mcarss

While the word "asexual" isn't mentioned directly, Callum's musings about his earlier relationships told he's into every part of a relationship aside from sex. His attraction to Rym is multifaceted -- romantic touch, physical appearance, and personality -- but he has no interest in sex. This is mentioned again in the next chapter (in a kind of humourous/embarrassing manner.) 😋 As for Rym's desires? It's never made 100% clear, but even if sex was something he wanted, Callum would definitely try his best to fulfill Rym's needs. Callum isn't disgusted by sex, he just not interested in the act.

Yeeeah. 😅 I'll admit the physics and how the moon travels across the sky really requires the reader to suspend their disbelief. I'll just wave my jazz hands and say "it's a fa-a-a-antasy story."

If the pactrids and human allies can cross the sea to this new land, I think they'll be safe from the Anberans. After all, the Anberans will have no idea where the pactrids went if they suddenly disappear in a mass exodus.

Indeed. If anyone was curious why this novel was called "The Roaming Sea" yet the story had nothing to do with the sea, now you understand. In film terms, consider it a very late title card. 😄

I've received some criticism in the past that I don't provide enough worldbuilding detail in my stories. I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to worldbuilding. It's a fun exercise, but can quickly devolve into a massive tome of information that ultimately becomes useless to me. I also prefer to hint at details. Yes, this requires the reader to infer or assume information, but I prefer doing that than flatly stating facts. I am trying to change that "habit" though, such as the information dump Callum receives from Eleanor after she breaks him free from gaol. In any case, you've taken the time to ask such interesting questions, so I'll try my best to answer them. It would depend on who they heard it from. Coming from a fellow human, there's a greater chance to believe it. But in Callum's case (being told by a pactrid), doubt is a healthy reaction. Unfortunately, yes. The majority of the population have drunk the kool-aid, so to speak. Again, keep in mind that from their point of view, the "truth" is fact. As readers, we know very early on this is a fascist society and not to be trusted, but Anberans don't know any better. It also doesn't help that fear is a powerful motivator, and does a good job to keep people in line. I believe the upcoming final act will answer this question to your satisfaction. On a technological and societal level, I'd say they're not that much different to Anberans. Of course, the pactrids aren't fascists, and their respect for nature is paramount, dictating how they live. They don't have large cities, only small towns and villages. No, their special abilities are limited to what you've witnessed. It's possible, but given that the rebels/refugees are essentially segregated in their villages, I'd say it's a rare thing. Keep in mind that a gotachi performs the reverse (reads their mind/intents) on any human they capture. Yes, that's not the same thing, but that would explain why Rym seemed confident his own ability to share memories would work with Callum. Haha! Right? The language barrier problem isn't for a lack of interest or want. It's a lack of a teacher. As mentioned above, they're segregated from the pactrids. The next chapter shows their willingness to learn. Thanks again for your questions. It means a lot that my story has captured your imagination. 💗

Life in Brookside required time for Callum to adjust. Everyone’s pace was unhurried, and if a chore wasn’t completed by sundown, the general consensus was ‘there’s always tomorrow.’ That’s not to say nothing was ever completed, though. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, duties and responsibilities were never neglected. At first, Callum grappled with the perception of himself as a hindrance. While the doctor, Gerald, appreciated the fact Callum could assist him, he didn’t have any need for an

Ettor proved to be a harsh and unforgiving travel companion. They pushed hard, stopping only to gather fresh water from a stream. Despite the trooper’s malcontent, he imparted a portion of his rations to Callum upon discovering he had nothing to eat. Callum bashfully accepted it, feeling foolish for so poorly planning his escape from Anbera. With everything that had transpired in the past twenty-four hours, packing food hadn’t crossed his mind. “We’ll stop here for the night,” Ettor announ

To be fair, it's not like he had a chance. He wasn't planning on getting chased into the forest and immediately running into a squad of pactrids. (Sure, he could've slipped those things into a pocket rather than the bottom of his sack, but this was done to keep tension within the reader going as long as possible. 😉)

Indeed. It seems each time Callum encounters new pactrids and shows he's not a threat, they aren't immediately blinded by hate of his kind. A noble trait. Ettor is a grump, but he's a soldier, not an escort.

Despite the pactrids size, strength, and resiliency, the humans still have the advantage of numbers. Their strategy is more akin to guerrilla warfare. More often than not, they're forced into a defensive position, using their dwindling forest as a form of cover. They have been losing this war slowly but surely -- an important fact that will shape the story to come.

“Did you get everything you wanted at your apartment?” Eleanor asked once the city walls were at their backs in the distance. As a precautionary measure, they kept to the open fields, away from the road. “Yeah, luckily,” Callum replied. “Who do you think broke into my place?” She gave him a conspicuous glare, as though it were obvious. “They’re not idiots. They know about those pactrid passes. You made it back, which means you were given one. In the wrong hands, they can do serious d

It's difficult to put yourself in their mindset when this way of life is all they know. Also, it's been shown that thinking otherwise is considered cowardly. It's a very jingoistic society. Check out my reply to Salerion above. As far as we know, yes.

That's just fake news. 😏

Unfortunately a transporter can't send someone anywhere. They need to have been there beforehand. Yeah, those numbers are nearly beyond comprehension. Their government provides monetary incentives for people to procreate. Sadly, it seems to be working.