travlbug

I'm a suspicious cuss: When Mark is asked his last name, he says, "It's, uh, Mullaney." "Uh?" Really? Who stumbles about before revealing his last name? Something funny is going on, and Mark may not have been forthcoming about his true identity. Yet, if that is the case, why would he lie about it?

Curses, my spy bots ran out of juice! (May I keep the Vulcan ears? ) As an old English lit major, I'm always trying to guess ahead, but I'm most pleased when an author can fool me!

Mark is still a mysterious figure: Because he lost his parents at age 17, did he have a guardian, or did he request emancipation? Was he attending university in Massachusetts when he was forced to return to New York? Does he intend to go to college, or return to college, at some point? Would he consider moving for David's sake or the sake of his finances? Does Grandfather really know him or his family? Lots of questions left to answer! Grandfather's viewpoint on being young and trying new things--and being willing to make mistakes--is refreshing. He clearly trusts David to leave him with Mark for an afternoon and evening unchaparoned. And note that it's an afternoon and evening when Grandfather is not usually in the condo. I wonder if David and Mark will have a little visitor?

When speaking of Mark, Grandfather says, "I like him. He reminds me of someone, but I don't know who." He goes on to muse, "I almost had the impression I'd met him before." Of course, he may know Mark's parents (what was his last name again?), but out of all the people in New York, what are the odds of that?

Depending on how grandfather feels about it, David may have a third option regarding his living arrangements after the divorce (hear that, Mark?).

So we have a corporeal entity who eats a little bit at a time from multiple apartments (not enough from any one apartment to arouse suspicion--a good strategy) and who needs a shower from time to time. This entity has a secret access to the various apartments, and the call of a bird (the sound of a secret door opening?) may presage his comings and goings. Hidden cameras are an excellent idea at this point. I also wonder what would happen if Dave and his grandfather left a meal on the table for the unobtrusive intruder, possibly with a letter to suggest good will. What kind of entity would live this way? While a homeless man might exist in this fashion, how many of the homeless keep themselves hidden? I am concerned that the need to hide and steal in small increments may suggest a younger person--possibly with a good reason to hide.... Can't wait for more clues as the mystery unfolds!

🖖😁

David's response to the "small things" he's witnessed is interesting: He could have chosen to trust his senses and look harder for the source, but he presumes that his senses are playing tricks on him and is satisfied with a cursory examination. Most people would probably have done the same thing; but with David's love of reading--of fantasy and the imaginary--he may be more receptive to the unusual as the story progresses. Grandfather is not likely to function as a high-level chef and then forget about his own bread loaf. David has no reason to fib about the amount of bread he's eaten, but I wonder if Grandfather questions his veracity (the strain of the divorce or some such rot)--not that he would say anything outright. After all, if Grandfather is not senile, and the bread is missing, then what are the possible conclusions? 🤔

David is 17 and clearly understands that his parents are divorcing. On that basis, I'm not exactly sure why he has to be sequestered with his grandfather while his parents hammer out the details. In fact, his father's entreaty, "it's just for a couple of weeks," makes it sound that, despite his love for his grandfather, David is not enamored of the visit. (Perhaps his father needs a break to deal with the upcoming divorce. The visit may be more for the father's benefit than for David's!) I presume that school is on holiday as well, as two weeks would otherwise require a lot of time to catch-up on. The Boltfort sounds like a grande dame of another era and, as ColumbusGuy notes, is itself a character in the novel. I love the contrast between the stately building and grandfather in his "sky blue bathrobe with fuzzy white trim...and the fluffy white slippers...." Well done.

While a suicide capsule is neat thought, I just can't buy it: Sebastian was so full of himself that I simply can't imagine him committing suicide. And why would he, as he was being treated as well as could be expected--no torture for information here! Further, if he did have information he wanted to safeguard, why didn't he suicide immediately on being apprehended--why choose a random day a week or two into his captivity? I have to believe that someone else wanted him eliminated, possibly for information that he didn't even know he possessed. I can't wait to see what the investigation uncovers!

Lord of the flies, revisited. (I thought that our heroes might also rescue the teen guard who called his compatriots "sick": I wonder what his punishment will be when these "sick" individuals find him tied up and the captives gone.) Rape, crucifiction, shooting deaths--the author isn't holding back on the violence now inhabiting the world. I'm still concerned that the trail of blood might expose them to the aliens. While Alex is willing to double the watches in the tower, it would be far better not to lead the aliens to the fort in the first place: Alex has made a tactical error which hopefully will not be exploited. Sebastian has been killed, presumably by an act of poisoning: While it's hard to believe that Nate has suddenly turned stupid (failing to check the camera footage), I doubt that the film will show anything. Rather, suspicion will probably fall on the kitchen staff or the kid who delivered Sebastian's last meal. (Was the meal ever out of anyone's sight?) There is yet another spy somewhere on the base....

When Taran flies Ronnie to the courthouse roof, I couldn't help thinking of the Neil Armstrong quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," in terms of their relationship. Underneath his facade as Weather Boy, Taran is actually a troubled man, and Ronnie sees that superheroes are only human. Rather than feeling disappointed/disillusioned, he feels protective--amongst other things --and proves himself the "braver" of the two by being the first to kiss the other (though Taran proves a quick study! ) Now, how will Taran's parents, "obsessed with image," respond to Taran's new boyfriend? Will Taran be strong enough to stand up to them if they are not supportive, or will he want to keep Ronnie a secret?

So far, so good. And the "non"-date isn't over yet! 😁

A lovely tropical retreat by Dundee beach, with room for the yatch: I need to find myself an Australian uncle!

I think I would have waited for one of the planes, considering the squished conditions on the yatch. (The time to Darwin would have been shorter, too.) That said, the yatch is right there, and who knows if the planes are actually going to arrive or will be forced to cancel. A very tough choice. Kudos to the crew for making the difficult trip possible.

I love that Kazu (the name indicates peace or harmony) works to bring peace/harmony by destroying the disruptive elements of society: An interesting juxtaposition to bring peace through destruction. Luca is nobody's fool: Knowing that an anami has been seen and has actually inflicted what should have been a death wound, he will now inform the rest of the Council. To do otherwise would be a dereliction of duty: If the demons are reemerging after all this time, the danger to all other supernaturals cannot be overestimated. How good is Luca at reading between the lines? Victor has revealed to Luca that Chris has been wounded by an anami, but even though Luca says that only the Elves could have saved him, Victor assures Luca that he will be meeting Chris soon. (Too much of a giveaway?) Etalos may be charming, but Chris--as always--reserves his passion for Vincent. 🥰

Of course, @gabz2000 rarely ever requires additional motivation....

I don't think you're a slave driver: I think you're an Elf! Etalos' name begins with Et, and so does Etotsira! Obviously the same family! Your magic is clearly to motivate non-Elven authors!

A scratch or bite from an anami results in death, but a scratch or bite from a demon results in an anami (so long as it can inject a sliver of its evil nature). If an anami, over time, becomes the mirror image of its creator demon, can it then create another anami? Was Gustav a weapon leftover from another era, or does he represent a new attack on the supernaturals of today? His mention of "masters" makes it sound like he is still reporting to them, but are the demon still out there? Gustav may be the last of his kind (or the demons may be hidden in their own enclave, just like the Elves!). Was the Village Chief who led the mass suicide an anami himself? If not, have the demons indeed survived to the present and found a way to control certain Elves from outside the Realm? Have they found a way physically to breach the realm? Uh oh. 😱

Chris did an intensive screening of Victor's memories after Victor was raped by Gustav, which is how he found the walled-off memories in the first place, and he shared memories with Victor subsequently: The fact that Victor is still alive and well, with no hidden demon poison in his mind, shows that he was spared this horror.

Yes, taking Pavlov's breath away is convincing, but having him do a strip tease would have been much more fun! 😂 Looks like the demon's scratch is finally having its effect: Perhaps Chris's constitution as a half-Elf is what delayed its onset till now. At least, he's in the right place to get the problem treated! (Imagine a weapon which can put you into a hell from which there is no escape! 😱)

Sad to see that the doctors have all retreated to Darwin. Hopefully, they will be able to return to the ship to complete their mission after the cyclones dissipate. Seems that the folks in Maningrida intend to exploit the Straight Ahead's offer to transport those at risk. A moral dilemma: Carry as many people as possible, even if they sleep on the floor, or insist on the original agreement. (If Tim and James agree to carry the larger number, then the local government should help them to refuel and restock.) I love the sense of urgency and purpose that the storm has evoked: @quokka has done an excellent job in conveying a tense situation.

🎵 The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed, If not for the courage of the fearless crew, Their cookies might be lost.... 🎶 😂😂😂

Lovely that a famous actress would volunteer to give the children a lesson: Her wish to share her love of literature speaks well of her own dedication to the arts. With enough time, the ship could outrun a cyclone or storm; but what if there is no time? At best, the pending cyclone will throw the ship off schedule....

If I were the boys, I'd prefer to eat with the crew rather than with a bunch of doctors speaking medicalese: The gossip is much better below deck! 😂 Nice to see that the kids enjoy their time at the aboriginal school. If enjoyment can be measured in mud, then the trip is a smashing success!