Jason Rimbaud

If I remember correctly, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, I said I was finished with this story two books ago. You, kind of challenged me to continue. So this is all your fault. And all jokes aside, I am really enjoying your story. It's really fantastic fun, easy to read chapters, wonderful moments of feels, and you have redefined the vampire genre for me for life. So thanks for leaving the gate unlocked.

So you suckered me in for another book, congratulations! Anything dealing with the kid, boring...maybe when he's six I'll care. I hope he turns out straight. I'm glad you are still on track for re-inventing vampire lore. I'm sure you've put in a lot of thought concerning this, but it feels so effortlessly as you go into sometimes amazing details but treat them like they are little asides. The world building is really remarkable.. I really liked most of this chapter, as you go deeper into the past of vampires. Did I mention the kid is boring? I am in the middle of research regarding the origins of the christian god, and have found there were other religions far older than the ancient Hebrews and they appropriated extensively from pagans practices and near Eastern cosmology. So your little aside about vampires existing before the religion of the ancient Hebrews I found rather entertaining. Just because someone else did it, I'd figure I throw my hat into annoy the author ring. Vampires would not have served Greek gods, they would have been heavily influenced from the Romanian gods, perhaps the early Germanic gods and/or the Norse gods. But you couldn't count out the Mongols or their influences either. But for sure it wouldn't have been Greek gods. Especially since you pinpointed the timeline before or during Mesopotamia. Ancient Hebrew religion began sometime at the end of Mesopotamia or the early years of the Persian Empire. Greek influence was the Mediterranean and the Middle East with a few toes dipped into Egypt and Africa during this time period. The North was largely unexplored by Greeks during this time. 😜 I'd give a lot to peak around that damn Library of George's. I'd never leave, I'd even babysit the kid!

So if I could swear on GA, I would type out a word that starts with "F" and ends with "K" followed by a "you"! The following is a paid advertisement for Jason's against Kids...Human or Vampire. It's a non-profit organization that currently has one member but is actively seeking more members. Okay Justin4Fun, or what should be your name Justin(NOT)4Fun. I've put up with reading about two teenagers set up a business, not once, but twice. I've put up with a vampire story without vampires, for an entire book. I've put up with you deciding the current genre of vampire lore wasn't good enough so you created you're own kick ass lore just because you can. I've put up with the fact that two gay teenagers decide to wait to have sex. Like That's plausible. And if all that wasn't enough, you decided to have Greg tell everyone he's a vampire, which we all agree is stupid. He basically went on the internet and made a coming out video. I've put up with a bloodless vampire story. Who ever heard of vampires who are averse to killing those pesky humans. Instead of murder/death, your vampires drink Bambi blood and get emotionally aroused while drinking it. All of these things I put up with for you Justin(NOT)4Fun. Hell, I'm going to give you another name Justin4DestroyingJason'sBrain or Justin4DJB. I don't like kids, I don't like reading about kids. And have toyed with the idea of wanting to put a child through some real discomfort in my own stories for years. But I never had the balls to type out a sentence that said, not only am I going to kill a child, but I'm going to kill a newborn infant. The main characters haven't even been inside one another and now they are going to have a kid? No sex and the responsibility of a crying, stinking, pooping machine. And you want me to read about that? I don't have time to read a story about that right now, I'm planning my one year anniversary in two weeks of my restaurant. So if you think you are going to sucker me into reading another one of your books then you might really be crazy. Now leave me alone, I'm off to chapter two.

With the national poetry anthology, did you happen to ever attend an event at Disney Land in 94?

Number One: I'm an attention whore, good luck keeping up. Number Two: I'm the one that is supposed to make dirty comments Number Three: Self Edited, I've never spoken to @RainbowPhoenixWI and not sure if they understand my stupid sense of humor. 🤪 In all seriousness, and all bad jokes labeled number three aside, because I'm too lazy to look, do you have something of yours you'd like to recommend me to read? I'm always looking for new things to occupy my tiny brain on the train ride commute. Number Four: I always speak with my tongue firmly pressed into my cheek. It's all about the bad jokes, puns, and general mischief.

Speaking of which, how do you feel if someone would take the lore you have presented here and make their own unique story? Asking for a friend

So ends Book Two, leaps and bounds more entertaining then the first book. Some really cool vampire lore, three different vampire forms, cool mythology about the inner workings of the vampires. I enjoyed this book 99%. Good job turning the narrative around. Having the balls to let the father die, I applaud you, not many would have handled that situation in that manner. I was so hoping he wouldn't be turned and I was not disappointed. And add in that he died, well, kudos to some real good writing the last half of the chapter. Not gonna lie, Greg reading the note from his father got me in the feels. That's hard to do for a cynic like myself. I read a lot of stories on this site, I rarely comment on those stories because I really don't care where the story goes. If its okay writing with a decent plot, I'll play along as I love to read. Every once in a while a story captures my attention and I feel the need to comment. Usually when I'm really invested in the narrative and the author makes me care about the characters. And you did that. Not with book one, but you did something unique in book two. You captured my attention and made me want to criticize the decisions you put those beloved characters through, in terms of creative not in writing. I think you get what I'm saying. Are there some things I don't like, of course, are there more than a few things I loved, definitely. So at the end of the day, you did exactly what any writer hopes for, made someone else fall in like with your characters. I enjoyed book two, I'm sure I'll get around to reading book three sooner or later. Thank you for giving me such a rich world where I am inspired to take your lore and construct my own little vampire tale.

At first I thought the whole banana comment was some kind of straight euphamism I didn't get, it was a moment before I realized what was happening. That made me laugh. I got part of the answer to an early question, so maybe I'll stop bringing up those little things.

So I'm not sad Charlie is still alive with a decent prognoses that he will recover. If that is the case, you had me fooled, I will read on to see if I'm right in my guess.

OH perfect, I thought I had lost my mind and just forgot. Then I'll read on and find out the rules when you introduce it. By the way, most of your info dumps are well written and make sense in the context of the narrative, I just didn't remember reading about changing and I was being lazy not wanting to go back and search it out. So no complaints. I'm not scared to go on that journey at all, book two is highly entertaining.

Am I the only one hoping that Greg's father dies? Imagine, Greg asks permission to turn his father, he is denied, the father dies. Greg goes about changing things for the better. Or Greg tries to turn his father, his father dies, Greg realizes that he's not perfect. Or better even, Greg asks his father and the father declines to be turned, than dies. I promise I'm not a sadist, but before I smell roses (happy ending) I don't mind smelling some shit (conflict). It's been over a year since I read most of the first book, has it been introduced the rules of changing humans and how one goes about gettting permission to make new vampires?

This chapter and the last focus mostly on character building, or reiterating character. However, there is a big blazing bright spot, Tommy doing what protectors have done throughout history, ensuring their charge is protected fully. Logical solution to Greg's problem, kind of mad i didn't see it coming. I do think there was a bit of an opportunity wasted to inject conflict into the narrative. One of Greg's friends could have expressed fear, or disbelief, or realize that just being associated with Greg brings them into danger from others looking to harm vampires. But I'm not the author, and since I can't see the ending, I'll just STFU. Great scene starring that crazy Brit Tommy. Good job.

You have a point about drinking blood. And it is strange that it doesn't make me squirm thinking of drinking human blood but from animals...maybe I need some professional help. I never watched Twilight, I like vampires, good vampire stories, couldn't get past the first twenty minutes of Twilight, wasn't for me. And you're no comment comment, makes a big comment.

In every single vampire story I read, that is always the dilemma right. Should you tell your friends or not? I have always scoffed at this idea, I wouldn't tell anyone. Humans are incapable of keeping secrets. I know if my friend told me he was a vampire, I'd do one of two things, tell the entire world or pester him into turning me. Though not sure I'd wanna be this kind of vampire, drinking deer blood seems gross to me. Deer do nothing bad in the world, while humans, those pesky humans do so much damage. I just had a thought, if vampires need blood to survive, and deer blood does not have the same ingredients as human blood. (I don't know the correct terms, but I'm sure I couldn't survive if I pumped deer blood into my veins, what is the in-universe reasoning in deer blood being a substitute for human blood?) Greg, don't tell your friends, unless you have plans on turning them all.

Mine was a bad mortal combat reference, yours is better.

Over a year ago, I gave up reading this story in book one chapter eight or nine. My only issue was eight or nine chapters in and still without vampires, and I didn't feel like reading the exploits of two teenagers setting up a business. I made a comment and the author was kind enough to urge me to continue on and go until I read chapter one of Re-Forging. So I took the author up on the challenge. Though full disclosure, I did not read the chapters I missed in book one, I skipped right to the end of chapter twelve, read the re-birth paragraph, then jumped into Re-Forging. I just finished chapter six, and like I thought before, the characters are living, breathing, likable characters, all of them. We are over seventeen chapters into this story and I don't think there is a antagonist yet. But we have vampires, albeit watered down vampires that don't kill humans. But the author has crafted a pretty cool lore surrounding his vampires. The entire dialogue regarding Greg's inner beast reminds me of Venom in the Marvel comics, two distinct entities learning how to co-exist in one body. I am enjoying this new lore very much even if its familiar to me for reasons I get put a finger too. The author can write well, I have no issues with writing, characters, or lore. However, I wish I knew what the plot of the overall story is. You would think some eighteen chapters in we'd have an idea where the story is heading plot wise. Because if it's just chronicling Greg's change into a vampire, then just perfect Greg being perfect with perfect Scott, I might have to bow out again. But then why would the author take the time to continue to flesh out the vampire hierarchy if that is not going to come into play in the future? As of right now, I am fully invested into seeing where this goes, as book two is loads more interesting than book one. And if what I read in the comments is true, the author only gets better over time, then I'd be really interested to see what comes out of the authors head in later chapters/books, because book two, is pretty fun read. So I accepted your challenge and admit you defeated me.

I am in agreement with you, epilogue's rarely work for me, they tend to undo all that has gone before. Not always, but more than not, epilogue's can easily ruin the ending, especially when it's not to tease a sequel but instead when it's used to put that irresistible bow on the narrative. On a different note, can I open your brain and get more tidbits from you, asking for a friend of course.

In reading all the comments, the question I asked was flawed. Though I do have the answer I needed and @CassieQ said it best, happy or sad it must be satisfying. And completely off topic, why is everyone opposed to writing things out, I had to look up HEA, and in another thread, I had to look up DNF, which means do not fart, off topic I found out HEA means Hello every Asshole. Though how that pertains to anyone's ending is beyond me. Good thoughtful responses from everyone, thank you.

Okay, so now I'm really confused. DNF means do not fart, so you DNF'd while reading a It Ends With Us, a book you thought smelled like farts? Isn't that counter-intuitive? Sorry, asking for a friend? And thank you for making it dirty, I am a very happy man now.

I have nothing to add except it took me until the last comment to figure out what DNF meant. I went through a lot of phrases and they were all wrong... Dull Night Flights Do Nightcrawlers Fly Did Not Freeze Daniel Not Frank And once Page Scrawler said Did Not Finish, I was bummed. I thought it was something dirty and boy was I disappointed. The one book I never finished was Harry Potter (the first one), some of the worst writing ever. J

Is it just me or the idea of Cottontail in his sexy bunny mask sans body costume is kind of hot? No, I was asking for a friend....

I don't know Laura or the way the author constructs her story telling. But if I may, and because I actually believe they are the same person. For fun, and it doesn't really matter as I am not the author, may I present my reasonings why I think they are the same person. Premise One: In chapter one, when the inspector first approaches Jaime and interrupts his date, he uses the same archaic speech as Cottontail, plus he says he will be taking notes, and the Xpress article comes out describing that event. Premise Two: In the same chapter, Jaime is talking to Rusty, Jaime describes the Inspector to Rusty, he was skinny, short. In every chapter, Cottontail is describe as skinny, and short, and continues the weird phrases and terms. Premise Three: In chapter 10, the author writes, "Big bro had no idea how much he'd gone out of his comfort zone, dressing up as a bunny and blowing a guy on livestream for an adult audience. Conclusion: I believe it's a good assumption that Xpress and Cottontail are one and the same. If Xpress and Cottontail are not the same person, the author is misleading us intentionally without introducing another character that could be Xpress. So thus far, 11 chapters in, there can be no realistic bait and switch or a "gotcha moment". And if they aren't the same, I trust Laura has a logical way of showing that and not just say, this character I never introduced was actually Xpress watching from the shadows and I made you all think it was Cottontail. But I'm probably wrong! I really love this story either way and I'm on the fence on whether or not Cottontail and Xpress are the same.

And I am so down for Laura to take me wherever her mind takes me...

This entire story could be summed up with one phrase, keep your enemies closer From a purely moral standpoint, neither Jamie or Cottontail are good people. Neither displays any likable ethical traits I would normally search for in picking friends. Jaime whether consciously or unconsciously uses people on a regular basis. Whether it's his seemingly all in during the act of sex only to leave them feeling empty afterwards (pun intended), or his selling of his body online, to now helping others find dates. All of his actions are motivated purely by self interest, jaime is not a good person by any stretch of the imaganation. Cottontail is just as damaged as Jaime. On one hand he is trying to force Jaime into admitting that he's a liar, a user, despicable, but on the other hand he is jealous of all of Jaime's past conquests. To get the dirt, he is willing to acquiesce to all of jaime's demands, debase himself for an article to ruin the reputation of Jaime. And we haven't even gotten to the reason why Cottontail's brother is so hellbent on destroying Jaime in the first place. So far, every character in this story is morally reprehensible, each trying to take from someone else while seemingly offering something in return. In real life, I would kick the ass of all of them. The genius of this piece, you really shouldn't root for any of them, yet I find myself rooting for Cottontail most of all. The self-loathing, single minded ambition, love of gay sex, all of those things I can and do admire in a character while disagreeing on moral grounds every action he takes. And Jaime, in his almost naiveté in not seeing that using people for sex isn't moral just because he is open and upfront in the beginning with his intentions. Wonderful flawed characters, a bit too slow in the narrative for my tastes, or maybe the chapters are just to short, with a wonderful premise of cat and also mouse between these two leads. I am enjoying this story more than most and my only criticism is directed at me and not the author. I should have listened to my instincts and not started this amazing story until it was complete due to impatience on my part to reach the ending.

Where's your adventurous spirit? I'll take anything from a Scotchman, with or without the can. Reason for edit, refused to edit my misspelled word but wanted to acknowledge that it was wrong. Carry on.