Moriarty’s “engine tearing itself to pieces” speech! Playing to Holmes’s deepest flaws and insecurities, as a fellow genius who understands him in a way that even Watson doesn’t! Such a chilling narrative foil…
Holmes actually listening to him… it’s so painful but all of his characterization has been building in this direction, he needs this persona of a detective legend because he doesn’t trust himself to live a rounded life or relate to others as a normal person… and Watson could have maybe reassured him, but he’s not here…
Moriarty’s jump off the cliff - that is a heck of a twist! I was on the edge of my seat and my jaw dropped, and it works so well! Because Moriarty understands Holmes, so of course he does the worst thing: depriving Holmes of his epic victory showdown by just… yeeting himself into the Falls!
HOLMES WANTING TO FOLLOW HIM ARGGEHGAGHRGHAGGAAA
And earlier I said that Watson maybe could have reassured Holmes if he was there, but he’s not… (and Holmes PURPOSEFULLY letting Watson be lured away, so that he doesn’t have a voice of reason to stop him from making these decisions…) except Watson DOES reassure Holmes! The hands, the memory of Watson and Watson’s reassurances have rubbed off, on some subconscious level, at least a little bit! (and side note, that’s super impressive that your character designs are distinct and detailed enough for me to recognize Watson just by his HANDS) 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
But Holmes is still going to fake his death, because Watson’s influence can only do so much…
oh my god. sorry for getting ranty and character analysis-y in the comments, but your stories just… bring that out of me. effervescent job. 15/10
Holmes finally seeing Moriarty for who and what he is. The luster literally coming off! IDK if that was your intention but that's where my brain went. And Moriarty just jumping! I love that it wasn't a fight, only a battle of wills like it always was!
As always the red coming through as Holmes's truth and the truth is that his love for Watson makes him want to live despite it all! Something Moriarty couldn't understand. And here I sit just AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Oh wow, not going over the falls in a final deadly 'embrace', this is even more horrifying. Beautiful that his mental image of Watson stopped him following where Moriarty wanted him to go. 💜
This. Was. INCREDIBLE!!! Everything was building up to this moment! I honestly don't have the words to describe how much I love this! I couldn't have hoped for better!
And it was really awesome to hear about your process, too! Thanks SO much for sharing!!
Oh my GOD.
Moriarty’s “engine tearing itself to pieces” speech! Playing to Holmes’s deepest flaws and insecurities, as a fellow genius who understands him in a way that even Watson doesn’t! Such a chilling narrative foil…
Holmes actually listening to him… it’s so painful but all of his characterization has been building in this direction, he needs this persona of a detective legend because he doesn’t trust himself to live a rounded life or relate to others as a normal person… and Watson could have maybe reassured him, but he’s not here…
Moriarty’s jump off the cliff - that is a heck of a twist! I was on the edge of my seat and my jaw dropped, and it works so well! Because Moriarty understands Holmes, so of course he does the worst thing: depriving Holmes of his epic victory showdown by just… yeeting himself into the Falls!
HOLMES WANTING TO FOLLOW HIM ARGGEHGAGHRGHAGGAAA
And earlier I said that Watson maybe could have reassured Holmes if he was there, but he’s not… (and Holmes PURPOSEFULLY letting Watson be lured away, so that he doesn’t have a voice of reason to stop him from making these decisions…) except Watson DOES reassure Holmes! The hands, the memory of Watson and Watson’s reassurances have rubbed off, on some subconscious level, at least a little bit! (and side note, that’s super impressive that your character designs are distinct and detailed enough for me to recognize Watson just by his HANDS) 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
But Holmes is still going to fake his death, because Watson’s influence can only do so much…
oh my god. sorry for getting ranty and character analysis-y in the comments, but your stories just… bring that out of me. effervescent job. 15/10
That’s lovely, Molly. Really elevates a “between the lines” applicability, which is always fun, to a YES, it was always this way.
Holmes finally seeing Moriarty for who and what he is. The luster literally coming off! IDK if that was your intention but that's where my brain went. And Moriarty just jumping! I love that it wasn't a fight, only a battle of wills like it always was!
As always the red coming through as Holmes's truth and the truth is that his love for Watson makes him want to live despite it all! Something Moriarty couldn't understand. And here I sit just AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Are you going to make this into a book? I would very much like you to make it into a book.
Oh wow, not going over the falls in a final deadly 'embrace', this is even more horrifying. Beautiful that his mental image of Watson stopped him following where Moriarty wanted him to go. 💜
Going feral over a century old short story because you retell it so WELL
The arms!!! Watson holding him back!!! The way Moriarty just tips forward, the bastard!!! *Screams into the void*
this is perfect!!!! ❤️
This. Was. INCREDIBLE!!! Everything was building up to this moment! I honestly don't have the words to describe how much I love this! I couldn't have hoped for better!
And it was really awesome to hear about your process, too! Thanks SO much for sharing!!
Also, I hope you have a lovely time in France! :)
I love how the red is used. This is the first time there's been any color, yes?
OMS so good.
This is beautiful, thank you so much.
If you're going to be in Europe, you could swing by Ireland, mainly Dublin, to do some signings and see all the Oscar Wilde stuff.
Wow, that's beautiful.