Fic: A Man's Castle is Where His Heart Is: Gen

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Title: A Man’s Castle is Where His Heart Is.
Length: 221B
Rating: Gen
Summary: Holmes and Watson have a sand-castle building competition.
Author's Note: for the monthy prompt: hand utensils

“I commend you, Watson, for suggesting we add a good-natured wager to our sand-castle building competition.”

“Thank you. I commend you for suggesting we make use of the child’s bucket given to us by the hospitable, though slightly misled, agents who rented us the cottage.”

“Yes, they seemed surprised that we weren’t a family of eight, but if two bachelors accustomed to London’s crowded quarters are willing to pay for the space to stretch their limbs whilst on holiday, why shouldn’t they have it?”

“Indeed. Well, I’ve worked up quite a thirst; that pint at the Hairy Barnacle, courtesy of your pocket, is going to taste divine. Are you ready?”

“Yes, you first.”

Watson tore down the towel-curtain that had hung from the sand-sunk shafts of two parasols and served as partition between the two camps.

Like Holmes, Watson had not confined himself to use of the complimentary bucket and tin spade, rake, and sieve, he’d also used sticks and shells and rocks in his sculpting. He smiled and waved at his creation.

Holmes frowned “It’s a…house?”

Watson huffed. “It’s an ample-chested, romantic dwelling, an island of serenity where the best of age-old traditions are still upheld just as this lovely grey wall upholds the lichens that mottle it.”

“Oh, it’s poetry!”

Watson looked over Holmes’s shoulder. “Ah, skeps.”

Holmes beamed.

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Of course that was what Holmes built. Although I suspect Watson's was more impressive.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a question of quantity vs. quality. I think Watson's would be more detailed, but with the right shells & stones, the skeps could look very pretty. And I left it to the reader's imagination which one won the pint.

[debriswoman.livejournal.com]

Delightful
Excellent use of a holiday bucket:-)
Hope they enjoy their pints.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you! Yes, I think it's a draw. Pints for both.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

“It’s an ample-chested, romantic dwelling, an island of serenity where the best of age-old traditions are still upheld just as this lovely grey wall upholds the lichens that mottle it.” “Oh, it’s poetry!”

Excellent use of canon there ^____^ And just a perfect choice of subject for both sand 'castles' ^___^ Rather taken with your name for the pub too.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you! May revisit The Hairy Barnacle for my nautical collection.

[mafief.livejournal.com]

Jumping in on this thread... I'm curious as to which canon story is being referenced.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

It's a mix of 3. Mostly The Retired Colourman: 'a little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichen' to which Holmes says 'severely' 'Cut out the poetry, Watson.' In "The Second Stain" Watson calls a house 'narrow-chested' and in "The Six Napoleons" he calls a row of 'unromantic dwellings' 'flat-chested.'

[mafief.livejournal.com]

I'm not over the name Hairy Barnacle. It's wonderful.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Thank you. In all probability I will return to the Hairy Barnacle for something.