Some people are buildings. Cut crisply, cleanly, elegantly out of a utilitarian grey and set against a backdrop of people who are vastly less distinguishable. Such people are imposing when viewed up close, harsh in contrast with the clutter and haphazard affection of everyone else. But depending on your disposition and how soft the lighting may be, you can begin to see beauty in precision. You will begin to compromise yourself to be aligned next to a person so solidly dependent on exactitude, you will allow them to take advantage of your softness. It will test you inexcusably often and you will wonder, "Why am I doing this? Is this fair to myself?" and then just when you are near your end, something happens and it is like a mountain has leaned in, smiled, extended a path towards you and said, "No, the end is not here."

This may begin to approximate what is like to be friends with a Holmes. To also have a working and personal relationship with one, well, you can only imagine.

I first met Mycroft Holmes in France while working with the International Affairs office. An impeccably well dressed man with features equal parts cherubic and sinister, he acted as though he possessed the power to command anyone in the room, and truly all it took was a few not-so-veiled threats to higher ups and he had handled what he termed a "delicate situation."

Professional that I am, I showed no indication of my awe at the time. However he, by some position of chance, took rather pointed notice of me. Describing me as "uncommonly competent" for having arranged all his meetings with officials around his other engagements and well within the time parameters he had given me before his flight home. I was absolutely miffed when he asked to see my supervisor, thinking that he intended to complain and simply wanted to intimidate everyone in the room. I was both surprised and unnerved when I found out that he had given in my two weeks notice for me and left an invitation to lunch the next day scrawled in smooth cursive on personal stationary complete with gold border. It read: "Miss Andrea Tamlin-

I wish to employ your services as my personal assistant long term. Please meet me tomorrow at The Cafe Vert, noon. A private car will be sent to deliver you from your home for your convenience.

Cordially, Mycroft Holmes."

Needless to say I was incensed that he was so certain of my compliance and thought it appropriate to interfere in my life in such a way. Once those feelings had cleared some I considered the repercussions of refusing a man with that amount of power, deciding it best to at least hear his full offer. The more I thought, the more I discovered myself relieved to be offered a way out of the position I had been in for so long, despite being overqualified. I set out a pressed dress suit for the next day and got ready for bed.