Chapter 2: Murky Grey
The front door slammed and the sound of someone bounding up the stairs three steps at a time crashed up to them.
A young woman, 16 at the least, appeared at the top of the steps. She ran into the room, her waist length murky grey hair streaming behind her. She stopped by the arm of Sherlock's chair, pausing. He didn't look up. The girl looked confused, her emerald eyes darting back a forth, "Oh!" she exclaimed, running back to the door and sharply knocking upon it twice.
She looked to Sherlock, "Sorry."
Sherlock heaved himself out of his chair. Turning to the girl, he glared, a look that would send any bad guy back into his cave. The moment lengthened, the girl's seemingly verdant gaze shimmering back.
Several moments passed before Sherlock smiled and asked "Good day?" The girl jumped into the air; throwing herself across the room into Sherlock's arms. (He patted her back awkwardly. Did people hug upon arriving in their flat? He supposed so. That what's-her-face, Lisa, she always jumped at John…)
"-And-I-missed-you-and-" The girl stopped to draw breath, "-And-I-was-going-to-visit-Mycroft-later-but-he's-at-the-palace-again-and-I-couldn't-leave-a-message-'cos-I-don't-think-his-new-secretary-likes-me-and-"
"STOP" John yelled, looking between the slightly gauche Sherlock and the bubbly teenager exasperatedly "I'm sorry but... who the hell are you?"
The girl looked up at him from where she was now sitting cross-legged on the floor trying to tie the stunned Sherlock's shoelaces together. Sherlock yanked his foot away but the girl didn't seem to notice, "Me? Oh, I'm Pip!"
Pip jumped up in one fluid movement, brushing her stormy hair over one shoulder, "Have you eaten yet? I'm hungry. Food is an important part of a balanced diet you know. Got any chips?"
