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February 4, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Camaro,
I don't know how long it's been since I've read this story, and I'm not sure where I found it (Enigma, I think, with Kabu's beautiful douinshi's), but I do remember the impression it left on me. It has been many, many years since then, so many in fact that I'm not even sure an email will pop up in your current account to show that you have a new review from AFF or not, but I will still take the time to write this review, as strange as it may come to be.
I remember reading Strong Heart, but more over I remember the emotions that I got from reading it. It is emotion in fact that we humans are driven by , and emotion that brings us to find out more about any subject available to us on this Earth. Irony would have it that I came upon an author of a different name, Camaro, and I read her stories, like I do most everyone else's with hope of feeling something as I read. I was deeply touch by Fathoming Love, and I'm more of a yaoi fan than a het fan, so that meant something to me. I went on to read more of your stories, and when I came upon Perfection I was so struck with the need to compare the two authors that I would think about it even when I wasn't writing or reading fan-fiction.
I thought to myself, I'm not sure which of the two are better, and they are certainly two of the best. Imagine my surprise to realize not too long afterwards, that the "two" are actually one. I was a fan from the beginning, and a fan I remain.
I have read through the reviews left on this site, much to my amusement, might I add. I have read the "flames" and your responses. I have looked at how many hits you have, and I have read almost all of the stories that I have found of yours (the ones I haven't were due to the distractions of life, I have taken years off at a time on this website and others, and I have grown much since those days) Time passes by us all and I wonder where you are at now in your life. Honestly one of the funniest things to read was how you would get a nonsensical flame and then Macha would pop up with an oblivious review that always made me smile, completely concerned only with what she was reading and what it meant to her, and not to anything else.
Something that I want to say that I feel is necessary, in a way, is not quite a response to your flamers or your lovers, or even to you, but simply a point to be made:
As an author who updates, almost like a blog, a story, fictional with non-fictional ideas intertwined, on a public site leaves people open to immediate reflection on their works. This is so unlike a book, where the author, many times, cannot be immediately reached, and the end to the readers torment is only pages away. I must consider the difference the toll is on both the reader and the author, when one is forced to finish something BEFORE they are so compelled to comment on it.
It's hard to put what I'm wishing to say into words but I think that "compelled" is the right way to put it. Your readers are compelled to respond, and if one had it in mind to look inside themselves and discover why they feel the way they do, perhaps they would be more frightened by what they find within them, than by what they're reading on the screen, or, in a book. Too, it is strange that people would read what they had been warned about, and not finish it, simply because of their own personal boundaries, and our boundaries are very personal.
These stories are meant to surge us with emotions, as all stories are. We, as humans, are meant to feel, and to consider, and to dissect, and we have not the luxury of choosing what things "compel" us the most.
I find the relationship that you have with your readers most intriguing. Some of them love you, some of them hate you, some of them love to hate you, or hate to love you, but they still read what you've written and I highly doubt they've ever forgotten it.
It's funny, too, that "fandom" of this sort is such a quiet society, you can't go outside of your house and find a fan-fiction writer, or any writer for that matter, you would have to get to know someone for quite some time before they introduced the subject to you, and we are all so particular about it anyways.
I have my favorite authors and my favorites stories and my hope for those people is that they utilize their talents, for all a writer truly does is "write for writings sake" and some of them never let their stories see the light of day for fear of what others may have to say about it. But fear is a figment of the mind and emotions, though strong enough to cause such unrest, are fleeting. I just wanted to say that you make an impression. Whether it be one of "arrogance" or "brilliance" or whatever, you have moved many people, and I believe that is something that many of us only hope to do.
I hope this find you,
Trista ML
I don't know how long it's been since I've read this story, and I'm not sure where I found it (Enigma, I think, with Kabu's beautiful douinshi's), but I do remember the impression it left on me. It has been many, many years since then, so many in fact that I'm not even sure an email will pop up in your current account to show that you have a new review from AFF or not, but I will still take the time to write this review, as strange as it may come to be.
I remember reading Strong Heart, but more over I remember the emotions that I got from reading it. It is emotion in fact that we humans are driven by , and emotion that brings us to find out more about any subject available to us on this Earth. Irony would have it that I came upon an author of a different name, Camaro, and I read her stories, like I do most everyone else's with hope of feeling something as I read. I was deeply touch by Fathoming Love, and I'm more of a yaoi fan than a het fan, so that meant something to me. I went on to read more of your stories, and when I came upon Perfection I was so struck with the need to compare the two authors that I would think about it even when I wasn't writing or reading fan-fiction.
I thought to myself, I'm not sure which of the two are better, and they are certainly two of the best. Imagine my surprise to realize not too long afterwards, that the "two" are actually one. I was a fan from the beginning, and a fan I remain.
I have read through the reviews left on this site, much to my amusement, might I add. I have read the "flames" and your responses. I have looked at how many hits you have, and I have read almost all of the stories that I have found of yours (the ones I haven't were due to the distractions of life, I have taken years off at a time on this website and others, and I have grown much since those days) Time passes by us all and I wonder where you are at now in your life. Honestly one of the funniest things to read was how you would get a nonsensical flame and then Macha would pop up with an oblivious review that always made me smile, completely concerned only with what she was reading and what it meant to her, and not to anything else.
Something that I want to say that I feel is necessary, in a way, is not quite a response to your flamers or your lovers, or even to you, but simply a point to be made:
As an author who updates, almost like a blog, a story, fictional with non-fictional ideas intertwined, on a public site leaves people open to immediate reflection on their works. This is so unlike a book, where the author, many times, cannot be immediately reached, and the end to the readers torment is only pages away. I must consider the difference the toll is on both the reader and the author, when one is forced to finish something BEFORE they are so compelled to comment on it.
It's hard to put what I'm wishing to say into words but I think that "compelled" is the right way to put it. Your readers are compelled to respond, and if one had it in mind to look inside themselves and discover why they feel the way they do, perhaps they would be more frightened by what they find within them, than by what they're reading on the screen, or, in a book. Too, it is strange that people would read what they had been warned about, and not finish it, simply because of their own personal boundaries, and our boundaries are very personal.
These stories are meant to surge us with emotions, as all stories are. We, as humans, are meant to feel, and to consider, and to dissect, and we have not the luxury of choosing what things "compel" us the most.
I find the relationship that you have with your readers most intriguing. Some of them love you, some of them hate you, some of them love to hate you, or hate to love you, but they still read what you've written and I highly doubt they've ever forgotten it.
It's funny, too, that "fandom" of this sort is such a quiet society, you can't go outside of your house and find a fan-fiction writer, or any writer for that matter, you would have to get to know someone for quite some time before they introduced the subject to you, and we are all so particular about it anyways.
I have my favorite authors and my favorites stories and my hope for those people is that they utilize their talents, for all a writer truly does is "write for writings sake" and some of them never let their stories see the light of day for fear of what others may have to say about it. But fear is a figment of the mind and emotions, though strong enough to cause such unrest, are fleeting. I just wanted to say that you make an impression. Whether it be one of "arrogance" or "brilliance" or whatever, you have moved many people, and I believe that is something that many of us only hope to do.
I hope this find you,
Trista ML
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July 23, 2013 at 12:00 AM
This is simply beautiful. The cold cruelty of Trunks mixed the the urgency of Mirai. Mirai's true mission coming to light at almost the very end. It made me cry on the last two chapters. I'm 31 years old yet your writing made me cry like a school girl with a broken off crush. It was just simply put beautiful and truely expressive. The way Trunks treated everyone made me angry several times I wanted to quit reading. Every time I wanted to quit I'd just get sucked back in. Your story deserves the title strong heart for many reasons. I believe you named it the perfect name. I hope you continue writing things as beautiful as this for a long time. Thank you Thank you for writing this!!
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March 19, 2013 at 12:00 AM
My god... I don't even have words to say how much i loved this story. It's simply perfect. It affected me in a way i can't even begin to explain it to you. Beautiful, wonderful and well developed plot, so much feelings, so much... everything. It's just unbelievable. I just want to thank you for sharing such an amazing story... it just made my day.
Thank you very much. I wish i could read more Trutens like this one. Beautiful.
Thank you very much. I wish i could read more Trutens like this one. Beautiful.
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December 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Hi there,
I know that you wrote the story Strong Heart a few years ago, however
I'm a late-comer to DBZ fanfic and chayron recently told me to check
out your stuff. May I just say, I'm glad that I did. WOW. I mean,
WOW. I can honestly say that reading that story was the most
emotional experience I've had since probably the first time I went
through PMS as a girl, lol. But seriously. Fucking amazing...
I could go on and on about your writing, how good it was, how well
every single story line came together, how brilliantly the story was
woven, how insanely hot the dialogue was. But I don't have to tell
you about all that, you already know :) What truly floored me more
than anything else was the way the story could actually bring about
physical reactions in me. After the first 2 examples of love (the
loss and obsession examples) I was completely ill. I couldn't even
eat. And this is surprising because I have worked for 3 years as a
prosecutor in sex crimes and major crimes (rape and murder and stuff)
and I can literally scarf down a hamburger while watching an autopsy.
But I could not eat after reading those chapters. To have the ability
to invoke those kind of feelings...you are truly gifted. I can see
why chayron likes you so much. And then, my god, I cried like a baby
when I read those holocaust letters. And then (I could almost choke
up just talking about it now) when Trunks falls to his knees in the
snow and gives Goten the "you set me free" speech....honestly I cried
and cried. Sobbed even. I love those 2 so much. Anyway, after I
finished reading it I was emotionally exhausted and went straight to
bed at 9pm! I know it's "just fanfic" but I'd put you up there with
some of the greatest existentialist authors of all time.
Thanks so much sharing your talent with us.
Veronica
I know that you wrote the story Strong Heart a few years ago, however
I'm a late-comer to DBZ fanfic and chayron recently told me to check
out your stuff. May I just say, I'm glad that I did. WOW. I mean,
WOW. I can honestly say that reading that story was the most
emotional experience I've had since probably the first time I went
through PMS as a girl, lol. But seriously. Fucking amazing...
I could go on and on about your writing, how good it was, how well
every single story line came together, how brilliantly the story was
woven, how insanely hot the dialogue was. But I don't have to tell
you about all that, you already know :) What truly floored me more
than anything else was the way the story could actually bring about
physical reactions in me. After the first 2 examples of love (the
loss and obsession examples) I was completely ill. I couldn't even
eat. And this is surprising because I have worked for 3 years as a
prosecutor in sex crimes and major crimes (rape and murder and stuff)
and I can literally scarf down a hamburger while watching an autopsy.
But I could not eat after reading those chapters. To have the ability
to invoke those kind of feelings...you are truly gifted. I can see
why chayron likes you so much. And then, my god, I cried like a baby
when I read those holocaust letters. And then (I could almost choke
up just talking about it now) when Trunks falls to his knees in the
snow and gives Goten the "you set me free" speech....honestly I cried
and cried. Sobbed even. I love those 2 so much. Anyway, after I
finished reading it I was emotionally exhausted and went straight to
bed at 9pm! I know it's "just fanfic" but I'd put you up there with
some of the greatest existentialist authors of all time.
Thanks so much sharing your talent with us.
Veronica
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August 12, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Hello Camaro,
Guess what? You got a 2008 review. The fandom is by no means dead and there are people who read it with the same passion you bestowed upon every single word.
You know, I realize you have enjoyed the most amazing feedback an author can aspire to, and all I can say is every word is well deserved. I have been a dbz fanfiction junkie for a good few months now, plowing through classics so much longer after that initial boom of DBZ love spread over the world, like someone who arrived a tad late to a great party. It is a bit sad realy, because I would have loved to be there when it was all being published. Talk to you, encourage you (not that you didn't have encouragemente) but you know what I mean, share it with you. But regardless of all, that doesn't deterr me from saying what I think and reviewing every single work as if it were still many years ago.
I read Dark Angel, all friggin 88 chapters (by accident, because when I started I thought it was actually only 48 chapters long and then after getting hooked on it I checked the chapter index and realized it was 88, so I was fucked, go figure). It was the very first time I was moved by a fic in a long time, having already lost hope I would be able to find something to captivate me as much as say... A Glad Day did. Yet I did, and even through my suffering through trying to read 88 chapters in between work and a few hours of sleep I finally made it. And I was glad. It was great, it was ground braking and it made me like you.
Strong Heart is what made me respect you. I am a tough one when it comes to shedding a tear or truly surrendering my deepest appreciation to a writer, but this time my pride amounts to nothing. You don't merely write fanfiction do you? You use fanfiction mainly as a vehicle to explore deeper subject matter, to explore the most profound meaning of life and what we are and what we could be. You take risks and somehow miraculously pull it off. Not many people can do that. I was a bit iffy on this for the most part, yet oddly enthralled by every chapter, not being able to wait to see what happened next. See, THAT is the mark of true accomplishment: when you make people want to read, to want to turn every page. When somehow you can't put the thing down. So for that, all I can say is I truly respect you. I know some people might be a bit turned off by a few things here, but to people who aren't afraid to explore things that are dark and true and human, this is a jewel.
UN- Believable... honest to God, this story is just UN-believable. And every single thing that seemed outrageous and that seemed implausible in the end had a meaning and had a reason and was justified. You sold me completely in those last three chapters. And I will say what I say only when I truly believe the author has completely earned it: You didn't make this story great, you made it sublime.
Are you still as active in the fandom, you haven't changed fandoms have you? (like many other prominent authors have). I hope not. I hope your love for these astounding characters is still alive? Because isn't it true that there is something deeply meaningful about them? Something that for some strange reason rings true and timeless about what they are and what they represent? At least that's the way I feel.
Oh, Camaro... what more can I say but I hope you read this review and all finds you well now. And all the best if you are still there somewhere...
Much love,
Caprice
Guess what? You got a 2008 review. The fandom is by no means dead and there are people who read it with the same passion you bestowed upon every single word.
You know, I realize you have enjoyed the most amazing feedback an author can aspire to, and all I can say is every word is well deserved. I have been a dbz fanfiction junkie for a good few months now, plowing through classics so much longer after that initial boom of DBZ love spread over the world, like someone who arrived a tad late to a great party. It is a bit sad realy, because I would have loved to be there when it was all being published. Talk to you, encourage you (not that you didn't have encouragemente) but you know what I mean, share it with you. But regardless of all, that doesn't deterr me from saying what I think and reviewing every single work as if it were still many years ago.
I read Dark Angel, all friggin 88 chapters (by accident, because when I started I thought it was actually only 48 chapters long and then after getting hooked on it I checked the chapter index and realized it was 88, so I was fucked, go figure). It was the very first time I was moved by a fic in a long time, having already lost hope I would be able to find something to captivate me as much as say... A Glad Day did. Yet I did, and even through my suffering through trying to read 88 chapters in between work and a few hours of sleep I finally made it. And I was glad. It was great, it was ground braking and it made me like you.
Strong Heart is what made me respect you. I am a tough one when it comes to shedding a tear or truly surrendering my deepest appreciation to a writer, but this time my pride amounts to nothing. You don't merely write fanfiction do you? You use fanfiction mainly as a vehicle to explore deeper subject matter, to explore the most profound meaning of life and what we are and what we could be. You take risks and somehow miraculously pull it off. Not many people can do that. I was a bit iffy on this for the most part, yet oddly enthralled by every chapter, not being able to wait to see what happened next. See, THAT is the mark of true accomplishment: when you make people want to read, to want to turn every page. When somehow you can't put the thing down. So for that, all I can say is I truly respect you. I know some people might be a bit turned off by a few things here, but to people who aren't afraid to explore things that are dark and true and human, this is a jewel.
UN- Believable... honest to God, this story is just UN-believable. And every single thing that seemed outrageous and that seemed implausible in the end had a meaning and had a reason and was justified. You sold me completely in those last three chapters. And I will say what I say only when I truly believe the author has completely earned it: You didn't make this story great, you made it sublime.
Are you still as active in the fandom, you haven't changed fandoms have you? (like many other prominent authors have). I hope not. I hope your love for these astounding characters is still alive? Because isn't it true that there is something deeply meaningful about them? Something that for some strange reason rings true and timeless about what they are and what they represent? At least that's the way I feel.
Oh, Camaro... what more can I say but I hope you read this review and all finds you well now. And all the best if you are still there somewhere...
Much love,
Caprice
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September 4, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Hello, Camaro/todesengel. I'm new here at aff, my first time here was about 5 days ago and I came because of my increasing obssession with Dragon Ball fiction, especially if involves Goten and Trunks or Mirai Trunks and Gohan (and I don't know why the hell do I feel the need to explain myself to everyone ¬¬) This was the first of your fics I read and now I'm curious towards your apparently very famous Monster. I'll probably read it later.
When MTrunk's plans started developing I thought this was like A Christmas Carroll, but on a whooole other level, although I can't imagine Dickens reading this story hehe. I don't even remember why did I started reading this story (since it didn't have a "Goten x Trunks" on the summary) and when I finished (I'm guessing it took me about 10 hours or so) I felt regret that I read something so sad and real. But as hard as I try to become angry with it, I find myself saving it, even if I'm saying out loud that I'll never read it again, but my friends all know me as a walking contradiction, so. I guess I just don't like that a story just go and make me cry my eyeballs out, but then I sit and remember that I'm here reading for the emotion of it, not because I wanna read about a hot sex scene between two guys, I do read pwp every now and then but just for the fun of it. Don't be fooled by my not so clear thoughts on this. I loved your story very much, even if it made my cry wetting my shirt and a bit of my sheets. Damn, every time I remember MTrunks and Gohan's last scene I feel my eyes watering all over again, but of course Gohan's end was for the best, that's my opinion, he didn't need that much suffering in his life. And about the whole 6th sense thing, that still dazzles me, and I know I'll HAVE to read the story again with this in mind. Shit, when I was thinking of what to say on the review I had clearer thoughts, but the godamn beer made me forget ¬¬ Gah, enough blabbering. I don't even know how this review stuff works, if the autors keep reading reviews after the story has finished or what. I'll probably won't put my own stories here since they don't even have adult content, but I'll definitely stay as a reader.
Thank you, and farewell.
p.s. loved the Muse song.
When MTrunk's plans started developing I thought this was like A Christmas Carroll, but on a whooole other level, although I can't imagine Dickens reading this story hehe. I don't even remember why did I started reading this story (since it didn't have a "Goten x Trunks" on the summary) and when I finished (I'm guessing it took me about 10 hours or so) I felt regret that I read something so sad and real. But as hard as I try to become angry with it, I find myself saving it, even if I'm saying out loud that I'll never read it again, but my friends all know me as a walking contradiction, so. I guess I just don't like that a story just go and make me cry my eyeballs out, but then I sit and remember that I'm here reading for the emotion of it, not because I wanna read about a hot sex scene between two guys, I do read pwp every now and then but just for the fun of it. Don't be fooled by my not so clear thoughts on this. I loved your story very much, even if it made my cry wetting my shirt and a bit of my sheets. Damn, every time I remember MTrunks and Gohan's last scene I feel my eyes watering all over again, but of course Gohan's end was for the best, that's my opinion, he didn't need that much suffering in his life. And about the whole 6th sense thing, that still dazzles me, and I know I'll HAVE to read the story again with this in mind. Shit, when I was thinking of what to say on the review I had clearer thoughts, but the godamn beer made me forget ¬¬ Gah, enough blabbering. I don't even know how this review stuff works, if the autors keep reading reviews after the story has finished or what. I'll probably won't put my own stories here since they don't even have adult content, but I'll definitely stay as a reader.
Thank you, and farewell.
p.s. loved the Muse song.
schedule
March 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM
This entire story was amazing. It kept me hooked for the entire 3 and a half hours that it took me to get through it--I had to take several breaks because the tears made my eyesight too blurry to read. I've only ever been so, and I am sorry for being so cliche, touched by a story such as this one other time in my life. Not only was this a piece of wonderful writing, it was also an incredible story. Despite what many may think, there is a difference. You can be an awesome writer and have the ability to portray an idea through your words so that it seems almost real, and yet not be able to have any of the driving 'emotion' that makes it more than just a story. You though, have both.
And telling everybody to check out 'Sing for Absolution' was a good call. I had it on repeat most of the time and I have to say that it was a good song for this.
And telling everybody to check out 'Sing for Absolution' was a good call. I had it on repeat most of the time and I have to say that it was a good song for this.
schedule
January 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Holy crap, man. And I almost stopped reading this story... Ha, I hadn't read it in a while and the chapters started to pile up, so I just got lazy... But I am so glad I got back into it! It was beatuiful from the start, and so well-thought out. I caught some spelling errors and some words that were left out, nothing really major but enough to notice, as they started becoming more frequent in the later chapters. Even so, none of it took away from the freakishly powerful message behind this story, which is something I haven't seen in a VERY long time. I'm just in awe right now; you must have put a lot of thought and effort into this story and I'm positive that you are very proud of this work of yours, as you should be. It was...phenomnenal. For some reason, I'm not surprised that you're Camaro under a different name, but I defnitely didn't know before you said it. (I don't really read your stories--not because "oh my god you're horrible," just that the ones that I saw never really caught my eye--so I wouldn't recognize your style.)
*twiddles fingers and giggles* Hehehee...I need to gloat. I did figure out that Mirai Trunks was dead the whole story. At the end, though, that chapter when he left. It hit me, seriously, like a ton of bricks. However, I had to dismiss it a little because at the time I couldn't figure out how you were pulling it off... But whatever, you put in the explanation. *still pleased with self*
But I digress. 'Good job' is nowhere close to sufficient. Fanfiction like this shows up only every once and a while, and I am so glad I got a chance to read this. Haha, this was actually my goal in fanfic life, to write something so complete like your story was, and with such meaning in it. Ah well. *grin* Gah!! I AM SO AMAZED BY THIS STORY. I might have to worship you a little. ^_^
*twiddles fingers and giggles* Hehehee...I need to gloat. I did figure out that Mirai Trunks was dead the whole story. At the end, though, that chapter when he left. It hit me, seriously, like a ton of bricks. However, I had to dismiss it a little because at the time I couldn't figure out how you were pulling it off... But whatever, you put in the explanation. *still pleased with self*
But I digress. 'Good job' is nowhere close to sufficient. Fanfiction like this shows up only every once and a while, and I am so glad I got a chance to read this. Haha, this was actually my goal in fanfic life, to write something so complete like your story was, and with such meaning in it. Ah well. *grin* Gah!! I AM SO AMAZED BY THIS STORY. I might have to worship you a little. ^_^
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January 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Haha, yes, my name is actually Shayna and believe me, what a surprise to find one of the Holocaust victims to share the same name. Anyways, I don't really know how to describe my thoughts and feelings towards this beautiful work of art (I'm a believer in writing to be a form of art as well) without repeating what everyone else has already said, but you have a gift, a knack, a skill, a something to create this masterpiece. I'll be honest and say I never heard of you, or perhaps I've read other stories by you but don't recall the name, but it's almost a shame that you had to resort creating a new name in order to recieve the praise that you most definetly deserve. I choose to read this story simply because Trunks (more Mirai, than present, haha) has always been my favorite character ever since his first appearance in the show, lol.
Anyways, there were so many vivid scenes throughout the whole story, almost as if I was there, watching it play before my eyes, yet have no control over the outcome, much like Trunks reliving his memories. How I wanted to somehow drag Goten to watch as Trunks finally crumpled during 'the worst day in his life', revealing his true feelings for his best friend, have Goten see what Trunks went through, even if unwillingly, in order to realize the harsh realities of life and why he should embrace it, not run from it. Ugh, sorry, I'm practically telling you what you already shown to us, haha! Well, I'll stop rambling and end this with an utterly cheesy line... THIS IS THE BEST STORY I EVER READ!!!
No lie.
Anyways, there were so many vivid scenes throughout the whole story, almost as if I was there, watching it play before my eyes, yet have no control over the outcome, much like Trunks reliving his memories. How I wanted to somehow drag Goten to watch as Trunks finally crumpled during 'the worst day in his life', revealing his true feelings for his best friend, have Goten see what Trunks went through, even if unwillingly, in order to realize the harsh realities of life and why he should embrace it, not run from it. Ugh, sorry, I'm practically telling you what you already shown to us, haha! Well, I'll stop rambling and end this with an utterly cheesy line... THIS IS THE BEST STORY I EVER READ!!!
No lie.
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December 22, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Are you really the one that wrote this and put it on that enigma website? I thought this story was amazing, and definately well-written, awesome if so.