Cia

1) Nope, sex is sex and that's always been my mindset. Do I like sex with women? Sure. Do I miss being with a woman since I'm married to a man? No. To me a relationship isn't about the gender of my partner but about the personality of my partner and how we click. For him to be a less jealous, cranky man? Sure. A woman? No. 2) I'm me. I'm not 'gay' or 'straight'. I like to eye handsome men and beautiful women all the time but that's as far as it goes. I don't mind having been with one man for 14 years, or maybe it's just that I'm so used to it I don't even really worry about that factor of wanting someone else. I'm happy with my sex life as is and don't feel like I'm missing anything because I can't be with a woman. 3) I think that extra partners can work in a relationship... but it would be damn hard to do. You would have to counter jealousy, resentment, fear of abandonment, negative comparisons, ego... face it, it'd be a juggle act and a half to do that. One night stands just aren't smart in this day and age but emotionally I'd see that as being a hell of a lot easier. For me, my marriage is way too important beyond my sex life to risk it for a short time of pleasure that isn't necessary to my happiness, no matter how willing my partner seemed to accept it. Not to mention if my hubby tried being with a woman (he's not bi) I'd be chopping bits of his anatomy off. I don't share and I'm not a hypocrite. I think too many people focus on the belief that bisexuals are focused on the sex of their partner. I have never had that mindset so I just don't understand it. For me, when I looked for a bed partner or a relationship, I was looking for a person. I wasn't looking for a man or a woman, that facet of whoever it was just... was. I'm bi, I think I am lucky to be able to not worry about the gender of who I am attracted to, just what kind of person they are instead. Yay for me, many more chances to find a compatible person (if I'm ever in the market again) than most people.

Wow, your first post and it's in my forum. Thanks so much Labrador, I'm glad you like the story! The Carthera world is one I love to write, the characters really capture my attention.Thank you for pointing that mistake out, I'll go fix it. It can be hard to keep track of all the details sometimes. I hope you continue to enjoy the story, a new chapter will be out soon!

You're becoming me... but with a full time job too. Damn Comic! You need to slow down hun, or you will burn out. Or at least stop pressuring yourself to have it all done now now now. Please? I don't wanna see you have a meltdown.

LOL. I like to let chapters build up sometimes too, I don't mind. I'm glad you enjoyed the story so far. I have to admit to really putting my characters through the ringer (it'd be silly to deny with all the proof posted here, lol) but I don't think I could come near your level of nail biting stories. I've literally sat holding my pillow and biting it as I read as fast as I possibly could (pretty damn fast!) so I could just see what happens and get to a happily ever after before my heart explodes, lol. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, as always. You're a gem!

You mean normal, average, every day people who just happen to like canoodling with their own gender Gene Splicer?

I believe the word you are looking for is 'type-cast' The bimbo blond cheerleader that always goes downstairs with the killer, the quirky brunette with the slightly chunky body best friend, the nerd with the scrawny body and glasses, the jock with no neck and a penchant for saying dude, and the well dressed-finger snapping-lisping gay man. Hollywood takes the most well known stereotypes about ANYONE and blows it up. Personalities on the screen, tv or movie, have to be big to be interesting. The quiet, average man who likes sports and men? Pfft, no way, who wants to go see that? I'm not advocating for those stereotypes being perpetuated, trust me, I'm a redhead. Do you know how many times my husband has said, 'I married a redhead' and people are like, oh man, I am so sorry! Then again, it's better than being a dumb blonde, right? *insert sarcastic smile* IMO, stereotypes are everywhere. I'm pretty sure that MOST people nowadays know that the face of 'gay men' is not accurately portrayed by Hollywood in the majority of shows. Hell, unless they are doing a based on a true story movie, all of that crap is made up. Fantasy, fake. It can be offensive to some but since they've been doing it to just about EVERYONE since the movie/tv business began, I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Pete, I think a common thread in your comments is that 'bi' men are hiding who they are. Not all men who are bi don't want others to know they like men and women. It's not always a case of... oh, I got caught with a man, better just say I'm bi so then the guys still think I like women too and I'm only a little bent, not all the way. Sometimes... a man just likes men and women. Sometimes a woman just likes women and men. Those of us who identify as bi don't always hide it. I can't call myself a lesbian because I'm not one, I call myself a bisexual. That's what fits even if I don't 'act' on it. I married a man, I have kids with him. I've been with him for a LONG time, 14 years to be exact. We've stood the test of time so far and I've never been tempted to cheat just because I miss being with a woman anymore than I miss being with a different man. That's just me, I have a strong sense of loyalty and for me, being with anyone else would be wrong and against the vows I took. A situation like Russel described, where it's an open relationship and both partners know the others are going extracurricular, that's their choice and what makes them happy. I don't have that relationship and I find I do just fine with it. I'm also sort of in the closet. I have friends and some family who know that I am bi. Some even know I write mm stories, which tends to weird them out more, oddly enough. I had one sister call me a freak. *shrugs* I don't scream it from the roof tops that I like women because it would cause rifts with some people that I just don't want to lose in my life and right now, since I'm not in a relationship with a woman, it doesn't really hinge on my life. If I ever was, that'd be different. I'm not ashamed or feel the need to hide who I like, I just don't see the point of sharing it with everyone.

Thanks Bandage! I always try to create as much realism as I can in my fantasy stories, lol. I am glad you enjoyed this chapter. It's not just me wanting to write Isiah but the fact that he is an intrinsic part of the plot in this story. Twins always have to be up in each other's business and all that I have brothers who are twins and my dad is a twin so I do know a thing or two about them. Weird bond, I'll tell you that. Anyway, Isiah brings to light certain things we didn't know before but need to know. I am so glad you continue to enjoy the story! I'll be posting more soon!

I love getting your reviews! You're so in depth and I like hearing how you are feeling about the story so far. I think of Dav a little like a kid that has been forced to grow up totally emotionally stunted. That can cripple a person in many ways. His relationship with Ellis, or lack of it, is definitely affected by his upbringing. I'm always trying to keep things interesting for the readers. I like a rich and varied cast of characters but so often I get mired in only showing my main characters. In this story I'm really trying to make a richer world with the characters. I'm glad it's working! Thanks so much for the review!

Chapter 8 is up! I hope you enjoy!

"This is going to sting." Dr. Pannar held my arm under the hot water and pushed open the cuts to let the water cleanse the pus. "I'd prefer to use sterile solution, but we just don't have it." I clenched my teeth together and grunted. The alcohol he poured over the punctures was worse, burning so much that it felt like Benny’s claws were back in my arms. I felt the sweat beading up on my forehead and I swallowed convulsively as my mouth watered and my stomach heaved. I managed to hold it down

A good story and you do set quite the scene for why Zeke has the record he does. Certainly out of character for the character you have written. Cole is the classic cop/preacher's kid. Rebelling just to seem normal since everyone expects you to either be a goody goody or a rebel. It'll be interesting to see where the story goes.

As another part of your team, I think that it's the way it's written that will give the scene the emotional focus one way or the other. Either thinking of her not doing something leads to thinking about sex with her which would naturally make him uncomfortable when he's having sex with someone else or he flashes, omg, that feels so good, she never did that, it's been so long..oooooh, god yeah. With one the focus is more on what his wife did or didn't do. The other is more of a focus on the fact that it's been so long since he had that sex act simply because his wife didn't do it. The second would work, the first would not, imo.

I've done that upon occasion though I usually realize I'm writing in the wrong 'person' pretty quickly. I prefer third but occasionally write in first. My bigger problem is that upon occasion I'll write the wrong character name. I won't use the different 'character' personality/features, but I'll just mix up names. In that case Andy is right, my beta/editor is invaluable because she points it out usually since I miss it.

Don't be the flippant Yang Bang you like to show here. Be the serious but humorous Yang some of us have seen behind the scenes. Very much what Mark mentions. You've been given a large amount of very helpful tips, though if you're going to go with James' make sure you use minty flavored liquor Other than that, I don't think there is too much I can add, except good luck.

Good job hun!!

I don't know how any parent can NOT see that their child is that unhappy at school and not try to find out why. But... I've learned that I can't measure all parents by what I think is appropriate. I was taunted unmercifully in school at times but I always had friends. The isolation you wrote in this story would be awful to endure. I'm glad you ended it well and with a bit of a moral lesson. Suicide will end your pain but it helps no one. Thanks for sharing Bill.

A very different type of coming out/of age story. Set in an exotic locale, for me, and with a very different feel to the pacing, this story could be really good. I hope you continue it. Good job.

First, thank you! I love the prompts, even if they don't inspire a story or I can't get to them right off. Second, Awwww, poor Comicfan. I soooooo know what you are going through, hun! Stories here and there and everywhere and only one of me. That being said, yay for more stories for me to read from you! Guess Comicfan doesn't get his fun time til his writing time is done, now does he? Get to work !*cracks whip*

I suppose I did jump to conclusions on why it was done. However, something like that indicates a very strong emotion behind the murder. I would guess the story that comes out will rock the community, whatever it ends up being.

His name is Kertyn and he was considered touched by their god Stygianius, god of night, because his eyes were all pupil-literally black-like a night sky. Because of that, almost all light was agonizingly painful. I'm glad you liked the story! I will have to see what I can do about writing more stories like this one for you Thanks for the review hun!

I know I'm evil! Next chapter will be out in a few days!

It always comes out in a rural community. We had a murder where I grew up once and it wasn't long before everyone knew every detail. Hopefully the community will pull together and help support the poor man's family as well. Such hatred is a disgrace and the perpetrators should be punished severely. No one deserves to die for who they choose to love.

Thank you Michael. I try to always make sure my stories, even the short ones, have a natural progression and end. I liked this world and could have written on but then I wouldn't have time to write the other stories I already have going, lol. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, I'm glad you liked the story!