Go, without looking back

[Kasti]

Gosh, this has to be the most emotional page yet. I must admit, I did get a little misty.

We've traveled with Claudius all this time, watched him go through much confusion, being seduced by an baddie fairy, severed from his body, finding his lost love in stone, and finally feeling like he belonged in a family. Now has to be kicked out of the nest (so to speak) and go on this great journey...alone.

Even a parting gift from his father. Well...not so much a gift as it is something to help him along the way, gah, it's just all so sad. At least it isn't forever and he can come back when he finds his way.

Don't be heavy hearted, Claudius. You have much work to do. Including finding your woman. Go, go, go! *weeps*

[Barb Jacobs]

Aw, thank you Kasti. I wasn't sure if that was coming through on this page, but I'm glad it did.

This story is personall to me in a convoluted way- sometimes I don't even know how it is, but it is. So I never know if anyone else will get anythign out of it, but I'm always glad when they do. ^_^

I'm glad you liked the page. ^_^

B

[Sarah]

Gah, this reminds me of when I went off to university. Only these two aren't crying. And my dad wasn't either. But mum and me definitely were. Gah.

It says a lot that Claudius calls Ambrosia by his name, rather than 'father'. There is still something of 'eau de awkward' in the air.

At least he isn't stuffed back into London; although with the coincidences that bind all our characters together I'm sure it won't be long at all unil we meet Tychia and her lot again. Brrr.

But not quite alone, Kasti! I see in his wake a certain somebody we all know and I for one love. XD. I don't Livy's going to left herself be left behind for long. Never dismiss the corgi from the equation, Ambrosia.

[Canterrain]

You know I didn't catch that he called Ambrosia Amrbosia instead of dad or father at first. (Way to notice things CT!)

But honestly.. to me this seems perfectly natural for men. Ambrosia is pretty stoic and probably wouldn't care what he's called, he knows what he is and what they mean to each other.

And men... well are men. They don't feel as much need to use things like dad and what not to show feelings. (feelings? What are those??? There's no crying in baseball!) So Claudius probably doesn't feel as much need to call him dad as he does Phan mum.

But that's my take. The author might have more revelation than I do. <<

[Barb Jacobs]

I did intend for him to call his mother 'mum' (after a hesitation, mind you- still new to him the concept of a 'mum' as Mrs. Ravensdale couldnt' have been looked on that way...) and not call Ambrosia father, or 'da' or anything of the sort. There are a number of reasons for this, some I could articulate, some I can't. As with most characters, Claudius talks in my head on his own accord, and I just 'take notes' as it were. ^_^

Awkward, sad, uncomfortable, poignant- all things that sons experience with their fathers: my brother and my dad, my ex and his dad, my dad and my grandfather....my son and his father... like CT said, it's a guy thing.

In addition to this natural 'guy thing', the men from Berobos are very stoic - diametrically opposed to the hyper-sensitive Azloeans. Ambrosia has had many years to soften a bit living first with his father in Azloe, and afterward in the midst of his faeirie family in Euelwood. But he is still of Berobos- and his son is setting out on his quest of 'disccovery' or portion- where he sees at last if he has 'it' or not. Ambrosia honestly doesn't know- and Claude has shown no abilities in Digonia, yet does have the pedigree to kick some serious magical ass.

Claude is neither Berobean or Azloean, and yet he is both. This is blended with many lifetimes of trying to live as - well one of 'us', when he is none of the above. That could be one #$%ed up dude. ^_^ Or someone really powerful...

Guess we'll have to see.

[Ceridwen]

Or you know. He could be both. Most really powerful people seem to be messed up in some way or other. I think it'll be better for Claude if he tries not to figure out who he is through pondering his heritage and life and just go about it by finding his own way. That's what it means to be free really, and after all - he's more free now than what he has ever been before. Granted, the love of his life is captured in stone and he's still confused like mad about some things - but that's what the road to self discovery is all about. It would be a pretty dull journey without a lot of unanswered questions and stuff. It'll be interesting to see how he deals with his former home world now, after having spent quite a lot of time away from it.

And I am still betting on the stalker Corgi. At least she showed up to see him off.

[Strange Ian]

He could be both.
Most humans are, in my experience. We just tell ourselves that we're not, to make living a little easier.

You know, in a weird way this is a hopefull page. He's probably feeling lost and confused,and scared and doubtfull, but this is sort of like leaving home for the first time. You do feel like you're lost and have no idea what you're doing,, and it is scary and confusing,, but it's also exciting.!
Mind you, when I moved out from my parents, there wasn't a crazy, pyrokinetic fairy-woman with a spear waiting for me, so perhaps it's different for Claudius...

[Two_Corgis]

Tychia has Claudius' sword, now. Claudius has the spear. And he'd better not let Tychia get within a spear's length of him, either! For more reasons than one. :D

Now, I've looked at the page several times and, from this angle and where the panel cuts off, I can't tell. Is Livy standing there watching Claudius go? Or is she running after him?

[Canterrain]

I'd say that's not Claudius's sword, but one she nicked to deal with Livy when she was chasing them down. You can just barely see it in her hand here when she first enters Ambrosia's office: http://xyliatales.com/04032008/

But that spear does seem to have special connection to Claude doesn't it? >>

[Barb Jacobs]

You are are both right: CT- she did steal that off the wall in the office visible here:
http://xyliatales.com/10142007/

But yes, Two Corgis that sword was once Claude's. ;-)

http://xyliatales.com/10122007/

Cookies, for both of you!

~B

[Kasti]

Yay for easter eggs! Makes me wonder what others treasures will make an appearance. I must search through the archives!

[Strange Ian]

Seems to me that Dr Ambrosias office was sort of a place to keep Claudius old stuff. Like here,
http://xyliatales.com/10092007/
that helmet would be the one he wore in the Battle of Hastings. I'm still rather curious about the thing that looks like a cannonball on the shelf beneath the helmet. Seems like an odd souvenir...

[Two_Corgis]

I think you're right about the helmet. But wait a minute! Claudius was killed by a spear in that battle. Could that be the same spear he's carrying now? Hmmm