Comment on The Mysterious Mr. Holmes

  1. VThinksOn on Chapter 8 Thu 09 Dec 2021 01:59AM UTC

    That's totally fair, once you made the comparison, I can definitely see it.
    The main difference is actually that Holmes doesn't really trust the kids - I'm not sure how exactly to make it clearer as is without it seeming needlessly melodramatic, but he actually is more worried about the harm they might bring to others than the harm that might come to them. I wouldn't have had him call them his relatives at all, except that it needed to be clear that he was referring to the same kids as Mrs. Watson mentioned in the previous bit (hence the "so-called").
    Not to say that he's at all unsentimental XD

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    1. karuna on Chapter 8 Thu 09 Dec 2021 08:40AM UTC

      Once again, I have to admit the text makes clear Holmes' unease about the "relatives" crop of youngsters. That he's watching them (rather than watching over them!) is fairly clear. (Haven't read the origin story of the institute kids. Yet.) Some of them (Reginald?) seem to be helping Watson somewhat. If the kids were all innately sharp but damaged by the institute, it makes sense that Holmes would want to track them to thwart any dangerous predilections.
      Sorry if I seemed to be missing the point! I'm honestly not that dense. Maybe a little tired! Or reading more fluffy pieces this time of year that shade my perception. I'll read more closely, promise.

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      1. VThinksOn on Chapter 8 Thu 09 Dec 2021 05:09PM UTC

        No worries at all! If you had the irregulars on the brain to start, there's no reason at all that Holmes would be suspicious of them, I just wanted to clear it up now so later bits will make a little more sense, especially as this may be the most blatant Holmes's mistrust of them gets (outside of Designation: H itself). I really don't mind it at all; I'm glad you commented so I could clear it up, and your suggestion of a parallel with the irregulars is really interesting, even if it isn't exact. It hadn't crossed my mind at all before, but I am liking the idea of another AU where Poirot (and some of the others) are former irregulars (no institute needed), so thank you!

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