fandomhigh | The Science of Sexuality, Monday

There was a chart taped up on the board when the class arrived. Next to it, there was an X with ‘Asexuality’ written beneath it. Since Kinsey, in Sherlock’s opinion, ignored the lack of sexual inclination.

"Good morning,” chirped John Watson, looking fairly smiley (if simply in the face of overwhelming odds) and clapped his hands. “And welcome to the Science of Sexuality. I’m Doctor John Watson, this is Sherlock Holmes. We’ll be discussing any number of things over the course of our time together, things you might want to know at your age. But I believe this is the week of introductions, and so we’ll be asking you to introduce yourselves. But first, a little theory.”

Sherlock was less smiley than him, but that was about par for the course if you knew the man. “Sexuality is not as black and white as being heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual,” he said, gesturing toward the chart. “A pure zero or six is more uncommon than one might think. If you’re truly honest with yourself, you will find yourself somewhere between number one and number five on this chart. Take John, for example. He would, undoubtedly end up somewhere within that group.”

Way to be kind to your flatmate, Sherlock.

“...Yes, thank you, Sherlock.” Who was now the recipient of a glare. “At best, I would be a one. Can we please move on?”

That earned him a quick smile before Sherlock continued. He did so enjoy being correct. “As I have written on the board, Kinsey ignored the last potential label for ones’ sexuality. If you look at the handouts on your desk of Rabger’s model, you’ll see the characteristics of attraction and desire. Numbers zero through six include a mixture of both primary and secondary attraction and desire. Asexuality is the absence of primary with the possibility of secondary. It is referred to as being demisexual when the secondary characteristics are present.”

Which was possibly what the teacher was. If pressed and forced to be completely honest. Which would never happen.

Rabger’s Model
Primary Sexual Attraction
-an instant attraction to people based on instantly available information such as their looks or smell which may or may not lead to arousal or sexual desire
Secondary Sexual Attraction
-an attraction that develops over time based on a person's relationship and emotional connection with another person
Primary Sexual Desire
-the desire to engage in sexual activity for the purposes of personal pleasure whether physical, emotional, or both
Secondary Sexual Desire
-the desire to engage in sexual activity solely for the sake of the happiness of the other person involved, or for another ulterior motive such as the conception of children

Was there anyone here in the room willing to press him? John certainly wasn’t. “Right, so that’s two scales of sexual attraction,” he said. He was still recovering from the earlier speculation on his sexuality, but he was doing so nicely, if you asked him. “Now, we’d like you to introduce yourselves today with your name and form, and of course, where you believe you rank on these scales. Oh, and if you’ve had sexual education before.”

He smiled encouragingly at the class. It was possible he was trying to cancel out his roommate.

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"Because you're a child," John said, in frustration - pardon him, please, for his culture - and threw her a troubled look. "You're not supposed to have to worry about that yet, for god's sake."

"Many people consider exposing someone below the age of consent to overt sexuality to be harmful," Sherlock cut in dryly. "Exploitation is hardly uncommon."

Karla couldn't argue that she'd never been exploited at 'Dite's, though it had been under very extenuating circumstances. "Again, I'm certain we could argue age of consent varying by culture to culture," she said, also not adding she was below the usual age of consent for her own people as well. "Won't this class expose me to overt sexuality? Working at 'Dite's has been educational as well; it's why I asked for the job. Black Widows need to understand sex and sexuality so we can perform our duties."

"This class is coming from an educational angle, not pornography," John cut back in. "It's a vast difference from the kind of exploitation Sherlock mentioned."

If he was sending little pleased grateful looks in Sherlock's direction, that was nobody's business.

Sherlock gave her a sharp look, eyes narrowing. "If you were able to perform these duties of yours now, I dare say you would not be in this class. Which should grant you the facts of the subject to do with as you wish."

"I never said I was a fully-trained Black Widow," Karla said, her tone adding an unspoken 'duh' to that. "That's why I'm here, so that I can learn. But whether it's in a classroom or a shop, knowledge is knowledge."

She leaned back to regard the both of them. "Now, are you protesting because you're genuinely concerned I'm somehow being abused or because my choice of employment goes against what is considered appropriate in your culture?"

Sherlock actually managed a snort of amusement at that. "Of course our culture rebels against the thought of a teenage girl selling pornography and sexual paraphernalia," he replied. "It borders too close on pedophila for a man such as John to be comfortable with. Does your culture support that as well or are you simply waving that flag to win the argument?"

Yes, but she wasn't going to admit that if she could help it!

"My...adopted uncle isn't thrilled at the idea but accepts it," Karla answered, shrugging. "In lieu of apprenticing with a coven while I'm here. It would be more inappropriate for a young female my age who is not a member of the Hourglass, but then, many people would protest a young Queen working as a simple shop girl."

There! And without lying, either!

"Then you can ask nothing of John in regards to accepting your job if, by your own admission, it is still taboo in your culture," Sherlock replied. "But you--"

He smiled and it wasn't entirely kind.

"--you're too smart to listen to him. You know what you're doing and will be just fine without his advice, won't you?"

"I hadn't realized that passing judgment on one's place of work counted as advice," Karla said sweetly. "Should I be texting 'Dite my resignation now, or wait until my shift starts this afternoon?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Either stick to the discussion at hand or leave. Your insistence on running away from it is annoying. The point of the matter is that you have a job that is not socially acceptable here or back where you are from and yet can not understand why one might object to it."

There was a pause as if he had an epiphany.

"My god, do you collapse under the weight of your own hypocrisy?"

The Science of Sexuality, Monday

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