Old Habits Die Hard Part Five, New habits? Or just old ones recycled? Options

[Thomas Kaira]

My favorite screenshot of all is now my Windows desktop picture.

*sees icons*



Good to see you're learning the ropes!

[Acadian]

Best of luck as you and Julian keep working on Chapter 27.

Welcome to PC land! Isn't Slof wonderful? Everything she touches with horses is magic!

The screenies are fabulous. Blanco looks gorgeous and I'm with SubRosa in appreciating your eye for the sun over the Abecean.

[Grits]

Oh, how beautiful! Your desktop picture is my favorite. They look so peaceful!

[Burnt Sierra]

After my marathon Maxical reading session yesterday, it's been my marathon Julian reading session since I got home from work...six hours ago. My stomach is now reminding me that I haven't eaten, so it seems like the right time to take a break and return tomorrow to continue.

I suppose the highest compliment I can give is that this tale has engrossed me to the extent that I did forgot to eat until now - and anyone who knows me can testify to how rare that is! Luckily I won't get in trouble for ignoring Dawn tonight, as she's at her writing group - free, guiltless time spent reading an excellent story, with a lead character who just jumps off the page/screen and stands in front of you in three dimensions chatting away.

Can't ask for a better Monday night than that, and I'm looking forward immensely to continuing this tomorrow

[haute ecole rider]

@SubRosa: I’m glad that you liked the way I added dread to this quest. I know from experience how animals can sense when something is wrong, even when the setting is beautiful. And Julian is sensitive enough to Blanco’s reactions to pick up on his unease regarding that pillar and the corpse. And yes, you’re right, Chapter 26 is Sancre Tor.

@Acadian: Yes, I liked that there are options with this quest, but I tend to take only one path. As a melee player/fighter, I tend to ignore the potential magic offers. Julian is the same way. I suspect as we progress through our magical education, we will be kicking ourselves for not considering obtaining that spell! Yes, I’m liking what Slof did with the horses very much. Especially now that they are anatomically correct!

@Grits: Yes, it’s beautiful at Cloud Top. And it’s logical for Julian to think of Martin as someone who should have the book, not the quarreling mages down below. I’m glad you picked up on that, as well as the interaction between Julian and Blanco. If it hadn’t been for her time with Paint, and learning that Paint can spot hostiles before she can, this process would have taken much longer, as Blanco is so much more advanced than ol’ Paint. That desktop picture of Julian and Blanco is still up on my Windows partition. And yes, that was a rare moment of peace for the two of them.

@Olen: It’s great that you are picking up on the growing relationship between Julian and Blanco. It’s impossible to ignore it when they spend so much time alone together on the road. Humans seek social interactions all the time, and horses are just too happy to oblige. Dogs are the same way, and cats somewhat less so.

@Destri: Ah, yes, old prejudices do die harder than old habits! Yes, Julian is still learning just what magic can do other than witches’ curses, destructive spells, and healing spells. And I’m glad you agreed with Julian’s decision to give the book to Teekeeus after all.

@Cap’n Bam: I’ve never personally sought to obtain the Fingers of the Mountain spell, as I’m more a shock and fire girl rather than a frostbiter. While I have respect for cold, I’ve dealt with it waaay too much in Minnesota to consider it truly demoralizing the way shock (or fire) can be. And when half the Marauders I encounter are Nords, what use it it?

@ghastley: As far as that quote you pointed out, at this point Julian considers Teekeeus to be the appropriate representative for the Mages Guild. But she doesn’t consider him to be leadership material based on what little she’s seen of him. So she considers getting the book for him as getting the book for the Mages Guild. But when she realizes the power the book holds (beyond that of a mere textbook about spells), she has a moment of doubt about Teekeeus’s ability to keep the book safe without succumbing to its temptation. I’m sorry that was not clear in the writing.

@TK: I’m not sure that Teekeeus has the imagination to do anything drastic with that book. I mean, he even leaves it in a box with an easy lock! I look forward to what you do with that daedric text! And yes, I’ve been busy learning the ropes of modding. I’ve been successful at converting Gweden Farm into Julian’s retreat.

@Burnt Sierra: Thanks for your comments regarding this story thus far. There isn’t much more left to write, just a few more adventures before we finally reach the end of the tale Julian has to tell. I just have one question for you - why is Dawn at a writing group when there’s a great one right here on your computer screen? I’ve learned so much from reading not only others’ fictions, but also the constructive criticism that follows each story post. Some I’ve been able to apply to my own, and I have done so shamelessly.

And with this post I’m ending Thread Five. Thanks to all who have read Old Habits Die Hard thus far. I really appreciate your constructive criticism, your enthusiastic support and your encouragement. On to Thread Six.

[Burnt Sierra]

I caught up to date (until I just noticed you'd started another thread ), the day after my previous post. It was a really engrossing read, for several reasons.

1. I've been following Trey's stories for six (good grief) years now, and to see Julian through your eyes, and comparing it to the portrayal in BOTM was fascinating.

2. The lovely subtle touches littered throughout. The side mention of a Legion job in Solstheim, the loving detail in describing the horses, the rides. Actually, I think that bears more credit than I just gave it. One of my favourite authors, Richard Russo, has talked several times about the importance of making locations act as a character. Bringing them to life, involving them in the story, making them more than just background. The same goes for animals, frequently they're just a means to an end, not a fully fledged character in their own right. You've done this with Paint, with Blanco, with the stables, details brought to life with such energy and enthusiasm, you can't help share the delight in learning these things. And, all through the eyes of the character, not some disjointed narrative voice intruding. Beautiful and seemless.

3. The flashbacks. One of the most difficult techniques to do well, and make relevant. You used them sparingly, but they introduced such emotion and depth to the story, and never felt forced.

4. Finally. Julian. What can I say? Just an absolute delight of a character. To see the world through Julian's eyes is a pleasure. Certainly gets an invitation to my next dinner party, if only for the stories!

I just have one question for you - why is Dawn at a writing group when there’s a great one right here on your computer screen?

The better question would be why I didn't go that time? Oh wait, I was here...

She's trying to finish a novel, and it's had some interest from agents this time around, so... I'll let her off.

[minque]

By request of the great author of this amazing story I am now closing this thread!