Paladin

Seeing the fight between Ryder and Theo from the other side was a fun ride. Already knowing Danny and Vince's real roles makes a lot more sense of events, including why Ryder healed so quickly. I'm looking forward to more alternate POV of events we are familiar with.

I have profound respect for Huxley. A captain whose moral compass is as true as his ship's. His observations sharper than any lookout. All culminating with this: "When that happens," Huxley said, "a captain must act. He must protect his crew not only from the dangers without, but from those within." Excellent advice. It reminded me of the quote probably incorrectly attributed to Winston Churchill "The opposition occupies the benches in front of you, but the enemy sits behind you." Danger doesn't always lurk where you expect it. Pitt and Blake, take note.

I agree all that is possible. It could also be as simple as telling Nana that Jack didn't want to have anything to do with her. After all that is the approach they took with Jack. Saying Nana didn't want anything to do with him. At this stage I don't think the reason(s) for not being in contact with Jack are as important as what benefit will come from establishing contact now.

Just as Luke put it @chris191070. “Shut up,” Luke mumbled. “Everyone is just so much into you, it’s fucking annoying.” His "everybody" are clearly himself, Brad and Alexander. At the same time Luke can see the obvious “You’re really oblivious, my good dude.”. There's something else. Luke's comment “Nah. I enjoy the hell out of seeing her mad at me. It might come as a shock to you, but I have very little satisfaction in life right now.” Lyn was right in noticing that Luke's behaviour at dinner was very different from his previous behaviour in the group of four males. Brad repeats the "right now" when telling Lyn how pissed off he is about Luke. And how about when Lyn suggests that Brad hasn't known Luke for very long. Brad lost his smile. “What’s with the third degree, Lyn?” Is it possible that Brad has known Luke for longer than he has known Bella?

I'm really keen to meet Jack's Nana. So far she seems very positive but so far not strong enough to stand up to Jack's obnoxious parents. I hope that contact with jack will give her the strength she needs. 🤞 I can't get the image of Jonah in Amsterdam's red light district out of my head. I'm surprised they lasted in Amsterdam as long as they did.

An action packed start to the new story, with plenty of good and bad magic thrown in. In the end the good guys with good magic have prevailed. For now at least. I love phoenix/Kid Bondage and his sense of humour.

I'm happy there wasn't a messy threesome and happier that Carl and Ryan found each other, even if only for the short term. Maybe during that time they'll learn that being gay isn't just about sex.

WTF! I finally catch up and you do this to me. You, @andy cannon, deserve to be keelhauled but I'm sure you can write your way out of any punishment. A wonderful story.

I think, @Summerabbacat, you missed whose children they are.

Now, now @drsawzall, you're not at a pantomime (you didn't even get to shout, 'he's right behind you') with Noah as the villain. Although, come to think of it, a bit of cross dressing, especially Jonah, would fit right in. OMG I've started thinking of Jonah in drag. Wow!

Hang on @weinerdog, aren't these present day US kid's names? Nevada, Vivian, Griffin, Kai, Saxon, Damian, X Æ A-Xii, Exa, Strider, Azure, Techno, Arcadia, Seldon Lycurgus, and Romulus. Makes Phoenix and Joaquin seem almost normal.

Like everyone else I loved this chapter. Nick's mum inviting Tommy along for the day was an obvious setup, contrived by two mothers aware of their son's sexuality. Mothers can be loving and fail to respect confidentiality at the same time. Sharing "cute" and embarrassing infant photos is another example. Leaving condoms and brochures around shows she is accepting but also shows she is moving faster than Nick and Jack want to. She is entertainingly totally over the top accepting but embarrassing to the point of needing to pull back a bit. Jack is lapping up being part of a normal middle class family. It is something he really needs. The boys need to make the most of their break from school in their mutual and satisfying sexual exploration and deepening love. I fear that Noah is not one to take rejection lying down, as it were. He does expect his "charm" and insincere apologies to get him what he wants. Those are failing on Nick. What's his next strategy?

Three vowels and a consonant! Should be easy for me to write if I wasn't so listless and lacking in enthusiasm.

There are two physical things in this chapter that I think are significant. The first is Lyn was about to reply to the guy with a sharp retort, but a warm hand came to rest on his shoulder. Just as Lyn was watching Alexander interacting with with a group of students at the function, Alexander was more carefully watching Lyn. The hand is reassuring, protective and possessive. The second is Lyn grabbed his hand. No, he tried to, because Brad was faster and he just ended placing his hand over his. This was Brad getting between Lyn and Alexander physically and leaving Lyn once again holding his hand (literally and academically) rather than Alexander's. We know that "something happened" between Lyn and Brad at the end of College. That is still a mystery along with the lack of contact between the three of them since leaving Collage and what Brad has been up to during those years.

After two years Lyn is not only prepared to acknowledge and call Alexander a friend but also to protect him from being slighted by other students. That they are both honors students highlights their academic compatibility. Lyn's social inadequacy is also on display. Even then, Brad is lurking in the background ready to pounce when they leave the function and assert his claim over them.

Now choler as word of the day has highlighted a specific use and meaning of the word humour; a use that has nothing to do with being funny, no matter how much we might joke about it.

Quote: The words "Do Not Press" near a large red button induces a cacoethes to press the button anyway. Along with signs saying "wet paint".

Now we know that Jack calls Theodore "Theo" from their first meeting and Theodore is attracted (including sexually) to Jack from their first meeting. Why does Jack smell of cinnamon and is cinnamon scent significant? OK I'm ready to get on board for this ride.

Not much to add to the comments already made. I like this quote: “He doesn’t,” Lyn said in a clipped manner. His ass throbbed, and he wanted this dinner to be over already. He’d have to sleep on his belly. If Alexander’s fingers could make him feel like this, that monster cock of his had to be a real damage-dealer. “What can I say, man? The chick needs to leave the coop. I can’t be your mother hen all your life.” Lyn is doing three things at once: Defending Alexander answering for him; Justifying being less attentive to Brad; and Thinking of further sex with Alexander.

This chapter neatly captures the early days of the Nimbin community. People who were prepared to live roughing it, making do with what was available, using what can be repurposed and dreaming of their future, usually an alternate future. My memory (often fallible) is the the Aquarius Festival was a nod to the the song The Age of Aquarius from the musical Hair.

A very enjoyable story with room for much more. I keep remembering that Nick took photos of Jack's back after his last stay with his parents. Even without going through CPS it could be useful evidence while seeking help from grandmother. Mr J is appalling. Hopefully the school's review of Mr G will have him reinstated as house parent. 🤞

Well, truth will out and Mark and Jonathan are together. I'm still not certain about Carl. The sooner he gets a boyfriend the better. Threesomes are messy. The same for a twosome with a third wheel.

@Myr epitomizes perfection in his selection of word of the day for at least as long as I've participated in this blog.

Danny and Nate have finally admitted what their feeling are for each other. What else will this visit reveal about his sexuality and love? His biggest decision is about his future, and he has limited time to sort that out.

@Myr has chosen an alluring gif to complement alluring.