Philippe

Buckle up boys, it’s gonna be a while before these two realize they’re scratching and sniffing the same patch, and that scent is hormonal surrender. Goodness @Laura S. Fox, this story is gonna require reclaimed water users to not only user fertilizers, and fungicides, but they may need it to add a strong spermicide. What a great buildup to discovery, hopefully by the time they finish polishing their own stones they will surely appreciate each other’s collection of family jewels.

Congratulations that your story is finished…ahem…as book 1 did get the Puritans their savior and cure, but hopefully you will revisit this storyline and your characters for book II as the Puritans are liberated by the AoE vaccine and the new AoE Life School Syllabus prepares them for the more open society; planetary and beyond, through strength and renewed confidence, but with a more respectful diplomacy to other worlds and races. Many open threads…and zippers need closure. After all, the straight boy brother gave it up as he chewed the humble life pie to reconnect with his brother and to man-up to the issues he wanted to correct in a life redo. Brandon still deserves to slap Sage good, perhaps top that arrogant top boy with some aggressive humble pie himself. I still see potential for those two to bond in friendship though they surely need to get many issues of their pasts worked out. Likewise, Castro’s move towards being more human in emotions, while retaining his intelligent logic, says he deserves to know and understand he is the son of heroes and the Consort of the Grand Master and Hero AoE. AoE and Castro are bonded in Love of each other, and through their connections to the fathers of Castro that also somewhat fathered Adam when he needed help and purpose in life. @James Matthews, this storyline is full of drama, adventure, suspense, and all in a wonderful sci-fi setting; please do allow this great story to be set adrift; as the Selsha regains prominence in the Puritan fleet, the heroes and champions deserve their tribute in the realization of a new Puritan Legacy. I could go on and on…as Purity could too! 😝

Adam of Earth needs to have a Grand Master name in mind. Grand Master Smith just seems…like a skilled laborer; blacksmith, gunsmith, etc. He also wants to pay homage to HIS Puritan champions but also to the Heros for the Puritan race and worlds. So maybe Grand Master Adam Skashek? Relshek? Skarel? Shekda? 😝 Then ironically Castro would be carrying his fathers’ names in a blended splicing much like the batter of Puritan creations. Brandon is an logical thinker and quite intelligent when unleashed. Good for him breaking the parental shackles and maturing into his own man. Ironically Brandon has a way with Sage and I could see them bonding in a kinda odd couple brotherhood friendship; each anchoring the other at critical moments of logic or action. Maybe Brandon can give Sage back a little passion for his own goals in life as he definitely seems intelligent, but he needs some confidence that he can still win some of his battles and that not all help come with a selfish price tag. The absence of the former Grand Master and the previous decisions of the Council are still unsettling; there seems to be too much mainstream policies in place of their previous policies; military limitations, turning over Adam, supporting the former Grand Master in irrational behavior, but then removing him without public review…this is too much to accept without a little paranoid skepticism. @James Matthews, this story is an addictive concoction of suspense, romance, sci-fi, and much more; please keep us fixed as we are definitely hooked! Thank you for creating and sharing this wonderful tale.

Hmmm 🤔, I’ve toted water from an outside well, to heat on the potbelly stove, to then bath in the #3 wash tub in the kitchen as it was the warmest for winter baths; summer baths were on the back porch, at least for rinsing. Yup, I burned my butt(ocks) while bending and bathing next to that stove…ouch! The use of the “honey pot, slop jar, porcelain pot, etc” was avoided unless the pain of dumping and cleaning was less than the cold run to the outhouse on a dark winter’s night…yuck 🤢 or double yuck 🤮 for a little tike. God forbid as a little tike you either fell back into or tumbled that small rimmed pot forward! Triple yuck 🤮 🤮 🤮 . My older brothers would hold the pot (and their breaths) to avoid the bedroom nuclear spills or late night #3 tub, toted water, baths. So as fond as my memories of country living are…I WOULD UPGRADE! 😝 Though I would keep the water well functioning and the city water/sewage usage at a minimum; fresh, cold, hearty well water with natural minerals is just irreplaceable. I’d personally keep the outhouse too but with a little modernization there also. Perhaps hand pumped water into a porcelain wash basin on the outer wall, that then drains(flushes) into the inside porcelain bowl via a spout; this outhouse can be connected to the septic or sewer to avoid having to relocate it or relocating the waste pit. Just reminiscing but also thinking simple semi-retro home engineering.

My, my, how things are changing. Adam-of-earth hopefully has a new protector in Commander Moorabak. If the commander were entrusted by Lord Relshek with the planning and contingency operation then he should be of the same quantities as Skada. Poor Commander Skada, he probably saved the whole Puritan race and did it ethically and with honor beyond question; The Puritans needed him for the challenges they face with the irrational Grand Master. The Grand Master left the military and the peoples of Purity exposed to this tragedy, but he will blame the protectors of Adam as handing him would have bought time…for the Puritans to continue in a race for extinction. Hopefully Castro is indeed safe, but if on Purity, hopefully he is not and won’t become a hostage to the Grand Master and his Council. But where is Lord Relshen? And how did he and Castro get separated from Adam, the most valuable person or asset the Puritans had and need? Poor Sage, battling his present self and himself as he was, but with the confusion of an altered mind and masked memories. Mind games are enough to freak out many, but I believe given some time to reflect Sage will be more approachable in their search for answers.

First and most important is that Marco needs to get a master carpenter out there to evaluate how to professionally craft this into this time capsule country mansion. He needs to best ways properly planned out to modernize the electrical switching and lighting, and then likewise for the plumbing. You don’t want a general plumber or electrician knocking and chopping holes just to install a functioning switch or faucet. That will be a disaster of modernization; much like tacking wiring and conduits to the walls just to bring the services in but with no regard for the craftsmanship desired or needed to make it look like it was originally planned those many decades ago. As to modernization with of all the comforts of present day, a well planned and matching design and material addition may be the best way to add the wet rooms and utility closets without sacrificing a room that was obviously not designed for those appliances; air conditioning air handler, water heater, boiler, and laundry are probably needed in addition to nice bathrooms. Even if staying time period appropriate standing tubs and standing sinks with time appropriate fixtures, the modern sizing, spacing, flooring and drainage could be better designed if an additional room can be fashioned into the exterior elevation and a convenient floor plan. This allows the original house to remain mostly intact but allows the modern materials necessary for good wet room construction and mold prevention to be incorporated into a matching design with proper lighting and windows for privacy. This could be a very exciting project to match the craftsmanship but with modern materials and comforts so mom…can flush!

As a teacher Cindzilla should understand basic physics and child psychology; they are very similar, as for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. The problem for adults deal with kids however, is they fail to understand that the initial force applied may be assisted by the child themselves as it becomes their objective to demonstrate the excesses of your own controlling force. Again, we learned these lessons in older schoolyard games such as sling tail; where your own weight and momentum does more damage than just the forces of the opposing players. So Cindzilla doesn’t even realize that she may have just nominated Luke to volunteer as the GSA student sponsor! Who said Cindzilla couldn’t be a positive motivator, as she has probably solved the club sponsorship problem with her motivational skills! OMFG that itself would be classic revolt. @Krista, you capture these characters, their personalities, their quirks, and their anxieties so well. Please keep these kids and their story alive. Thanks for sharing your creative passion with us. ❤️

Makes absolute sense that the humans would search; beacons, navigation history, skimmer range, vapor trails, etc. The human tech may be lacking by comparison, but they are indeed in space and that is a milestone of any civilization in advancement. The conduct of the Kardoval is suspect. How do they expect Essell to response when they themselves have given signs of mistrust; even the the highly offensive act of bypassing Garjah in security measure and conduct. Garjah has every reason to be more protective of his relationship, his bond, and his mate, now that the bureaucrats have sidelined him with such conduct. Perhaps Bouncer needs to start attending more meetings with his parents! 😝 It also makes me wonder if they doubt their own influence when Garjah is highly respected and they are feared; they must know this themselves; …things that make ya go hmm 🧐.

I’m envisioning Sonez immediately displacing blame for all actions and consequences on Essell, but with Essell’s new found confidence and purpose his defensive rage will still erupt in a youthful fit likely to award Sonez a FOUR HANDED BITCH SLAPPING before stepping aside for introductions from Garjah…No Bouncer, daddy’s not mad, he is just making sure Mr. Sonez understands his position towards your daddy-mama. You can play with Mr. Sonez when daddy is done. Hahahaha 👿 😄 Mr Sonez, as to your claims of first contact, Essell has been before their High Council and has established social interactions on a recurring basis; game point Essell, the young earthling scientist.

The incubator was damaged as was much of the other equipment,…BUT, that does not mean critical functions are not still being accomplished. Adam has had a rough go, wow, being operated on amidst war in space; haha 😛, sky rockets in flight, this is no afternoon delight, but hopefully his thoughts of Castro may still guard his spirit and soul. Sage battles his own history and echos of new found attachment emotions and…, dare say, compassion for others??? Oh my, Sage reborn! 😛 Of some interest is his purple eye. The scientist didn’t understand; at least outwardly, but the color purple seems to hold significance. The night club had no purples, yet the magnacar did emit purple with the increased speed and/or energies, then likewise, the artifact emits purple when charged with photoelectric energy. Was Sage gifted special powers, even beyond the better than human eyesight? Relshek is a very intelligent scientist and knew of the extreme risks; I can’t help but believe there are still some contingencies yet to be implemented. Despite the cold analytical nature of the scientist, Relshek has been protective of Adam and of maintaining Puritan ethical behavior. Perhaps 🤔 the analytical 🧐 allows Relshek to maintain objectivity when the Grand Master has succumbed to erratic behavior and logic. Damn! When the last weapon you have is to ram your opponent with your own gonads, this Lord Skada has the clackers of a heated Brahman Bull; hmmm, the new Grand Master, and one to teach the council the ills of the unethical! Lead by example indeed. @James Matthews, the story is truly fascinating, but please don’t tear Adam and/or Castro from this storyline as the trauma of Adam’s life has already been beyond the human tolerance of a teen; and we have symbiotically attached ourselves to his persona and emotions; congratulations on this strong identity in your character development.

It’s universal to refer to it as “buying” the house as it does involve payment and then claiming of the deed, but it is much different than market rate purchasing. The back taxes on that property, for only seven years, would be a faction of the value of the property so as to allow Marco plenty of leeway to restore or even tear down and rebuild the homestead itself. Yet by payment of those taxes in many municipalities/states, the title is awarded free and clear of any other incumbencies; as all rights of title fall to the government when notice and attempts of collection failed. Any rights of ownership, or claims against such ownership, is forfeit after the notice periods; so no other liens or claims are valid against that property, by anyone other than the government holding the property in financial default. So then that property is open for claim of ownership by anyone paying the accrued tax burdens; the net affect is that you’re buying the property, but often for pennies on the dollar.

You go Jason! Now the question is which door or window will Devyn spring from. Wow, how could Richard not fully understand the dangers and yet also not by talking to the boys? It’s so frustrating to see this character re-emerge especially when she only recently had contributed to the decision to adopt, but then also personally endangered the kids; on the stairs and in the streets and then possibly in others ways and locations. @Yeoldebard, thanks for not giving up on this story; any blocks or distractions are hopefully sidelined now, and we may see another posting real soon…please 🙏.

Nah, Sage is more of the green drink 🥤 type; at least until he finds out whether behind those masks the Puritans recognize the earthly positions of tops and bottoms! Ok, my turn my earthly baby, rollover now, and we Puritans usually going much longer than that engagement you enjoyed! Now what was the earthly expression…yippee-ki-yay!

Oh, I’ll have the green drink and the glowing boy behind that beautiful mask 😷; kinda like earth with covid. Haha 😂

As a toddler, I saw a dancing ball of light come from our kitchen window to the stove and then rapid leave the way it came; dancing and whirling out the window. The passing storm was an outside event in my young mind as I ran to the family room declaring that Tinkerbell had just been dancing in our kitchen. Of course, they wondered just what kind of imagination I had to come up with such thoughts. When my mother had gone to start supper she called to my dad questioning what time I had seen Tinkerbell. Dad came to the kitchen also stating his approximation of that event. Mom then pointed him to the scorched 🥵 clock on the stove that was forever stopped at that magical moment my Tinkerbell had danced! 🤪

Wiser? If becoming wiser then he would be more distant from Sage as that would be best! 😝 Sage is bored; surprise. Like the career counselors at high schools, sage needs to be tested and taught his productive trade. As the ole sayings of…Idle Hands and Idle minds are the Devil’s Workshop. Why would Adam not realize that Castro is a toddler in a teenage body; don’t trust your man child to Sage! OMG NO!!!

Delta apologizes, To Vinsy’s surprise. Fancy pantsies, Necks adorned with ties. Buses of Alphas, Testosterone concentrate. A jump to the shadows, Stacy did rate. The Head Beta bid greetings, With markings to bare. McAlpha defines with new meanings, Giving protocols for mate of Beta’s Bear. Arriving with the beat of helicopter blades, Then landing in the flash of lightning bolts. The Panda is not of shadow or shades, His Dance as a Mage measured in Volts. With life from energy, Morphing into trees. Orbs of energy, Luminescent as leaves. Mage Dance ending as leaves did fall, New appreciation for reconfiguration does ring. Shadow Mage Vinsy jumping to applaud, A grand show of power the Electric Panda brings. One final act to call name and loyalty vows, His Council takes office in grand spectacle. Dismissing an Enforcer in public gets wows, Such castration spared not one testicle. Some secrets demand service yet bring shame, While secrets of heart come bursting at seams. The Alpha Panda does Beta Wolf claim, Blood markings of love, for life he gleams. @astone2292 our scribe and scholar, Thanks for the share of passion and talent. Another great chapter this reader do holler. Soon bring another, please be valiant.

Oh yes, an excellent night followed up, without the chopper and sirens, by a morning of satisfaction founded in the senior prank. Perhaps the “missed opportunity “ with Cindzilla was in itself the best prank, as she knew, so very convinced, that there was something she was missing; but the truth was just her paranoia working all day long to then still have lingering doubts, perfect for her prank…psych! Whether trashy at school or getting real trashy in the Mustang, Jackson and Luke are both becoming so much more confident in themselves and each other. @Krista, it’s another great installment in the awkward lives of high school seniors transitioning and becoming recognized as young adults. Thanks for the adventures and laughs, perhaps brought on by life itself, but so skillfully crafted into this entertaining and vested story.

Poor Charles, it seems that both Tony and Vinny are a little too proud to show off the acquisition and not the person; it may be that he is just a “convenient” boyfriend. Marco needs to learn that Vinny enjoys the confrontation and that he should avoid all emotions when responding to his antagonistic baiting; perhaps indirectly ignoring Vinny by responding to Charles, “yes, we were just introduced…Charles, nice to have met you.” Then depart with a later guys, see ya!

It’s Sage’s own twist to the Puritans; domo arigato mr roboto. Cyborg eye? Brain enhancement in the frontal and temporal lobes? Domo…domo…domo arigato…I’m now a Super Freak…domo!

Hmmm, non-domesticated Bouncers and humans destined for infections with no cure…yet, what is the responsible thing to do? Who came looking; parents? Security? Look 👀 mom, four hands 🙌…and arms too!

It is indeed terrible 😢. Another great benefit of the animals is that even when my pain, medications, and frustrations have me getting rather snappy; there is nothing better than the innocence of my dog to shame me into awareness of the ass I’m projecting upon others, even a phone call. The dog just looks at me, follows my movements, but then even at the slightest hint of connecting with me, she will raise their ears, wag the tail a pass or two, come lick my hand, and coach me in to calming down for her an ear rub So sorry to hear of mother’s incredible pain. I have some days I can feel more normal until the fatigue and pain sets in, while others can be so painful and restless that standing, sitting, pacing are all fails at relieving the multitude of shooting pains; sleep only visits in extreme exhaustion on those nights, if at all. It may be a total scratch, but acupuncture may offer a non-traditional therapeutic for the nerves giving her such grief. I don’t wish this upon anyone as it can be an unrelenting torture. Back at ya too. Best of luck to your mom and family in this challenge of life.

The relationship of Jihan with Shan is so precious, but also the subtle communication and coordination between the power couple of the Manor. Shan negotiating his family time with cousins, away from school, is as truly influenced by the merchant and yet Shan is very much following through on his negotiated Shadow Guard training too. The commander and merchant are choreographed in lock-step on parenting the young prince. His development is sheltered from the true burdens of the commander as that is beyond reasonable of the young commander in waiting, but the building blocks of strength, endurance, and close in assault will prepare him on a scale he can handle now. The merchant skills of negotiation, supply impacts, and money flows in trade and barter will make a very powerful and strategically attuned commander. Seeing the cousins starting to bond is fantastic for the future leaders of the kingdoms; and who better than prince son of the military and merchant couple to lead the more balanced relationship of these future leaders. And with the keen understanding of trade, to have the financial pulse of the kingdom, and the network of logistics in peace and conflict, the biggest threat to their success is themselves; and I don’t see that happening with Jihan inspiring mature mental growth. @lilansuithis story is so fulfilling in story development and rewarding with the character connections. I wonder if you’ve considered a type of teenaged years spin-off for the young cousins? Perhaps diplomatic terrorism that brings the discretely trained and surprisingly prepared prince cousins to the forefront of activity. 😝 Hey, these characters and the potential growth in bonding has much to offer for a leap-series. 🙃 Thank you so much for creating and sharing this world by @lilansui!

Either here or on another story thread I believe you spoke of back pain medications. Ironically, I fell 20’ compressing and crushing much of the length of my spine; fortunately the alignment kept the impingement to medium and I suffered no loss of sensation or motor function. The bad part was shrinking over 1-1/2” in height and all the severe pain involved with the compressed nerve endings. My hospitalization care and rehabilitation for release to therapy was around a month. I was mostly separated from family as they were in Florida and this happened in Alabama; nearly 550 miles away. With pain so extreme at times I would be to the point of active vomiting if not very nauseous. Two months after the accident I was able to discontinue morphine and then the OxyContin at around 5 months. When in Rehabilitaion, the Collie used for emotional therapy would come over to visit me. It was a necessary break before the pain and strain would allow another activity, but then she would observe patiently and then come back to me for the next break. Animals are a great distraction from one’s limitations, frustrations, and even the pain they must endure. Even after years my own dog understands when and how much energy she can exhibit in her interaction with me; some days it’s more, yet others she gently puts her front legs on my legs and eases up to allow me to pet her when my back otherwise doesn’t allow the flexibility to reach down to her. She looks and a simple nod let’s her know it’s her that has to come to me that day. I’m sure your mother must have gotten some comfort in some form by these community therapy pets. I’m sorry for the inevitable sunset you had to accept for her journey, but happy that your mother was able to share some more pleasant thoughts and memories as she approached her own sunset.

Interesting points that all touch on a possible twist that the Puritans themselves can’t understand. They have a sort of sex lust (likened to the mindless blood lust) but it lacks the partnership connection; perhaps too many generations of reproduction via test tubes?? So drive without logic or reason?? Ironically, they may find out, all to close to their own demise, that Sage plays an integral role in Adam’s ability to produce at levels necessary to regenerate their connection and the compassion necessary for they sustainable reproductive health. So we can only hope the Puritans figure out the interdependencies of our young human friends; keep they safe and then honor their wishes or allow an alternative solution to the Earth and few friends left behind.