I’ll admit the existence of unicorns did take me aback a bit.

There aren't many of them, and they are, as of this writing anyhow, the only mythicals in this universe. I went back and forth about them, but Travis wanted to be a unicorn, and the story wanted him to be a unicorn, so unicorn he was.

Don’t you hate it when characters argue with you? Don’t you really hate it when they win?

It happened to me too when Ana insisted that she wanted Angie to settle down with her and Tom. . . .

Never argue with your fictional people, especially when they are more dominant than you are.

So does that mean I’m really lame for letting a subbie character win the argument?

By odd do they mean retarded? Because there's so few of them?

Good for you for knowing (or accidentally guessing?) that "eccentric" in at least early Victorian times referenced someone suffering a developmental disability. But that's not the meaning I want you to take here, alas. Why Travis is weird...well, we shall just have to wait and see.

I don't know what problems the unicorns in this 'verse face as a result of their low population, though I'm sure there are some, but that may be beyond the scope of this story.

Good madam, I am a Mannerly Highbrow, not some Churlish Toff attempting an ungainly ogle with my opera binoculars! Indeed unicorns are rife with particulars, and we shall see them to the fore before the tale is spun!

From what we've seen, I think your unicorns are going to turn out to be anything but what I'd expect a unicorn to be. I love the way you twist the conventions like that.

Of course, perhaps what I expect of unicorns, or like in them, isn't the conventional at all. I really don't know. You probably know all about that, based on commissions I've requested.

I often wish I could draw, which is appreciated, instead of being only a writer. But you do both, which is even better!

Writing is an excellent and lovely gift. And...oh yes, unicorns. You will, I think, like Travis.

They can be held by silver chains, you know (if they really want to be.) :D

oh, I'll have to remember that. Travis tends to be on the other side of the chain, though.

That would be just dandy too. But somehow I suspect that's not how things are going to turn out this time.

In fact, of the characters you've introduced, the only one that scares me without reservation is Lady Hazel. Not as scary as Shard, certainly, but neither have I seen her exhibit any warmth, any nobility, any emotion or trait I would call typical of a decent person. Perhaps they're present, just hidden by an unbreakable shell forged by experience and necessity. But I learned from a certain recent political figure that a person who chooses to be an idiot is still an idiot. Likewise, a person who chooses to be cold and empty is still cold and empty, even if it's by choice.

I wouldn't say hello to Lady Hazel on a dare. I doubt that she would do evil to me, as she would have nothing to gain from it. But however small the possibility of harm from knowing her, it exceeds any possibility of gain, friendship, or even acquaintance. If there's anything inside there, it's sealed away forever.

Or is it? Perhaps I just don't know her yet.

It's a pity, in a way, that Trevor is about to hit this iceberg. In that contest I'm pretty sure who my money's on.

I LOVE this story!

Oh yay! This makes me very happy.

BTW, are these watercolors?

Yes! I'm doing this story by watercoloring (in black) over shaded pencils.