When Loki was seated, Sherlock wriggled is his chair a bit, resting his arms on the arms of the chair, slightly more at ease now that they weren’t circling his violin like two sharks fighting for chum in the water. Even more than relaxed, he was a little pleased with himself and it showed in a pleasant little quirk at the corners of his lips when Loki’s expression hinted at a well-guarded more prickly demeanor. It was so nice to get to the heart of the matter without having to chase someone round the circles they ran in order to justify their behavior, excuse it, lie to themselves desperately so they could live to see another day unburdened by all of those nasty little truths they buried so deeply. But apparently, Loki’s were much closer to the surface and all it had taken was a little tug at the curtains to see what was behind it.
Satisfied with himself, he set his gaze on the kettle and set to pouring himself a cup, putting two sugars in and no cream. The position Loki sat in was a wide stance, an ankle at the knee was an exhibition of one’s ability and intent to take up space, which is why most men crossed their legs this way, but not him. He felt no need for such showy displays of masculine micro-aggression when a well-barbed remark conveyed he wasn’t to be trifled with just as well. He stirred in the sugar and filed it away. So. Father, brother or perhaps both. Loki had revealed an insecurity to Sherlock which could be a very dangerous thing to do, all things considered. Without John here, he was different. More indulgent of the darkness that pulled at him. More impulsive. Less remorseful, less thoughtful. Once again, he was restored to his natural state and instead of hating himself for it, he just decided that was part of his nature with the brilliance that had been given to him.
He’d been entrusted with protecting the sheep but he was a wolf too and knew how to think like the wolves. Everyone had discussed the day that Sherlock Holmes would snap and though he didn’t imagine anything as dramatic as all that, loneliness brought different shades to the man he’d been in London.
That smile was forced and Sherlock’s couldn’t have been easier. He sipped at the tea and sighed at Loki’s terms and conditions. He could tell it really wasn’t up for discussion and this would be a wasted meeting if he didn’t serve his purpose, at the very least. He sighed, tilting his head slightly as he stared, unselfconsciously into Loki’s eyes. “Quite right. We’ll table that for now…” he trailed off, suggesting he could pick it up at any other time he pleased. “Do forgive me. I’m a curious man. It’s a tool of my trade. So let’s discuss Preya. Tell me what you can, from the beginning of your arrival please, the circumstances that brought you here and...” he closed his eyes in a flash of annoyance. “Leave the supernatural out of it, if you can manage that. I believe the people are experiencing a sort of mass hysteria and whether it’s biochemical or psychological warfare, I’m not quite sure.”
Eyes slipping back open, he had another sip of his tea, settling back for the details to come. “And tell me the circumstances regarding the disappearances. What you knew of the people. Whether they made their intent to leave known. Whether they intended to leave at all. Their occupations, relationships, names of people I should speak to for further inquiries. Spare no detail. Everything will be taken into account. A detail you might consider of little concern could be the key to blowing this whole case wide open.”
Instances where Sherlock encouraged others to speak were rare and he still fully expected to interrupt him with questions or inconsistencies he could pick up on, but he wanted to record this all and keep it in his mind palace, safely tucked away for revisiting at later times, in smaller pieces, after he’d had the chance to speak to other witnesses and travel the country a bit himself. See whether he thought these people disappeared of their own volition or something more sinister within the government was taking place. He’d nearly topped the British government a number of times, why not Preya?