Anton_Cloche

Stop being so KAGEy

Ooh. Things getting interesting? Stingray and crew all set, prepped and ready to go on a 'repositioning' cruise to their new 'home port' when the yacht club Commodore pitches a curve ball with two unnamed couples asking to join the first sailing from NZ to Oz as paying guests. A little change of room assignments, some more provisioning and they should be good to cast off at 0500. Are the guest couples Commodore Aaron & Grace Kingsley and Nancy & David Jackson? And who are the Jacksons? We'll see when they arrive to spend the night aboard prior to the very early departure. Ahoy!

Landlubbers and cowherders at that, Jordan's older siblings Tim and Angela shouldn't have any seasick issues have sailed previously, however that's no guarantee. We shall sea. The 18-day voyage should be memorable for all concerned, and the Sunreef 150 is built to be stable on the open ocean.

Wonderful chapter with LOTS of decisions to be made. Not just by Zac and his "best mate" Jordan, but also their new 'crew' of Jackson, Carter and Beatrice who thought the sailing jobs were only during their respective school vacations. Zac has to finish his last year in high school, while younger brother Alister has yet to enter his final year. All five have plans, whether their own or family influenced, for college or uni and goals they want and need to reach their futures, which Jordan needs to keep in mind. Even IF Carter, Beatrice and Jackson move from their home in Auckland NZ to WA for Uni, Jordan really should hire a full-time crew to handle charter business for the 9 months of school / Uni. Waiting to see how things progress.

Ooh a shark and shadow? Great chapter with lots of action 😉😜. Is Kage-ing a shark a good thing or baaad thing? Seems a good time was had by most (poor Tyler alone in a tent). What about lion shifters who are MIA? Surely Kage would sense if he's now become prey, along with Eli (and Tyler for being 'collateral'). As for the still missing laptop ... forget camper and attic. There is still the as yet undelivered 'car' Elijah's father has restored. Hello? under rear seat, in trunk under spare tire. Speaking of MacTire..... With Seb so keen on protecting Eli, and with all the intel resources he has access to surely a name as unique as Kage (Kah-gey) would have popped up enough to warrant a trip from Montana "maybe"? (Let the sleuths hunt that one out).

Ooh, painting in the nude in their private rooftop Garden paradise. They better go 'easel' in case paint goes where it shouldn't. 😉 Maybe Armand needs to do Watercolors? Oh, sorry for that diversion (not). This was a wonderful brief chapter just to get them home from the Italian wedding, and bring Carmella for a visit. Her reactions to Club paintings were different. Armand and Colin's relationship best summed up in, "I feel relaxed here, I feel loved here and the best part is when you are here with me.” (No emoji or gif needed)

Oh the horrors of war! It is one thing to put yourself in harm's way to protect your family and others; but to learn that in spite of your efforts, your country and potentially your family are now being targeted by your own troops because the enemy is now amongst them? But that is precisely what that Nazi's did as a strategy. (taking over the Freemasons building in Copenhagen and using at as a HQ). Karl is right to argue vehemently against his British superiors in charge of the RAF to protest the planned bombing. Only now is he beginning to realize the generals / men who move miniature airplanes, and other weapons on a tabletop map, like a monopoly board, treat war. Even with a temporary delay in the planned bombing, if Karl were to steal a plane or boat and try to warm his fellow Danes what is coming, he would be killed for treason or by the Nazis if he reached Denmark. Can Jørgen, Kristian and others help Karl in this?

Wow. Zac and family get a first tour of the Stingray (even though in the inner harbour, which is not that small), before Zac heads to sea aboard the Spirit of New Zealand. Getting back to Auckland Zac is surprised that he'll have a second go at sailing on the new mega-Cat, this time on the open ocean, only to be pleasantly surprised that his mate, and owner of the Stingray, Jordan has come over from WA to surprise him. With a full ship's compliment aboard they head out to sea (to see what they shall see - sorry, couldn't help myself with something punny for a Friday , Saturday in WA). Have a good weekend. If you're in an area of extreme heat, stay cool if you can, and remember to drink plenty of water (versus anything with caffeine or alcohol which dehydrate you). After a week of days near 40C (triple digits in U.S.), where I am currently - in the northern hemisphere - it is 29C feels like 36C with humidity factored in (85 and 96F respectively). Or as the weather forecaster on TV said, "You know it's hot when you're sweating while IN the pool, lake or ocean".

Okaay. This current story is bringing out the really weird in people's comments. Or like Pandora's Box you've allowed stranger things to venture forth. Next thing somebody will want is Elijah turning into a horse and ... "Only the Shadow knows". Or as Robin says to the Caped Crudesader - Holy Bat Pole! (although according the actor Burt Ward who played Robin, he had more under his 'utility belt'). OMG, I'm becoming one with the mob. Arrgh

Wonderful chapter, and a "good time was had by all". Now it's back to the U.S. and work that's waiting for them. I'll bet Armand already had the next five paintings completed in his 'mind's eye' before the plane arrived in New York.

I think part of him was upright 'in extremis'. Although suffering from a major hangover, Geno will be fine.

Interesting chapter that illustrates how quickly time passes if you're not paying attention to the important things in life. Like family Armand is, it seems, like many artists who focus so hard on one thing to the exclusion of everything else, that he looses sight of the reality in front of him.

I think Armand using his and Colin's future son Thomas as the child observing animals or anything else would inspire Armand to paint more, regardless of the sale prices. GG has to awaken Armand's mind to the fact the Thomas is a priceless gift, that Armand must reach out and embrace. Or else all is lost.

Now that the family's back in Tampa, more things may create problems, especially with ADA (A Definite Asshole?) King looking to score points using Jeremy before his election campaign. Hopefully all his H8 filled actions come back to bite him. Travis with the help of the other boys will begin to find a way though his SADS & PTSD caused by the inaction of the school board that permitted the bullying and physical attacks. With lawyer Chad's help he should be able to win a Title IX case on that basis. If Travis does need to a school better able to provide special help for students, Pepin Academy (a number of REAL 'Charter' schools http://www.pepinacademies.com/ ) is set up to do that. Hopefully. 🤞🏼

I feel for you Kev and all those who have lost a loved one and find over time it's harder and harder to remember a face, a laugh, the sound of their voice, a smell etc. Back in the day, my parents kept photo albums of family, grandparents etc. to help 'remember'. In the last 20 years, I've found younger people (including siblings) don't appreciate let alone want those things. (And yet some of them are into 'Ancestry' apps to find out where they come from?). Hold on to what you can, if you can.

Insurance payouts are separate and distinct. In this case 'restitution' as a legal remedy (agreement not to jail) still allows a private claim (Jordan's) to be settled. It would be up to insurance company to file separate suit against Swiss father for reimbursement).

A wonderful chapter with all sorts of 'new doors', literally and figuratively opening up for Armand and Colin. GG is revisiting Armand in this dreams with much needed advice and direction, and Colin helps Armand to interpret / understand those dreams. One dream that remains unfulfilled? The dreams of a young boy, Tommy, lingering in an orphanage. With each attempt he makes to reach out to Armand and Colin, he is still stuck in limbo. GG needs to remind both Armand and Thomas' other 'Grandma' Mary in a dream that Thomas is the future, and must be saved before something happens! Don't let Tommy fall through the cracks!

Well, well, well. Not only have the thieves been caught, but their wealthy Swiss father (not named Sebastian I hope) succeeded in getting leniency from the Court for his two sons (?) While the boys didn't go to jail in Oz, daddy made "full restitution for the destruction of the yacht, and stress…" forfeiting 'their' top of the line, new Sunreef 150 (model MM460 only one with 2 VIP suites on main deck). Starting price for this behemoth $10.5 Million USD. Jordan should be more than able to afford to run this jumbo-cat from his insurance payout of his "fully insured" SR80 ($6+ Million replacement value). It will need more crew to run than just Jordan and Zac, but Jordan's already got that in hand. Plus, there's plenty of room aboard for paying Charter customers. It looks like Fair Winds and Following Seas for our two 'mates'. Or does it? Heh, heh, heh. https://www.sunreef-yachts.com/en/sunreef-MM460-cat

Most maritime law requires a vessel to have insurance coverage in order to be registered to 'sail', but often a ship / yacht that is in the process of being refitted only carries a minimum amount, not full 'replacement' value (that's usually only increased when completed). With the family station tight on finances, I suspect Jordan's Sheila may be underinsured, but hope not. A Sunreef 100 is too nice a ship to lose to smugglers!

Oh look, Mama invited you to dinner 😜

Shame if the 3 thieves find themselves in Davy Jones Locker. 1,000 leagues under the sea.

Great chapter. Amazing interrogation, I mean introduction to Mama. Every Italian family has one, sometimes sweet looking, sometimes like a drill instructor, but all of them can make CIA agents look like amateurs when it come to "getting to know you" YIKES. And the food is always a test, usually slipping in something a 'little' hotter just to see how newbies react. I think the interplay between Kage and Mama is Game, Set, Match. With Kage just slightly ahead. Hmm, camping. Why do I suspect something is going to happen. Oh wait, Lions and Tiger like the woods, plenty of places to hide and jump out at people. But Bear Pond's 'scenic' and short route to the beach, over the cliff, may just introduce a cliff hanger of its own.

What the heck? (Zero Dark 30 and not swearing?). Erin Ros (not related to Mob Capo?) pops this out of the blue: “I have a personal stake in Adam and his extended family. It’s taken me years to arrange for all eleven of them to come together.” "...yes, the eleven of them. This family needed to come together.” “Always the cryptic.” Okay, you've got my attention and my fingers are getting sore hanging from the edge of YOUR cliff. (And although you said only 4 TC books and ren chapters... COME ON! Unless you have one hell of an epilogue, IMHO there's enough hanging in the balance for another book or two. Too many loose threads...

Glad to see more information about the renovation of the apartments and the 'gallery' building in general. Great to see Thomas back in the Gallery and having dinner with Armand. Thomas not speaking much makes me wonder if there's an issue that needs to be addressed. Perhaps if its an issue of money, I'm certain Colin and Armand can address it. As for Armand's inability to keep track of time, it is an issue many artists, writers and others face regularly as their minds are focused at the task at hand, and not clocks or calendars. Which is why they rely so heavily on assistants, managers, spouses etc. It's easy to get off track & schedule.

There are plenty of stories on GA by many other authors, whom I'm certain would give your insights all the attention they deserve. Where are your stories published?