting for news was more tiring than actual travelling. Eventually, they had to take a carriage to circumvent the flooded section of rail and rejoin the line at Birmingham.
At Euston Station, Holmes turned to Watson.
‘So, you’re resolved to remain in Kensington.’
‘Does that make me seem ungrateful, especially when you rushed to Liverpool at my request?’
‘Not at all. It hurts to lose one’s friends. I’m glad I could be there…’
This time. Those words, though unspoken, were nonetheless understood by both men.
.oOOo.
Authors Notes: Index of Prompts
[1] “While I appreciate your defending my honour, to do so against three gentlemen twice your size errs on the side of foolhardiness.”
[2] Railway, white, snake, jump, sandwich
[3] Pivotal plot point (Watson did not move back to Baker Street after the Hiatus)
[4] Epistolary in Telegrams
[5] Punch in the nose
[6] Gratuitous and shameless H/C/Schmoop
[7] Fan-fiction using Pompey’s OC Phils Frazer (Trust to Your Luck), and mention of Surgeon-Major A.F. Preston
[8] Natural disaster - flood
[9] Rhyme time
[10] Beginning and an ending
.oOOo.
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no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:21 am (UTC)Well done, though. You've managed to tie it all together quite neatly.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:37 am (UTC)I have been staying away from LJ since the Amnesty Prompts were announced, not wanting to be influenced by other writers and their works. Since we are all working from the same prompts, there will be likely be some overlap among our stories.
I'm just glad it is over. I may not be able to write again for some time. Would I sacrifice quality in order to gain the 40 extra coherence points? Yes, I guess I would!
Best of luck! You will do brilliantly!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 12:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 02:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-09 12:23 am (UTC)(Yes, that is TOTALLY something Phils would've done. To help out a friend, of course. ;) Can't have an officer wandering about with a naked face.)
no subject
Date: 2011-08-09 01:40 am (UTC)