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Mar. 18th, 2006 10:25 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
rowana.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
queensthiefFor anyone interested, here's the transcript of the chat that just finished. I didn't manage to catch all of it, and some bits aren't there, so it may feel a bit disjointed in places. I've stuck a ~~~ in to indicate where this has happened.
If either Checkers of Anon8 would like me to remove any of the transcript, just let me know. It's currently locked so that only members of the comm can see it, but I'll make the entry public in a few days. It's quite a long transcript, so some speed reading may be required.
checkers: ro!
rowana: Checkers!
rowana: I just realised the time. :)
checkers: i was starting to get a little worried. i just got here, too
rowana: I'm sure everyone else will filter in later
rowana: How are you?
checkers: hope so. i'm good, you?
rowana: Good. :)
checkers: i swear i hanen't done ANYTHING today
checkers: very lazy
rowana: Laziness is good. I've spent the day pretending to work.
checkers: ha. I do that a lot during the week. :)
rowana: I was re-reading KoA earlier and speculating on the answers tosome of the questions we asked
checkers: i want to reread it, too.
rowana: It's the good book for rereading
checkers: i've also been trying to predict what will happen in the next book.
rowana: Oh yes, what are Gen's plans for Costis?
checkers: I wonder how far in the future the next book will be.
checkers: I always worry that years will have passed
rowana: Good point
checkers: I was very happy with KoA that only months had gone by.
rowana: But going on the basis of the past few books, I don't think the gap will be too big
checkers: yeah, I hope not.
rowana: Yes. Gen is the kind of character whom if you left a gap of years, he'd have a lot of unexplained qualities.
rowana: think.
checkers: That's for sure.
rowana: I read a slightly harsh reviwe of the book today
checkers: !!!
checkers: really
rowana: Accusing MWT of sexism.
checkers: Why?
rowana: It was just a random journal entry that I found. The writer suggested that the point of the book was that Atolia as a woman, couldn't rule alone.
checkers: Psht. Nonsense
rowana: Absolutely.
rowana: The comment from QoA about single female rulers ruled out any sexism a long time ago :)
checkers: Although, in that society, it WAS difficult for a woman to rule, esp. in Attolia
rowana: True. Which was why she was so much more of an icon than a woman
checkers: Yes. And Eddis had a easier time because of her having relatives instead of barons.
checkers: Weren't most of her ministers family?
rowana: Yes.
rowana: Eddisians are great. I think Aulus and Boagus are fantastic examples of why the Attolians think they're crass though.
checkers: I loved them!
rowana: 'shut up yourself you silly bastard!'
rowana: :D
checkers: I picture the Eddisians as Americans and the Attolians as Brits. :)
rowana: Really? :D Fair example I suppose
rowana: Coming from an American. ;)
checkers: That's how I imagine their accents, too.
rowana: I always picture the Eddisians as slight Italian, and the Attolians as British
rowana: *slightly. The dark skin and everything.
checkers: Yes, good imagery
rowana: I wonder how MWT would relate them to real life populations
~~~
anon8 from x.x.x.179 joined the chat
rowana: Hello!
checkers: Hi anon!
rowana: I think the reader may have missed some of the better bits of this book
anon8: hello rowana, checkers...had to take a moment to read the back discussion
checkers: How are you, anan?
checkers: anon, sorry
anon8: eh, midterms but that's not unexpected
anon8: you?
rowana: :) Exams suck.
checkers: Yuck
~~~
rowana: *nods* Well, either way. In some ways, the first two books built up the expectations for emotional intensity. I think this book had its points, but they were more subtle.
anon8: that's why I liked it so much
rowana: :) Yes, exactly.
rowana: And the open-endedness just means that the possible speculation for the next book is well
rowana: more fun. In a way.
checkers: Yes. Really, anything could happen in the next book.
rowana: One thing that changed for me with re-reading was how I saw Costis' character.
rowana: Did you guys find that?
rowana: With anything?
checkers: How do you mean?
rowana: I mean, at the beginning, I think I was just seeing him as the eyes through which we saw Gen and Irene
rowana: I'm beginning to like him as a character in his own right, and I'm becoming more interested in his role in the future.
checkers: Oh, yes. By the end of the book I liked him for himself.
checkers: I thought the scenes between him and Aris were written very well, in a way to show his character
rowana: Yes, I think the characterisation is really the strong point of MWT writing
rowana: It makes everything seem realistic. *shrugs*
checkers: I do hope that he and Gen, as they get on a more equal footing, have some fun interactions.
checkers: Really, Costis is as stubborn as Gen
rowana: Yes. :) Costis has a dry sense of humour when caught off guard
rowana: That quip about the heir made me laugh
checkers: Very funny! I loved the part where Costis hissed, "Why can't you act like a proper king?"
anon8: that was great
rowana: Yes. :) I wonder if it'll be as Phresine's story predicted. more friends, than servant and master.
anon8: I loved how Gen anticipated when Costis was trying to say that he wasn't a gossip seller
checkers: Yes, I wondered that too. BUT, he isn't as intriguing as Gen, and I hope he doesn't become more of a main char.
rowana: In some ways, I'd agree with you, but I think I've grown quite fond of Costis
checkers: You know, anon, I wondered about that. How did Gen know that?
rowana: I'm wondering if he has hidden depths, though that hasn't been a feature of his character at all so far.
checkers: Who else knew about the story of his cousins?
anon8: cuz it was the talk of the court
anon8: so Costis was bound to react when he heard
rowana: But how did Dite find out.
rowana: Was it Dite?
checkers: Dite's friend
anon8: yeah
checkers: At dinner
anon8: Dite told Dite's friend, who asked the king
checkers: How did Dite know?
rowana: Yes.
rowana: Yes.
anon8: probably one of the guards outside Costis's room heard the king tell Costis and then sold the info to Dite
anon8: or maybe Dite's bro got it from one of the guards and told Dite
checkers: Hmm. Yes, there was just a curtain, and Lacaem(???) was right out there
rowana: Someone must have overheard the king telling costis yes. I can't see Gen repreating the story often.
anon8: well, just because Gen's cousins wanted him to say stuff about his own family doesn't mean he did
rowana: Was it Laecdomon? He was the one who tried to kill Gen at the end.
checkers: He was the one Gen sent to get food for Costis
anon8: mmm, after
anon8: unless he never went
rowana: Yes, didn't Costis think later that Gen knew the guard wouldn't really go
checkers: Well, he certainly never brought it back
anon8: or that the guard would take a reeeeeeeeeally long time
rowana: :)
checkers: And bring olives sealed in a jar :)
rowana: That scene with the seal ring was interesting.
rowana: Gen being unable to pull it off.
checkers: Yes. Other than Costis feeling sympathy for Gen, what was with that?
checkers: See, I'm starting to feel like EVERY part muct have hidden meaning!
anon8: it's more poignant sympathy because you would never expect that to be a problem
rowana: I know what you mean. :) There must be a point to it
anon8: then Costis tests it out and feels even worse about it
rowana: Yes. Was it part of Gen trying to change Costis' opinion?
rowana: As he admits at the end he was trying t do all along.
checkers: Yes, that was powerful. But I thought Gen just wanted the ring off because he was sick of playing King that day
anon8: yeah, me too
rowana: Good point.
anon8: it just adds to the effect that such a simple thing got to Costis
rowana: It'd be interesting to see what happened if Eddis and Attolia were ever forced to go head to head
checkers: Rowr! Yes.
rowana: Just, on the Gen being King point
rowana: :) Yes.
anon8: Gen would sit back and laugh at an inappropriate moment and the argument would collapse
rowana: :D
checkers: Ha
checkers: Here's something I still think I'm missing
checkers: Why did Gen keep getting lost in the palace? Was he pretending?
anon8: yeah
rowana: Yes!
rowana: I mean, not pretending. his frustration seemed real
rowana: And he had no motive to pretent.
checkers: Or was he used to going across the rafters anytime he wanted, but he couldn't go that way with his attendants?
anon8: but it also gave him a chance to see back corridors and other passage ways
checkers: Yes, I thought his frustration was real, too
checkers: But shouldn't he have known his way around?
rowana: Maybe he was used to taking certain back roots, like the rafters as you said, and didn't think much about whether his attendant could follow. And only realised when he got there that he was king.
checkers: From all the years of going there?
anon8: i felt he was partly pretending: like he knew the way back to his rooms and stuff, but he wanted to see corridors that he had bypassed before
rowana: And couldn't clamber across rafters
rowana: It could be anything.
anon8: or maybe he was testing the attendents? seeing which ones were the leaders of the mischief?
checkers: That could be. Makes semse
rowana: yeah
anon8: like the queen remarking "like you care" cuz Gen didn't really care what his attendents thought
anon8: or the petty things they did
rowana: I wondered why that resonated so much them
rowana: It was repated, wasn't it?
checkers: But I was surprised he put up with all that. That's so un-Genlike
checkers: they really made him look foolish
anon8: cuz they thought he was genuinely upset and frustrated and that he was going to exile them all, but he was just testing them, sorta like the joke was on the attendents
checkers: So just to weed out who was eveil?
anon8: i felt the putting up with it was just to mask his power and how much he really knew
rowana: :) Yeah. And we know Gen's a very good actor.
checkers: Can't spell today :)
anon8: and maybe to nettle Ornon...who was telling him to keep his temper
checkers: You know, really, he is acting ALL the time
rowana: True. Especially now he's suddenly a public figure.
checkers: Yes, I think part of the reason he came across as weak is that he really was trying to do what Ornon told him, and keep his temper
checkers: He was trying to be good
rowana: Not revealing himself
anon8: i think he came across as weak was to appear non-threatening to the barons plus test people's characters...nettle Ornon being an added bonus, like making Ornon worry
checkers: So, why do you think he and the queen hid their relationship?
checkers: Wouldn't they want to appear united?
anon8: sorta the same idea? to judge the reactions/character of the barons
rowana: Perhaps they were just being discreet about it. It is, as Costis said, no one else's business
rowana: Oh, sorry, I thought you meant in another sense
checkers: Yes, both
checkers: Business and pleasure :)
anon8: no, no, I felt that they were both purposefully hiding their relationship for a purpose
checkers: Don't you dare post that for everyone to see!
checkers: yes, me too
rowana: :D The whole transcript's recorded
checkers: ha
rowana: Been copying and pasting
rowana: Actually, the chat is now officially over
checkers: You viper!
anon8: haha
rowana: *bows*
checkers: Well, without the Dancing Bear here it's not as...hmmm...lively as usual.
rowana: Yes, where is fabricalchemist?
rowana: *peers around* I may revoke her new ruffle.
checkers: I suppose she thought the movies were more important *pouts*
rowana: There there. You can always threaten her with your riding crop later. :)
rowana: I thought she was going to go to a late one though.
checkers: We shall have to chastize her.
rowana: Oh well. :) I'll stick the transcript up in a post.
I'm quite tempted to correct the typos, but the apologies won't make sense then. Gah. :)
Comments?
[Edit: This entry is no longer locked}
If either Checkers of Anon8 would like me to remove any of the transcript, just let me know. It's currently locked so that only members of the comm can see it, but I'll make the entry public in a few days. It's quite a long transcript, so some speed reading may be required.
checkers: ro!
rowana: Checkers!
rowana: I just realised the time. :)
checkers: i was starting to get a little worried. i just got here, too
rowana: I'm sure everyone else will filter in later
rowana: How are you?
checkers: hope so. i'm good, you?
rowana: Good. :)
checkers: i swear i hanen't done ANYTHING today
checkers: very lazy
rowana: Laziness is good. I've spent the day pretending to work.
checkers: ha. I do that a lot during the week. :)
rowana: I was re-reading KoA earlier and speculating on the answers tosome of the questions we asked
checkers: i want to reread it, too.
rowana: It's the good book for rereading
checkers: i've also been trying to predict what will happen in the next book.
rowana: Oh yes, what are Gen's plans for Costis?
checkers: I wonder how far in the future the next book will be.
checkers: I always worry that years will have passed
rowana: Good point
checkers: I was very happy with KoA that only months had gone by.
rowana: But going on the basis of the past few books, I don't think the gap will be too big
checkers: yeah, I hope not.
rowana: Yes. Gen is the kind of character whom if you left a gap of years, he'd have a lot of unexplained qualities.
rowana: think.
checkers: That's for sure.
rowana: I read a slightly harsh reviwe of the book today
checkers: !!!
checkers: really
rowana: Accusing MWT of sexism.
checkers: Why?
rowana: It was just a random journal entry that I found. The writer suggested that the point of the book was that Atolia as a woman, couldn't rule alone.
checkers: Psht. Nonsense
rowana: Absolutely.
rowana: The comment from QoA about single female rulers ruled out any sexism a long time ago :)
checkers: Although, in that society, it WAS difficult for a woman to rule, esp. in Attolia
rowana: True. Which was why she was so much more of an icon than a woman
checkers: Yes. And Eddis had a easier time because of her having relatives instead of barons.
checkers: Weren't most of her ministers family?
rowana: Yes.
rowana: Eddisians are great. I think Aulus and Boagus are fantastic examples of why the Attolians think they're crass though.
checkers: I loved them!
rowana: 'shut up yourself you silly bastard!'
rowana: :D
checkers: I picture the Eddisians as Americans and the Attolians as Brits. :)
rowana: Really? :D Fair example I suppose
rowana: Coming from an American. ;)
checkers: That's how I imagine their accents, too.
rowana: I always picture the Eddisians as slight Italian, and the Attolians as British
rowana: *slightly. The dark skin and everything.
checkers: Yes, good imagery
rowana: I wonder how MWT would relate them to real life populations
~~~
anon8 from x.x.x.179 joined the chat
rowana: Hello!
checkers: Hi anon!
rowana: I think the reader may have missed some of the better bits of this book
anon8: hello rowana, checkers...had to take a moment to read the back discussion
checkers: How are you, anan?
checkers: anon, sorry
anon8: eh, midterms but that's not unexpected
anon8: you?
rowana: :) Exams suck.
checkers: Yuck
~~~
rowana: *nods* Well, either way. In some ways, the first two books built up the expectations for emotional intensity. I think this book had its points, but they were more subtle.
anon8: that's why I liked it so much
rowana: :) Yes, exactly.
rowana: And the open-endedness just means that the possible speculation for the next book is well
rowana: more fun. In a way.
checkers: Yes. Really, anything could happen in the next book.
rowana: One thing that changed for me with re-reading was how I saw Costis' character.
rowana: Did you guys find that?
rowana: With anything?
checkers: How do you mean?
rowana: I mean, at the beginning, I think I was just seeing him as the eyes through which we saw Gen and Irene
rowana: I'm beginning to like him as a character in his own right, and I'm becoming more interested in his role in the future.
checkers: Oh, yes. By the end of the book I liked him for himself.
checkers: I thought the scenes between him and Aris were written very well, in a way to show his character
rowana: Yes, I think the characterisation is really the strong point of MWT writing
rowana: It makes everything seem realistic. *shrugs*
checkers: I do hope that he and Gen, as they get on a more equal footing, have some fun interactions.
checkers: Really, Costis is as stubborn as Gen
rowana: Yes. :) Costis has a dry sense of humour when caught off guard
rowana: That quip about the heir made me laugh
checkers: Very funny! I loved the part where Costis hissed, "Why can't you act like a proper king?"
anon8: that was great
rowana: Yes. :) I wonder if it'll be as Phresine's story predicted. more friends, than servant and master.
anon8: I loved how Gen anticipated when Costis was trying to say that he wasn't a gossip seller
checkers: Yes, I wondered that too. BUT, he isn't as intriguing as Gen, and I hope he doesn't become more of a main char.
rowana: In some ways, I'd agree with you, but I think I've grown quite fond of Costis
checkers: You know, anon, I wondered about that. How did Gen know that?
rowana: I'm wondering if he has hidden depths, though that hasn't been a feature of his character at all so far.
checkers: Who else knew about the story of his cousins?
anon8: cuz it was the talk of the court
anon8: so Costis was bound to react when he heard
rowana: But how did Dite find out.
rowana: Was it Dite?
checkers: Dite's friend
anon8: yeah
checkers: At dinner
anon8: Dite told Dite's friend, who asked the king
checkers: How did Dite know?
rowana: Yes.
rowana: Yes.
anon8: probably one of the guards outside Costis's room heard the king tell Costis and then sold the info to Dite
anon8: or maybe Dite's bro got it from one of the guards and told Dite
checkers: Hmm. Yes, there was just a curtain, and Lacaem(???) was right out there
rowana: Someone must have overheard the king telling costis yes. I can't see Gen repreating the story often.
anon8: well, just because Gen's cousins wanted him to say stuff about his own family doesn't mean he did
rowana: Was it Laecdomon? He was the one who tried to kill Gen at the end.
checkers: He was the one Gen sent to get food for Costis
anon8: mmm, after
anon8: unless he never went
rowana: Yes, didn't Costis think later that Gen knew the guard wouldn't really go
checkers: Well, he certainly never brought it back
anon8: or that the guard would take a reeeeeeeeeally long time
rowana: :)
checkers: And bring olives sealed in a jar :)
rowana: That scene with the seal ring was interesting.
rowana: Gen being unable to pull it off.
checkers: Yes. Other than Costis feeling sympathy for Gen, what was with that?
checkers: See, I'm starting to feel like EVERY part muct have hidden meaning!
anon8: it's more poignant sympathy because you would never expect that to be a problem
rowana: I know what you mean. :) There must be a point to it
anon8: then Costis tests it out and feels even worse about it
rowana: Yes. Was it part of Gen trying to change Costis' opinion?
rowana: As he admits at the end he was trying t do all along.
checkers: Yes, that was powerful. But I thought Gen just wanted the ring off because he was sick of playing King that day
anon8: yeah, me too
rowana: Good point.
anon8: it just adds to the effect that such a simple thing got to Costis
rowana: It'd be interesting to see what happened if Eddis and Attolia were ever forced to go head to head
checkers: Rowr! Yes.
rowana: Just, on the Gen being King point
rowana: :) Yes.
anon8: Gen would sit back and laugh at an inappropriate moment and the argument would collapse
rowana: :D
checkers: Ha
checkers: Here's something I still think I'm missing
checkers: Why did Gen keep getting lost in the palace? Was he pretending?
anon8: yeah
rowana: Yes!
rowana: I mean, not pretending. his frustration seemed real
rowana: And he had no motive to pretent.
checkers: Or was he used to going across the rafters anytime he wanted, but he couldn't go that way with his attendants?
anon8: but it also gave him a chance to see back corridors and other passage ways
checkers: Yes, I thought his frustration was real, too
checkers: But shouldn't he have known his way around?
rowana: Maybe he was used to taking certain back roots, like the rafters as you said, and didn't think much about whether his attendant could follow. And only realised when he got there that he was king.
checkers: From all the years of going there?
anon8: i felt he was partly pretending: like he knew the way back to his rooms and stuff, but he wanted to see corridors that he had bypassed before
rowana: And couldn't clamber across rafters
rowana: It could be anything.
anon8: or maybe he was testing the attendents? seeing which ones were the leaders of the mischief?
checkers: That could be. Makes semse
rowana: yeah
anon8: like the queen remarking "like you care" cuz Gen didn't really care what his attendents thought
anon8: or the petty things they did
rowana: I wondered why that resonated so much them
rowana: It was repated, wasn't it?
checkers: But I was surprised he put up with all that. That's so un-Genlike
checkers: they really made him look foolish
anon8: cuz they thought he was genuinely upset and frustrated and that he was going to exile them all, but he was just testing them, sorta like the joke was on the attendents
checkers: So just to weed out who was eveil?
anon8: i felt the putting up with it was just to mask his power and how much he really knew
rowana: :) Yeah. And we know Gen's a very good actor.
checkers: Can't spell today :)
anon8: and maybe to nettle Ornon...who was telling him to keep his temper
checkers: You know, really, he is acting ALL the time
rowana: True. Especially now he's suddenly a public figure.
checkers: Yes, I think part of the reason he came across as weak is that he really was trying to do what Ornon told him, and keep his temper
checkers: He was trying to be good
rowana: Not revealing himself
anon8: i think he came across as weak was to appear non-threatening to the barons plus test people's characters...nettle Ornon being an added bonus, like making Ornon worry
checkers: So, why do you think he and the queen hid their relationship?
checkers: Wouldn't they want to appear united?
anon8: sorta the same idea? to judge the reactions/character of the barons
rowana: Perhaps they were just being discreet about it. It is, as Costis said, no one else's business
rowana: Oh, sorry, I thought you meant in another sense
checkers: Yes, both
checkers: Business and pleasure :)
anon8: no, no, I felt that they were both purposefully hiding their relationship for a purpose
checkers: Don't you dare post that for everyone to see!
checkers: yes, me too
rowana: :D The whole transcript's recorded
checkers: ha
rowana: Been copying and pasting
rowana: Actually, the chat is now officially over
checkers: You viper!
anon8: haha
rowana: *bows*
checkers: Well, without the Dancing Bear here it's not as...hmmm...lively as usual.
rowana: Yes, where is fabricalchemist?
rowana: *peers around* I may revoke her new ruffle.
checkers: I suppose she thought the movies were more important *pouts*
rowana: There there. You can always threaten her with your riding crop later. :)
rowana: I thought she was going to go to a late one though.
checkers: We shall have to chastize her.
rowana: Oh well. :) I'll stick the transcript up in a post.
I'm quite tempted to correct the typos, but the apologies won't make sense then. Gah. :)
Comments?
[Edit: This entry is no longer locked}
no subject
Date: 3/18/06 11:34 pm (UTC)---
"I always picture the Eddisians as slight Italian" Exactly the same thought here.
---
"One thing that changed for me with re-reading was how I saw Costis' character." I really need to re-read now. Still haveing read KoA only once, I still think that Costis is a slightly nondescript character.
I really missed being in Gen's head in this book. I think (not positive) we only got to see from his eyes once. Costis's head wasn't nearly as intresting for me, because all I could think about was "what's going on in Gen's head?" But like I said, I'm gonna re-read it.
---
One think I noticed about KoA (you may have already discussed it) is that it's really not a stand-alone book. I think QoA could have worked alright on it's own, but this book would really be lacking in depth if you didn't know all about Gen's character already.
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 03:46 pm (UTC):) Gen with an American accent, as Checkers suggested, just seems wrong to me. Likewise with Helen, and Gen's father.
"One thing that changed for me with re-reading was how I saw Costis' character." I really need to re-read now. Still haveing read KoA only once, I still think that Costis is a slightly nondescript character.
:) I began to like Costis partly because he's a little more normal, but still has some exceptional qualities. He was selected at an age much younger than most recruits, and bumped up to squad leader at a similarly early age. He's not exceptionally clever, but I like what we do see form his point of view. I think that's how I'd immediately react if I ever knew someone like Gen. With exasperation and despair. :)
I agree that I missed seeing things from Gen's perspective, but I think it's the right thing to do - to keep shifting the style. We don't want the books to become too stagnant, or for Gen to become too much of the focal point.
I agree though, about its not being a stand-alone book. The history is what makes it so good.
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 02:41 am (UTC)Do we sound really stupid, everyone? It sounded all intellectual at the time. Humph. *rolls eyes*
I really miss being in Gen's head, too, but I also miss very much being in Irene's head. We learned so much about her in the second half of QoA, but in this book we see only her actions (fainting, gathering Gen in her arms) and hear only what she says in public. Those actions were very, very different from how she was in QoA. I missed delving into her a bit more deeply. At the end of QoA she was determined to hold her sovereignty and was glad Gen was afraid of her. Something happened between then and when KoA begins. Maybe the gods visited her, or maybe it was just lo, the transforming power of love. :)
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 05:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 3/19/06 03:49 pm (UTC)I agree, I missed seeing a closer view of Irene. I think there's a lot that changes in her, and that it's difficult to see that completely from Costis' point of view.
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 05:10 am (UTC)Sorry for missing it, though, honestly. Today was...whirlwind-ey.
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 03:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 3/19/06 05:24 pm (UTC)And, because everyone is probably wondering, I wasn't dissing anybody or being all inappropriate in the conspiracy room. I shared something that was fine in that room but not meant for the entire world wide web.
no subject
Date: 3/19/06 09:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 3/19/06 11:25 pm (UTC)cherryblosomjen from x.x.x.153 joined the chat 6 seconds ago
cherryblosomjen: Hey all. I'm sorry I wasn't here for the chat, in case you're wondering the bridesmaid thing went well. I'll even post a pic later.
cherryblosomjen: Anyway, I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in on the part of the discussion I can see (I can't wait to read your post with more details, Ro). As far as Gen being lost in the palace -- I don't think he ever was. That one day when he seemed frustrated I think it was because he had been distracted, in his eagerness to return to his room he forgot about the act he was putting on for the attendants, and knew it was too early to reveal that he could travel via rooftop... etc.
cherryblosomjen: As far as the second discussion about why Gen and Irene hid their relationship, I have to agree with anon that it was for a specific purpose. Imo, that purpose was directly linked to destroying the house of Erondites. Gen must have felt that it was to his advantage to appear weak and unsuspecting (especially with regards to his relationship with the queen) until he had taken care of his promise and slowly built the trust of the guard.
Fabricalchemist from x.x.x.75 joined the chat 2 seconds ago
Fabricalchemist: you mean to say that there are still ppl in here?
Fabricalchemist: O_O
Fabricalchemist: Cherryblossom! Yo!