True to his word, Sherlock doesn't sit there for very long until he's satisfied that his mental acuity has not been affected by their change in state. "Alright. Where should we go?" he asks as he moves over to the center of the clearing and sits down, thinking of all their favorite spots.
"We can't go anywhere where people might recognize us. Well, pretty much we can't go to Angelo's. He is a big gossip and you know it. As much as we both might want to see the look on his face. You know as well as I do that if the bad guys find out we're in this vulnerable state, we could be in serious trouble." John says as he looks at Sherlock, kneeling down across from him in the grass as he thinks about things. "I was thinking of causing a bit of trouble somewhere, enough to attract an officer, so that we could get ourselves brought to Lestrade's office." he says with a slight grin.
Considering the matter for a few moments, Sherlock then nods quietly, running a hand through his hair. "Indeed. That does sound quite amusing. But I think that we need to make a few changes first." He says as he considers for a few moments, then runs a hand through his hair a bit. "I think it's about time for me to get a haircut, John." he says as he looks at his friend.
Since that's such a quick change in subject, John pauses and stares at Sherlock for a moment. "Really?" he asks in surprise. "Well, I suppose if you cut your hair you would look very different, and I'm not really distinctive on my own, I could be any kid." he says as he looks at Sherlock for a few moments, reaching over and slicking back his hair, holding it in place with both hands as he examines the younger boy's face. "Yeah, you're right. Could change it enough that between your features being a bit softer as a kid and the hair, no one would recognize you. Besides, you won't be in your signature suit." he says as he looks at the other boy, finally releasing his head and sitting back a little. "Do you have any cash? Doubt we could use our cards, seeing as we're so young." he says as he digs into their bag, pulling out his wallet and taking out the meager amount of cash to stuff it in his pocket.
A small nod is given and Sherlock pulls out his own wallet and pulls the cash out to tuck it into his pocket. "I have a bit. We can always use an ATM if we have to." he says as he looks at John, then he stuffs his wallet back in the bag securely before he motions. "I know of a place nearby." he says as he slowly moves to leave the same way they entered, straightening up once outside and then brushing himself off a little before he looks back at John. "Shall we?" he asks with a little smile.
Sighing since he is stuck carrying the bag again, John shakes his head good-naturedly since he's sort of used to it. "Right. Of course." he says as he brushes himself off as well. "You know a place for everything." He points out before he looks around for a few moments, brushing a few needles form the bushes out of his hair, before he steps over to stand beside his friend.
"I do have a mental map of London, John. It stands to reason that I would not only memorize streets but places as well." Sherlock shakes his head for a moment and then turns to head down one of the paths after orienting himself, putting his hands in his coat pockets and starting to walk, looking around at everything. After winding through the paths for a few minutes, they come out on the main road and Sherlock pauses only to keep from running into someone who wasn't watching where they were going, before he walks across the street and continues down the block toward the place that he knows of. In fact he's been there before, but thankfully not more than once or twice in his life which means there's a good chance he won't be remembered.
"Might need to get a trim myself while we're there, it's been a while since I had a haircut." John admits since he realizes now just how long his hair was getting and he thinks maybe he should go back to a shorter haircut, or at least as short as when he met Sherlock. Plus, it's just easier to manage.
After glancing briefly over at the shorter blonde, Sherlock nods. "Yes. Shorter hair looks better on you. I didn't realize your hair was so.. golden. Hm. More the color of hay I suppose. But, you're quite a bit younger and with less gray in your hair than when we first met." he notes, which makes a few people who pass them at that moment give them confused glances. The detective just shrugs a little and keeps walking, turning the corner and then smiling lightly. "There we are." he says as he sees the barber shop, pushing the door open and holding it for John.
Following the taller boy, John steps into the small shop, waiting for the sound of the bell to fade before he looks at the two attendants. It's the middle of a week day so there's no one really waiting, one of the barbers working on a customer, the other having been tidying his station.
Being a man in his mid-thirties with plain brown hair and a plain face to go with it but with brilliant blue eyes, he seems to be in good shape still, and turns to look at the two boys. "Good afternoon, boys. Oh, you two look like you need a bit of a cut. Who's first?" he asks as he turns his chair toward the two with an open, friendly smile.
Without even blinking, Sherlock walks over and hops up into the chair, getting comfortable for a few moments before he looks up at the barber. "I'd like it short." he says as he looks at the man. "Very short." He instructs before he gets comfortable after the bib is put around him.
Pumping the seat up a little, the barber smiles a little. "Hitting your rebellion a bit early, eh? See boys like you all the time. With curls like these, bet your mum dotes over em', never lets you cut your hair, right? Finally got a bit of money together and decided to do it yourself, hm?" he says as he starts spraying down the young man's hair to wet it down, and then starts cutting, taking big chunks off of it first before he starts paring it down, making it half as short before he meets Sherlock's eyes in the mirror. "Shorter?" he guesses and when he gets a confirming nod he keeps cutting until it's much shorter, brushing off the excess hair and putting a bit of product in his hair to give it a mussed up look. "There you are, my boy." He says finally, shaking his head for a few moments. "Whole different look."
Waiting patiently while his hair is cut, Sherlock takes a deep breath and then nods once as he glances at the barber. "Yes. Quite. Thank you." he says before he waits for the bib to be removed and slips out of the chair, looking over at John.
Staring for a moment since it does make Sherlock look entirely different, John moves over and touches Sherlock's hair slowly before he shakes his head. "Bloody hell, you look weird." he says before he smiles a little. "Just.. weird. Not bad. Wonder what your brother will think." he says with a little laugh before he moves to the chair and hops up into it, glancing at the barber. "I just need more of a trim. Bit longer in the front." he says as he motions to his hair as he tries to explain it.
The barber just nods a little. "You two boys are up to no good, aren't you? Oh, don't worry, I don't judge." He says with a laugh. "I was young once, I can tell when two young boys are up to mischief." he says with a small smile. "You boys better be able to pay for this." He notes with a small frown at them both.
Since John can't exactly go to it, Sherlock pulls money out of his pocket, looks at the rates that are on the wall and pulls out the appropriate amount, including tip, placing it on the counter under the mirror at the barber's station. "That should cover it, I believe." He says simply, putting the rest of the money away before he goes back to standing by the duffel, fidgeting slightly and scratching his head and touching his hair, trying to get used to it.
"Sorry about that. Can't be too careful." The barber says with a small smile at Sherlock, finishing up rather quickly with John and cleaning him up. "There you are, young man. Now you two look a little more respectable." he says with a nod of his head, starting to sweep everything up. "You two be careful out there, London can be a dangerous place."
John runs a hand through his hair and then nods quietly. "Thank you sir, we know. We'll be careful." he says, satisfied that enough money was left, he goes to get the duffel, picking it up and watching Sherlock. "Ready?" he asks, grinning a little at his friend. "Wonder what Lestrade will say when he sees you.." he says with a little laugh. "At least Anderson and Donovan probably won't recognize you." he says as he starts to move toward the door with his friend.
With a small nod of his head, Sherlock glances at the barber over his shoulder before he follows John out the door, considering for a few moments where they might go and idly leading John closer to Scotland Yard, where more police are so there's a greater chance of them getting caught causing mischief. Which is not something that he often says. "I am sure Lestrade will be exasperated when we're brought before him." he says with a small chuckle before he leads John to a small shop. "I know how cranky you get when you don't get proper meals." he says in response to the blonde's questioning look, blatantly ignoring it when his stomach gives a growl.
Not being able to help grinning a little, John nods and rubs a hand through his hair, always finding it an odd sensation after he gets a haircut. That, and the back of his neck itches a little from the small stray hairs. Still, he glances over at Sherlock and nods. "Of course, you're doing this for my benefit. Surely not for your own." He says with a little bit of sarcasm, chuckling a little as he steps into the small sandwich shop, stepping up to the counter and glancing at the menu before ordering, letting Sherlock order as well before he pays. Once they're both settled down with their food, John considers. "Best way to cause a bit of trouble that I can think of would be near Scotland Yard. Maybe try to get in, say we're trying to see our uncle or something of the sort. Would get us brought straight to him at least." he says with a small smirk. "I know you want to mess with Anderson or Donovan or both.. but be subtle about it." he warns as he watches the brunette.
"You seem to insist on thinking that I am somehow irrational, John. I do realize the situation that I have brought on us. The inherent dangers and traps with it as well. I am not going to do anything which will put us in danger." Sherlock says in a slightly annoyed tone as he eats, sighing a little and out of habit going to brush his hair back a little only to find there is no hair to brush back, which makes him pause for a moment before he lowers his hand. "I believe I have a rather suitable prank for Anderson, one befitting our age." he says with a small smile as he watches John, then he finishes eating and sits back to observe the room, clever eyes switching from one subject to another.
Sighing a little and rubbing his forehead with one hand for a moment, John nods quietly. "I'm sorry, Sherlock. But you do have a record of being rather brash and charging in without thinking about things first." he points out as he looks up at his friend.
Seeming to be distracted for a moment but finally bringing his attention back to the doctor, Sherlock finally nods a little. "Well. I suppose you're right. But I do understand the stakes." He reassures as he looks at the others in the shop, too distracted at the moment as his mind wanders a little for him to be able to focus on John.
"Alright." John finally finishes his food as he watches the brunette. "Let's go, then."
Well, updating once a week also lets me do longer chapters! Lol. I am aiming for the chapters to be able to get to double the length the previous ones were since I have longer to work on them. This is the first in my routine hopefully, and since I have a lot to do with this there should be plenty more to come! Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me through my transition here and of course to everyone who has reviewed and followed this story! I hope I continue to live up to your high praise!
Reviews/Comments welcome, as always. :)