ColumbusGuy

The tension is building...seems reporters are the same all over the world, alas!

Great chapter, pm...I hope this project will bring the two boys together--but I know it's never that easy in fiction! Yearning for the next chapter!

***Sextus gets Philon to stop crying, saying it isn’t grown-up. Philon asks Sextus what Arrius means to him; Sextus says they are friends only, and Philon then asks if he has a chance with Sextus; Sextus says there will be time for that later. Arrius and Sextus talk before going to sleep, Arrius admitting he brought Philon for Sextus to make a relationship with since they both realize that they can only be friends since Arrius has no interest in men.*** Philan

The journey was taking much longer than he had planned...with the cart, they had had to take the road around Herculaneum, since wagons were banned during the day...riding Bucephalus, Philandros could have been at Pompeii in two hours at a nice walk...with the laden cart, it would be afternoon. Having cleared the tombs outside the Pompeian Gate of Herculaniensis, Philandros settled in for a slow ride...exchanging comments with Tellus and Corinna occasionally. No, I've not seen the house....I

Phil is young, though a man by his society's standards...he hasn't had broad experiences yet, but he is developing a character that will be honorable.The links lead to his posts at the role site, but if you follow his, then you have to read those of the other writers who he interacts with...quite often we would read each others posts, and reply with our own that day or a day later...so it was easy then to see what was next...now, you have to check the dates and get clues to what thread the next reply will be in. I am trying to post ones of mine which are consecutive or don't require too much editing to make sense--so far they have been consecutive. More to come!

There is a fair amount we don't know...but the graffiti in Pompeii and elsewhere indicate that the issue with same sex relations between Roman men and others was that the person who was dominant was alright--it was the on the bottom that was looked down upon, but not for religious reasons--purely from a social power standpoint.The Greeks were more open about these things, Solon's issues are with family continuation rather than moral issues.

Thanks, AC! Philandros is Greek, and doesn't have a problem with any same sex relationship, but his grandfather has past issues as will be seen, and wants his family line to continue--so he had to distance himself from Philon.Things may work out better in future.

I'm glad that Ezer Malk's plans were foiled! Also, glad to see that Jeff and Lest have come together...just wish there was one more chapter or another adventure with the whole crew. Great story, Dolores.

This is such a wonderful story--you capture all the emotions perfectly! I really hope that you will continue it; Tanner and Derrick have so much more to discover, and we need a resolution to Johnson's issues...and it would be nice to see Chris find his own love in Mitch so that he and Derrick can finally feel like friends. I can't wait for the next installment! Be well!

A great story Krista, with wonderful characters! I am sad to see it end so soon, just when it looked like things were going to head into a great senior year. Please let there be a sequel!

You did it again Mark--just when things seemed great, you found a way to make them even better! I now have much firmer assurances that Zach really does love Will, and that they will make it through; they both just need to think back on this moment when things get rough. I am worried though that Zach will re-injure his ankle by trying too soon to play again. I just hope that he won't be that stupid to risk his career on stubbornness. Maarten will HATE this chapter since it's all Will.

Yet another wonderful entry, Sasha! I just wish there was some way the boys could spend even a couple hours together in the same form--or Oli could get over his hangup about Boris being a wolf--his situation is different from that of his father! Boris is no dumb animal, but a rational caring person who is clearly trying to make it work with them. Oli ought to understand now that most all of what his father did to train him was wrong.

Another great story Nightowl...but then, that's to be expected from you. I especially liked Big Gina--I hope Malcolm got the hint and disappeared for good!

Nightowl, so far, I have yet to find anything by you which I don't like--at least this one hasn't made me cry--yet. I haven't reviewed all the chapters because I am too anxious to get to the next one for my own good. I love the characters a lot, and the conversations between them are a hoot! Can't wait to read more! Please tell me you are writing the next chapter--I don't like it when such good writers disappear without trace in the middle of a story; I hope nothing is going on to prevent you--like ill health or family crises--this summer hasn't been one of my best, so I can sympathise if that is the case. Take care, and be well!

Thanks for the new chapter dacey! I like Grandma more and more as the story goes on...I only hope that Jay can eventually begin to trust her. The concern over Scott and Devon continues--things seem to hint at Scott being gay, but the bits of information we hear about Devon put his 'straightness' in doubt for me. Is Dani just a good friend for camouflage against his father? As before, can't wait for the next bit! Be well!

Thanks for the chapter, James! I'm dismayed that I will have to wait for so long for the next chapters in my two stories by you. I get impatient and involved with the characters, and it would probably help if I read slower, but when I find a good story, I do it right straight through and tend to catch up to the author's posting schedule fairly quickly. I consider it to be the author's fault though, for writing such an engaging story! I can't recall if you've said, but I'm trying to place where this story is set--England, right? Some parts sound like UK schools, others like US or Canadian...sorry if I'm missing something! Eagerly and anxiously awaiting events in this and Orchestra!

A great chapter Mark. I like the fact that Cody and Brad have made up, but I think Cody is pushing too hard for Kevin to be forgiven. I can see his point about HIV screwing up your thinking, but what Kevin did was far worse than just not telling Brad--I think part of his actions were based on just getting the money Brad had, and that is using a friend in a horrible way--so no, Kevin does not deserve the same consideration as Cody got. It's nice to see that the anticipated disaster with Zach and Will didn't happen--either we were wrong, or you are toying with us! Will finally gets a totally happy birthday--yay! Can't wait for Hawaii, but I'd be surprised if Zach could play in a week--starting back too soon can only aggravate the injury. Here is a chance for Zach to show support for the team by helping them in other ways which would be a real sign of maturity on his part, rather than remaining the football diva...let's hope he can do that! More please!!

Dang it, Nightowl, you have to stop making such wonderful, emotion-grabbing characters! This is the third story I've read by you, and the second one today--Max and Josh has me on a rollercoaster it is so good, and the two latest with Wolf and now Alex have made me cry. A sequel for this one would be great, I could see it following them through college and starting a life beyond that...I am a sucker for sequels, at least in story form (movie sequels tend to suck--just look what the first Star Wars movied devolved into with Episodes 1-3, and I won't mention how much The Hobbit seems just a tool to grab money). I'm going to see what else you have posted to jerk my emotional chain...keep up the excellent work!

Just caught up with Max & Josh, so was checking your other stuff, and read this first, not realizing what an impact it would have. I am a great lover of animals, and at my age, I'm not ashamed to say that you made me cry with this one. The bond between man and animal is not something a lot of people understand, more's the pity. With any luck, I won't have to lose a pet agan--my 13 year old siamese and I will go out together.

A wonderful chapter, Tim...it was well worth the wait! Well, everyone else has pretty much said what I was going to...I too, noticed the improvement in style, and it has been happening since the start--I also understand it very well--writing in a different language is challenging: a balance between getting it right and making it sound good at the same time (for a long time my German was more concerned with accuracy than style!) The only issue I have is with Russ' comment on the rings and getting laid: I don't think Jacob would appreciate at all that decision on his part--Russ needs to realize that the selection is far more important than it allowing him to have sex. I hope he does understand that, and that his thought was just idle frustration. On the assimilation of the teenagers, it seems to me from the news and other sources, that their refusal to accept the social mores of their new culture is strictly a Muslim one--no other group has refused to 'blend in' after more than one or two generations. It is so even in America--although the problem seems to be more common to the zealots rather than more moderate Muslim groups. I also want to say how much I enjoy the gimpses into the differences in Danish and American cultures--you make me want to live there in such an open society. Please insert similar differences when you can, they are fascinating! Okay, now we meet the parents--post quickly, I'm dying to find out the details!

Great story so far, pm...I can't wait for the next chapter! Something is up with Scott, I hope he and Jay stay friends or more. I must say I can't figure Devon out at all...my instinct is to be suspicious of him from Jay's observations, he just seems so 'fake' as opposed to Scott. And what's up with Dani? A tad annoying to be a girlfriend, or is she perhaps a cover for Devon? Loving it so far, please post the next installment as soon as you can!

Wow, comicfan, what an impact this has! I like all the characters, they are all reacting as befits their own personalities. I love the fact it has a slightly different 'take' on the coming out scenario--it isn't mushy acceptance or harsh rejection, instead it points up that there are more issies involved than just being gay. Coming out is a multi-level process and how it is done is equally important as the act itself. I confess that this is one of the first things I've read by you here...a situation I am going to redress now. Are these characters part of any of your stories, or similar to ones in them? If so, I'd like to be pointed to that story as quickly as possible!!

Another nice chapter to the story--and I love Andrea being so in tune with how teenagers work! As for Alexander, he needs to stay in the doghouse with Anastasia rather than in the house with proper people. I like Buddy/Boris more and more as the story goes on...Oli needs to just give in, he's not going to win against Buddy's determination to be in a relationshiip!

Bad author--I discovered this last night, and just finished it! What a great story and I loved the characters! Book Two can't come fast enough for me!

Did it again Mark, another great one! It is nice to see Will having a good birthday for once, no dramatic explosions. I like the idea of him going to see Zach's first game, but I can't help but think you've inserted some foreboding--not telling Zach--and I just hope that things don't go sour there, say by Zach being caught in a compromising position with someone else. Well, my Alex-o-meter has hit rock bottom, he can't possibly get any lower in my opinion--so far as I can predict. I didn't like him much to begin with, but I sure as hell don't trust him now; breaking up Wade and Matt, hitting on Will, and then saying he didn't know that JJ had a crush on him--I really do not think he is that unobservant. The rationale may be that he thought Wade an acceptable match due to breeding, but I really think his goal is to use anyone and everyone around him: he sees everyone else in the family as toys for his gratification because he is part of the landed gentry in a fossilized society of nobility, and everyone else is viewed as chattel to be used as he pleases, however rich they might be. Having Cody show up for the party is a big surprise, and it gives us another example of Will's growing maturity in the way he dresses down Brad and Stef for their rudeness, and also emphasizes his concern for other people. Let's see Maarten find something in that scene to crriticize.