Kindred Chapter 23 - You Are Not Alone
Added 2020-05-09 00:29:21 +0000 UTCTime for a BIG OL' CONTENT WARNING
If you're this deep into the novel at this point I probably don't need to warn you, but I'm gonna anyway.
THIS IS THE ONE WITH F U C K I N' IN IT, Y'ALL.
I figure after 210k words, it's about time these boys got down.
Please Comment, Critique, let me know how I'm doing. Even if all you've got is pure thirst. Your beta-reading is nourishment for my writer brain.
UPDATE - I am frankly shocked by the amount of panic I'm getting from readers over this chapter, both here and in PMs on other sites. It's great to hear you're all so invested, and so willing to believe I could be so ruthless :P I hope however that this story isn't causing anyone any real distress or anxiety. I want my writing to feel real, but I don't literally want anyone to suffer. It's a rough time right now, I think everyone's feeling it. All I can say is - Please Keep Reading. I will try to get the next chapter finished soon. Hang in there.
Comments
You surprised me for a moment when they first enter the tavern. I thought it features Luther. Then it turns out to be Akashi. Before that, you fooled me that the smut would be in the bathhouse. You really toyed with me this time, given the progression. Why did the happy moment have to be ruined?
Alex Peterson
2020-05-12 00:01:06 +0000 UTCluther and amons is "kiss from a rose"
Komega01
2020-05-10 12:23:22 +0000 UTCThey say every couple has a "song" i think theirs would be "Careless whisper"
Komega01
2020-05-10 12:16:17 +0000 UTCLooking into this a bit more. For some reason, I thought Luther was undercover as akaishi. That’s kind of embarrassing. I honestly thought you were describing Luthers pelt, golden eyes, attachment to his sword. Now I realize painted dogs are there own breed. Thank you for the clarification.
Charles
2020-05-10 11:28:31 +0000 UTCI take it you mean Grayson? Luther's not in this story.
Rukis
2020-05-10 06:09:27 +0000 UTCLoving this story as always, both the beautiful and tragic situations in it. I don't really have much to add to what others have already said much earlier than me, but thank you for writing such passionate words. The lovemaking between Tuli and Finn was just superb. Too bad the happiness didn't last long. Unrelated: A crazy bathhouse party with privateers? I certainly never expected reading that ever, much less being used as a distraction lol BTW, I think no one mentioned the following typos (though you might've corrected them by now) Finn annunciated each word. (enunciated) I planned to life my life, (live my life) above the waste (waist) Not a typo but I'm not sure if you intended to use the word "absolutely" so close together in this sentence (I'd remove the first one): "Today had taken absolutely everything out of him, and I was simultaneously angrier with him than I’d ever been, and absolutely desperate to comfort him."
Gotriss
2020-05-10 04:00:33 +0000 UTCI sense something afoot? Nonetheless I HOPE THE BOYS ARE OK PLEASE BE OK
Drew Zomok
2020-05-09 21:17:10 +0000 UTCTo be honest, a lot of your work gives me anxiety to the point where I have to stop reading for a bit. However, I think being able to draw a reader in like that really speaks to your talent as a writer. I am loving Luthers presence in the story as well (He is my favourite character). I am actually more concerned for his well being than the main characters. However, I have the benefit of knowing this event takes place prior to Red Lantern.
Charles
2020-05-09 13:55:54 +0000 UTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH ! God this is awesome.
Velkiel
2020-05-09 10:55:32 +0000 UTCOh perhaps I should re-read again, though I suspect now what you'd be talking about. But now I'll go shleep, thanks for this answer though!
wasteprocyonid
2020-05-09 09:05:58 +0000 UTCOh and uh... reading other comments and yeah, realizing the rights some, me included, got in the fortunate places of the globe aren't universal... so I'll bump that onto the ''good'' part. There, yet again, reminding me human rights aren't granted... great.
wasteprocyonid
2020-05-09 09:02:11 +0000 UTCI'm honestly shocked that anyone reading this would consider the timing of the raid to be coincidental. It is VERY obviously tied to the main plot, it is by no means a random event, I assure you. That'd be pretty damn convenient : P Also I'm pretty surprised by the dire predictions I'm getting from everyone, lol! Although I suppose I have no one but myself to blame for that, after books like Legacy. . . . WHELP. All I can say is - keep reading. There is an immediate answer to many of you and other folks' questions in literally the very first part of the next chapter, which I actually left hints for in this one, so hopefully all will be explained to your satisfaction soon : )
Rukis
2020-05-09 09:00:54 +0000 UTCObviously this is a story meant to be, you know, interesting. And in order to keep things interesting, there has to be bumps in a character's story, challenging them to evolve further... but literally, and I say literally, as I read there was a raid, I said out loud ''O F C O U R S E, there would be a RAAAIIID''. (...shadow legends) Now then... is this bad or good? Well, I don't like the idea of ''good or bad''... but anyways, I think it's ''good'' as I understand (at least I think I do) what you are going for as an artist: reminding the audience of what could and might and will happen, as the things you write about are based upon real historical hardships that real life individuals went through. We are too often taking for granted the rights we just VERY RECENTLY acquired from centuries, if not millenias of hiding--and then, recently--fighting to be accepted. I'm pretty confident this is part of your philosophy and I couldn't agree more! Now as for ''b a d'', however gross and self-important it feels to write, I think it was perhaps a bit forced. And, again, I understand your story-telling principles, going for more sticks than carrots, and I respect it. But every stick you've given so far felt legitimate: Sawyer dead in his mother's arms? Heartbreaking, but his death made sense considering who and what he was, while progressing Odina further as a fully fledged character... however horrible that might sound. The Jackwalds finding FInn and Tuli on their way back from the heist? Believable, it makes complete sense as it's been explained beforehand that they're basically everywhere and Finn pushed their luck by going around as some of them. Then there's the raid? now it might be because you've hurt my feewings, I will recognize my subjectiveness, but it feels uncalled for. Of course, not everything has to be explained as some things happen and that's just how life rolls. It's acceptable in any story in small doses and you very, very rarely seem to be doing things randomly. Also I'll give the benefit of the doubt that you will probably give some reasoning behind such an incredible timing as that raid had to happen the very night they decided to do the naughties. Perhaps they were tailed after all, seems very possible... maybe even some neighboring business lodged a noise complaint not too long ago, that'd be bitterly funny lol Also I'm fairly certain Gezan won't let Finn die, at the very least, if he really does need him. And If I might push further, an even bigger maybe is that he might find his relationship with Tuli so ''quirky and interesting'' that he'd also let Tuli go. Though the alternative where Tuli stays in prison gives place to some... unsavory scenarios, uh... I'd rather not... read about Tuli... rotting in prison alone until he is sentenced to the noose and Finn, unable to stay on the sideline, tries to save him in a hopeless last scuffle where he dies gunned down. Or, orrrrr, possibly worse, Finn not being able to assist the lynching at all, so Tuli searches the crowd hopelessly, wondering why he wouldn't find him and realizing Finn is just not here as the floor opens under his weight and... story ends.......... well.... that's a 4am rambling if I've seen any... On another note, obviously sexy times were as sexy as ever, nothing surprising there. I really liked the way Finn thought out his plan to bring Tuli over to the brothel. The way he always plans around their horrible circumstances so they might just have a teeny, tiny bit of good time, once in a while, looks cute to me, for some reason. :3c
wasteprocyonid
2020-05-09 08:48:50 +0000 UTCApologies for maybe going a little too far in my comment. I just realized that it was because the way you wrote them together at that "gay bar" really hit home for me personally because it deeply reminds me of myself when i was younger. My now husband introduced me to the "scene" much like the way Finn did for Tuli and the way you wrote Tuli just really reminded me of myself when i was taking it all in back then. It's a true testament to how well you're able to convey the feelings/emotions of your characters , to make them feel this real and relatable. But still...please don't turn Finn into another Grant, or Tuli into another Shivah, his innocence needs to be protected and nourished, not stomped out. Grant already took all the pain,suffering and sins for every Red Lantern main character, we don't need another one.
Y-Foxy
2020-05-09 07:25:34 +0000 UTCI've tried to write 'just smut' side stories and I still usually fail : P I can't write without thinking 'but what are they feeling'. It's a blessing and a curse.
Rukis
2020-05-09 07:11:16 +0000 UTCIt's not over yet ; )
Rukis
2020-05-09 07:09:49 +0000 UTCI will start by saying that the time spent in the "gay bar" with Finn and Tuli was such a wholesome, earned and truly wonderful piece of relationship building and love. Having said that though.... Oh come on ! After such an earned moment of true love between them you had to destroy it with that cliffhanger ? Can we just for once have the main characters in something set in the Red Lantern Universe not end in utter misery. I know your style is to build up characters through hardships and downfalls and show the harshness of love/relationships especially those of the gay kind in this world you built, but can we maybe for once, just once have this end on a positive note ?
Y-Foxy
2020-05-09 06:36:08 +0000 UTCThere is a steep difference between you and other anthropomorphic writers, especially those that focus on erotic content. You don't downplay it, but you don't linger on it like they do. Moreover, you companion the scene with the psychological and emotional dimensions experienced by the characters. In my own experience reading these pieces by you, this distracts from the erotic scenes, but not unnaturally so. When speaking of sexual activity, one can never understate the difference between the actual and the imagined. For this reason, I believe those writer's which center on the erotic defer the utmost value to the tactile description of the act. Your prose remains consistent with the voice spoken by the rest of your works, from Cruelty to the present. You write of those who form non-traditional bonds, facing and overcoming challenges as they arise. Characters come first. This curbs the appeal of your story to some audiences but keeps the prose authentic to the voice of it's author.
Dovahquill
2020-05-09 05:56:41 +0000 UTCTHAT.. Was NOT Sex!!!! That was definitely Making Love - and it makes me adore the characters all the more. Many thanks for sharing this with us alll.
Marcwolf
2020-05-09 03:31:54 +0000 UTCGod damn Rukis. You know how to create such a fantastic story and a great cliffhanger at that. 10/10. I want to keep reading soon and see where it takes us next because it will be such a wild ride from now on.
Daniel Ortiz
2020-05-09 02:26:54 +0000 UTCAlso. Near the end when they’re cuddled up and talking. In my mind I’m singing “Don’t let go, give me another minute to lay here in your echo.”
Connor Laleff
2020-05-09 02:17:24 +0000 UTCLoved the chapter! These boys just can’t catch a break :( Again I have no clue what’s coming next. Everything between Finn and Tuli was perfect and I like how both Tuli and Odina were both adamant that Finn didn’t need to become a martyr. The closer we get to the end though, the more stressed it makes me. I just want my boys to be happy 😭 Their tender moments together will forever be my favourite part of this story. Let’s hope they can continue to make the memories for the rest of their lives *fingers crossed*
Connor Laleff
2020-05-09 01:55:46 +0000 UTCI loved the description and atmosphere of the "tavern". I could imagine myself being there. And the sex scene with Finn and Tuli reminded me of a certain other book. Given everything that's happening, I'm just a bit worried about Finn's survival at this point. 😨
Kayodé Lycaon
2020-05-09 01:26:36 +0000 UTCGods, Tuli is just precious. I'm hoping that I'm right in thinking Grayson caught what was said and stages a rescue... I mean, it's likely these folks are on Gezan's payroll, right? Or am I just wishful thinking? ^^;;
Tuuwa
2020-05-09 01:25:56 +0000 UTCFUuuuuuuuuck. Okay, Tuli in the gay bar is officially my favorite thing ever. That cliffhanger tho D:.
Randall
2020-05-09 01:11:45 +0000 UTCThat was lovely, very romantic and touching... till the end that is. It’s rather sad this was a reality for gay people even in my lifetime! I still remember bars I frequented in my younger years being raided in very similar fashion and it’s very much still happening in many other countries around the world... What will happen now with this story with its end coming shortly?
Cosmo
2020-05-09 01:09:50 +0000 UTCoh my GOD the ball joke XD
Randall
2020-05-09 00:36:25 +0000 UTCAbout time! These poor boys keep getting interrupted whenever they think they have a moment together XD.
Randall
2020-05-09 00:32:09 +0000 UTC
