John Watson hopped out of the taxi after paying the fare, and headed up to the door. He was about to knock, but then reconsidered, and just headed inside. He hadn't seen Sherlock for four days now, since they had solved the mystery involving a very large diamond and twins who were very rich. When John walked in, Sherlock was lying on the sofa, with his hands against his mouth and chin. He jumped up, still in his dressing gown.
"Ah John! I was wondering when you'd turn up."
"Well I needed to make sure that you were ready for later."
"Later? What's later?... Ohh, yes, the Rhodes sisters' Christmas Benefit. John, do we have to?" Sherlock complained.
"Yes Sherlock, they asked us to come, and so come we will. Besides, when we were leaving before we went to the pub, you said there was something strange about something they had said. I don't even remember, but I assume you would want to investigate." John lured Sherlock. "C'mon, you have to get your things together."
"That's right. I did say that the way they were speaking was odd. I brushed it aside though. However," Sherlock rolled his neck and closed his eyes.
"Oh God, not this. Alright, well, I'm going to go get the suit I rented for you and when I get back, you had better be ready to go." John emphasized the word I each time, and then walked out of the room, and went into Sherlock's room and grabbed his things. When he came back out, Sherlock was looking up at him curiously.
"What to do you mean, go?" He seemed annoyed to be pulled out of wherever it is he was, which, John knew by now, could be anywhere from his Mind Palace to the sofa he was on.
"Well, you're coming to me and Mary's place to get ready, because the Rhodes sisters wanted us all to go together. Now come on." Sherlock stood up and put on his scarf and then his belstaff. "You're not gonna change?"
"John, you of all people know I don't need my pants. Besides, I'd just have to change again at your place. Let's go." The two left the building, but not before shouting out to Mrs. Hudson and letting her know that they would be out late. Sherlock hailed the taxi amid the snow, with John following, carrying the bag and they both got inside.
"So you figure anything out about whatever it is you were wondering about?" Sherlock smiled at John's comment.
"Indeed I did. You know how we only had one twin with us the whole time? They had hired another detective to investigate. At the end, they knew we were right, so they both abandoned the other detective and came to congratulate us on our very correct solution. I don't know why I didn't see it before."
"Why on Earth would they hire another detective though? I mean, you're the great Sherlock Holmes."
"I don't know. Which is why I intend to ask them when we get there."
John, Mary, and Sherlock, stepped out of the black car that had arrived to pick them up and discovered that only the caterers had arrived. Sherlock and John were in their tuxedos and Mary was in a sleeveless violet dress, with a matching shawl. The three quickly made their way inside, and discovered one of the sisters, Candace, exchanging a few words with one of the caterers. He saw them approaching and bade her farewell, and she did the same to him.
"John, Sherlock. Pleasure to see you two again. And you must be Mary." She offered her hand, which Mary shook. "Luna is upstairs, waiting for me to take you on up. There is someone whom we are very excited to introduce to the three of you." Candace was in a light blue sleeveless dress, with a streak in her blonde hair that matched the color exactly. In fact, everything about Candace screamed the light blue. She led them up the center staircase and then to the right. There, in the large room that overlooked the ballroom bustling with preparations, they discovered Luna, clad in a sleeveless, faded yet elegant pink dress, which, like her sister, matched everything about her, including a streak in her not-as-pure-blonde hair.
"Sherlock, John. Pleasure, once again. And I assume this is Mary. Quite a pleasure, miss." Luna offered her hand, and Mary shook it. Candace looked over at her sister questioningly, and Luna playfully rolled her eyes. "I turn around for two seconds because one of the caterers wanted to know where to recycle the boxes they had brought with them, and so I told him. By the time I turned back around, she was gone. I dunno where she went, but I'm sure she'll be back." Candace sighed. "Do, come in, have a seat." Luna motioned towards the sofas and chairs in the room. John and Mary took a loveseat together, Candace and Luna took the other, and Sherlock sat by himself in a chair.
"So, Luna, Candace, who is it that you want us to meet? The other detective you hired?" Sherlock leaned forward, pressing his hands against his mouth..
"Actually, yes, you are quite correct Mr. Holmes." Candace replied, and her and Luna exchanged a quick glance.
"Now let me ask you this then: Why would I want to meet the other detective you assigned to this case when they failed?" Sherlock maintained a calm demeanor, even though he was really shocked that such a thing should occur.
"Because I didn't fail, Mr. Sherlock Holmes." A woman stood at the balcony, looking over the edge. "In fact, I solved the case before you did. The Rhodes twins can vouch for me." She turned around, and her entire audience got a good look of her. She was just above average height, with black hair that was supposed to be a pixie cut but was a tad fuller and longer. Rather than wearing a dress, she wore black pants that were loose and flared near the bottom, and the edge was slightly tinted red. Her top was also black, but only had one sleeve which flared to a red tint. Her right arm was bare, except for a black band that was embroidered with red, about two-thirds of the way down her forearm.
"This would be Astrid Stirling. Astrid, this is Sherlock Holmes and John and Mary Watson." Luna motioned towards each of them, and then an empty seat between Sherlock and herself. The young woman walked on over and sat down.
"What an acquaintance. Sorry I couldn't be here sooner, I had to go change the music. I just can't bear to think of what sort of music these two will play." She motioned over at the twins, and smirked, and then shook Sherlock's hand. When she spoke, there wasn't an ounce of smugness or arrogance about her, it was all pure, honest and optimistic with a touch of curiosity.
"How did you solve the case before I did? And do you three know each other?" Astrid laughed.
"It was quite simple Mr. Sherlock. The same way you did it. Only faster. I knew the odd little photographer was a dead end from the way he walked. No one could possibly walk like that after doing something that huge, unless they were a psychopath, which he clearly wasn't. And I was able to help their father out in an incident where I just so happened to be Mianyang at the time he was in need of a detective about four years ago."
"We hired two detectives who were the best of the best, and not only put them to race with each other, but also to confirm each other's solutions, which you two both did." Candace explained, mainly to Sherlock, but he wasn't paying attention. He was observing Astrid, and it took him a moment to realize she was doing the same. His piercing blue eyes met her dark brown ones.
"Perhaps we shouldn't do it this way. The old fashioned way is preferred when one is, so to speak, vashe psikhicheskoye ravny." She smirked, and Sherlock did the same.
"If you wish so." He replied and they nodded to each other.
"Anyways," Luna picked up, "We felt we ought to introduce you before the party, and let you know that we released it to the public that you worked together to solve the case." Luna seemed eager for an opportunity to leave, which was soon granted at the sound of the door opening and a very sweet voice thanking the chauffeur. "We ought to be going to greet our guests. It appears Lord Julius has already arrived." Candace rolled her eyes, and Luna flaunted a smile and gently nudged her sister. They stood up, promised to see everyone later, and left the room in a flourish.
There was silence for a few moments, which Mary deemed necessary to break by bringing up the conversation of how wonderful everything looked. All the decorations fell into a Christmas theme.
"And its not just the decorations. Even the food and wine is Christmas themed. Mistletoe Champagne, Red and Green Wine. Such a bloody awful pun." Astrid shook her head. "But it all is quite beautiful. Those two know how to throw a party." There was small talk for a few more minutes between Mary and Astrid, and John and Sherlock were attempting to talk with each other the whole time via their eyes. Both were unsure what to make of Astrid. Astrid and Mary both laughed at something, and they heard Astrid's laugh for the first time. Sherlock thought it was full and beautiful to hear, but it almost sounded as if this had been the first time in awhile and as if she missed laughing.
John took this opportunity. "It's good to see that you two are enjoying yourself, however, I promised Mary more than a few dances before it gets too packed, and it sounds as if the music is about to start." Astrid smiled and nodded.
"It was wonderful meeting both of you, and I do hope to see you again sometime." She said, and leaned back in her chair.
"And the same to you, Ms. Stirling." Mary waved and the couple walked out. As they walked down the staircase together, Mary leaned over and in John's ear whispered, "I like her." John looked a bit surprised at this. "I like her. She'll be a good fit for Sherlock."