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[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[It is probably not a surprise to some that Irene Adler has, upon her arrival at the Plane, found herself in the Theatre.

Of course, while it may not be a surprise to some, it does surprise Irene.]

Is anyone here?

[Not exactly the timid type, Irene is going to do her best to make her arrival known. She speaks with a notably American accent, although some of her pronunciations reflect she has spent a fair amount of time in England. She examines her surroundings. .. Which she regrets doing, now that she's noticed one of the Wallmasters crawling across the back of the seats.]

Surely I have gone mad. I have spent much of my life in the theatre and never have I seen something so... revolting or offensive or... absurd as this. Whatever prank this is, I assure you, whomever is listening, I find it neither endearing or entertaining that you have abducted me against my will.

[Being as she is, Irene actually approaches the disembodied hand, staring down at it with disgust and – whether she'd admit it or not – fascination.]

I do insist that you direct me immediately to whomever your devilish puppeteer may be. I am due at a very important engagement tonight in London and I can assure you that those who await me will worry drastically for my safety if I am not to appear.

[The hand suddenly pops forward towards Irene, and she squeaks in unladylike surprise, backing away fast enough to watch it tumble to the floor. It bolts towards her and grasps for her skirt, and she stamps at it helplessly with her foot, shouting as she kicks it away.]

Get away you... you vermin!

Comments

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[Sherlock watches with some amusement. The arrivals lately are somehow more interesting when surrounded by grotesque horrors.]

It might be better to take a more permanent approach to these things.

[He draws the gun he's taken to carrying and shoots the hand as it scampers.]

There are guns outside.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Sherlock, Irene is quite unimpressed by your massive......... firearm.]

And I think I would quite prefer it if they stayed outside, dear sir.

[She talks big, but she's also drifting as if she intends to hide behind this unfamiliar man.]

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[He keeps the gun out anyway - he'd rather not get ambushed here. Though he allows her to drift as she pleases.]

You might feel differently soon enough. There are monsters roaming the area. Those hands are one of the least disturbing.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

Monsters?

[She hovers behind his shoulder, grimacing when she realizes the number of disembodies hands moving along the walls.]

If this is the least of it, I think I would quite prefer to go back home now, if you don't mind.

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[Glancing back at her.]

At the moment, there's no way to return home. We've been trying to find a way back. Supposedly, if we find the person who trapped us here, we can leave. The library is safe from these creatures if you would rather go there.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[It's Irene's first instinct to disagree, especially considering she doesn't have any idea who this man is, but as she watches the creepy hands move around she thinks it might be in her best interest to not be contrary.]

To the library, then. And there you may explain to me where I am and why I've been brought here.

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[He nods and starts walking. He'll just have to gather specimens another day. They're not going anywhere.] This way.

[Sherlock does pause at the door.] You may be surprised by the landscape. Looking ahead generally helps any sense of vertigo. [He leads her out onto the Plane proper.]

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Surprised is probably an understatement, but Irene keeps her wits about her. She makes the mistake of looking down, and from then on keeps her chin held high as she follows him primly.]

I suppose all my questions have been answered. This is most certainly a dream, and I am sure I will awake presently and find the behaviour of my subconscious to have been rather unbecoming.

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[He continues to lead her but he can't help a slight laugh.]

You're wrong. This is the Astral Plane. Generally, you can access it with a thought and leave the same way but something changed three weeks ago. I was sceptical at first but when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how unlikely, must be the truth.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene was getting ready to be angry because, boy, she HATES being wrong... But the quote distracts her.]

I knew the man to whom that saying was attributed. He was also far too self-assured for his own good.

[Her voice is, strangely, devoid of all emotion.]

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[Somewhat surprised, he glances at her.]

Is that so? Because I'm certain I don't know you. I suppose anyone could read it on my website.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[She's had time to become annoyed again.]

I know the man who said that and I assure you, you are most certainly not him.

...What on Earth is a website?

[rationalist.livejournal.com]

[Sherlock meanwhile has time for this to click with what Braxiatel told him before.

Mental note: show Irene his phone later.]

Ah. I can safely say I am the man you're referring to, except about 100 years in the future and possibly not from your world at all.

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[Barbara is dressed like a Victorian gentleman, complete with silk cravat and coachman hat; it's rather a contradiction to her modern sporty wheelchair, and the revolver strapped to it, which she draws with cool efficiency]

Get back.

[her lips curl with faint distaste as she aims and fires; it's a good shot, neatly incapacitating the thing, but she seems quite happy to lower the gun]

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene leaps behind the wheelchair, more than willing to allow her new, unlikely savior to take charge of the situation, although she heaves a sigh of relief when the gun is lowered.]

What is it?!

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[keeps her gaze trained on the rotting hand as she speaks; it twitches, but lays prone for the moment] I'm not sure, honestly. They showed up when we were trapped on the Plane.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene is a little overwhelmed but trying to keep her wits about her.]

The Plane? I... I don't understand.

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[Barbara glances back, with a wry, sympathetic smile] Just arrived? This place is called the Astral Plane. Some kind of experiment of higher beings, is the common theory. It draws people from different times and realities. Usually we're free to come and go, but something happened a few weeks ago that altered the status quo.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Truth be known, Irene is a little more willing to trust this woman just because she's dressed in such familiar clothing. Shallow, yes, but it's something Irene can find comfort in.]

Something, then, has plucked me from my time and place for an experiment, and I can only imagine by this change you mean that we are no longer able to return home.

[She stares at the flopping hand.] I only hope our captors are finding us more resilient than they'd hoped.

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[Barbara's glad she happened to pick this outfit from the ball room's vast wardrobe, even it is heavier than she's accustomed to and her hair's starting to itch beneath the hat]

According to the latest information, it was one of us - someone made a choice, and it ended up trapping us here. If they're to believed, of course but I haven't seen any of them lie directly so far.

[she finally turns away from the hand, though she doesn't holster the gun just yet] As far as I know, everyone's managed to survive the past few weeks.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene finds herself wishing she's been plucked up in her men's costume. Running from disgusting, bodiless hands in a dress seems rather daunting.]

Perhaps we should find a safer venue to continue this discussion, or take the chance of being to first to prove your suspicion incorrect. [She pauses, looking around.] I certainly hope there is a place where these things do not crawl about freely?

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[wry grin, eyes glinting behind her glasses] Best idea I've heard all day. [she holsters her gun, hands falling to her wheels] The safest havens so far seem to the pub, kitchen, and library. That last one is where I tend to hole up. [a pensive pause, as Barbara gazes at her, and then] We could stop by the ballroom, though, if you want some pants.

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene face betrays a smile, because that was precisely the right thing to say.]

Yes, I think trousers are necessary. Once I have obtained proper attire, the library sounds like the best place to collect ourselves. [She thinks it may offend such a capable woman if she offers to push the chair, and instead prepares to simply follow her.] I cannot thank you enough for your timing.

[bodilesswarrior.livejournal.com]

[Barbara nods, before wheeling in the direction of the ball room] You'd think it would have the decency to catch you in suitable monster-escaping wear. [at Irene's thanks she turns her head, smile softening] Of course. I'm just glad I could help. [her expression turns slightly rueful, then]

[thewomanswit.livejournal.com]

[Irene walks beside her, staying aware of their surroundings as they move.] It must become rather tiresome, sweeping to the aide of the new arrivals. I suppose it is best to make introductions before we are distracted once again; I am Miss Irene Adler.