ITL 125

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Three storylines of romance.

Kudorin/Xio Voe

Talin/Hitari

Anosanim/Ritek

Thoughts?

-Matthew

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

“If you will select an item, I will explain its significance.”

            Kudorin was more interested in what Xio Voe found important, or was most willing to discuss.  “You choose for me.”

            “As Queen Anikira alluded to wanting to return this item to its rightful place, I’ll start here.” 

I like how Kudorin, as usual, tries to make a moment personal and emotionally meaningful.  And Xio Voe, as usual, moves right on to practicality.

I noticed, also, how Anikira only "alluded to" it, which indicates that she didn't make a big deal about it.  But Xio Voe still took it seriously enough to act on it.  Because he's practical?  Because he respects Anikira?

-Matthew

[Diamond]

It galled Xio Voe, to think that reality and history could be skewed.  He preferred for facts to be facts.[ITL 125.9]

This is going to be one of my favorite quotes ever.  It's Xio Voe in a nutshell.

"I prefer facts to be facts."

Is it wrong that that makes me giddy? 

I noticed, also, how Anikira only "alluded to" it, which indicates that she didn't make a big deal about it.  But Xio Voe still took it seriously enough to act on it.  Because he's practical?  Because he respects Anikira?

-Matthew

I think it's because Xio Voe, much like an android, takes words at face value. He doesn't believe in talking only for the sake of speaking and he is as informative as possible when he speaks. So, basically he thought she must have said it for a reason and must really want it back. He has no reason to keep it longer than necessary, so let's use it and move on.

- Diamond

[mc_cart_ny]

I just started reading (and I unfortunatly will most likely not be able to finish tonigh   ) but I just had to post....

"To Kailoe’s heart, that it was over.  Once an assassination attempt was made on Jacacean soil, on Orinakin, with Kailoe’s knowledge, Orinakin would never forgive him.  There would be no return, no possibility, no future between them.  And Kailoe had to ensure that, had to accept it.

            He couldn’t let go of the threads that bound them.  But he could make Orinakin sever them."



That is so incredibly sad and heart wrenching!  I hurt for Fet Kailoe...  I didn't know that was possible.....

I can't wait to find out what happens between them to make it this way



~McCartny~

[JaeFire]

Damn, my roommates suddenly want to go out to dinner.  Okay, I'll add more later, but I just want to say for now:

“I have experienced the same frivolous yearning with you,” Xio Voe said coolly.

...

"Frivolous yearning."

...

...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  I love him to death!  ::nom nom nom::

- Jae

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

"Frivolous yearning."

Xio Voe cracks me up.

-Matthew

[LDoza]

"To Kailoe’s heart, that it was over.  Once an assassination attempt was made on Jacacean soil, on Orinakin, with Kailoe’s knowledge, Orinakin would never forgive him.  There would be no return, no possibility, no future between them.  And Kailoe had to ensure that, had to accept it.

            He couldn’t let go of the threads that bound them.  But he could make Orinakin sever them."

Thanks Mccarney thats what I wanted to bring out... so
There are FOUR threads of romance here Matthew.

Fet Kailoe/Orinakin too.
What I am not sure of is if that part was in Xio Voe's dream, so he knows of it yet.


I loved this part: Wont' say too much more because some haven't finished I guess.

Hitari glanced at Talin and said, too casually, “You weren’t interested in spreading the news.”

            “I was interested,” Talin said.  “That’s why I told Anosanim.”


I almost think in reading this that Kudoring should be teaching Talin and XioVoe together about social
intereractions.  Talin seems to considder results he wants, but not how it will affect others for
him to get those results. ... and already Anosanim is backing off. That is sad. Do like his new hobby though.

[naposaurus]

So, Anosanim used to sort of annoy me. Not in any Rini sort of annoying way, more like an "I just didn't 'get' Anosanim" way. After this chapter I want him to be my best friend. Seriously.

It starts off innocently enough...

If Talin actually went to dinner without a hint of make-up, Anosanim was going to refuse to attend.

Poor Anosanim, this is only the begining.

If Talin actually tied his hair into a ponytail with that ribbon, Anosanim was going to spend dinner weeping onto his plate.

I laughed out loud. Oh man, and then it gets worse (but so much better!!)

A ponytail.  If this was the kind of effort that Talin was putting into his appearance, Anosanim was surprised that he’d bothered with pants.

Hahaha! Wait ... can we somehow arrange for Talin to go to dinner with no pants? I agree with Anosanim! No Pants Talin for the win!

Matthew, I love and adore you (mostly because you provide me with erotica but that's just a technicality). These funky sentences that I don't know the meaning of are starting to make me crazy. In a way that makes me think I can somehow stare at these words that I've never seen and connect them back to Russian or German and maybe if the "i" was moved one over it would mean, "Xio Voe, you sure are swell."  Can we maybe one day get translations? Pretty Please? Pretty, shiney please?  I do enjoy and appreciate the note at the top. That helped a lot. <3

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

These funky sentences that I don't know the meaning of are starting to make me crazy.

The wiki is your friend.

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

Scroll down to the heading "Sayings."

-Matthew, ever helpful

[naposaurus]

Wow, I just had a "Duh" moment. I forget about the wiki, it's still so new to me. Also, I think I do it on purpose because once I go I may never leave. That's bad. But so good.


Thanks, Matthew! You are, as always, freaking awesome.

[LilacMajesty]

I want so badly for Talin and Hitari to be happy together, but I've got this knot in my stomach that's telling me that its not going to happen that way.  Thanks a lot Matthew - you've got me biting my fingernails.

[mc_cart_ny]

I think I just start loving the Fet Kailoe/Orinakin romance with this chapter.  I found it interesting since the first time it was brough up, of course.  But now that I've seen how invested Kailoe was I'm invested in it.  It's still just so sad!

I love the Talin/Anosanim interaction in this chapter!  Talin is so incredibly cute when he and Anosanim are talking about his proposal!  I adore them!  And I think it's great that Talin had Anosanim spread the word about the proposal.  It is so....them.  Although, I do feel so sad Anosanim to think that he needs to take such a huge step out of Talin's life now.  I don't think that's necessary, Hitari understands their relationship and I don't see him getting annoyed that Anosanim is there to play dress up Talin and take care of him.  But really, bravo on Anosanim's part on actually having the self control to let Talin get himself ready! lol  I wonder if he'll manage to keep this up through the next chapter?

I really really really really hope that Illanosa blesses their engagement!  Part of me is sure that they will get it and be happy and live happily ever after because they belong together and it's Matthew and he loves happy endings.  Then there's a part of me that knows that they've had a rough past and what if there's that slight chance that they don't belong together because there's still a lot more of ITL left to be written and read and it's Matthew and he does enjoy torturing us somewhat.....and he wrote Sucker.....But they'll be just fine, I know it! 

~McCartny~

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

I think it's great that Talin had Anosanim spread the word about the proposal.  It is so....them.

I like that this:

            “You tell everyone for me, then.”  Talin stood, ready to go in and take a shower.

            “Oh, Talin.”  Rising, Anosanim looked at him with fascinating, beautiful, emotion-filled eyes.  “They’ll be happy for you, they will.  This is too important, it can’t come from me.  It has to be you.”

            “You are me,” Talin said.  “They won’t even notice the difference.”

Is followed by this:

            “That’s great!”  Bade hugged Anosanim, grinning.  “I’m so happy for you!  For him, I mean,” he corrected himself.  “For them.”

-Matthew

[mc_cart_ny]

Damn, my roommates suddenly want to go out to dinner.  Okay, I'll add more later, but I just want to say for now:

“I have experienced the same frivolous yearning with you,” Xio Voe said coolly.

...

"Frivolous yearning."

...

...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  I love him to death!  ::nom nom nom::

- Jae

Yes!  I think that was great!  It's so cute to see Xio Voe express emotions! Heehee! 

~McCartny~

[Susanne]

   Although, I do feel so sad Anosanim to think that he needs to take such a huge step out of Talin's life now.  I don't think that's necessary, Hitari understands their relationship and I don't see him getting annoyed that Anosanim is there to play dress up Talin and take care of him.  But really, bravo on Anosanim's part on actually having the self control to let Talin get himself ready!

~McCartny~ [/color]

I feel the same way. I was kind of sad reading that part but I do agree I don't think Hitari would care if things didn't change between Talin and A. He understands how there relationship is.

[mc_cart_ny]

I think it's great that Talin had Anosanim spread the word about the proposal.  It is so....them.

I like that this:

            “You tell everyone for me, then.”  Talin stood, ready to go in and take a shower.

            “Oh, Talin.”  Rising, Anosanim looked at him with fascinating, beautiful, emotion-filled eyes.  “They’ll be happy for you, they will.  This is too important, it can’t come from me.  It has to be you.”

            “You are me,” Talin said.  “They won’t even notice the difference.”

Is followed by this:

            “That’s great!”  Bade hugged Anosanim, grinning.  “I’m so happy for you!  For him, I mean,” he corrected himself.  “For them.”

-Matthew

Oh, I know!  I think they are so so cute!  And it totally makes sense for Bade to congratulate Anosanim

~McCartny~

[blondiechic0]

And even with everything else going on in the chapter, Vade still wins for the best line...

“Hey, and if you want to have a my-twin-brother-just-got-engaged, my-world-will-never-be-the-same party, Selorin and I are totally available,” Vade said.  “If you’re interested.”

[Susanne]

  The throbbing tension of need filled Kudorin, popping and pumping in and through and against him, and he groaned, gripping the bars of the balcony even as they bent in his hands.  “Ah, ah, oh, Xio Voe,” he groaned, twisting the iron.  “Please, yes, oh, ah, Xio Voe, Xio - - whoa!”  Surprised, he landed on the grass, disoriented.

            Landing right in front of him, Xio Voe blinked, once.

            “I’m sorry.  I,” Kudorin gestured vaguely, “I didn’t intend to - - I lost control for a moment.  It was just for a moment, I, you’re not hurt, are you?”

            “I don’t seem to have sustained any injuries, no,” Xio Voe replied, his voice flat.


All I have to say to this is...


  Stunned, she stared at him for a moment in silence.  “I’m an accountant.”
            “You’re detail-oriented, organized, and thorough.”

            “I’m not an artist.”

            “You’re a model.  That makes you an artist in my mind.”

            “A model is an artist’s tool.  Would you make that paintbrush your assistant?”

            He raised his eyebrows.  “It’s not like you to ask such a stupid question.”

            “It’s not like you to make such a stupid decision!



IM just wondering why Talin is so determan to have Kikarin as his assistant ? 
Even A seems a little surprised by it.


“I just think that putting an accountant in an artist’s position is a decision you may want to reconsider.”

            “And I think that I know what I want, and why.”


OR maybe im just reading into it wrong and it doesn't mean a thing.



And don't think I didn't see this....

“Hey, and if you want to have a my-twin-brother-just-got-engaged, my-world-will-never-be-the-same party, Selorin and I are totally available,” Vade said.  “If you’re interested.”

That brought one of these to my face-------> 
Vade is so adorable I wonder if he even realized that he was speaking for S? It's such a "couple" thing to do. 

[mc_cart_ny]

And even with everything else going on in the chapter, Vade still wins for the best line...

“Hey, and if you want to have a my-twin-brother-just-got-engaged, my-world-will-never-be-the-same party, Selorin and I are totally available,” Vade said.  “If you’re interested.”

Love that quote!

~McCartny~

[LilacMajesty]

Is it possible that Talin believes Kikarin to be hiding latent artistic abilities? 

[Falconer]

“You are me,” Talin said.  “They won’t even notice the difference.”

That was actually my favorite part of the whole chapter!!  It reminded me of the first time we were introduced to the siblings:

(from chapter 1):
"Carrying his sandals, Rini hurried to Talin’s room.  Talin wasn’t there, but Anosanim was.  Stuff like that was what irritated Rini about his brothers; the twins were always acting like they were interchangeable.  Whenever he was looking for Talin, he ran into Anosanim; whenever he needed to find Anosanim, he stumbled across Talin."

And of course, there's the anecdote about them dyeing their hair to go to each other's classes. That makes me think they themselves don't realize just how different they are...

[mc_cart_ny]

Is it possible that Talin believes Kikarin to be hiding latent artistic abilities? 

Yeah, I'm interested to see what happens with Kikarin!  There's an aweful lot of fuss being put up about her being promoted so I wonder if that is the reason, maybe she'll surprise everyone (except for Talin and Kudorin) and turn out to be a great artist.

~McCartny~

[JaeFire]

Is it possible that Talin believes Kikarin to be hiding latent artistic abilities? 

Yeah, I'm interested to see what happens with Kikarin!  There's an aweful lot of fuss being put up about her being promoted so I wonder if that is the reason, maybe she'll surprise everyone (except for Talin and Kudorin) and turn out to be a great artist.

~McCartny~

These are all very interesting thoughts!  I'm gonna throw out another one (I don't necessarily think this true), just to have it out there:

What if Talin is simply (haha, simply, yeah right) changing tradition?  What if he wants his office assistant to simply be the office assistant?  He's changed tradition before, in a small way:

Ch.115.7: He had to run the House of Art, both the people who worked in the physical building in Orikodisata and all of the employees spread around the country. When a well-known local restaurant had asked him to design a new salad, as the last royal high artists had done, Talin had explained that he didn’t care what his ancestors had agreed to do, he wasn’t also taking on food. That was Desin’s field. Talin had enough to handle as it was.

And we know that Talin doesn't really care about what people think of him (yeah, he's trying to be nicer, more politic, but not in every area of his work), so this might just be his way of getting what he wanted anyway (before the scandal happened): to find someone to replace Akata--after she quit, since she planned to--who was more office-oriented and less of an artist.  Because she was so bad at being an office assistant, because she completely and utterly ****ed up her job, maybe he got completely ruined to the idea of having an artistic office assistant and just wants an admin.  Perhaps he's now going to extremes and just getting the office assistant to take care of administrative tasks for him.  (Though Kikarin is a model, so maybe he's more bending tradition than breaking it.)

(Again, I'm not fully endorsing this theory, because I don't feel I have enough evidence, but I just wanted to give people some food for thought.)


- Jae

[LDoza]

   Although, I do feel so sad Anosanim to think that he needs to take such a huge step out of Talin's life now.  I don't think that's necessary, Hitari understands their relationship and I don't see him getting annoyed that Anosanim is there to play dress up Talin and take care of him.  But really, bravo on Anosanim's part on actually having the self control to let Talin get himself ready!

~McCartny~ [/color]

I feel the same way. I was kind of sad reading that part but I do agree I don't think Hitari would care if things didn't change between Talin and A. He understands how there relationship is.

I think this is one of the good fun things that will get worked out. I don't believe Hitari would like to take on that role,
he knows it Anosanim's. .. and I can't imagine Talin letting him.

Shoot, in real life I have to have a sister in law or my daugther tell my husband something looks good on him.
He refuses to acknowledge it if I say it. Are all men so stubborn?

[LDoza]

Is it possible that Talin believes Kikarin to be hiding latent artistic abilities? 

Yeah, I'm interested to see what happens with Kikarin!  There's an aweful lot of fuss being put up about her being promoted so I wonder if that is the reason, maybe she'll surprise everyone (except for Talin and Kudorin) and turn out to be a great artist.

~McCartny~

Oh good take on this too, guys, because it was emphasized that that should be part of the role.

[anaskee]

Everyone has such wonderful comments!     

I'm very apprehensive about Talin and Hitari now.   The reaction of Talin's  family are giving me the impression that even though they are trying very hard to be optimistic about Talin and Hitari's relationship, they're afraid Ilanosa might not approve. 

I want to give Anosanim a big

Jae, I like your theory about Kikarin.

Ana

[SilverMoon28]

Ok, I'm reading this now for the first time because I had crazy credit card issues which have now been fixed and because I've been sick as a dog for the past few days... airplane food sucks.

Now, part 125!  Yay!!

I'll post my comments now, then reply to the board stuff... and go through all the drama Liz told me about.

For one thing... what, Fet Kailoe calls his mother 'your majesty' instead of 'Mom'?  And his father the Emperor instead of 'Dad'?  Must read more...

ANOHA ILANOSA!!!!!!!  Tee-hee.

Mmm Anosanim...

And he shrieked... that's SO like him!!

'Talin my Talin'!!  New icon!!!

Mmm educating oneself on Xio Voe.... *sits on Anosukinom's lap (that is, half an inch off his lap)* (I'll start a new topic on that in a second).

lmao... I love Anosanim's reaction... haven't begun to discuss the wedding guests indeed... not to mention what he's gonna be wearing!

Oooh, but Anikira and Orinakin don't seem so satisfied.  Matthew, are you going to ruin my giddyness?  Will Ilanosa refuse?

A scalpel used Diamond?  What?  Who?

Wait...

Confused...

Oh!!  You mean the stone!  Never mind...    Hi, Diamond!

“Hey, and if you want to have a my-twin-brother-just-got-engaged, my-world-will-never-be-the-same party, Selorin and I are totally available,” Vade said.  “If you’re interested.”

HA!!!!  I love it!  I do, I really do!!  I'd totally banner that if I had physical pictures of everyone! 

Um... Rini's panicking?  Oh come on, he knows he wants to marry T'rin.

Well, he does!

I think... maybe someday...

A plate of cookies... hmmm...

Oooh, I'd love to see Ritek become Anosanim's new hobby!  Just... be warned, Ritek... if you hurt Anosanim, Vani will hunt you down.

rotfl.. Talin.. you dummy.

Ooohh... sin from my lips?  Oh trespass sweetly urged, give me my sin again...

Okay, I digressed completely, sorry... Anosanim's lips and... *whistles and keeps reading*

Okay, Matthew, you're making me totally nervous...

And there is absolutely no way in hell that Anosanim will ever be ever able to ever distance himself from (ever) Talin.

Did you just... you did, didn't you?  You ended the chapter at its most salivating part!!!!!!!

Curses!!!!!!!

Vani

[Falconer]

Second favorite moment:

"Anikira had weddings on her mind, but she’d been thinking about and privately planning for Kudorin’s, not Talin’s.  “Anosanim, that’s wonderful,” she said, hugging him, glad that Selorin wasn’t in the room."

[Falconer]

From Chapter 125:

  There was a beautiful piece of ivory, untouched, that Talin had been saving ever since Orinakin had brought it home a few years before.  He’d set it aside for a special occasion, wanting to use it for something unique.
            Getting married counted as a unique experience, since he only planned to do it once.

            It would take some time to carve it just right, but he thought that making it into a figurine of Hitari, and presenting it to Ilanosa, would be the perfect use of a special gift

From The complete dictionary of symbols by Jack Tresidder (accessed through Google Books):

Ivory: A symbol of incorruptibility, purity, rank and protection.

From The Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art By Hope B. Werness, Joanne H. Benedict, Scott Thomas, Tiffany (accessed through Google Books):

Because it came from powerful animals, ivory was credited with healing powers in India, in the Islamic world and in China where it was used as an antidote for poison.
[...]

In Africa, ivory was regarded as embodying [...] longevity.

BUT:

From A Dictionary of Literary Symbols by Michael Ferber (http://www.scribd.com/doc/8010706/A-Dictionary-of-Literary-Symbols)

In Homer also we find the two mysterious gates of dreams, the gate of ivory (elephas), through which deceptive dreams pass, and the gate of horn (keras), through which true ones pass (Odyssey 19.560--67).

 

[LilacMajesty]

Interesting, very interesting.  Definitely a plus in the Talin/Hitari column.

[SilverMoon28]

Second favorite moment:

"Anikira had weddings on her mind, but she’d been thinking about and privately planning for Kudorin’s, not Talin’s.  “Anosanim, that’s wonderful,” she said, hugging him, glad that Selorin wasn’t in the room."

But Selorin knows that everybody's worried about this engagement.  He's worried about it as well.

Is it Friday yet?!

[Matthew Haldeman-Time]

Falconer, thanks for the research!  Now I'm viewing the scene through each lens, interpreting and re-interpreting.

-Matthew

[Falconer]

Falconer, thanks for the research!  Now I'm viewing the scene through each lens, interpreting and re-interpreting.

-Matthew

No prob! I agree, there are many different ways that these could be interpreted. If they are relevant at all, that is.

Let me try to work through some of them... 

If we take it to mean:

A symbol of incorruptibility, purity, rank and protection.

Giving a figure of Hitari made in ivory to Ilanosa would mean... that their love (or their marriage) is incorruptible and pure? That Talin thinks Hitari himself is incorruptible and pure (or wants him to be)? That Talin is asking Ilanosa to protect their love/marriage? That he's asking for Hitari to be incorruptible and pure (as in asking Ilanosa to make him so)? That he's asking for Ilanosa's blessing so that Hitari may rise to a higher rank, meaning that he may be welcomed and respected by his family? (that would definitely be a "step up")... (and I think both Talin and Hitari are craving that respect, for the other siblings to be less hostile, not "indulging" or "accepting", but more welcoming... It should be interesting to see how this comes about.)

ivory was credited with healing powers in India, in the Islamic world and in China where it was used as an antidote for poison.

Hitari was said to be a poison... carving his figure in ivory and offering it to Ilanosa would mean... that their love (or Talin's love, or Hitari's love) is an antidote for whatever it is that had poisoned their relationship (or that had poisoned Hitari) before? That Talin's vision, his perception of Hitari is an antidote to the poison? Meaning that his love somewhat elevates Hitari, makes him better (this kinda goes back to the 'rank' thing)? That the marriage (or Ilanosa) would heal their wounds? That Ilanosa would heal Hitari's wounds?

ivory was regarded as embodying [...] longevity.

That one seems obvious...

In Homer also we find the two mysterious gates of dreams, the gate of ivory (elephas), through which deceptive dreams pass

I'm just going to ignore that one.


Last thought: I think that whatever this means (if indeed it means something), it doesn't come directly from Talin... I think it's coming from one of the gods. I dunno, just the way Talin was talking about it. Like this gift of the ivory was given to him for that purpose, and the way he knew exactly what he was going to give... Anyone else feel that way?