travlbug

Bacon. The best medicine. Caleb's "darkness" is stressed in this chapter, in juxtaposition to Asa's light magic. Of course they'd be mates! Caleb's atonement/redemption is likely going to require his providing a way forward--perhaps even a cure--for the pups, and who is better suited than Asa to help Caleb to achieve these ends? (But first, Asa will need to get Caleb to accept him...but how?)

I remain unconvinced: Asa could have healed them completely and simply not said anything--that is, if he actually had the power to do so. No one would ever have known how bad off Caleb had been, and Cliff already had an alternate explanation for why Leonard might have improved so quickly. I have the suspicion that Asa's main talents lie elsewhere.

If Kage was a shadow shifter, is Asa his opposite? Also, it's interesting that Asa can read Caleb's thoughts, even with Caleb being unconscious. I wonder how often Asa uses his ability to "read" other people, or can he read only Caleb? Of note, while Asa has some ability to heal, the power seems minor: He can't heal Caleb fully, and he has to defer to the vet to treat Leonard's laminitis. At first, I thought that Asa's presence during the shooting is a complete coincidence, and I dislike stories which turn on coincidences. However, "it felt wrong" when Asa leaves Caleb, and Asa feels "obsessive" about and "drawn" to Caleb, so their meeting is likely not chance after all: the fates have preordained, or arranged, the meeting. It is meant to be. Sadly, Caleb is unlikely to resolve his depression unless he can find a way to redeem himself; and I wonder if his teaming up with a light shifter–romantically or otherwise–will result in their finding a way to treat the hybrid pups (and cure Caleb's depression). Time will tell. (Asa's ability to heal, in and of itself, would seem inadequate to address the hybridization directly, so I can't wait to see how kbois handles this issue!)

Ho hum, just another life-and-death cliffie. Nothing to get worked up about. 🤣 So Caleb will wake up to find himself in a cabin/ranch house being cared for by a kind-seeming soul. What happens next will depend on whether kbois writes more like Debbie Macomber or Stephen King! 😁 Welcome back, kbois! We've missed you!

I read Intermezzo yesterday and was thinking that Craig and Simon deserved their own story; and lo and behold, here it is! While I love the story in general, I particularly enjoyed Simon's insight into his mother's dependence on being his caregiver and his complacency in accepting his own dependence. Craig brings Simon love without promoting/enabling his dependence and, instead, seeks ways to make him as independent as possible. (I.e., his love makes Simon more free!) I selfishly hope to see more stories of this inspiring duo as they attend Bronx Science!

The best farces tend to build, with the improbable becoming ever more improbable, and the absurd/ridiculous growing to ever greater heights. (And I agree with @drpaladin and @JamesSavik: the news qualifies!)

Considering that it's page 4, I'm probably safe, but I'll gobble quietly just in case. 🤫😂🤣

Wow! I'm the first to post on page 4! (I am fulfilled. )

Thanks to Aaron and kbois for saving the alternate timeline. Now, if only they could save this one!

Being a Southern Californian, I've attended more than a few tapings in my time, but I can honestly say that this is my favorite! (An instant classic! ) What a hoot to see how kbois turns her readers into characters. (Out of 100 psychiatrists surveyed, the number one response is to drink more mango haberno whiskey! ) Kudos to Aaron and kbois for such a wonderful series. But don't expect to be invited to Hollywood any time soon.... 😅😂🤣

Another fun romp with some of our favorite characters--a weird combination of hide-and-seek plus tag (as pointed out by Aaron), as well as a race. If I were taking the story seriously, I'd wonder how, and why, our specific Hunters were chosen; but as it stands, I'll just ask the barkeep for another. No fair to promise us spoilers and then declare that the story takes place in an alternate reality! I want my spoilers!

The Ball and Chain Show swept the Neilson ratings today in the game show category! (Yay! Such a hoot!) I promise to watch it whenever Aaron and kbois are hosting. (While Eubanks wasn't my favorite game show host, he did a great job of spearheading KTLA's Rose Parade coverage for many years.)

I'll make puppy eyes....

"Our three contestants are proud mothers of shapeshifters; a race known for devouring everything and the kitchen sink." I love the idea of focusing on the mothers. (One of my favorite nonfiction books of late, From Cradle to Stage [by Virginia Grohl] focuses on the moms of rock stars and their unique issues.) "...What it's like to feed a hungry teenager with paws." I love it! While I love broccoli, I acknowledge that taster gene combos, and the amount of mRNA produced, may actually make broccoli taste bitter to some people. (Mothers may actually be torturing these unfortunately children by forcing broccoli to touch their tongues! ) Of course Elaine wins the appetizer round: She uses bacon! I hate Mac 'n' Cheese (gross texture and bland taste). Even as a child, I loathed the stuff. However, I accept that the rest of the world disagrees with me, and my own (traitorous) husband can't get enough of it. The moment it was mentioned that Mamma was cooking Mac 'n' Cheese, we knew who would win the entrée round! That said, Sandi's dessert, with chocolate, pudding, ice cream, and a cone, is a no-brainer for the most kid-friendly contender! While I wouldn't want to eat a meal of the winning food items, the story is a joy to read. (And even the "losers" have a happy ending!) "On a completely unrelated note, I'm off to a buffet…" (Hahahaha!) What a coincidence: so am I!

I never considered myself a game show aficionado, but I loved Password, Concentration, To Tell the Truth, and Jeopardy while growing up, and I've enjoyed reruns of What's My Line and You Bet Your Life when I've come across them on TV and on You-Tube. My sister made a killing on Sale of the Century, so I suppose I have to give honorable mention to that show as well! I love the irony of saving the Human race with stories based on game shows (what could be more profound?). The references to characters and stories near and dear to our hearts are icing on the cake!

I always knew that some game shows are filmed in the underworld.... Yay for Kage! His afterlife has been decreed by a game show. (Actually, I have a sneaking suspicion that the fate of each contestant had already been "fixed" before taping. (Consider what happens to Mallory.) His grand prize--becoming Elijah's guardian--is truly a great gift (though a lifetime supply of dish soap ain't nothin' to sneeze at!). 😁

Uh oh.... 😅

So, in some part of the multiverse, in an alternate timeline, it's up to Aaron and kbois to save humanity. (I'm selling my stock and moving to Sunev! 😂) At least, we'll finally find out how many mango habernos it takes to save the planet! 😂😂😂

I guess we'll never find out what Ray was really thinking, and it doesn't even matter. In fact, Ray turns out to be a mere catalyst for the true heart of the tale. Kudos to Snark for being perceptive enough to figure out what was bothering Jason; and kudos to Jason for realizing what he really wants (and his willingness to reach out for it [though truth be told, Snark is just as willing!]). And kudos to Geron for making the bait and switch appear so effortless! (I didn't see it coming.) Thank you for another wonderful story.

Jason should really wear his helmet all the time (while skateboarding), as you can't pick the time of your life-changing accident. (Snark doesn't wear a helmet at all? He's truly insane.) This chapter is basically a character study. It's also an excellent way to build tension by delaying the next meeting between Jason and Ray. "Was it anger like he remembered? It didn't look that way." So if Ray wasn't angry (until baited by Snark), then what was he actually feeling?

Surveillance cameras are all over the place, and the only way to avoid being photographed is to stay at home. (The situation is even worse in Great Britain than in the US.) You can even photograph police carrying out their duties as long as you don't interfere with them. Ray's hostility is completely out of line and hints at some kind of trauma linked with being photographed in the past (or maybe trauma sustained by a relative). Snark is actually a good friend, sticking up for Jason in the confrontation with Ray. That said, Truck is also not afraid to use his physical attributes to defuse the situation. (That Truck purposely comes over to help when he isn't involved in the argument speaks volumes about his character. ) I love the typical teenage angst: Snark likes Kat, Kat likes Jason, and Jason likes Snark (while realizing he's unobtainable). I also have to wonder if Truck likes Jason, though I don't want to read too much into his help. Jason's instant crush on Ray is certainly inconvenient, and I can't wait see what happens when they meet again (as they most certainly will!).

Surprise!

Interesting that Enya can tell a lie even over electronic communication, which is, after all, a form of energy. I wonder if she can also discern lies through recorded media. (Just a random thought.) And all it took to find Huntington was incredible hacking expertise and a ready satellite system. Obviously child's play! My biggest concern is twofold: first, how is a "dead" Huntington recruiting his army and what is he offering as an enticement? I can't imagine that three hundred evil shifters could be found so readily, but mercenaries might not be trustworthy. (That said, it would be hard to let the cat out of the bag from the middle of Siberia….) King Auberon admits that there's a limit to fae magic? Never thought I'd see the day. However, dryads and pixies are a reasonable consolation prize. Yikes! Caleb calls out of the blue to say that a cure has been found for hybridization. Yet, a ton of scientists (as commissioned by Sebastian and the Council) has failed in this regard, so how does Caleb, or perhaps his new pack, find the Holy Grail without funding or scientists to do the research? Is the answer the result of a happy accident? (I have a feeling that the cure will be so simple and logical that we'll all be kicking ourselves for failing to think of it!) Thanks, kbois, for another great read. I look forward, as always, to the next!

Did I just hear kbois cackling madly? Careful, Korner Krew, she's playing you (and loving it!).

No truer words.