zakynthos

Just wanted to give a bit of support to your writing - I totally did not get any sense of coercion ocurring when I read the story scene. I also think manipulate is fair to say. Calling manipulation a form of forcing is really a stretch. In certain contexts - it could be interpreted as a type of phyosical control - but that definitely was not what was described as far as Dylan's experience with Ryan. It seemed like Dylan was a willing enough participant. 😉

Thanks for adding the context behind your words With some background context - Poetry can be so powerful as well as beautiful! Sadly - without the context - something important is often lost

he thought he'd renamed it *Thorn* in a moment of sentimentality that Val would never let him live down. Only wankers named their swords. Well - of course - only those who have swords can wank them and/or name them. Goes without saying. Not sure Wylan should be considering a "joust" with a guy who names his sword "thorn" The imagery is a bit scary

I am responding to #4 A Brave Decision I was intrigued - but without context was just baffled I was inspired to understand your cryptic cry I connected to the past music moment (praise be to technology) I listened and felt an ember stir within I don't really understand the message here But something was communicated nonetheless

Thought the ancient Sumerian Glitterati cults were common knowledge

The cosmic mage connection was an unexpected twist to the tale (tail?) Ancient grindr sexting 1000yrs before smart phone apps - must be the results from inhaling too much desert air maybe 🤩

ok - I stand corrected - this story did have a Charles Dickens ending after all 😉 The tangled web got sorted and everyone walked away smiling (except maybe Jake - but then again Alex likes having his cake and eating it too - so who knows)

wow - this simple story of two best friends falling for each other has really run amok. Don't see any Charles Dickens happy ending anywhere in sight

The real irony is that nothing seems to change much over the past 1000 years. Your observation is just as accurate for "noble elites" of today as it was for the "nobles" who lived 1000 years ago. I didn't really connect with the Hogan's Hero's spin. I was gretting more of a Prince and the Pauper kind of vibe - but then again "I know Nothing !!!"

So Matty was physically and sexually assaulted at the safe haven his parents sent him. I'm kind of surprised he doesn't seem to be super angry at his parents for sending him there. I am admiring Alex more and more as things unravel - he is trying to honestly deal with his own confusion. This is the perfect opportunity (that too many would take) to abandon Matty's sinking ship and jump over to Jake. Except he is really honoring (or trying to ) his strong bond with Matty. Yah - I am really admiring his character right now

While not a lot seemed to have happened or been revealed - this was a pretty powerful chapter - emotionally. Looks like damage has been done and any recovery is going to be an uphill battle. It felt like a part of Matty's soul has been crushed. Will it recover or will Matty be forever changed and diminished by his experiences while in exile ? I can't help but appreciate the irony here. After previously running away and being in a potentially "unsafe" environment - neither of the boys seemd to have suffered any deep lasting hurt. However - when placed in a supposedly "safe" environment (for his protection) - Matty seems to have sustained some deep serious wounds. Ah - the curse of well meaning (but seriously flawed) parental protection

A bit of a cliffhanger. Reading the tea leaves - something bad happened to Matty at the school forcing his parent to rethink things. Either that - or Matty got kicked out of the new school for doing something prohibited like starting fires in other boys pants maybe ?

So Ellis cleared his long standing debt with Professor Taine AND in the same move - he gets to set up Taine for a long term anguish as well as grabbing control of Charlie's (whom he has a serious grudge with) soul. What a brilliant schemer. Have to admire his akills - a worthy opponent for the professor So I am guessing - Charlie /Taine will find the solution in the Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Obvious really - as Philosophers are the one true bane to all Demons . The old Roman Emporer must have the solution - Right?? 😏

My belief is that the malicious predatory system was built by predators and those who benefited monetariy by acting in concert with predators. True - she is only a cog in the system - but an active participant preying on a vulnerable kid (she swooped in on Liam like a vulture) qualifies her for top billing in the Villain Role 😞

Please remember - Mr Ellis is reading your comments Since he is a low level demon - never know who he is reporting them to.

Sometimes there are fates worse than death. Marina is killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Probably not a good path to take

Although the this has started out on a sombre tone - I was really feeling some of ALex's distress and lonliness (even though he is not totally by himself - feels that way to him) He is showing a lot of maturity as he isn't blaming anyone or feeling sorry for himself. Just trying to cope with the fallout while trying to adjust to Matty's absence while fearful of being exposed. On the surface - it may not appear like too big of a deal - but it's a lot heavier that it looks.

I'm still going with the body time share agreement between Charlie and Taine. Pomegranate seeds may or may not be involved.😁 If I am reading the tea leaves correctly - it looks like Charlie doesn't need turning - he has just been in angry denial regarding his attraction to guys. His mother had already seen through her son's nature - she wasn't shocked or surprised by Taine/Charlie's revelation. Seems like she was seeing something way before the body swap ever happened. (Caveat disclaimer - my tea leaves have been pretty sketchy lately - So laying any heavy bets with D (on this outcome) is not advisable)

Thats why they invented the internet - so much more efficient Whys are you fighting this ?? BTW - Ellis sounded like a psychology therapist doing a pretty good session with Taine as that was pretty good counseling. Maybe they will end up being mates and meet up for drinks on the weekend

Sorry to chime in - But the writing is truly lyrically beautiful and I agree it does come across naturally There is no forced pretense in any of it - which I think enhances the story in subtle but pround ways Truly awesome writer

😅😆😁 Of Course he did. Taine/Charlie is way too experienced dealing with Ellis's traps. He (Taine) would never allow himself to fall into such a cheap plot pit as that. Although - if he had - I wonder which philosopher he woud have turned to to help him extricate himself from the "can't side step fate" thing

It would have been an ironic twist to the story if Taine/Charlie hit and killed a pedestrian when he was texting while driving, Accidentally committing the driving death that this whole "deal with the demon" was supposed to prevent. Mr Ellis would have enjoyed the opportunity to engage in wild demonic laughter 😁

We will all be very disappointed if you don't carry on. Maybe you can call #4 - The Goblet of Desire ( just a thought) But if you do #4 - you will be signing up for 3 more (some sort of moral artistic imperative I think) Lets see now - Goblet of Desire :: Order of the Incubus :: The Half Buff Prince :: and The Deadly Halos Go Charlie !!!

How is this even a small problem 😁 Charlie's weekly allowance would likely be enough to cover it Maybe Charlie should talk to Finn Grady about the value of his BMW's wheel rims. Finn would set Charlie (i want to say "straight" but we all know that's not a possiblity) on a higher road

Enjoyed the bursting of the inflated egos of high school teachers - the true hidden FOE Now quit fooling around with 3 Maenads - no mother (no matter how good) can save him once they get hold of some wine (just ask Orpheus)