travlbug

"...Pls stream [my album] for good vibes, clear skin and healthy roots!" Samson is silly. 🤭 "...The young singer [Samson] couldn’t wait to get up on that stage and perform." Both Samson and Ash love performing/public appearances, in striking contrast to Tyler and his shyness/misgivings. Despite being competitors, it wouldn't surprise me if Samson and/or Ash give Tyler a pep talk (while back in the Green Room), making all the difference when Tyler finally takes the stage. An average portion of a true Ceasar Salad has about 500 Calories. I love Samson's diet! (I'm switching to it! 😉) While self deluding on the subject of food, it's nice to see that Samson will accept awards only if he's earned them! (He has integrity--just not with diets!) 😊 I love the heart-to-heart between Samson and Marcus: Once again, Samson shows himself to be a nice guy through his sympathy for Marcus (and Ash); and he details how being openly gay has actually hurt his career, curing Marcus of the idea that he "has it all," though he does have his freedom. “What’s PDA?” Lucy suddenly asked.... Why, patent ductus arteriosus! (What else? 🤔) Seriously, if Florence rolls her eyes again at the mention of Stacy, I will personally inject her eye muscles with Botox! (I'm glad to see that Stacy has agreed to meet Tyler in LA. ❤) Is Florence seriously pushing Tyler to become an obnoxious Diva--to make special requests for his dressing room, just to out-Diva everyone else? Ok, Florence, it's time for Botox for your mouth as well! I think that the job is simply to pick Stacy up from the airport (this time. The cement galoshes will have to wait for another occasion. 😂).

Yep, Tyler's still a newbie, and Stacy is being a pill. Hmmm. After Jin's message, I wonder if 2Good will be performing at the Stardust awards! Marcus is his own worst enemy. By his own admission, he still loves Ash, so of course he walks away from him. (What am I missing? Emotions can make people do very weird things.) I miss Samson. I need a little glamour to make me feel better.

Act in haste, repent in leisure: Marcus, you're an idiot. Once again, we see how much power the label can exert, with Ash being forced to have a fake girlfriend. (Kelly is probably laughing her head off!) Poor Samson! Through no fault of his own, his singing slot at the Stardust Awards has been usurped. Further, the Awards people are playing politics (in fact, every exec/admin in the story is playing politics!): By putting him in the worst performing slot after offering him the best, the Awards folk are clearly insulting him, but if he pulls out, they can still say they offered him a slot and that he refused to perform. (Very sneaky.) That said, it makes no sense for the Awards execs to create a lasting enmity between themselves and Samson: Perhaps this was their opening salvo in displacing him, and they expected Samson to call back and negotiate a better performance slot, though not the one he wanted. Howver, if Samson pulls out, everyone loses.

I love that Samson has a Pampers moment when his song achieves Elite 9 status. Samson has a new hobby: Marcus baiting! He really didn't have to confront Marcus excepting for curiosity's sake (and the fun of it ), but two pieces of significant information are shared: First, and more importantly, neither singer has control over his album release date, such that the labels themselves are responsible for playing games. Second, Samson confirms that he is not flirting with Ash and even refers to Ash and Marcus as a cute couple. While it is unclear if Marcus will budge on his false, fixed belief that Samson is acting improperly, at least Sampson is aware that Ash is not purposely trying to damage his career. Cliff Sanders is a crass booblet (his mind is too small to qualify as a simple boob ). As Tyler discerns, "...Most of the man’s responses were sugarcoated and decorated with the most delicious-looking frosting, but on the inside, they were filled with toxic jabs and sense of superiority." While self-promotion is to be expected from someone like Cliff, he could have joked with Tyler about acquiring his contract instead of swiping at him. Further, when Tyler notes that his label is doing to Ash what Cliff is doing to Samson, Cliff shows himself incapable of good behavior and storms off the show, revealing his true character. (Sorry, Cliff, but while you can "give it," you clearly can't "take it.") Can't wait for the June 24 fireworks!

Yay, sticky pudding! 😋 “And another thing, you really have to become a better liar." Really? Florence is clearly manipulating Tyler for her own benefit (as well as the label's: With her icy stares, and with daggers in her gaze, she is clearly no friend of Tyler's, even if she is his manager). And do you really have to abandon morality in exchange for fame? I love the juxtaposition of Florence's manipulations of Tyler with Kelly's efforts to break free of manipulation. We start by viewing Kelly as a b**** and then conclude by seeing her as an inspiration! Kudos to Ash for reaching out to an old band member (what can it hurt to be nice? 🤗). And the paparazzi? Unless you read the tabloids, who cares? (Though it will be fun to see what silliness they come up with!)

Sad that Ash's label is essentially requiring him to lie to explain the change in the album release date. That said, why doesn't it surprise me? I love that, far from cowing Samson and Hank, this challenge actually motivates them further! So Samson has guessed that Marcus is his anonymous tipster. If I were him, I would just wait and see what the tipster does next. (Just give the tipster more rope to hang himself. And who knows, the next tip may just as interesting and even helpful!)

I agree with @chybrain that Havar is likely misinterpreting the use for which he received the Astra spell. (The Tower may have given him the right answer to his question, but his own failings have led him astray [and prevented him from returning to the Tower as well].) Chris's father and Leo continue to advance in their magic training faster than expected (or beyond what should be possible for mere mortals at all!). They may never grow pointed ears, but I'm expecting them to smell like flowers any day now! 😂 Yay! A possible boyfriend for Etalos! (About time!) Stupid blood Army. I figured that the idiots attacking Greensburg were a feint to draw attention from another strike, but they were just idiots. 🤗 Chris shows himself to be an excellent ambassador/ negotiator by suggesting the inclusion of the werewolves in bringing down the demon-focused vampire syndicates. (No hard feelings, anyone!) Augh! There go the voices again! (An older man, a woman, a young girl, and a young boy--sounds like a family has taken up residency in Chris's head! 🤔) Why can't Chris be allowed to remember them? In other words, why are they in hiding? (I love the mystery! 😊)

Stacy is overreacting, though she was primed by Florence to do so. Rather than give Tyler a chance to make things work, she throws him a sad look, leaves the party early, and refuses to let him take her home. If their relationship dissolves, the fault may be more Stacy's than Tyler's (not that Tyler will feel any better about it). I agree with @chris191070 that the central theme of the chapter is "the price of fame." That said, Tyler is not choosing fame over Stacy: Rather, he's being asked to maintain a fiction (just as Ash and Marcus are maintaining a fiction). Stacy can still have a relationship with Tyler but only if she accepts certain constraints. The question is, is she willing to do it?

Yay for Tyler. Good luck! I love the contrast between the support from Tyler's parents and the discouragement/ disapproval from Samson's parents. Well done! So, is the anonymous tipster trying to help or hurt Samson, or is that even the point? Perhaps the tipster is more concerned that Samson's release may damage Ash's, and the tip is meant to help Ash! (Of course, Samson may have no more control over the release date than Ash does, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens!)

Uh oh....

Family is important to both Tyler and Samson, so they both get brownie points. Perhaps we'll see how Ash feels about family later on. Interesting that Ash feels that being "true" to his music and connecting with people are more important than the numbers associated with his work. (The mark of a true artist....) Marcus is an ass. He is purposefully trying to sabotage Samson, making him a villain, and I have to wonder how Ash will react if he ever finds out. That said, the casual way Mikaela is willing to throw Samson under the bus (even if it's at Marcus's direction), shows that she is also a nasty piece of work. (Even friendship, and what one will do for a friend, has its limits.)

Again, the singers prove vastly different: Ash is a singer trying to become a true musician (and becomes annoyed when his video downplays his accomplishment), whereas Sampson is a musician trying to improve his singing (to the point that he is taking "vocal" lessons). Why do I have the feeling that they are the ying and yang to a superb partnership? "Any publicity is good publicity"--O.k., not really, but Hank is right to put a positive spin on the leak. The bigger issue is the violation of trust and the need to find the offender.

Interesting that the two gay singers went in very different directions--one coming out (public reaction be damned) and one staying in the closet for the sake of his career, even though his personal relationship is suffering. I love that the Egyptian theme carries over from the cat, Cheops, to Sampson's dark eyeliner, consistent with the modern version of kohl. A Korean man with teal eyes? I know that some Koreans have "honey eyes"--very light brown--but I presume that Ash is wearing contacts or has some mixed blood somewhere in his history. I love that Samson sees Ash as friendly competition--a reason to strive--where Marcus sees Sampson as a potential rival. Jealousy is not a pretty characteristic, and it's to be seen if Marcus can act reasonably or if he'll let jealousy hurt Ash without cause. A lovely start to the new story. ❤

Buying for the house, lifting and playing with a toddler: Chris is a born politician, even if he doesn't know it. Who needs a PR team when he does the right thing on his own? (And with a good heart!) And the winner, "Gramps!" Nice to see that Chris is able to hold his own a bit better than last time, and nice to see that, despite the demon essence still in his body, the hitchhiking voices do not let him lose control. If Gramps teaches by combat, I'd say that Chris is in for a hard visit! That said, the best teacher is someone who knows more than the pupil, so no doubt that Ethnar will force Chris to become a better warrior. (And it's just more fun if Chris doesn't always win!)

Interesting that even the Elvish royalty needs to play politics to keep their power base secure. Interesting that Chris uses soul magic to power his earth magic. Considering the age of the earth, using an older magic actually makes sense. Interesting that Etalos has not so subtly indicated that he would be open to Chris's advances. (He really has to find a boyfriend! 😂) Interesting that Havar hasn't given up trying to influence Chris: He's an irritant, but my fear is that he is more dangerous than he appears. Interesting that King Ethnar wants to tutor Chris personally in the ways of Earth magic. (Perhaps he wants to impart a trick or two that's not usually taught.) Of course, pix of the elder King and powerful Prince sparring together would be excellent PR! (Just saying.) I love Leo's birthday celebrations! (So cute.) Chris's gift shows the love he has for his best friend, as he secretly imbues the sweater with spells for health and strength. (These attributes provide Chris the security of knowing his friend is better protected, so the sweater is not only a great gift for Leo but also gifts Chris with some peace of mind. 😊)

While Chris screams in panic when the scroll crumbles, he then hears a voice inside himself saying "Such a worrier": Either he has already absorbed the information he needs to read the book (he didn't try to read it again after the scroll's destruction, so he wouldn't know), or his hitchhikers already have knowledge of another way. Despite their kibbitzing, the voices are still not ready to engage Chris in conversation, and I'm incensed on Chris's behalf that they don't even leave him with the memory of their comments.

All those vampires, werewolves, and elves in the same place: I love that Greensburg is becoming the next Eerie, Indiana! (There goes the neighborhood! 😂) Citadel Corps--an arms manufacturer into stem cell research and demon snatching: I hope they're not considering cloning demons as weapons! (Ah, but the stock options!) Finally, Etalos is willing to sling some back-talk at Chris! (...Anything on my schedule?” “Oh. Actually yes, nothing major, just a brief consultation with a PR team your grandfather hired for your public image.” “Do I really have to?” “Stop whining.” 😂😂😂) Actually, I can't wait to see Chris at a staged public appearance. He really is a sweetie, so I'm sure the Elf on the street will love him! 😊 (But can he get through an appearance without being called away for an emergency? It would be spectacular for a crowd to see him take his entire entourage and vanish back to Greensburg--or anywhere else for that matter--to take up the fight on his people's behalf!)

"Evalta par Shazag": Chris's decision to sit on his find--not to share with any of his relatives--is puzzling, though perhaps he feels that there's nothing yet to share. However, the book is not the source of Chris's new Elvish signatures: He heard the voices before he visited the Tower. Interestingly, Yonthar appears to understand who the voices represent; and if the demon considers them so ancient as to be myth, they must be very old indeed. Further, if Yonthar fears them, they must be powerful enough to frighten demons: I'm beginning to wonder if Chris has been touched by the ancient gods themselves.

Sometimes life seems perfect--usually right before the axe falls--but I'm glad that Artie gets to experience such happiness. Yay, Messiah! Now I wonder if Ryder and Teddy may cross paths with Artie and Dizzie!

After running "hot and cold" to the point of annoying Ronnie, Taran is finally showing confidence in their relationship, with Maya's support invaluable in this regard. His decision to invite Ronnie to spend the night--and his certainty about the decision--shows that he is finally able to take the next step in his commitment to his boyfriend. (I wonder if his new confidence will also assist him in standing up to his parents.)

I thought the name of the cat would be Felix, in view of his "magic bag of tricks," but Presto works nicely. 😺 Interesting that Taran's father seems to play a blame game: He asks who ordered Taran--a nonarcane superhero--to the scene even before he asks if the intruder has been identified! While Taran has been blocking his thoughts from being read, Ronnie has been broadcasting like a beacon: So much for secrecy! At least, Taran sees that Maya supports their relationship. 😊

Taran, once you come out of the closet, you don't have to worry about people discovering who you really are, and life will be better. (How do you think you made Ronnie feel just now?) Ronnie's force fields are looking to be more and more awesome as time goes on. (If he could figure out how to fling a force field at someone--perhaps the size of a bullet--he could create a long-range weapon for himself!)

"...How the hell I’m going to get to Marin Headlands!" I can see it now! Adam and Mason will kidnap Dizzy: They'll blindfold him, stuff him in the car, and tell him they're dropping him off in a forest with no donut crumbs to help him find his way home. They'll leave him on the Marin Headlands peninsula, where Artie will have arrived earlier (by bus) to take over from them on their arrival. And then the big reveal! 😊 (Of course, I could be wrong....😂😂😂)

Hmmm... A demonic nocturnal emission!

Batman had a plan to take down every member of the Justice League: While a portal to Greenberg may be helpful for high-level dignitaries to visit between Chris and the Palace, it would also allow for a surprise attack against Chris, should he ever be taken over by the Demon essence. (Sad to say, his Patri needs to think of such issues, as he is the King and needs to put the safety of the Realm first.) See, Demon food can cause indigestion, resulting in annoying visitations and lots of purple. While I hate it when food talks back, I think the General is just spouting sour grapes (purple, of course 😂). Since no human has elemental powers, but Leo and William do, I wonder if they are slowly becoming part Elven because of their relationship to Chris. (Actually, because of his power enhancement with time, Victor may also be affected.) Of course, it could be that Chris is simply giving them energy, but if that were the case, where did the affinity for them to work magic come from in the first place? Short of having their ears grow points, I wonder if there is a way to check.