Prompt: Watson reveals a hidden talent
From: Hades Lord of the Dead
A/N: I have no idea if this hobby actually existed in the Victorian era, but it's meant to be silly, so I hope you like this little slice of randomness regardless! And yes, it is a hobby! I found it online!
Warning: One word of stronger language at the end.
Disclaimer: Millie belongs to me. Everyone else belongs to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
...
"Watson, we're doomed!" I exclaim, yelping as I feel it nip my shoelaces.
"Holmes, it is just a gaggle of geese and ducks." My companion answers wearily.
We were on MacDonald's farm, pursuing the Hot Toddy Thief – a very long and bizarre tale which could not be surmised without a fit of hysteria- when our woman had the illogical idea to run through a farmyard.
But now, being pursued by these ferocious fowl, I begin to wonder if that madwoman maybe had some sense after all...
"Watson, deductions and chemical formulas dominate my lumber room," I say uneasily. "but how to deal with aggravated waterfowl is well beyond my ken."
Watson gives me a mischievous smile and whistles for Toby. The hound comes waddling forth, and so does a young, orphaned sheepdog named Millie, who has appeared to have adopted my Boswell for her own. Feisty and determined, she has already taken a liking to Watson, myself and to Toby.
"Watson?"
"Millie, Toby, chase those ducks!" He orders, wielding his walking stick as though it is the answer to life's mysteries.
The two dogs start barking and going after the ducks, chasing them up the way from us, with Watson using his stick to keep the ducks together in a group, leaving me to watch in amazement.
How could my erstwhile companion of 5 years be able to herd ducks so effectively? Or even herd them at all?
...
At last, after the ducks are swimming in a pond nearby, I turn to my friend.
"Watson, I"-
"Holmes, you might think me a ridiculous man"- he starts, his cheeks going pink as he looks at his walking stick.
I smile warmly at him. "Watson, you are the ridiculous one for thinking I could produce such a negative opinion of you." I say, and he manages a small smile at me. "I just want to say that, though unusual, you have certainly saved us from those pesky birds. However on Earth did you learn it?"
"Well, I had a duck-herder for a neighbour when I was a lad," Watson tells me bashfully. "I just picked up on the hobby from a young age."
"My dear fellow, you saved me a lot of trouble; along with Toby and Millie here." I gesture to the two hounds lying faithfully at our feet. "What other unusual hobbies do you have that I do not?"
"Well, I learned how to carve soaps." He answers, blushing scarlet now in comparison to his pink hues from earlier. "I could carve soap into flowers if I so wanted."
"My dear fellow, I shall never understand your limits," I tell him sincerely, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps I should make a list of what your abilities and limitations are. Do you still have the one of my abilities?"
"Yes- but I fear it's rather outdated, old friend." He informs me, remorsefully.
"Well, in that case, doctor, you can update it if you so wish." I answer. "But later- first, we're after the Hot Toddy Thief!"
"Why would someone even steal hot toddies?" He asks me, as we break into a run.
"Well, Watson, I have thought about that question as logically as one can proceed to think, and one conclusion came to my mind."
"And that is?"
"My dear fellow, I have no bloody idea."