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[jumpthegun]

1201 Sugar Plum Grove

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[devoutish]

"Lay off". I was joking! He knows I was joking.

[The table is large and wooden, the kind of thing that might be seen in a tavern. Alfie takes his plate to sit next to Royce.]

You're gonna show it to him, yeah? It's one of mine from home.

[He lifts a hand, showing John the rest of the rings that are still on his fingers.]

[bywolves]

[ He does know Alfie was joking!

He grabs his own plate, settling down at the table. He's like, inhaling his food when Alfie speaks, so he has to take a second to be polite and actually show John the ring. It's very firmly attached with twine to a necklace he's got hidden under his shirt. ]

I'm not cute. [ Royce says to John, with a little teasing sort of expression. He's not mad, but he won't let that one pass. ]

[jumpthegun]

[John leans in to have a look at the ring, then leans back and points his fork at Royce.]

You're, like, five foot-two. You're kinda cute by default, mate.

[Then his attention turns to Alfie in mock-indignation.]

And so Fiona gets a piece of jewelry, he gets a piece of jewelry. What am I? Chopped liver?

[devoutish]

[The mention of Fiona has him carefully looking down at his plate as he eats.]

No, no, she was gonna give the bracelet back.

[bywolves]

[ Royce nudges Alfie just a little. Leans, for a second. ]

You're about an inch taller than me, be quiet. [ Royce says, lightly. ] Clearly you need to work harder, John.

[jumpthegun]

[He realizes the mistake or mentioning Fiona a moment too late. Still, he goes with Royce, trying to pick up the less trying part of the conversation.]

Try five inches. At least. And I'm not much for rings or the like. Think I can live without.

[devoutish]

[He leans back a little. Thanks, buddy.]

Three inches. And they are very nice rings.

[bywolves]

[ He gets it. ]

It's fine to be jealous, Watson. [ Royce continues to inhale his food. He's starving, as always, now that the poisoning is wearing off. ]

[jumpthegun]

[John scoffs, digging into his own food.] They're gaudy, is what they are. Suit you, but I've always been more for silver than gold.

[devoutish]

They're meant to be gaudy. And heavy, as well; these rings have wounded men.

[bywolves]

Are you calling Solomons gaudy? [ Royce asks, grinning a little. ] Not that I don't agree with you.

[ Also, he's really into the idea that Alfie's used the rings to like, hit people. Hell yes. ]

[jumpthegun]

My fist has wounded men, as well. Doesn't make it particularly special.

[He's absolutely calling Alfie gaudy.]

[devoutish]

That one there-- I think it's this one; Royce let me see which one you've got. Ah, yes.

[He picks it up to look, then lets it fall back against Royce's shirt.]

Yeah, that one's had blood on it, definitely. I remember cleaning it off.

[bywolves]

[ Royce rolls his eyes at John, and then tucks the ring under his shirt after Alfie's done touching it. ]

You're making Watson pout, Alfie. [ He's grinning, though. ]

[jumpthegun]

[John just huffs, pretending to pout properly as he shovels pasta into his mouth.]

'S not pouting. Just making faces at you two lovebirds. [There. Fine. He'll go back to that.]

[devoutish]

Would you like to hear more about my bloody rings?

[He says with a genial smile.]

How's the dinner?

[bywolves]

You can tell me more about your bloody rings later, dear. [ Royce says dryly, playing up on Watson's teasing.

As for dinner, Royce is done with his. He'll probably go get more, too. He gestures at his plate. ]

[jumpthegun]

Bloody good. Could do with some meat, though. Did you already eat those rabbits I caught for you? I can bring more by... along with the milk.

[He's considering just starting up a milk delivery service. They have enough beer bottles and they have a cow that produces more than Sherlock or John could ever want.]

[devoutish]

Yeah, those are long gone.

[They probably ate them the day he brought them over.]

Milk would be good, yeah. I've been making pancakes in the mornings, but with water.

[bywolves]

I can get us rabbits. You don't need to feed us like baby birds.

[ Royce goes ahead and gets up to get more pasta. When he settles back down, he gets to scarfing again. What? He's hungry. ]

We've been settling in.

[jumpthegun]

[That particular phrase, 'settling in,' has John pausing. His tone turns overly casual.]

Hmm. Just offering. I'll bring the milk, at least. We have the only cow around here for the mo. Probably the only one this place needs.

[devoutish]

[The shift gets Alfie looking up at him, peering with beady eyes.]

All right?

[bywolves]

[ Royce also raises his eyebrows. Come on, John, they both know you a little better than that. ]

[jumpthegun]

Fine. Leave it alone, Alfie. [And because that always works well with Alfie, he covers with a semi-lie.] I'm just tired of people complaining about me coddling them. [He waves a hand.] Had a row with Sherlock about it a while ago. I have a rifle and hunting here is easy. I'm not trying to go out of my way.

[devoutish]

I don't think Royce was actually complaining, mate.

[Gotta stick up for the boyfriend.]