#lmao I said I was gonna keep this to three paragraphs and make it succinct

[dirty-bosmer]

Come Get Your (TES) Fics

Been suffering from some terrible writer’s block lately, so I decided, why not share someone else’s story instead :D Inspired by the many lovely recs and reviews from @dumpsterhipster and her new rec blog @dollar-store-apocrypha, I present to you

Next of Kin - by ClassicHer (@princess-prawn)

Fandom: TES Oblivion Rating: E (Graphic Depictions of Violence) Categories: F/M Genre: Mystery, Crime Thriller, Romance Characters: F!OC, Lucien Lachance, The Dark Brotherhood Status: WIP, 125k words

“The dice were loaded, of course. No other way to play.”

This story is far more than a Dark Brotherhood fic, and while I may have initially clicked for the Lucien Lachance tag, I stayed for the brilliantly crafted, delightfully brash protagonist, the impeccable eye for detail, and the fast, gripping plot, all of which are beautifully woven into one of the most enthralling and original mysteries I’ve read on the archive to date. The intrigue is supplied instantly— I mean, just check out that hook! :o

Set prior to any of the events of Oblivion, Next of Kin follows Talrose Gatthen, a Dunmer living with her younger brother on the Anvil Docks whose fondness for drink complements an equally agreeable penchant for bar-fights and gambling. When Tal returns home from yet another late night out, she discovers that her brother has been taken, and the only surviving trace of the struggle is his pearl necklace, found submerged in a pool of blood. 

Rich in suspense and drama and gritty twists, Tal’s journey to track down her brother leads her deep into the underbelly of Cyrodiil’s infamous guild of assassins. Next of Kin features an entirely original plot with a cast of primarily original characters, and yet ClassicHer manages to write the Dark Brotherhood and the broader setting of Cyrodiil with a vibrancy and richness that is both familiarly authentic and impressively novel. 

Furthermore, the characterization in this story is some of the best I’ve ever read in fanfiction, with a protagonist that is such a delicious shade of morally-grey, it makes me weak in the knees. Abrasive, angry, and arguably an asshole, Talrose is realistically flawed while remaining sympathetic through very deftly handled moments of earnestness and vulnerability. We are consistently shown through her actions and the reactions of those around her that she is clever, she is violent, brutal by nature, but so too is her determination and resolve given the emotional weight necessary to keep us rooting for her to succeed (Also she is funny as hell). There are so many things I love about her— her dialogue, her narrative voice are just a few of many. The writing is smart, and there’s a sharp cunning to her character, a roguish charm that fits so perfectly with the darker tones of the story overall.

Not only is Tal a compelling deviation from Dark Brotherhood protagonists I’ve read in the past, but the cast as a whole, both major and minor characters, are fully rendered and written to occupy a believable and vividly painted space within the world at large. To quote my comment because I can: “[ClassicHer has] carved out so much extra depth within the world that everything, even the characters and places that I recognize, have this sleek shine to them that strikes me as *new.*” Of course, I could go on, but I think one of many commenters said it best with:

Every character who's appeared onscreen so far has felt like a rich, complex character with their own inner world and motivations, and it does SO much to keep the reader immersed and invested in the story. - Filigreebee

And lastly, I would be remiss not to mention ya boy Lucien Lachance since I know that for many, his name supplies the most immediate spark of interest and source of appeal when selecting a new fic to read. Due to the nature and timing of the setting, Next of Kin features a pre-Speaker Lucien who has not yet come into a position of authority, subverting the common themes of power imbalance and age gaps that we see in many Dark Brotherhood romances. He is believably a career assassin— ambitious, ruthless, frightening, but not without a masterfully balanced streak of humanity which makes the potential for romance (and a gentle romance at that) all the more convincing. Lucien fans, you will not be disappointed.

All in all, a standout story. I mentioned this the first time I recced this fic, but ClassicHer has demonstrated a level of fluidity in her writing that I aspire to one day achieve. I recommend this story to anyone with a remote interest in the Dark Brotherhood, Oblivion, or writing as a craft. Forever a fave— I will be eagerly awaiting any and all updates.