Consequences --PG-13

[Fishy]

How happy am I? I'm over the moon with the charming and sensitive way you dealt with the first meeting after........

I should imagine that many of us can remember the 'How to act now' feeling; and the excitement and anticipation and awkwardness was TOTALLY described in their actions by you, someone who is becomming a master story teller. You hold us in the palm of your hand because you are bringing your characters to life.

I so hoped that Joseph would begin to be aware of the closeness that had very quietly and steadily grown between him and Lucky, and he TRUSTS her. Even in the story about Sam coming to him, he wondered what Lucky saw in Sam. Not in anger, but it showed that she affects him, perhaps more than he realises. I loved the way their thoughts were blurted out!

This is a new experience that has begun, and Joseph has to acknowledge to himself that there is a depth in his feelings for this gentle lady to whom he has exposed, on more than one occassion, the private man. As a vampire he has needs that he has to feed and enjoy, but that is something he has coped with for hundreds of years. But he still loved Sarah.

Love can hit us like a train, but it can also creep into our hearts, almost unawares. I knew my husband as a friend for a long time before I realised that I loved him. This has happened to Joseph, AND Lucky. Naturally, no relationship is 50-50, that is a dream. There is always one who is stronger, one more patient, down to earth, sensible etc. I have such trust in you that you will work on this relationship in a loving way. Our two characters, who have both known heartache, deserve this. You know what you want for them - personally, I hope you bring out the beauty and adventure that is before them both. Wow! You have got me so HOOKED!!!!!!

Oh, and I felt that the last sentence was from you to us. To quieten our minds till the next chapter! Of course I'm wrong, but its a nice thought.

[one.zebra]

My first impression was that they both thought it at the same time...
...if neither was looking for closure, then there's time to let things fall into whatever the 'new normal' is going to be...
..after that, my thoughts scatter into umpteen directions..

I just got through reading all your comments, again...I want you to know I really treasure all of them. To know that I've created something that would garner such reactions....it's a amazing feeling.

Got a question for all you careful readers...that last line, that last thought--whose was it?

Just curious. I know what I meant, but I'd like to hear how you read it.

Lucky

[cassysj]

Well I thought the last line was Lucky's thought. Towards the end of the story she actually seems more confident than Josef. I think she understands better what happened. Josef in my opinion went further out of his comfort zone than Lucky. I actually think Josef is more unsure about the consequences of their actions.

[PNWgal]

Lovely inclusion of Eris - I can't think of anyone else that could pull Josef up short and make him look at what he's

“You will never know,” she said thickly, “what last night cost me. Never.”

Thank goodness. Lucky realizes what that night with Josef meant and what it cost her and I'm grateful that you brought out that it was so difficult for her. While Lucky would do anything for Josef, she's no pushover and I'm glad to see it.

I really loved the unspoken words...good lord, these two make Mick and Beth look like rank amateurs when it comes to difficult, dangerous and complicated. As for those last words? I think they're Josef's, and I think he's trying to convince himself that things are going to be all right. Things are far from alright and I think Lucky is the one who's going to come to realize it.

[moonlight_vixen]

I just got through reading all your comments, again...I want you to know I really treasure all of them. To know that I've created something that would garner such reactions....it's a amazing feeling.

Got a question for all you careful readers...that last line, that last thought--whose was it?

Just curious. I know what I meant, but I'd like to hear how you read it.

Lucky

Judging from the last thoughts of both Josef and Lucky that were written before the last line, my first impression was it was a shared thought by the both of them.

[MoonShadow]

tapping her toe, Lucky!

"It was going to be all right." The obvious answer is both of them... the not so obvious answer is Eris. As heart wrenching as this continuation is, and as beautifully wrought, the subtle tones that are easy to miss are the tastiest. Everything that happens in Josef's home reverberates like raindrops upon a spiders web. Each droplet that falls, plucks a note that only the spider hears, but the entire world sees.

wonderful lady, thank you!

[librarian_7]

I always adore your comments, MS...so poetic.

It's true I meant that comment to be in both Josef and Lucky thinking...I wanted that one touch between them to be reassuring to both, despite the awkwardness between them.

Trust me, this story is not yet done...

Lucky

[moonlight_vixen]

Trust me, this story is not yet done...

Lucky

Trust me, we can hardly wait for the saga to continue...

[Josefismysire]

This is the perfect followup to Comfort. Poignant. Sincere. Heart-stopping. Yes, I think that everything between Josef and Lucky will turn out alright..eventually..they are two halves of the same whole..they need each other. But, it will be interesting to see the ripples that this turn of events will send throughout Casa Kostan. I think Josef's peaceful little world just got wayyy more awkward than even he would like..

[Luxe de Luxe]

As for those last words? I think they're Josef's, and I think he's trying to convince himself that things are going to be all right. Things are far from alright and I think Lucky is the one who's going to come to realize it.

I agree. My first thought was that the last line belonged to Josef. I'm not so sure that things are going to be totally all right. I'm sure Josef and Lucky are going to try to normalize things, but there are so many reverberations from the act that have yet to be felt.

[librarian_7]

I really don't know what I would do without all these thoughtful comments...they give me so much to work with in continuing the story.

Though I've got to say (forgive me for being cryptic...) that Josef is about to take a little detour while he tries to process all this.

Lucky

[Josefismysire]

I really don't know what I would do without all these thoughtful comments...they give me so much to work with in continuing the story.

Though I've got to say (forgive me for being cryptic...) that Josef is about to take a little detour while he tries to process all this.

Lucky

Can he detour to my house?? No? sigh. okay...nevermind..

[librarian_7]

I just wanted to thank everyone again for the thoughtful discussion of this piece, particularly the significance of the final line.

Lucky

[wpgrace]

Good ol Eris... and bless Lucky...

I missed this when you posted... bummer.

What a cool little conversation, with thought bubbles... clever and effective. These two are definitely meant for one another ... in whatever way works for them...

And I was glad to find this... Comfort left me sad...

[darkstarrising]

Again, here from the coffee house for a first read of 'Consequences'.

A very realistic awkward morning after the night before. Both Josef and Lucky have been left with emotional wounds - ones that will take some time to heal. Loved Eris prodding Josef to face that which he might try to ignore. But Lucky is the one I'm worried about. She gave herself in a way that hurt her, even if she saw it as a gift. How will Josef view her in the future? She's got to wonder....

As for the last line - my thought is that it's Josef's. Lucky is still reeling a bit and Josef is the one telling himself that things can continue with no lasting damage.

A wonderful counterpoint to 'Comfort'.