December 14: "A claus(e)." (from W. Y. Traveller)
A/N: Brief sequel to Day 4's story "Evil Twin", in which Holmes and Watson join Lestrade investigating the mysterious burglaries by someone dressed as Father Christmas.
Not sure if it entirely fills the prompt, but it was an excellent excuse to use this little idea I had…
Holmes
Two things served to increase my ever mounting frustration First, it had been four days since I had first heard of the Father Christmas burglaries, and yet I was no nearer to a solution. Second, I was no nearer to convincing Watson to my point of view about children's belief in Father Christmas.
These combined to put me into an extremely ill temper, so much so that when a small band of my Baker Street Irregulars arrived unannounced, I was much sharper than I ought to have been.
"Yes? What are you here for?" I asked testily.
"Well," Wiggins began, in his most businesslike tone. "You see, Mr. 'Olmes, me an' the boys 'ere are 'aving a bit of a disagreement about Father Christmas, an' we were 'oping you an' the Doctor moight clear it up for us."
Watson cut in before I could speak. "I am sure we would be glad to do so. Wouldn't we Holmes?" He shot me a sharp glare.
"Of course," I said, halfheartedly feigning interest.
"Thanks!" said Wiggins. "This is how it is. Tom 'ere is convinced Father Christmas is absolutely real, and 'e brings presents to everyone. Roger thinks there's no such thing. An' Billy 'ere thinks it's Father Christmas 'oo's been robbin' houses. Who's roight?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but Watson cut me short again. "Well, boys, I think Holmes and I might have to discuss this one a little while. It might be a bit more complicated than we think. Could you wait in the hall for a minute?"
They all nodded eagerly, and moved out into the hall with many whispers between them.
Watson turned to me as soon as the door was closed behind them. In a low voice, he said, "I know what you want to tell them, Holmes, but we must be diplomatic and rational about this."
"We will let them down kindly, then?" I replied quietly.
The corners of my friend's mouth turned down. "Not exactly what I had in mind. Now—" he stopped me from speaking once more "—please give me a moment to state my case in favor of the children's belief in Father Christmas, if you would be so kind. After all, you have already given your whole argument several times now."
I shrugged. "I am all ears."
"First, the myth of Father Christmas is grounded in truth. It's not all magical sleighs and flying reindeer."
That much was true, at least.
"And as for all of those magical things," Watson continued, "it's important that children use their imaginations, so as to not lose them when they are older. You, of all people, know the importance of an imagination."
"Yes," I said grudgingly. That much did make some sense.
"And I will admit, belief in Father Christmas can be taken too far, and once children reach a certain age, the truth must be broken to them."
I definitely agreed with that.
"But while the children are young, it gives parents a chance to give to their children anonymously. This way, the children don't come to expect bigger gifts from their parents or anyone else, and instead believe it comes from Father Christmas."
That did make a certain amount of sense, I supposed, though I was really not sure it justified such a deception.
"Lastly, and I think most importantly, it gives the children a chance to believe in something larger than themselves, and something inherently good. And that is something to be said for these children especially. Our Irregulars have precious little to call their own, and few people who care for them. If a belief in Father Christmas is what it takes for them to see a little more good in this world, then I firmly believe that a little so-called deception for a time it is worth it."
I had not considered of it from quite that angle before. I thought of the situations some of my little street urchins dealt with every day, and to my surprise, found my convictions beginning to waver.
From the quiet smile on Watson's face, I knew he could tell he was beginning to convince me.
"Watson, you should have been a lawyer," I said at long last. "You have given Father Christmas the most admirable defense any will likely ever hear again."
Watson gave a quiet chuckle. "Well, I did spend the entire week composing that little argument. Now, what do we tell the children?"
I thought for a long moment. "They are still very young, apart from Wiggins, who I suspect knows the truth already, but like you, is kind enough to withhold it. I suppose you tell them Father Christmas…" I had a difficult time forcing the words out "…is real. But I would like you to say it—I still am not entirely convinced, nor am I confortable deceiving our Irregulars. But if you think it is best..."
"Of course I will tell them," said Watson.
We brought our little friends back into the sitting room, and Watson told them all that Father Christmas was indeed real.
"Would you be willin' to sign a document to that effect?" asked little James.
"Of course," Watson replied.
James gave a nod. "Tha' settles it, then."
He then went on to explain that a very bad man was pretending to be him to steal from other people.
I confess I was a little surprised when I saw the amount of indignation on those little faces when Watson told them this.
"Tha's bloody awful," remarked Billy solemnly.
"If you ever need 'elp tracking that 'orrid man down, you jus' call on us, all roight?" said Wiggins to me.
I was about to reply that I certainly would, when Inspector Lestrade came rushing into the room.
"New developments?" I asked eagerly.
"Of a fashion," Lestrade replied breathlessly. "A break-in has just been committed by someone dressed as a snowman!"
A/N: The plot thickens!
I hope Watson's argument didn't come off as a soapbox rant. It turned out the way it did because Holmes took a lot of convincing before he would come round to Watson's point of view. And of course, he needed to change his mind, or he would make some sweet little Irregulars really sad. Which is not allowed—not on Watson's watch!