Quixo

This was marvelous, but definitely only the first piece of a much large epic. I can hardly wait. This is such a different world than the ones you have created in the past. Brilliant!

I'm wondering if the back door ajar was a set up in some way and the two men leaving turn out to be Rick and Adam themselves.

All full of the warm fuzzies from this chapter. I was so afraid that you were going to pull a last minute cliffhanger on us.

Well, I ended that chapter with a tear in my eye.

Great chapter, and I love reading all the comments. I also have my suspicions about Adam, and I'm hoping that I'm mistaken. The more we find out about Jarvis' wide-spread customer base, the greater the need for absolute secrecy. Jarvis moved in very well-to-do social circles, and what we know about Adam, he seems to fit in to that category. And then I keep coming back to the title of the story, and so we haven't actually come to Mardi Gras, so I'm worried. Of course, being worried about fictional characters is a great compliment to the author who has drawn all of us in so well.

I am still choked up and wiping my eyes. I'm feeling too much to put my thoughts in order to write anything coherent. Thank you for this wild journey you've taken us on. Can't wait to see how you will conclude this.

The lad’s brave, but brave men make splendid corpses. And I’ve no appetite for burying midshipmen today. Brilliantly said! Thank you for for this wonderful chapter.

I have to confess, I'm getting more than a bit aggravated at Pitt. While I completely understand that showing his true self in that career at that time makes things next to impossible, but he keeps making promises to Jamie and then falling short each time. Several of his colleagues have even warned him about how damaging his behavior is to both himself and to Jamie, but he can't seem to unscramble his brain from all its regulations and find a way to not be such a jerk. If he is this overly rigid, how effective would he be in battle where immediate change of tactics would be an asset? Maybe that's one thing he's angry with Jamie about. Jamie has a more nimble mind than he does, and Pitt sees that. I also question if Pitt is even capable of being loved. Further chapters will tell.

P.P.S. You are, and always have been, the worst snorer. You sound like a haunted chimney. I laughed out loud at that. Probably because it could be said about me. It's brilliant anyway.

I am so hooked on this story. Waiting for each new chapter is agony. I think that Jackson is learning the difference between passion and love. I'm not sure if Blake knows what their relationship is about. I think he is into his infatuation with Jackson, but I'm not sure he knows what the depth of love is about. I'm not suree Cash does either, but he seems a lot more likely to be open to it.

Your writing about sexual tension is masterful. You capture the desire, the need, the obsession like no one else.

Yeah, sentimental me again. I'm crying with all of the guests. It makes me remember my wedding to my husband 36 years ago. All the best to Gray and Raffa. And thank you, @Mark Ponyboy Peters for giving us this wonderful story.

OK, I know I'm a sentimental old sap, but I was grinning like a fool the whole chapter and got a bit misty eyed as the guys picked their Best Men.

Raffa's parents are wonderful and will help both Raffa and Gray get through this. I have faith that love will win out. Raffa has had a barrage of news thrown at him. Gray will be there to help him cope. And thanks for not making us wait too long for this chapter. 😉

Great read today. Very well written. "His first words to me were, 'How's my other brother?' " I have to admit that line made me tear up.