CincyKris

His mom was loving and supportive, hopefully dad will take it well. He needs to talk to his gay uncle and tell him what happened. Things are looking up, work is going to be tense. I wonder who the mystery text came from? How did he get his number?

So much parenting advice in this chapter, both from characters and readers. At opposite ends of the spectrum we have Ludo telling Damian to "remember the good times and not focus on the nasties", then we have @Summerabbacat suggesting Damian should verbally excoriate his mother and release all his anger. I don't think that Ludo's approach is working, but I'm not sure Damian is ready for the full on slash and burn approach. I think that some therapy and gently forced socialization are good suggestions.

I'm happy that Robert is not freaking out upon figuring out that Alfie is a ghost. I wonder if Robert has a great grandpa named Patrick? He was meant to be where he is, I think another visit is assured.

Mickey is in a very different place than most new lawyers, his priorities do not include making as much money as humanly possible and climbing over his co-workers (competitors) to make partner in record time. But, as pervasive as that stereotype is, I think there are many firms that don't have that culture. My knowledge of law firms is entirely derived from books, TV, and movies, but I think it is exceedingly rare for any profession to only exist at one extreme. I think that Mickey is talented enough to hold out for a better fit, and he appears to have found it.

I have a feeling the Latouche's have heard of Alfie before, surely Robert is not the first to have seen him in over a hundred years. I wonder if the original Latouche was the current one's father? I'm loving this story!

Gray is in processing mode, I'm also surprised he thought to take pictures of the visible proof of his assault. After the showers, any physical evidence is gone, but if someone else reports Shane (I have no doubt he has done this before and will do it again), Gray may be able to corroborate their claim. He needs a friend to talk to, he feels alone. Regarding the "chips and gravy", I think this is fries and gravy. Australians call ketchup "sauce", so I think gravy is gravy, like Canadians have fries with cheese and gravy (poutine).

I missed the notification for the first chapter, but I felt as if I were opening an early Christmas present this morning! Wonderfully expressive writing, as always. I look forward to meeting our handsome, young ghost with beautiful eyes.

I think that conservative hardline denominations are "cafeteria Christians", they literally pick and choose only the passages that support their views, ignoring the ones they do not choose to follow. The old testament has plenty of fodder for the hypocrites. I wonder if Michael was dressed in more than one fabric? Is his lunch "approved" by the same passage? However, I wouldn't be too upset if Jackie were stoned!

This was sexual assault, the type that rarely gets reported or prosecuted, by either sex. Animal is a predator and Mike is an enabler, a co-conspirator. Was Mike once in Gray's position? It doesn't excuse his behavior but it might help explain it. I have a feeling that Gray will have long-term effects from this night.

Ralph and Nolan had a fun date night, important since they did very little proper dating before the move in. Can't wait for the big party! I wonder if Ares will be doing the security for it?

While I am personally much more like @Summerabbacat, and prone to revenge fantasies and holding a grudge against someone who had hurt me so much, my sweet mother is more kind hearted. She would probably think like Ludo. The wonderful night out was in stark contrast to the interrogation. I think the jerk (I'm being kind), was purposefully using repetition to stress and exhaust Ludo, with the intention of tripping him up. Fortunately Ludo has truth on his side, if he were hiding something it probably would have uncovered it. Hopefully the SFO agrees and finally believes Ludo is being honest.

The Roaming Sea can’t be pigeon holed into one genre. It’s an adventure, a love story, a war tale, and a thought provoking drama. Wonderful and unique!

The closest I've ever come to the desperation felt by Callum and the rest of the Vanguard was a misguided (on my part) hike on a snowy trail. What was normally a mildly challenging 1 HR hike turned into a 2 1/2 HR strenuous trek. But I didn't seriously think I wouldn't make it, I was just exhausted and overwhelmed. The vanguard was literally facing death in minutes if they didn't hurry. I don't think that Callum has ever experienced the kind of devotion and sacrifice that Rym showed him. The tense race to the shore was in contrast to the idyllic fishing scene at the end. I enjoyed Callum and Rym's journey and would love to read any of their further adventures, if you ever decide to continue their story.

As soon as they got lost, I started thinking about the compass. By the end, I was shouting in my head COMPASS! I'm proud of Callum, and also proud of Eudald. He wasn't singing love songs, but an acknowledgment that he could have been wrong was a giant step for him. Things are looking up for the vanguard on this arduous journey.

I've thankfully never directly experienced the level of hate that Eudald carries within him. I have seen it on the news and in documentaries, amongst white supremacists and other hate groups. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. I recognize the incredible trauma Eudald went through, but lots of people (especially soldiers) experience such trauma. Most make it through mentally wounded but largely intact. Some suffer severe PTSD. A few turn out like Eudald. He has largely been surrounded by other soldiers who shared his feelings, or at least did not publicly refute them. This is probably his first time in a long while being around non-soldiers, he is not relating well. I appreciate you making the villain as complex as the mains.