Anton_Cloche

"...and his eyes flash a warning. It’s that hint of danger that reins me in. We’ve been separated for fifteen years, but Chase’s first instinct...". Regular flash like raised eyebrows? Flash like a wolf's bright yellow before reverting to normal color? How 'Seminole' is Chase, or has FBI exorcised that from him? Micco met Chase when 10 after fleeing his burning house, set on fire and murdering his mother, hence PTSD. Together for 5 (?) years and now they're 30? Sam murdered elsewhere, or brought here high on coke, forced to enter code to gain access to Kane's enclosure? Or did he come to Refuge hoping to find Micco? Typical police tactic to question without cautioning as to right to have counsel present. (Mirandizing only if being arrested, otherwise "just a conversation"?). ⚖️

As a 'domesticated' wolf, Kane knew Sam, and finding his body inside the enclosure, likely tried to 'wake' Sam by nudging the body with his nose / muzzle and getting blood on it and his paws. Unfortunately the necropsy will show that Kane did not kill Sam. I can picture Kane tilting his head in confusion at the gun that killed him.

First of all I think that should read 'misbeliefs' on the part of not so 'Hotsy Tsosie'. In fact she is more 'Hoity Toity' (giving some of you time to Google those references). To be absolutely clear, those were phrases before my time, but my Grandmother / Nana used them to describe women who: (1) thought they were 'very pleasing' and 'above' mere mortals; but (2) in reality were haughty, snobbish and rude. These days we might call them Karen. Wamblee Two Guns needs to remind Tsosie that many tribes, including the Diné historically honored and respected the two-spirit 🪶 🪶 nádleeh (also called nádleehi) members of their communities. It is only in the last 70 years or so that 'western biases' have sadly invaded the indigenous world.

Hey Cal / @CLJobe, just a heads up (but a few supportive comments already posted I see), your latest Chapter 214 is a repeat of Chapter 213. Both are very good. Too bad you can't ask GG 🐦for help. . But as @weinerdog stated, you are not the only author affected by whatever is happening on the GA site. Hopefully it is not a ransomware attack like those that have recently hit some major publishers (according to insiders they 'quietly' and successfully dealt with 'their' problem). I do wish however if any publisher, print or online, has been able to solve an attack without paying up, that they share their methodology. It's the right thing to do, and while an NDA will keep their company name out of the spotlight, going public is the best way to discourage malware / ransomware SOBs. (sorry meant to say 'miscreants'. 😉 ) Normally I'd hope the good folks at GA might catch duplicate posts like this and not post it, but they're probably too busy. Tony 🫂

Wow @CLJobe! So my ability to suss things out (most of the time) is on the fritz? 😕 Only 'some' of the mystery surrounding Pierre is revealed, but "the devil is in the details", which indicates something more is hidden, which may cause problems, but for whom? Arnaud is gone, perhaps not for Christian, but could harm the family's reputation? But not if the actions that brought Pierre under Arnaud's 'protection' were done with good intent? ⚖️ A paragraph or two that explains Pierre's backstory should suffice and remove any confusion. Cleared up when Christian comes to visit, soon? Is Pierre's father Arnaud's younger brother Henri, who at Arnaud's funeral tried to usurp (steal) the 'title' and control of the family fortune away from the lawful and rightful heir Christian? Is one of Henri's sons Pierre's father? If the answer to either above is correct, then Arnaud was trying to protect the family, but in doing so didn't realize it was hurting Pierre; until just before he died and acting as loving de facto 'grandfather' 👴🏼💕👦🏼 changed his will to provide for Pierre's future. (When adopted by Armand and Colin, Pierre should retain, as one of his 'middle' names the 'de insert Arnaud title surname here' French title to honour his 'GrandPapa Arnaud'). ... Am I close Cal? 🫂

An interesting chapter Cal, @CLJobe that raises a few questions. I believe Pat, having dedicated her life to saving children, first at the original (old and 'rigid') orphanage; and then saved by Armand to be part of 'Angel's Home', is feeling lost. The apartment will be her retirement 'home', and she will become another 'grandmother' to those children. Silas is fitting in well and his roommate Les is helping, but there's still questions about how he almost didn't survive. GG will continue to help 🐦. Finally there's serious questions about Pierre. His rationing 3 roasted peanuts (in the shell) to last three days, especially as a 12-year old child, is a symptom of feeling uncertain about his future, unwanted and abandoned. As first child of Christian, a wealthy, titled scion, as well as Arnaud's grandson, he should have felt secure and loved, but at some point in his young life, he learned (directly or indirectly) that being borne out of wedlock he had no 'place' in a family that puts status above well-being. 😠 Armand and Colin are the loving family Pierre deserves. 👨‍👨‍👦 🫂

And the WHINGING trollop 'Karen' deserves a high colonic (from a surely NHS 'Matron') and a 40 km hike to the next wc when her car breaks down and mobile has 'no service'. (All the while muttering "Crap"). 💩

So 'vampire' mirror reflections viewable on certain angles but not 'dead on' ( 😄) ?

Scott's vampire is starting to emerge, and it's scary because (1) it seems he and his family may be 'day walkers' where they are unaffected by sunlight, and (2) the whole 'mirror' episode is strange. Traditionally vampires can not see their reflections in mirrors, which explains Greg not seeing Scott in his mother's handheld mirror, but he then sees Scott (from the side) looking at himself in a large mirror. Was Scott faking his looking in the mirror, because he knew Greg was looking, but Greg's angle meant he could not see there was no reflection? I vant to suck your...

I can not agree more with the good @drsawzall more, which is why I chose the 'sad' emoji, because your comments brought me to tears! Not because they were sad, but because they truth is sometimes saddening. If I tried to cherry-pick your comments to highlight some, it would be to the detriment of others. I preface my remarks with a request to the 'site nannies' to be a little flexible and/or lenient IF I am presumed to have strayed from fiction, as I did connect comments to some fictional stories on the site. In much the same way our authors, present and those sadly departed, do through their characters. I will point out solutions to some of the problems facing children around the world everyday; in terms of healing their physical and emotional wounds, housing, feeding, clothing, and educating them and restoring their self worth; is floating on the oceans as assets of pariahs and others (as pointed out in some of @quokka stories). 'Hidden in plain sight' super-yachts, worth billions and costing 10's of millions a month to maintain, would provide some financial relief, if only they could be used to do that. ...'The reply from Jesus was simple "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” 🙏🏼for the 💑🏼

Archangel Raphael is the angel known for healing. While not as well known as Michael the Archangel, his remarkable healing abilities have left an unforgettable mark on various religions and cultures. Referred to as one of the top seven Archangels (and one of only three named in the Bible, along with Gabriel and Michael), who stand by God's throne. Raphael's job is to help and guide people who need it on Earth. Often portrayed by artists with children, showing him wearing green clothing or having wings with a green hue, that show he's all about making things better and healing. St. Raphael the Archangel is the Patron Saint of medical workers (doctors, nurses, EMTs, ParaMedics etc.) 🫂

@akascrubber wrote: "Silas is a troubled sick boy. I bet his life was saved by being enrolled in the home. His serious internal infections and infestation medical problems were found and ended. He was properly fed and hugged and cared for. He was helped by his new dad. Armand. Life is going to improve for Silas." 🐦 Thank you for this new chapter Cal / @CLJobe. I was a little concerned at the delay, but as the saying goes: "Good things come to those who wait". And this chapter was worth the wait. I agree with ALL the great comments above. Like @weinerdog I too almost picked the 'sad' emoji as Silas' arrival moved me to tears. And @akascrubber was very accurate about how being brought to Angel's Home surely saved Silas' life. I shudder to think what the outcome would have been had police taken him to one of the institutional orphanages run by those 'two fine ladies' from NYC. (my Mother would have called them "Nosy Parkers", but perhaps 'Karen' also fits) . Pierre is slowly fitting in to his new 'home', as is Charles and I pray a bright future awaits all the boys and girls. 🫂

As my Brit relatives are want to say, "How else do we pay for sodding Chuckie III and step-monster Camilla deVile? Not to mention those (barely and not easily) waiting for their grab at brASS ring)". There was a time, not so long ago, that a day school trip to most museums in London would have cost £25 including lunch. Unless you were in 'public' (aka Private) school in which case it would cost more. Little Brady is a saint, and caring about both his dad and Grandpa, with his "No Grandpa. The bus did leave me. I swear". And Greg, he's been trying his best to hold it all together for his family. 😢 "And as with all the things children believe when grown-ups lie, he believed that lie and he believed with his heart as if it were true. But I wasn’t lying, someday...I’ll give him everything he wants. Someday".

Did you meant to hit the key to the left of 'd' in your attempt to find an apt description of Amanda aka 'StepMonster'? William Parker IV Esq. aka Billy calling her a "foul mouthed tart" was appropriate. Thank goodness Terra and Kenny found Caleb. The back story between Billy and Lt. Collins must be a good one. Will have to check out John's blog to see if details are a tasty as Martha's "wonderful peach cobbler". 😋 No this isn't my Nana's homemade traditional Peaches & Cream Cobbler with handmade lattice crust. That's a 'family secret' recipe that even in-laws don't get.

Nooooo not Caleb!

I'm glad the sons of the homophobe fathers were able to return to fish, and that Armand was still at Angel's Home when the littleist and youngest boy arrived late after his dad's car got a flat tire. Armand made that boy's day and perhaps his life better from simply going fishing and bringing home a big fish 🎣🐟 or two. (Oddly this reminds me of the bible passage where Jesus comes across brothers Simon (Peter) and Andrew fishing and tells them 'come with me and I will teach you to be fishers of men'. Perhaps Armand and Colin taking the boys fishing, unconsciously helps the boys gather together in friendship and learn skills they can keep for life). Pierre is opening up more by interacting with the other boys (and improving his english). When they returned home "Pierre was concerned I would hurt the shrimp and lobster by putting them in the freezer. I told him they would go to sleep and not feel any pain". I hope Armand doesn't explain putting them in the pot of water to cook as: 'it's like getting in a bathtub', or Pierre will never bathe again. 😄 Another good chapter Cal @CLJobe. Thank you. 🫂

😂 Er, well, yes. I'm an editor first than a writer. That's why I write very slowly, and lazy. Hmm. First, this is a very intriguing book so far. So much so that I re-read each chapter to glean all the important information (clues?). Obviously Mr. Danvers gets the job as 'Manny', but the dowager needs to hurry up, as it appears his son Brady (or Jimmy?) and father desperately need the money (and 'live-in' accommodation?) the position will bring, Second, about "lazy", speaking from my editorial side, 'someone' (Ernest Hemingway, Robert Graves et al) opined: "There is no great writing, only great re-writing", but that was perhaps used to excuse procrastination. Some authors and editor's need for perfection (or as close as humanly possible) may explain unfinished books and books that never see the light of day. If 'Book 1' is finished, then publish / post it. At 58K words, with an 'average' online chapter being around 5K words, that offers 11 chapters, or one a week until (U.S.) Thanksgiving. By then, you may have more of this promising book ready for prime time. So many questions and possibilities in this book. Oh, and as for our good @drsawzall running out of time to read this story, perhaps he can emulate the longevity of Sarah Lockwood Winchester who believed if she kept building on to her home she would live forever. https://www.nps.gov/places/winchester-house.htm#:~:text=The spiritualist also conveyed to,for them night and day.

Another wonderful chapter @Justin4Fun and asked how often readers want you to post. 🥫of 🪱🪱 The editor in me says post when you have a comfortable backlog of chapters. You say you're up to Chapter 19 (with no indication of how many more are 'outlined' or 'drafted' but not complete). Since your chapters are under 5,000 words, why not plan a mid-week release, (all you readers in the 'cheap seats' stop whining like hungry 'pups'), and perhaps a bonus chapter on long weekend Sundays. The problem, IMHO, is that too many people want instant fulfillment and gratification. It's as if 'patience' has become passe. I blame online streaming services that allow people to binge watch an entire season in hours or days, then turned into demanding 'Karens'. Your writing is very well done, with few 'oopses' which tells me your proof reading (and beta readers) is working. You also seems to be doing what I encourage ALL authors to do. Create an outline / 'storyboard' of what the story is about, with chapters outlined and ready to fill in, and a planned epilogue (or link to next book). We've lost too many excellent authors both recently (Carlos Hazday) and over the years, with unfinished books and no one prepped or appointed to pick up the torch (so to speak) and complete the work. Every author should have a Literary Trustee, (with Power of Attorney) with full access to files, notes, computers, unpublished works etc., authorized and required to finish their work, (especially if the author writes under a nom de plume). Keep up the great writing! Tony C.

Challenges of Deep Space or those here on Terra (mostly) Firma. Perhaps an update on: (1) Wesley Davenport and his 12-year younger Toby struggles in from 'Uncertain Future'; (2) Matias Madsen from Unexpected Journey; or (3) Carson Newton from Éruption and his brother Kip. Given the current extreme forest fires in Canada's NWT (NorthWest Territories), Carson's study of mountain eruptions in next door YT (Yukon Territories), and his pilot skills could be put to the test in Canada's "Near North".

I can read thoughts, yet still not able to foretell numbers on 6 balls worth $435 Million? It's like you went to the fortune teller's tent (at county fair, if you recall those), and she says: "there are dark clouds in your future". While for the past few days the weather service has already issued alerts. Hmm? As for those "surprises" since we're dealing with possible French Royalty* (Royauté française), does the surprise involve an old portrait in The Club's cellar, hiding something in the wall? A velvet bag in an wine cask, filled with a few thousand 'Louis d'or' XVI coins. 🐦 Nothing up my sleeve, Presto! 🫂 * Historical Footnote: Although French Royalty ceased to exist after the French Revolution and creation of 'le Republique", names, titles, certain lands continue to be recognized by France. The one certified title is Duke of Longueuil, in an area of land situated outside current day Montreal, Québec, Canada. It was created in 1700 by Louis XIV as follows: "The said land and seigniory of Longueuil, situate in our country of Canada, with the title, name and dignity of a barony for the enjoyment of the said Sieur Charles Le Moyne, his children and successors according to law, and the descendants of the same born in lawful wedlock, in full and peaceable subjection to us by right of our crown..." Signed Louis XIV The section in bold (above) directly would affect 12-year old Pierre, as Christian's son who under French law would be 'illegitimate' and denied any right to succeed Arnaud or Christian, or any inheritance. That is why (and my guess) Arnaud needed Armand (and Colin as a lawyer) to witness his revised and Last Will, with a Proviso (Provision) to look after Pierre. 👴🏼 💕 👦🏼

Interesting wrap up of TA / Kenrick 2, with the Army training Bush Camp in the final stages of set up, when tragedy strikes in a serious road accident unfortunately involving the train-iron boundary fence Struan, Sawney and Mark had built to protect them, but which resulted in some fatalities. The strong iron fence proved a determining factor in the vehicle occupant deaths. Where normal roadside fencing, particularly at junctions / intersections is designed to provide a degree of 'survivability' by absorbing some impact while deflecting vehicles away from greater harm, the iron fence did not. Thankfully no legal actions were taken against Struan for a non-conforming fence, when he explained to the investigating police about the iron fence and gate: “It was installed a few months ago, as this area is now a Defence Force Training area. The Colonel at Robertson Barracks is the one who arranged for it to be installed...” Struan gets a new job as a 'TEHAS' MedVac helicopter pilot in Darwin while retaining his 4-year part-time Army Reserve role, which will allow him to spend some time at his Koolpinyah bolthole / Bush Camp. Sawney and Mark get contract jobs, as a horse stockman and cook (chef) respectively but it's 800 kms away in a 1 million acres cattle station near the WA border. They won't see Struan or Sawney's older brother Euen as much, but at least being together should strengthen their relationship. Hopefully we will catch up with the Kenrick brothers and Mark in the future. Perhaps as Struan's Army Reserve gig ends, with the overlooked promotion before his mustering out party (in K3)? Thank you Preston @quokka for K2.

Perhaps Grandmere Lavigne? (before she departed to partner up with GG 🐦). I agree with all previous comments about Pierre. He is a dear child, but one that needs unconditional love and support. IMHO, Pierre is through no fault of his own, a victim of circumstance because he was born out of wedlock. Unfortunately under archaic French law, Pierre is illegitimate for inheritance of Christian's (previously Arnaud's) title and estate despite being eldest son. (for explanation see my Chapter 209 comments). As a result, he is a problem in need of a solution, one that saw Christian (under instruction from Arnaud and his deathbed new Last Will and its' Proviso) sending him off to America with Armand and Colin. Hopefully this will soon become clear ? As for the State Government decision to cut 15% of funding for orphanages, and as a result Angel's Home, it looked like Tommy was between the proverbial 'Rock and a hard place'. But there's no way Armand and Colin will ever let that happen, when Armand said: "As long as this place exists no child will be turned away.”

Wow indeed, but Struan has 'some' money (see chapter 1 for info about inheritance & Farm ownership). I suspect that creating a permanent "training camp base, on his personal property, to accommodate an Army Company" (enlisted, NCO's and Officers), plus leased access to & use of Aurora hovercraft by RAN; that the Australian Army, Navy and/or ADF (Australian Defence Force) will pay for most of the initial costs, plus operating and maintenance expenses on an ongoing basis. Damage to Struan's arm (ligaments) will have lingering effects after being shot (while still in military service since his 'separation' wasn't completed), and his hospital bill was paid by Army. Agreeing to serve another 4 years in Army 'Reserves', plus the ongoing use of his property as a 'Training Camp' entitles Struan to a 'Step Jump' promotion in rank to Lt. Col., plus compensation raise and pension adjustment. Too bad the wounded murderers tried to escape by jumping into crocodile infested waters. Trailing blood, they wound up Croc 🐊 'Tucker', unfortunately witnessed by Mark. At least the murderers won't be coming after them again. Great chapter Preston. Looking forward to more.

Hmm? 🤔 Is Pierre Un infant des rues (a street child) rescued in Paris by Arnaud, whom he couldn't bear to leave behind to a cruel end? Perhaps a 'pretender' child from a liaison before Christian married (under French law "illegitimate"), therefore unable to inherit Arnaud's and now Christian's title, Estate etc. despite being the "eldest son"? This is most likely judging from this thought of Armand: " I looked at Christian, darting my eyes between him and his son. He knew what I wanted to know'. (Modern equivalent is Alexandre Grimaldi, eldest but "illegitimate" son of Prince Albert II of Monaco). ⚖️

A chapter full of information, as we learned more about Armand and Arnaud's connection over the decades, and Armand got to spend some time with Arnaud. Christian asks (per his father's request) that Armand 'witness' his new 'Last Will' and its' proviso (?). Plans are made to share some of Arnaud's private art collection so the public will remember him. Then a sad 'adieu et bon voyage' to Arnaud, as Saint Michael gently takes his arm to lead him to his next great journey - visiting with all the great artists of the past. It's not unusual for dying people to seem to be talking with some one we can't see or hear, perhaps as a veil is lifted between here and 'where'. The ceremony at the mausoleum was different. Armand put Henri (Arnaud's cousin) in his place as he tried to usurp Christian's rightful position as Arnaud's successor. Breakfast and coffee the next morning at Christian's home, on their way to the airport, Armand and Colin meet with Christian, his wife, 8-year old son, four-year old daughter and another boy (Christian calls Arnaud 'grandfather' to all three children?). The 2nd Boy, Pierre, is introduced to Armand, and asks: “Did you and your son really paint Saint Michael?” “Yes, and soon we will paint another Angel for Uncle Jean’s museum.” (Louvre) Christian asks Armand and Colin to allow 12-year Pierre to travel with them to America (ostensibly to see Armand and Carl paint Jean's angel). Is Pierre part of the proviso in Arnaud's Will? And who is Pierre? Thank You 🫂