drpaladin

This chapter is full of comptomises. Davey has definitely given up on Brian and rather dramatically. The sex play even began much as it did with Brian. The big difference was Davey didn't save anything for later. There is always something a little weird about two people with the same first name hooking up. The look Davey has seen in David's eyes was accurate. He has fallen for him and now Davey has sealed the deal. The political compromise was more distasteful. Davey is getting too good at lying.

What we are seeing here is the Brian of the last timeline still stuck in the same persona he had when he first met Davey. That Brian was a bit of a bully. He hasn't had Davey to influence him or comfort him during Rich's illness. Davey's Brian would have thought this Brian's actions are appalling. I think Brian will have to come to his own epiphany. I really believe Davey has written him off and is now hanging his hopes on building another machine and altering the timeline more favorably.

Honestly I hope Essell's coloring hasn't been altered since Garjah likes him nice and pink. I also can't wait to see how Bouncer interacts with his new official parents.

I think she should have been getting professional help from the time she began having her odd viewpoint toward Davey. Her behavior now borders on psychotic fixation. She just purposely escalated tension and fomented violence between two students at a school she works for while standing by and gleefully watching the results. At any school system it would merit termination. While a threat of using and enforcing the National Security agreement she signed could be used to attempt to control her, with David Sr entering politics, it isn't a practical option to actually use it now.

There is a song from the Civil War period, "Eating Goober Peas." I can remember singing it on long hikes in the Boy Scouts. And then there is this Goober.

What Davey's mother did was unforgivable. She is vile cruel, petty, and spiteful. Davey gave her his own version of the Michael Corleone 'You're nothing to me now' speech to Fredo. She's said before he's not her son. Well now he's not. I hope he doesn't weaken in his resolve. As for Brian. I wouldn't count him out quite yet. He's an unhappy boy and you can see if he follows this path, the unhappiness will just go on and on.

Maybe.

Some interesting points. I had thought a lot about the last one and the increased risks involved.

More tests, and only now Timok tells Essell they aren't sure what effects bonding might have on him. What timing! What is the coloring Timok is talking about? Essell has changed in his coloring? And they're leaving. For where?

Brian is as messed up as if he'd been sent back in a Do Over. He knows what he really wants and is angry he wants it and is projecting his anger. Now Sean is leveling out, he finally concedes the possibility of building a crude version of the machine. They ignore the possibility neither of them might be chosen to send back. Davey is just too valuable to risk and Sean has shown he's not that stable. A Do Over of a Do Do Do Over. Sheesh this is getting complicated.

The nurse asking all those seemingly pointless questions is odd, unless they are expecting those symptoms to appear. If Maratoni truly believes Dani's mentor was such a poor teacher, why is he continuing the same approach? It contradicts his claim.

I think you've misread their relationship. They've never been more than friends in any timeline and it's suited both of them fine. Davey's known Sean in every timeline so he'll always have a connection to him even when he's being a stubborn and depressed ass like now.

What would be the specialty of the house in a place named The Troll's Cave?

Sorry, I'm laughing. It's always nice to have a good laugh. Maybe Sean should try it instead of a bottle of whiskey. I know all of this and so much more, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I won't detail all the reasons why except to say from childhood till now I've dealt with enough of this in real life to last several lifetimes.