Heya, just here to say that it was a beautiful fic! Firstly, the way you orchestrated the journal style down to every detail...(I loved the way you put the dates according to the current Sin.) It was wonderful!

The way Gippal writes is so beautifully perfect; so apt, so like him. And those subdued scenes where Gippal and Baralai share moved me, so much. My favourite was when the sandworm tooth knife was given to Baralai- so wonderful!

Man, the portrayal of the characters, the depth you've given them, truly, made this a great read! Unerring praise should be laid at your feet.

And have I mentioned the sheer epic-ness of the events portrayed. I mean, whoa, the depth! maesterpistols, treachery, Homesickness, bonds of brotherhood, honour, loyalty- all in twenty chapters deviously crafted into a journal style setting!

A statue should be crafted in name of thy genius! Well, seriously, great fic, will be eagerly reading whatever else you post!

Cheers!

oh man that was great, it is a masterpiece, good work

Wow...This is just...Amazing. When I began reading I was instantly hooked. The story seemed quite light, witty, and cute as Gippal described the events of it. Now at the end, my heart is broken. You have portrayed the characters in such a great light and I could feel a closeness building between them, I myself being able to look on as the characters became friends. I cannot cry...I don't know why. But something about this story...

It's good to know that they all receive happy endings...Don't they? I haven't finished X-2 yet. Your story has only spurred me on to play more often.

Please don't write to many more of these stories...I find them much too depressing.

I am awestruck. I can't think of anything relevant to say.

That was... so, so good. stayed up all night to finish that ^^;; I havn't read Ikonopeiston's fic yet, just wanted to say that yours flows wonderfully without it ^^ ..ouch, my heartstrings ache. In the good way, of course ^^ thanks for the wonderful backstory!

^_^ Bravo, most well written! I think of all your fics this, and Totem, are my two favorites. I like your writing style and I appreciate the fact that you are one of the rare few writers who doesn't just bastardize Nooj and shows both sides of his personality. I also loved the plot with this, I could see everything. Keep writing!

The Shuyin moment you threw in for Nooj was excellent. And you brought Gippal and Baralai back together just beautifully.

I went back and reread some of the earlier chapters of this story a couple of days ago, and it is just amazing how much Gippal changes and grows throughout, as do the other characters through his eyes. A real achievement, as this whole thing has been. Working with you has been so fun and inspiring, and I truly hope we have the chance to do it again!

Absolutely first class! This is Gippal made prematurely into a man with a man's sensibilities and sense of responsibility. You have made as good an argument as any I have heard for love truly changing a person all the way through.

Damn! It is hard reading these final sections. Even knowing how the story progresses does not make it easier to watch what happens at this time.

The devotion between Baralai and Gippal is so pellucid, so beautiful and profound, it must continue. The Quartet has told two stories which are so demanding and so encompassing, it is nearly impossible to let them slip away. And with those two love stories we have blended an adventure about how four people became a family. Mesdames! We have done something wonderful.

The Al Bhed word you chose to end the story on is perfect. Thank you so much.

You've conveyed Gippal's desperation to find some way, any way, to help Baralai and the others so well here. His plotting to bring them all to Bikanel rings particularly true, as does his worry for Baralai. Excellently done.

This is fine work. The confusion and disorderly thinking is just right. It was an excellent touch to include Gippal's consideration of his own maturing. They have all changed in fundamental ways and this this the time they have come to realize it. You are also setting up a possibility of an AU venture with the Al Bhed as the guerilla army needed.

The inability to properly care for and be truthful with Baralai draws Gippal's growing attachment to the Yevonite very clearly. His concern for the other two is nicely calibrated - real but on a lower level from his worry about Baralai. This is as it should be.

The penultimate chapters are increasingly elegaic. This says the things it should say in the way they should be said.

Yes, yes, yes. This is just right. The catalogue of emotions when he is caught up in the spell is brilliant. That is exactly how it must have been.

You have managed to convey the confusion, the merging and smearing of time wonderfully. That declaration of love just before he enters the cave is so poignant and so like Gippal.

I could go through this line by line, rhapsodizing all the way. However, I shall simply say: It is right, explaining that which is explanable, confused where no certainty is possible. You have accounted for the reason they did not hold Nooj responsible for the 'triangle of death' scene. I cannot see that you missed a beat. The little throw-aways about the crysknife humanize both the lads. Ry, this is just grand.

The declaration of love literally took my breath away. It was so sudden, so true. Wow.

Suddenly falling into Al Bhed for the first time for the "to whoever finds this journal" message was very effective. And I think you conveyed the unreality of the situation in the way that Gippal describes both the events and his reaction to them just perfectly. Another excellent chapter.

You already know that I think this chapter is amazingly sweet. It's also a wonderful and natural culmination of Gippal and Baralai's relationship and it's nicely stated, even without the actual words being exchanged--looks can mean so much and that sort of thing, yea?

I also really liked the image of their mingled blood in/on the chrysknife, as well as the words engraved on it; that was pure aww, right there.

A wonderful and beautiful chapter, all told!

Sweet and adorable and yet still perfectly true to the character -- exactly how Gippal would display a romantic streak. The knife thread was just the right way to bring the two together like this.

I also really like how you convey the odd sense of time's passage that permeates this whole story. The whole thing takes place within a few weeks, and yet it seems like months or even years have passed. I think it's very appropriate for Gippal to recognize that as he does here.

Wonderful - I liked the chrysknife. I always thought Bikanel could have been taken straight out of those books. I'm really enjoying the way you get into Gippal's head!!