ITL 126

[Diamond]

Does Anosanim have a hysterical breakdown over Talin's lack of outfit? 

How will things go at dinner? 

Is anyone truthful enough to tell  that he has lettuce in his teeth?

Find out all that and more in part 126!

[LilacMajesty]

Diamond, you are such a tease. 

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

About the first scene:

Okay, I was heartened by it, because it shows that Hitari's clued in, he's aware of their dynamic, he sees that something's amiss.  He asks Talin, “Aren’t you going to do your hair?”  When Talin waves the issue away, Hitari comes back again, pressing: “You don’t want to get some lipstick or change your shoes?”

Diamond was like: Hitari barely even tried.  He's super-seductive Hitari, if he really wants Talin to do something, he'll make it happen.

I was like, when Hitari first entered the room, Anosanim was already there.  Hitari assumes that since Anosanim's not pushing the issue, maybe they already covered it before he got there.  With Anosanim in the room, with Talin dismissing the whole thing, I think that Hitari's doing the right thing: bringing it up, but not overstepping.  Anosanim's used to being the caretaker, but Hitari's used to Anosanim in that role, too, and assumes that if Anosanim's not covering it, he'll leave their dynamic up to them.

Diamond was like: Whatever, he's Hitari, he's evil.

So, I don't know.  Do you think that Hitari should've pushed more, or did he do the right thing by letting it go?

-Matthew

[LilacMajesty]

I'm scared.  I'm really scared.  Hitari giving Talin a weak smile like that.  My theories are crumbling into the dust.  But Ritek did an excellent job!  I am firmly in his corner now.  I just........don't do this to me Matthew!!

[Diamond]

Diamond was like: Whatever, he's Hitari, he's evil.

So, I don't know.  Do you think that Hitari should've pushed more, or did he do the right thing by letting it go?

I didn't say he's evil (in this conversation).

But I did say that if he and were as close as  says they are, he would have made put on something for 's sake.

He just walked in and went, "Hey, you changing?"

"No."

Looks at  then back to "You gonna wear lipstick?"

"No."

"Alright let's go."


What was that?! You know how feels about 's lipstick! Obviously whatever went down before he got there didn't sway , but he wasn't in a mood or upset so Hitari could have pushed. I think he should have walked up to , wrapped his arms around  's neck, kissed him sweetly and said, "Come on Talin, just a little lipstick. And why don't you let me do something with your hair? It'll take two seconds and it will make your brother happy."

isn't trying to make this into a test for Hitari, but if it were, he would have flunked today!

Excuse me, I have to cuddle . 

- Diamond

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Hitari giving Talin a weak smile like that.

That smile told me that Hitari's self-confidence is zilch.  But I'm open to other interpretations.

-Matthew

[blondiechic0]

OMG. Some parts had me laughing sooo hard!!

All they all have to do with Bade, Vade,  and  .

Case in point:

“Poor Vade,” Selorin said, managing to sigh pitifully and smirk at the same time.  “Does it threaten you, suddenly to have a younger, sexier, more powerful younger brother?”

            Crossing his arms over his chest, Vade glared at Selorin.  “No, Desin doesn’t threaten me at all.”

            Bade started laughing.  Orinakin tugged on Selorin’s hair and said, “You earned that one, Diki.”

LOL

            Unable to catch Anikira’s attention, Orinakin shot Bade a look.

            Right, Bade agreed.  Then he hesitated.  What?

            Orinakin shot him the look again.

            Bade blinked at him, mind blank.  I…  You want me to...  He glanced down, checking his laces.

            Rolling his eyes, Orinakin found Selorin, shooting him a look.

            Selorin glanced at Vade.

            Vade frowned, baffled.

            Selorin did it again.

            Vade felt so perplexed, Orinakin almost laughed.

            Selorin gave Vade a look, tipping his head slightly to one side.

            Vade’s comprehension flooded Orinakin, and Vade looked at Bade.

            Oh!  Bade turned to Anosanim, touching his arm.  “I like your bracelet.  Is it new?” is amusing too, but the ensuing conversation is the best...

            “Maybe he should,” Orinakin said.  “Bade, how do you not know ‘talk to Anosanim?’  He was sitting right beside you!”

            “I don’t know,” Bade said helplessly.  “I thought you wanted me to step on a bug or throw my wine on someone.  I couldn’t tell what you were asking me for.”

            “Why would I want you to throw your wine on anyone?” Orinakin asked, laughing.

            “I don’t know about the wine,” Vade said, “but Selorin gave me the ‘step on a bug’ look twice.”

*dies of laughter*

Anosanim had a good one too.

            “I’m not used to having a boyfriend,” Anosanim confessed.

            A dry yet amused chuckle.  “Neither am I,” Ritek admitted.  “But you are unlike any other man I’ve ever known.”

            Smiling, Anosanim met his eyes.  “It’s the hair, isn’t it?” HA!

I also lol'd at Desin.

            “If Talin gets married, Anosanim has to get married next,” Anikira said.

            That kind of made sense.  “To Ritek?”

            “Not Ritek,” Desin said firmly.  “If Kudorin marries Xio Voe and Talin marries Hitari Samora and Anosanim marries Ritek Lesano, whoever gets married after that is going to let me choose their husband, because you’re all making the worst decisions in the world.  Stray cats choose better partners than you do.” 

Ouch, Desin. Ouch.

Talin and Anosanim broke my heart. You two!! Get it together!

And Xio Voe is learning!!

[LilacMajesty]

I like how both Bade and Vade intrepted the looks as "squash a bug".   I think this is just another small sign of how much Vade and Selorin are meant for each other.   

[Magical_Jen]

Diamond was like: Whatever, he's Hitari, he's evil.

So, I don't know.  Do you think that Hitari should've pushed more, or did he do the right thing by letting it go?

I didn't say he's evil (in this conversation).

But I did say that if he and were as close as  says they are, he would have made put on something for 's sake.

- Diamond

I don't  know what to think about Hitari anymore. I think your right Diamond he could have made a bit more effort to make him change his clothes. I mean it their freaking engagement dinner and I feel like he wore the equivalent to  track pants and a holey high school shirt. It kind of insulting. Wouldn't the rest of the siblings notice that Talin didn't make an effort to dress nicely? On the other hand after reading Matthew's explanation i get why it had to be that way. If aAnosanim had made even the little fuss I feel like Talin would have changed, he's not the one creating the distance.  Anosanim, Talin and Hitari need to have a talk.

What I found most troublesome is the way that Talin and Hitari are dealing with Hitari's family situation. In theory Hitari's plan of bring his family to the palace so they can have a kind of home court advantage seem idea, but it also kind of looks like they are just avoiding a difficult situation. I'm really glad that Hitari wants to protect talin, I actally found that kind of sweet but i think he need to be able to trust Talin's ability to handle his family in any situation.

Anywho I really adore Anosanim and Ritek together and I loved that they have taken steps to solidify their relationship.

I want a double wedding so bad.

[SilverMoon28]

Yay!  Chapter 126!!!  Happy Saturday to me!!!

Let us start with the Live Feedback...

(one simple necklace, just one, at the very least)

It amazes me that, even though and are twins, they're so different.  Poor Anosanim would like for Talin to dress up a little... I love that.  Can't wait to see what he does for the wedding!

Ok, I burst laughing at...

Or, if your brother married my brother.

I'm weird, leave me alone!

Rini could marry Tiko.... did that sentence just scare anyone?

*squea squea squeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa*

He’d enjoyed his hours with Anosukinom, conversing, learning, disagreeing.

*SQUEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA* 

It's starting!  It's starting!!  If he feels that he ejoys Anosukinom's company more than anyone else's... IT'S STARTING!!!!  *throws black confetti around*

LOOK AT THAT!!!!!!!!!!! 

Waiting until the woman seated beside him had finished commenting on the dinner’s wine, he said, “You mentioned your husband.  How did you meet him?”

He really *is* making an effort!!  Anosukinom's going to bounce on clouds when he hears that Xio Voe's actually asking people about... mundane stuff!!  Because it's mundane in Xio Voe's world!!  And... *squeaaaaaaaaaaa*

“You’ve proposed!”

Okay, I actually teared up... Matthew, you're officially one of my favorite authors.  Not many authors have the capacity to make me cry.  *sniffle*

Ohhhh!  Kudorin's all happy!  Does that mean that everything's going to be all right?!?!  Does it??  Does it?!?!? 

Whee!!

Moving on...

I'm crying again!!!!  Kudorin's ready to welcome Hitari into his family!!!  *SOB*

What had he been doing for all of these years?

Oh!  Anosanim!!  You silly prince, Talin always loved you first!  *chin trembles*  Okay, I don't want Anosanim to be unhappy, it's Anosanim!  He can't be unhappy!!!

Don't you love the way Vade's so responsive to Selorin?  A mere look and he undestands him.  Okay, two looks and a head gesture, but still.  Selorin and Vade Forever!!

“Not Ritek,” Desin said firmly.  “If Kudorin marries Xio Voe and Talin marries Hitari Samora and Anosanim marries Ritek Lesano, whoever gets married after that is going to let me choose their husband, because you’re all making the worst decisions in the world.  Stray cats choose better partners than you do.”

 

Again, this is a lesson for me not to eat or drink anything while reading anything Matthew writes.  Too much of a risk to... choke.  I'm laughing so much I'm crying again.... 'step on a bug' look... what the Howie, man...

Or were they moving quickly because they both recognized, finally, how right this was?

Oh, for the love of... Anosanim's the one who was resisting everything!  Granted, Ritek was a bit of an ass earlier in the book, but still!!!

And Anosanim is a little... lol, well, he's quite aware of how hot he is.

“It’s the hair, isn’t it?”

Silly!!!  I love it!!!

Wow... this post is a heck of a lot longer with the quotes!!!!

“I’d take your advice on how to dress, undress, or anything else.”

*ahem*  I'm still not sure whether Ritek is right for Anosanim, but he certainly doing the right thing now by making him laugh and telling him about his sister

Yow... from tender to... Okay, so Kudorin obviously knew that Ritek would make Anosanim feel much better.

First we have the 'step on a bug' look, and now we have the...

“you’re a bug, but you might be interesting enough to dissect”look

What is it about buggy looks this chapter?  Warn me if I should start worrying about spiders :p



Yes, Rini has to have a philosophy.  That is, only when he talks to Xio Voe! *giggle*

Yet Xio Voe spoke to him as Xio Voe spoke to anyone, not choosing simpler questions or kinder words, expecting him to be able to bear the same interrogation as Orinakin or Remin.

I like that even though Xio Voe doesn't necessarily like Rini (yet), he respects him enough to talk to him as an equal - or at least as someone who's been well-educated.  You know what I mean.  That sentence sounded a lot better in my head.

  ha!  Rini should know that his brother is going to find any possible way of talking to his beloved.

Well of course Talin needs Anosanim!  When did Anosanim get these ridiculous ideas about Talin not needing him?  Just because he's getting married doesn't mean he's going to stop loving his brothers!!!  Hmph.

SEE?  Talin's looking for him!  Anosanim's going to feeö wretched in the morning knowing that he missed Talin when he was looking for him!

Math frequently struck him similarly.  Logical, reasonable, cold, clinical.  Math was sterile.

Math is *what*  Logical?!  Resonable?!  Methinks Xio Voe is nuts.  Cold yes, frozen, even.

HE'S FALLING IN LOVE WITH ANOSUKINOM!!!! 

[anaskee]

And Xio Voe is learning!!

Yes, Xio Voe is thawing!   

Once again, he was unquestionably the most powerful person at the table.  He found that, for the first time in his life, he didn’t prefer it.  He’d enjoyed his hours with Anosukinom, conversing, learning, disagreeing.  The people surrounding him now were well-meaning, but they had little to offer him.

            Spearing another forkful of salad, he examined that assumption.  Anosukinom would disagree with it, and so he reconsidered it.  It was, of course, true that they had little to offer him in the realms in which he was accustomed to learning.  They would provide no fresh insight into any academic disciplines.  However, they could offer him plenty of perspective into their own lives, their personal histories, their life’s courses.  Into local customs and…what else?

            What else, indeed.  He’d never know until he learned it, would he?

            Waiting until the woman seated beside him had finished commenting on the dinner’s wine, he said, “You mentioned your husband.  How did you meet him?”

            Surprise widened her eyes, and she choked, coughing.  “Yes, excuse me, Your Highness.”  She coughed again, recovering.  “Yes, I did.  It was a few years ago, in Hesul…”

It's very hard to see if Xio Voe is being changed by what  is teaching him since we usually don't see Xio Voe interact with other people, just with  .  But now, he's on his own and he's really trying to change!  I think the ice that is Xio Voe will not suddenly crack.  I see him thawing slowly until he's a nice cool puddle of water.

“Bade, how do you not know ‘talk to Anosanim?’  He was sitting right beside you!”

            “I don’t know,” Bade said helplessly.  “I thought you wanted me to step on a bug or throw my wine on someone.  I couldn’t tell what you were asking me for.”

            “Why would I want you to throw your wine on anyone?” Orinakin asked, laughing.

            “I don’t know about the wine,” Vade said, “but Selorin gave me the ‘step on a bug’ look twice.”

Two sets of twins, two sets of unspoken language.  These four need to mesh their assortments of meaningful stares.   But that part was hilarious

I am still not sure of Ritek.  I'm still thinking  needs someone greater.  But Ritek gets major points from me on this one.  From an ass he made himself into at the beginning, to this perceptive, supportive lover that  desperately needs, he's a keeper---for now.

Ana

[blondiechic0]

I'm crying again!!!!  Kudorin's ready to welcome Talin into his family!!!  *SOB*

Um... Isn't Talin already in his family?

[LilacMajesty]

:::snorts:::  I think she meant Hitari.  She gets a little over excited sometimes, which is why we're friends - because she puts up with me when I'm the one bouncing around like little rubber ball on crack.

[SilverMoon28]

I did mean Hitari.

There, I changed it, lol.

Vani

[Susanne]

OMG. Some parts had me laughing sooo hard !!!

I was in a instance message with Liz has I was reading the chapter and I had made the comment to her to that there was alot of humor from all the brothers in this chapter more then normal and I loved it !!

[Susanne]

I like how both Bade and Vade intrepted the looks as "squash a bug".   I think this is just another small sign of how much Vade and Selorin are meant for each other.   

Yes did you notice that  did the same "look" thing with Vade that  did with Bade?

And I don't believe that  knew the look thing was even going on between  and Bade but yet Vade was the first person  turned to for help and did the exact same thing  did, they are way to much alike------> 

[Susanne]

So, I don't know.  Do you think that Hitari should've pushed more, or did he do the right thing by letting it go?

-Matthew

So you don't think that maybe  knows what's going on with  so he is refusing to change his hair or anything else just to push  into saying something?  I'm thing  knows what  is up to trying to distance himself and I don't think  wants him to stop fussing over him and this is just his way of trying to push    to keep giving him advice on his appearance or just not changing things at all.

Did I just make any sense??....lol

[Susanne]

Is anyone truthful enough to tell  that he has lettuce in his teeth?

   I think Vade would have no problem pointing that out...

[Susanne]

:::snorts:::  I think she meant Hitari.  She gets a little over excited sometimes, which is why we're friends - because she puts up with me when I'm the one bouncing around like little rubber ball on crack.

Just let Vani know what I did this morning when you asked me if I have read the new chapter yet, that should make her feel better about her typo....  Sue this morning------>  

[Susanne]

Hitari giving Talin a weak smile like that.

That smile told me that Hitari's self-confidence is zilch.  But I'm open to other interpretations.

-Matthew

            A small, weak smile.  Hitari’s gaze drifted away.  Quietly, “I guess maybe there’s hope for me yet.”

I read this where it could go both ways, it could mean something good or something bad.

He's either hiding something or he has realized the kind of person he was in the past and really is trying to change.
Another one of those...Hmmmmm 

[LilacMajesty]

Since you brought it up, I'm gonna tell everyone what you did this morning.  lol  She was in such a hurry to get to the new chapter that she clicked on 119 instead and didn't even realize it until I questioned her on some of the comments she made.

[Susanne]

Since you brought it up, I'm gonna tell everyone what you did this morning.  lol  She was in such a hurry to get to the new chapter that she clicked on 119 instead and didn't even realize it until I questioned her on some of the comments she made.

LMAO  ....I was in a hurry because I had just signed on I had my first cup of coffee and I was going to read emails first but then Liz IMed and asked "Are you reading the new chapter ?" and I said no that I have not read it yet, then she yelled at me ..Get over there and read it woman !!!!your gonna be happy.  And I said "Your just saying that to make me go there right now" and she said "No really, it's not sex but it will still make you smile" and I said "Is it a  and Vade thing?" and she said yes !! So I was "IM on my way !! Well I got so excited I didn't realize I had clicked on Chapter 119 and started reading and even though I thought it sounded familiar I just wanted to get to the  and Vade part..Then I told her where I was in the chapter which was just about the end and she told me to check and see if I had the right one because it didn't sound right 

Guess what it wasn't ...     I was laughing so hard everyone in my house was asking me what was so funny....boy did I feel stupid !!!

[anaskee]

Oh, Suzanne, that's hilarious! 

Ohhhh!  Kudorin's all happy!  Does that mean that everything's going to be all right?!?!  Does it??  Does it?!?!?  Talin Talin Talin Talin Talin

Whee!!

I think it really does! 

[Rhia]

So, I don't know.  Do you think that Hitari should've pushed more, or did he do the right thing by letting it go?
-Matthew

So you don't think that maybe  knows what's going on with  so he is refusing to change his hair or anything else just to push  into saying something?  I'm thing  knows what  is up to trying to distance himself and I don't think  wants him to stop fussing over him and this is just his way of trying to push    to keep giving him advice on his appearance or just not changing things at all.

Did I just make any sense??....lol

That makes perfect sense -- it's basically what I said to Jae when we were reading the chapter. My feeling is that Talin suspects that Anosanim is trying to put distance between them, and is basically playing chicken with Anosanim. He's very purposely refusing to take any care for his appearance because he knows it will drive Anosanim crazy, and he wants to force Anosanim into saying something... probably so that he can make it clear that such advice isn't unwelcome, and that his relationship with Anosanim won't disappear just because he's marrying Hitari.

Hitari's reaction actually made me like him a little more. For me, it showed that he wanted to make the effort to do something to help Anosanim out, but knew better than to trespass on the brothers' relationship. Mind you, I still don't trust him, but it did make me like him better. Besides, I think that Talin still would have refused, because giving in to Hitari would have confirmed, basically, that he had replaced Anosanim.

[Susanne]

I was very impressed with Ritek in this chapter and......


~~rapidly unbuttoning Ritek’s shirt, rubbing the heavy, well-defined muscles of Ritek’s chest.  “Please, tell me you’ll take me with long, forceful strokes so that I can feel every inch of you as you,” he shuddered, uncrossing his legs as the throbbing between his thighs intensified, “fuck me.” ~~


why does that sound so hot and sexy coming from  mouth???

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Anosanim: not afraid to ask for what he wants.

-Matthew

[LilacMajesty]

I think it sounds hotter coming from  because he seem so demure most of the time.  So when he gets nasty like that, we're all  .

[lelehtidazzio]

Ah, I'm so glad to be home!   

's reaction to  not putting on makeup of fixing his hair disturbed me a bit.  I think that it goes much deeper than  not wanting to fix up.  I think that  's worried that  is not going to need him anymore.  He feels that he's losing his brother.  I think that maybe    needs to give a little more space.  I think that Ritek is going to give  something else to focus on besides  's hair, wardrobe and makeup.

I really think that the rest of the family ( , , ) are really being unfair to Hitari.  I hate to say this, but  and  's sipping on some serious Hatorade.  They really need to let go of what Hitari did in the past.   If  was able to forgive and forget, then why can they not do it?  I'm really confused as to why they can't let it go.  Someone please help me to understand.

I am not sure if Hitari is going to be able to hold up against the other brothers' ( , , ) dislike of him, which is really weird, b/c I thought that  kind of like him.  Look, you can tell that Hitari's had somewhat of a rough life.  His family isn't exactly the best, or supportive or even kind to him.  I think that they should remember that when they ( , , ) starts to remember what he did in the past.  Which brings me to  ...  I keep going back to the time that he and  posed for that painting in the Purple Book.  I thought that  was cool with him, now he's not?  Someone please help me with that one as well.

It appears that only  , , and  have a problem with  marrying Hitari. 

...I can see it now, those three raising their hands when the priest asks: "If there is anyone here that thinks that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your piece..."


Oh, btw...

The letter blocks are absolutely FABULOUS!  I LOVE them!

[LilacMajesty]

:::steps between Diamond's glare and Lelehti::: I think they're understandably concerned, but I do think that Hitari has changed a lot.

[lelehtidazzio]

:::steps between Diamond's glare and Lelehti::: I think they're understandably concerned, but I do think that Hitari has changed a lot.

Ah, come on, Diamond, don't look at me like that!  I do think that  , , and  are not giving the guy a chance.  Hitari can not seem to catch a break with those three.

[LDoza]

On reread the 'original' Hitari is really, really nasty. He hits  and goes after Bade,
and does that horrible thing where he says  is a better artist than  at lunch. 
But then    and  and work that out in a very nice way.
I just kind of follow along with what  says and does about it all.

I am just waiting for what Ilanosa says. Haven't all the brothers decided that if they pass that test they will
try?  I do remember discussing saying he might/must still be worried because of things unspoken to date,
e.g. where has Hitari's money come from?  Certainly just being  's boyfriend again he could command higher
fees I suppose.  But knowing  knows all, and  can spot lies, and they have to pass Ilanosa's test should
help. 

I am sorry for him too, not having a supportive background. Just like some gays don't now, in our world,
when they are thrown out from their family just for being gay. Again though, just like in real life, follow the
money trail. Deep down I hope it is a 'trivial' problem that can be overcome, they make such a great couple.

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Just like some gays don't now, in our world, when they are thrown out from their family just for being gay.

I'd rather you use "gay people," as opposed to "gays."  Gay isn't a noun, the sum and definition; it's an adjective, a descriptor.

Certainly just being  's boyfriend again he could command higher fees I suppose.

My instinct was to agree.  Then I thought, wait, being Talin's boyfriend doesn't make him a better model.  Then I remembered that quality of work alone isn't the only factor in someone's pay, so you're probably right.

I do think that the fact that he's been hired personally by the royal artist for a series of pieces should raise his price more than the fact that he's dating Talin, but again, if you move in the right circles you're worth more, and Anorian society may not be free of those prejudices.

-Matthew

[SilverMoon28]

My instinct was to agree.  Then I thought, wait, being Talin's boyfriend doesn't make him a better model.  Then I remembered that quality of work alone isn't the only factor in someone's pay, so you're probably right.

I do think that the fact that he's been hired personally by the royal artist for a series of pieces should raise his price more than the fact that he's dating Talin, but again, if you move in the right circles you're worth more, and Anorian society may not be free of those prejudices.

-Matthew

I think that one of the reasons he's worth more is because people see him more, not because he's with Talin, but because he's more in Talin's work, so people will appreciate him for his talent and natural gorgeousness.

At least that's the way it should be.

Whether people just think differently than the ones who are honest about it is beyond me.

Ask Selorin?

Vani

[LilacMajesty]

My take is that they would want to use Hitari more simply because they want to use the same model as the Royal Artist.