Hello there. Guess who? (:

As goes for your previous works, this recent chapter of "Circum" was very well-written, poignant to the point where my heart almost melted into a little puddle. During "Antiphony" I remember wondering what had happened to Xerxes, as they're inseparable in the series, and I can't recall if you had ever said exactly what fate befell Mozenrath's floating minion. With that in mind, I really appreciate that you've tied up loose ends, even if it culminated with the death of a character I came to love for his wit. How sad that all this time, Xerxes has been slowly dying! You put it well when you said that "the waste of it was disgusting," although I might also add "heart-wrenching." But perhaps Mozenrath isn't quite so sentimental. Also, another haunting term: "a meal fit for the dying". Which in Xerxes' case turns out to be true. D:

I liked how you structured this chapter, giving us a scenario to be expected as the norm (Xerxes eating his portion, then denying himself sleep to obey Mozenrath), only to shatter it in the next couple paragraphs when Xerxes doesn't open his eyes at all. Even when you left all those clues earlier relating Xerxes to death, the reality was not the least easier to take.

But even sadder was the way that Mozenrath was, to all appearances, unaffected by Xerxes' death. It was understandable that the world wouldn't stop for the death of one miserable eel, even one who was a prince in his former life, but perhaps Mozenrath, to whom Xerxes was a precious friend, might have shown some mourning for the dead. If so, then life as a necromancer has truly mutated his views on death. Or maybe I'm looking at this all the wrong way, and the sudden cut from Xerxes' death to the next morning really meant that Mozenrath's grief was too deep for words, and that in the end, it's all he can do to adhere to a schedule where he doesn't have to think, only follow.

...The latter one appeals more to me.

What irked me a little were the sentences towards the end that started with "Poetic:...". This is probably just me nit-picking, but I never really liked abstract writing to begin with. But do keep up the good work! And thank you for providing literature much more interesting than summer homework(!), if also much more distracting(!!).

-- Eccentrifuge

Gah, I'm glad you did a chapter about this, especially because it wasn't covered too much in Antiphony. It really is a fate worth than death for poor ol Xerx, to change the way he did and become what he did. Great job outlining the differences and similarities between Mozenrath and Xerxes in the past and present. It must be hard for Mozenrath, maybe even harder than losing Raniye, because at least she was still the same beautiful person he knew and loved when she died.

It reminds me of a movie or book or something, but I can't remember anything except it was really bittersweet and sad. You hear about that in real life sometimes, too, how people don't go see loved ones if they are really warped or changed before death.

Anyways, good to see you found a little time to write within your busy, busy life! I look forward to it whenever you post something!

Oh my freeking god! You haven't heard from me in a long time, I know. But I was so incredibly happy to see you'd added a chapter to this! It's beautiful (because everything you seem to write is), I think my favorite part was the ending, especially when you described his heart. It was so simple, and not flowery or anything, but I really understood his pain and how damaged he was.

Pretty good so far. Continue soon.

I'm working on a crossover if you want to check it out. It's something new and never done before just to tell you if you decide to check it out.

Nice. I was wondering about this (I think during the first version of Height of Faith?), so glad to see this area fleshed out. I love the way you have Mozenrath on auto-pilot. Poor guy has to try so hard to being evil and uncaring and show no emotion. The whole story of Raniye and her kingdom is so tragic...I love to hear about them!

I take it this is when Raiyne was sacrificed and Mozenrath is going to return her body to the kingdom? Man, that poor king will be devistated, and I'm sure he will also feel anger (posibly towards Mozenrath). It's such a tragedy...

A small sort of romance, yet still sad/gloomy.

Both their lives are so tragic, and it's all thanks to that great bastard Destane. Of coarse, when you think about it they may never have met each other if said bastard hadn’t imprisoned the both of them. That's what you'd called twisted fait, with emphasis on 'twisted' :p

I really feel bad for them though, they didn't exactly have a happy classic romance. At least they had each other for a while though, to help each other through their misery...

Aw. I think this is my favorite chapter for Circum so far. ^_^

Oh yeah, I guess you didn’t have much character written for Laila… Of coarse, there wasn’t as much of her in Mozenrath’s memories/reflections as Xerxes and Rayine, so I can see why. It was different to read this part of her past though, it gives us another perspective which is always good.

Poor girl; thus begins the ending of her sanity...

I really like that you chose this moment to look back on. It's a really intense one; one where you want to know what everyone involved was thinking. Fits "Circum" perfectly. Ah, poor Raniye. She never had any really happy times. And I'll never stop mourning dear Xerxes! Speaking of which, I have a picture in progress featuring him in his happier days...this makes me want to finish it fast :)

So I really liked this chapter, especially how you had her saying Xerxes' name without quotation marks. Almost like it's part of the background noise, just an action she's doing since she's not actually talking to someone who can respond to her other than in blinks. You can really feel the underlying current of despair in this, when she just lost one of her only companions...It was over.

Wonderful, my dear.

Oh, & speaking of intense despair, those sites you sent were scary as hell. Makes me nervous now that it's taking over this side of the ocean too. I swear EVERYONE is reading them.

Poor Xerxes, I still dread what happened to him. He used to be quite a guy... It must be really hard for her to sit there and stare at what became of her once good friend.

So classic...Xerxes rocks!

What's this? Lighthearted Mozenrath drabble no longer an oxymoron? How can this be? Who would dare to take the majesty and power that is Mozenrath and crush it without a thought of mercy? Who? WHO?! Oh, right. Fangirls. Ahem.

Well, what can I say? I love it when those crazy kids/prisoners/evil sorcerer apprentices have fun. I hope we get to hear Xerxes' song. Or better yet, someone should draw a picture of it, eh?

XD Oh, Xerxes cracked me up. I almost felt bad Mozenrath. ALmost, since I was too busy laughing.