"Personally, I try not to think that members of the rodent family might be preparing my meals," Holmes retorts, but mildly, and takes a scone. Hunger has finally caught up with him, after days of deprivation.

He catches Random's eye and gives him half a smile. "And I do understand. Mycroft and myself have the same sort of goal, I think. But I find myself racing, and glimpse him already at the winning line." He chuckles. "It's quite a quandary, in fact, as he takes no more actual exercise than walking half a block, twice a day."