And now I’ve read it to the end.  Tears in my eyes, literally.  Such a remarkable story.  So simple on it’s surface, but so complex.  Ethically, emotionally. 

It shows some real sophistication how you left so much unresolved, unanswered.  It makes me wish we had literary discussion groups for size fans. 

The questions of Carl’s support for Alani from his hospital bed.  Did he not confess because he naturally doesn’t want to face the consequences of taking her food?   Does he plan to make it up to her and Kenji?  Something he can’t do if he’s fired or in jail. Is he motivated by the concern that if he is fired, someone worse will replace him?  See?  Simple characters performing simple actions leading to complex questions?  A brilliant and satisfying reading experience.  This story is an example of why the written word will never die.  Movies and such can never portray complex emotion like great writing can.

The issue of Alani’s happiness v. her circumstance, what a complex situation.  Slavery is vile and horrible, but she’s happy.  We fall in love with her and want her to be truly happy.  But by our standards, that seems difficult.  There is no Fyth sanctuary.  And she would hate life without Kenji and Lyric...and even Carl.  Would her happiness be destroyed if a loving family gave her high standards of freedom and dignity? 

And that ending.  What can I say?  Amazing, heart felt, sad and joyful all at the same time. 

And...time for the mean:  Buddy.  Pal.  Stop trying to write a southern drawl.  You have a tin ear, or sumthin, for the way country folk speak.  Every time you try to tackle it, it’s a disaster.  Just have them say “yep” a few times, maybe a couple of “ain’ts,” but leave it at that and write the rest of their dialogue normally.  We’ll get the idea.  End of mean.

There really is no practical need for a sequel.  This story hit the pond that is our genre.  Let it ripple out and raise the water level a bit.  Remember the ending of Jaws, how you wanted more?  That’s a good ending. 

That said, if you did create a continuation, I would not mind.  In fact, I suspect I would read it with great enthusiasm.  Some of these questions could stand answers, only to reveal new quandaries.  The characters and situations you’ve created will not sit still for simple answers.

Thank you for raising the bar of emotion, complexity and literary quality for our beloved genre.  This is certainly not your best work...you haven’t found that yet.  Which is good new; it gives us something to look forward to.

Peace

pix

PS.  You need a hook for a sequel?  The farm is working out well.  Kenji becomes an important local figure and the fact that he’s smart doesn’t hurt.  When Kenji falls in love, the girl he loves is rich.  She could solve all his problems.  But she wants him to leave the farm and Alani.  And ya’ know what?  For all her assets, she doesn’t “measure up” to Alani.  It seems a simple choice...but Lyric falls ill, to a rare and expensive disease.  Can Kenji science skills save his sister? Or will he have to make an impossible choice?  Alani sees it as a simple choice, her happiness v Lyrics life.  But will Lyric even be able to live without the best friend a girl could have?  And what about Carl?  All against the background question- who really deserves the fruit of the farms success? 
If Lyric were a Fyth, Alani’s food would cure her in a heartbeat...if there were some way to...hmmmm ....no, that is unthinkable...the social stigma...or would the first giant human be an indictment of the practice of enslaving people based on their size?

This is some really solid and well written stuff with actual emotion and real human characters. This is heads and shoulders above and beyond your usual story around here.

Well done, sir!

Loving this story!!! Please continue. Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssse!!!!

I almost missed this update and am almost glad I did. I told you to stop making me feel not make me feel more! This is genuinely heartbreaking and sweet. I mean she even broke down angry Carl what can you do against that? Nothing. Alani's perfectly, sincerely humble. Literally just happy to be a service to somebody, anybody. Killing herself because dumb Carl broke his dumb leg! He can walk it off. But she found happiness and that's truly all that matters. Good work man. 

This succeeds as a fetish story and as good SF. I could imagine it in an old pulp.

*cries*

Well, with Carl hospitalized through his own greed, maybe the truth about the embezzled Rouean (whatever that is) will come out. And, Kenji can get himself a more honest foreman!

Author's Response:

Well, the story is complete. Five chapters, a play on the title perhaps. ;)