To Write Tears
[a follow-up to To Plan Tears]
"Sherlock, I'm telling you, you don't have to problematize this. Just say a few simple words, say something about our friendship, tell people how much you can see that I love Mary, describe how much Mary makes me happy, maybe tell people that Mary and I form your definition of romantic love, compliment her, welcome her into our little adoptive family and wish us a happy life together." John enumerates, not realizing that his best friend is not listening to him at all.
"If you would be so kind as to stop bothering me when I'm trying to write, that'd be just peachy." Sherlock answers sarcastically, rolling his eyes as he stares, glares, at his blank word document. "Why are you even here, anyway? I thought you were supposed to pick up your sister from the train station."
John groans. "That was two days ago, Sherlock."
"Ah."
It's the doctor's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm here because Mary and I are going to lunch, and since you probably haven't eaten breakfast, you can join us."
"No thanks. I have to finish this before your wedding."
"The wedding is in three weeks. You make it sound like it's tomorrow."
A frustrated sigh. "I am not well-versed in this, John. I need as much time as I could to ensure that I do not sound like Anderson on your wedding day."
"Not well-versed? You give speeches all the time!"
"About murders and controversies!" he exclaims. "Not weddings and romance!"
John shakes his head, chuckling as he walks back out. "Alright, fine, fine. We'll be in that Greek diner two blocks from here, if you change your mind."
"Uhm, Sherlock?"
"Ah, Molly. You're here, good. Would you make us some tea?"
She raises her eyebrow at the things on Sherlock's laptop screen. "W-why are you watching… that?"
"Research."
"For what?"
"John and Mary's wedding. My best man's speech."
Molly stands awkwardly in the living room, unsure whether she should inquire a bit more or just leave it. Her curiosity gets the best of her. "For John and Mary's wedding, you're watching a documentary on African poverty?"
"Yes."
The pathologist could only sigh. That kind of raises more questions than it answers…
"Molly… Tea." he repeats. "Afterwards you will tell me about your childhood. As I understand, you were a sickly child. You must have quite interesting stories about that particular hardship." he instructs, not even looking away from what he's watching.
She frowns even more. "How will that help you write your speech?"
"Sometimes you have to immerse yourself in a certain mindset to be able to project similar emotions in whichever thing you're doing." he explains, pausing the video to look at Molly. "For instance, an actor might spend a certain amount of time with some chefs to be able to play one convincingly. A singer might turn off the lights in the recording studio to adapt to the gloom of the song, a dancer might study how birds fly and mate and move about to be able to tell their story through ballet."
"So… you're studying African documentaries and childhood sicknesses to prepare for your best man's speech?"
"That's correct."
Molly scratches her head, frowning at a random space in the room. "You're absolutely crazy, Sherlock."
"They say the craziest people are the most brilliant, so I must agree."
Note: Not much to say, except that the author is indeed planning another follow-up to this, which will hopefully be included in the next wave of her 3-a-day stories.
In this wave, the author would like to dedicate every note to thanking the people who have started the challenges too, and also to those who are planning to join, and also to those who are still thinking about it. The more the merrier, as they say, and it definitely inspires her to see people express desire to participate.