The Low Roads, Chapter 15 (MF/F, feet; ?/F, feet; assorted).

[Sir Bombers]

Taxing?

TAXING?

Such a folly to be heard... or in this case read!... This, after all is a highly sought after Low Roads adventure! Your delightful audience (from which I am proudly a part of) should be clamoring for more! To have more from you is a delicious treat from which I would endulge second helpings! But why stop there?!
Such a brilliant treasure as this is rare in a dark cave of drab fantasies! :redface:

and how serenditious to find a wonderful new tale of this magnitude! I must say that you've outdone yourself with this one...but that would prove difficult seeing as you are flawless everytime!

My love of Mercy is like a bird flying merrily against a cool breeze singing a song of pure happiness... OH...how much I love her so ... :laughing:

Her clear deviantion from the tough sole veterans of farm work is not only a wonderful characteristic that I highly enjoy...but it makes a wonderful set up for a little sole play...

Farm work maybe grueling on the soles of the working, but in the case of tickling, it can prove the perfect tenderizer for soft soled new-comers!

Mercy is no exception...her feet must be ten times as sensitive... how unfortunate a bogey could not witness this... as "farm work for hours" would be a new entry in the bogey handbook for new tickle procedures! How unfortunate indeed... 😉

*GASP* I have I come into an agreement Bogeys? Or have I been one along?...

Heh heh... the reading these tales have lead me to tickle corruption!

As for our favorite reporter sparrow...she seems to have bitten off more than she could chew... or she has taken more than she could stiffle! Another entry for the Bogey handbook of tickling...walking all day in heels is another wonderful tenderizing method! She should know better than to tempt a bogey or any "ankle mad ogre" with such an easy prize!

But yet the hands of an ogre are not at the soles of our lucky news inquirer... but that of a hansome womanizer! But as dashing as he is, he cannot escape the grasp of a foot/tickle fetish or the grasp of blackmail!

Sparrow has resorted to a strong dominant pull of valuptuous qualities!

But this would be the first blackmail i've seen where both are victims! one is forced to tickle and the other pleasantly takes it by force!

Brilliant!

Now what of this encounter with Mercy an Jen? Baring all for the pleasure of company... Much to the pleasure of your viewers! :laughing:

Lovely...

Sid is a wonderful persuader... his messenger and Dox learn that fact all to well... The wrath a a bogey is extreme!

:happy:

I cannot express how much I enjoy this chapter... I loved the last one fiercly...but this... I nearly went insane with admiration! :ggrin:

When your printing problem presents promising productivity for future pages, a cry of joy will spread from me the likes of which no one has ever heard!

:bluestar::bluestar::bluestar::bluestar::bluestar: 5 stars my friend!

 

[melanie2]

^ it's so nice to read these enthusiastic posts...and not just nice job..you guys in the art world are soo prolific...makes me feel rather uh...hmm not prolific enough...lol...

 

[Abadon XXX1]

O.O Awesome job LBH!

 

[Low_Roads]

Taxing?

TAXING?

Such a folly to be heard... or in this case read!... This, after all is a highly sought after Low Roads adventure! Your delightful audience (from which I am proudly a part of) should be clamoring for more! To have more from you is a delicious treat from which I would endulge second helpings! But why stop there?!
Such a brilliant treasure as this is rare in a dark cave of drab fantasies! :redface:

Wonderful of you to say so, Bombers! While the adage reads "The more, the merrier", I often fear that more can often prove simply too exhausting! I try to keep these chapters in the neighborhood of 25 to 30 pages; to me, the ideal length. Yet, your generous commentary fills me with confidence! Seconds, thirds and fourth helpings, for this meal at least!

and how serenditious to find a wonderful new tale of this magnitude! I must say that you've outdone yourself with this one...but that would prove difficult seeing as you are flawless everytime!

Flawless... I tend to save such rare acclaim for perfect pearls like Teeva (those creamy soles are the soul of flawlessness!) I deeply appreciate the compliment, though! My grateful thanks!

My love of Mercy is like a bird flying merrily against a cool breeze singing a song of pure happiness... OH...how much I love her so ... :laughing:

Now, now! Don't turn Mercy's head! I need her content to stay with me (till this series is done, at least!)

Her clear deviantion from the tough sole veterans of farm work is not only a wonderful characteristic that I highly enjoy...but it makes a wonderful set up for a little sole play...

Farm work maybe grueling on the soles of the working, but in the case of tickling, it can prove the perfect tenderizer for soft soled new-comers!

Mercy is no exception...her feet must be ten times as sensitive... how unfortunate a bogey could not witness this... as "farm work for hours" would be a new entry in the bogey handbook for new tickle procedures! How unfortunate indeed... 😉

Heh heh! Mercy could never build up enough callus to protect her from tickly sensation! And if, as you speculate, sod-pounding is the ideal tickle enhancer, I can envision bogey-run forced labor camps, endless field-rows packed with foot models! Heck, I might even sign up to oversee! All those years hoeing weeds should count for something!

*GASP* I have I come into an agreement Bogeys? Or have I been one along?...

Heh heh... the reading these tales have lead me to tickle corruption!

Fear not! There's a bit of bogey in all of us, I suspect! But he can't take over... not unless you really want him to!

As for our favorite reporter sparrow...she seems to have bitten off more than she could chew... or she has taken more than she could stiffle! Another entry for the Bogey handbook of tickling...walking all day in heels is another wonderful tenderizing method! She should know better than to tempt a bogey or any "ankle mad ogre" with such an easy prize!

A fresh disguise! Foot models masquerading as... foot models! I have it on good authority that Sparrow dotes on fancy footwear. Me, I prefer her barefoot! So much more accessible...

But yet the hands of an ogre are not at the soles of our lucky news inquirer... but that of a hansome womanizer! But as dashing as he is, he cannot escape the grasp of a foot/tickle fetish or the grasp of blackmail!

Sparrow has resorted to a strong dominant pull of valuptuous qualities!

But this would be the first blackmail i've seen where both are victims! one is forced to tickle and the other pleasantly takes it by force!

Brilliant!

By all means, Sparrow, blackmail me too! Stockinged feet, gags and rope-ties... this is the sort of coercion I dream about! But I fear you're right... the Moon Knight's beaten us both to the punch! Rats, I hate it when someone else gets there first...

Now what of this encounter with Mercy an Jen? Baring all for the pleasure of company... Much to the pleasure of your viewers! :laughing:

Lovely...

Is it just me, or was Jen making eyes at Mercy? Knock it off, girls! That's our job!

Sid is a wonderful persuader... his messenger and Dox learn that fact all to well... The wrath a a bogey is extreme!

:happy:

Nothing beats artificial muscles! Think of it... no weight-lifting! No laps! No special diets! Just put 'em on with your shirt! Available at your local arroyo! Price: your eternal soul!

I cannot express how much I enjoy this chapter... I loved the last one fiercly...but this... I nearly went insane with admiration! :ggrin:

When your printing problem presents promising productivity for future pages, a cry of joy will spread from me the likes of which no one has ever heard!

:bluestar::bluestar::bluestar::bluestar::bluestar: 5 stars my friend!

A rating I truly cherish, Big B! Thank you so much! I'll labor mightily as I can to see this current art-drought is a short one! One way or another (and I pray it will be soon) I vow the Low Roads will continue!

^ it's so nice to read these enthusiastic posts...and not just nice job..you guys in the art world are soo prolific...makes me feel rather uh...hmm not prolific enough...lol...

Not prolific enough... stuff 'n' nonsense! What, have you started like 400 posts since you returned here a few weeks ago as Isabeau! Wildly popular topics, too! Truth is, you pretty much run General Discussion now! Izzy is Force of Creation personified!

 

[Low_Roads]

O.O Awesome job LBH!

Ooops! Sorry, Abadon! I didn't mean to skip over you! Seems we just missed one another. Thanks so much for the vote of confidence! I truly appreciate your compliments!

 

[kopfhorer1]

Very interesting installment. With each episode, the tickling/sensuality metaphor becomes clearer: tickling representing sensual pleasure as regarded by an uptight and puritanical community, something they secretly want but have trouble admitting... while the bogies take sensual pleasure too far, turning it into their only focus and becoming degenerates. A very interesting structure....

Is this perhaps a metaphor for American society's attitudes toward any kind of pleasure as a whole (and not just sensual or sexual) - either it's pathological just-say-no repression or mad (often mass-media-induced) overindulgence with rarely a stop at healthy enjoyment, at balance? Just a thought. I'm up way past my bedtime, so I might not be too coherent at this juncture!

In any case, a top-flight production, as per usual. Only gripe, I wish there were a way to download each chapter as a single zip file. I know you tried it once and had technical problems with it.

BTW, I loved your tip of the hat to George "Krazy Kat" Herriman!

 

[Low_Roads]

Thank you, Kopfhorer, both for the compliments and for the insightful commentary! And let me promise you, I still love the zipped files idea. I haven't been able to make it work, but that doesn't mean I've given up on it. The problem seems to lie with the way I'm naming the files... if I do ever figure out the proper system, I'll be quick to post everything back on the LBHQ. This really is too good an idea to abandon!

 

[U.N.Owen]

Wow! That's a beautifully phrased crystallizing of this series' main theme, Owen! Far more succinct than I'd ever expressed myself or was ever likely to! I'm gonna save this... repeat if verbatim if I'm ever again asked to explain the story's primary point! With due attribution, of course!

....

I hadn't thought such a scenario through in any detail, but I certainly intend to now! Matter of fact, I can see a golden opportunity for this sort of fetish orgy in the upcoming siege on Swillwell (Chapter 17)! It's similar to an idea I'd planned for a mass bogey attack on Fairview, which would probably still be a year away... moving it up won't harm that scene and will provide good material for a chapter which promised to be otherwise light on tickling incident! My grateful thanks! This story thrives in the presence of good suggestion!

Hey, glad to help. 😀

 

[Relent<]

Late as ever, but I've grown used to my position toward the end of the attendance. All the same, I feel my words of admiration would still be valid.
Firstly; AAAAAH! That was so cool, seeing Aye in all her dorkish glory as captured by your pen, and Mrs. Muffette even made an off-screen appearance. X3
That Sparrows has got brass cahones. I look forward to seeing her flirt with danger, and this heartbreaking Moon Knight.
Also, quite amusing to see Mercy tickled while wearing a fake mustache; that just isn't something you'll see too often, if ever again. lol

 

[Jawa]

I saw this on the TMF Venue as well, and I gotta say I like it so far!
Not only the mere fact that it is tickling, in a comic either, but... well, the dicipline and thought-processes that go into making a comic. all the characters to keep track of, and the stories they themselves tell... as well as rendering the backdrops ( time and space as well as setting)
There is a very good reason you don't see me doing comics. it's mostly because characters and backgrounds very rareley inhabit the same space on my canvas.
...
and I have yet to write anything new either.

 

[Low_Roads]

AAAAAH! That was so cool, seeing Aye in all her dorkish glory as captured by your pen, and Mrs. Muffette even made an off-screen appearance. X3

Aye is so much fun to draw! Such a sweetie! Thanks a bunch for giving me permission to appropriate her briefly and recast her as a Fairview resident, Relent! I thought she fit in perfectly; she's so versatile! And wherever the little lamb goes, Mrs. Muffette (along with her playful, web-winding itsy bitsies) is sure to follow! I was most eager for Miss Aileen to feel at home!

That Sparrows has got brass cahones. I look forward to seeing her flirt with danger, and this heartbreaking Moon Knight.

I promise you we'll see plenty more of formidable Miss Sparrow and her would-be swain in upcoming chapters! The Moon Knight's even scheduled to warble a love song (in honor of Will and Jen's wedding, that is. But who knows... it might just lead to more intimate behavior!)

Also, quite amusing to see Mercy tickled while wearing a fake mustache; that just isn't something you'll see too often, if ever again. lol

Well, I don't think Mercy's going to be caught off-guard like that again... not by any more engaged couples, anyway! The mustache was a weird idea, I confess. I wanted the scene to reflect a measure of androgeny: Billy and Jen are channeling much of their carnal longing through Mercy's foot massage... she's thus required to stand-in for both male and female participant. Really, I don't think we'll see anything else like that soon. No point in overdoing it!

I saw this on the TMF Venue as well, and I gotta say I like it so far!
Not only the mere fact that it is tickling, in a comic either, but... well, the dicipline and thought-processes that go into making a comic. all the characters to keep track of, and the stories they themselves tell... as well as rendering the backdrops ( time and space as well as setting)

Thank you, Jevil! I certainly had plenty of "space" to fill up this time! 43 pages is really too much all at once... I'll be reining the count in from now on (for awhile, anyway!) You're so right about comix... they do force one to deal with complete settings and continuity. That's what attracts me to the format, I think... it's so much fun when you can get everything to work properly!

There is a very good reason you don't see me doing comics. it's mostly because characters and backgrounds very rareley inhabit the same space on my canvas.
...
and I have yet to write anything new either.

Oh, I suspect you'll have plenty of shiny new goodies to display for us soon! That's the happy fact about pirates... they're dab hands at digging up treasure!

 

[Featherdemon]

Ah, at long last we have the latest and eagerly awaited addition to this thought consuming, eye devoured masterpiece. 🙂 I cannot say how delighted I am to read your latest installment, my friend, and to see so much that pleases the eye is a treat. As is worthy of such a masterpiece, I will indulge myself to give some detailed appreciation. 😉

The story with the reporter is more satisfying to me than I had anticipated. I love the idea of her going out looking for the monsters, desperately seeking out what most folk would, or should, be shying away from. I was delighted to see her wearing such alluring stockings and then to have them so wonderfully attended to...hehe, wonderful. I think my heart actually missed a beat when told that noble tickler to return and teach her more in the way of ticklish torment.

What ler could say no to that? What lee has not wished for such a situation? 🙂

Your drawings of the buildings and towns continues to impress me. I find it difficult as an artist to catch flare or individualistic style in towns and such, but you have done so. You have given each town, each building its own feel, so really well done. 🙂

It was really sweet to see our dearest Mercy given such a tender and loving foot tickle. As a lee that made me blush, and as a ler it is what you always crave. It was touching and endearing. Thank you. 😀 I hope that she will subject herself more and more to that wonderfully delicate torment and learn to love it too.

You handle crowd scenes well her. In my experience, it is too easy to either make a scene look over crowded or to leave it to the perspective looks out of place for certain characters. You have avoided both pitfalls. 😀 😀

A wonderful installment with a surprising, revealing ending. 😉 What a tease you are. 🙂 I look forward to the next install ment.

😀

 

[Low_Roads]

Ah, at long last we have the latest and eagerly awaited addition to this thought consuming, eye devoured masterpiece. 🙂 I cannot say how delighted I am to read your latest installment, my friend, and to see so much that pleases the eye is a treat...

The story with the reporter is more satisfying to me than I had anticipated. I love the idea of her going out looking for the monsters, desperately seeking out what most folk would, or should, be shying away from. I was delighted to see her wearing such alluring stockings and then to have them so wonderfully attended to...hehe, wonderful. I think my heart actually missed a beat when told that noble tickler to return and teach her more in the way of ticklish torment.

Thanks once again for such generous, copious congratulations, Feathers! Praise becomes doubly sweet when it flows from the largess of such a fine fellow artist!

I'm very pleased you found Sparrow's adventures satisfying! She's a confirmed searcher, as news-hounds are wont to be; if she's found a measure of personal fulfillment instead of the scoop she craved so badly, so much the better for her (as well as for us keyhole peepers!) I'd intended her as a minor character in this drama, but I'm now inclined to rethink that... she's become a great deal of fun to draw, as well as tickle torment! Yes, definitely a lot more potential there than I originally suspected!

Your drawings of the buildings and towns continues to impress me. I find it difficult as an artist to catch flare or individualistic style in towns and such, but you have done so. You have given each town, each building its own feel, so really well done. 🙂

I'm most grateful you think so! I really tried to concentrate on town layout this time (as opposed to the rather random clumps of housing I presented earlier), with arial vantage points of street systems and building grouping. Ground level views were aided by two extremely useful reference books I picked up recently; one focusing on Tudor revival style architecture, the other offering many examples of something called "Storybook" style. Each has proved invaluable... the pictured structures fit my desired archaic mood to a tee!

It was really sweet to see our dearest Mercy given such a tender and loving foot tickle. As a lee that made me blush, and as a ler it is what you always crave. It was touching and endearing. Thank you. 😀 I hope that she will subject herself more and more to that wonderfully delicate torment and learn to love it too.

Thank you! It's heartening indeed to know that the scene worked as planned! It's certainly been my aim to soften Mercy's initial off-put attitude and see that she becomes more and more comfortable with sensual contact. Her personal journey is meant to develop from non-tutored childhood into responsible maturity... not simply socially and emotionally, but in terms of her physical pleasures tool.

You handle crowd scenes well her. In my experience, it is too easy to either make a scene look over crowded or to leave it to the perspective looks out of place for certain characters. You have avoided both pitfalls. 😀 😀

Once again, thank you! Early on, I was really clumsy at depicting crowds (my placement of characters was far too random, lacking needed unity; individuals also related rather poorly to their surroundings). I am grateful that this fault has been improved! A story like this one demands much mass movement of citizenry: I'd be in tough straits depending on my older, more lackadaisical approach!

A wonderful installment with a surprising, revealing ending. 😉 What a tease you are. 🙂 I look forward to the next installment.

😀

I'm never gonna learn to behave! XD Though, as cliffhangers go, this one doesn't possess much urgency... perhaps readers will forgive my indulgence, this time!

My thanks for such a comprehensive, eloquent appreciation, Feathers! It's such a pleasure to have pleased you so well!

 

[leenotler]

Oh, no. I'm often late, but I missed this for days. This Low Roads tale has grown to epic proportions. All your fan's excellent commentary approaches epic proportions. It's like a great DVD with all the extras, director's interview, etc. I especially liked U.N.Owen's comments.
I concur with the others, I continue to enjoy Miss Sparrow dangerous curiosity, teetering on the edge of a self-destructive, addictive personality. I enjoyed the unexpected, powerful "Sid-cam exo-suit" which saved the ruffian. I loved Mercy's loss of control, and her realization that the friendly foot rub redefined what loss of control meant. It was all about context and intent and balance. Character growth, far ranging action and plot twists have made Low Roads must see TTV.

Thanks again,
Lee

 

[Low_Roads]

Must see TTV! I think you've just coined a classic Community phrase, Lee! I look forward to your commentary with the keenest excitement! Your kind enthusiasm is so chipper, so invigorating! Your analogy to DVD extra material is spot-on! It's exactly what I hope for when people write... their (and your) insight always adds so much luster to these chapter threads, making them infinitely more valuable and entertaining!

You're so right about Sparrow: she certainly is a hopeless thrill junkie! This current adventure may not have bitten her too badly, but that's no proof against future peril (when one insists on poking one's nose into hornets' nests, one must expect stingers!) Happy you enjoyed the spectacle of those Sid-sanctioned artificial muscles ("exo-suit" is precisely the way I thought about it!) They'll be flexed again, in spades (a supposed edge over Swillwell's superior numbers). And it's so terribly gratifying to me that you keep track of character growth over the course of these chapters! That can't be easy to do, what with months separating one from the next and they being so widely scattered throughout the Art Forum! It's a mightily valued compliment, believe me! Mercy's tussle with personal insecurity will likely take years to chart; it's my ardent hope that it will always earn your ongoing interest, prompting similar spirited replies throughout! For what I receive now, my most grateful thanks!

 

[Journia]

No, I mean the mouse in this picture
http://www.tickletheater.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=175903&d=1219276913
Or is that Ignatz?

 

[Low_Roads]

No, I mean the mouse in this picture
http://www.tickletheater.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=175903&d=1219276913
Or is that Ignatz?

Yeah, that's the one! That's Ignatz, all right... allegedly. No one could be faulted for not recognizing him. He's looked like Mickey from the very beginning, even to me. The only solid clue is the brick: Ignatz was famous for pitching bricks; at his would-be anamorata Krazy Kat, however, not Officer Pup (or his stand-in, Constable Growler). There's further elaboration in panel 4... look closely at the broken brick (next to Growler's fallen cap), and you can see the vague print, "Ignatz". It's upside-down, and letters are missing in the middle... again, no one could be faulted for not noticing.

 

[Journia]

... look closely at the broken brick (next to Growler's fallen cap), and you can see the vague print, "Ignatz". It's upside-down, and letters are missing in the middle...

That's how I guessed it was Ignatz initially.

 

[Raven_kirsaen1]

What can I say that isn't said by another member?

You made another great chapter and longer than previous ones, sure it took a lot of work. Sparrow it's really going to do everything she can to get what she want to achieve, right? I like that scenes a lot.

We saw another quality of the sid-cam. It can give a lot of strength!

Mercy have fit in very well in her new life, you are making a great job developing your characters.

Thanks for the cameo appearance of my characters, I like how Yuri seems to feel uncomfortable with how things are occouring in tabor county and how Raven justify it talking about his friend Sephie.

keep making a good job.

 

[U.N.Owen]

Yeah, that's the one! That's Ignatz, all right... allegedly. No one could be faulted for not recognizing him. He's looked like Mickey from the very beginning, even to me. The only solid clue is the brick: Ignatz was famous for pitching bricks; at his would-be anamorata Krazy Kat, however, not Officer Pup (or his stand-in, Constable Growler). There's further elaboration in panel 4... look closely at the broken brick (next to Growler's fallen cap), and you can see the vague print, "Ignatz". It's upside-down, and letters are missing in the middle... again, no one could be faulted for not noticing.

Give yourself credit for capturing the style... I recognized Ignatz immediately, and then checked what it said on the brick for confirmation (though I admit that brick-throwing itself is kind of Ignatz's thing).

 

[Low_Roads]

What can I say that isn't said by another member?

You made another great chapter and longer than previous ones, sure it took a lot of work. Sparrow it's really going to do everything she can to get what she want to achieve, right? I like that scenes a lot.

Thanks for your very kind appraisal, Raven! :super_hap

Sparrow is indeed willing to do just about anything to fulfill her aims, it's true! I suppose that's made her a successful reporter, but it's also bound to sink her into some sticky situations! Only chance kept her from falling into bogey clutches instead of for a practical joke... she may not be so lucky next time!

We saw another quality of the sid-cam. It can give a lot of strength!

That development took everyone by surprise, even Klept! Dox most of all, though. This should warn everyone away from being a bully! You never know when the mouse is going to bite back!

Mercy have fit in very well in her new life, you are making a great job developing your characters.

Thank you, I appreciate that! Indeed, Mercy is settling down rather comfortably into a life of manual labor! She might content herself to remain a field hand the rest of her life, surrounded by hard work and good company, if nothing ever came along to disrupt things. But, this being the Low Roads, I can just about guarantee that something will!

Thanks for the cameo appearance of my characters, I like how Yuri seems to feel uncomfortable with how things are occouring in tabor county and how Raven justify it talking about his friend Sephie.

Thank you for the opportunity to include TR and Yuri as part of the Low Roads story! Yuri is a striking beauty, what with her fine features, hip clothes and extravagant flaming-red do; it was great fun learning to draw her! TR's qualities are likewise arresting, but in a sinister way! Drawing him was also fun, though a touch intimidating! I'm so glad you're pleased with my attempts to capture your classic characters! They certainly left an indelible impression on this episode; I'm so glad they could be there!

Give yourself credit for capturing the style... I recognized Ignatz immediately, and then checked what it said on the brick for confirmation (though I admit that brick-throwing itself is kind of Ignatz's thing).

Thank you for saying so, Owen! Part of the problem is that all cartoon vermin from that age look frustratingly alike: Ignatz is similar in design to Mickey, who bears a strong resemblance to Oswald rabbit, etc. It's like there was only one way of drawing these guys: jelly bean body and head, spindly stick limbs and two globes for ears. Thanks goodness we now live in the in the era of anime, where you can tell all characters apart at a glance!

 

[Low_Roads]

nice

Thanks! 😉

 

[scavenger]

Finally I found some time to reply...

Why are you apologizing for the lenght of the chapter? The more pages, the greater the read I say! 🙂 No really, you have outdone yourself on this new installment! I greatly enjoyed the Sparrow Hall/Moonknight scene, a perfectly done example of setup and payoff (as it is called in scenario writing). I actually couldn't help being a tad jealous of that Moonknight guy... 😉 (especially as Sparrow is inviting hime to tie her up and gag her... such a kinky lady she is!)

But the scene that really struck me is the hot spring bathing scene. You totally got the atmosphere just right. There's something so relaxed and layed back to it, but at the other hand, given the things we learnt in this chapter, this might just be the calm before the storm... Sid's army is on the march and I don't think we've seen the last bit of that dormant volcano (another example of great setup!)

Have you ever considered publishing this series when it's done? It would look awesome in a printed version, and I would certainly be among the first to buy a copy! 🙂

 

[Low_Roads]

Why are you apologizing for the lenght of the chapter? The more pages, the greater the read I say! 🙂

Well stated, Scav! Thanks so much for your consideration! I may be over-agonizing about the size of this particular chapter. It sure ended up a lot longer than I intended, though (the price of breaking three chapters-worth of material into two pieces. Likely, this stuff wouldn't have fit into three chapters any more tidily... something had to give somewhere). Primarily, I don't like to pile lots of extra reading onto people who already have busy schedules. That's foolish, maybe: no one needs to consume it all in one sitting... it's not like the material has a "dispose of by" date. Then again, it took me nearly another month to prepare the extra pages. I dislike taking so much time... the wait between chapters is rugged enough as it is.

No really, you have outdone yourself on this new installment! I greatly enjoyed the Sparrow Hall/Moonknight scene, a perfectly done example of setup and payoff (as it is called in scenario writing). I actually couldn't help being a tad jealous of that Moonknight guy... 😉 (especially as Sparrow is inviting hime to tie her up and gag her... such a kinky lady she is!)

Most kind of you! Sparrow certainly is revealed to have more kinky proclivities than even she suspected... that's the sort of surprising thing you earn by experimenting! Yeah, dang it, I feel pangs of jealousy too... why do the rogues always score, and I'm gettin' nothing!!! Well, I'm probably getting as much as I deserve, but that's beside the point...

Thanks so much for the compliments concerning the story's structure! While it's important that each chapter build toward the next (and toward the series' ultimate resolution), I do want individual episodes to possess a sense of partial completion too. Ideally, the reader should feel a measure of fulfillment, as well as anticipation for upcoming development. I've spread plenty of seed... if I wait too long (like till it's crunch time in the next-to-last chapter), some of it won't germinate at all.

But the scene that really struck me is the hot spring bathing scene. You totally got the atmosphere just right. There's something so relaxed and layed back to it, but at the other hand, given the things we learnt in this chapter, this might just be the calm before the storm... Sid's army is on the march and I don't think we've seen the last bit of that dormant volcano (another example of great setup!)

I'm proud you think so! A spa setting is something I was eager to attempt before Sid's Swillwell attack occurred and everything turned super-intense for Mercy again. The poor girl's been on the run, strung up to trees or sweating in fields the whole series long... I desperately wanted her to have one simple, pleasant, care-free evening before adversity once again came smashing back on her head (all work and no play makes for a dull heroine. It also renders the proceedings rather one-note and artificial; a character's life should have highs and lows, just as an actual person's does).

Savvy observation about the inactive Twin Sisters volcanic peak! It is indeed primed to pay off... perhaps not as explosively as one might fear, but it does indeed portend menace. Sinister stuff in the works, I promise you!

Have you ever considered publishing this series when it's done? It would look awesome in a printed version, and I would certainly be among the first to buy a copy! 🙂

That's enormously flattering, Scav! I like the sound of it, too: a tangible comic, something you could actually hold in your hand! Frankly, I'd have no idea how to go about it... production cost sounds like a scary proposition, but without doing any actual checking that's just blind bogeyman fear. It's something I really should explore; with years still before this series ends, I'll have plenty of time to do a thorough job. At any rate, thanks a ton for the compliment! That you feel this story worthy of publication (you especially, with a legion of comic miracles to your credit!) sends my confidence right through the roof!

 

[The Bandito]

Apologies for my long overdue response, but truth be told, you are the one to blame.

How can I read the latest chapter when I am overwhelmed by your generosity to this community?

How can I make it to my computer when I am buried by the magnificence of the finest Low Roads installment EVER?

How can I sing your praises when my jaw has dropped so low low low?

How can I type when I am far too busy applauding?

I have always been a fan of your ground breaking, earth shattering, epoch changing series, my friend. Even as far back as when I was but a boogey-like lurker bandito - hidden in shadow. But something about this chapter in particular truly resonated with me.

I didn't think you'd be able to top the delightful - naive teacher turned bar tickle wench scene from page ten. As it turns out the joke was on me, but with Sparrow doing all the laughing. Her scene has already established itself as among one of my very favorite tickle scenes that I have ever had the pleasure to witness.

The glory of Sparrow's scene isn't just the tickling itself, but the long anticipation, and her complicated emotional state before, during and after. I simply loved it.

Would that I could write like you more often. This chapter is nothing but pure gold. You love your characters so much, that I can't help but love them myself.

I could go on and on throwing roses at your feet, but am worried that in my current state, you'd be nostril deep in petals before I toned down my adulation.

So I shall end with simply this... this series is worth more to this community than you will probably ever allow yourself to realize. I salute you, good sir.

And more so - I thank you. From the bottom of my little bandito heart.

Respect,

B