(no subject)

[if_inconvenient]

One entirely innocuous afternoon, Sherlock places a call through Jarvis to Cal's cellphone.

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

"While I would be tempted to join you, I think I might stay here instead. Keep her honest, if such a thing is possible."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah?" Cal says. "Before or after you make pigs fly?"

This is the most comfortable the conversation has been so far, pulled away from uneasy subjects; Cal finds himself relaxing into his chair and smiling.

[if_inconvenient]

"Flying pigs is easy. All it requires is a catapult."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"By themselves." Cal is going to have to start making his hyperboles more detailed at this rate.

[if_inconvenient]

"I assure you catapulted pigs are quite solitary. I could do this all day, you know."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal considers this.

"You suck," he decides.



"Not if you catapult them in groups," he adds a few seconds later.

[if_inconvenient]

He cracks up.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal starts laughing, too.

[if_inconvenient]

"Those poor pigs," he manages after a moment. "We ought to give them parachutes if we are to be flinging them across the sky in such a fashion."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Of course they get parachutes. You're too much of a smartass to give them wings."

How thoughtless of you, Sherlock.

[if_inconvenient]

"Wings need to be correctly operated. Parachutes are passive. I am only thinking of the welfare of the pigs."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Then teach them to use the wings," Cal says. "Parachutes can go wrong. And isn't there - yeah, how would they pull the cord?"

It's all about the details.

[if_inconvenient]

"Parachutes can be passive, I should say."

He is much too cheerful about being corrected.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Are you gonna pull the cord for them?" Cal asks.

[if_inconvenient]

"Are you going to design an ornithopter?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

A what? Cal pauses.

"Three of them," he says with assurance.

[if_inconvenient]

"I commend your ability to sound as though you know what you're talking about. A device that flies by the use of automated flapping wings," he explains. "As opposed to a fixed-wing craft such as those that actually exist."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I always know what I'm talking about."

Except for when he doesn't.

"We'll have to get Tony in on that."

[if_inconvenient]

"No doubt he will be thrilled to indulge our whimsy."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Who wouldn't want to design wings for pigs?" Cal asks, managing to sound entirely reasonable despite his grin.

[if_inconvenient]

"It all depends on how the matter is presented. Tell him it's impossible and you'll have your flying pigs in a week."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal laughs.

"Maybe I'll go over tomorrow and do that."

[if_inconvenient]

"Do let me know how it goes."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I'll report in right away," Cal promises.

[if_inconvenient]

"You can call me through Jarvis."