Stellar

Thank you! It was a surprise, to be sure, but a nice one. Indeed he did. There are not many descriptions that are much more literally "going through hell" than what he he was forced to experience in finding his way back. Extraordinary effort of mind and body is required to survive those kinds of things, but he is without doubt an extraordinary individual and came through it without any permanent damage. The question of R&R? Well I, for one, cannot imagine Shay would let Mira go anywhere covered in a multitude of injuries (physical resilience notwithstanding) and neither can I imagine Mira letting Shay out of his sight for more than a minute .. so what do *you* think is going to happen? Odds are strongly in favour of some alone time

Awww, I'm glad! Really, who truly believed I'd do that!

He sure does!

hey thanks for reviewing me! Glad you liked the beginning Technical skill (spelling and grammar and so forth) has always been a bug-bear of mine, so in most cases you will find it well tended to, though one or two mistakes slip through here and there. The first chapter was a bit tentative, and the characterisation felt odd, probably because I hadn't quite launched into it properly yet. However, this is the basis for the story and it's all there. I hope you enjoy the coming chapters!

His survival is due to a combination of factors. The most important is Shay's intervention, which was not intended, but still contributed. There's also the mental landscape that has carried over and developed since he became a human. Not least of all is his body itself, which is rather more resilient and very hardy. A young Wolverine isn't an unfair comparison! Though he doesn't have an adamantium skeleton .. yet! Um, yeah .. just kidding. That'd be silly .......... but kinda cool at the same time. Anyway! Chapter 13 will include that fun part of things: reunion. In fact, that's where it opens.

In an echo of my reply to your review of chapter 11: most people will like it more, I expect. You are a man of few words!

Hahah! Thank you I'm glad too! I could never have gone through with it for real.

You always write far too much for me to answer .. lol! Mira has his purpose in this world and everyone loves him for it. No half measures, no uncertainty .. just him and what he's made for. Boy, is he made for it or what? You and both on the last count. I am very much looking forward to chapter 13.

I didn't reply to your review of the last chapter! My apologies. The miracle is provided! (should I capitalise that or just leave the pun as is?) Well, the miracle was actually Shay's work anyways ... oops, there I am making puns again! Seriously though, this episode sets the stage for the whole what-to-do-about-the-villain part of the plot, not to mention for moving on into a bit more explanation of What Everything Means. We are getting there!

I love stories that are varied and unpredictable, willing to do very controversial and extreme things if it properly furthers the plot. However, Hidden Sunlight was never going to be one where I made a 14 year old boy heartbroken and lost because the love of his life was murdered. It just isn't that story. It's a romance! Not a tragedy. Nasty tragic stuff happens, but have limits on how far I will realistically take things. However, one must not forget that my warning from chapter 11 still exists. Anyone can and potentially will die. I would just at this point exempt Mira from it also. Because he's just that awesome.

Thank you! That's probably the most detailed single glance you'll get inside him, but it comes at a very pivotal time in the story and was 100% required. I try not to be a tease! Did I say that with a straight face? Ah, who am I kidding .. I'm a complete tease! I'm glad you're enjoying it! I can't wait for 13 (btw, your pronunciation is right on the former, not the latter)

The sharpeling hunched in the half-light of the interior. It was shivering, trembling as it sat, mired in a pool of illusions and uncertainty. An audience of peers had gathered, though the sharpeling neither knew nor had a preference, and they watched it curiously as the strange behaviour continued. Certainly, it was unusual to see another of the brood so afflicted, but more of the curiosity centred around the prize that their companion had delivered unto them. So they waited, dubious at the err

Awwwwwww .. it *will* be okay, I promise. I don't write the bad without some corresponding good. Wow, cool. That's awesome, thanks for letting me know

oh wow .. colour me surprised Thank you for such a wonderful review Cassie I'm trying to be faster with chapters I promise, but it's hard work!

Most people won't like them, I suspect The show must go on, however. It certainly doesn't end there! ^^

Indeed, no denying that! That part does totally suck. But at the risk of sounding like an advertisement .. it gets better!

Ah, now that is an interesting way of looking at it. Hartley's motivation and reasons for acting can definitely be viewed in more than one light. Whether or not he was explicitly waiting for something more to occur (or not) is an open question. Keep the faith! Chapter 12 will make things clearer.

I hope not. It is easy to fall shy of expectations. Thank you. I am glad you understand. I trust you will feel better about this once the context of chapter 12 is given. These realisations are something that will be confronted after the events of this chapter have been cleared from Shay's mind. If you read my comments about an author's obligation, then you must also have read the remainder of it and I wish to repeat and emphasize something: "This chapter, 11, is paired with 12. It is *essential* that they are judged together as two halves of this part of the plot." Before you 'formally check out' I would strongly encourage you to read the next part. If you still feel the same afterwards and keep the same desire to not read further, I would understand .. but I need to repeat again the fact that 11 and 12 are linked, and that your final judgement should hold back, just yet.

A day does come when the villain in this story gets his due, I can assure you of that. The reactions are something I am quite prepared for.

I have no problem saying it was rather emotional for me to write. I still feel guilty about this, but as the story unfolds, ultimately you will see events validated. It is safe to say that Shay thinking about anyone else romantically isn't going to happen while he's haunted by this knowledge. Maybe not for a long time. Konstantin and Hartley? Well certainly we shall find out more about both of them in approaching chapters, and further information will be uncovered about the force behind aemfid, Shay's magical 'attributes' and potentially a bit more ancient history

Thank you.

well I don't know what people are expecting, really. I know what I'd logically guess at though!

and resolve you shall see, I can promise.

"Our friend Konstantin spoke of you," Hartley told me, the Russian nodding at this. "He told me you were in a spot of trouble. How fortunate that you've come through it." 'Fortunate'? The cynical double meaning was intended for me and me alone; it was a hidden message, a smiling riposte. Fuck your 'fortunate' and the horse it rode in on. Sofia should have taken lessons from this guy. His eyes revealed no clues and his face was a poker player's dream. There was nothing to give him away, and w

If you've just read chapter 11, this might be why you're reading this post. If not, then you may want to avoid it, unless you want to risk a spoiler or two. To be safe, highlight the following text to view it. Spoiler begins here: No one in Hidden Sunlight is safe. The only 100% exception to that rule is Shay, the protagonist, without whom the story would not exist. Nowhere have I promised a happy ending, nor a clean resolution to the lives of characters in the way the readers may want. This is, in my opinion, the way all good dramatic fiction should be, to some extent. However .. before you decide to hate me for what has happened to Mira: this chapter, 11, is paired with 12. It is *essential* that they are judged together as two halves of this part of the plot. In this context, it will make sense. Ends here.