Aditus

I talked with Cole the other day. We will definitely finish our stories. I'm glad you like Taranis and Fear. I hope to start writing again by the end of the year.

Happy birthday, Caz!

Thank you, AC! S. is Italian.

Gee, as you fully agree with what spikey said, please read my answer to his comment. There certainly is 'too long' when you take my slow writing speed into consideration. You would have to wait much longer for the next chapter. And no, Noël and Kris didn't have sex, they just drank too much and danced. Never forget everything around you while dancing? There is nothing bizarre to that IMO. Thank you for your comment, Geemeedee!

Let’s address the formal aspects first: Knocking on someone’s office door before coming in is only polite. You don’t simply barge into a room when you know the person inside could be working, being on the phone, concentrating on stuff. I do it when my mate [ ] is in his office, at least when the door is closed. The seating. Diarmad is certainly distancing himself from Noël by being this official. Why ? There could be several reasons I could think of, but I am sure you can come up with some, as avidreadr put it, he could just be a cold ass, or as you said wanting to treat Noël as a subordinate. And pointing at a chair isn’t giving permission to sit, merely showing where. Now to everyone’s behavior. We got to know Diarmad in The Holly and the Ivy when he was dying. And even after he meat Noël, he was still recovering. He was dependent on his advisors, his friends, listened to them because he had to and he trusted them. Simon mentioned he was more self-reliant or should I say kingly? – in the past, before he became ill. And that’s exactly it. Diarmad is king. Let’s imagine the President of the USA wanted a divorce. His advisors would be strongly against it, but in the end, it’s his decision to make. If Diarmad isn’t as friendly as he was before, doesn’t seek advice from Landyn, Simon, or his other former confidants?- it’s his call, because he is king. If they started to spy on him, as powerful as he is, that wouldn’t be healthy for them. And, as far as we know, no one can read the King’s mind. This isn’t a democracy, the council can advise, observe the law but they can’t do anything against the king, if the law hasn’t been broken. No one questions the king if he doesn’t want to be questioned. Do his friends worry? Of course. Will they try to solve this conundrum? Certainly. But they have to do this following their law, this isn't pussyfooting. This isn’t the Diarmad we know. The story will answer why. I liked the idea of a special Seraei version of laser tattoo removal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us/me, spikey! I really appreciate this.

I hope it isn't too bad. I understand your feelings. Thank you for sharing your feelings, JT!

An interesting idea...has Diarmad done this before? I guess Landyn or Simon would have mentioned it if this were his usual MO. So, this is new. And we all agree, stupid, not worthy a king's behavior. I guess everyone is still coming to terms with Diarmad being so ooc.

Yes, Tim is right. Landyn and Simon know Luis's influence calms Noël down, otherwise there would have been a huge fight. Would it have been better if Noël would have gone in guns blazing? Who knows? Diarmad is very powerful, if he would notice someone is checking on him, he would become very angry, I guess. No one understands the king's behavior. They have to come to terms with it first to act. Thank you for your detailed comment, spikey!

I know, I know. I'm trying but somehow they're all either too short or too long. Maybe I update every two or three weeks, and then they be 4 to 5 k? Anyway, thanks, Tim! Yup, cold bastard sounds about right.

*hugs Timothy* Yes! Exactly.

Yes! That's a likely possibility: Noël drawing his own conclusions. And what will they be? This can't be good. Thank you, Parker!

At this point? Definitely glaciers. Communication is most important, refusing to talk jeopardizes their relationship. Being who he is, Diarmad must know all this. I fully agree with your analysis so far. It would be good to be able to look in D's head to answer some questions. Thank you for your review, Peter!

*D is being an ass.* Lol, that he is. Thank you for your comment, avidreadr!

Compromising seems not to be on the King's mind, which is odd. Thinking of his age, he should be able to be more diplomatic, should he not? Thank you for sharing your thoughts, jt!

Childish behavior from Diarmad? You're right, he is too old for this. *zip* Can't say more, except D could handle the situation better. Thank you, Puppi!

Thank you, lenhall. I hope you'll enjoy the story.

Noël sat behind Diarmad’s desk rolling a paperweight around in his hands: a perfect ivy leaf captured in glass─its beauty conserved forever─yet dead. The dark study felt oddly cold, deserted. Diarmad was touring the Seraei settlements up north. A trip he had originally planned to make during spring break, so Noël could accompany him. Suddenly, quiet laughter bubbled up inside him, a strange sound in the empty room. It was either that or fall apart. Kristof had done an admirable job of distra

It was heart-wrenching. You know us too well. Thank you, Lisa.

A truly broken heart...yes. If it helped just a little I would be glad. Thank you, Puppi.

Emi! Thank you for your kind words. Grief can be devastating, yet powerful like a storm. I just hope it can be cleansing too.

Thank you, Val! I wish I could write some music for it. S. plays the guitar, it would be perfect.

For S. Cold waves nip at my bare feet, the air crackles like charged black velvet. Your taste on my tongue is still sweet, lingering heat, and I am naked in the rain. Lightning bolts jigsaw the sky. Clouds race each other in a wild hunt. And then in a blink of an eye you said good-bye and I am left, naked in the rain. Your voice still sings in my head. Ti ameró per sempre. Aren’t these the words you said? Red. And I die naked in the rain.

This is such a cool new thread!!! I'm going to read every post when I'm back. Still, can't resist to post some of my own: Dead composers/conductor both among my favorite:

'D needs to learn to use his words.' That's often a problem in relationships, to find the words that could build a bridge. Thank you, Tim! I'd love to say more...

You might be on to something...but it would be an egotistical way to think. And Noël played 'Für Elise' for him at the end. Even though, with jealousy you never know. Thank you jt, for sharing your thoughts. It's very much appreciated.