Fic: Lovers Meeting

[shes_a_geek]

Holmes-related slash is my guilty pleasure. It's kind of like putting chocolate chips on my Belgian waffles...It just makes everything a bit more interesting. And...despite my experimentation with various other Holmesian fandoms (an Irene Adler mystery that the world is not yet prepared for, numerous fics about the Moriartys, a not-so-secret

Comments

[lawnnun]

Dude. Now I have to work on my Moriarty/Moran fic.

[shes_a_geek]

Yes. You do. And it will be amazing. :)

[daylyn]

Ooh, that's quite intriguing. Of course, now I'm just looking for more -- what happens next? Quite cool.

I guess my only criticism would be the use of first names -- from what I understand about Victorian times, that's actually quite informal and usually only used by families. Although I do like the use of Seb...

Anyway, I'm thoroughly interested and would love to read more.

[shes_a_geek]

Thanks for reviewing! I felt awkward, as no one (besides Not You's short tidbit and some Friday Fives) seems to write Moriarty/Moran...and I've never written slash of any kind (implied or otherwise) before...

I wasn't too sure about this either...I liked using Seb, but I was going to go with just using "Watson" instead of "John." And then...I don't know. The over-familiarity just seemed to fit Harry's personality.

But I'm still not sure about how it looks.

[daylyn]

Hmmm... then have Watson comment on Harry's over-familiarity. Probably refer to him by his last name in his mind at first, and then change it to Harry with a wee bit of a commentary. That could work.

Regarding the ending, maybe you could have Watson tell us how he put it together -- mention back to VALL and what he knew.

Last comment -- you initially have Watson say he's was coping fairly well with Holmes' loss. I would love to see that a bit more angsty. It doesn't have to be melodramatic over-the-top angst (which I've been guilty of... from time to time), but something a little sadder and tinged with regret.

Otherwise, I actually quite like it. Definitely a good first attempt at slash.

[shes_a_geek]

Hmm..I plan on writing a more thoroughly edited version/continuation of this sometime over the weekend. I'll definitely include more references to VALL. And I'll try to work in more about Harry...

This whole thing is worked out in my mind...I just wish I could get it to tranfer to paper. Maybe the Fives tomorrow will help those creative juices flowing.

Oh, and thanks for reviewing!! I thought about posting a similar story on FF.net some time ago, and then decided not to due to the strong anti-slash sentiment over there. Overall, the SH fandom seems more accepting of slash and alternate interpretations of the Canon, but there are always those who will respond with, "I like your story, but I don't know why you have to slash them..."

And then I discovered Holmesslash. *does happy dance* Although slash is not my only Holmes-fandom, I do like the energy and creativity in the comm.

[derien]

And my only crit would be that I can't believe anyone would put it together so fast as Watson did at the end. Did he have any knowledge of Moran's existance before Empty House?

Otherwise, bravo - a very nice tale!

[shes_a_geek]

To be honest, I'm not sure. In EMPT, Watson appears to be learning about Moran for the first time, but Seb mentions him in VALL during his rany about Moriarty.

I have to admit, I'm not really good with pacing a story, so your input is greatly appreciated.
*bows down to Darien and that ridiculously cute icon*

[derien]

To be honest, I'm not sure. In EMPT, Watson appears to be learning about Moran for the first time, but Seb mentions him in VALL during his rany about Moriarty.

Confusing. It might be fine to have Watson not get it at all, at the time. In the last paragraph it could be revealed that he's reflecting back and just realizing, years later, who that was and who the Professor his friend mentioned was.

You saw my mouse! You'd be surprised how many people only see the teacup and don't notice the mouse for ages. (Even fewer realize it's the mouse from the Hitchhiker's Guide movie, offering to buy Arthur's brain. Cute, but sinister. ;))

[shes_a_geek]

I'm still struggling with the Watson-revelation. I'm thinking of having Harry go on a bit more about how strange it is to be talking about "the Professor." Watson could then go home. Unable to sleep later that night, he finds himself going over old case notes again. While going through one file, he notices the name "Sebastian Moran," and it dawns on him.

Perhaps he'll run into Moran again before EMPT...or maybe not. It's not really straight in my mind yet.

Yay for the mouse! I love rodents of all kinds, but mice are my favorites, ever since I read the Beatrix Potter stories and saw "An American Tail" and "The Great Mouse Detective" as a little kid. I haven't seen the Hitchhiker's Guide movie (yet). I read the books sometime ago, but I don't remember a sinister mouse in them...did they invent it just for the movie?

[liederlady221b]

Hey, love your fic. It's very well written. One of the things I miss most is not having the time to keep up w/Holmesslash posts--and miss good fics like yours.

I, too, was niggled by Watson clicking on to who Moran was. I do like Derien's idea about having Harry's references to "the professor" and "old Seb" nag at Watson until he reviews his notes. And is there ANY question that the reason Watson & Moran won at whist is because Moran cheats? HA! Won't that make an interesting conversation after Holmes returns?

The skill for writing romance, like so much else, just comes from experimenting & lots of practice at writing it. I always feel as though I go over the top & stray into soppy.

But, in my book, there's nothing wrong w/angst. Nothin' at all! I'm off to see whether you continued this story. If not, hope you do.

Oh, and I love your reference to Watson's famed appetite. ;)

[shes_a_geek]

Thanks for commenting! I've been planning to edit and continue this, but haven't had the time to devote any length to serious fics. I've written some Moriarty/Moran crack-ish type stuff on Holmesslash (as "yvonneasimov"), as well as a dreadful Holmes/Moriarty AU based on Michael Hardwick's Sherlock Holmes: My Life and Crimes.

After rereading this after a loooooong time, the instant connection Watson makes regarding Moran's identity does kind of bugs me, too. Has it ever been really established when VALL takes place? I've seen conflicting ideas, so didn't really know how familiar Watson would be with that knowledge. Also, I have a bad habit in my writing to want to get to the "good part" right away. (Hey! Doesn't Holmes berate Watson for the same thing somewhere? I'll have to go check.) I think that's why I have a really hard time keeping an extended story going.

[liederlady221b]

As far as dating for VALL, I believe it's often set in January (month & day, the seventh--the day after Holmes' birthday, are referenced in the tale) 1888. Of course, in VALL, Watson knows precisely who Moriarty is, yet in FINA, he claims to know nothing of the man.

Of course, that's the great thing about AU's. We can do as we like with facts!

Also, I have a bad habit in my writing to want to get to the "good part" right away .... I think that's why I have a really hard time keeping an extended story going.

Try writing the "good part" first? Sometimes I do that & then the other pieces of the story often fall into place (like someone else is writing them--very scary). Keeping longer fics going isn't my failing--finishing them is! HA!

Finding the time to craft is difficult, though. I can relate. Good luck w/it.