A/N: This is an experiment in writing of sorts. There will be between 6 and 10 chapters. There will 'text talk' within the story, and I wanted to differentiate it from talking.

If you have read any of my other stories... you know the feels are coming.

Also this is my first AU, hope you enjoy :3

Server Name: Mind palace

Chapter 1

John had been held after class that day when his teacher noticed he was struggling with some of the simpler math problems.

"Sorry, it's just- it's been five years since I was in school last, it's been a bit hard to adjust." John unconsciously rubbed his bad arm, he could still feel where the bullet ripped into his shoulder.

Dr. Vure nodded accordingly, "Well I know this must be a bit boring compared to the war-"

"No, boring is fine, good even."

He knew that night he would need a good raid to get his mind off school and the war.

-Paladin Halfling looking for a party, anyone want to team up?- Captain Hedgehog

It was the same message he put up nearly every night, just looking for a group mission to kill time before he had to go to sleep and start his school day all over again.

-Medic or just a tank?- Deducing Otter

-Bit of both actually, what about you?- Captain Hedgehog

-Prestige class: Consulting Detective- Deducing Otter

-I've never heard of the class before- Captain Hedgehog

-I'm the only one- Deducing Otter

-What? How's that possible?- Captain Hedgehog

-Simple, I hacked the game and created it. Wasn't that hard actually, just had to have the feat Canny Sleuth, Discern Lies, and Alertness.- Deducing Otter

-Wow, that's brilliant!- Captain Hedgehog

There was a pause and John found he was uncharacteristically smiling at the type on the computer screen.

-You really think so?- Deducing Otter

-Of course, amazing even- Captain Hedgehog

-That's not what people normally say- Deducing Otter

-What do people normally say?- Captain Hedgehog

-"I'm reporting you for hacking and then taking your gold"- Deducing Otter

-Yikes! Well I don't mind :) Party?- Captain Hedgehog

Deducing Otter sends server invitation. Join server: MIND PALACE?

John blinked at the odd server name, "Mind Palace? That's an odd one…" he clicked the small icon to join and sent a request of his own.

Sherlock rarely found people who wanted to team up with him, and even rarer did he find people that he wanted in his party.

Captain Hedgehog has sent you a friend request: Do you accept?

He was glad he was in the privacy of his small room or he would have been thoroughly embarrassed that he was smiling of all things about a friend request from someone he just met on an online game.

They both played well into the night, far later then they had initially planned.

"How have your classes been going?"

"Alright I suppose. It's strange going to school again." John sat stiffly in his chair looking out the large bay windows.

"But you're doing well?"

"Er, relatively yea I suppose."

Ella looked up from her notes, "You seem tired? Have you been sleeping well?"

"Not really, been having a few late nights recently."

"You haven't been taking your pills have you? They really do help with the nightmares John, I think you should really consider it."

"Oh, no, it's not that." He was a tad nervous about telling her the real reason but she looked at him expectantly and he knew he had to elaborate, "Well, there's this game- online I mean- and I play it at night mostly."

She seemed a bit disappointed, "Doesn't this affect your studies?"

Like they even matter "No, it's all fine. It's the only time that my, um, well, it's when people come online to play it."

Ella caught the lapse in speech, "It's the only time when what?"

"Well, just that my friend only comes online at night to play, so that's when I get on."

She beamed, "Oh! You should have said so, that's good. When did you meet your friend? You haven't mentioned one before."

"A few days ago, I was looking for a team up- that's when two or more people decide to play together in the game- and he let me into his server."

Ella blinked in confusion; she wasn't a very internet savvy person. "I'm sorry? Are you saying you met him online then?"

John licked his lower lip, not the right thing to have said then. "Yes."

"So he's not really a friend, have you considered meeting some new people? Maybe joining a club at school or going on dates?"

It was these moments that he really hated being forced to go to therapy for psychological evaluation.

-I thought you would be on earlier. Raid?- Deducing Otter

-Sorry, therapy- Captain Hedgehog

"Shit shit shit, I hit send! Fuck… I didn't want him to know that." John cursed at his screen.

-Physical or psychological?- Deducing Otter

-Uh, psych. Sorry, wasn't thinking when I hit send, I'm not a nutter or anything like that.- Captain Hedgehog

-No worries. Just wondered due to your hand- Deducing Otter

-My hand?- Captain Hedgehog

-You only use the commands on the right side of the keyboard when doing mundane activities, but favor the left while in combat. At first I thought you were right handed, but then ambidextrous, but if you were you wouldn't favor one side while fighting. So you're left handed but can't always use your left hand. I'm assuming your not using it to masturbate while playing online games, so it must be injured somehow.- Deducing Otter

-How on earth did you know all that?- Captain Hedgehog

-Simple. I am a deducing Otter. :) – Deducing Otter

John couldn't help but to laugh, he never even thought of asking what on earth 'deducing otter' even meant before. Not that his username made much more sense, just an army nickname he picked up.

-Ah, that makes worlds of sense now.- Captain Hedgehog

-Ah, simple minded Hedgehog, I would imagine the term 'deducing' is beyond your scope. It's when you discover facts about a person and make discoveries about them based on those facts.- Deducing Otter

-That's Captain Hedgehog thank you very much! And that sounds more like IN-ductive reasoning then DE-ductive reasoning.- Captain Hedgehog

-Shut up. I made this account years ago and I've already got a reputation with this name…- Deducing Otter

John stifled a laugh as his dorm mate came in.

-I wont say a word if you wont- Captain Hedgehog

"Are you playing that damn game again? You play that all night long,"

"I use headphones." He defended.

"But the light is on"

"Then put a blanket over your face."

"You're a shit roommate."

"Then complain to the school and find a different room."

-Dorm mates are the worst.- Captain Hedgehog.

-I wouldn't know. But they're probably not as bad as older brothers.- Deducing Otter

-Live at home then?- Captain Hedhehog

There was a long pause.

-Sorry, didn't mean to ask something personal- Captain Hedgehog

John bit his lip nervously, he thought they had talked online enough for questions like that already, perhaps he was wrong.

-It's alright. Yes, I do.- Deducing Otter

-I couldn't wait to get out of my house, joined the army first chance I could.- Captain Hedgehog

-Ah, so you were injured then?- Deducing Otter

-Shot in the shoulder, makes it hard to use my left hand at times.- Captain Hedgehog

-But it's also psychosomatic, which is why it's fine when you're raiding and why you see a therapist.- Deducing Otter

-I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to say that. I wasn't thinking.- Deducing Otter

-Please forgive me.- Deducing Otter

-Hedgehog?- Deducing Otter

-Sorry about that, my damn dorm mate is causing a scene in the hall. I swear he lowers the IQ of the whole college. I'm still here, not going anywhere.- Captain Hedgehog

-Oh… of course.- Deducing Otter

-Sorry to worry you Otter- Captain Hedgehog

-I wasn't worried- Deducing Otter

-Sure. ;)- Captain Hedgehog

-Maybe a little.- Deducing Otter