A/N: eleventh response to Hades' December challenge.
Prompt from Riandra - Holmes/Watson is surprisingly ham-fisted at wrapping presents.
Cut and Paste
"Watson!
Hand that paper here,
You've made a mess of it, I fear;
I've watched you fold and glue and tie;
Your surgeon's skills I don't deny,
But, here's the truth...no more, no less;
Your presentation lacks finesse."
~0~
"Let's see...
Two bars of scented soap,
A present picked with care, I hope,
Needs neat precision, class and style
Now watch...this might just take a while..."
(Much later...) "Watson! Gaze upon
This perfect origami swan."
~0~
"Now...
Lestrade...a "Just So Stories" book...
Such boring paper, Watson, look!
If I snip patterns here, and here...
A row of dancing men appear.
Much better, surely you agree?
I've added small red hats, you see."
~0~
"Next please...
Oh Watson...plain brown string?
Round Mycroft's gift?
Not quite the thing.
Now don't despair, you tried your best,
Please give it here...now I suggest
A twisted ribbon innovation,
Creating thus...a fine carnation!"
~0~
"Right...
Mrs Hudson, blue silk scarf,
A parcel you can't do by half,
Please fetch your smoothest fountain pen;
A little flourish added then...
Be patient while I neatly write
Down every verse of "Silent Night"."
~0~
"Now Watson,
One more set to go,
I have to fix them all, and so...
Irregular revision next...
You tried, dear friend, don't look so vexed.
Just make some sparkly snowflakes, please
We'll stick a dozen each on these..."
~0~
The doctor nodded,
Glued and snipped,
In silence, acquiesced, tight-lipped.
Around the room debris was scattered,
But truly, only one thing mattered;
His friend was lost without a case;
If festive fervour could replace
The ever tempting drug, cocaine,
He'd do this time and time again.
~0~