ITL 127

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

I'm so tired that I actually fell asleep while I was formatting this.  My apologies if anything's amiss.

-Matthew

[blondiechic0]

I'm so tired that I actually fell asleep while I was formatting this.  My apologies if anything's amiss.

-Matthew

Go to bed!! Jeebus.

[blondiechic0]

Oh. My. God.

Oh my god.

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodOHMYGOD!!!

Did that just happen?!?!

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Did that just happen?!?!

What?!  What?!

-Matthew

[JaeFire]

Oh. My. God.

Oh my god.

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodOHMYGOD!!!

Did that just happen?!?!

I'm gonna basically echo Matthew and ask: What are you talking about!?  To what do you refer?

I'm channeling my inner lolcat now, just to tell you: "Cryptic Woman is Cryptic."

- Jae

[blondiechic0]

Oh. My. God.

Oh my god.

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodOHMYGOD!!!

Did that just happen?!?!

I'm gonna basically echo Matthew and ask: What are you talking about!?  To what do you refer?

I'm channeling my inner lolcat now, just to tell you: "Cryptic Woman is Cryptic."

- Jae

“I love you,” Ritek whispered, his forehead against Anosanim’s, closing his eyes.  His hand shook as it slid up Anosanim’s ribcage.  “Gods help me, I’m so in love with you.”

            Uh-oh.

And now Anosanim is gonna break up with him!!! Noooo!!!

[Falconer]

This was such an intense chapter. It was full of, of uncertainties, questions, dilemmas, impossibilities,... a sense of disquiet, of foreboding, even.

The zirgot, T'rin and Rini, Anosanim and Talin, Fet Kailoe and Orinakin, especially Xio Voe and Kudorin. Kudorin's feeling of powerlessness (Wow). Gosh, I could feel it!

Even when Xio Voe was considering staying, it was--for me--not for the right reasons! He's thinking of this in terms of costs and benefits. I feel like we've regressed in a way... Or maybe not. This little problem (Xio Voe wanting to go back to Jacacea) had taken a backseat for a while, and now it's back. And I wonder if it was triggered by Kudorin's words about Xio Voe missing him more than Jacacea.

  Superb, Matthew.
--

On a lighter note, this: "After knitting a blanket and proving a theorem, Xio Voe went to bed." cracked me up!  He's just so casual about it.

[anaskee]

You know, there's nothing that's more heartbreaking than to see Anosukinom's desperation and powerlessness.  That part really got to me.  

“You prayed to me.”

            If they were going to trade inane observations, “You’re aglow.”  A soft luminescence that seemed to emanate directly from Anosukinom’s flesh gently lit the night.

            A handsome, amused, mischievous smile.  “You’re naked.”

Well, the question about Kikarin is basically settled.  Talin chose her and Alanohi does not mind so I guess it's her.  I have a feeling that despite Kikarin thinking someone is more deserving for the position than her, she'll do an excellent job and her life will be richer for it.

“What did your mother always claim?” Remin asked.  “That the royal high priest has more spies than the Weiketalle?”

Who are the Weiketalle?  I tried searching for it in Wiki but can't find it.  

Anosanim and Ritek.  Uh oh, indeed!  Ritek, dude!  That's way too fast, man!  I think sex with Anosanim turned his brain into mush.  

[LilacMajesty]

I cried when Orinakin left Jacacaea for the last time.  I laughed at poor Anosanim's dilemna, although Ritek's reaction to it made me go awwwwwww.  And was totally wowed by Ritek declaration of love, although I kinda saw it coming.  And you know, most people pass kidney stones but oh noooo not Anosukinom.

[Falconer]

I never could warm up to Ritek... Still don't in fact.

For me, this chapter was more about Talin and Anosanim. Something's going on there. 

[anaskee]

And you know, most people pass kidney stones but oh noooo not Anosukinom.

Nope.  For him, nothing less than an uneven chunk of rock the size of a fist, passing through his skin.  And believe me, I know the excruciating pain of passing a kidney stone! Actually, passing out a Zirgot might be an exact equivalent to how much Anosukinom hurts.

I think there's still a long way for Xio Voe to go before he realizes that Anosukinom and Orina Anoris matters more than Jacacea.

“No,” Kudorin said.  “No, I offer you love.  I offer you affection, companionship, understanding.  I offer you a home and a family.  I offer you myself, my heart, my soul.  I offer you happiness.”

Xio Voe is hearing this but he could not understand the enormity of what is being offered.  Despite some of the changes in Xio Voe, this part shows that he's still Jacacean with Jacacean values.  And to him, what Anosukinom offers are unimportant cialex values.

[Falconer]

Who are the Weiketalle?  I tried searching for it in Wiki but can't find it.  

Here's the page: http://matthewhaldemantime.com/wiki/index.php?title=Weiketalle There's a chapter reference there too.

[JaeFire]

Who are the Weiketalle?  I tried searching for it in Wiki but can't find it.  

http://www.matthewhaldemantime.com/wiki/index.php?title=Weiketalle

- Jae

[anaskee]

Thanks Falconer and Jae!

[anaskee]

I was reeling at the intensity of Xio Voe and Anosukinom's argument that I didn't get to soak in the part about Fet Keiloe and Orinakin.  So I read it again.  I felt so bad for Orinakin but more so for Fet Keiloe.  Orinakin knows what it all meant, that's it's over and I can see his grief.  But Fet Keiloe...he knows that it's over but I think he hasn't totally grasp what he's lost yet.  Xio Voe's Gods want him to understand this, how Fet Keiloe is absolutely majestic but later it might be revealed that Fet Keiloe is also a broken man.  That this is where Xio Voe is headed and unless he change, he'll end up like Fet Keiloe.  His Gods are getting involved because this is not just about his love life but it's about something bigger.  I'm thinking the fate of the world depends on what Xio Voe decides. I might be getting ahead of myself but Falconer is right, there's something foreboding about this chapter.

[Falconer]

Xio Voe's Gods want him to understand this, how Fet Keiloe is absolutely majestic but later it might be revealed that Fet Keiloe is also a broken man.  That this is where Xio Voe is headed and unless he change, he'll end up like Fet Keiloe.  His Gods are getting involved because this is not just about his love life but it's about something bigger. 

I think you're right. I think Fet Kailoe's story (and how Xio Voe relates/reacts to it) will be crucial to the denouement of Xio Voe's plotline.

I might be getting ahead of myself but Falconer is right, there's something foreboding about this chapter.

Awww, don't be scared!  Be excited! Whatever it is, it's gonna be interesting. 

--
I also really like the interaction between Anosukinom and the Soracic gods. How Anosukinom would step back, and leave the way for Xio Voe's gods (and how he helps them by making Xio Voe sleep). This clears up a question I raised in the Soracic gods thread about how the different set of gods interact. There seems to be a lot of respect between the gods (like Jacacean and Anorian), like one would not interfere in another's affairs. 

[anaskee]

Yes, I can tell I'm gonna be taken for a roller-coaster ride. Yay, Matthew! 

[Magical_Jen]

I know is should be finishing my paper but i just had to read this and I'm glad i did.

I don't know if anyone hear watches anime, but sometimes they have these scene where  if some says something hurtful/shocking/embarrassing about another person then these little arrows will stab through the characters body. anyways my reason fro bring that up was because when Xio Voe was comparing what he has in Jacacea to what he would have in Orina Anoris I felt like these little arrows were hitting me. He was so homesick! Did anyone one else feel a little guilty about the fact that Kudorin was asking him to turn his back on so many things that were apart of him and made him what he is.  I know we've mentioned this so many times in different treads but Xio Voe is so over qualified for the position of king.  How are they going to reconcile this difference, its madness. I'm going to be looking out for that Zirgot like a hawk now, shrink shrink shrink!
Oh! and *tear* for Talin, him looking into Anosnaims' room was the saddest thing ever, he needs a hug.

On a lighter note, that passage with Anosanim and Ritek  on either side of that door was so cute and so funny, a total win, I loved it.  Giggles and grins the whole way through. I really do love Ritek.

[anaskee]

I love anime so I know excatly what you mean! 

But the thing is, I don't feel guilty that Xio Voe is in Orina Anoris instead of Jacacea.  If he said that he missed his parents or his siblings, maybe.  But he misses a place.   A place can't hug or comfort him, encourage him, and love him.  It's so frustrating that I wanted to hit Xio Voe in head.  I almost wish that Xio Voe would go back to his beloved Seijaces so he would realize how it is to live without Anosukinom's unconditional love.  Maybe then he'll realize...May I just say, Jen, that I just noticed your avatar and I love it!

[Magical_Jen]

I love anime so I know excatly what you mean! 

But the thing is, I don't feel guilty that Xio Voe is in Orina Anoris instead of Jacacea.  If he said that he missed his parents or his siblings, maybe.  But he misses a place.   A place can't hug or comfort him, encourage him, and love him.  It's so frustrating that I wanted to hit Xio Voe in head.  I almost wish that Xio Voe would go back to his beloved Seijaces so he would realize how it is to live without Anosukinom's unconditional love.  Maybe then he'll realize...May I just say, Jen, that I just noticed your avatar and I love it!

Your totally right, he needs to be pushed . It just that he loved these places a much as he should have loved his parents and siblings so when he began listing all of it off it was just like an anime character full of arrows. Loving and being loved by Anosukinom is the greatest thing that would ever happen to Xio Voe and to miss that opportunity would be wrong .

on another note I'm starting to wonder if the Anorian chefs are not trying there harderst when it comes to cooking Xio Voe's food.  I wouldn't think so because if Anosukinom can personally watch over them as they cook, he could look into their minds to see their intention, but on the other hand I can't imagine them serving Remin dry fish.

[anaskee]

Maybe Anikira should hire Chef Ramsey from Hell's Kitchen. 

[SilverMoon28]

Yay, part 127!!!!

Here we go!!

Rini's talking to T'rin about marriage!!!  Eeeeee!!!

Wait, it's way too soon for that lol...

Aweeeeee!!

Thinking about it made Rini feel kind of sad and hurt, but…but that was nothing, that was just…nothing.

Aweeee!!!!  Rini, just admit it!!!!!

“Do you mind?  That I put you first?”

*puddle*

“She should be confident.  Smart and assertive.  And pretty.  She should be someone you can talk to, because ruling a whole nation is hard, and you’ll need someone to confide in, someone you can tell things.  You have to make sure that she’ll be a good mother, that she’ll take good care of your children.  But you have to treat her well, you can’t act like she’s only there to give you kids.  She’s your wife, you have to respect her.”

Rini, you just described yourself...

Of course everything's different with T'rin!!!  You're in love, you fool!!!!  Ilanosa help me before I smack him upside the head!!!!!

Interrupt Anosukinom... explain to me why Anosukinom would mind being interrupted by Xio Voe... has the Pharaoh not made it abundantly clear that he's in love with him and that he'd interrupt anything (except sex with Anikira lol, maybe) to go to him???

!!!!  I just started grinning like a fool...

“You prayed to me.”

*puddles again*  That's amazing cuteness on Xio Voe's part.  It's the kind of thing Anosanim would say!  Well... Anosanim would admit that he'd rather sleep with someone and make a lot more poetic but...

HE MISSES HIM!!!!!!

*puddle puddle puddle*

It was a yearning, an acute awareness of missed opportunities, an internal and nagging insistence that he return.

I have banners forming in my head...

FALLING IN LOVE, HE'S FALLING IN LOVE!!

How can Anosukinom admit to that so... so... so... CALMLY?!

I'd be BOUNCY!!  I *AM* bouncy!!!  *bounces*

See?

Anoha Anosukinom... I'm laughing here.  Is there a god of laughter?  Crime of falling in love... *giggle*

*puddles more*

Weakness in his knees... I can't imagine Kudorin being weak at the knees... Okay, maybe I can now, but still...

Mmmm... I was so entranced by Remin that I forgot to write anything about the conversation he just had... what to say, what to say... we'll see, won't we?

Hey now!!!

“Boats,” Xio Voe repeated.  “I’ve sailed all over the world, I’ve been in more kinds of ships than balloons.  Have you ever stood on the deck of a triple-ejein international warship, the sun beating down from above, the breeze in your face, your hand on the rudder?  I conceived of the triple-ejein, I helped to design it, I worked on every stage of it, I brought it up the coast and right to Seijaces where Emperor Xio Sei was waiting.  You offer me boats, Anosukinom, when I am accustomed to ships.  You offer me a river, when I am accustomed to the ocean.  You offer me the throne of a king, the rule of a country, when I am accustomed to an empire.”

I get it, I really do... I understand what it's like knowing that your future is away from home, I live it every day, but he should at least try to see the good in Orina Anoris!!!!

He's hurting Anosukinom... 

  What the Howie?  A zirgot?  How did...



HA!!!

“As I thought,” Xio Voe murmured.  “This stone,” he met Kudorin’s eyes, “is the most valuable item I’ve ever held.”

On its own, Kudorin’s gaze slid down Xio Voe’s body to-

“Your sense of humor is alarmingly juvenile.”

lmaoooooo!!!

Anoha Ilanosa... please send the painful weight of love crashing down on Xio Voe so that he will understand that there is no way he can leave Orina Anoris.  Okay?  Thank you!

*giggle*

“Remin gets that look,” Anosukinom said, “when he’s around chocolate cake he’s not allowed to eat.  What are you thinking of?”

teee-hee.

Ooohhh Anosanim!  Hi!!

*bursts into laughter*  How does Anosanim not have a bag or something where he can carry his makeup??  Never would I have thought that he'd be caught somewhere without makeup!!  Never mind... he just forgot it.  Silly Anosanim.  You must have been a little too distraught!

LMAO!! Anosanim!!!

“I don’t have any make-up on!  All I found in here was powder.”

He's like me!  I wouldn't leave the house without makeup unless it was on fire.  And even then I'd have makeup in my bag!

Is Anosanim wearing... blue?!

so he slipped into a robe (gorgeous satin in a rich, dark blue)

That must be odd for him!

Awe!  Talin seems lost without his twin!!

*GASP*

MATTHEW!!!!

Love!!

This should be called the Ilanosa book...

Vani

[LilacMajesty]

All the couples are shaping up.  We just need to find that nymphomaniac cook for Remin and figure out what Desin needs.

[Falconer]

I'm going to be looking out for that Zirgot like a hawk now, shrink shrink shrink!

Yeah, me too! It must mean something if Remin was so intrigued by it...

on another note I'm starting to wonder if the Anorian chefs are not trying there harderst when it comes to cooking Xio Voe's food.  I wouldn't thinks so because I would think that if Anosukinom can watch over them as they cook he could look in to their minds to see their intention, but on the other hand I can't imagine them serving Remin dry fish.

I do think they're trying their hardest. Orina Anoris is landlocked, so I think that's why they can't cook the fish "properly" like Jacaceans do. They don't have the tradition of cooking fish and the skills that come with it. I suppose Kudorin could "find out" how they do it in Jacacea and just give the chefs a recipe or something... but I think he wants them to get it on their own... It's funny how Xio Voe has now become the guinea pig of the Anorian chefs!!

[Magical_Jen]

Maybe Anikira should hire Chef Ramsey from Hell's Kitchen. 

LOL yes! or Iron chef Mori Moto, that man know how to serve fish.

[LilacMajesty]

Maybe a Jacacean chef could be talked into coming to Orina Anoris.

[JaeFire]

I do think they're trying their hardest. Orina Anoris is landlocked, so I think that's why they can't cook the fish "properly" like Jacaceans do. They don't have the tradition of cooking fish and the skills that come with it.

Mmm, I don't know about that--I think it's just a matter of taste, and the fact that Jacaceans have probably what sounds like the most exacting culinary standards in the world.  How could any other country's standards live up to  that?  After all, Orina Anoris may be landlocked but it also has the River Edi, which is the longest, widest, deepest river in the world.  Its current is actually deadly, it's so powerful.  Fish and fisherman have been mentioned throughout ITL, and that one time we saw Talin cook for Remin in the kitchens, Remin asked for fish, so Anorians have definitely mastered their own ways to cook fish.  ::sigh:: Poor Xio Voe.  I think he's just used to being served food from the Jacacean imperial palace, where their standards are so exacting, that simply nothing culinary in Orina Anoris can be satisfying to him.

- Jae

[mc_cart_ny]

Gosh, I was so wrapped up in the Anosanim/Retik/Talin of this chapter that I kinda forgot about what happened in the begining -- Rini and T'rin!

Poor Rini.  They so love each other and are too afraid and confused to say anything.  I love them.  I like how Rini thought about being married and having children though, it's really what I thought he'd think of marriage and kids, that's he intrigued by it but doesn't think it's for him quite yet.

Kudorin and Xio Voe -- I'm so sad for Kudorin but I can see where Xio Voe is coming from (sorta), when I moved from Florida to Colorado I missed the trees and the ocean and when I moved back to Florida I missed the tall grasses and the mountains and the deep skies but I tend to miss my family more than I do the mountains....

Oh. My. God.  I loved this part!  The Anosanim-ness of this chapter totally rocked!!  I can totally relate with Anosanim, this practically just happened to me - for the first time in years I packed my makeup bag in my suitcase and it got lost at the airport so I'm freaking out over not having it so my incredible bf takes me to the store at 11pm to get more so that I can wear it the next day to go get my suitcase at the airport after it is found.  I'm so lucky he puts up with me.  Anosanim is so lucky to have Retik!  He's so sweet and understanding about how Anosanim needs to do this.  But...ummm....Retik might be moving a bit fast sooo uh-oh.  Please please please don't do anything rash and break up with him, Anosanim!

And poor Talin missing Anosanim!  I really hope they find each other in the next chapter!  They need to be together and talk things out and see where the other person is standing.

~McCartny~

[Falconer]

I do think they're trying their hardest. Orina Anoris is landlocked, so I think that's why they can't cook the fish "properly" like Jacaceans do. They don't have the tradition of cooking fish and the skills that come with it.

Mmm, I don't know about that--I think it's just a matter of taste, and the fact that Jacaceans have probably what sounds like the most exacting culinary standards in the world.  How could any other country's standards live up to  that?  After all, Orina Anoris may be landlocked but it also has the River Edi, which is the longest, widest, deepest river in the world.  Its current is actually deadly, it's so powerful.  Fish and fisherman have been mentioned throughout ITL, and that one time we saw Talin cook for Remin in the kitchens, Remin asked for fish, so Anorians have definitely mastered their own ways to cook fish.  ::sigh:: Poor Xio Voe.  I think he's just used to being served food from the Jacacean imperial palace, where their standards are so exacting, that simply nothing culinary in Orina Anoris can be satisfying to him.

- Jae

You're right about the fish part. I didn't make the river = fish = fish cooking skills connection.    Seawater fish is quite different from freshwater fish though, so maybe that factors in.

But I think the problem is more than the fish, and not about skills, but a matter of (relative) taste, as Jae suggested. The Anorian chefs don't really have a reference for Jacacean cuisine, do they? Since the two nations have had no communication for so long, they must have only old recipes, and they don't even know what it's supposed to taste like. I think Xio Voe should just go to the kitchens and show them how to do things Jacacean-style. I bet he's just as good at cooking as he is at everything else. 

[LilacMajesty]

I still say they need to bring in a Jacacean chef so he or she can teach these upstart Anorians the proper way to prepare food.

[Magical_Jen]

But I think the problem is more than the fish, and not about skills, but a matter of (relative) taste, as Jae suggested. The Anorian chefs don't really have a reference for Jacacean cuisine, do they? Since the two nations have had no communication for so long, they must have only old recipes, and they don't even know what it's supposed to taste like.

Yeah I agree with Jaefire, I wasn’t going to mention Talin because  he has so much knowledge it seem unfair to put him in the same category with any chef, but I would also guess that any Anosadim would be willing to share that knowledge with palace chef.
Orina Anoris and Jacacea may not have been on the best terms but I would think that a chef who is lucky enough to cook for the royal family would be passionate about food and would want to look for any techniques that would prefect his or her craft.
Social political feelings aside, if they really care about their profession then they would look outside there own nation to see the other techniques that different countries uses while cooking. I mean it not just, like they are working in the countries side of Orina Anoris, they work in Orikodisata, the most important city in the world.  With Seijacese being the second most important metropolis  I can’t see how any culinary school could avoided putting Jacacean cuisine 101 course  in there curriculum.

[Susanne]

Poor  he seems confused about the feelings he is having...love will do that to you sometimes. 


Poor  he seems so lost without   

I can't wait to see what happens when Xio Sei and Xio Heijein feel it's time for there son to come home.  Will he go? Will he stay? Will he go and realise how deeply in love with  he is and return immediately even if it it does upset his parents.     XV is so stubborn I can't wait to see what the future holds.

If Ritek is being sincere I can see how he could fall in love with  so fast and so hard.
  has shown in the past that he will not be another notch on anyones bed post,  is not afraid to ask for what he wants or needs, he's sweet, charming, sentimental, caring, intelligent, mentally and physically strong, artistic, sexy, beautiful, flamboyant, layed back, funny and has a great personalty and doesn't let anyone walk all over him, he's feminine and masculine.  Hell if he was a real man in the real world I think I would fall in love with him to. He's the total package. 

As always another great chapter Matthew. 

[JaeFire]

Orina Anoris and Jacacea may not have been on the best terms but I would think that a chef who is lucky enough to cook for the royal family would be passionate about food and would want to look for any techniques that would prefect his or her craft.
Social political feelings aside, if they really care about their profession then they would look outside there own nation to see the other techniques that different countries uses while cooking. I mean it not just, like they are working in the countries side of Orina Anoris, they work in Orikodisata, the most important city in the world.  With Seijacese being the second most important metropolis  I can’t see how any culinary school could avoided putting Jacacean cuisine 101 course  in there curriculum.

Well... since we saw, after Xio Voe taught Otumakeser Kepinu (Ch.120) what he could, that she's 14 years old and has less knowledge in science and mathematics than Jacacean 8-year-olds, I'm going to say that it's unlikely that any culinary school in Orina Anoris has any knowledge of Jacacean cuisine either.  If their basic educations are that far from being the same, I don't think any other information (like culinary styles) are being exchanged either. 

Like Falconer said, they've been ignoring each other for so long that "they must have only old recipes, and they don't even know what it's supposed to taste like."  Also, I can't see the Anorian government or Anorian palace chefs being criticized for that by important visitors from other countries.  Why?  Because everyone knows that Jacacea and Orina Anoris have an ancient grudge against each other and don't communicate.  Frankly, it would have been highly odd to find a Jacacean meal inside the Anorian royal palace before Xio Voe came along (and no one else is getting fed Jacacean cuisine but him).

- Jae

[anaskee]

Maybe they'll get a great cook for Xio Voe and whoever they get will be THE ONE for Remin.  Plausible?

[Rhia]

EVERYTHING.

There's also the fact that Jacacean cuisine might not agree with the Anorian palette. Different spices, different cooking methods... any number of other factors that make a dish from another country taste strange and unappealing. You'll notice that even when he serves Xio Voe Jacacean dishes, Kudorin continues to eat Anorian food, probably because he prefers it. There's nothing to indicate that Anorian food is sub-par in the eyes of anyone but Xio Voe, who is, after all, used to a very different kind of food. If you show a dish of enchiladas to someone who has never eaten anything but Chinese food, they'd probably look at you askance, too.

We also know from DoE that Anorian chefs do look outside their borders for culinary ideas. They just don't necessarily look to Jacaea, for the reasons that Falconer and Jae already cited.

[SilverMoon28]

I'm hungry now, thanks!  lmao.

Mmmm enchiladas...

I think Kudorin will either get it right someday, or Xio Voe will ask to share the same meal as his future husband.

I'm all for hosts accomodating the needs of their guests, but the guests also have to make some sort of effort.  In this instance, I feel that Xio Voe should give Anorian cuisine another chance or two.


Vani

[LilacMajesty]

Maybe they'll get a great cook for Xio Voe and whoever they get will be THE ONE for Remin.  Plausible?

Very plausible - I like that idea, Ana.

[Rhia]

Maybe they'll get a great cook for Xio Voe and whoever they get will be THE ONE for Remin.  Plausible?

I've pretty much given up on guessing what surprises are in store, but I will admit that the thought has gone through my head. Thanks for bringing it up.

[Diamond]

            It was simply expressed.  “When we’re apart, I find myself dissatisfied.  I wonder where you are, what activities you’re engaged in, which people you might be with, and what you and I would be doing or discussing if we were together.  Even time in only my own company, which has always been remarkably productive and rewarding, is secondary to time spent with you.”

            “You miss me.”  Anosukinom’s voice was soft.  Even when he saw it coming, saw Anosukinom’s hand rising, even when he braced himself for it, he was struck hard by the flare of hot power and bright, intense sexual desire as Anosukinom’s fingers skimmed within an inch of his cheek.  A quiet inhalation, and Anosukinom’s eyes were red and orange and purple in one moment, blue and gold and green the next, settling into all six colors once again as Anosukinom said, “That’s what you’re describing, you miss me, when we’re not together.  As I miss you.”

            “Yes.”  He found the term apt.  Suspecting that Anosukinom would like to hear it, suspecting that it would be appropriately romantic, he added, “When we are apart, I miss you.”

            The room lit up as if a warm, yellow glow were rising from the floor.  Anosukinom’s smile was affectionate and beautiful. 

  I love Xio Voe. He's like an android learning what it means to be human. Reading his thoughts is like reading a computer print out. Which must sound awful to most people, but to a computer geek like me, he's so dreamy!

This was one of my favorite things parts of ITL 127.

- Diamond