Conner

Happy B-Day, EC!!

Yes, Cody does have a special ability...Ringmaster. This could lead to an excellent career directing gay porn. That whole scene involving Max, Cody and Stef just blew me away....as it were. Loved it. As for Erik - exit stage right! Yes, Stef and JP together, so soon in the story, makes me wonder. Mind you, there are still a few other characters that need sorting out before this story is done, especially Marcel and Max and, of course, Cody. I'm wondering how Cody will react to JP and Stef together. I'm guessing he'll be ok with it; besides, he'll still be in there pitching to the lesbians! I don't understand what's going on with Marcel. He seems so out-of-character.

I don't know much about being a yachtsman, but I am familiar with all the duties of a cabin boy!

Excellent!! My retirement plan includes an annual pub crawl through Ireland. The crawl will last approximately 3 months. I do not jest about such serious matters. :2hands: I've been there twice, each for a 2-week visit. I just love the people. Well, at least I love the people found in the pubs. Oh, yes, now I remember, the story!! Excellent chapter, Mark! Had I lived in England at the time of this story, I would definitely have been a landlubber. North Atlantic winter storms just don't work for me, especially in a leaky ship. I was pleased that Granger was able to provide a solid position for Sir Phillip to use and, hopefully, save Hood's ass. With the exception of the Wilcoxes, our hero endears himself to just about everyone. Caroline is just marvelous! She's quite the woman. Given her size, I was expecting her to shriek at George, "You did this to me, you bastard!"

Happy Independence Day!!! Have a great celebration and a great weekend! Conner

That was really a surprising development with Erik running off to sulk. Turns out he's just a spoiled boy. Cody is definitely the alpha. Cody's new found emotional maturity continues to amaze me. He seems very much in touch with his feelings and has no trouble meeting them head on. He hasn't totally figured out what he wants from his relationship with Stef. I'm just thinking that, if he decide he wants Stef more permanently, he'll fight for him....and in spite of Stef's feelings for JP. JP and Stef as lesbians - what a hoot. Great chapter, Mark!

I didn't know weasels ate peanuts? I'm thinking an AK-47 or an RPG would do the job nicely.

Thanks for the Canada Day story post, Mark! I suppose Granger's frolicking days are coming to an end. With the worthy exception of Travers, of course. I'm curious as to how Caroline will react to Michel. I expect she'll have little problem with it given Michel's circumstances. But she is about to become a new mother in her own right. So what will happen with the 120-gun ship? No doubt the English will make use of it. Will Granger command her? Or will Travers be appointed her Captain? With her apparent lack of sea worthiness during storms, there's some foreshadowing here. Gulp!

Steve, I want you back online in time for the (much anticipated) Fall election. There's nothing like politics to get the fires going. It would be a total non-event without you! Hang tough, dude! :2hands:

If anything, I love Scott's character more. In this story, I see him as the rock that everyone else is hanging on to -well not everyone but you know what I mean. Furthermore, my sense is that Scott is well aware that he is the rock here and has accepted that role. Right now, these people are his family and he'll do whatever it takes to keep them out of harm's way. I can't agree with the comment that Scott doles his affection based on how needy a person is. He is compassionate, perhaps too much so for his own well being. His love and commitment to Josh is solid. There's not even a glimmer of doubt in my mind about that. As for Scott's interaction with Matt at the hospital, I liked the way he handled it. He spoke to him privately, told Matt he had messed up and told him to fix it. Scott had every reason to be pissed. It was Scott who had trusted Matt enough to set this Matt-Luc co-habitation thing. In any event, Scott's anger had the desired effect on Matt. Maybe part of the problem here was that readers were, for the most part, unaware of just how much pain Luc was in. It took Scott arriving and checking Luc out to set that in motion. It was Matt's job to look after Luc. In the end, I'm convinced there will be a Matt and Luc. I can just feel it. Yes, Duncan's going to drag us through hot coals before we get there, then, of course, there's the whip, but we'll get there....and will have loved the ride.

So, you do have a cruel side ...or is that evil I sense. Too bad I had to find out the hard way. I'll try not to take this personnally. It's just that I had this flash image of you flailing your readers with this whip, all the whilst shrieking, "Pain! Feel the pain!" Speaking of pain, that's Conner, with an er ending. :2hands:

Happy Canada Day to all Canadians at GA. Canada Day is the annual celebration of the confederation of Canada back in 1867. It's our July 4th. We're much younger than our American neighbours.

Well, everyone's feeling better. I know I am. That was a chapter and a half, Mark! Well done! Cody, the Healer! I like that! I truly believe that he's being sincere in his feelings toward Stef. Besides, he fully understands what could happen to him if he isn't. :2hands: At this stage, their age difference is not getting in the way. I'm unsure that their relationship can be longterm, at least romantically. I'm anxious to see how this develops. Is fisting making a comeback???

This chapter was excellent, CJ! We're into the thick of the action now! Yippee! Loved the water fight!

No on-screen sex in the latest chapter. I feel cheated! Mind you, a new midshipman is on board. I would have loved to have seen Travers' face when Granger signaled him to get the lead out. I wonder if he'll make Granger pay for that later. I really enjoy the banter between Hood and Granger. Still a fine chapter, Mark!

Really a superb chapter, Duncan! The way you described Josh's fragility in that last scene, it was just so moving. And Scott's words to him were so comforting, so caring, so tender. I'll be reading that scene again. I found myself wanting to skip over Luc's thoughts, especially when he was recalling his suicide attempt, such hurt, such pain. So everyone's a mess right now. Even the weather was lousy.

Well, Mark, you seem intent on proving the maxim, "Things always get worse before they get better." Poor Stef. I'm wondering if Cody is tuned in enough to support Stef through this latest blow. Super chapter!

This has to be one of the most pretentious posts I have come across in a long time. You write only "literature", do you? A "quality reader" is one who likes the way you handle sex scenes? That's all so marvelous! I'm sure you'll be a hosted author any day now.

Steve, I had a good look at your hospital pic. Heck, you look in better shape than I do and I'm healthy.

Lots of adventure in chap 18. Great job, Mark! Mr. Shafte has gone down to Davy Jones' locker. He was a sweet lad. We lost Devlin too. Keep this up, Mark, and Granger won't have to endure a self-imposed abstinence. It'll happen all by itself. Travers to the rescue.

Great chapter, Mark! I'm really glad Stef laid things out pretty clearly for Cody at the close of that chapter. :2hands: I think Cody got the message too. It's good that Stef realizes that he's still quite vulnerable. So, are we looking at Cody the Porn Star??? As for Marcel, he definitely needs to grovel.

They build men tough in Alberta....that's why Steve's there and I'm in BC. Yipes, Steve, ouch ouch ouch. Get yourself back here soon.

I enjoyed the exchange between Travers and Granger over Travers' career potential. The traitorous father thing is indeed a heavy burden. George did a great job building on his ego while at the same time letting Travers know that he will help him any way he can...specifically with his connections. For the young and proud who want to make it on their own merit, that's a tough pill to swallow. I sense Travers sees the reality of that situation. Great scene. George is going to amend his slutty ways??? Say it ain't so, Mark!!!

Well, there is that! I suppose I should have specified business talent. I just want Stef to build up an "entourage" like he had back in his slut days. Cody would be a welcome addition to Lou and Skip.

It's frightful when the readers have to moderate. I believe we were discussing chapter 7. I guess I'm going to have to abandon my theory about JP setting Stef up with Eric. JP is obviously quite smitten with him. That was really tough on Stef, though. It was great to see Marcel and Max again. I enjoyed the exchange between Stef and Cody. It was fun and the dialogue was great. So this is the point where Stef will discover some unique talent that Cody has and sets him up in business. Cody sells cell phones....not a lot to work with there...but we all know Stef.