Steven shook his head. God. He wished he did have the scarab, things would be so much easier to explain if he did. He wouldn’t have to feel so insane if he had proof that what happened had actually happened. ❝ No I don’t have it. That cult leader seemed to think I did, or that I knew where it was, but I swear I don’t. ❞ After all he went through, the craziness of being chased in a cupcake van and getting shot at, he could tell that scarab was nothing but trouble. If he did have it, he’d give it straight to the authorities.
It was all so surreal. It felt more like a dream or some movie than real life, and he was still struggling to process everything. He was relieved that Sherlock believed him, because he wasn’t sure if he believed it himself, and so far, the people he thought he could trust to help him hadn’t. He was scared, he was confused and he just needed someone to help him. ❝ I remember they called me a mercenary, but I can’t be, I wouldn’t be. I just work at a gift shop in the museum. Got no business in any of that dodgy stuff. ❞
He brought his hands to his chest, one hand squeezing the other to help ground himself. ❝ The cult leader guy was talking about the Egyptian Goddess Ammit, he wants to find her so he can bring heaven on earth, or something like that. ❞ But as much as Steven wished it, the Egyptian gods weren’t real. Or at the very least, weren’t going to be able to accomplish what this cult guy wanted. ❝ I was awake… I think I was, because how else would I recognise the guy I saw? And I’m missing days, it was Thursday before all this happened, and when I woke up it was Sunday. ❞ That had to mean it was real…. right?
he’s not surprised that he doesn’t have the scarab, he hadn’t actually been expecting him to at all. but these things are always worth checking, of course, so that they can be ruled out as a possibility. sherlock considers the other man for a moment as he speaks, watching closely to observe the minute facial twitches and gestures of his hands. he doesn’t seem to be lying. or if he is, he’s remarkable at it-- but somehow, sherlock doesn’t get the feeling this man is that kind of smart.
❝ a mercenary? ❞ he feels his brows pinch together for just a moment, before his eyes drop down to the man’s hands he squeezes them together. he works in a museum, apparently. sherlock’s head tilts, and he leans forward in his seat, keen blue eyes dragging across the man’s fidgeting fingers. ❝ do you do any manual work? ❞ there are callouses forming on his hands, callouses that sherlock has very rarely seen on someone that just works in a gift shop. he doesn’t look like he works out, so it’s not that.
the comment about the goddess has sherlock rolling his eyes as he tsks lightly, leaning back in his chair. cults are always rather dramatic and deluded. ❝ you’re missing days? ❞ he repeats, one brow lifting just a little bit before he taps a fingertip against the armrest. ❝ have you ever been assessed by a psychologist? ❞ he asks after a moment, expression neutral as he holds the other man’s gaze. ❝ is it possible you have schizophrenia? ❞