Danners

Timok has become an anime antagonist or, I suppose, an anti-hero cast in the role of supporting character/ comedy relief. He makes me laugh so hard! I. Love. It. What the stars? I jerked nearly off my feet, smacking into Garjah’s chest. “What are you doing here?” The lack of privacy was atrocious, and I glared at him. “Shouldn’t you be off torturing and studying something?” “I am.” His eyes gleamed in the pale light in the underground room. Absolute perfection, @Cia

I wonder if the Kardoval fear their own stagnancy. Garjah's authority legitimized their iron fisted dominance, translating their will to the people. Beyond that, Garjah's duty -- his birthright as dictated by their society's line of succession -- is perhaps the only role, within their society, that can supercede their wishes. Garjah's influence is greater than their own. ESL (nickname, fight me) can overcome his mate's trauma but he will need to remember that Garjah's "job" is also who he is as a person. By convincing him that he failed his mate, they convinced him that he failed his role, he failed his reason for living. ESL needs to remind him that the Kardoval failed, that the artificial absence between them actually strengthened their bond, their resolve to be together. In other words, teh smex.

Yay! It's been too long! Something tells me Virgil isn't just a good guy and he is neither selfish nor "venial" (for the times) in his interest in Wyatt. Yes, he is hot for the boy's tamale. Yes, he is "woke" for a man of the times. I suspect he had a mentor cut from the same cloth as him or was shown mercy when death would've been the prudent option. Double yay! Your characters are so layered, I know I'm going to be surprised despite all my theories! I missed you and your stories, @Headstall. (Even if this is a short story, you absolute tease!)

Prove them right, Essell, but not in the way they predicted. Turn the planet against them and expose them for the luddites that they are. With Ases' recordings, you can prove -- and broadcast -- their involvement in wreaking chaos for the sole purpose of manipulating the populace.

I love everything about this chapter, especially my favorite ship chugging along. That, and Wyn finally getting his way with Talon. Oh, and Eon's sly revenge for being kept out of the loop. That was masterful. Poor Talon. Hopefully Kalian is resting enough for the both of them.

Omigosh, #teamFilecforever. When Alec drops in on his mother, he should bring her a broomstick and tell the wicked witch to take a flying leap.

It's funny how the negative elements of your past can skew the present positives and I yhink that's exactly what Alec is experiencing. He hated the town, he hated his mom and how she rained her bullsh*t down on ecery aspect of his life as a teenager, but the beacons of light -- Finn, Milo, River, that bunch -- float on the surface of his mind while the dark elements eventually sink to the bottom (to be forgotten). I hope his subconscious self keeps leading him to Finn. The little girl is Milo's and, even if she isn;t, the fact that she is Finn's and he loves her will be enough to temper Alec's feelings. Again, he may hate the town, but someone like Finn will weather distance, will weather time. Finn is, like, the definition of "absence will make the heart grow fonder," Alec.

“Guilty,” he sang. “But causing trouble is so much fun. And you’ve been having a lot of fun.” Ases is my spirit animal, and he brought me back to:

Worth the wait! Not only was it passionate, but you captured how intimate their joining was. It was breathtaking.

I'm torn between sadness, anger, and giddy anticipation. That something like that occurred without consequence makes me sick. I mourn the loss of Scarlett's innocence, as well as the other girls', and yet the first hint of justice fills me with excitement, the anticipation of witnessing the Mortereros' house of cards toppling is . . . delightful. Beyond all that, Mr. Bosson's story also made me curious. I wonder if that party, that gang rape, was the catalyst for what the Terrible Trio would become. Was this a trial run? When they learned they could orchestrate travesties and get away with it, did that inform their decision to truly become monsters? I know we'll find out eventually. Every chapter, every excerpt, leads us closer to the truth -- its unveiling. Aaaaand on that note: can we have the next chapter, please? Pretty please?

You gave us another gripping chapter so, really, it was well worth the wait. I kind of like that this chapter gave you so much trouble, y'know? It shows you really grappled with your characters' psyches, their reactions. Plus the subject matter was heavy all around and yet you managed to inject some humor and even a glimmer of hope into your work. Whether regularly or sporadically, keep 'em coming!

My favorite character dead and my second favorite character broken with grief. Why do you hate me?! The only positive is that Lyme is in a position to comfort Eon and I ship them so effin' hard.

Garjah and Bouncer remain my heroes.

Let us be the judge of what's good enough. Relax and let go of some of the pressure you're feeling. You won't be sorry.