Cane23

No new chapter on Saturday?! I’m going through withdrawal here! 😭

"Dreams of Humanity" is a breathtaking epic of science-fiction and space opera, clearly inspired by the great masters of the genre such as Frank Herbert and, to a lesser degree, Isaac Asimov. The universe it unfolds is rich with detail: enormous space battles, memorable characters, and a tapestry of old and newly born worlds. From the very first chapters, the author immerses us in a setting both vast and intimate - where politics, faith, technology, and war intertwine with deeply human questions. The story presents a future in which ancient religions have evolved into fanatical cults, new galactic orders rule with iron agendas, and both natural-born humans and clones are drawn into relentless struggles for dominance. In this world, human clones make up a significant part of the population, raising profound ethical dilemmas: Are clones truly human? Should they hold the same rights as their creators? If they are deemed worthy to die for a cause, why are they denied the freedom to choose their own path? These moral questions form one of the story’s most compelling thematic pillars. Author @dkstories skillfully constructs a post-democratic Republic governed by Great Houses - a clear homage to Herbert’s Dune. Each House has its official Speaker, and though they hold power, they rule guided by ethics and a sense of duty to their citizens. In such a system, democracy as we know it becomes portrayed not as a salvation, but as a danger - susceptible to populism, corruption, and emotional manipulation of the masses. By contrast, Earth serves as the heart of a rigid Empire, ruled by religious authorities. There, natural-born humans are seen as God’s true creations, while clones are condemned as abominations. This ideological clash sets the stage for sweeping conflict. At the center of this saga is Garret, a special clone with striking green eyes, raised as a true member of the Lars family - son, brother, soldier, and ultimately, a leader. Loyal to the Republic with every fiber of his being, Garret must face impossible choices and heartbreaking sacrifices to protect the civilization he loves. Whether he succeeds, and what it will cost him, is the emotional engine of the narrative. The novel’s conclusion offers closure to one chapter of his life, while opening the door to a new journey in Book II. In the end, I wholeheartedly recommend "Dreams of Humanity" to every true sci-fi enthusiast. I do not know whether @dkstories is still active as a writer, but this series deserves to be published in print alongside the greats of the genre. I would also like to thank @Myr for making it available to readers on the GA site.

With one exception, this marriage doesn’t involve children. And children, as we know, can be a powerful catalyst - capable of making things either messier or calmer.

Brad actually does react - just indirectly. His joke about the house being from “the 1950s” (Brad threw another cursory look around. “Maybe. But do they do deliveries to the 1950s?”) shows what he really thinks, but instead of commenting openly, he hides judgment behind humor. He always assumed Lyn (and Alexander) came from wealthy backgrounds, so the modest home doesn’t match the image he built. His silence is avoidance, not acceptance. And when he offers to pay for lunch, it might be awareness of Lyn’s situation, but also, it’s partly Brad trying to keep the old dynamic where he feels like the one “on top” in the trio.

Runaway Groom 😂

I certainly hope so - without Malik’s intervention, Mr. and Mrs. would’ve died of pure boredom. This way, they’ll either burn in ecstasy, die in sorrow, or kill each other… but at least they won’t drown in apathy.

"First love is never forgotten"...but, also... “Love is blind!”

Honestly, I've been surprised by Brad's unexpected visit, probably as much as Lyn! “What does my house look like to Brad?” Brad’s presence turns the house into “accusing eyes” - one of the best lines in this section. It signals that Lyn’s shame is chronic and deep-rooted. Brad doesn’t have to actually judge him - Lyn is already doing it for him (remember the Alexander's words: “I’m not the one judging you. You’re doing a fine job yourself.”). If the house earlier symbolized Lyn’s shame and insecurity, the bedroom now symbolizes the only space in his life where he has control, dignity, and identity. This room is who Lyn wants to be, not who he is forced to be. “This room is just like you… pretty much a warning not to ask too many questions.” In other words, Brad unknowingly points to the closet Lyn lives in - emotionally, socially, economically, sexually. “Don’t you ever want to skip ahead past all the bullshit?” Brad reveals the small crack in his golden-boy armor. This is the only space where Brad is not performing. And Lyn, tragically, becomes Brad’s emotional comfort while receiving nothing of equal intimacy back. Brad needs Lyn. Just not in the way Lyn needs Brad. For the first time we see that Brad and Alexander are actually mirrors of each other in one crucial domain - the burden of family expectation. What makes it compelling is that they respond to that burden in opposite ways, which is why Lyn perceives them as opposites, even though at their core they are shaped by the same wound. Both of them are victims of expectations, even if neither would ever claim that out loud - they are fighting the same ghost... their families’ vision of who they must be. Brad’s visits to Lyn are his oxygen - the only place he can drop the mask. Lyn becomes his sanctuary from the suffocating golden-boy persona. Similarly, Alexander’s intensity around Lyn comes from the opposite emotional need - Lyn represents someone he can be authentically seen by, not as a family legacy, not as an heir, but as a mind, as a man, as an individual. Therefore, both Brad and Alexander come to Lyn for relief of identity-pain... but in different emotional languages. Brad submits to the role assigned to him; Alexander resists the role assigned to him. Alexandar is especially interesting here due to his brief marriage because it shows that even the rebel can break under legacy, even Alexander can be cornered by expectation and that both men, at least once, lost a battle with their upbringing. Lyn is the “gravity center” of the triangle. He soothes the same wound in two contrasting men. Yet, there is distinction which is crucial for understanding Lyn’s psychology and why his adulthood looks so radically different from Brad’s and Alexander’s, even though all three come from emotionally messy backgrounds. Brad and Alexander's trauma is active, loud, and external. Their families demand and judge - so their adult lives are a direct reaction to that pressure. One bends. The other defies. Lyn’s mother isn’t pushing him to be “the best.” She’s pushing him to perform a fantasy... a fake image, a “beautiful surface,” a social illusion. Not excellence. Appearance. Finally - The Clouds in Your Eyes! Those “clouds” in Lyn’s eyes are not moisture - they are grief, yearning, and the sudden realization of distance. In that instant, Lyn sees Brad’s path clearly - Brad will have the life Lyn can never share with him. The future that Brad dreams of is the very thing that will leave Lyn behind. The glasses - “Maybe, one day, you won’t need them anymore,” Brad is speaking literally but... it’s prophetic, it foreshadows Lyn’s transformation. it is the moment when the story tells us - you will not always see Brad through Lyn’s longing. One day, Lyn will remove the glasses. At the beginning of the story, Brad is commenting: “Fucking hell, man, you look awesome,” Brad began, pulling him into a strong hug and patting his back. “You got LASIK or something? I remember you always worried about breaking your glasses by accident.” When Lyn appears at the airport, he’s already on the path of emotional clarity. The glasses, the clouds, and the small gestures in the flashback all serve as foreshadowing for this internal shift.

He is changing...can you imagine the guy from the beginning of the story saying this: I always thought getting my inheritance would be the best thing ever. But hugging my father again… hearing him say he was sorry — it was something else entirely. If he didn’t leave me a single dime, I think I’d still be happy.” No matter how sad the end of this chapter is, Zayn is doing the right thing. As he himself says, he’s finally following River’s advice - he has to go back to his past before he can truly move forward. Of course, we all wish he would already recognize his feelings for River and see through Harry’s rotten soul, but that kind of clarity doesn’t happen overnight. What I really hope is that River’s remaining time in this house doesn’t turn into humiliation after humiliation - villains gloating while the rest of the family just feels sorry for him. Even if Zayn tries to stay discreet with Harry because of the fake-relationship performance he still has to keep up with River, Harry will be more than happy to show it off to everyone. And that’s the last thing River deserves.

Amazing chapter - tender, sorrowful, and yes, punctuated by a few well-deserved slaps. The beautiful, heart-stirring church scene is unfortunately tainted by Veronica’s presence, but I suppose that after her unpleasant clash with River, she simply had to cast a shadow over a sacred moment. The return of the Prodigal Son, filled with repentance and forgiveness, culminates in an endearing embrace between Leonardo and his boys - one of the most touching moments in the story so far. And River… his two conversations with Zayn, both at the beginning and the end of the chapter, reveal just how extraordinary he is... selfless, loving, and willing to put someone else’s happiness above his own. If Zayn’s joy lies elsewhere, River refuses to stand in its way; instead, he gently guides him toward it. The ending is undeniably sad, but Zayn giving Harry another chance is probably the only right decision at this point. He needs to open his heart, find closure, and see Harry’s true face. Only then, free of doubt, can he ever move forward… perhaps even toward River. And that is exactly what River is telling him.

Mississippi didn't need her to prosecute.

Funny thing is that in my language - mali means - little! 😂

Well, when you come from the homeland of Eugène Ionesco, should anyone really be surprised?

So many mysteries were uncovered in this chapter. Faced with disaster and death, the situation brings out the best in each of them. Both Theodore and Vince are prepared to sacrifice themselves - one as an Alpha who understands how rare Guardians truly are, and the other as a Guardian whose duty is to protect his Alpha. And finally, Jack steps in, ready to share in that same courage and sacrifice. What an amazing chapter!

Zayn strikes me as the kind of guy who needs to crash into the same wall a few times before he finally learns the lesson. He won’t understand what he has until he feels the real possibility of losing it. And honestly - if River still doesn’t walk away, maybe he should at least let someone new into his orbit. Adrian seems like a genuinely good guy (even if his mother is pure snake). A friendship there could give Zayn a well-deserved taste of his own jealousy - and maybe the wake-up call he desperately needs.

Down in the Holler is a tender Southern story centered on Jackson, his mother Daisy, and his quest for love. At its heart is the bond between mother and son, and the emotional journey as Jackson navigates love between two amazing men - so similar, yet so different. Set against the rhythm of the road and the stillness of the porch, the story explores the tension between motion and home, risk and reflection. Daisy’s quiet faith and wisdom give the tale its moral core, teaching lessons of grace, humility, and enduring love. Guilt and redemption are also part of the story, enriching the journey of its characters. This is a love story written in the @CasualWanderer82's unmistakable style - full of symbolism, subtle moral depth, and the rich, nuanced character development he is known for. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate emotionally resonant stories with both heart and intellect.

Oh yea, with 12 inches Malik is enormously skillful! Sorry, couldn't resist...

Yeah, probably would’ve helped with Casual…though sometimes it might get a bit overwhelming! 😜

Maestro to Master!

Back to the good, old Jung... At the start, everyone is wearing masks - Daniel, Nora, and even Malik to an extent. Their Personas are hiding deeper truths - emotional needs, suppressed desire, vulnerability, and imbalance in intimacy. Nora's Persona shows the competent, beautiful, emotionally regulated wife. She curates herself, manages her desire, smooths the environment for Daniel, and keeps control over the marriage. Daniel presents himself as the calm, unflappable husband, master of work, desire disciplined and hidden. Nora is reading... Three Women foreshadows and catalyzes Nora’s confrontation with her Shadow. The novel awakens her desire, gives her language for it, and encourages action - but real-life enactment (the threesome) forces her into a direct confrontation with emotional truths, power dynamics, and the latent intensity of her husband. Literature here is the precursor to psychological rupture. But the narrative shows that real-life integration of Shadow is messier than literary insight - theory becomes practice, control fails, and raw emotion emerges. As Jung says - awareness of the Shadow is just the first step... experiencing it fully is necessary for individuation. The threesome begins under carefully maintained roles - Nora wants to experiment, Daniel reluctantly consents, Malik guides...but initially, the act is framed within masks and structured roles. Masks hold the ego in place - Nora observes, Daniel performs, Malik leads - everyone maintains control, appearance, and detachment. The Shadow emerges fully after the breach - Daniel and Malik have sex without Nora while she sleeps. Nora’s reaction - the shock, grief, rage, tears...reveals the suppressed parts of her psyche: anger and jealousy (emotions previously regulated or ignored), shame and guilt (recognition of her own emotional neglect or blindness), desire and vulnerability (confronted with Daniel’s potency and intimacy she hasn’t accessed). Malik’s words also trigger the Shadow - he reflects back truths Nora has been avoiding, showing her the hidden dimensions of Daniel and of herself. Just like in “Bad Education,” this is a moment that shakes the protagonist to the core, forcing her to face hidden truths. Nora’s curated self breaks under the force of unmediated reality - Daniel’s desire, Malik’s words, her own suppressed awareness and she is forced into raw self-reflection. The shock is painful, but it opens a path toward integration of her shadow, and potentially a deeper understanding of her marriage, desire, and herself. Let the journey begin...

The first scene evolves from punishment to collaring naturally because playful dominance escalates into sexual intimacy, trust, and subtle claiming. The belt moves from being a tool of spanking to a symbol of possession and closeness - a gesture of intimacy both men can handle, physically and emotionally. The collaring moment works almost like a symbolic “ring,” but what makes it so powerful is that it isn’t one. Lyn isn’t ready for the weight of love, promises, or anything that demands a future. The collar gives him intimacy without obligation - a way to feel chosen and wanted without having to name it, admit it, or reciprocate it openly. It’s a bond he can survive, a closeness he can accept, because he can still pretend it was “just play” if it ever becomes too real. Of many things, none important,” he replied. “Mainly, about how you’re so different from everyone else I’ve ever slept with.” Alexander grinned, clearly satisfied with this confession. “I would be. Isn’t it natural?” Alexander’s line “It’s natural” isn’t just playful bravado. On the surface, it’s his confident, teasing charm, but underneath, it’s a subtle acknowledgment of who he truly is - intense, unique, and extraordinary. At the same time, it invites Lyn to accept that difference without overthinking, letting intimacy happen naturally. It’s classic Alexander... confident, controlled, and quietly vulnerable all at once. “I like rehearsals,” Alexander said. “But this is like getting ready for an exam. Too much repetition might end up making you develop a bad habit of misunderstanding things. And then, you fail.” He returned to his book as if that was the end of the conversation. Alexander’s line about rehearsals goes much deeper than it seems. Even though Lyn already “passed the exam” with Brad during the climbing scene, that was a private test - just Lyn against his own heart. The wedding, however, is the public exam, where old roles, old expectations, and old ghosts could easily pull him back into who he used to be. Alexander senses Lyn’s tendency to overprepare and hide behind performance. That’s why he warns that too much rehearsal can make you “develop a bad habit of misunderstanding things.” He fears Lyn will stop living the moment and instead start performing it - and in doing so, lose the emotional truth he has finally earned. So, when Alexander says he likes rehearsals, it’s only on the surface. Lyn already did the real work - now he must not ruin it by overthinking. The heart exam is behind him, but the social exam (the wedding) still lies ahead. And Alexander doesn’t want him to fail by becoming the old, over-rehearsed Lyn again. In the scene after their playful punishment and collaring, there’s a quiet beauty in the domesticity of the moment. Lyn wakes beside Alexander, who is calmly reading, and the fact that he’s napping (something he rarely allows himself) highlights the trust and ease between them. It’s a tender glimpse of a shared future - the ordinary, everyday moments where closeness isn’t about passion or games, but simple presence. That contrast, between the wild, electric intimacy of earlier scenes and the soft, comforting domesticity here... makes the connection between them feel fully realized, heartwarming, and surprisingly real.

Careful - there’s a certain world-famous tennis player and an almost equally famous NBA star who are treated like deities in my country. 😂

We have a saying here: All our problems start from one mistake - we built our house right on the main road.

Well, I haven’t read the chapter yet, but the moment I saw the 'psychological thriller' tag, I thought - yummy!

@CasualWanderer82 is back from the shortest vacation in history!