Philippe

I’m loving it; more, more, more 🔪 🍴 😋

Running from what/who and running to what/who? Some could say he’s running from Hunter and a dangerously toxic environment, while he is desperately running to what he finds more stable and intriguing with…Joey…, Jack…, ???, what’s behind curtain number 3? 😝 More seriously though, I think the youthful back stories of these characters give us much to understand in this merged and a little more mature story setting. I also think the context of the character’s comments and actions thus far is still premature to understand the relationships and/or the direction these characters will be taking; and, how literal was Jack’s ‘I hate that kid.’ How literal was Joey’s statement that his mother gets to see his kid? It’s easy to understand the frustrations of a parent caught in the provider rat race to feel they’re being denied their kid or failing their kid when child care gets them for 8 hrs and they only get a couple of hours, a meal, and a bath before trudging off for another paycheck. We know that Joey had a close family relationship, and that he feels it is still a close relationship, so it’s hard to believe the literal interpretation of Joey not seeing his kid. I was VERY disappointed that Jack would say the kid hate statement to a virtual stranger without a joking reason for why he feels challenged by a kid. Joey coming from an abusive home just makes this all the more disappointing without a better contextual understanding I’m hoping the added contextual understanding is still in the storyline to be delivered …soon? 😝 I understand why puppy told him he’d wait; Hunter doesn’t listen and is going to just keep after him…while telling him to go rest, Hunter is still the dominant partner, and puppy hasn’t still grown past needing someone to structure his life…as it’s always been. No therapy or counseling will work without the subject embracing who they are, where they need to be, and truly wanting to change what plagues them. Puppy has most always found comfort in being submissive in his relationships, so even if somewhat toxic, Puppy needs that dominant guidance or he feels disoriented and somewhat vacant. Many people that need change cannot find the strength to leave the “known” for the “unknown” promises or possibilities; they need that stability…even though it frustrates them or makes them unhappy.

I hope you realized the smoking Griswolds were just losing the years and layers of added oils; you just needed to clean and re-season them. Those Griswolds are cherished items as cast iron products are only produced by one remaining manufacturer in the USA, and that Lodge In Tennessee; anything else is import. But those old Griswolds are classic, lighter and fine craftsmanship. We used to toss any old cast iron skillets and pots too coated, caked, or rusted into the tree burning piles to get basically new items from the ash. It strips the items down totally free of any signs of previous use. Then use get to season it as brand spanking new. So anyone unknowingly discarding those caked old nasty items were tossing away a brand new skillet that was one fire away from being renewed! 😝 This can even be done in a self-cleaning oven cycle too; but use caution as the racks are very limited in the weight they support at those temperatures and you could warp those if too much cast iron is loaded. I’d limit that process to one medium to large item per rack or two items if they are small. This too is best if you truly have an exhaust oven/kitchen fan and not a recirculating grease filter fan.

While the familial bond is easily understandable; actually very strong since Vinicius scientifically conceived and raised Dani, about as naturally as vampires could conceive before Vinicius had other breakthroughs. Beyond that though, Vinicius is proving a far more complex and forward thinking planner. The monies gives Dani and any chosen Specials companions independence from the State Property dependency bondage. It also establishes land and property holdings that may bear witness to court or government standing/recognition. Likewise, Vinicius had the foresight to know Dani must be isolated and/or protected from too much knowledge before he/Specials come into their full powers at 18yo. Ironically, if Vinicius should somehow still be alive, then the stealth trustee for Dani could preserve the holdings until his plan can come from the shadows. @C. Henderson, another suspenseful and mysterious installment to this exciting tale.

Excellent! Again, we have what appears as possibly the workings of Vinicius at play for the protection of both Vincent and for Dani too; too bad that there’s not enough evidence to put an governmental oversight/review in place on the Protection League and Deadnus, as they need to vacate to no closer than outside the campus perimeter. I’d love to see Demetrius return to inflict the worse level of hemorrhoid pain upon Deadnus as she needs to experience the pain she inflicts upon others; that’s the best used for the Protection League Specials, to serve as the conscience of the all powerful. Seeing Deadnus with her eyes rolling back into her head in eternal pain is too kind.

Oh my, this chapter has my emotions all knotted up! Hmmm 🤔, dogs love to chase cats…and their tails, will Damian’s Wolf be constantly sniffing out his Neko? Sensing, and scenting, but never meeting his Neko.

Thank goodness Dani didn’t overreact to the Deadnus grandstanding arrest of Vincent; and kudos to headmistress Boeriella Trusting for finding her courage to face Arani Deadnus. Even when you’re correct the repercussions can be severe and the bully gets their way through intimidation. Interesting that Arani would invoke such arrogance as to brag on being party to the execution of Vincent’s family; especially the brother Gianni, and Deadnus thinks Vincent is the monster 👿! Check the mirror you witch 🧙‍♀️! Dialog between young Vincent and Vinicius has me wondering…VIncious, a human, forcibly changed… Vinicius is know to be extremely intelligent and a path finder for scientific breakthroughs. Could it be that his bloodline is… most curious indeed, I still question if Vinicius is truly dead or if he foresaw Deadnus hyjacking him with State Law infractions worthy of dead; so a strategic dead for a strategic response. Convenient that Vinicius had touched so many and the only evidence of death is no evidence by way of sun vaporization. Dani needs for Dreamscapes…which means we needs more chapters to witness this journey; a fantastic one too @C. Henderson!

And introduced through conversation that a 15yo Aussie orphan named Cal was at Greenstone… Now it seems the apartment will be unaffordable as Hunter will be out of circulation for a while. It’s likely time for a new roommate or resigning to ask help of mom and dad; a move back home?

Oh man, Dani has lifelike dreams…of the look alike grandfather of a love interest. 🤦 Then he has to remember to be a detective while experiencing dream voyeurism. Yikes, that’s hard…ahem, tough! Demetrius’ exit is likewise tough. Why? Is it just Demetrius? Or because of Dani? Then why farewell to the other Special, but not Dani? Is it for what he did or for what he didn’t do at the Specials Summit? Or just more simple in that Demetrius had to move to the desires of his puppeteer? Neo is a detector of Special powers…at least for the one for which he has been touched, but will this lead us to a Special we know, or could it be an off the books Special with other interests at heart? Either way, one side or the other will take this betrayal to heart…but hopefully not to the pure of heart. 🙏 Demetrius doesn’t need to fit but one line in the prophecy thank you! It would be nice to know how common knowledge that dog allegiance trait is, and is it 100% accurate? The dreamscape likewise gives other prophecy possibilities too. Is Vincent the present Crowne Prince of a kingdom in exile, or will he be the Crowne Prince when the intended ascension occurs? @C. Henderson, wow, you have twists in motives; for power, for politics, and for species, all at play. Deceit abounds and Dani can certainly understand that life is an onion…we have many layers and a lot of tears in this one.

I’m thinking more simplistically. Noah and Seth have been through major growth issues with three steps forward and two steps back; so that can account for no time to share with Noah, but Seth is also getting therapy and dealing with the past. They may have had monies held in trust, benefits or awards by the court from family holdings or from death benefits. If dad knew about them he would have probably withheld that info. He likewise would not have had access to those benefits held in trust for the kids. Even at 18 Seth’s sister is/was entitled to benefits from dad’s estate and/or state assistance. So now that Seth is resuming normal contact, normal employment, and getting help from people that can help him realize he isn’t alone, he can finally resume normal life, employment registration, and receive benefits due. As prickly as Seth is, again he would have a hard time benefiting from someone’s death or from benefits as a result of someone he knows didn’t accept him/them in life. That difficult acceptance would explain his hesitation to share that info with anyone or as to why he can’t accept spending it yet.

@C. Henderson, I’m very much enjoying your story here, as written and presented. The storyline is mysterious, as desired, and bring options in plot, with plenty of intrigue. The personal views on character flaws and pronouncements with repeating condemnations is illogical, in my mind, and ARGUES for a manuscript that would be void of those very elements that bait us with that anticipation for what’s around the corner; or what is the larger plan. Is Deadnus leading or a puppet that has not figured out that she is only a pawn? 😝 Is Vinicius really dead?; after all, nothing remains of a sun-baked vampire, so who can validate that? Or is he now free to choreograph a response with a better understanding of the bad actors as they now believe themselves free to act and those actions can be tracked more easily than their hostile plans in waiting. I hope the abundant and verbose comments, are not keeping you from your writing; as a single contributor has 60% of your chapter word count in their comments alone, that’s quite a lot. We don’t need you too distracted, or changing course from your original storyline; focus your scribing and posting on your storyline, that we love and await…for our next Special scene! Thanks again for this wonderful tale and for sharing it with us.

Deadnus is a monster, and her panel of judges are no better; whether puppets or partners in this charade of legitimacy. No Special should have to question whether their high-school “training” may result in their expiration. Poor Dani, unable to recognize the assistance he received in handling the dogs; as one yelped and went limp, and another had the eye roll of paralyzing pain ☠️. Demetrius would be the obvious suspect as pain was the apparent affect. Likewise, the public association with Dani in the quick personal suggestion to exit together,…and NOW, would seem to imply a level of protective isolation; and perhaps avoiding possible answers to questions yet to be asked was protective for them both. The informational Dreamscapes are invaluable for Dani to get context of lessons past as they relate to him and his future. Demetrius knows more than he is sharing, but like the unspoken assistance with the dog challenge, the unspoken seems to be viewed as necessary to protect the plan, the players, and…Dani? Unfortunately, Dani’s unguided curiosity and his needs for understanding has him exposed; hopefully the Dreamscapes will soon help identify the friends from foes. The tough part is that Dani will still have to interpret the meanings of these reveals.

Hey now, who says that a physical side of deconstructing yours emotions is not therapeutic too?

Great to see Bastion and Sage step back from Gillian Hmmm 🤔, headstrong with crazy blind love 😜, Jin does like living on the edge. Jeez Merlin, you might give a little more instruction or take Levi more removed from others before unlocking the hidden ancient bloodline affinities.

What a great chapter as we get to see the chess pieces tabled; the blood alliance between the Vampire and Lucan/Wolf worlds is quite unique but maybe commonplace for generations to come. The awakening of the wolf clans to this high crime, whether it be the Alphas or the Pack Members, will be increasingly shocking as this comes to light. Bastian has become most significant in the eyes of all, as he has brought unity and commonality. Ironically the rogue creator never envisioned this reality while holdings such illusions of control and manipulation blinding them. @ASH PHOENIX, it’s so good to see this story actively posted again. Welcome back!

Woah, there is a fine line between ultimate confidence and arrogance. That in itself breeds absolute power that absolutely corrupts. Vinicius had foreseen much and had kept a very powerful Special more humble and perhaps more sensitive; which ultimately is the very qualities Vinicius seemed to be instilling in his conversations to coach Dani. Many of the conversations aired on the philosophical and an ethical higher thinking, independently at that, not of council consensus or concessions. So the fact that this humble young vampire (unknowing nuclear weapon) stood among strangers of unknown alliances and unknown powers and defended human and vampire subjects of torture, equally, serves as strong testimonial to Vinicius’ methods of instilling values to a entity that could easily adopt savagely arrogant bullying. These events all happen within a short period of his Godfather/creator Vinicius being a victim to a government cover-up murder and then the next most trusted individual murdered in another publicly and violent method to send a personal message to young Dani. All while the nurse screenings support the notion that Dani his been possibly drugged to suppress his powers. Again, without training and to the amazement of his new ‘mentor’ Dani did so develop his skill set, and with enough humbleness to win allies. I think Vinicius was caught up in an attack that accelerated even his own forecasted timeframe to get prepared. But the methods have possibly prolonged Dani’s life and allowed him social skills and compassion to build alliances that will be necessary to answer the threats.

This is a nice chapter of growth for all. The comfort zones are growing little by little and the demons seem to be more predictably kept at bay. Hooray for Noah on the promotion, but Mr. Landry’s health is bothersome; this is especially so with the strange changes with Max’s behavior and with the yet to be resolved ledgers for the store. Things seem too coincidental and all in Max’s favor…at least on the surface. @Demiurge, thanks for the make-up s__… Scenes! The catch-up post is most welcomed. How can you put so much into a single sentence; from the pain and angst to love embraced all wrapped within the discovery of themselves and each other…wickedly warm. 😆

The greatest threat to the State seems to be the leadership itself. The academic training of the Specials in no way should be construed as practiced combat training; therefore, this testing is totally out of character of anything ethical. Perhaps this is the first but a blatant example of why Vinicius was so brutally murdered. Good for Dani, Good that he spoke up to challenge the lunacy of torture and murder for the young Specials; he may have made more enemies, but he may also have stood strong as a new call for reason when others have bowed too quickly. We may now have a more public line in the sand that seems to have been long overdue. Unfortunately it seems the ethics of some Specials are compromised as much as the State leadership; that too is problematic. Poor Dani is growing up fast and without a clear knowledge of alliances or even an understanding of the threats.

Seth may not be in control of his wild emotions embedded from years of abusive conditioning, but I’m thinking Brock better wise up quickly. He is the present day nemesis of Seth’s love, and therefore of himself. He wasn’t capable of defending himself proper as a kid, but that’s far from the present day truth as he finds himself emerging from the dark crawl spaces of his own mind. He and his love are not to be toyed with; to do so so beyond dangerous to the tormentor, Brock beware!

Oh how well you tied the young princes’ health and bonding into the Sun-filled Manor and the greater family; lead by the Royal Consort, Jihan, papa, Uncle Jihan. Which Kastan is the protector of the empire, Jihan is surely keeper of The First Family of Silver Shore. It is very heartwarming to see Jihan care so much for ALL the young princes. What better example or mentor could the empire have than the compassionate yet driven merchant, that understands security in both life and trade. What a treasure hold, as Jihan is guiding and shaping the future of the Empire as the future leaders recover from their losses and damages suffered in the wake of the Empress mother’s deceit. Jihan’s mother brings hope while his father shall probably remain afflicted with his quest for power; like a moth to the flame. Yet, he misses the real power he would enjoy seated at the family table in Sun-filled Manor, where it seems the heart of the Empire remains safe. @lilansui, you gift us great joy to see this glimpse into the future of The Reluctant Consort, thank you for this wonderful installment of epilogue chapters.

Wow, is that an optical illusion? It’s as if the moon splits in two; becoming a waxing globous and an opposite waning globous, the two bobbing visually, spreading and compressing, repeatedly…at increasing frequency and decreasing amplitudes, until the compression butts the two globous bubbles to becum one in comfortable hormony. Interesting that the motion sensors only recorded this unusual event with the low light camera quality and for such a brief period… 😝 👿 pity. oh @Laura S. Fox, the things you’ve done to this poor straight boy; and your toying with the unknowing gay boi is bordering of hate crimes preying upon his poor gay emotions! I’m loving the angst of the first gay interest, backdropped against the gay boi having history with straight boi burns 🥵.

So what would you do if, you know, reborn? Got to love Demetrius: “I’d eat one of those typical American breakfasts. Eggs, chocolate chip pancakes with syrup, bananas, and butter on them. And bacon, I’d eat a lot of bacon,” If I only had a heart…, to be human. This in itself may be prophetic as Demetrius wants it and Dani wants Demetrius to know happiness…

There are many ways this mystery may yet unwind. Are the Specials all or selectively just pawns to a compromised government oversight agency? Or to at least a few corrupt actors within the trusted circles? Demetrius appears to be sincere but even that may be a trained role; or even another character flaw that the greater actors allow as serving their purpose. I tend to believe Demetrius’ interactions as true, but much of these interactions are narrated observations of our naive and sheltered Special; just adding more possible twists in clues to the mysteries surrounding Dani and the Specials. Dani has to learn quickly as there are too many coincidences leading into this Specials Summit. There has to be a way for Dani to now pull from the environmental energies as he transform and manipulates the targeted environment; creating a larger energy ecosystem of manipulation…as pulling from his own internal energies is akin to a single lightning strike within a greater storm.

But then again, ‘these are not the droids you’re looking for’ may be appropriate; hiding in plan sight is part of diplomacy and strategy.

Perhaps fireworks for the other 10% that never gets the word?