travlbug

The cleaning crew at Huntington's workplace: "The hardest part is getting rid of the bodies. It's just so disrespectful!" (Does anyone remember when Dilbert had to clean up after deceased customers? )

Hmmm. I did not receive a notification for the story update today. (I blame Huntington. ) “Back off Kage, or you’ll be sorry." Trevor is clearly a double agent, but who's side is he really on? He actually gives Kage a chance to disengage, but Kage refuses, putting Trevor into the position of kill or be killed. Of course, where there's poison, there's an antidote, and Elijah doesn't have it. Is there a third party (maybe with red hair?) wandering about? Now that Trevor has escaped, might he direct a confederate to provide Kage with the cure? (Nah! )

Is it worth alcohol?

Of course, something will go wrong! The only question is whether Kage will need to save Elijah from Huntington's evil clutches or vice versa. (Because of Kage's certainty that Elijah is a liability, I presume that his hubris will be punished with capture and that Elijah--alone or with his team of humans [Tyler] and Montana shifters--will have to save the day!) I will even go so far as to predict that the boss himself might join the team--go into the field--if Kage's life is truly on the line.

I was cringing when I saw the wheelchair in the title box and read that the boys were going water skiing: You know what's going to happen but have no power to prevent it. Brion is lucky to have regained the use of his arms (though he may not have full control of his fingers), and kudos to Carlos for mentioning the pain component of his condition. Also, at this point in Brion's story, we don't know if he has bowel/ bladder/ sexual issues, though we can take a reasonable guess. I love that psycho-social issues are discussed, from holding a job, living alone, and finding an appropriately equipped apartment to suicide attempts, though a short story (by definition) does not have the space to give these topics justice. Kudos to Brion for getting his life back on track. (By the way, what happened to Caleb? Did he stand by his friend?) Good luck to CJ as he runs for mayor! (So where do I get a bumper sticker? )

Ah, the origin of the Kage Sutra.... 😂😂😂

Kage is afraid of settling down with Elijah because he doesn't want to endanger him, but I know this place in Montana…. 😉

Kage is related to the boss by adoption but doesn't know his name? (His upbringing and "child abuse" are synonyms!) Ooh! Kage can manipulate a person's bodily processes–a fantastic talent for an assassin but a better one for a healer. (We may have just found the answer to healing the pups stuck in hybrid form!) Kage is certain that he will have to leave Elijah, but they haven't even gone to San Francisco yet. Circumstances change (and so may Kage! 😊).

If I were Zac, I'd be trying to figure out how to get out of school and back on the yacht as soon as possible. Perhaps the cattle station provides a hint as to the solution: Can you finish high school through the school of the air? Regardless, I'll be looking forward to book two and Zac's ultimate rescue!

Of course I agree that children don't tend to be the protagonists in evil acts, but what about mass shooters in school? Further, there are plenty of evil kids from literature, including Seltzer's Damien Thorn and King's Patrick, just to name the first two who come to mind. (Not every child is an angel...right, Damien?) The circumstances where the boss would target a child would likely be exceedingly rare, but would Kage refuse a job merely because of the age of a bona fide evil target?

Dinner with Papi is endearing (with some great lines thrown into the bargain). Basically, the first part of the chapter is all about love. The second part of the chapter is all about death--Kage's role as an assassin--and Kbois does an excellent job as a Kage apologist. (I never knew that supernatural hits were so rigorously screened and vetted!) Of note, Kage will not murder in front of a child, so what if he were ordered to assassinate a kid?

Jordan and the rest of the crew continue to gain experience while enjoying a leisurely cruise. Sadly, Zac's time on board is coming to an end, with school starting again in two weeks. (So what will Jordan do without him?) More paying customers! Maybe Zac can be prevailed upon to give them a musical performance. 😊

Kage's internal soliloquy reminds me of the villain in a certain musical: "I'm reviewing…the situation…I'm a killer, and a killer I shall stay…." 😂 I understand Elijah's need for real maple syrup! I grew up in a "table syrup" household and didn't even try real maple syrup until I moved away for college. (My parents have much to atone for! 🤣) Poor Elijah--he's still young enough looking that even his attempt at being stern looks cute! 😊 (The true bane of looking young is that people don't take you seriously.) Wow! The hit is out on Huntington–not because of his crimes against the pups but because he's making waves with shifter disappearances and could involve humans. (As always, the boss is practical.) Hmmm. Now why do I think Kage's plan to off Huntington is going to involve a fire shifter? (Maybe because kbois just brought her up? 😂 [Want to bet she has red hair? 😏]) And where does Elijah fit into the picture? (Like he's gonna stay home and remodel a bathroom while Kage takes all the risks.) Of course, Kage, you don't have to tell Elijah about your mission, but at this point, I don't think you can help yourself! 😄

Hard for Jordan to turn down paying guests--especially if they include the Commodore--after the Commodore has thrown a bon voyage dinner for the ship's complement! (No pressure...we're all packed and ready!😂) Gramps clearly has a head for business, and he has made sure that Jordan has a charter and seed money, in case he wishes to monetize the yacht. (Does this mean that the family does not expect Jordan to return to the cattle station? He's the second son, and it sounds like the family has just wished him well with a business of his own!)

The one time I traveled over the Tasman Sea, the waves were 32 feet tall, and I will happily leave the crossing to Jordan and his merry crew! What a lovely surprise, with Tim and Angela joining the crew as last-minute additions. Flies on a cattle station, Tim? You don't say! 😂😂😂

Jordan provides the Hunt siblings with an incredible offer (what a great way to work through college!). Sorry, Jackson, but you only have to wait a year.... I love that Jordan has not left Alistair out and has provided him with a uniform (well done). And what rank is the uniform laid out for Zac? All aboard! Can't wait for the ocean crossing to the yacht's new home!

Elijah has turned into a dolphin only once? And as a child? (I would have expected a dolphin in the bathtub daily! 😂 And don't get me started about visits to Sea World! 🐬) What does it say about Elijah that he now prefers turning into a Great White rather than a playful dolphin? 😏 "Fucking hell Kage, get back in there!" Best line in the chapter! 😂 Elijah, did you really delete Tyler's pictures of Kage? (They teach you to share in kindergarten….) Interesting that the direct assaults seem to have stopped. (The big bad's men may be watching instead to see if Elijah and Kage will lead them to the lap top. [And we still haven't checked out the Bel Air…after months…really?!]) Elijah, you've got to come clean to your friends. (Refusing to let Tyler have pictures of Kage is one thing; but practically speaking, you are now putting Kage before the kidnapped pups, and we know you're better than that!) It's a question of trust.

In the future, Reza, your only regret with Otto will be that you didn't go farther. There you go again, Reza, trying to engage in avoidance behavior. (Maladaptive, remember? ) Kudos to Angelo for forcing you to face Otto. (You even got a hug out of the deal.) Far better to depart as friends, especially as Otto will always hold a special place in your memory. And as for Ravello itself--of course, you'll want to revisit it. (I do, and I've never even been there! ) Thanks again, James, for another wonderful tale.

Zac is clearly a sailor: The more he sails, the more he wants to sail. (He looks at the work of being a trainee as being on holiday!) The tall ship trainees are a self-selecting bunch, and I wonder if we'll meet Fraser again at some point. Yay, Jordan makes a surprise appearance! As another surprise, he gives Dad, Alistair, and Zac a day voyage on the Stingray! So, when is Jordan going to change the name of the ship (or is he?), and when are they leaving for their first extended adventure?

"He thought about Otto. He tried not to think about Otto." Apparently, Otto is worse than an earworm! 😂😂😂 I love that Reza seeks guidance in a Catholic church: He simply wants guidance from a wiser head, and he has no prejudice to deter him. (Growing up biracial in a two-religion household has probably made him more accepting than most.) Father Stefano frames Reza's issues in simple, but powerful, terms: "So, what is it that’s bothering you the most…that the object of your thoughts is a boy, or that you’re being disloyal to your girlfriend?" Further, "all I can tell you is this: you are clearly questioning yourself and striving to find your path… and that, I’m pleased to say, is the first hallmark of an enlightened mind." I love that Father Stefano refuses to allude to right and wrong. Rather, he suggests that being gay is simply one path among many and that striving to find one's path is an appropriate goal. (Angelo and Gianni have taught him well!) Ultimately, Angelo gives Reza the best advice possible for the upcoming date: "Go with the flow, and see what happens." And Reza proceeds with an open mind.... As to what actually happens, I'm reminded of the lyrics to Angel of the Morning: "If morning's echo says we've sinned / it was what I wanted now ...." The question is, can Reza be adult enough to accept it?

Reza, avoidance is a maladaptive behavior; and your attempt to avoid Otto had been duly punished by the Gay travel god. Now go back to the pool! (Otto is waiting....) To thine own self be true: You have admitted to yourself that Otto is "kinda cute" and even "endearing." And yes, you've made a date with Otto (it couldn't have happened without you! ) So, what have you gotten yourself into? A chance for self exploration--something you desperately need at this point--and maybe a bit of fun. (Chocolates are optional. )

“Hey asshole, let’s go!” Elijah yelled to Tyler. A last minute check never hurts. (I'll never forget that Passepartout leaves the gas burning and Fogg makes him pay for it!) "It was too bad there was still a bit of chill in the air. Having the top down on the Jeep would’ve been a treat." This is what coats are for! (Wimps…. 😂) So which park do they actually go to? (And don't say Jellystone!) Shifting 101: Everything you ever wanted to know about shifting, including why Kage gets to keep his clothes on (so unfair). Lovely chapter, culminating in a midnight swim (beautifully done) and the promise of lovemaking. (And Tyler is never made to feel like a third wheel.)

Wait! What happened yesterday at the poolside? Things were just getting good! (If Reza won't tell, maybe Otto will! 😉) Gianni asks Reza, "So, will you be seeing Otto again tonight?” (Word gets around fast! 😂) Today's scene by the poolside is priceless! Otto speaks his mind but lets his finger do the walking. ("...[Reza] didn’t need to see the rest to know where that finger was going to end up." 🤣😂😁) Reza proves to have a fertile imagination and a healthy teen libido (much to his horror!). I love that, literally and metaphorically, Reza has just jumped off into the "deep end!" Now that the seed has been planted, Reza's thoughts continue to be "unwanted" and "impure," even without Otto around to inspire them. Still, "he had managed to survive the evening without being immediately outed as… whatever the heck he was now." In fact, Reza, many teens experience homosexual thoughts, and they don't make you bi or gay–nor does experimentation. (Of course, if you happen to be bi or gay, they may help you to confirm it.) So, the big question: Do you want to take Otto up on his offer? 😊

Reza thinks twice before describing something as gay, but he also second-guesses himself as to why. (I love that he is starting to think about what the word "gay" really means.) "Reza had never even met a gay person before, so far as he knew. But Gianni and Angelo had seemed so unrepentant about it, so unashamed… almost proud. They made it seem like it was perfectly normal for two boys to be together… and had even laughed at him for being slightly weirded out by it all." Reza is suddenly seeing past the stereotypes; and far from being repulsed, "part of him even wanted to meet the two boys again so he could find out more about them." His world is enlarging, and his understanding is beginning to grow. Of course, even for an evolving teen boy, shopping–Amalfi or no–is not a favorite activity! (Actually, Reza, shopping is like beer–an acquired taste, with greater tolerance over time. 🤭) Reza, you look like a deer in headlights, with big, beautiful Otto coming over to introduce himself. And when you ask if he gets "bored, sitting here all day," his response is classic: "I…am not bored now." (Good one, Otto, you've clearly been around the block a time or two. 😂) Reza understands that Otto is flirting with him (hard to miss after being told you're cute!), and he may be "unsure what to say or do next," but he doesn't tell Otto to go away…. 😉

While the brunch sounds lovely, I need my breakfast tamales (chile relleno are the best) and eggs with salsa to start the day off right! "Best bring your camera, son," Dad suggested. "I reckon you might see something pretty gorgeous today." That's a double entendre if I ever heard one! 😂 I find it interesting that Dad insists on praying with his son yet shaves his beard off. That said, he doesn't insist on Reza being devout, and he may not require himself to be devout either. (Helen isn't praying with them, so I presume that she didn't convert for the marriage. Actually, I wonder if Reza also participates in Christian practices or purely Muslim ones. [Christmas presents are always appreciated. 😊]) I love Reza's first meeting with Gianni and Angelo. So suave…. 😂😂😂 "The teenage son…baring his lean and lightly muscled figure…was watching Reza. As Reza caught his eye, the boy smiled slightly…. Why does he keep looking at me like that?" Actually, Reza, you know darn well why, which is why you feel embarrassed. We already know you like girls, but maybe you'll find out something else about yourself this vacation–at least, if you let yourself…. 😊