The other half of our duo, here -- thank you, thank you, for such a beautiful little gem of an answer to our request! I love the simple "studies have shown" beginning, that sets out the necessary ground rules for soulmark short stories in such a concise, Sherlockian tone, then the deft segue to the emotional upheaval of Sherlock's return, then the flashbacks to meeting them both.
I love Mary's reasoning for why John has two soulmates, that also explains why she refrains from telling him about her second mark: it explains her choice to us as readers, and would explain it equally understandably to John if it came up during his lifetime. (This Mary may not keep so many awful secrets from John, but it feels perfectly in character to hold this back -- why trouble him with it at the beginning, when his well-being was still so fragile? And ultimately, why have him second-guessing her currently undivided love, or always wondering when her second partner will appear, or fearing an early death of his own?)
I love Mary's quiet on the ride home, so easy to read as patience and understanding of John's anger, so quickly re-interpreted when we learn of her second mark at the same time he does. And I dearly love this line: Sherlock trembles to life, all his abstract, cerebral beauty suddenly there, filling up his skin so that John can touch it. And Amazing what three soulmates can achieve when they work together! And your ending is so sweet and satisfying!
Thank you again for the love and care you put into this story, we are very pleased!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-06-21 06:49 pm (UTC)I love Mary's reasoning for why John has two soulmates, that also explains why she refrains from telling him about her second mark: it explains her choice to us as readers, and would explain it equally understandably to John if it came up during his lifetime. (This Mary may not keep so many awful secrets from John, but it feels perfectly in character to hold this back -- why trouble him with it at the beginning, when his well-being was still so fragile? And ultimately, why have him second-guessing her currently undivided love, or always wondering when her second partner will appear, or fearing an early death of his own?)
I love Mary's quiet on the ride home, so easy to read as patience and understanding of John's anger, so quickly re-interpreted when we learn of her second mark at the same time he does. And I dearly love this line: Sherlock trembles to life, all his abstract, cerebral beauty suddenly there, filling up his skin so that John can touch it. And Amazing what three soulmates can achieve when they work together! And your ending is so sweet and satisfying!
Thank you again for the love and care you put into this story, we are very pleased!