RE: The Allies of Old; Book Two Renewal: Chapter Sixty Seven "Mr. F#%*king Perfect"
You tell him!! I was all but ready to freeze out Michael for the entire chapter, but then I realized the title was pertaining to him haha!! Way to shut him up!
This is heart rending, especially for Jess and the Brothers Three. It's great that they've formed a bond strong enough to withstand this. Definitely solidified that their sidestory as a favorite for Renewal.
This is what I've been talking about as Austin being the catalyst. Seems like I was right :D I'm in two minds about what Anna did. If I were to wipe the slate clean and think of her as pre-vamp Anna, then I'm all for it. It's just that, with everything, I couldn't shake that nagging feeling that she's getting her way again haha! I know her heart's in the right place, but I couldn't help but think that the sentiment is being swayed because Anna said so and not because of Jess' reasons. Anyway, it's a step in the right direction.
Ugh, Michael. Screw that guy. If the Brothers Three didn't even bat an eye, then who was he to be the one to take a differing stand. Ugh! F#%* that guy! (Maybe including the bleeped out word would send this comment to the moon hahaha!)
Haha! Well Anna is Queen of the vampires now, so maybe she should be able to sway them a bit ;) You're not wrong, there is a type of girl, generally pretty and petite in form, innocent, a bit naive, impulsive, and almost childlike, that makes people, men in particular, feel the need to protect and even cater to them. It's just who they are. If they have a good heart then it can be very useful in things like getting people to do the right thing or banning people together. As for pre vamp/post vamp, I set up who you could expect her to be with this: It was lucky for her that her mom had been the kind of person who believed that life was not a given and had taught her to expect the unexpected and deal with all that came her way with optimism. "It's all in how we perceive it Anna Banana,” she would say, “if your house burns down you can be devastated by the loss or excited at the prospect of building something new. Personally I strongly believe in the latter, and that my darling is how I expect you to live-with great hope and a sense of possibility, always seeking the light at the end of the tunnel or a glimpse of the sun breaking through the clouds. Because believe me there will be plenty of cloudy days. You can wish the rain would go away, or you can dance in it." And the two of them had danced in the rain often in her young life, both literally and figuratively. She missed her mom desperately but refused to give in to the grief, wanting to honor her life and memory by following her advice.
And I followed up on that after her transition--she was shaken from the time she woke in the gaming dungeon until the morning after she made it home and Austin found her sitting on the patio grinning like a fool after she slid off the roof, proclaiming that she was now "Bat Woman". And he said something like "Leave it to you to find the bright side so quick" So basically it was clear that pre vamp and post vamp anna's only real differences was that she now had superpowers. Change and maturity will come with time like it does for all people. But if you pay attention you will see changes in her, some growth :)
I'm not sure what you mean by Austin as the catalyst.
As for Michael, he's found himself in the predicament of wanting Jess which in his mind goes against all of his (rigid) rules because he thinks his female should be 'above reproach'. if he's never given into the 'pleasures of the flesh' (that's how he'd think of it lol) then certainly his mate wouldn't be 'that kind of girl'. So what's happening here is that he's actually pissed off at himself for thinking of her in 'that way' at all, and lashing out because of it.
I'm not telling you this because I think it will make you like him any better, lol, but just letting you know the way he thinks.
That first description you gave, I think you... I think you described someone I know quite well. Quite well :/ Though, she doesn't always get her way like Anna does. If anything, her youthful appearance does more harm than good professionally.
I remember the Austin quote, but not the longer one. Apologies, but my memory isn't quite as good as it was years ago. Perhaps "catalyst" was the wrong word. Maybe "narrative tool" is better suited?
At this point, I think the only way to redeem Michael for me is a heroic death haha! Preferably saving a male like Jared or Tyros instead of Anna or Jess. Like I said before, maybe it's just a clash of personalities. I have never mixed well with those holier-than-thou Alpha or Beta types.
This is my favorite chapter where Michael gets blasted and humbled. yessssss