[Report This]Date: 10/18/2007 01:41 pm Title: Home
You need to thank Mep for letting me know this chapter was here. I'd given up on you. But I am eternally grateful that Mep told me it was posted. I've had a really stressful day and so all my emotions came out while reading this. Yes, I cried. There are times when I just want to smack Remus upside the head, but then I also understand why he does it. I think Calyxa does, too, which is why she doesn't protest. At least he stayed for two nights and got some rest. I am not looking forward to the end of this story, but I am eager to see the next chapter. Keep up the great work, as always, Zen. And I really hope they stay together like you have them in your little self-insertion fic.
Author's Response: Thanks for the comments. I'm glad you're enjoying reading this. Calyxa REALLY thinks that he doesn't love her, that he doesn't want her. She suspected that he had some feelings during the year spent guarding Harry against Sirius, but his little rejection at the end of this chapter dashed all his hopes. [Not exactly sure why _I_ need to thank your friend - you're the one that benefited, not me! ;-) Anyway, the best thing for you is to just sign up for story alerts, so you'll get an e-mail whenever a chapter is added.]
[Report This]Date: 10/17/2007 04:46 pm Title: Home
Here I am! Oh, how nice it is to read this story again! It seems that I have always known Calyxa. OK, my English has worsened, in the meantime, but I hope I can still manage a review. I like this piece and the bittersweer feelings it arise. I don't understand - never did, never will - why two people that love each other so much aren't able to express completely their emotions. Or better; I can understand Remus, who thinks that Calyxa is full of lovers. But I don't understand why Calyxa, with her perceptive capacities, can't find a way to speak with Remus and to clarify her position. OK, you are the author, you are goddess. The piece is lovely and my heart is full of compassion for the two lovers. You reached your goal. Waiting for more.
Author's Response: Thanks for taking the time to leave comments. I'm glad you're enjoying it. The trouble with poor Calyxa is rather simple, really, and was explained in Ch. 19: What Calyxa Saw.
"Because she liked him, she had too much trouble untangling her own feelings to sense his. . All her senses seemed to go haywire whenever he was around."
So, the truth is that she can't actually perceive what he's feeling right now. Her own feelings and the painful bruises on her own heart interfere.
Don't worry. Someone merciless is going to knock their heads together. ;-)
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 02:44 pm Title: One Last Favor
Well, some of my questions have been answered. Some are still waiting. And now the circle is complete... *refrains from finishing the line* *ahem* So, we shall start the next chapter with Remus startling awake from a certain dream? I can't wait! Ahhh...
Author's Response: Okay, this has to be the last chapter from the present time... I'm not sure about the next chapter. It's all plotted, but that chapter's not even sketched yet.
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 02:34 pm Title: The Contessa and the Convict
Damnitalltohell. I'm crying at this chapter again. It's worse this time, knowing what I do about the past. I don't know if this is my favorite chapter or one of the later ones. I can't really say. I really just love the whole thing. Ahh! The end is nigh!
Author's Response: Damn. I wish I knew which one this is. Maybe The Contessa and the Convict? After I reply, I'll have to go back and check the individual chapters.
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 02:25 pm Title: In the Dungeons
Snape... he's so conniving. I see that previously I said I didn't want the story to end. I still don't. And I really want a happy ending. Not sure if I'll get that wish.
Author's Response: This has to be In the Dungeons. I love how happy Snape is after Remus and Calyxa have a falling out.
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 01:49 pm Title: The Doge Who Could Not Speak English
*pounds Remus' head into the wall* Stop, you sod! Stop being your normal, gentlemanly self and get a backbone! Okay, I've been re-reading this for two days now and I realize the only things I remember have been the past. I can hardly remember the present. I'm really glad I decided to re-read this. I'm starting to get anxious again... but that's a good thing.
Author's Response: Not sure which chapter this refers to. Maybe The Doge?
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 01:26 pm Title: Wolfsbane
I still love Jillian. I love how you perfectly portray everyone. And I desperately hope Calyxa is able to bottle the moonlight.
Author's Response: This must be the Wolfsbane chapter...
[Report This]Date: 06/20/2007 12:57 pm Title: The Aftermath
Ack! I'm so sentimental right now. Poor Remus. I think the talk with George is my favorite part of this chapter. And you're torturing Remus terribly. Yet, that is so completely in character.
Author's Response: Yikes! I have a whole pile of unanswered reviews in no particular order, and they aren't labeled as to which chpater they refer to, so I'll have to guess... the chapter with George was The Aftermath. My personal favorite part was when Calyxa was recalling memories of Sirius.
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 04:44 pm Title: The Attack
I just realized something... Where's Ginny? Percy went to tell Dumbledore. We have Ron and the twins, Harry and Hermione, but no Ginny. And this time, my chest clinched even harder at the end. My poor Remus. I am really hoping for a happy ending for him to this story. We torture him enough.
Author's Response: Okay, this is the last unanswered review, and it must be for The Attack. Actually, Ginny was in the room along with everyone else. McGonagall, from whose viewpoint we see the scene, just didn't notice her.
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 03:42 pm Title: The Prince and the Werewolf
Knowing things makes this chapter so incredibly bittersweet. Poor Remus. Poor Calyxa. Poor everyone. :(
Author's Response: Hmmmm... this is probably in response to The Prince and the Werewolf, which is one of the saddest chapters. As you say, bittersweet.
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 03:13 pm Title: The Lecture
Just one simple comment to this chapter: Calyxa handled that exceptionally well.
Author's Response: Was it The Lecture?
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 02:47 pm Title: A Visit from Malfoy
Ah, leave it to slimy Lucius to remember what happened then. The gall... Wouldn't it surprise Severus and Remus to know they felt the same when around Calyxa? (I do hope you don't mind my commenting now in regards to things to come. I am trying to be as vague as possible.)
Author's Response: Heh! As different as the two of them are, their feelings really aren't the same, though. (I guess this is a comment on A Visit from Malfoy)
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 01:47 pm Title: The Caretaker’s Errand
Wow... Calyxa's English really improved a lot. I must say that I really love all your characterizations. You have a way with these characters.
Author's Response: Hmmm... not sure which chapter this goes with.
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 12:49 pm Title: An Old Friend
You know, knowing things makes this even more interesting. I loved how Remus just elegantly turned the conversation from him. And Calyxa's greeting means so much now. Must continue!
Author's Response: Hs to be the first chapter - An Old Friend
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 12:40 pm Title: Prologue: At the Request of the Professor
*clasps hands over mouth* Oh.... You! I'm starting to read over the story again... and I see it! Oh... how is this going to work when he finds out? (yes, I am desperately trying to remain vague for those who haven't read it all the way through yet.) You may start to see chapter hits bouncing all over as I go between chapters. I certainly hope your break doesn't take TOO long! I'm going to be sitting on this knowledge and waiting anxiously for the story to continue!!!
Author's Response: I assume this is for the Prologue...
[Report This]Date: 06/13/2007 10:18 am Title: The Dream and the Letter
Wow. Brilliant, as usual.
[I had thought that they would be driven apart by the huge differences in their lives. After all, she's the wealthy, royal leader of her people, and he's a poor schoolboy with a serious health problem.]
This was brilliant and heartbreaking (as usual, O Zen One). Now that you're taking a vacation, I'll have time to go back and reread the whole thing. I can't wait to see what has been "reavealed" since the first reading.
Great job!
Author's Response: Thanks, Lady Legrace. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I'm working on a fun bit of fluff for the summer, and I'll be back to this story soon (the characters are already irking me to write more!)
[Report This]Date: 06/12/2007 09:08 pm Title: The Dream and the Letter
You, my dear, are so much like me. *wipes tear from keyboard* You like to be so cruel to Remus. You let his self-loathing come out at just the right time. You love to punish him, make him hate himself. Ahh, we love the angst of our leading man.
This really isn't a chapter, it's a bridge between eras. And what an emotional bridge. I had tears in my eyes from the start. My heart clinched for Remus. If only he could actually let himself be happy. Poor boy. I will miss your updates. Hope you return soon. I'll re-read the entire story again so I can remember where we left off previously. Have a great vacation!
Author's Response: Thanks, Jynx. I can't imagine how any young man would deal with such powerful feelings (thanks go to my guy-advisor especially). I think of this more as an epilogue of the flashback than of a chapter in and of itself. And I'm writing a silly bit of fluff during my holiday, so I'm not short of muses by any mean!
[Report This]Date: 06/01/2007 09:28 am Title: What Marin Venier Saw
First of all, the last sentence was an exceptional place to end. Mc Gonagall is no fool, and I'd love to know what she's thinking.
On the other hand, you are a master at avoiding angst, and I'm glad we didn't see this scene from Remus or Calyxa's POV. How painful it would have been! I really like this character of Marin. What a wonderful man he is!
Also, everything seems to be coming together to explain what happened in the first bit. I assume that the next time that Calyxa and Remus meet will be when Dumbledore invites her to come to the school to detect the "murderer" and escaped prisoner. Is that right? And then maybe the next time she meets Sirius will be when he asks her if Remus is the father of her daughter. [I am going to go back and reread the whole thing.]
The one thing that's not clear is what happened between Remus and Calyxa? Do her duties as contessa interfere? I can't imagine that they'd just forget each other. Or do they just drift apart?
Anyway, excellent, as always!
Author's Response: Yes, you're right on both counts: the next time Calyxa sees Remus and Severus will be at her welcome feast when Flitwick transforms the Great Hall into the Grand Canal of Venice. And the next time she sees Sirius will be after his capture by Snape. Lastly, all will be clear next scene. It'll be up next week, I think.
[Report This]Date: 05/31/2007 09:07 am Title: What Marin Venier Saw
*bawls* I know you warned me, but... *sniffs and wipes tears away* Wow. That was so totally emotional and... words are escaping me. I just can't express myself right now. Poor Calyxa! Poor Remus! The scene with Sirius was wonderful. I assume this is the end of the past and the present will begin again... I'm not looking forward to it, honestly. I want them back together in the past living happily ever after.
One tiny detail... There were no words of solace of comfort that the old wizard could offer. I think you mean solace
or comfort. One tricky little letter that everyone missed. I probably would have as well.
Author's Response: Thanks, Jynx. There is actually one scene left. Then everything will make more sense. Actually, aftr the next scene, you 'll enjoy going back and reading the first few chapters again. As for my typo, I have to take full responsibility for that. I changed the sentence after my beta had returned it, plus the folks at SH have been trusting me to just post my chapters directly without setting it in the queue anymore, so it was my fault completely. Dammit! But thanks for the eagle eyes.
[Report This]Date: 05/31/2007 01:08 am Title: What Marin Venier Saw
Beautiful, moving chapter! I was sure that something was going to happen to Peziza, but I hoped to be wrong. As always, you are more than incredible in describing feelings and emotions... You almost made me cry, damn you! I also loved the description of all the characters and the goodbye moment. A little bit sad for Severus' reactions, but why not, effectively? He is the kind of boy who would pretend to be strong and confident even if he was breaking in pieces. Anyway, just a curiosity: was he feeling bad for her departure? You are the author, you can tell me. Now we will have only to discover how and why such a great love, blessed by the approval of Calyxa's parents, is going to be disappointed. Another sad chapter is waiting, but thank you for sharing.
Author's Response: To be honest, I think the MAJOR thing that old Severus was thinking during the farewell was that he didn't want anyone to think he cared. He was probably uncertain of what to do except to attempt to appear aloof. But our Marin is a very good guy, and it was his voice, in his terrible grief and sadnbess, that told this chapter. Yes, I think the next chapter is the bad one. , but you'll have to judge for yourself.
[Report This]Date: 05/30/2007 11:20 am Title: What Remus Saw, Part 2
Wow... what a little voyeur Remus is! I like that he has his own little perversions, like a real person. Not too "nice". On the other hand, would he have really attacked Sirius if they had been facing each other? It was a stroke of genius to have Sirius turn his back to give them "privacy". Of course Remus couldn't hit him from behind. Well, is there any way to convince you to write this scene from Calyxa's point of view? And Sirius's POV as well. I'd love to read THOSE two scenes!
Author's Response: Heh heh heh... this scene from Calyxa's point of view would be a completely different story! Of course her mind was in a different galaxy than Remus's.
[Report This]Date: 05/18/2007 11:23 am Title: What Remus Saw, Part 2
Magnificent chapter, Zen! And thank you from all us passionate Italian "girls", remembering our good young days.
Author's Response: Glad you liked it. As we've already seen, Calyxa gets better with age, as do all women. ;-)
[Report This]Date: 05/17/2007 09:12 am Title: What Remus Saw, Part 2
*gasp* Oh wow. I have to tell you that I had tears in my eyes when he was about to tell her. I was feeling as anxious as he was. Then they turned to tears of joy, but I had expected that reaction from her. I swear I was completely empathic with Remus, because my first thought was "what the hell is Sirius doing?" You best get the next chapter up soon. I'm sure Remus needs a VERY cold shower right about now. *LOL* I'm anxious to see what the problem is that requires Calyxa's attention. Excellent chapter, as always.
Author's Response: Heh! The dialogue between them when he reveals his secret is actually the first scene I sketched back in the summer of 2005 when I was bored to death in a huge lecture hall listening to a talk on botany. (Which is why so many original characters have botanical names - calyx, amanita, peziza, chalaza). There are 2 more chapters of their schooldays, and none of it is happy. Of Ch. 35, my beta-reader said it "wasn't easy to read". :-( Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying it.
[Report This]Date: 05/16/2007 12:48 pm Title: What the Lupins Saw
First of all, the project was wonderful! I think they['ve been talking about it since the first chapter, and it definitely lives up to expectations. How adorable the baby dragon must have been!
You know I have a soft spot in my heart for rascals and rongues, but I really hope Remus is going to give Sirius the beating he deserves! For goodness sake, the boy's unbelievable!
I'm wondering what on earth finally breaks up Remus and Calyxa. It must be something cataclysmic!
Excellent, as usual.
Author's Response: Thanks, Lady L. Next chapter is up, and it might answer some of your questions.
[Report This]Date: 05/04/2007 09:42 am Title: What the Lupins Saw
*claps excitedly* Mr. & Mrs. Lupin! I love your version of them. They are so kind and mostly clueless. They see Remus and Caylxa with open eyes. It makes me sad to know that something is going to happen between them. :( I am not anticipating that at all, in fact, I don't want to see it, though I know I'll have to. Poor Remus. Poor Calyxa. Oh, but the project was spectacular. The descriptions were so vivid. And James and Sirius doing the Goblin Revolution was just perfect. Brilliant as always, my Lady.
Author's Response: Thanks, Jynx. I think the Lupins are the characters that I feel sorriest for. ALl they want is for their only child to have as normal a life as possible and to enjoy some happiness. The next chapter is for you and all Remus fans. :-)