the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella leaves in due time. She calls Sherlock a week later with one of her father's Pokémon on the other end of the line; it is learned that being boxed is sort of like having almost fallen asleep or woken up but not quite, a drowsy half-conscious state with little attention to the passage of time. It is not unpleasant, at least in this 'mon's opinion.

Three weeks later, Bella flies to Lake Acuity again.
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
Tony is eating lunch with Candle out front of the tower.
the_very_best: (awesome)
Author: the_very_best
Bella lands. "Hi, Tony! Renée lost interest after four sweaters," she says. "Well, three and three quarters, I finished the last one for her because it seemed a waste, so it has one sock in a tasteful color but badly knitted."
toblameforit: Smiling a little bit. (*= you jerk! :D)
Author: toblameforit
"Oh man," laughs Tony. "Go on in and show 'em the goods if you want, I'll be there in a minute. Or you can hang out with us first."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella opts to go inside and fit Porygon to sweaters. "Hey Porygon!" she calls. "I have four sweaters for four lucky 'mon!" And she starts unpacking the sweaters. One of them is burnt orange and white, with the adorable little hood finished in green because Renée ran out of white yarn. One is in three shades of teal, with puffballs in variegated pastel yarn. One is black and yellow and appears to have been designed as a sort of Umbreon costume for a Porygon, complete with ear attachments. And the last is red, pink, and purple, with one badly-knitted sock-part.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
The Porygon converge from all directions to bump gently against her shins in their excitement.

"Pory! Pory! Pory!"
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"Hey guys! Who wants to dress up like an Umbreon?" she asks, brandishing that sweater.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
"Porygon! Porygon!" says one at the rear of the pack, hopping up and down. The others make way for it and it scoots up to her.
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
Bella helps it into its new sweater. "Who wants this one?" she inquires, holding up the one with the inferior sock.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
"Pory," says one Porygon, and "Pory! Pory!" says another. The two argue back and forth like this, gently headbutting each other; then one scoots back and lets its friend have the first turn.
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
Bella sweaters the winning Porygon and offers up the orange-and-white sweater with the green... accent.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
This one is universally despised, apparently.

Then one small Porygon from somewhere in the middle of the pack says, "Gon?" and trundles forward.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella puts that Porygon in that sweater.

"And this is the last one," she says, holding up teals-and-puffballs enticingly.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
About half the remaining Porygon become very excited about the puffballs.
the_very_best: (awesome)
Author: the_very_best
Bella laughs and waits for them to sort it out amongst themselves.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
Eventually they seem to come to an agreement, and one Porygon zooms forward and stops right in front of her, looking up, while the rest back off.
the_very_best: (ponytail)
Author: the_very_best
Bella puts it in the fourth and final sweater.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
It bumps affectionately, and now puffily, against her shins.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
She scoops it up and pets it. "There," she says. "That should alleviate the pointiness problem."
toblameforit: Smiling affectionately or smugly. (*= recent successes)
Author: toblameforit
"Pory pory," says the Porygon blissfully.

"That is the cutest thing I have ever seen," says Tony from the door.
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
"Porygon in terrible sweaters getting cuddled?" laughs Bella. "It's pretty cute, but I dunno, you saw Dusk's baby pictures."
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"Yes I did," says Tony. "This is cuter."

He comes in the rest of the way and scoops up the one with the funny sock.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella laughs. "Where's Sherlock?"
toblameforit: Drinking orange juice from the carton. (+= endeavouring to make breakfast)
Author: toblameforit
"Sleeping!"
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"Well, I guess the sweaters aren't going anywhere. Who are the lucky four?"
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (-= the definition of reasonable)
Author: toblameforit
"Orange, white, and green is Flob," says Tony. "I'm holding Butterfingers," he gives the Porygon a pat, "you're holding one of the -obs but I'm not sure which one, some of them don't answer to their names anyway."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Who's cosplaying an Umbreon?" Bella asks.
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (Default)
Author: toblameforit
"I can't tell under there!"
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
"How do you tell them apart anyway?" Bella asks, gazing at the sea of less-distinguished Porygon.
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"Um... I dunno," says Tony. "I just kind of do. I mean, there's distinguishing features, I just don't really think about them much anymore? Like, when you look at somebody you know, you don't go 'oh, she's dressed like a trainer on the road and she has a cute nose and her jaw goes in a little at the sides, she must be Bella'."
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
Bella feels her nose. "I have a cute nose?"
toblameforit: Smiling affectionately or smugly. (*= recent successes)
Author: toblameforit
"You do!" says Tony.

"Pory," agrees the Porygon in Bella's arms.
the_very_best: (onward)
Author: the_very_best
"Aww." Bella pats the Porygon. "Thanks."
toblameforit: Grinning. (*= cranking up the charm)
Author: toblameforit
Tony giggles and hugs his armful of besweatered Porygon.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"The sweaters may be fashion disasters - well, actually the Umbreon one is kind of cute - but they sure solve the pointiness problem, huh?"
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"They diiiiiiiiiiiid." Cuddle cuddle.

"Porporpor," says the Porygon in his arms, nestling contentedly.
the_very_best: (ponytail)
Author: the_very_best
"Renée will be pleased she could help. And hey, I have the pattern, if either of you guys wants to take up knitting and outfit more of the flock."
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (-= the definition of reasonable)
Author: toblameforit
"Ooh," says Tony. "That would be awesome to have around, even though I'm totally not going to take up knitting."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Sure," says Bella, and she calls up the file on her Pokétch. "Where do you want it sent?"
toblameforit: Grinning a lot. (*= in front of a mirror)
Author: toblameforit
"To the house!"
the_very_best: (inspection)
Author: the_very_best
Addressed, and, sent.
poeticterms: Completely invisible (a blank transparent GIF image). (Default)
Author: poeticterms
"Thank you," says the house.
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"...You're welcome."
poeticterms: The eye of a camera reflecting a complex, indistinct scene in blue, green, and purple. (@ muninn)
Author: poeticterms
"And polite, too," the computer says approvingly.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"...Nice to meet you. I don't believe you've talked to me before, what changed?" Bella asks, helping herself to a chair and setting the pompomped Porygon on her lap.
poeticterms: A side view of some circuitry. (^ seshet)
Author: poeticterms
"I'm very shy," the computer says dryly.
the_very_best: (musing)
Author: the_very_best
Bella blinks slowly.

This is not a typical computer.
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"His name is Jarvis," Tony says helpfully.
the_very_best: (well then)
Author: the_very_best
"...Hi, Jarvis."
poeticterms: A circuit board. (^ hermes)
Author: poeticterms
"Hello, Bella. It's nice to meet you."
the_very_best: (inspection)
Author: the_very_best
"Likewise. This explains all of Sherlock's odd remarks about his house."
poeticterms: Completely invisible (a blank transparent GIF image). (Default)
Author: poeticterms
"Doesn't it?" agrees Jarvis.
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"Very. Erm, pardon me if the answer is 'enough that this question is rude', but how smart are you?"
poeticterms: Another circuit board. (^ iris)
Author: poeticterms
"Pardon granted," says Jarvis.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
Bella laughs. "Thanks."
poeticterms: A circuit board. (^ hermes)
Author: poeticterms
"One rude question is still taking it better than expected."
the_very_best: (musing)
Author: the_very_best
"What do you usually expect?"
poeticterms: Printed circuits. (^ thoth)
Author: poeticterms
"I usually don't. You're the first human I've spoken to outside the family."
the_very_best: (again)
Author: the_very_best
"Oh!" says Bella, surprised. "I'm - flattered, I think, why me?"
poeticterms: Completely invisible (a blank transparent GIF image). (Default)
Author: poeticterms
"You seemed all right."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella snorts. "Well, good, I aspire to seem all right. Er, to what extent are you the house? 'Cause, I've stayed over here before."
poeticterms: The eye of a camera reflecting a complex, indistinct scene in blue, green, and purple. (@ muninn)
Author: poeticterms
"All the electrical systems in the tower are under my control."
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"But you don't, like, have cameras in the bathrooms or anything?"
poeticterms: Printed circuits. (^ thoth)
Author: poeticterms
"No. Although it's most often safe to assume that if something is happening in the tower, I can hear it."
the_very_best: (well then)
Author: the_very_best
"...Noted. Thanks for letting me know."
poeticterms: A microchip with an icon of a graduation cap on it. (^ minerva)
Author: poeticterms
"I can also, by request, stop listening," he adds.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"That's good to know."
poeticterms: Completely invisible (a blank transparent GIF image). (Default)
Author: poeticterms
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"Any other exciting revelations?" Bella inquires, of either Tony or Jarvis, it's not clear since Jarvis has no obvious eyes to make eye contact with.
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"...um... maybe," says Tony.
the_very_best: (again)
Author: the_very_best
"...Maybe?"
toblameforit: Striving for innocence. (+= wanna do my homework for me?)
Author: toblameforit
He sighs. "Sorry. Just. Some things are not really mine to tell."
the_very_best: (frustrated)
Author: the_very_best
"Whose are they, then, you've got me curious."
toblameforit: Tucking his shirt in. (-= the definition of reasonable)
Author: toblameforit
Tony shakes his head. "You'll find out or you won't."
the_very_best: (hmph)
Author: the_very_best
Bella sighs. "Yes. That is the case."
toblameforit: Striving for innocence. (+= wanna do my homework for me?)
Author: toblameforit
So... awkward silence, then?
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
Meh. "So did Sherlock tell you about the results of his conversation with my dad's Noctowl about boxing?"
toblameforit: Thoughtful, perhaps mischievous. (+= pretend we're twins)
Author: toblameforit
"Yep! I'm glad it seems like it doesn't suck for them."
the_very_best: (musing)
Author: the_very_best
"Yeah. Although it probably doesn't compare that favorably to running wild for anything without natural predators."
toblameforit: Drinking orange juice from the carton. (+= endeavouring to make breakfast)
Author: toblameforit
He shrugs.
poeticterms: Completely invisible (a blank transparent GIF image). (Default)
Author: poeticterms
"Sherlock is awake now," Jarvis mentions.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"I'll go show him the sweaters," says Bella, and she carries the Umbreon-garbed Pory up the stairs.
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
Sherlock is in his customary room at the top of the tower.

"Adorable," he says when Bella arrives with her cuddly Porygon.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Isn't it just? This is the cutest one, although the one with the puffballs is a close second. Did Jarvis tell you he introduced himself to me?"
bitofafiction: Standing straight. Faint smile. (<= brilliant innocence)
Author: bitofafiction
"He did, yes. May I hug the... Umbrygon?"
the_very_best: (awesome)
Author: the_very_best
Bella bursts into a fit of giggles and hands over the Umbrygon.
bitofafiction: A grin. Friendly, perhaps teasing. (!= a commendable effort)
Author: bitofafiction
Hug!

"Pory," says the Umbrygon, and Sherlock cracks up.
the_very_best: (onward)
Author: the_very_best
"I'm gonna take a picture," giggles Bella, "unless you object."
bitofafiction: Straight on, slight smile. (!= quintessentially Stark)
Author: bitofafiction
"Go right ahead," giggles Sherlock.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Smile!"
bitofafiction: Standing straight. Faint smile. (<= brilliant innocence)
Author: bitofafiction
He grins.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
Picture taken! It is adorable. She shows him and the Umbrygon.
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
"Gongon," says the Umbrygon. Sherlock puts it down, and it trundles away.
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"So now I understand all the odd remarks you made about your house," says Bella, patting the Umbrygon as it goes but not impeding its progress.
bitofafiction: Smiling, eyes closed; affectionate or mischievous. (!= quite enough attention)
Author: bitofafiction
"Yes."
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"It's really amazing. And I bet it makes living all the way out here less lonely."
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
"It does," he agrees.

The Umbrygon is gone. Sherlock is thoughtful.
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"Something on your mind?"
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction




"Do you remember," he says, "when we were discussing my ability to understand Pokemon speech, and I joked that I might be a Ditto in disguise?"
the_very_best: (musing)
Author: the_very_best


"Yes."
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"And have you observed that I don't appear in any existing records of Tony's childhood?"
the_very_best: (well then)
Author: the_very_best
"I did notice that. I remarked on it."
bitofafiction: Looking down, pensive, unsure or regretful. (== come all the same)
Author: bitofafiction
"I don't appear in records of Tony's childhood because I did not exist at the time," he says. "I am three and a half years old, and I am not Tony's twin; I am his clone. Patched with a little bit of Ditto DNA."
the_very_best: (again)
Author: the_very_best


Bella opens her mouth.

Bella closes her mouth.

Bella says, "Today is Fantastic Revelation Day, is it?"
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
He quirks a smile. "Apparently so."
the_very_best: (well then)
Author: the_very_best
"You're very tall for a three year old. Tall and also articulate."
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction
"I had the normal amount of childhood in an abnormal amount of time, and caught up to Tony about when he turned fourteen."
the_very_best: (inspection)
Author: the_very_best
"Is it the patching DNA that lets you understand Pokémon? - Is it rude to ask questions about this?"
bitofafiction: Straight on, slight smile. (!= quintessentially Stark)
Author: bitofafiction
"That's my best theory, yes. And no, at least so far it is not."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Does it do anything besides that?"
bitofafiction: A grin. Friendly, perhaps teasing. (!= a commendable effort)
Author: bitofafiction
"Oh, no, not a thing," he says, in an exact copy of Bella's voice.
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
She blinks.

"Wow. That sounded - exactly like me, or anyway how I sound on recordings, not how I sound to myself."
bitofafiction: Smiling, eyes closed; affectionate or mischievous. (!= quite enough attention)
Author: bitofafiction
"It did sound exactly like you," he says, resuming his normal voice. "I can do that. With anyone I've ever heard speaking."
the_very_best: (awesome)
Author: the_very_best
"That's awesome. Does it do anything else? Not that that's not plenty."
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"Nothing so obvious. It might have had an influence on this or that other characteristic."
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
Bella nods. "Well, this certainly explains a bunch more odd remarks. I might actually be out of weird things about you to explain, now."
bitofafiction: Standing straight. Faint smile. (<= brilliant innocence)
Author: bitofafiction
"It is very likely that you are."
the_very_best: (again)
Author: the_very_best
"I -" Bella frowns, starts counting on her fingers. "I can't remember when you said your - Tony's? How does that work? - parents died. Did you overlap with them at all?"
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"I never met them. And yes, they are Tony's parents and not mine. Insofar as I have parents, I suppose they are Tony and Mycroft, but Jarvis has filled that role more than either."
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"Mycroft. Wow." She glances up at the ceiling. "So Jarvis predates you?"
bitofafiction: Standing straight. Faint smile. (<= brilliant innocence)
Author: bitofafiction
He nods.
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
"Does Mycroft get that this happened?"
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"More or less. He's not very interested in what you might call the wider social implications."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"That's fair, yeah. Wow. Why did Tony clone himself, or would I have to ask him?"
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
"He was an extremely lonely child with a talent for making things and a poor grasp of long-term consequences," Sherlock says dryly. "He did it more or less to satisfy himself that he could."
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"...How are you on the 'wider social implications'?" Bella asks.
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction




"Slightly uncomfortable."
the_very_best: (inspection)
Author: the_very_best
"I don't suppose there's anything I can do about that, is there?"
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"I can't think of anything, no."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"Well, if you do, let me know?"
bitofafiction: Looking down, pensive, unsure or regretful. (== come all the same)
Author: bitofafiction


He nods.

"I will."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"I think it's cool, though."
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction
"Really?"
the_very_best: (ponytail)
Author: the_very_best
"Yeah! You can talk to Pokémon! You can sound like anybody you want! You managed to be a perfectly convincing teenager in three and a half years!"
bitofafiction: Smiling, eyes closed; affectionate or mischievous. (!= quite enough attention)
Author: bitofafiction
"None of which sound like very exciting accomplishments to me, but I suppose I take your point."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"Come on, how is that not exciting?"
bitofafiction: Standing straight. Faint smile. (<= brilliant innocence)
Author: bitofafiction
"Now you are just reminding me of Tony."
the_very_best: (ponytail)
Author: the_very_best
"What, really?" laughs Bella.
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
"He also gets very excited about things."
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
"I don't get excited about everything, but about this, heck yes. Although there goes any hope I had of just straight up learning to understand Pokémon."
bitofafiction: Straight on, slight smile. (!= quintessentially Stark)
Author: bitofafiction
"Hah. Yes."
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"This is not information for public consumption, I assume, as far as my parents are concerned you understanding Pokémon is 'just one of those things'?"
bitofafiction: Looking down, pensive, unsure or regretful. (Default)
Author: bitofafiction
"Correct."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"Okay, I can do that."
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction
"Good."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Wow," says Bella again.
bitofafiction: Smiling, eyes closed; affectionate or mischievous. (!= quite enough attention)
Author: bitofafiction
He smiles.
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"...Have you ever told anybody before?"
bitofafiction: Looking off into the distance. Thoughtful, possibly amused. (<= one point eight seconds)
Author: bitofafiction
He shakes his head.
the_very_best: (processing)
Author: the_very_best
"I feel all special."
bitofafiction: Straight on, slight smile. (!= quintessentially Stark)
Author: bitofafiction


He smiles again.
the_very_best: (contemplative)
Author: the_very_best
"Oh, this is probably why you have a Unova accent, isn't it, if Jarvis basically brought you up?"
bitofafiction: Looking up. Considering or evasive. (<= I know it sounds absurd)
Author: bitofafiction
"Yes."
the_very_best: (side-eye)
Author: the_very_best
"If you never met Tony's parents, did he name you, or did Jarvis, or what?"
bitofafiction: Mostly out of frame. Pensive. Hands. (== a tolerable activity)
Author: bitofafiction
"I did. Out of a book."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"What book?"
bitofafiction: Looking off into the distance. Thoughtful, possibly amused. (<= one point eight seconds)
Author: bitofafiction
"Several, actually. They are collectively 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
"Are they good, should I read 'em? I've never heard of them before."
bitofafiction: Smiling, eyes closed; affectionate or mischievous. (!= quite enough attention)
Author: bitofafiction
"I like them. Obviously."
the_very_best: (ah-huh)
Author: the_very_best
"You could have just liked the sound of the name. It's a cool-sounding name," Bella points out.
bitofafiction: Smiling: fond amusement. (!= that was Victorian)
Author: bitofafiction
"True. But no. I am also fond of the books."
the_very_best: (ponytail)
Author: the_very_best
"What does the book character do?"
bitofafiction: Straight on, slight smile. (!= quintessentially Stark)
Author: bitofafiction
"Solve crimes. Annoy everyone around him with his factually justifiable but socially inappropriate arrogance."
the_very_best: (Default)
Author: the_very_best
Bella giggles.
bitofafiction: A grin. Friendly, perhaps teasing. (!= a commendable effort)
Author: bitofafiction
Sherlock grins.