A/N: Prompt at the end.
A group of Irregulars huddled together under blankets, munching Mrs. Hudson's various baked goods and sipping hot chocolate. Holmes was seated in the corner, a quiet smile across his thin features. Watson had decided it was a good evening for a little storytelling game.
"It was a dark and stormy evening," Watson began. "Now Wiggins, it's your turn."
Wiggins cleared his throat. "The great Sherlock 'Olmes was walking in the rain."
Next, it was Tom. "Mr. 'Olmes was out walking in the rain because…'e wanted to get a shave."
Watson and the rest of the Irregulars chuckled. Holmes absently rubbed at the stubble on his chin.
Now, Billy: "So 'e walked ta the barber shop, an' he had ta wait in line."
Harry: "While 'e was there, 'e started deducin' things about tha other gen'lemen there."
Watson: "But he kept the observations to himself, deciding for once to avoid needlessly offending strangers."
This elicited a giggle.
Wiggins: "Soon it was 'is turn ta sit down in the chair an' get 'is 'aircut and shave."
Tom: "But then 'e started makin' deductions about the barber."
Billy: "An' the barber was…a murderer!"
Harry: "Even though 'e only had half a shave, 'e jumped right out of tha chair, an' put 'im in 'andcuffs!"
Watson: "And with that, the murderous barber was arrested and Holmes finished his haircut and shave somewhere else. The end!"
Holmes, in a surprisingly good humor (even he was not wholly immune to the Christmas spirit), began a round of applause, and the others joined in.
December 21: "While getting his shave, Sherlock begins deducing his barber may have a much more demonic and murderous intent than the detective first realized." (from Michael JG Meathook)