W_L

It reinforces a (getting old) trope in LGBT stories, the evil manipulative bisexual character. I agree with you @Krista it's not my cup of tea either, despite the male nudity and erotic tones, it's a shallow expression of desire and greed without empathy like its main antagonist. As for acting, I've seen the Horror movie Killing of a Sacred Deer as well, Barry Keoghan is a great actor. He can appear innocent, but since I've seen his evil calculating character portrayal before, I wasn't shocked by what happens. Maybe, he got typecasted in my mind.

Well, a time-skip is about to happen, like in many modern animes and mangas, but I thought it was a good idea to time skip right around the New Years, so I hope folks enjoy this transition Christmas chapter.

It took five days to reach Hatch Beauchamp Manor in Somerset, five quiet days, where we kept our discussions guarded. It wasn’t fair to Frances but recognizing that she was a flimsily disguised spy had meant that my group of friends and comrades had to be extra careful. I was able to inform Puck, who informed the others about my suspicions regarding Frances along with the potential future connection to me. Puck rolled his eyes at me when I mentioned Elizabeth’s relationship with a different vers

Chapter 16 Some may ask: W_L: Why did you do a Christmas Special? chapter? My answer is I wanted to create a story that covers various things, including the celebration of Christmas, which is a major Holiday. Christmas Fete/feasts were common among the nobility, but it's rare to see similar celebrations for commoners or peasants during the 16th century. Additionally, one thing I did not mention in-depth for the novel was the old tradition of Fasting on Christmas Eve during the 16th century. The common practice was to deny yourself egg, meat, or cheese, so people sustained themselves on bread and water for Christmas Eve. Not sure if this practice continues among Christians. Just thought I'd share it. (I mean most folks, even the so-called devout Evangelical crowd appear to throw elaborate dinners on Christmas Eve in recent years and hasn't kept up with traditional Christian prohibitions. In the eyes of 16th-century Christian forebearers they claim to revere, they're committing a major affront to God.) As for the sex scenes, I think if I ever have a partner and we choose to adopt a kid, it's going to get uncomfortable to explain certain things. Then, you put that in the perspective of a 16th-century girl, who has never seen or heard about kinky sex that even modern people have a hard time dealing with (Roleplay, Power Exchange, and Dom/sub is a big can of worms). On the other hand, I see this revelation of kink not as a moment of shame or fear, but as a kind of awakening for a repressed and abused girl, who only sees the world under a medieval lens of roles. One interesting aspect from the BDSM angle, a lot of abuse victims, male and female, get into it to regain a sense of control and power that has been taken away from them. I am not saying being a Dominatrix will make sexual abuse traumas go away, but it can help reclaim autonomy for some women, something I am interested in exploring for Frances as she grows up. Female readers and LGBT male readers can chew on that bit for a while. As for the actual sex scene between our three horny teenagers: Eli, Francis, and Robert, it was hot and fun, but I kept it short as the kind of sex three people have is very detailed, you can describe only so much. What's more important was the revelation of Robert's ability: Molecular/Atomic augmentation. It's an interesting idea and something that would open a lot of doors for technologies that we rely on that require heavy industry and equipment to create similar byproducts through chemistry or physics. Of course, the dark side of this is that it opens the doors to other things like nuclear fission and fusion weapons. Also, it adds to the lore of Merlin, who was Robert/Jack's predecessor manifestation. That's how he could build a bunker with rudimentary steam power. (It doesn't answer how this power could exist though, but I will reveal that eventually.) Last but not least, the Christ comparisons with Eli. Many main fantasy and Science Fiction Characters share that comparison to Jesus Christ. However, in this case, it was intentional, because the religious devotion of the fair folk have towards Eli is basically messianic. He doesn't want it, but he needs it for the current issues at hand. I've hinted at it last chapter with Thomas Tallis' choice of the Christmas Day Hymn. Like his historical counterpart, Thomas Tallis is very devout and places all his energy in servicing his God. Where most fantasy fiction just hero-worships, mine actively deifies. This week's Law of Power is the 32nd law, "Play to People's fantasies", the concept is pretty simple as everyone has their own idealized version of reality. Frances desires to be like Eli and free herself from her traumatic demons. The elaborate master bedroom with warm water from a pump-action faucet in the 16th century was technically feasible, but unrealistic to achieve for people like Francis. As for the elaborate decorations of Bristol Castle, this entire are was made to show the progression and change that Eli embodies, granting hope to the visiting Fair Folk and furthering his following. Notes: 1.Big fan of Shakespearean characters: Nick Bottom is a weaver character from Midsummer Nights' Dream, he's in a throple with Tiania and Oberon. (LGBT interpretation of the play, if Oberon would just get over himself) He's in his thirtes just like Oberon and Titania in this story. Iago is a famous character from Othello, he's a villain. His villain attributes came from jealousy toward Othello, which will get played out at some point. However, at this point, he's just a college-age artist. Artemidorus is a minor character from Julius Caesar. He was virtuous and tried to warn Caesar of betrayal by writing him a letter that never gets read before Julius Caesar was stabbed. 2. As for the piping and hot water, solar-heated water containers were around during the Middle Ages, but the use of concave glass to collect sunlight for heat and black paint along with insulation were all used separately. I took a big leap with the idea of building a solar water tank, which would effectively provide a limited supply of running water to a large manor home. The water would still need to be boiled, but it would represent an important first step towards modern plumbing. 3. Robert's ability opens up a lot of ideas such as the creation of simple electronics. These could be used in things from radio to advanced rockets like the V-1 and V-2 (which were predecessors of the ICBM and medium-range missiles we have today). We know the Catholic forces have air power in use in Holy Roman Empire, so a natural and cheap counter to it would be the development of ballistic missile technology. Eli's fears of an arms race is well founded.

On the following day, I visited the Tower of London before Edward had a chance to send his letter releasing Princess Mary. The Tower of London was not the monolithic black tower that modern people imagined from fantasy movies, I learned from both my ability as well as visual analysis that it was a complex of smaller buildings with one gray-stone tower at the center, named the White Tower. The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, shortly after his conquest of Englan

Chapter 15 Well that was an interesting encounter with the future Queen Mary I. It also highlights some very real-world issues with people of a certain ideological ilk, who play off victimization. I will warn everyone right now, I am going to make sure Mary I earns the title of Bloody Mary that historical epithets have honored her with. Her purges were bad in history, but imagine them several times worse and far more encompassing with modern techniques of propaganda. For a moment though, I do want to give some credence to the complaints of the devil: Mary's life was turned upside down after her father King Henry VIII divorced her mother, then declared her a bastard. She was forced to become a servant to Elizabeth as Anne Boleyn was the new Queen, until Anne Boleyn was executed and Elizabeth also cast out as a bastard. Then, over the years, she was manipulated by various Protestant ministers using her as a bargaining chip for Catholic nations to seek alliances through marriages and material support, essentially she was whored out by England. Chief amongst her enemies would be the Church of England (Anglican Church) and their noble backers, who made her what she was. I want people to remember that angle of her personal grievances and anger, which she tries to mingle with the populist anger over Anglican reforms that removed freedom to use lands and unfair labor practices by Protestant nobility. She wants vengeance and blood, so do a lot of English peasants, who have been oppressed by greedy Protestants and the corrupt Church of England. As for my new character, Frances Howard has a different backstory than her historical counterpart, plus I changed her age. For one thing, GA guidelines forbids 40-year age gap relationships, even if they did exist in history. Frances Howard, Countess of Kildare was born in 1573, and Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1533, they were very close in the 1580s-90s and she was among Elizabeth's Female favorites, including exchanging ornate gifts. Elizabeth I was rumored to have lesbian relationships, so it wouldn't be out of place for her to fall for a teenage girl. Changing her to 12, while Eli is 17 reduces the age gap and makes any potential relationship less problematic in the future. She's also currently in a dubious position between Eli and Mary, likely a spy for Mary in Eli's camp. One more thing I do have to point out: Japanese Manga do sometimes stray into the uncomfortable realm of mentor/student love stories, where there's a slight bit of grooming. I pointed it out in the story with a popular heterosexual manga example, so I want folks to know I do know my subject matter issue. Eli isn't just a gay or bi protagonist, Eli is intersex. While Eli prefers males and so does Robert, it wouldn't be a problem to introduce the "right" girl in. There's a sexual commentary portion here about heterosexual girls, who want to be involved in gay relationships, but they aren't willing to share or offer anything to the males involved. It's an anecdote of something I learned through friends about the difference between hetero and bi girls, there's a willingness to reciprocate and share. My favorite part is introducing the famous English Composer and Musical Renaissance guy, Thomas Tallis. He is famous for his choir and musical compositions, being among the best during the 16th-century Northern Renaissance. He is also a member of the Coven with an innate skill to use various musical scores from around the world and across time. Music theory is a science in itself and mastery of music should not be discounted. This week's law of power is the 3rd law, "Conceal Your Intentions", Frances acting as an obvious plant is one example of the inability to conceal intentions from Mary's point. However, the presence of Thomas Tallis acting as an informant for the fair folk and subversive secret agent with good intentions in London plays off a lot of intent. --------------- Note: 1. Thomas Howard, the father of my fictional Frances Howard, will be released by Mary to lead her military forces against various threats to her reign in history. I am going to play up this fact in the story 2. I love Christmas Carols, but a lot of our modern Christmas songs were not played in the 16th century like the Hymn for Christmas Day is an 18th-century creation. 3. Stephen Gardiner is not seen, but you should probably think of him as Mary's top aide and papal agent, who orchestrated the reconciliation with the Catholic Church and England during her reign. Historically he presided over the trials and executions of several notable Protestants, including Thomas Crammer, who I've mentioned before. He represented the forefront of the Counter-Reformation movement in England.

Some historical knowledge and characters to add into this alternate history story.

@Dariusz Alexander Best Stephen King Film Adaptation: For me it was Shawshank Redemption which was taken from Stephen King's Anthology of short stories, Different Seasons. This series of short stories also brought two other films Apt Pupil and Stand by Me, it's a testament to the writer and screenwriter adapting the source material that these stories could be expanded into full movies that have a lasting impact on people. Now in terms of the LGBT themes, there's a subtle romance between Red and Andy, along with the notorious issue of prison rape. Additionally, the theme soundtrack for this movie was used in Brokeback Mountain by Ang Lee.

Queer Film studies do exist, I wish I am still in university to take it as an elective, but alas, 2000s only had simple overviews on LGBT films and culture. The Birdcage from 1996 had good actors and, for its time, it was a good movie that explored various themes that were far ahead of the mainstream, i.e. Gay Parents and Normalization issues. However, despite Robin Williams and Nathan Lane (who is openly gay) being superb actors, it feeds into stereotypes about gay/bi males. Nathan Lane being in drag for most of the movie along with the oblivious conservatives being in a gay dance club, but after a few scenes, it went downhill. Robin Williams gained fame for his comedic timing as Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993, but he was very subdued in the movie with few jokes or comedic zingers. In contrast, Nathan Lane being openly gay was overly flamboyant and tried to carry every joke with the idea that he was impersonating a woman. They didn't feel right in their acting or behavior. Now in comparison to another comedy of the same era, In and Out from 1997, which I thought was a better comedy portraying a gay man's discovery of his sexuality, dealing with themes of social acceptance, and at the same time having unbelievable plot twists, comedic moments, and turns. Kevin Kline and Tom Sellick may not be gay, but they played their gay characters very well. It was funny without being stereotypical and dramatic with hard issues like discrimination at the workplace for your sexuality. That's comedy that doesn't rely on "Oh look it's gay". My point to you @Zombie is that there can be really bad issues in gay comedies as well. For every good comedy and dramedy with LGBT themes, there are also some innocuously bad ones too even with great actors who have played LGBT characters or are in our community. ----------- For me, the late 90s was the beginning of mainstreaming for LGBT-films out of the film festivals/small screen and into movie theaters with wide distributions. There are a lot of international films that we can explore beyond US/UK, from Brazil to Taiwan, there's no shortage of LGBT films.

@Zombie Gay comedies or dramedies movies are also poorly casted and acted a lot. Yes I love snark and wit along with overacting characters, but when your joke is a stereotype, it falls flat after a few scenes. Even classics like The Birdcage hasn't aged well due to stereotypes of LGBT people. Love the situational comedy, but cringe at the stilted acting. Even with happy endings, these movies deliver a lot of cringe acting and scenes.

When we reached the outskirts of London, I had Francis and the triplets separate from me to acquire taverns near the four main roads that connected with each of London’s main gates. The money that I acquired from the trove at Robsart estate was unavailable, but I still had the money I brought with me from Somerset and Bristol, which would be equivalent to $4 million in modern money, more than enough to make the purchases I sought. A tavern near a main road in London would provide news and rumors

Chapter 14 We're back in London! This time I will give you a little geography and some background. There are a lot of details regarding the manner of the gate that you enter and the type of welcome you get in London as a person with a noble bloodline. It's something I should have mentioned during the first entrance to London, but I didn't as it didn't feel right to add that level of etiquette to the early chapters of the novel. While I do have some working knowledge, limited as it is, of the historical etiquette during this era, I am not a big fan of it. However, as I am showcasing exchanges and discourse between nobility and ranking, I wanted to establish a light touch of that medieval structuralism that still held sway in this era. Also of note, William Paulet, aka the equivalent of the Finance Minister or Accountant of English Government is introduced. In the movie Elizabeth and Elizabeth Golden Age, his role is replaced primarily by William Cecil, but in history, they were both important members of the domestic court of Elizabeth I. Trusted advisors in economic and social policies, they shepherded England through a lot of reforms that helped invigorate and improve England's national strength. The idea of taxing Church lands for revenue and resale was considered, but it was never implemented. One interesting concept here is the potential of foreign intervention through investment, which modern nations like Sri Lanka with China and South American debt with US have seen in recent decades as detrimental to national health and economic productivity. Japanese Isekai manga and anime authors differ in style to me in this regard to economic interests, while I see the merits of foreign investment, I see a major problem with national security. Instead of Colonialism and Mercantilism which were the historical course for England along with the rest of Europe, I am setting my sights higher on a new brand of economic expansionism. One important aspect that I want to end upon the ascension of Eli in the future would be the Sumptuary Laws. Not many people know this as it was not taught in Public Education, but it was part of advanced studies in Early Modern European History, there was a structural forbiddance of commoners or peasants from wearing or purchasing certain materials that nobles could wear and have. Such limitations were economic chokepoints that an Industrial nation like England had to contend with for hundreds of years. It was a backward law that inhibited fabric makers, weavers, and others from maximizing the resources of England. Now as for Edward VI, was he gay or bi? Historical evidence is out on him. Lots of English kings had male favorites and sleeping in the same bed was not out of te ordinary back then. He supposedly had female lovers and mistresses as well in history, but I focused on his male lovers more. Edward VI's personality is actually borrowed from Edward II, who was supposedly a gay bottom. I found the idea of a young emotionally weary gay teenager surrounded by merciless courtiers and finding love with his male servant quaint. Barnaby Fitzpatrick was one of his favorites and he did make elaborate meat carvings and dish presentations for Edward (Barnaby is an early example of a food stylist, Medieval Queer Eye should probably offer I'm a job ). As to Puck, he's not bound by any lover or relationship, so it was natural for him to accept being a third. (I did hint Ambrose Dudley was his type, but let me point out that Ambrose is too committed to his own family to form a deep relationship at the moment, it's one of those background things that I may need to explore in Res Publica Christiana short stories). Jean-Paul Sartre's philosophies on existentialism permeate the story: "Existence precedes Essence" is a concept that one is born with certain parameters, while one develops certain traits. Edward may be a good person at heart, an innocent gay kid, and someone Eli can identify with as a true sibling, but he was born a male heir to the throne. With that Edward inherited schemers and courtiers all vying to use and abuse him for their own power games. This week's law of power is the 24th law of power, "Play the perfect courtier", which is displayed various times in the chapter from making friends with powerful nobles to forming strong bonds with a group of like-minded allies. Eli was courting men like William Paulet and King Edward VI through selective identification of their needs and interests at different times. Notes: 1. There are many gates of entrance in London, Here are all ofthem: Ludgate, Newgate, Aldersgate, Cripplegate, Moorgate, Bishopsgate and Aldgate. 2. Sumptuary Laws began to be removed in the 17th century, but mercantile laws remained for centuries that limited access to certain materials, despite the development of spinning wheels and water mills that could have pushed for an earlier industrial revolution. For instance, Adam Smith, considered one of the fathers of Capitalism, was an opponent of Sumptuary laws and their protectionist descendants in Mercantalist economic model. When you consider why I labeled my story as Libertarian Sci-Fi, you can probably associate that to this political assertions on the principles of freedom. (Note: In the past, my political thought would be considered Consevative, but as modern Conservatives have become protectionist (though still falsely championing freedom to assuage some guilt), my stance no longer has an alignment and as such I'm not a Liberal or Conservative.) 3. Historically, yes, Robert Dudley would have been in Edward's Court and (maybe a potential love interest as Edward was into older boys as his favorites), but I am not going to play that kind of Soap Opera drama yet

It's why I loved my dog. He was manipulative but willing to accept a bitter pill as long as you can give him bacon Plus sleep-wise, dogs are better cuddlers than cats.

I always thought you'd be a tough love sort of pet guy with a bit of denial to balance out the affection. So you do have a soft side?

Your cat sounds like tsundere, he probably will get lonely if your lap isn't there to settle his claw on or your face isn't beaming when you cuddle him. If this were any BL/MM gay romance, you just need to give him a few days of the cold shoulder and visit a few friends with other cats to get their scent on you, he'll get jealous and possessive We've seen temp dip below 27F/-2C, I wish I had my old dog, who loved to cuddle. However, he also had an angry and destructive streak, when he didn't get his way. He was timid around other dogs but seemed rather fond of a neighborhood male cat.

Thanks, I can write sexy times just as well as any other author Sex between 3 people is complicated, Isekai genre is renowned for poly heterosexual relationships, so taking inspiration from that genre to create this story, I had to find a way to functionally translate the concept.

Chapter 13 After a chapter of down and dirty trench warfare (a taste of what I want to do for the big battles in the future Maybe ). I wanted to address our favorite star-crossed lovers/partners. Robert and Eli have this interesting sexual roleplay thing in their relationship, beyond just the BDSM stuff they experimented with. Here's the thing with sex, it's not just about the penis and an human orifice, there's a deeper connection and meaning. Pleasure is what everyone feels, if you're doing it right, but the connection that people feel with really good sex is beyond words. As for the silent presence of Francis Walsingham, let's just be honest, it's complex relationship when you have 3 lovers. I was thinking along the lines of Mary Renault's treatment of Alexander the Great with Hephaestion and Bagoas, sure they might bicker and want the attention of their mutual love, but in the novels, I think they found a compromise between bedroom, war room, and living. I don't know if real life poly couples can be as understanding as those 3 or are secretly trying to kill the others to be the only one, but I'm using her concept as my template. Of course, this is an open relationship, especially with Eli being an Omega Eli doesn't cheat, but I am playing with Isekai rules and gender is not an issue with partners. As for the historical stuff, yes I do know that historical Robert Dudley died 15 years before Elizabeth I. Interestingly he died about a month after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. You can expect Eli will not let that happen to him, but you never know where the winds of fate might blow for these two. History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme. They have 38 years to figure out how to deal with that and they're still teenagers. This week law of power is the 7th law of power, “Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.” Consider the actions taken by Eli to secure Norwich first, while John Dudley went off to fight the rebels in a hard fought battle outside the city. While he was sure to win, the drain on his resources were severe, losing 1/3rd of his army in death and limiting 1/3rd by injuries, so his power is down to 1/3rd of his original historic strength. Eli gained the credit for the victory in the eye of those civilians in Norwich rather than the John Dudley, which is far more important. Also, administratively cleaning the cities numerous issues such as the various land disputes that spawned the conflict, holding trials for rebel leaders and sympathizers, and re-establishing trade as a major agricultural hub for Eastern England improves Eli's reputation as a good leader and judge of character. ------------------------------- Notes: 1. Robert Dudley died on September 4th 1588 in history 2. The quote attributed to Kublai Khan's adviser is "I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback." It's a famous adage for conquerors, who want to built nations.

In the week that followed the battle, the remaining troops of William Parr withdrew back to Northampton along a circuitous route heading northwest before turning south. I had Cordelia and the three companies of medics follow them, along with all the rescued boys from Robsart estate. The mortar companies provided daily barrages on Mousehold Heath and the city of Norwich’s gates, to give the illusion that we were planning a renewed assault on either of their strongpoints as we withdrew. I told the

Question will anyone read this book that was just released today (and found itself in my recommended list on Amazon)? The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life: Lessons Learned About Love and Death, Sex and Sin, and Saving the Best for Last I am 30 years younger than the youngest guy among these gay guys, but I am interested in history and culture. Seems like a book some of our older members might be interested in.

Well, I don't know, it's not like I reviewed that book 😛 (Call Me By Your Name is poetic, but after re-reads, it grows more melancholic after reflecting at the transitory nature of affections.) As for the movie, it made Timothee Chalamet the guy you wanted to fall in love with @Dariusz AlexanderGood choices for films, I don't review as many LGBT films as I do books, but I did enjoy God's Own Country.

You'd be surprised at how few people of that persuasion like to cuddle To me good cuddling should not have any pajamas, but maybe I am just too free for certain folks

@PrivateTim inspired this thread with his question on promiscuity, it made me think about the nature of attachments and relationships. Interesting thing I've noticed over the years, despite the romance novels I read and write, there's a noticeable lack of cuddling among gay/bi guys that I've dated. I haven't had any long-term relationships greater than 6-months, but I wonder if it's a lack of partners or a lack of physical interaction when I think deeper. (Sexual interaction aside, cuddling is a separate pre and post-sexual ritual of intimate embrace.) There was an interesting entry in Psychology Today relating to the efficacy of Cuddling as beneficial to human bonding that relates to this effect: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-communication/202204/4-reasons-couples-should-cuddle-more There's no study on the subject of the various kinds of cuddling among various kinds of partners, but the human touch is known to promote chemicals related to pleasure and elation within the body. I am wondering if this actually ties in with cuddling based on personal experience.

@Zombie That makes me want to binge The Great British Bake Off Thanks for the reminder !

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Who watches the watcher?) comes to mind. People will have a problem discerning human creativity and AI creativity at some point if all restrictions are lifted. (moral and ethical content qualms aside, we are afraid of AI's self-awareness as well.) Creativity from graphical and virtual landscapes will be enhanced to the point of near-realistic mimicry at some point. I can foresee a Black Mirror-like future for AI technologies, creating something new.

I love offering gay book reviews for folks on here. I might not be the New York Times or a famous literary critic, but reading so many gay books has helped me understand the various specialties within gay fiction. I know other folks do book reviews on their blogs or one-off reviews, but I sincerely hope someone else will join me in this venture and open their opinions on reading materials for wide consumption as reference material.