Fair warning, little of this is going to make sense, because this is about you, and we've been writing together for a ridiculously long time: you're used to my nonsense. Hopefully, though, all of this is news to you, because of reasons.
Zero fucking regrets.
It's been close to seven years, if not a little more, since we started writing together. Or playing, actually, because you've got a life-long membership card for this sandbox I live in. Although the sandbox has had players come and go over the years, and everyone is memorable and missed for various reasons, there's a corner of said sandbox that's reserved for you: and no one can take it or force you to share that space.
I'm certain I tripped over your journal during 2008; because that was the release date for Nolan's The Dark Knight. and it was thereabouts I recruited you to join The Stacked Deck for your Dr. Crane. You were one of the first players-- and a pivotal one, at that. It seems too fucking long since we last played in that universe, but that said, it's enough simply knowing that your interest in the Batverse is still going strong. With long-term writing partners, I can think of little worse than losing common interests and fandoms. The need to write together may be there, but ???? = profit. That hasn't happened to us yet, and I like to think that it never will.
While we don't share a fuckton of fandoms, it doesn't matter. We can freely talk about fandoms in general, whether or not only one of us play in a specific universe. We can talk about Real Life, as well, ranging from personal issues to casual topics: and just as easily, we can go on a combined tirade with no problem. I don't feel as though I'm taking up your time, and/or boring you whenever I'm inspired to spam you with random insights and plot opportunities, in addition to general 'what if..' chats. You're someone whom I care about more than just as 'writing partner #??'. Fuck that, though, because you're not numbered in the first place. Even if something were to happen and we're no longer in contact, I'm not going to think of you as 'that person who played X, Y and Z' and, somehow, that'll be the end of it.
Despite how long we've known each other, we haven't actually written together that much: but why is that necessarily a negative thing? Whenever there are tags due, I greatly enjoy challenging you, and it isn't on the grounds of 'because I can'. Well, that isn't entirely true. Maybe. I don't go out of my way to push you, though I can't say the same for my characters. I never aim to trap you in a corner. There's a line between 'fuck me dead, your post inspires me to write!' and 'welp... what do? There are words, but I can't make my own.' The latter will only happen in an alternative universe.
Admittedly, I do like to challenge you, if only because there's always some practice involved in every scene. I don't feel as though we're ever rehashing, running out of ideas, or caught in a pit of despair, ala 'I JUST WANT TO WRITE ALL THE BLOODY FUCKING THINGS BUT WORDS AREN'T HAPPENING'. If my character is caught off-guard or what have you, it's never a case of forced interaction. Surprises can and will affect the scene in any number of ways, and while I can surprise you (and vice versa) we're not fixated on it. If you give me something I didn't expect, whatever has happened often makes me want to hit you-- throw gifs at you, plus more. And that feeling stays with me for a long time.
I bloody hate you for having that effect on me, but I wouldn't like the alternative. Whatever I'm compelled to write next, there's always a new angle to play at. It's never strictly point A to B to C. After the initial JESUS FUCKING CHRIST FSDGSHTDJDDGHFGHFG flailing and not-so-subtle boasting IMs full of =D =D =D, I can't write fast enough to get a tag-back done for you, but, I hope to get better with that. Each individual post and thread has its special moments, and I can't pick an ultimate favourite.
When it comes to actual, specific gameplay; I can't forget our time in The Shift. It was a nice change, to play Watson in an entirely new setting and with a new cast. One of the several facts that made the game memorable was-- of course, when you brought in Holmes, not to mention our threads with your Bones and Captain America.
We didn't make any grand plans for the duo, if anything at all beyond joining the then-ongoing investigation of Sector A. I can't imagine how else they would have met; the event at the time made for an exceptional 'first time meeting' with a twist. The whole bloody experience was- and still is fantastic.There were some ups and downs; both what could be considered 'the usual', as well as new scenarios. It was a challenge, and yet it was also easy to mesh together our portrayals; how far to go, when and where; would a certain action or bit of dialogue become awkward, or 'expected' or something else entirely. It all fits.
I won't say I had too much fun pushing your character's buttons-- if only because that sounds like the pair of us only write 'for the lulz', for their special brand of banter and whatnot. It is entertaining, mind you, but that aspect of our characters isn't 'all there is'. Bearing in mind the few Holmes I've written with over the years, I can't help but recognise a couple patterns between all players, past and present. That isn't to say I actively compare, or have a list somewhere or anything of the sort. Making comparisons between players is the last thing I want, but I only bring it up because I've had the luck to play with writers who know what they are writing about, and you are definitely the last person I will play this fandom with.
There's nothing awkward or jarring about your characterisation of Holmes. There are little things I've noticed about your portrayal of him, and yet, I can't be any clearer than that. I take it as another good sign, because I don't know what to expect from your next post(s). We understand each other's writing quirks and such, but it's far from reaching the stage where person A can accurately predict person B's posts, ad nauseam. There's always something new involved in each post.
At times there may be a few alternative ideas to write for any single post, but for the most part I have my own motives, ideas, and other hidden details: and I know next to nothing about yours. It must stay that way. This makes for the occasional plot redirection, so to speak, even if it's a minor twist. There's always a number of things to work with, from your posts, ranging from intense scenes to the more mild or casual interactions. Now's a perfect time to tell you that I'm still fegsrdfhdgsrhgs'ing over a particular plot twist of yours, back in The Shift. How the fuck could I have guessed that you would bring in that subject, conversation; in short, effectively cornering me and my character? If there was a medal available for it, I would keep it from you, because you can't win that easily.
There's nothing I can do for it, except to turn the tables on you some time in the future. I've got no set date in mind or anything remotely close to an idea, but it will happen, in one way or another. This is the only warning I am giving you.
Enjoy the suspense! =D I wish I can say more about you, but there'll be opportunities in the future. This isn't a one-time event.