"Redbeard." He leaned back against Mycroft's desk. "Well. The fact that you actually contracted with this service should prevent you from lecturing me for doing the same."
"No, it does not. It simply opens us both up to greater scrutiny."
"My turn first then. It is legal to sell sex for money, so long as it isn't on a street corner, or deemed to be exploitation. I admit, an escort clearinghouse is somewhat questionable, since a brothel is technically illegal, but it is considerabley safer than arranging these things one's self. Of course, this isn't anything like that at all-- just hiring a companion for a business function. Should a date decide to spend some time at your home or office and need money for a cab fare home... well, that's reasonable enough, isn't it?" Sherlock wrinkled his brow. "Oh, but incest though. Now that would be illegal even if it were free."
Mycroft cleared his throat. "Well, fortunately those services aren't required. While we are discussing semantics... technically, I haven't contacted anyone."
"In that case, I hope you pay your assistant well for passing on your morally dubious activities for her to arrange."
Mycroft attempted to answer the accusation with dignity and straightened his posture. "It's more like a standing arrangement."
"So, not a one-time activity."
"Nor for you, I presume. Fine, let's leave it at 'I prefer a distinct lack of commitment in my sexual encounters'. The body requires maintenance. This organisation understands that I don't necessarily desire anything else."
"Necessarily?"
"Occasionally, I might."
"A bit more connection with the general populace you tirelessly serve?"
"Something almost like that. And am I to believe you suddenly have found a previously unknown joy in anonymous sexual encounters? You don't seem the type."
"In truth, I prefer no sexual encounters at all. But to be able to accurately read what someone wants is an acquired skill, and can be a distinct advantage."
Mycroft turned away abruptly. "I'm sorry."
"I chose freely to do this. There is no reason for apologies for either of us."
"No. I'm sorry I ever exposed you to her."
"I learned a great deal from her. We had a night. In Karachi."
Mycroft turned back to face him. "A night?"
"I saved her life. She rewarded me by telling me about her work. Knowing how to manage what influences the vast majority of the world is a valuable asset."
"And you feel comfortable exposing yourself to this?"
"And you would rather call a prostitute than a therapist?"
"I don't want to be analysed, Sherlock. Or should I say William? Being as you are still in character."
Re: FILL 2a/?Intimacy
"Redbeard." He leaned back against Mycroft's desk. "Well. The fact that you actually contracted with this service should prevent you from lecturing me for doing the same."
"No, it does not. It simply opens us both up to greater scrutiny."
"My turn first then. It is legal to sell sex for money, so long as it isn't on a street corner, or deemed to be exploitation. I admit, an escort clearinghouse is somewhat questionable, since a brothel is technically illegal, but it is considerabley safer than arranging these things one's self. Of course, this isn't anything like that at all-- just hiring a companion for a business function. Should a date decide to spend some time at your home or office and need money for a cab fare home... well, that's reasonable enough, isn't it?" Sherlock wrinkled his brow. "Oh, but incest though. Now that would be illegal even if it were free."
Mycroft cleared his throat. "Well, fortunately those services aren't required. While we are discussing semantics... technically, I haven't contacted anyone."
"In that case, I hope you pay your assistant well for passing on your morally dubious activities for her to arrange."
Mycroft attempted to answer the accusation with dignity and straightened his posture. "It's more like a standing arrangement."
"So, not a one-time activity."
"Nor for you, I presume. Fine, let's leave it at 'I prefer a distinct lack of commitment in my sexual encounters'. The body requires maintenance. This organisation understands that I don't necessarily desire anything else."
"Necessarily?"
"Occasionally, I might."
"A bit more connection with the general populace you tirelessly serve?"
"Something almost like that. And am I to believe you suddenly have found a previously unknown joy in anonymous sexual encounters? You don't seem the type."
"In truth, I prefer no sexual encounters at all. But to be able to accurately read what someone wants is an acquired skill, and can be a distinct advantage."
Mycroft turned away abruptly. "I'm sorry."
"I chose freely to do this. There is no reason for apologies for either of us."
"No. I'm sorry I ever exposed you to her."
"I learned a great deal from her. We had a night. In Karachi."
Mycroft turned back to face him. "A night?"
"I saved her life. She rewarded me by telling me about her work. Knowing how to manage what influences the vast majority of the world is a valuable asset."
"And you feel comfortable exposing yourself to this?"
"And you would rather call a prostitute than a therapist?"
"I don't want to be analysed, Sherlock. Or should I say William? Being as you are still in character."