[Report This]Date: 03/29/2006 11:47 am Title: An Escort
I actually felt a bit sorry for Severus at first.
This line was hilarious, “he realized with mixed feelings that he had to walk into the ballroom full of black-clad witches with THAT”
Are we going to find out what happened when Calyxa was young and got into an altercation with Bellatrix?
And why did she go out with Sirius if he was a bully? And I loved the bit about how she thought Severus was trying to make someone jealous, Very well-crafted, Zen.
Author's Response: Never fear, everything will be revealed in the end. The part about Severus trying to make someone jealous was a late addition, but it was so obvious that she'd pick up on something like that. I had originally been thinking that her ex-husband would run into them at the party, but he's off in Italy with Amanita, so it wouldn't work. After the way he insulted Remus, can you imagine what Borodin would say if he saw her going out with Severus??
[Report This]Date: 03/27/2006 05:32 pm Title: An Escort
This is such a wonderful story. The unique part is that each chapter is told from a different POV. This really adds to the richness of the storytelling, though it makes it harder on the author, but you pull it off marvelously. Each character has a separate voice that I can readily identify. I always like to see who gets to tell the next chapter....I do feel sorry for poor Calyxa caught in the middle of everything. It must be tough to be the center of attention for so many different men. Severus' use of her in this chapter was so very Slytherin and I just loved it. Of course, I love my Slytherin men, so that's expected.
Author's Response: You may know that I have a slytherin scarf that I got for Christmas. I suppose it suits me, but opposites attract, so I have a thing for nice guys. You and I can divide up the fellas between us. *wink* DOn't worry about Calyxa, she's very used to handling men, she's been doing it all her life!
[Report This]Date: 03/24/2006 02:08 pm Title: An Escort
Wow. This is brilliant. Calyxa is such an endearing and complex character. I love your portrayals of all the canon characters, Lupin and Snape in particular. This story is so intriguing. I cannot wait to read more.
Author's Response: Thanks for taking the time to write this! I also think Calyxa is quite complicated, and it's because I stumbled on to the information about the Janarra just before I started writing this.
And if you're wondering what I was supposed to be doing while I was drafting the chapters, look up calyx, amanita, and chalazza in a botanical dictionary ;-)
[Report This]Date: 03/20/2006 12:39 pm Title: The Prince and the Werewolf
I like Prince Borodin. My kind of bad boy - handsome and wicked. On the other hand, as much as I don't like nice guys, I'm really growing fond of poor Remus (everytime I hear that name, I think of Uncle Remus and Brer rabbit.) Anayway, I'm getting more and more interested in what occurred int the past. The contessa mentions that he wrote her one letter. Are we ever going to find out what that was all about? Also, Professor McGonagall asked if the contessa was his girlfriend in high school, but they've already said that she was Sirius's girlfriend. What was going on there? And he's so possessive with the instinctive "mine" of his wolvish side. Ooh la la! I am growing more and more curious about what happened in the past. One last question - are these two ever going to get together? (Poor old Stephen, the greatest narrator of all time, only got a kiss from Rose after 41 chapters)
Author's Response: I like Prince Borodin too - but he scares me. ALl the information about what happened in the past will be revealed as the chapters pass.
(Poor Stephen! I think he was better suited for me than for Rose!)
[Report This]Date: 03/01/2006 10:31 am Title: The Lecture
I loved this chapter! The wild thought processes of the contessa are hilarious, but I also feel a bit sorry for her. Also, the language describing her feelings for Remus is just lovely. "she felt exquisite sensations shimmering in every particle of her being" I think my husband makes me feel like that sometimes. ;)
The only thing I don't understand is why she thinks he isn't interested in her when obviously he is. Other than that, the lecture was long and a bit boring; however, while reading it, I kept wondering how much of this stuff is going to be important later on in the story & how much of it is going to just be red herrings...
Author's Response: Nothing ever gets by you, does it?? I think the bit about the Houses system being given too much weight will be unimportant, although you'll see why she thinks that way. I don't think there's anything specific about cyclical time in the future, but I've just got a skeleton framework of what's going to happen. Keep reading and we'll see what's important and what's not. ;-)
[Report This]Date: 03/01/2006 10:22 am Title: A Visit from Malfoy
Ve-e-e-e-ery interesting. I like the naughty mind of this narrator (I've always had a thing for bad guys). I have to say I loved this sentence: "They had been an odd couple, the tall, arrogant Black and the wraithlike, little Calyxa, but that first night had been alive with Ancient Magic that still preoccupied Severus’s mind."
Do you intend to tell us exactly what happened in the past scene by scene? Or will it all just be hearsay?
Author's Response: Thanmks, Lady Legrace. I think I'm going to actually let the past play out in scenes rather than tell it in flashbacks. It will be longer that way but hopefully more satisfying.
[Report This]Date: 01/26/2006 11:08 am Title: Early Mornings
Lovely chapter. I don't usually like "nice guys", but there is something very appealing about this narrator. I feel a bit sorry for him and like him.
I'm wondering if we'll hear more from ths narrator in the ensuing chapters?
Author's Response: I think I can safely say yes. He's a useful narrator, but I can't always use him because he knows too much. ;-D
[Report This]Date: 11/15/2007 11:23 am Title: The Doge's Visit
Same old randy lad, that Sirius, eh? ;-) “Poor, dear Sirius, so reckless and yet so noble.” This made me smile although it also gave me quite a pang in the heart. On the other hand, he’s a real idiot for mentioning her reputation when it all started because of him! (Who invited her to the ball? I’m thinking Percy Weasley. Did he know her? He must have met her the previous year when she was living at the school.)
Author's Response: Heh! He is an idiot sometimes. And she did know Percy (they were in a scene together after Sirius slashed Ron's bed curtains), but it wasn't him - he's a Hogwarts graduate and of legal age by now.
[Report This]Date: 11/15/2007 11:13 am Title: The Errand
Poor Calyxa! She's been rejected twice, no wonder she's so depressed. I have to admit, though, that I REALLY thought the owl was from Remus. And the scene with Harry was well done, just like a 14-year old boy. One question: didn't one of the twins have a crush on her?
Author's Response: Yes, it was George Weasley who loaned her his dressing gown and slippers and who thought she might kiss him as a reward.
[Report This]Date: 01/16/2006 10:58 am Title: The Caretaker’s Errand
That was really sweet. Poor old Filch, he's such a miserable old guy. It's nice to see something good happen to him. The contessa, on the other hand, is quite a mystery. Very good manners, but she doesn't give much away, does she?
Looking forward to reading more.
Author's Response: Glad you're enjoying it. Stay tuned for more.
[Report This]Date: 12/28/2005 11:07 am Title: An Old Friend
Good start. I'm wondering what happened in the past and what's going to happen! So, she was initially filled with joy when she saw Prof. Lupin, but then she appeared cool, calm and collected. Very interesting.
Like an onion, I expect we'll start peeling away the layers before too long!
Can't wait!
Author's Response: Nothing ever slips by you, Lady Legrace. Anyway, I think it'll be a while before we start peeling away those onion layers. Enjoy the little hints until then!
[Report This]Date: 12/21/2005 11:45 am Title: Prologue: At the Request of the Professor
Nice start, O Zen One. I guess there'll be no pirates, buried treasure, secret islands, or hidden maps in this one. (But worst of all, no David Hawkes!) Anyway, I can't wait to see what happens! We're expecting plot twists and turns than the Grand Prix. Glad to see you're writing again.
Author's Response: Thanks for taking the time to read and review, Lady Legrace. I don't think there will be as many plot twists as last time (how could there be??), but I think I may have a few tricks left up my sleeve. :-D
[Report This]Date: 12/20/2005 05:08 pm Title: Prologue: At the Request of the Professor
I like the setup here for introducing and OC to the mix of PoA. You've also got me curious as to what happened between Calyxa and Remus, and the other Marauders, in the past. I know, I get a little heads up from everyone else, but I still look forward to the next chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks, Phoenix, and I'm glad you're enjoying it.
The funny thing is, I actually wrote out the whole backstory during a summer school course in Zoology - big lecture hall, droning professor, same information as in the textbook. The perfect setting for creativity. ;-)