Philippe

GMT? EST/EDT? Respecting of zones, the day could be considered nearly 48 hours long!!! LOL

I’m definitely not in the Grant messed up camp: By reading a journal, that became his proper possession, that even the moral owner discarded, trashed, and burned; still unable to value. By not returning this treasured journal to the owner that may still want it defensively destroyed; in his misery, despair, and resignation. For using the journal to extend a compassionate hand to the spouse of the deceased owner whose death benefited a stranger vs spouse. For recognizing the widowed spouse is in more need of help than sensitivities to the pain of returning to the lost domicile. For insistently guiding and encouraging Troy into a more sanitary, prideful, and healthy environment; risking his own expense while respecting the critical and prideful repayment of services in kind. For opening his heart and home to stranger, changed by trauma of loss, one that tried destroying one treasure of past; one that could likewise dive into despair and burn his house too. By recognizing the rediscovered pride and self respect that may pull Troy from self destruction, one he may find an unexpected respect and attraction for, one that he is willing to risk loosing if it helps reintroduce Troy to his own life to live. Almost all of these accomplishments by Grant would have only been possible by Grant connecting through and with the valued insights of the journal, and by risking his own investment and emotions in Troy, for the sake of possibly saving Troy from the recesses of his dark despair. Grant may not be a saint, but he is a guardian angel to Troy, for Troy, above self.

Way to go! F#@& The Sun! Now, was the video/pic a public slip or has someone close fed the hounds?

I can only rely on my old crutch, in summary: If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle them with bullshit!

Nothing like knowing the young lord that demanded inclusion as a lord, surely now, could have your stones just for a calling! Reality check? I just hope the young lord and his council of companions don’t relax their guards too much.

I understand some of your concerns and focus on the journal but this is a unique case from the beginning. The house and all the contents are totally and legally Grant’s. Likewise, even accepting that the journal is a more personal thing, it was thrown in the fire, trashed; perhaps in despair and depression but none the less tossed from Troy’s life; the journal does legally belong to Grant while the memories are Troy’s. Grant was naturally curious to learn more of how and why he got this house. Within that story he started to see, understand, and know the people through the eyes and hand of the author “T.” Then the skip ahead to learn the tragedy has snowballed into calamity for “T” Troy. How can any human not feel compassion, empathy, and a certain guilt in knowing your benefit came at a huge loss to someone enjoying a rewarding and love filled life. The journal then allows Grant, a compassionate young man, to see the dire situation. Troy is not going to ask for help, can’t position himself for professional help, and is not likely to accept any in this cruel world that stole his love, is house, is reason for living. The more we see and understand Troy, the more it would be a terrible mistake to place this treasure back into his hands prematurely, yet, more important not to destroy the only true memories Troy will have of his first love, house and life before. Once he is in a better place it should be graciously and respectfully returned to the owner of those cherished memories. Even should Grant develop feelings of love for Troy, I can’t imagine him being so selfish as to deny or destroy such a living memory for Troy. Likewise, Grant has respected the privacy of the journal to just himself and for the purpose of helping; not for any personal gain or for gratitude. Meanwhile, it is helping Grant find ways to reconnect Troy to the world, through Troy’s love for John and the loving things John did to show his understanding and appreciation for Troy. The journal is the RESET needed by Grant to rescue Troy from complete failure and withdraw.

I haven’t read or seen this story posted before, but it captures so well the emotions of youthful discoveries and love that crosses tradition boundaries. Bravo for bringing your story forward to share here on GA too; thanks for posting and please keep those future installments coming!

I see more home improvements being planned in the near future. Grant knows Troy needs the van repaired, but that it’s also his home. He doesn’t know yet but should reason that Troy can’t afford to rent a room just yet and the profit margin of this job alone is not enough for the known shortage and what the usual transmission repair costs. Transmission diagnostics, parts inventories and repairs usually take days to accomplish; the estimate will not be ready for Troy to commit to any new financial obligations of a rental apartment or room share. Staying in the van is not realistic at all around the shop and their personnel. Hmmm 🤔 Grant is less than established so his funds may not allow free spending either. Maybe with Grant’s knowledge of the journal he may be able to break more of Troy’s defensive barriers, to win a trade in kind for more improvements in exchange for room and board; Troy is too proud for charity but he can value his craftsmanship to be worthy and of good trade value. But whether human or other animal, a distressed creature will have to learn trust before accepting any offered food and shelter as being truly safe.

As a victim of crime, and assault, I’ll attest to the unpredictable nature of the human psychology of such an event; it’s hard to understand just exactly when and where the adrenaline and shock will take you and that will vary based on person and situations. I like the way you captured that element in the crime scene descriptions. As a single employee/clerk, being held at gun point at my employment location, by two armed men, I waited several seconds to allow safe approach to lock the door. When the police responded even while still on the phone with me, I refused to open the door for them. Then as my thoughts collected, I continued to refuse entry until the forensics team assured me they would control the site from routine officer entry until they released the area. It frustrated the other officers as I made them wait outside but it also gave me time to adjust to what had just occurred. Likewise, the forensics team was surprised in the detailed observations and the impact that had on their abilities to focus on the evidence. It also resulted in better focus for recall for me which lead to the capture and incarceration of the perpetrators. But I do recall it was one step at a time and it was at my pace until they communicated calmly with me; I was 21 years old at that time.

Back to GA after a decade absence? Well you certainly understand a grand entrance, Or re-introduction; you’ve grabbed the attention on this one. I like how you’re building on the story with ever growing connections to emotions and the relationships of those with your character building. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, in shock of the unexpected but it’s definitely an attention getter; a most intriguing beginning!

I lived there six years; Kanto plains, Tokyo area.

LOL, nothing intended, ‘‘tis just me, but: Perhaps affects from Living in and of Nippon I feel ha-i-ku!

Cough, ahem,...That Theo/April is so ENDOWED, to inspire the spirits of lust, Zane, and love, Jett, into a POLE dance of courtship and competition; truly a sport to enjoy!

careful what you ask for! Thanks for sharing your story for us to enjoy 😉!

Oh I’m not disappointed at all! lol 😆 I was just pointing out the very scary reality of critical points of failure. It takes vigilance and a willingness for people to get involved, to be involved; everyone is affected whether they realize it or not; there is no such thing as it doesn’t concern me when dealing with sabotage and terrorism. Thanks for the great stories you bring us continuously; I appreciate your stories very much!

There are many ways to hamper harbor ops; sabotaged harbor tugs, strategic loose tugs, and possibly even a strategic sinking of a vessel in a main shipping channel. It will not necessarily involve Chinese nationals as it is often big money to buy out or compromise workers imagining riches while becoming mercenary solders for a foreign or competing interest.

It seems to me, as Ranevargar has disclosed much the same, Kieran, the companions, the Opal, and the Pure White are far from understood. While Uirebon’s research has yielded some information it would seem to lack context I believe once this information is theorized for context by the King of Old, Ranevargar, aided by the High King and High Council, a hypothesis will start to flesh out. Then the translation to the Oasis Grove will be far more than any could expect. The New Realm Lord Kieran, his Council of Companions, and the All Powerful Realm Guardian, will be refining and testing the hypothesis until yet another huge new proof may reveal more secrets of the ancients to our favorite group of irreverent 😝 young men. Oops, my mind is wandering the wondering perhaps too much, but it could happen, right? 😂 I’m loving the story and suspenseful thrill for the chapters to reveal.

Ranevargar’s irreverent appreciation for Rhys’ irreverent appreciation for a little pig’s irreverent behavior is providing some much needed irreverent mood adjustments; which seems to be providing some new and much needed appreciation for the irreverent humans!

“I felt this needed to be told. So thank you. Thanks for sticking with me, and thanks for your comments and your encouragement. I am a terribly flawed vehicle for the telling, but I hope you found something here. Because, ultimately, I wrote this story for all of us.” If your a terribly flawed vehicle, then perhaps that is the best vehicle possible to sell us all into awareness of our own flaws; of rash judgements, of the blind hurt, of mainstream prejudice. We all have prejudice of things we’re unaware, misinformed, or don’t understand. With powerful imagery, you were able to deliver us this story of society’s various misfits; those representing the many challenges to gaining acceptance, the responsibility to educate ourselves and others, to show patience with tolerance and understanding, but to be persistent in expectations to not only those within the LBGTQ community but of those of the greater community yet gain understanding. Thank you for this wonderful tale and for the more balanced perspectives showing flaws not only of the other guys, but even within the LBGTQ community itself.

Some of the Korean pancakes we enjoy have many varieties of seafood and/or vegetables; these are not usually the breakfast food but rather lunch, dinner, supper, or a social snack. These pancakes restaurants often serve the raw batter of the personalized selections to be cooked by the patrons at the table grills. It’s great to socialize while sharing the food and company of friends and family. We often enjoy one that has small octopus tentacles, diced squid and possibly some diced precooked fish cake. These pancakes are delicious with a chili oil, garlic, and soy based sauce; but many varieties of sauces are available. It is also a good way to use kimchi that is starting to get a little stronger with age, an slight sour flavor. It’s the same to use kimchi in soups and other dishes when it is not the freshest batch remaining.

Interesting how many shall judge, what consenting adults so chose for their own rewards. The litmus test I often refer to those is: “does the situation stand if the shoe is on the other foot?” As a bottom that hardly desires, and generally doesn’t enjoy topping, I cannot imagine many that would say I cannot enjoy bottoming or be any good at it, simply because I refuse to “be humbled” into topping; and that I do not understand what top and bottom means. NSA is not a gay term, sex of any type and sexual partners of any persuasion, often have different levels of desire. To shame someone who doesn’t share their own type sexual relationship is threading dangerously towards prejudice from which no one benefits, but many may suffer. Aubrey is an ass. He doesn’t live what he preaches. He goes on personal attacks, for personal conduct, against what is a personal choice, for which no one was pushed, shamed, or coerced in to. His power of journalism hasn’t been focused on solving the gay challenges of the world, but instead on attacks to shame Andrew to support his issues, his goals, and his way of thinking. It’s bullying, public shaming, blackmail, to the benefit of his interest. Aubrey is the larger menace of arrogance.

Hmmm, the computer dies, inspiring the thoughts of hand written tomes and necromantic magic to animate the lifeless; how ironic those thoughts! 🧐 An interesting birth of a magical tale.

While I have a deep appreciation for the interest in what the readers want, I also believe authors need to follow their own inspiration first. Your strength and comfort of creativity may be neutral between the two stories, but if not, I encourage you to go first with your passion; for there is where I think you’ll flourish without fatigue. That said, I must say Spirit of Fire is what holds my interest more at this time. In all fairness, I have just re-read both stories from beginning to end of posts; a welcomed task, for these stories are of my favorites of all the stories I have read, and have to chose is not an easy task. Short of cloning Stellar two times over, one for each Veil of Shadow, and Spirit of Fire, so Stellar may be free to create yet another masterpiece, I feel the next book in the SoF will bring the most new and exciting material. I understand very much the love of Shay, Mira, Konstantin, and others; I hold their story near and dear. The character development and the love between the prime characters was more straight forward and easy to identify with. In contrast, the Spirit of Fire is more complex from the beginning and therefore, the character development was slower as constrained by the suspenseful nature of storyline. But in the course of the first and single book comparisons, the Spirit of Fire had a broader cast list and deeper development for me. The Veil of Shadow cast list expanded from Hidden Sunlight, but so did the many stages from which the story must now be told. Now, the Spirit of Fire, I believe the prime characters will come more center stage, and though less passion may be expected, the strengths of love, humanity, and truth, will be in direct conflict with power, deceit, and manipulation.

This book is an amazing beginning to what seems to be more of an introductory book to a much deeper story; though it be every bit a book in its own right. One hell of a journey, to get to the central theme of the storyline that so strongly gaffed us from the very beginning: “My name is Torsten and right now, I am witnessing the beginning of the end of the world.” The magic of the story for me is woven in discovery, love, mythology, theology, and politics. These fictional reflections of life as it was, is, and should be within this magical world you’ve created is so very powerful. You create such attachments to characters that it’s impossible to not be fully vested in the suspense, excitement, trills, and chills of what the story brings.