Topher Lydon

That's the idea Ms Patel is working off of. Orel went and got himself a house, and a lease off of his own initiative. He then went out, found a need he could fill, and got a job he is well suited too. It makes Patel's case for her. "No one told him to do these things, he went and did them." It shows that Orel is more than capable of managing his own life, despite Tarquin's proposed narrative. I wouldn't call it luck, I think it's more that Orel is a more than Capable fellow who can problem solve just fine.

Yes so very true, all he has to do is ask, but to poor Orel a peck on the cheek "Comfort Protocol" doesn't work out into "Kiss me!" He hasn't quite put two and two together yet. Poor Orel might go pop from the isopod tingles before he works it out. I mean it's not like he's ever asked before, or anyone's thought to explain it to him. All he's running off of is Tarquin's corrupted data, and Orel is not repeating that.

I just remembered where I last used that joke, I need to write more Alec Stoker... I keep meaning to and get side tracked

I am amazed that Orel didn't purchase a step ladder

oh man, poor Orel he hasn't quite worked out that all he needs to do is ask :: chuckles :: He's over engineering a solution in that way of his.

Noooo don't throw them out, let them go... honestly, go for a wander with one, you might find them amazing companions for a day... Go on, I dare ya!!!!

It's been an interesting journey trying to learn and write a different kind of neurodivergence. Trying to write someone that isn't autistic, just using a different operating system to the rest of the world. I like exploring diversity in my writings, be it Orel here, or some of my other characters in other works. I hesitate to use the word to describe myself, I tend towards oscilating. But I think most writers are to a degree. When we're writing proper characters, at least for me, I tend to turn part of my brain off, and just start channeling a character, which is why mine often set off on their own courses much to my grey haired annoyance... I have one at the moment who's pinched a car, and is off on a joy ride. Not what I planned to write today.

seriously, which is why I find your comment so amusing. Phil, a rather unassuming CPA comes to town for a job, and accidentally ends up being mistaken for the provincial auditor... chaos ensues when he starts saying NO to the town council that's used to being told yes. Thus : The Knight that said No.

You know I've called the next book "The Knight that said No" right?

Also her introducing it into the record BEFORE Tarquin can frame Orel's mental illness allows her to control the narrative. If Tarquin tries to go for a conservatorship, she can use this to show he is unsuitable, and the cause of it.

A known variable with the Merricks (in the story) Alistair is established as abusing both Tarquin and Oliver, it stands to reason he did Orel as well. We know about Tarquin on top of that... Orel is really resilient in the fact of all of that. He's quiet, he's damaged, sure, but he's a tough little cookie. Getting Finn back has motivated him in a way all of Tarquin and Alistair's abuse never could.

And now you know what Ms. Patel is up to. Trying to keep Tarquin's hands squarely off of Orel. Go her!

Orel's got a license to Brew, and you know he's going straight for the stir sticks!

Chapter Twelve: The Anti-Pixie Protocol The Theory of Structured Pandemonium Orel Merrick had developed a Theory of Structured Pandemonium. It went like this: all systems—mechanical, social, caffeinated—tended toward chaos. Entropy was the default state. But within that chaos, there existed patterns. Fractals of order. The trick wasn't to fight the chaos, but to identify the fractals and build your shelter within them. He was testing this theory at 7:15 AM on a T

Lisa would have a nice long chat with Mrs. Wexler, who we know, Chaddy boy here, would lose badly in divorce court to.

I've been reviewing and studying Caleb for the past hour, trying to understand him better (and totally not procrastinating and poking an AI for character studies instead of writing) *ahem* shurrup I am wrapped in a blanket waiting for a coffee delivery. I'm allowed to be distracted. This book is very much Papa Will, somewhere he's changed again on me. He's putting out Dad energy in huge waves, and it's a good look on him. The way he treats Caleb as one of his sons, and tends to him without hesitation shows, to me, character growth on Will's part. He can be, as a venerable character now, slow to shift, and very predictable to write... this book, however, shows me he has some surprises. Caleb is a character I wrote as a villain and just... enjoyed. Having him pulled into that orbit that Will just generates, where people want to do right by him. It's an odd little quirk of Will's. He's a sanctimonious ass at times, but he does make the characters around him want to be better. Though the thought of him shredding Wexler is a fun one.

ahem, whomever sent me this : (#JxT) you get a cookie

Now before ANYONE says "Um But actually" I am aware that the ISU championships in 2024 were held in Montreal, however due to annexation, I have moved them to Boston (the same site for the 2025 ones) It just seemed more practical than trying to have them in a politically charged occupation zone, in FRENCH Canada, which would... yeah that would NOT go well in the story as you will see.

I want them to have one. They're 15 at the time of this chapter, they'll be 17-18 for the Olympics. The plan has always been for me to do a book about them. I had wanted to do a road trip book of them in the mustang... but that has kind of been rendered impossible after Carter's Run... so them abroad might work a lot better. I am currently writing about the Boston World Championships, I was going to skip it in the text because they happen so quickly after the Ohio ones that it's two Tommy bits right on top of each other. But the response this morning has convinced me that I need to put it in. That my love for Tommy is shared, so, I will add the World's to the next chapter. And try to make it worth it.

Well Tommy does two things here, he completes two of the checklist goals to being on Team USA for the Olympics. And is set up to earn Team USA one of it's THREE required qualifying points for the Olympics. (A country must score three points in order to qualify. Tommy winning the World's will give Team USA it's first Qualifying point, a MAJOR win for Tommy, and will cement his spot in Team USA for Milan 2026) I would add that the Milan games cannot be covered in the scope of this book as it only runs til November 2024. So the Worlds are about as high as we can get Tommy in this one. So I wanted to give him an arc that counts, and this path seemed the best way to do it. A future book will get there, I am sure. Tommy's had an arc of his own since Carter's Order, and I am glad it's starting to pay off in some fun writing for me, and I hope, good reading for you. The Prince of Ice, I like that @drpaladin going to steal that.

I wanted something that fit the theme and the message. That you can't beat winter, but you can endure.

Graves is going to regret getting what he wants.

Peter's been through enough training West to kiss properly! Hockey boys, :: sigh :: all mashing and hands... no... finesse. :: ahem :: sorry

Tomorrow : Andrew vs THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL OF WAR