Philippe

Yay for swimmer Jackson, yay for Tony’s swimming team, Yay for team bois! @Krista, what a great and exciting chapter. I hope the boys get their trophies polished quickly and put away for memories of tonight’s events! lol 😝

Well Olly Orca sounds like quite a hoot. Joey has a shit day delivered from hell and Olly kept his approach most respectful and compassionate; plus he’s comfortable enough with himself to stroke Roman’s ego and then speak comfortable smack. I’m already thinking Olly is a new essential group dynamic; ironic that Shaun denied himself the chance to know this shining personality. Yeah, double bed for the rabbit hutch; thanks Ro! 😝 I’m glad to see them keeping distance from Joey messages from Shaun at this point. It’s no surprise that the most probable provocateurs of Shaun’s final act would make the same continued mistakes for Shaun’s farewell; but then again, that curtain has not closed yet. @James Matthews, you’re capturing the dark recesses of the young mind all too well, but then again, the thoughts and discussions you inspire in this tale may help someone speak more freely of what is taboo with many. Thanks for the journey though it is a little tough at times…yeah, realistic I’d say.

We could always hope this is Joey’s sleep deprived nightmare to allow Shaun a second chance at life; but that’s a reset that is forever removed by far too many in emotional blindness. So, so, sad 😢. The blame game can be played on ones self and all other associates, but unfortunately the ultimate responsibility was Shaun’s; he made poor decisions and then doubled down with continued bad decisions. He was given opportunities to correct his faulty logic but he became uncharacteristically manipulative and irrational. The shame lays where the responsible adults didn’t see but one problem; their son was broken and had to be fixed. All this at the same time Shaun pushed away his friends with his irrational ultimatums; essentially isolating himself to the sole care and unholy mercy of…the blinded bigots. Yes, Joey will read the messages. But that is a damned if you do or don’t. Ironically, it would probably be wise for those messages to only be revealed to Joey in counseling. The burden of being Shaun’s guardian and protector does not belong to Joey. Far too often teen schoolers have the sympathetic wave of suicidal behavior; parents beware. To anyone ever touched by suicide, it’s an impossible path to accept, as we all want to take some level of responsibility that we singularly could have prevented the tragedy; where we might remove an opportunity but it will not have removed the thoughts of self harm. Hopefully Joey, Jack, and Dean will remember that Shaun was not himself, and any guilt implied by him is from an illogical mental existence.

In this chapter, we see the growth in Joey’s life perspective; indeed, it does support the differences between him and the likes of Jack’s dad. The habitual abusive behavior of Jack’s dad is only common with Joey’s in that unfortunately it became physical. Unlike Jack’s dad looking for people to blame for his shortcomings, and continuing to live in his own cycle of violence, Joey shows remorse for acting upon the mountain of his provoked emotions, and even demonstrates restraint when faced with escalating tensions and threats of blackmail against him. Shaun’s hiding has been forcing him to live a life other than his own. Now his emotions have finally forced him out of his own protective barriers and the destruction is most severe for himself; unfortunately, it has brought harm and doubts into the personal life of Jack and Joey, and then spilling those personal lives into the caustic high school environment. The consequences of Shaun throwing feces in to the fan is that even feeding from the backside the air about you is much the same; that situation stinks for all. Joey has to rebuild trust with an abused kid, that only through death has found the courage Joey tried so hard to encourage before. But in the wake of Shaun’s destructive behavior and Jack’s family trauma, Shaun promises more destruction, and with the undeveloped mindless allies in high school, Joey is on a journey that’s sure to test him. So sad, again, as we witness the sacrifice of a long friendship and the self-destruction of someone known to be gentle and caring; it it a shame that the home environment has pushed him to resign to all norms now that he has reached his limit. It seems unlikely that the parents will be helping the situation before it reaches a life or death decision; if then. @James Matthews, you have definitely designed yourself a rollercoaster of emotions; thanks for the open pass for the ride!

Wow, and Shaun was inviting Jack, the openly gay kid, to come live with them??? Shaun is stirring the shit into his own punch bowl. What is this mysterious letter from the school? Why/how has the school gotten involved with Shaun’s personal life and his parents? Did Maddy really stoop to the depths of the selfish and insecure fag hag? Is this another case of best friend interference with Jack and Joey’s love interest? Tommy needs to come out; as his protests do seem too strong. Maybe since Toby doesn’t like rumors but is mostly an unknown, he/they can sell Tommy’s own “gay” rumor as a truth; until Tommy learns his lesson too! 😝

OMFG, Shaun has possibly become a rabid weasel. If Jack’s theory is correct, then Shaun has betrayed his best friend in a backstabbing douce move that may forever be the legacy of their long friendship, irreparable damaged; this is an train wreck with all the casualties and then add the environment spills. The immediate carnage has been felt, and will heal with or without scars, but the environmental damage can’t be undone, can’t be unfelt, and it has already contaminated other relationships and Joey’s mental development, his soul, his self image…, it’s an unforgivable destruction disaster! Shuan should have begged, pleaded, and otherwise confessed to his parents that he played a big role in provoking Joey, and that any retribution against him would only be more destructive. Shaun may have tested the waters with the fence post note, it may have never been the Spanish boy at all, as it did seem strange that Shaun would have seen or known about the note at the distance where Joey would not have also seen him. But likewise, Shaun also had Joey pouring his heart out in total confidence at the cafe, with no admission or sympathetic declarations from him. The backstabbing is bad enough as Joey is keeping him in his confidence, as a best friend, but to backstab his relationship that already shares mental angst of love and sexuality is just lower than low, it’s playing the devil 👿! Then to prey upon Jack at a most tragic time, to tear away a critical lifeline, could in itself be a mental breakpoint for Jack. Not that violence is the answer, but Shaun fully understood his manipulative decisions as they were all premeditated, and the explosive reaction was somewhat understandable and Shaun deserved the repercussions of his deceit. As much as Shaun has been valued in their trio, his value and trust will never be the same. Should his actions result in Jack and Joey’s relationship failing, Shaun will find himself outcast and forever removed from Joey’s heart, it would be no less traumatic than stealing Jack away. So, so sad to see a trusted friend commit friendship suicide; regardless his intent and desires, I could never trust him again, and he would fade into a childhood friendship of which only past memories would survive, and group gatherings will never have the same dynamics again.

@SnowBear, @Demiurge, I can understand the possibilities for spin-offs…., BUT, we have a great story that easily supports a book two; perhaps just returning initially to the power couple, their expanded education and languages research Kalian has been longing for. Of course, while balancing new family dynamics; Meep, Talon, Talon’s King Grandpa Asshat. Kalian is such an angel. Of course many would appear so when gathered among such a family; a genocidal King grandfather-in-law, an assassin partner, an monstrous assassin brother-in-law, a demented mindless sister, and parents which sold there souls long ago…yup, Kalian is a brilliant white angel 😇. Needless to say, if the political atmosphere is anything less than a supportive one with lords doing the right thing with mutual respect, then defensive training and tactics will probably hone the four foot silent ninja into a lethal weapon of mass destruction; Kalian will have a stealthy personal guard So @Demiurge, thank you so much for the journey thus far, … but please let the epilogue introduce the series’s book two storyline of our ying, yang, Meep, monster, misfit family! 😝 SERIOUSLY 😐! Book two, please!

I’m so happy to see you’re back actively posting this story. Thanks for pointing out the edits of previous chapters too, off to re-read those now. Hopefully, your posting objectives will be our rewards, as I’m very curious to see how this develops in this magical realm.

Oh my goodness, start with pure hormonal extract, add awkward gay-like geekiness, fold in some shattered aristocratic confidence, and then grate in a little battered and bruised jock ego zest; this is going to be a cake of explosive flavors, perhaps an Irresistible Angry Angst marble swirl cake? Hahaha 🤪 @Laura S. Fox, what a great introduction to these new characters and a story beginning that already begs for what more is to come; bravo!

Damn the black eye, Damn the bruised chin, I have but one reply, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack wants to mount Joey’s candlestick…again, and again, and again. Oh sweet mis-o-ry, this life, this love, please be with me… Damn your confusion, Damn the tarnation, This be my conclusion, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack wants to mount Joey’s candlestick…contemplation, contemplation, contemplation. Oh sweet mis-o-ry, this life, this love, your place is with me!

Well Ty gets spooked by the shadows, but with Stefan about, it’s wise to give caution where lurking 👀 is unverifiable. Ty’s protocols prove him worthy as the Electric Panda did vouch, now we have two Alpha friends outside of Alpha row that hold council trust; while perhaps one on Alpha row holds council hope. With the Electric Panda executing his plan, with Ty running his investigation, Alpha Struem should soon be approaching a snare of his own rigging. Meanwhile, the Electric Panda seems be going deep undercover with his own internal investigation with full discovery of virgin territories; however, being a smooth operator should be helpful in releasing any pent-up energies held in reserve. Likewise, the newest Alpha gets a teacher’s pass to the greater outdoors; Tour de France? How does that shadow walking-on-water work for the God touched…rather hery. @astone2292, the explosive scenes brought forth by the wizard 🧙 Mickey in Fantasia comes to mind; as I envision wispy shadows and burst 💥 of lightning ⚡️, flashing amongst fiery bombs 💣 lobbed, much in an icy fog of diamond brilliance. And then,… oh my (bear)! 🤦

Goodness, the misfits are a team, bonded and true. They each know the different levels of persuasion, and emotions they each face; the good and the bad. Ironic that this time it was the monster, and friend, that challenged the young Lord Sunbeam’s thinking by provoking him to think beyond his emotions for Talon alone. Then there is the pretentious King of Dleth, but the King of terror gets burned by the Sun Bringer, not with majik, but with his strength and determination to challenge the arrogant ass in his spoken words…in front of his own “army delegation.” A truer strength and character for a King, yet the youn Lord is dismissed as barely worthy of any respect. However, the King gets schooled by Kalian on diplomatic protocols, especially when showing up uninvited. Bonds are strong among the team, but none stronger than the emotions of the summoner for Talon, which must have contributed to the timely return of the sought after Royal grandson. Then the King grandfather shows his character when he fails to win the grandson with “negotiated demands.” Negotiations that rapidly flip to a weaponed cane sword of Dleth rule; a final cut of all family ties? 😝 Cut family ties now has Kalian as guardian of his lunatic sister, which was/is under Anders influence, but quickly abandoned by her blood dynasty. But one’s family ties can go beyond blood, a bonding in spirit and soul; Meep. Meep cared for the young Lord in captivity and now shows devotion in protecting his family against greater foes; Meep! Ironic that the dynasty mom didn’t find courage beyond money to support her family; instead the quick retreat that argues against their family’s military heritage. Yet the great Talon finds a more formidable foe in a shin bruising lion of courage. Yes Talon, Meep is family,..now, where is he to sleep 😴; MEEP! @Demiurge, what a great chapter, and a wonderful summarizing reflection of what the team, the band of misfits, the Kalian’s family has been through; to make them what they have become. And then there is Meep…, I can’t help to get flashbacks of the quick, zany, clairvoyant and unspeaking, roadrunner of cartoon fame…Meep, Meep!

Hmmm 🤔, back home from the heat of the Spanish frying pan 🍳 , jumping into the fire 🔥 stoked by your mom…ahem, your dad…, Joey. Now why?; why did Joey run Joey run? He was introduced as Jack Stanton, but the lasting memory says he is Cliff Hanger! 😝 Is this the bully that his friends defended him from?

OMG, thanks for getting us off that dang cliff. 😊 Finding Talon seems to be Kalian’s only focus, understandably, as the other don’t know and understand the remaining story from the day of the overthrow. Talon needs rescue from himself, but protection until it’s all sorted with clear minds; hopefully Talon can see more clearly as he reflects on every moment of their battle and what choices were force upon them. @Demiurge, thank you for the recovery chapter; getting us away from that staggering battle riddled and destructive chapter that left us holding our breath. The bigger tease of the storyline is not lost here as we see more enlightenment and spell casting from Kalian. This promises greater discovery and perhaps the real reason for the gifting of the Lord Sun Bringer

So you’re saying he’s 18yo? Hahaha 🤣 OMG, I know that feeling, even now it still haunts me to think when and how it worked out…did I close my eyes and roll the dice? 😂

Oh wow, I had just stalked this story page earlier today to check for something new, then a few hours later…voila. Cindzilla needs that stick extracted…with a few abrupt jerks sideways during the pull! These poor boys, it’s so unfair to have a parent that just doesn’t understand the life expectancy of her control. Her authority is quickly speeding like a bug towards a windshield; smack! Good for Jackson, he seems to be figuring things out and Luke may be more onboard than either realize at this point. I just hope @Kristais really good at painting the picture of Cindzilla’s face as she transitions through the supernova of her vanity. @Krista, thanks again for bringing these characters back to us for another great chapter of life.

So indeed Kalian did kill the Soul Eater before Anders could harness but limited powers; and that stolen, not gifted. Unlike the powers Talon had gained through him freeing them from the Soul Eater, Anders ripped them without regard, as he is trying to do with Kalian too. Anders and all his traitorous bastards need to suffer the most painful of deaths; maybe eternity in hell, there has to be a poison pill spell for any escape but that should be a fail safe spell with maybe runes etched on their bones! 😡 Talon is unhinged but perhaps to one, be it through mind or be it through gifts of power they are connected. Perhaps even Anders may find the powers of the Soul Eater were still holding secrets that his heritage denied him; even some murders would never forgive killing their own mothers! @Demiurge, I hasten to say that perhaps another sip of wine may get those words to press, …but with the current state of our lovers, that would just get ugly! But please remember you’ve left us perched upon a ledge and we may just parish without some help here soon!

Anders, what an absolute lunatic, but who did he get his powers and human form? Is there still more to understand about this ancient power he has in his control? Did the Soul Eater truly vanish without some significance or gifting? Or is there still some hidden payback for Anders to be revealed out the time the conditions are aligned….much to ponder. The misfits have pulled off miracles before, let’s hope for one more and than it results in the monkeys eating Ander’s brain 🧠!

Poor restless Mace. The big bad Wolf found his intended to be a young, unknown, but perhaps up and coming giant amongst human mages; one with a most uncommon three affinity gifting. But then the wolf bit his intended and found more than a standard wolf transformation. This unique transformation from human/mage has the beauty of a butterfly morphing to something much more than just beautiful 😍. This butterfly retains its beauty but collects powers and skills at amazing speed. His first turn yielded not a mere wolf but an Alpha Wolf capable of first turn hybrid transformation, but the show was just beginning. Now with impressive friendships and alliances from Alpha Way, NY, the remote Monk Temple, and the EC itself, their just seems to be more at play. Vinsy’s circle of friends keeps rapidly growing but still at play are two little rings; not rings of the Bonded Mates, but that of Devine Kisses. Who else but Vinsy could have a private prayer answered upon request? A simple request for a moment of attention yields a personal boon, a favor of Lady Terik, a God of Seven, one of mischief and humor. As Vinsy finds his tragic life still deserves humor, Lady Terilk finds a much appreciated recognition and respect. But why Lady Terik, why; beyond toilet tissue stuck to shoes, why do you tinker with young boys just before the teacher’s command the embarrassing stand and answer before a full class. Pitching a tent is a great camping skill but doesn’t bode well as testimonial for “higher” education 😛; especially if the tent shows leaky spots…oh my. Isn’t it strange that Remis and Lady Terik are both similarly welcomed by Vinsy, both wanting less serious and less intense life, both desire humor in self and others, and both seem to appreciate the less intense but growing powerhouse Alpha Vincent. And more importantly, both have hidden powers that many may underestimate and one could easily be an agent for the other. 🤪 The Gods, the Moon, and the powers of nature seem to be guiding forces…against Stefan? Or just in general for a greater good to all? The giggling Electric Panda, the Lightning Static Scruffy Haired McAlpha, and the still mysterious Shadow Monk Yabob are themselves more than coincidence. So too are the secret plans of the Alpha Voder, EC Investigator Extraordinaire; he doesn’t make simple plans, talk of masses under duress and me thinks Alpha Ty is just the man to bring a distracting front for a more honest sting 🐝 against Alpha Stalin..ahem…Stuerm, proof that statistics lie and fake surveys are even worse than statistics. Should Stuerm launch a bigger surprise than expected, the informal ties and alliances of all those within 2 degrees of Vincent will quickly learn the strengths in united opponents of Wolves, Lions, Tigers, Bears and more. Me has a big ole bag of popcorn for the ready!

I, with the powers granted me, as Royal and Devine, do sentence you…to be judged by my father, Adam, King Protector of all the Kings of the Circle ! Devils 👿 Beware! Too real..hahaha

Ironic that Anders mocks Mallex for being the fool that lost his way for lack of objective when it came to Kalian…, hmmm 🤔, that does seems familiar, except this time it’s obsessive hate vs obsessive love, but isn’t it still allowing a strong foe, perhaps of prophetical significance, to live purely for false pride or hope of manipulation? Kalian’s mind zap and even the dungeon zap seems to have affected Anders to some extent, though his pride doesn’t allow such admissions, he was ushered out quickly without inflicting retaliative punishment on Kalian, that seems to be energy conservation or lack of focus for his normal mind games. @Demiurge, you have taken an obsessive prick, and replaced him with an even bigger prick; goodness, I hate to think if there is an even bigger prick out there to deal with next…oh wait, Talon’s Grandpapa, King Priqasaurus; can they pit these two against one another?? Hahaha 🤣 dueling pricks, that’s truly crossing the streams of ego, arrogance, and power; which one’s is bigger? 😱

Oh my, so much to…unPACK for this new PACK territory deeding and leadership council. So Vinsy and his chosen council have spoken their desires for the new pack territory. The recipients are likewise happy with the proposal to share leadership in a unconventional way…but does this need EC blessing to become official record? Either way, how does the traditional rules apply to this rule by council? Ex. Vinsy was challenged by the then claiming Alpha and was destroyed in Vinsy’s defensive response; therefore, territory to Vinsy. Traditional, simple, understood. Now should the council members and equal partners get challenged, or challenge in the name of the pack, can they designate the defending challenger? If the defending councilman gets whacked, then does that share become controlling in seating a new council…person? Or does that unseat the entire council? So just what does the challenger gain in their quest, what’s the booty? Or do the remaining members get to counter challenge in defense of the council? @astone2292what a wonderful way to reset the common knowledge between the alphas and Monk than to have a mind whisper from the shadows. And again the common thread of Alpha Voder comes up again in reference to the training resume of McAlpha. While Remis talks of being easy going and not to dare challenge the Delta Mountain, I envision something more aligned with a overly sinister smile, thinking the Batman Joker, belly laughing 😝 and shooting lightning bolts with his non-drinking hand…because obviously that one is busy. Oh my, if McAlpha were able to get wasted to the point of hiccups…how many mega joules will each spark release? Would he need a Tesla power wall to handle his bar stories! 😝 As he becomes a fixture as ally and neighbor, the kids will probably be snickering 🤭 too as they call out to Uncle Remis; though they understand he is definitely not Disney rated for the average young children! 🤪 I’m thinking that’s probably PG17. It’s so good to see the return to training for Vinsy and that he continues to WOW teachers and observers. Then, as Vinsy thinks on placing his call to a god, one of seven, how do you properly address this God of Order? Then how will he have his conversation when he is so grossly overcharged and incoherent to the possession?? Will Vinsy then have thin double stripes or a more bold for Bol and a single for sister, or do the stripes remain as one per god having visited? So no benefit at all to saying Elvis was here, twice. 😂 So the bad jokes are unLEASHED between partners but at least that puts to bed the concerns of seeing a bald headed wolf 🐺. Howling good, that one! But the partner may have to report being bitten if he shows up with a leash and bacon 🥓 dog treats. @astone2292, you continue to deliver, thank you again for this creative story. As my granddaddy said, life is much simpler if you remember the basic rules of a jackal; you see something of interest, sniff it, still interested, lick it,…if you can’t eat it , fuk it, if you can’t fuk it, piss on it, and move along!

Damn you @Ivor Slipper, tears, tears, and more tears 😭; tears for them having found each other, tears that Wayne has found balance in heritage and heart, tears that their journey now has a destination far from present. Well done presenting so many emotions of introspection by our young friends, and lovers, while navigating within environments of diverse differences of social and economic influences; yet, the hearts of these two bonded and stayed true.

Man oh man are these class reunions going to be one huge and special family union; and probably closing with Royal Balls! The way Adam has brought pride, prestige, and unity to present and past students, even pas students without Adam’s leadership, they should probably just plan all encompassing Knights Academy Galas; even the “un-knighted alumni” are bound to have lose ties to the Knights of Adam’s Reign.

Oh my, @Demiurge, in the wine cellar again; and I know exactly which type you partook…blush! Oh my goodness, so much blush for this one; but is wine suppose to have slammers? With Kalian begging for forgiveness, and Talon trying to understand just when and how, this has the boys resisting the same mistakes. Without finding the correct words to express himself, Talon turned to his own special sign language, well perhaps reading the Braille of Kalian’s inner-self is more correct. Seeing Kalian needing his special magiks, Talon pulls out his wand and starts thrusting spells and special magiks reserved for only Kalian. Kalian’s enthusiasm overtakes him as he shouts his support for Talons castings. Whether his magiks or his poultice, Talon’s medicine stimulates and heals the damaged verbal and telepathic communication channels between them. Operation Rescue Aramis results in a temporary Loren truce and perhaps some Rah spoken truths. The truths of Anders past and hopefully some news of his present; though it will likely still lack in news from Kalian’s mind blast, we can hope for some equally punishing pain and suffering for Captain/General of his army Anders, perhaps as he overextended his reach and powers. Kalian finds even more resolution in protecting his friends and accepting the costs he must that beyond his control but within his obligation.