1st August
"You're wrong!"
John pauses on the staircase, readjusting his grip on the grocery bag. That had been Sherlock's voice... Sherlock was worked up.
"Sherlock? Are you talking to yourself again?" he calls, clearing the last few stairs and stepping into the living room. He is met with a quick, livid glance from his flatmate and a brief glance from a man that John didn't recognize. Since he doesn't recognize him, and it is unlikely that Sherlock is acquainted with him, it is likely a client.
A client that is holding precariously onto Sherlock's violin.
"Um... I'll let you two at it," John says, carrying on to the kitchen to put away the groceries.
"Violins are a... competitive instrument, aren't they, Mr. Holmes? Something attention grabbing. Higher pitch. A 'voice' instrument. The star of the show." There is the singular plucking of a note.
John glances back over his shoulder. Whoever this man is, he is exceedingly bold. Sherlock won't even let John touch that instrument.
"You know what I think? That violinists are cocky, self-centered, arrogant, annoying people who think themselves to be better than everyone else."
"Fortunately, I don't care what you think," Sherlock replies tartly, position stiff. Everything about him is screaming anger and John thinks that their client has to be a rather stupid man to not notice that.
"But you do, don't you?" their client muses, plucking another note.
Sherlock's nostrils flare and he crosses the room, pulling the Stradivarius from the man's grasp. "No, I'm simply astounded that you have the audacity to come into my flat and play with my instruments. Didn't your mother ever teach you not to touch things that don't belong to you?"
"You started the argument, Mr. Holmes."
"Argument? What argument?" John cuts in quickly, abandoning the groceries, just in case Sherlock loses his already slipping temper.
"Your flatmate refuses to acknowledge the superiority of violas."
John pauses, his eyebrows knitting together. "Wait... what?"
"It's not important that he refuses to see that his instrument is exceedingly cow-like," Sherlock mutters.
"Wait, what is this about?" John asks, now looking at Sherlock.
"Just because violas are larger than violins-"
"Cumbersome and irritating," Sherlock mutters.
"Listen, Mr. Holmes, I frankly don't care about your opinion-"
"Good, then go."
"Unfortunately, we need you."
"Not interested."
"Simply because of a dispute over instruments-"
"No," Sherlock interrupts, "I'm simply going to make your life easy because I'm a, what was it, 'cocky, arrogant, annoying' person with a tendency to 'want to steal the spotlight' all for myself with my 'whiny' voice. Unfortunately for you, this lark has no desire to associate with cows."
John frowns at Sherlock after the man leaves. "What the bloody hell was that all about?"
Sherlock only huffs quietly and draws his fingers over the strings of his Stradivarius. "Nothing, John. Those who are not musically-inclined would not understand," he says, reaching for his bow.
"Hey, I know the clarinet."
Sherlock rolls his eyes and begins to play. John throws his hands up before going back to the kitchen.
Viola players, got nothing against you. xD Personally, I think I still like violins better. Although, I am prejudiced.
For those non-musically-inclined (me!):
Violas have a deeper sound. Violins can be whiny on their highest note. Violas don't get solos most of the time; violins do. They are heard, and remembered. Violas are mostly not. Apparently, in the orchestra, at least around here, people think of people who play violins as described above. I do not play an instrument. I got my information from a friend in orchestra and a Youtube video.
Review, as usual, if you'd like. Thanks!