Laura S. Fox

He already manifested his power... but it's going to be more than that (he will have to fight for real)

What he saw in the cards would make many blush...

In all the chaos, Mr. Toaster remained at home, I'm afraid... That is more than an insinuation

Oh, that's a tough question... And I don't really keep up with blockbusters and Hollywood production nowadays, to be completely honest. Banter is Jack's middle name. or maybe his first. who knows?

Indeed! This story will have a few more surprises!

Chapter Twenty-Three – The Moon through the Pines He had never seen such a place in his life. It made Danny feel very strongly how much time he had spent cooped up in the city, where it was impossible to watch the sky, or enjoy the smell of grass. Not that he could do either right now, as they were still aboard Theodore’s plane, but he could look at the expanse of green spread out underneath them and wonder about Ryder’s life. Pinemoor was an apt name; it made Danny think of a fairyta

Some would say it says everything

No worries, as I told you

I love it that someone says this! For all his teasing and apparent indifference, Lyn doesn't dislike Alexander that much

Oh, that event won't be described until quite far into the future

Thank you for the analysis, nonetheless! Yes, it was a comparison. And that touch of Lyn's fingers over Alexander's wrist... you might laugh when I tell you I've re-rewritten the same phrase about five times until it rang true to my ears, lol. I wanted to capture what Lyn feels in that moment, even if it's not acknowledged yet. Brad is... Brad. (Other readers of mine use this phrase to describe him, and I think it fits the character.) Lyn might hope as much as he wants that Brad would do or say something different, but he has no power over other people's reactions. That's a lesson for life, I think. However... Brad will be the most difficult character in how and when he reveals his true self. Until then, feel free to speculate, or just see him as a 'bro'. Either way, it's fine. I know I'm giving the readers quite the puzzle with this character. I so laughed at the line about the restaurant... of course, people would take off their shoes to feel the sand! Alexander only does it to please Lyn.

He'll see it gradually. He may not want to acknowledge it, but he won't be able to claim that he didn't see it at all.

Oh, yes, he didn't notice that.

So happy you're enjoying the story @Doha Yes, this chapter truly aimed at showing Lyn's two friends and hinting at parts of their personalities (how they came to be).

Ah, you said it so much better than myself. I did try just in the above comment to explain why Alexander's way of being does rapport to how he was raised. And you're right - it didn't kill his heart That gift is everything to him.

You're correct, he's not like grandpa at all, but he has reasons to act in a... let's say more restrained manner. Because of his cold and austere upbringing.

I'm so glad that Lyn's visit at Alexander's made clear some aspects of Alexander's personality.

Lyn has troubles seeing beyond the walls of his own fortress... I think it might not come as such a big surprise that he misses on cues like crazy. That's what the memory chapters are for: to contradict him in what he believes to be such strong beliefs of his.

I have met various people in my life, and while I don't take them and put them in my stories, I do 'grab' pieces of them. I was put - not just once - in the position to act as an emotions translator - if that exists - to make some of my friends understand what other people were trying to tell them. Hence Lyn's flaw of being dense.

Yes, even back then! Alexander saw Lyn as he was. He continues to see him, too, in the present. And I really love how you said it... yeah, it really did feel like that to Alexander.

Chapter Thirteen – The Fourth Musketeer The first thing that registered with Lyn was how much light the windows let in. The second was the realization that he must have overslept for the first time in forever. He winced as he got out of bed, his bladder reminding him – as if there was any need for that reminder – that he was way past his usual wakeup hour. He had missed his morning run, too. Was Alexander’s mouth magical or something? Why had he slept so well, especially when he wasn’t

A lot of people left the reaction 'fingers crossed'. I left a heart - because I know Hearst's plan

Oh, it is. I think it will be subtle in some ways, but not less intense. As for Hearst, yep, he's a player. He's devious Xpress at his best

Hearst hasn't run Xpress for years without learning a thing or two. Angus thinks he's dealing with a newbie, but let's remember how no one on campus ever managed to uncover the true identity of the person behind the gossip rag. I like to think my little guy is quite intelligent.

Hearst is working on two lanes. The successful one will be presented to you Also, as always, I'm keeping a surprise for later - it's all based on a detail I suppose - with some evil satisfaction - that it might have gotten over readers' heads...