fandomhigh | The Science of Deduction, Friday

When all the students had finished filing into class, they might notice a man sitting at the teacher's desk, busy on his mobile phone. Presumably, their esteemed teacher. Esteemed.

Yes.

"This is the Science of Deduction," he said, not looking up from whatever he was working on. For all they knew, it was a rousing game of Tetris. "If you're uncertain as to whether or not you belong here or if you are only in this class to make your parents leave you alone, the answer is no. The door is to your right. I'm sure we'd all appreciate you leave before you waste our time. I know I will."

There was a pause as he waited for anyone to take that offer. It was the kind thing to do, right?

"Let's begin with me saying that I'd rather not be teaching you," Sherlock said, closing the phone and placing it on the desk. Brutal honesty was always the best when dealing with teenagers. Really. "I have it on good authority that I'm not good at dealing with children or idiots. Both of which are in the room at the moment. Outside the classroom as well, but we're not focusing on that at the moment."

He shrugged because what could you do?

"My name is Sherlock Holmes and yes, I am already aware that I share a name and an alarming number of characteristics with a fellow from Victorian England. Any comments about it and you will be assisting me with my experiments. Always pleased to have live subjects for a change."

Oh, if only that was a lie.

"So, let's begin, shall we?"

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"That is generally their basic function."

Yeah, Claudia was kind of a smart ass.

"Mechanic," he replied in a deadpan. "But not exactly a hobbyist with it. Your hands would be cleaner if that was the case."

Claudia looked down at her own hands and scowled faintly. "They're not that dirty."

They kind of were.

Oh, totally.

"Engine grease, if I'm not mistaken."

"Mineral deposits." Claudia held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. "And some oil and solder residue -- kind of the same thing. They're chemically similar."

Which was apparently an okay for Sherlock to come closer and give them a sniff. "Fair enough."

Claudia leaned back a few inches, but otherwise allowed the sniffing. "You're not real big on boundaries, are you?"

"What exactly is the point?" Sherlock asked distractedly. "They impede anything of worth."

Though hugging was right out. And disturbing.

Claudia could think of a few points, most of them having to do with other people's personal comforts, which she had a feeling this guy didn't put much stock in.

"So, you look up everyone's information on your phone before we came in?"