S,HWC Chapter 36 preview

[strangetomato]

I jumped ahead and wrote a little scene that will likely be the opening to chapter 36, and I wanted to share it because I'm feeling impatient like that. It's the opening scene, so it doesn't give too much away, but if you'd rather wait until the chapter is posted (and no, it won't be a two year wait, I promise), you can do that. If, like me, you're interested in checking in with Johnny, Ripp, and Ophelia again a little ahead of schedule, please read on.







"I'm worried about him."

"I know."




"Stella and Jayne and all that. He's wavering, I know it."

"Johnny will be fine, Ripp. He'll be okay."

"He can't go. He just... can't."

"He needs to work this out for himself."

Ripp was silent, obviously considering something, before he continued. "I tried to fuck a robot. Tank's... Servo. I started it up and then I tried to have my way with it."




"Okay..."

"Do you think there's something wrong with me?"

"That's a matter of opinion."

"I made out with Frances Worthington, too. It was a while back, but still. I don't think I ever told you that."

It was Ophelia's turn to pause. After a moment or two, she continued, "So what exactly did you do with the robot?"

"Well, Tank said I was lucky I didn't electrocute my dick off."

She smiled. "Lucky for me."

Comments

[meetme2theriver.livejournal.com]

Oh my. :O

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, storm clouds are brewing.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Hi Bolob. ^_^

I'm working on the next chapter update with a set date in mind for posting it, and it's pretty soon, but like everything else these days, it depends on baby cooperation. Haha! We've all been mostly sleeping through the night again lately (after teething hell), so that bodes well.

This scene is from the chapter after that, and I might hold off on it until after Christmas, even if it's ready before then. Without saying too much, I don't think it really fits the tone of the holidays. ;)

That's pretty true about Ripp. He's often buoyed up by his own antics, but when he has a quiet moment, it seems like the doubts and worries all just flood back in. I still don't think he has anything on Nervous. That boy is haunted by almost literal demons, so that's a little scarier, I think.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Jean it is, then. :)

The little tomato has been teething for a while now. Ugh! He has four in total now. We have a few good nights, and then a few bad ones. At least it's enough good ones to keep us from going insane. haha!

[poppyperson.livejournal.com]

It feels so weird seeing this updated again! It's like if Firefly suddenly came back on air but with more love and a bigger audience.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's so kind of you to say. ^_^ I'm blushing here. Thank you.

I'll have to try my best to live up to that now. I'm really encouraged to see that there are people that are still interested in it after all this time.

[holleyb76.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten making out with Francis. hahahaha
I love how Ophelia doesn't judge him.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, haha. I foresee that memory returning awkwardly for Ripp many times in his future, what with Frances being Tank's best friend and all. The thing with Jill is almost as bad, but not quite. This is what happens when you make out with almost everyone you come in contact with, Ripp.

That's one of the reasons I think Ophelia is a good match for Ripp. She understands him, but has also had enough of a "weird shit" life to not blink at this stuff (well, maybe just a little). I think it's also telling that Ripp freely offers this information to her, and for once does not even qualify it with "but I was really, really drunk at the time."

[alien-cats14.livejournal.com]

alien_cats is happy. *Very* happy.

Because for starters, the story is back, and it looks like you haven't lost your touch in the least.

And I'm ashamed to say that I haven't completely re-read the story yet. I'm at chapter 23 or something right now.

Also - are Ripp and Ophelia getting together now? I mean, IDK, but that last sentence. And Johnny's gone? He left to go help with the alien species thingy? Oh my. Things do look interesting indeed.

Hmm. I'll have to keep a close eye on this story so I don't miss anything.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it. :) And thank you for the vote of confidence.

If you're at chapter 23, then the Johnny/Ripp/Ophelia dynamic has a way to go before they end up where they are currently in the story. Since you say you're re-reading, then I hopefully won't be spoiling things for you by saying that at this point, Ophelia has been with (and continues to be with) both Johnny and Ripp. The exect nature of the relationship still remains up in the air, and will ultimately be determined by Johnny.

Johnny hasn't gone anywhere yet, but he left LFT to go home to be with his family as his father dies from the alien virus.

I hope to have a new chapter out soon. Thanks for reading! :)

ETA: I forgot to add that your icon is super cute.

[alien-cats14.livejournal.com]

Don't worry - no spoilers have been leaked. The re-read's been fun. Really looking forward to chapter 36, because anything with JRO in it is promising (and the teaser is wonderful).

Thank you! My icon's my legacy spare - wonderful kid, but always an attention hog.

But yay! New chapter soon :D

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Okay, good. :) I hope you're having fun with the re-read.

The next several chapters will be pretty JRO heavy, because we haven't seen much from those guys in some time, but it will also feature some good stuff with a lot of the other characters. I'm really looking forward to all of it.

She's adorable. ^_^

...

[jim smith (from livejournal.com)]

So... I've been lurking on this since, oh, I dunno... the beginning. And I saw this and decided to comment just to say so. I'm looking forward to this, I really am... and I'm probably going to go reread everything just because.

Anyways. Lemme get back in my hidey-hole, here...

Re: ...

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Nice to meet you. :) It's always nice to hear from a lurker. I'm glad you've enjoyed it and are looking forward to more. Thanks for reading!

[sphynxed.livejournal.com]

Ophelia knows what it's like to worry.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

She does. She's a seasoned worrier, but she doesn't seem to worry about Johnny the same way Ripp does. For better or worse, she trusts in Johnny's judgement on things.

[skellington7d.livejournal.com]

Ain't nothing wrong with robot-sex, Ripp. ;) So great to see this back on! I can see why you'd be eager to get to conversations like this.

Giddy up, cowgirl! :D

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Haha. Maybe your Nina should visit Ripp and set him straight. Of course, then he'd most likely end up sleeping with her too, so that might not help all that much. :P

Thank you. :) I'm really glad I'm getting back into this. I've missed it and hated the idea of it hanging in unfinished limbo forever. Thanks for the encourgement. It means a lot.

[thejessachannel.livejournal.com]

Wonderful opening. Only one edit needed:

"Johnny with be fine, Ripp. He'll be okay."

with-will

Otherwise, a wonderful job, ST! Really looking forward to the first installment.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Oh, haha! Thanks. I read that over so many times and did not see that. :P Want a job?

Thanks for dropping by to check it out. I have a (somewhat ambitious) goal in mind for when the next chapter goes up, so it might be here before you know it. Little Tomato has been sleeping well, so that's even better. I hope he keeps it up.

[tov01.livejournal.com]

This is exactly the type of writing I remember. You haven't lost your touch at all! Can't wait to read the rest of it.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) There's a chapter update coming very soon. This is from the chapter after that, but I don't expect it to take as long as this one has to put together, what with the cc hunt and all. haha!

[flambajamba.livejournal.com]

I love it. I'm so happy you're back and I'm looking forward to your updates. I need to go back and start from the beginning...