Wow, C.C., the atmosphere in this is absolutely tangible!! The concept of the "leechings" and physically facing the venom of what you covet is such a brilliant, visceral take on envy. My heart completely broke for Oliver at the end holding the cage for everyone else only to be left behind in the dark is a devastating kind of envy and isolation. The prose is gorgeous ("white-hot folly," "purple lattice"). I am officially hooked and cannot wait for the full serial to launch!
I’m crying here. Thank you so much! I’m glad the universe was compelling and I cannot wait to launch the serial. Slowly getting there! Thank you so, so much for reading and commenting. Oliver will return for more adventures! 🤍
making myself some coffee and sitting down to read this masterpiece at my new place was everything i could ask for on a saturday morning.
i just love how your work is so distinct and all your stories weave threads of your narrative ecosystem. i notice here, the desire for true and authentic connection-friendship-but as always, your characters are flawed and have vices that get in the way of this. especially haunting was the image of lavinia (lavina?) and timothy blowing out the candles and “leaving” oliver (olivier? typing this while i can’t see the story is difficult). somehow this image made the horror of it even stronger. loneliness is one of the most powerful terrors and you captured it well.
the mirror-pit of snakes is phenomenal. i love the descriptions surrounding them and their connection to “envy” the feeling. i also enjoy seeing how for the others, excelling (or failing) in their studies is at the root of their worries - very dark academia, where being the smartest is everything.
i can’t wait to find out more about the collector in the series. i feel like this is a figure that will be even more terrifying than hemlock (in aporia’s end). i’m very very intrigued.
Your parallels are always flabbergasting me. You read into things I never thought people would read into and you have a flair for analysis. I’m always looking forward to it. I think I mostly write about forbidden knowledge. Stumbling upon the Collector, upon Hemlock, etc., always reveals the true cost of knowledge, especially if it wasn’t made for you. I’m so glad you caught on that and on loneliness. It’s also a recurring theme. Thank you so much for taking the time and supporting me. It always means the world to me. 🤍
Another short but fierce tour de force my friend! This has all the makings of an epic series. Speaking of which, I definitely saw some parallels between the mirror pit and the gom jabbar from Dune. The Collector would also fit right in with the Bene Gesserit. Bravo! 👏
Wow, C.C., the atmosphere in this is absolutely tangible!! The concept of the "leechings" and physically facing the venom of what you covet is such a brilliant, visceral take on envy. My heart completely broke for Oliver at the end holding the cage for everyone else only to be left behind in the dark is a devastating kind of envy and isolation. The prose is gorgeous ("white-hot folly," "purple lattice"). I am officially hooked and cannot wait for the full serial to launch!
I’m crying here. Thank you so much! I’m glad the universe was compelling and I cannot wait to launch the serial. Slowly getting there! Thank you so, so much for reading and commenting. Oliver will return for more adventures! 🤍
Your writing is just beautiful. <3
Many, many thanks, Julia. That comment made my whole day! 🫶
best thing i read on here so far.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to share and comment. It means the absolute world to me. 🤍
Your story reminds me a lot of a darker, more decayed version of the House in Piranesi. What a cool concept you have!
Omg thank you! This goes straight to my heart. I’ll take the “more decayed version” as a huge compliment. 🥹🤍
making myself some coffee and sitting down to read this masterpiece at my new place was everything i could ask for on a saturday morning.
i just love how your work is so distinct and all your stories weave threads of your narrative ecosystem. i notice here, the desire for true and authentic connection-friendship-but as always, your characters are flawed and have vices that get in the way of this. especially haunting was the image of lavinia (lavina?) and timothy blowing out the candles and “leaving” oliver (olivier? typing this while i can’t see the story is difficult). somehow this image made the horror of it even stronger. loneliness is one of the most powerful terrors and you captured it well.
the mirror-pit of snakes is phenomenal. i love the descriptions surrounding them and their connection to “envy” the feeling. i also enjoy seeing how for the others, excelling (or failing) in their studies is at the root of their worries - very dark academia, where being the smartest is everything.
i can’t wait to find out more about the collector in the series. i feel like this is a figure that will be even more terrifying than hemlock (in aporia’s end). i’m very very intrigued.
a great one ❤️❤️❤️
Your parallels are always flabbergasting me. You read into things I never thought people would read into and you have a flair for analysis. I’m always looking forward to it. I think I mostly write about forbidden knowledge. Stumbling upon the Collector, upon Hemlock, etc., always reveals the true cost of knowledge, especially if it wasn’t made for you. I’m so glad you caught on that and on loneliness. It’s also a recurring theme. Thank you so much for taking the time and supporting me. It always means the world to me. 🤍
Another short but fierce tour de force my friend! This has all the makings of an epic series. Speaking of which, I definitely saw some parallels between the mirror pit and the gom jabbar from Dune. The Collector would also fit right in with the Bene Gesserit. Bravo! 👏
Wow, the comparison to Dune is going straight to my ego. Jokes aside, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for supporting me. 🫶