Irritable1

Sappy beyond belief! I love it! Maybe the guys should go to Arron's to eat their takeout... I have an awful feeling...

You know, I can totally see the points other people are making here, but I still have to disagree. Chet is Chet. He won K & M's friendship, and Arron's interest, with his unstinting compassion and integrity. Had he been less noble, he probably could've found a way to snap up Kendall into some kind of short-term relationship but he didn't. He held off, in case Kendall's straight best friend came around somehow. For better or for worse, Moondoggie does what he thinks is right, and if that means he's not going to toss his naked, weeping, disoriented ex out the door... I'm just going to have to support him in that. If Arron is a good match for Chet, then he'll find a way to deal. I may be wrong, but I don't think Chet will be punished for his decency by some awful outcome with Arron. Let's see.

Yes! Emeric finally admits it! It seems unfair for Silviu to say that he's "screwed it up" because what choice did he have? but whatever. I'm so pleased they've finally pulled down the wall I don't care. The blood bond, though, was... I'm not sure what to make of that. A loving vampirism? A life-affirming sharing of blood? I would not have thought that drinking someone's blood could sound so sweet but you keep taking us by surprise Maybe it was the Honeychurch connection. Emeric's thoughts during their lovemaking made me think of the quote, I guess from Bacon, about "giving hostages to fortune." So it was hot and romantic, but made me sympathize more with Emeric's previous state of mind when he was still closed off--his isolation had its advantages I guess in that at least he didn't have to feel guilty.

Wow, so many seesaw moments in this chapter. I really liked the almost domestic coziness in the cab: so down-to-earth and prosaic. Then they arrived at the mysterious pool, and suddenly Emeric's ordered to see if he can envision something in the water. Then the demonic dog, the panic-stricken fleeing, and suddenly Silviu has them in relative safety and they're sniping at each other again! The vision of S all happy in his white tux really pleased me... and just as I was expecting a kiss to round off the scene neatly, Emeric loses it! I just loved this chapter, AC--not one, but a series of rugs being pulled out from under me

The first thing I like so much about this is how you have conveyed the difference in scale between an adult and a child--the boots actually sound intimidating--and then you come to the uncle's hands holding "his little mouse"--was it a real mouse, or a pet name?--and the reader realizes the tenderness of the interaction. Then the following stanzas underline how safe and loved the child feels, not only in a physical sense but in other unique interactions also ("for me"/"for me"), and how sad the loss of this precious friendship must've been. It's beautiful, Addy.

This is pretty awesome! I had a small content quibble with "make the worries hear of troubled minds" because I couldn't tell if you meant something like "voice our worries" or "clear your mind of worries." The remaining lines are really fantastic... they come across as a real speech, a genuine exhortation in poetic form, and they flow so well. You did such a great job with "fought and wrought," and the repetition of "king and friend" and "turn the wheel of fate" is such a lovely heroic metaphor! I just love this, Dolores.

Sigh. Just cried at Cinderella...

Well, if it was Piers Anthony he probably liked it.

So, wait. Look. Look. This isn't fair. It's like you're accusing the author of being insincere and mercenary-minded because he would not say that he either loves or hates rutabaga. But some vegetables just ARE like that for some people. I myself am quite lukewarm about broccoli, even though I loathe zucchini with an obsessional hatred. I can't pretend to hate broccoli the same way I hate zucchini, or with the same intensity with which I love cauliflower. That would be wrong, you know?

I can count on my fingers the films that don't make me cry, and that includes children's animation and slapstick comedies. Actual sad movies send me into a funk that can last weeks. It's something about the immediacy of the screen. It's a bit of a social handicap

Oh, Arron! Chet is not like that! Be nice to him!

I've never wondered, because I agree--someone needs to do it and it seems to me you do a good job. Maybe you should talk to someone about fostering

Ok, that dinner was delightfully hesitant, warm, and romantic I adore Silviu and I'm thrilled that Emeric seems to be opening up to him, even if "I'm sure he's out there," did crack Silviu's heart, and mine, a little bit... I can't wait for the next chapter! But did Silviu really call Emeric damaged goods? I hope that doesn't come back to bite him!

OMG, Jim, that is so sad and funny I don't even know what to say

Well, of course you HAVE to say that now...