Discussion Post: The Six Napoleons

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Hello, hello everyone. It's discussion time again. How did you all find The Six Napoleons? As always, I've written up a few of my random thoughts and questions about the story. Please feel free to add your own!

- Lestrade! So much good Inspector Lestrade to love in SIXN. I adore the image of him just showing up from time to time to chat... and drop a few case hints. He lacks in detective skill here, getting hung up on the murder and missing the forest for the trees, but he makes up for it in heart. His words of praise and pride to Holmes are sweet. It takes a lot to affect Holmes through kindness.

- What do you think of Holmes' trick of misleading the press to his own benefit? It is ethical? May it give Holmes a negative public impression, getting things "wrong"? He doesn't care about either issue, of course.

- "It is of no consequence to us which is the correct solution." Holmes is singularly uninterested in how exactly Beppo came into possession of the pearl, either by stealing it from Pietro, working with him, or being a go-between. But while that fact may not matter to the private detective theorizing freely, it certainly matters to Lestrade, the police detective entrusted with enforcing the law, don't you think?

- SIXN is a great example of investigation rather than storytelling, making it fun to follow along as readers and track down clues ourselves. But Sherlock Holmes always has one important fact no one else is privy to (here the pearl's existence and its connection to the name Venucci), so we and Watson can never quite put the case together ourselves without him. He wouldn't have it any other way.

- One last thought: if Sherlock Holmes ever wants you to sign away your rights to something, DON'T! No matter what he's offering, turn down the deal. You're being conned out of your black pearl or blue carbuncle!

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: Food for Thought

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Inspector Lestrade
Summary: Watson dines, observes, and digests.
Warnings: Mild spoilers for SIXN.
Word Count: 60, plus a quote from SIXN in italics.
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

SIXN -- The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

“You'll dine with us, Lestrade, and then you are welcome to the sofa until it is time for us to start.”

It was a merry meal. Both Holmes and Lestrade were in high spirits. As I watched them trade good-natured barbs, I marveled at how far we had all come since the early days of our acquaintance. Then, Lestrade had been hostile, Holmes dismissive. Now? We would venture out tonight into danger, each man with two trusted friends at his side.

A Scandal in Bohemia: Untitled

[wild-huntress.livejournal.com]

Canon story: A Scandal in Bohemia
Author: wild_huntress
Rating: G
Author’s note: I got seriously behind schedule in the last few weeks. At any rate, back when we did SCAN, I was inspired by the notion that Irene Adler has some cowboys in her past that might necessitate keeping a low profile...

“You said you told me all I needed to know of your past. You never said you were involved in anything dangerous - that could endanger our family...”

“I promise, Godfrey, I never meant to endanger you or myself.”

“Well, what do you propose we do?”

“I have an idea - but we’ll have to leave again, among other things...”

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: House Calls

[sherlockholmes.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
Title: House Calls
Author: sherlockholmes
Rating: PG

After a taxing day, I closed my practice in favour of a visit to Baker Street. To my surprised, I arrived to find Holmes already had company. Sherlock sat in his blue housecoat looking quite uncharacteristically content while his guest Lestrade stood anxiously by the door, affixing his cuff-links. I noticed the Inspector's averted gaze -- it told me everything.

The Six Napoleons: Finessing the Detective; G

[shadowycat.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
Title: Finessing the Detective
Author: shadowycat
Character: Inspector Lestrade
Rating: G

Inspector Lestrade gazed at the facade of 221b Baker Street thoughtfully. The days when he’d felt a failure for going to Sherlock Holmes were behind him, but deciding on an approach was always tricky. Going in with his hat in his hand was seldom as effective as letting Holmes pry the details out of him. Yes, that’d probably be best.

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: Euphemism

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
Title: Euphemism
Author: thesmallhobbit
Rating: PG

You'll dine with us, Lestrade, and then you are welcome to the sofa

We were fortunate that Holmes was both understanding and unconcerned with the values of our time.  Whilst Holmes rummaged amongst his files Lestrade and I were able to spend a few hours alone in my room together.  This was a life we could not have dared to indulge in if our friend had not provided us with the perfect cover.

The Six Napoleons: Concerto

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Six Napoleons
Title: Concerto
Author: hisietari
Rating: G
Author's Note: Couldn't help it. Blushing Holmes is irresistible.

I understand your gratitude, and maybe amazement, but it was certainly not that difficult a case, and hardly complicated. I wouldn't have expected my friends, who should know me, to be that impressed. However, the whole of Scotland Yard suddenly not jumping on my back anymore? Don't clap before the conductor's put down the baton, Lestrade. What's your next case?

The Six Napoleons: Forgery

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Six Napoleons
Title: Forgery
Author: spacemutineer
Rating: G

Holmes snatched the Conk-Singleton file out of my hand with nary a thank you and flung himself into his chair. With his nose buried deep in the pages, an outside observer would have assumed he was poring over the minutiae of high-level forgery rather than concealing a delighted blush and a smile. I let him think I thought so too.

Shoscombe Old Place, The Sign Of Four, Silver Blaze and The Six Napoleons

[flawedamythyst.livejournal.com]

Let myself get behind again. Still, it's been a very pleasant few hours catching up.

Canon Story: Shoscombe Old Place
Title: A Real Holiday
Rating: PG
A/N: Holmes/Watson. Because I really don't see either of them really being the types for fishing, somehow.

I did not mention in the official narrative that I also laid a great deal of money on Shoscombe Prince and won more than enough to treat Holmes to a real holiday, one on the continent without the trial of pretending to care for fishing. Indeed, we spent our time with far more engaging pursuits, and barely left our room.


Canon Story: The Sign Of Four
Title: Distraction
Rating: PG
A/N: Holmes/Watson (hinted). Based on the first chapter.

It seems an odd truth that talking with Watson who, despite his many great qualities, is not the keenest intellect nor the most cunning conversationalist, should occupy my brain almost as satisfactorily as a puzzle, thereby rendering a second shot of cocaine unnecessary. I hint towards that, hoping that he will always remain beside me, distracting me from my demons.


Canon Story: Silver Blaze
Title: Bad Decisions
Rating: PG
A/N: Silas Brown PoV.

Decisions made before breakfast are rarely good ones. I should have remembered that as I lead Silver Blaze across the moor in the dawn's light, and kept towards King's Pyland rather than letting the devil turn my feet. I have nerves as strong as any man, but I would not repeat the terror of the last few days for anything.


Canon Story: The Six Napoleons
Title: Role-playing
Rating: PG
A/N: Holmes/Watson. And, yes, I failed to keep it to 60 words. Have 100 instead.

One might think that having a Scotland Yard inspector as a regular visitor would put us in danger, given our frequent and enthusiastic breaking of the Offences Against The Person Act, but Holmes and his put-upon assistant are now so familiar that the Yard would hardly notice if we were to engage in sordid acts on the desk of the Chief Inspector. Holmes takes great delight in indulging in these roles, ordering me about as if I am nothing more than a servant. I comply without comment; we both know who will be obeying whom once our door is locked.


*

The Six Napoleons: Dreadful Business, G

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

The Six Napoleons

Title Dreadful Business

Author: tweedisgood

Rating: G


“That should keep them guessing, Holmes.”

“My dear fellow, stop teasing your readers with these preposterous details of imaginary crimes. The Abernettys are our neighbours; they ought not to become notorious merely to serve your pawky sense of humour. People will find out the truth and begin to think that you make every one of my cases up.”