A.N. Today's prompt comes from Wordwielder: Frippery. I apologize because this is very similar to one of the entries for last year calendar. What can I say...that's firmly in my headcanon, I suppose.
I'm used to seeing Holmes disguise himself, and I'm even more used to being fooled by a disguised Holmes. Maybe I'm really that unobservant, but I rather think that he was born to be an outstanding actor. He surely has the right attitude for it. The stage suffered a great loss when his relentless mind found playing a role written by someone else unspeakably boring. When I saw Holmes preparing to don a woman's attire, though, I choked on air. No matter how good he was, surely that wasn't feasible – and the explanations required would be supremely uncomfortable at best.
"Do you object, Watson?" he queried calmly.
"I don't mean to belittle your talent, but you cannot expect to fool anyone, Holmes! Your appearance is much too sharp for that," I exclaimed.
"I'm not expecting to seduce anyone, Watson, but women aren't all lovely creatures. No man would think that his fellow could willingly subject himself to wearing such clothing, so the sheer amount of frippery in this will make them all blind and even more idiot than they usually are. As for the women, they'll be too busy congratulating themselves because of my perceived ugliness. That could even gain me special kindness from them," my friend explained with a smirk.
I could see the point of his reasoning. At least about the first half. Especially now that his disguise – which he hadn't stopped to work on – was halfway done. I myself would have more readily surmised a woman quite unfortunate in the looks department than a female impersonator.
Then curiosity bit me, and I inquired, "Didn't the tailor wonder about the intended wearer of this dress not once coming to get a fitting?"
"My cousin Arabella takes great delight in providing me with everything I can conceivably require for this disguise or any of the same kind."
P.S. Because yes, Holmes has several dresses, apt for women of different classes and situations. :D
