Oh oh OH! Thank you so much, wonderful Anon, for such a magnificent story! There is so much to love here; where to start?
Perhaps I should first mention your impeccable Watson-voice, both the much-tried Doctor doing his best to keep up with Holmes (and later managing so well on his own despite everything), and the much older, war-weary, heartsick soldier in yet another war, one whose horrors leak through despite everything. Both are simply marvelous and quite distinctly different ages of the same man.
Then there's your wonderful narrative device of lost letters, and an 'unfinished' story whose end is cut short with the tragic loss and Watson's natural reluctance to continue in the face of it. I loved all the details of the different pens, papers, and how the motley collection of pages is all held together.
And then there's the case itself; so very true to the kinds of stories found in canon, with wonderful OCs and a complex series of events. The shadow of possible conflict lies heavily on the narrated case, just as the future, very present fighting colors the story as a whole.
All in all, a fabulous blend of case-fic, characterization, melancholy, and detail, spiced with just the right amount of humorous touches. Brava, dear Anon, and a million kudos!
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Perhaps I should first mention your impeccable Watson-voice, both the much-tried Doctor doing his best to keep up with Holmes (and later managing so well on his own despite everything), and the much older, war-weary, heartsick soldier in yet another war, one whose horrors leak through despite everything. Both are simply marvelous and quite distinctly different ages of the same man.
Then there's your wonderful narrative device of lost letters, and an 'unfinished' story whose end is cut short with the tragic loss and Watson's natural reluctance to continue in the face of it. I loved all the details of the different pens, papers, and how the motley collection of pages is all held together.
And then there's the case itself; so very true to the kinds of stories found in canon, with wonderful OCs and a complex series of events. The shadow of possible conflict lies heavily on the narrated case, just as the future, very present fighting colors the story as a whole.
All in all, a fabulous blend of case-fic, characterization, melancholy, and detail, spiced with just the right amount of humorous touches. Brava, dear Anon, and a million kudos!