redwood

@James Carnarvon, I was expecting drama in this chapter but was pleasantly surprised. Reading it at bedtime, I was dreading a nasty cliffhanger to stew on while trying to fall asleep. Much better to have sunshine and rainbows on Dani's birthday!

I can feel Dani's joy from a mile away. Speaking as someone who spent some formative years as a social outcast, it's a hugely validating experience to be accepted into a peer group for the first time. Especially so at Dani's age. Having older friends like Toto can't substitute for that experience. As much as I love the vicarious travel, as @Lorenzo46said, the dark side is watching Dani and Giacomo do crazy things in precarious places. When they hopped up on that crash barrier, I was like, "NO NO, get back down!" That is a hard pass for me. But I do admire the fearless attitude.

Just to circle back on this point, @James Carnarvon, I think you're doing a great job portraying Dani as a 12-year-old. Yes, he's precocious and adult-like in some ways, but he clearly comes across as believable for his age. I was noticing this in how he chats with Giaco (more colloquial), the superhero fantasies, and the crying episodes when he gets overwhelmed.

For now Dani seems to be flying under the radar, but he's sure taking a lot of risks. I was dreading that Filippo would grab Dani by the scruff of the neck and interrogate him, like that Lord of the Rings scene where Gandalf finds Samwise eavesdropping from the hedges. At some point, Dani will get in over his head... which means it's key that Toto and Michele already know the outlines of the criminal scheme. They'll have bread crumbs to follow if Dani gets abducted or attacked. As an aside, I enjoyed the Italian words you peppered in. You could have translated them, but that would cut out the local color. And it's a fun challenge to pop them into Google Translate.

You're welcome! Now that you jogged my memory, I do recall writing that. What I've seen of coastal Italy (not the Amalfi coast, unfortunately) is beautiful, and it's satisfying to see a writer do justice to the landscape. And good writing is good writing, whether gay-themed or not.

James, I'm so happy to see a new story from you. So happy! Thanks for your comment above on the challenges of writing this one. I appreciate the transparency on your writing process. On the descriptions of Ravello's setting, they don't get old for me, especially with the change of season to early spring. I could honestly read a whole story of yours with no characterization, just a travelogue by someone wandering the valley. But it's more dynamic, of course, with some characters too. Dani's situation as a lonely boy who lives a sort of vicarious social life by listening in his classmates is also compelling. Kids that age are often cruel and indifferent when it comes to classmates who don't conform. It can also be hard to fit in when moving to a new school with existing social cliques, even though Dani's been in town a few years. I hope the little moment with Giacomo foreshadows a change here.

A valid point. I was one of those adult-like only children, despite being really immature in less obvious ways. Thanks for helping me understand myself better!

@James Carnarvon, I'm so happy you revisited Ravello this year after Summer of the Firefly, which is one of my all-time favorites. The Villa Cimbrone, the cathedral square, all the foot paths, these places feel like old friends now. This story was a fun read too. Based on the premise, I guessed Toto would meet a summer tourist and get over his Michele fixation. You had me fooled! But in retrospect the narrative arc is realistic. Lots of people struggle for years to figure out their sexuality. And the jealousy of those, like Toto, who already know exactly what they want -- that's real too, in my experience. I also like how you describe the tension between the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the downsides of living there, like the limited job prospects. Ravello might seem idyllic as a tourist, but it could get too small if you don't want to sell all those lemon-related products or run a restaurant or hotel. The choice to spend the last chapter on Dani's rescue, instead of Toto and Michele's relationship, was interesting. It broadens the focus to Toto's growth as a person, including all his relationships. And I hope it sets up a Dani sequel. I'll keep reading your stories, gay-themed or not. Go for the children's novel! If I can give a bit of constructive criticism for future writing, I think the teenage characters come across as a little too adult-like at times. At least, that's my take as an American. Maybe Italian teens tend to be more mature! You could add a dash of slang, inside jokes, some stroppy behavior if appropriate to the age and character. This is really a minor quibble... I love everything you write.

A thrilling chapter, and a really memorable story. Thanks, DavidJ!

A real mystery here. We have some prospects but no serious leads. Is Clodia or her entourage involved? Something tells me you didn't introduce her character just to be a laughing stock.

For some reason, I assumed that adultery wasn't a big deal in the Roman Empire. So I was curious how Pericles hooking up with Iulia (if true) could inspire murder. Some ancient societies allowed men to be with multiple women, whether having wives, concubines, or slaves taken in conquest. A male prerogative, ya know? Wikipedia says marriage was "strictly monogomous" in ancient Rome. In fact, this influenced the Christian ideal of a faithful marriage. Adultery was illegal, except with a "permissible partner" like a prostitute or slave. Roman legal records seem to be more concerned with punishing a wife who commits adultery, not a husband who does so. Adultery was normally a private matter to resolve in the family, not in the courts. Maybe someone was taking justice into their own hands in killing Pericles?

Not usually a fan of threesomes, but I second this motion! Etalos is adorable. Chris and Victor could show him the ropes -- an initiation into gay sex. I'd sign up for that! A night trading body fluids with them should increase his power!

If it's a choice between "arrogant prick" and gifted but humble, I'll take humble. There's far too many pricks in this world who think they're way smarter than they are (looking at my president). Tough love from gramps and great-gramps! Chris was due for this, as he steps into his official role as Ambassador.

I vote for a murder mystery. Peris accidentally falling out a fifth-floor window doesn't pass the smell test. If there's a murderer, I wonder if Phillip becomes the next target. He seems to attract drama! The idea of eating while lying on your left side is hilarious. I had to look it up. According to Norwegian medics, this relieves pressure on the "antrum," the lower part of the stomach, while lying on your right side increases the pressure. "Maybe this is just what the old Romans were doing during their food orgies," one doctor said.

So glad to see this story continue! I love historical fiction that really immerses you in the life of past societies. I'll give Phillip a pass for nearly drowning, but he needs a refresher on geography. Rome was (and still is) an inland city on the Tiber River. (Ostia was Rome's major harbor by the sea, where ships would dock.) No wonder the medics were laughing!

I really enjoyed this chapter. It's cute how Chris is still clueless and humble about his power. Guess he's reverting to form after the Ascension. I think of how so many people struggle with "imposter syndrome" when facing intimidating new situations, like a new job or parenting for the first time. In those situations you're like: how the hell can I handle all this responsibility? I think that huge fear of failure is really accurate for an 18-year-old who's been thrust into the role of most powerful person in two worlds in what... a few months? Ultimately the feeling of owning your power like a badass has to come from within, and Chris isn't there yet. Also, I really liked this line: "We've both lived far too long to be so naive as to expect perfection." Living for a thousand years will do that!

Ok first, at least four times the size of the Cologne cathedral?! Boggles the mind. The ascension was so moving. The rituals were impressive, with all the classic high and mighty language of religious ceremonies. Definitely felt the awe! I liked the contrast between the pre- and post-ceremony versions of Chris. So much freaking out about the occasion beforehand, but he transformed in the moment and took full ownership of his awesome power. No one else has figured out how to stop Kumhaktas? No problem, Chris just combines the magic of all four elf houses to conjure chains that restrain his energy. And this line at the end just slayed me: “I intend to be the light of hope in times of darkness.” I wish we in the U.S. had leadership like this right now. Someone who uses their power for public service, not just for power's own sake.

Yeah that was a special version of "the talk," with a little mind reading to know your worst sins, and the threat of elven spells to end you. It's one better than cutting your balls off! Oh wait... I was just kidding! Riiiiiiight. Don't mess with the patriarch!

Brenn, I'm enjoying your writing, especially the use of detailed colors and smells to set scenes. My favorite is "rainbow sherbet" from the last chapter. I've never thought of a sky like that, but it conjured an immediate, clear image. Can't wait to read what's next!

This line speaks to me the most. I'm kind of a humanist and don't believe in a traditional god, but clearly each of us has a unique and special consciousness. We all matter. To willfully ignore that is evil, in my opinion. Our current "leadership" in the U.S. doesn't see people outside their base as fully human. Just opponents to be vanquished. It makes me so angry. But I feel better reading your poem. About life and the economy: they should go hand in hand. The economy is based on individual households. It's not just money in the stock market. People need to be alive and healthy for the economy to function for them.

Yeah that was my first thought too: how could several artifacts go poof without anyone at the museum noticing? I guess Chris could easily manipulate their staff's memories if necessary. Anyway you can make a case that he's the rightful owner of elven artifacts that probably came from his ancestors. In my experience museum guards can be seriously... protective of their stuff. I've been warned to stay at least 1.5 feet back from paintings.

I love this story. It's always been compelling, even before editing fixed the occasional grammatical errors. With editing, the story shines and there's no distractions. Thanks, Etotsira! Can't wait for the Ascension after all this buildup! I hope no one ever has to perform a Hakta on Chris, if it could kill them. I can see a scenario where, as a last resort, someone sacrifices their life to diffuse Chris's energy and save him.

Ok this time you made me cry. I flat out love this story. After the freefall of chapter 11, the ending was more positive and satisfying than I dared to hope. It was fitting that Angelo showed up to save Gianni. And I like that Gianni stood up for himself at his grandparents' house, making his staying in Ravello conditional on their "understanding." He asked for what he needed and got it. For Marina's character, this was a fitting conclusion too. The same person who drove her daughter away over a difference in beliefs finally bent to accommodate her grandson's differences. James, I'm not sure if you were intending this, but I also like how the story has paired events, where characters get to revisit a similar previous experience with an opportunity to change the outcome. Like the two instances when Gianni considers jumping off the balustrade. The second time, Angelo is ready to save him. Or when Marina reconciles with family, instead of callously driving them away. And there's the moment at the temple when that line -- "it shouldn't have happened like that" -- recurs, and Gianni finally learns what Angelo meant. These episodes speak to the hope for redemption, for people to seize opportunities to learn and make the right choices. Please continue writing and posting your work. I don't care if it's nature writing or romance, I'd read it!

James, I can't remember the last time I reacted so strongly to an online story, which attests to the quality of your writing and character building. I felt Gianni's claustrophobia intensely. Having no one to turn to and no hope for the future is a terrifying place to be. Where was that one person to tell Gianni "I still love you"? The priest gave coded support, but none of the family stepped up. Even the most basic kind of "hate the sin/love the sinner" support was lacking. Trying to ship him back to England is a betrayal. Really Nonna? You think he's better off living with strangers than with his only remaining family? Notwithstanding family, Gianni might be better off in a cosmopolitan place, but he should have a say in the move. I agree with the others that in his distress, Gianni misread Angelo's comment. "It shouldn't have happened like that" leaves a door open. Or at least it implies that they could have been together in secret, before it all went public. This is pointing to one last bittersweet moment with Angelo before Gianni goes back to England.

The dancing scene began like a dream but turned into a nightmare. And tipsy Gianni acted like it was just a dream. In dreams we can do crazy, irresponsible things, like leaping off cliffs or flying like an eagle, yet still wake up intact on the other side. There's no real consequence to our actions. Impulsively pulling Angelo onto the dance floor was not the right way to come out, for either of them. It should have been a private moment, without fear of horrified gazes as drpaladin put it. The tragedy is that this moment was building for several chapters and would have happened naturally, in private, except for intervening circumstances. Pietro's angry reaction is also very disappointing. You don't shun family unless it's a completely unforgivable offense. Especially a kid who was just orphaned. Ugly homophobia on display there. James, I'm curious to see how you'll sort all this out!