ITL 124

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

“You’re just so easy to talk to.”

I was like, seriously, Anosanim?  Really?  Xio Voe is easy to talk to?

And then Diamond pointed out that, for someone whose primary source of conversation is Talin, yeah.  Xio Voe's pretty easy to talk to.

-Matthew

[blondiechic0]

*flails*

...

*runs off to read*

[blondiechic0]

Shit. I have a really bad feeling about this.

[Pagansrock]

Another wonderful chapter Matthew!  I am glad Kudorin and Xio Voe are getting past just sex and doing other things again.   

It is worrisome that Selorin has caught Hitari lying, but encouraging that Kudorin seems happy about the engagement.  Although it seems as if there might be some trouble coming first:

ITL 124   “Inanodat,” he murmured, as Hitari pulled Talin into a passionate embrace.  “Just remember to believe.”

Rini & T'rin are lovely together too

[LilacMajesty]

Lord God, Matthew - that chapter was a roller coaster ride for us Talin/Hitari fans.  But what Anosukinom had to say gives me hope. 

[JaeFire]

Favorite line in the whole chapter:

Xio Voe: "Do you suggest that they consistently leave someone behind but console themselves with the idea that they’ll have an inconveniently small carriage for many years?"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!     

As if I needed any more reason to love him!

- Jae

[monkeybrains]

Thanks for posting early. Now I don't have to hover around my computer all night. What will I do now? 

Hitari and Talin are engaged!!!
Part of me is happy due to Talin's swoon-inducing "I'll never let you leave me speech," but the other part of is screaming "Who lies about fashion?!!!"

Great chapter. It seems to me that each new post is even better than the last and painfully shorter. I'm so obsessed with ITL that I measure my time in relation to each new post. I probably should seek help. Is there a support group?

P.S. While reading, the strange thought occurred to me that this might be the Red Book while Kudorin and Xio Voe will have an extremely long courtship. Say it isn't so, Matthew!

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Rini & T'rin are lovely together too

Rini actually spent his evening reading a book on politics and mediation and other dry, boring things.  I no longer understand the world.

that chapter was a roller coaster ride for us Talin/Hitari fans

TALIN'S ENGAGED!   

"Do you suggest that they consistently leave someone behind but console themselves with the idea that they’ll have an inconveniently small carriage for many years?"

That cracked Diamond up.

the other part of is screaming "Who lies about fashion?!!!"

I know, right?

Thanks for posting early. Now I don't have to hover around my computer all night. What will I do now?

Thank you!  Also, you're welcome!  I recommend painting your toenails.  Anosanim recommends a nice warm shade of apricot.

Okay, let me get back to: TALIN'S ENGAGED!   

Also, I suspect that Xio Voe and Kudorin will have many "Anorian products are better than Jacacean ones!"  "No, they're not!"  "Yes, they are!" arguments.  What's good, though, is that Xio Voe's so convinced he's right, and Kudorin's so grounded in the truth, that it's more of an academic discussion than a personal one.  Xio Voe's so sure that Jacacean work is the best, he's not really threatened by assertions to the contrary.  And Kudorin knows, in an absolute sense, what the truth is, so he's not at all threatened by arguments against him.

And I would never, ever put it past Kudorin to argue something he knows isn't true, just for the sake of argument.

-Matthew

[LilacMajesty]

Sue and I have a theory about the fashion lies.  We think that Hitari simply agreed with Anosanim over some fabulous outfit when he really didn't like it very much.  So we think that it was a lie that doesn't really count.

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Selorin takes lying itself seriously, but no one takes lying about fashion seriously.

-Matthew

[SilverMoon28]

*WHA*!

Look at that!  I can read updates while I'm here!!  Heee!!!!

*squeals and goes back to reading*

I wonder what Anosanim would say if he could see the Colosseum, the Forum, the Opera House in Paris, and Big Ben...  Him and I could have fascinating conversations.  And why does Xio Voe not acknowledge the fact that he's wrong?  Kudorin is ominiscient -- he knows everything, including who has the best carriages.

*hugs Rini*  I love the way he's all excited about setting up the help the clans need!!!

EEEEEEEE!!!  Anosanim hugged Xio Voe!!!!

Oooohhh, go Talin!   had a feeling he'd do that immediately.

Matthew!!  I love it!!!!  First, you give us the beautiful Rainbow Room, and now you give us the Sphere Room!!!  My mind went nuts for a second!!!

Talin...

*blinks twice* yello... I just wasn't prepared for that one while my best friend was in the room, lol.

*wail* Why's Hitari lying about fashion?  What's the point of doing that?!

I officially declare that Xio Voe is insane.  Nobody in their right mind would dislike a hug from Rini.

Hi, Ritek!!!!!

*SQUEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*

HE SAID YES!  HE... HE SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I'M ACTUALLY *CRYING*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vani

[SilverMoon28]

“You’re just so easy to talk to.”

I was like, seriously, Anosanim?  Really?  Xio Voe is easy to talk to?

And then Diamond pointed out that, for someone whose primary source of conversation is Talin, yeah.  Xio Voe's pretty easy to talk to.

-Matthew

Diamond is smart.  * nods solemnly*

I scared the heck out of my best friend when I squealed earlier.  Eeeeeeeeeeee!!!  Marriage!!!  Lots of red!!!!  *dances with Liz*

Vani

[Diamond]

Matthew: Also, I suspect that Xio Voe and Kudorin will have many "Anorian products are better than Jacacean ones!"  "No, they're not!"  "Yes, they are!" arguments.  What's good, though, is that Xio Voe's so convinced he's right, and Kudorin's so grounded in the truth, that it's more of an academic discussion than a personal one.  Xio Voe's so sure that Jacacean work is the best, he's not really threatened by assertions to the contrary.  And Kudorin knows, in an absolute sense, what the truth is, so he's not at all threatened by arguments against him.

I love the two of them having an academic debate because Xio Voe controls his emotions too well to even begin to get emotional about carriages. And arguing about general information or opinion can't upset Kudorin because he knows everything about everything so there's no reason for defensiveness and he has nothing to prove by winning.

They could probably do it for hours and it would turn them on before it angered either of them.

LDoza: 2)  But hey..how about!

 “I,” Xio Voe repeated, “am wrong (!).”  STARE.
 “You’re mistaken?” Kudorin suggested, enjoying Xio Voe’s cold, even stare.

I loved that!

LDoza: AND!  SUCCESS! “Engaging in sex with you.  Assimilating Colg.  Why Anorian chefs find it impossible to provide a satisfactory Jacacean meal.     r.g.    Sex with K comes first!.. big breakthrough.

(See this is what I said, on the XV Fear thread.
 Xio Voe said, calmly, “Advancing the Jacacean Empire.  Ruling the world.  Engaging in sex with you.”
... so it is just his honest way of stratifying his priorities..
now we have to wait till he puts KUDORIN first.... it's coming folks.  (Right Matthew?) 

In my head Xio Voe is someone who doesn't just have a lot running through his head, I believe he is literally thinking of at least three things at all times simultaneously. That means that the order of importance is irrelevant because they are all happening at once.

What is significant is the times where Xio Voe lists something about Kudorin more than once. There is one point where all three things he listed were all about Kudorin. (If anybody knows where that quotation is, please let me know. I looked through several parts and I don't even know what to search for.)

I think we will have seen true progress when Kudorin occupies all of Xio Voe's brain power most of the time. For him, that will be love. 

LDoza: 4) I knew it. the stadium has to get finished...“I’ll finish the stadium myself, if I have to.  I won’t let anything stand in our way.”

I'm not sure what you are trying to tell us. You thought the stadium was related to the wedding from the beginning? Since the stadium will take a while, then you think this isn't the rainbow book yet? You knew that Anosanim might not get the stadium finished by himself? You knew that Kudorin would end up making a staduim before Anosanim could finish building one? You knew that once started, the stadium would have to be completed eventually? I think I need more details.

SilverMoon28: Matthew!!  I love it!!!!  First, you give us the beautiful Rainbow Room, and now you give us the Sphere Room!!!  My mind went nuts for a second!!!

the sphere room!


- Diamond

[LilacMajesty]

Diamond, darling - are you possibly avoiding the issue of Talin being engaged to Hitari?  :::hides behind Sue:::

[Diamond]

Diamond, darling - are you possibly avoiding the issue of Talin being engaged to Hitari?  :::hides behind Sue:::

LilacMajesty, sweetie, of course not.

There's nothing to avoid because they are not engaged. 

They haven't made an offering to Ilanosa. They haven't been blessed by a priest. So far, there has been a proposal, but no engagement.

There is still time yet, Samora, I'm on to you.  And when I figure out your game, I'm running straight to Talin and I'm telling him everything!  Mwahahahaha!

 


- Diamond <-Team Talin Deserves Better

[Falconer]

It was such a cool surprise to find the new chapter posted when I got home yesterday!    Thanks Matthew!

The twins are so cute and adorable! Talin yanking Anosanim on the carriage again, just knowing A. would want to stay with him while he paints Xio Voe.  Orinakin and Selorin finding themselves wearing the same outfit again! Though I wonder why Orinakin keeps being surprised, after all these years, you would think he’d got used to it.

Okay, so Xio Voe likes how A. takes care of his body, which has been described as surprisingly built and muscular. Unlike Rini, A. doesn’t wear tight clothes. People only notice his definition when he’s naked or when they hug/touch him, so Xio Voe must have noticed that when A. hugged him. He must have had a reaction to that! Did he expect the "excessively effusive" Anosanim to be have such a hot body? Is his nonchalance about it hinting at the fact that he *was* maybe a little bit surprised? He can’t not have been!

I wouldn't be surprised if Xio Voe himself had been one of the people to disassemble the Anorian carriages...

Ahem.  I had this whole theory about how Hitari is involved in illegal traffick of smuggled goods (Jacacean maybe?), but I just reread the chapter and this theory seemed a little too crazy. Especially since Anosanim never mentioned *why* he was concerned about Hitari’s improved monetary situation, and Hitari could just be lying for some banal reason. But then I went back and re-read the scene between Selorin and Orinakin and my crazy theory became less crazy. Because, if lying is like second nature to him and he doesn't really think about it, why would Hitari not lie around Selorin? It means that he's conscious about his lies. He lies to specific people about specific things. What's the big deal you say... well, I don't know. But anyways, so here's my crazy theory  :

So Hitari has been lying. About fashion. About his work. About money. (By the way, I love how A. figured it out on his own. Shows that he’s still looking out for Talin and hasn’t left his guard down). So, Hitari is doing something that’s related to fashion and that’s getting him money. It’s also something he feels the need to keep from Talin and his family because they wouldn’t approve. So we can deduce that it’s something illegal. But it’s also not something dangerous or highly criminal, because Kudorin knows of it and isn’t too worried about it specifically (he’s worried about how Talin will take it when he learns of it, but not about the deed itself). Selorin would certainly disapprove though. Reminds me of the Vade incident. Kudorin was willing to let it go because he knew that Vade wasn’t doing it out of malice. Same here. Hitari’s intentions are good, it’s just his methods that are screwed up. Okay, so what activity can we think of that’s illegal, gets you money, but isn’t dangerous or worthy of life imprisonment? The one thing I can think of is black market/illegal trafficking or something similar that’s not permitted in Orina Anoris.

Also, for all the money he’s making, Hitari still hasn’t moved out of his apartment. Why? Well, following my theory, because it serves as a meeting point or storage place for the smuggled goods. 

Why is Hitari doing it? Because it’s giving him the money he needs. Because he thinks it’s not a serious enough crime to hurt his relationship with Talin in a major way (he thinks he can get away with it). Because his morals are a little bit screwed up… the lines between right and wrong are a little bit blurry for him (many thanks to his father). And the thing is, he’s not going to get much help with this problem from Talin or Anosanim. He can get good help with these ethical problems (and this lying problem too) he has from the other siblings. I’m thinking Selorin specifically, but also Remin and Kudorin. So I definitely think the wedding will be good for Hitari in that sense. Just like Kudorin’s past suitors learned and grew from their time in the palace, Hitari will benefit from his interaction with the siblings. So far, there hasn’t been much of that.

About what Kudorin said ("Just remember to believe"): I think he’s referring to when Talin (or everyone else) will find out about Hitari’s lies (and possible activities). He also said: “you will learn for yourselves how strong love truly is.” Talin has to believe that Hitari is not “bad”, that their love can help them overcome this… 

Remember when Talin thanked Hitari for trusting him, Hitari didn’t say it back (he said thank you for loving me instead). Hitari knows Talin doesn’t (shouldn’t?) trust him, that he’s not worthy of his trust (yet?). That’s why he didn’t thank Talin for trusting him (he’s doing something he shouldn’t so Talin’s trust is/would be…misplaced). (But then, Kudorin has told Talin that Hitari was trying hard to be worthy of him, so why in the seven hells is Hitari doing whatever it is he’s doing that he feels the need to lie about?! ) 

Anyways, a bit far-fetched most of that. It's much less of a headache to think those lies didn't hint at anything major and were just casual, every day lies about something insignificant...   

Ritek and Anosanim: I really don’t think it’s the real deal for these two. Anosanim is so casual about him. It’s really good that A. has someone with him during this time when Talin might be settling down though.

I like how Kudorin and Xio Voe are talking about their marriage as if it’s a certainty, as if there isn’t any doubt about it at all. Even though they’re not engaged yet, even though they still haven’t worked out whether Xio Voe is staying or Kudorin going. They’re just, whatever. When we’re married, blablabla. Gotta love that.

  Stripping T’rin in the space of a heartbeat

Easy to do, when he’s only wearing a loincloth! 

Rini’s on a budget: Good. It’s good that Rini is learning now (before he goes to the Plains) about making do with limited resources. He’s going to have to deal with that every day over there, so it’s good. Whoever thought of limiting his budget is doing him a huge favor. (Since he’s doing all of this for the people of the clans, they could have let him use whatever money he needed, no?)



I apologize in advance for what follows, but I can’t help myself!! 

Hitari’s laughter was breathless.  “This is madness.”

Madness?! THIS . IS. SPARTAAAAAA!!   

[LilacMajesty]

OK  Great, now Falconer's got me REALLY worried about Hitari.  I wasn't before, but the smuggling theory makes some sense.  :::stops and takes a deep breath::: I just have to remember that Anosukinom said "You just have to remember to believe"   That makes me think that certain prejudiced parties :::avoids looking  at Diamond:::  are going to carry accusations and circumstantial evidence to Talin - but Hitari is going to be innocent of the charges. 

[Falconer]

OK  Great, now Falconer's got me REALLY worried about Hitari.  I wasn't before, but the smuggling theory makes some sense.  :::stops and takes a deep breath::: I just have to remember that Anosukinom said "You just have to remember to believe"   That makes me think that certain prejudiced parties :::avoids looking  at Diamond:::  are going to carry accusations and circumstantial evidence to Talin - but Hitari is going to be innocent of the charges. 

Well, my theory is a bit "out there" but I do think something's amiss. As you mentioned, what Kudorin said makes me think things are going to work out well ( ), and besides, we've got Hitari's back, don't we? 

[LilacMajesty]

Yes, we do - although my true loyalty lies with Talin.  lol

[mc_cart_ny]

In honor of this chapter I will change my font color to RED!I know, I'm a dork

Talin and Hitari are engaged!!!  

I'm so happy and excited!  I mean, I know they still have to go through Remin...but still!!!

I'm so happy for them! 

~McCartny~

[Rhia]

I'm going to play off Falconer's point, because I think it has something to do with fashion, but I'm going to guess smuggling of ideas, not smuggling of clothing. He's in designers' workshops all the time -- he sees a lot of new, exciting fashion creations while they're still in the works, before they reach the public's eye. I wonder if he's been leaking information from one designer to another, and being paid for it. We've had a few instances within the text where someone guesses that an article of clothing, based on the style, belongs to one designer or another... and ends up guessing wrong.

From chapter 84:

The ribbons were exquisitely made.  “Teresaniko?” he guessed, seeing Teresaniko’s style in the design, knowing that Teresaniko often added touches of jewels to even the most basic of items.

“Koramo.”

Koramo?  This wasn’t in Koramo’s style at all.  Talin was going to have to pay more attention to new trends.

From chapter 117:

“Good morning,” Anosanim said, pleased to see him.  He was, as always, impeccably attired.  “I simply adore the cut of your jacket.  Such a surprise, to see Lo Hasemakare working in blue again.”

“Thank you.  This came from Lo Tesamekin, actually.”

Astonished, Anosanim ran his fingers over one of the lapels.  “You’re teasing me!  This is just in line with Lo Hasemakare’s style!”

“I know.  I was as surprised as you are,” Ritek said.  “But I got it from Tesamekin myself.”

What makes it especially interesting to me is that it's Talin and Anosanim -- if anyone would recognize a designer's signature style, it would be them.


(Credit to Jae for giving me the ribbons quote and helping me find the chapter numbers, because I'm organized enough to save quotes, but apparently not organized enough to write down what chapters they come from.)

[LilacMajesty]

It occurs to me that outside designers more than likely take their cues from the Royal House of Art.  If the RHoA is paying Hitari big bucks, everyone else is going to start paying him more too.  And I reiterate that the "lying" is simply Hitari trying to be polite.  Then again, I may be a little biased.

[Falconer]

I'm going to play off Falconer's point, because I think it has something to do with fashion, but I'm going to guess smuggling of ideas, not smuggling of clothing. He's in designers' workshops all the time -- he sees a lot of new, exciting fashion creations while they're still in the works, before they reach the public's eye. I wonder if he's been leaking information from one designer to another, and being paid for it. We've had a few instances within the text where someone guesses that an article of clothing, based on the style, belongs to one designer or another... and ends up guessing wrong. [...]

What makes it especially interesting to me is that it's Talin and Anosanim -- if anyone would recognize a designer's signature style, it would be them.

Oh this is brilliant!  I never thought of that possibility, but it actually makes much more sense.

I don't see how/why that would be illegal though. It's wrong, but... I mean, why would he need to lie to Anosanim and Talin? About what? 

[Rhia]

Oh this is brilliant!  I never thought of that possibility, but it actually makes much more sense.

I don't see how/why that would be illegal though. It's wrong, but... I mean, why would he need to lie to Anosanim and Talin? About what? 

Because it's wrong, even if there are no intellectual property or industrial espionage laws in Orina Anoris (which there very well might be). I can't see Talin approving of Hitari's selling other people's ideas. As for why he would have to lie about it... well, what if Anosanim was gushing about some new design, and how innovative and creative it is, when Hatari really knows that someone else came up with the idea in the first place? Maybe not exactly that, but I could see how things he would have to lie about would worm their way into a conversation on fashion and work.

[Falconer]

Because it's wrong, even if there are no intellectual property or industrial espionage laws in Orina Anoris (which there very well might be). I can't see Talin approving of Hitari's selling other people's ideas. As for why he would have to lie about it... well, what if Anosanim was gushing about some new design, and how innovative and creative it is, when Hatari really knows that someone else came up with the idea in the first place? Maybe not exactly that, but I could see how things he would have to lie about would worm their way into a conversation on fashion and work.

  I see. And it would explain why Selorin would be bothered by it, but Kudorin wouldn't. It's not really a crime (as far as we know), but Selorin would hit the roof if he found out about it (just like he did for Vade)... and Talin and Anosanim would disapprove for sure. Great thinking on that one! 

[Susanne]

  I see. And it would explain why Selorin would be bothered by it, but Kudorin wouldn't. It's not really a crime (as far as we know), but Selorin would hit the roof if he found out about it (just like he did for Vade)... and Talin and Anosanim would disapprove for sure. Great thinking on that one! 
[/quote]


I think Selorin was more upset with Vade not because he told a lie because he didn't even no at the time what Vade did but because of this...

“I’m angry because I expect better.  You’re better than this, Vade.  You’re smart enough to think before you act and think before you speak.  Your trips here, your new work at home, your encounters with new ideas and new people, your new political experience, losing and sharing Bade, all of that has broadened and deepened you.  You hide your maturity well, but I know how good and generous and strong and well-meaning and bright you are.  Chapter 106

He new Vade did something wrong but he didn't know what....  But I can see where your coming from.

Like I was telling Liz I don't think it will be anything to big because Kudorin seemed pretty happy for Talin now if he were more upset or worried then I would be more worried. Im hoping it all just ends up being a big misunderstanding...

[Falconer]

I think Selorin was more upset with Vade not because he told a lie because he didn't even no at the time what Vade did but because of this...

“I’m angry because I expect better.  You’re better than this, Vade.  You’re smart enough to think before you act and think before you speak.  Your trips here, your new work at home, your encounters with new ideas and new people, your new political experience, losing and sharing Bade, all of that has broadened and deepened you.  You hide your maturity well, but I know how good and generous and strong and well-meaning and bright you are.  Chapter 106

He new Vade did something wrong but he didn't know what....  But I can see where your coming from.

I agree, and I'm referring to the same thing. I don't mean that Selorin would be upset (primarily) because of the lie (although that's also true), but more importantly because it's *wrong*. Even if it's not a crime, it's unethical, and Selorin would not approve. That was the case with Vade as well I think. He was upset because he trusted Vade to uphold values and principles Selorin knows he has.