Oh ouch that first line was heartbreaking. Poor Theo. I like his older brother, but Thisbe is a spiteful little thing.

*cries* I love the juxtaposition of how differently the two parents react toward Theo, and his impending departure. Beautifully written, every word. I also love the chapter titles, so very fitting.

Oh god, this is beautiful. Such vividly real imagery and painful emotions. You've always had a way with words, but I can see your growth in this story as a writer. Simply beautiful and I can't wait to see more of Theo's journey, since he's one of the only ones I can truly see partnered with our handsome Dorian!

Oh so this chapter did kind of lead into the Conclave anyway haha. A suitable ending, though poor Theo.

Argh those last two lines! Thats so terrible. How sad and awkward for the both of them. I read that its best not to favor a particular gender for a baby for that reason... because no matter how hard one tries to hide it, it still comes through in behavior. I understand that sometimes people can't help preferring a particular gender though. Its just miserable that it can lead to outcomes like this.

This reminds me a little of the scene in The Magician when Dorian goes to a brothel for escapism.. except this is self discovety . I read "they went to another tavern with lots of girls" and I thought ... "kid, that is no tavern!"
Gav seems like he'd be an awesome wing man. Good thing he's looking out for Theo.

"Blackest envy"... what a perfect title for the chapter. I feel so bad for Theo. So many strong, conflicting feelings. But its sweet that Gavin and Theo had a nice little moment at the end there.

JayRain I think your story is triggering my maternal instincts a bit too much. I love Theo, omg, he is so adorable! Squee...
Sorry haha. Kind of sad his parents are still stuck about what to do with him though.

There is something very sincere and innocent about this chapter. I tensed up as Theo did overhearing the talk by his parents. What a terrible thing to overhear! And of course Theo would think that his Dad "doesn't want him". How heartbreaking!
God, Thisbe is an awful sister. I feel bad because I used to be like her to my younger sisters when I was little. Urggh... all from miscommunicating parents.
*hugs Theo* "good job on your letters!" X.x

Such a fascinating dynamic to see how complicated it is to make choices about raising children when theres a conflict of what the parents want vs what the child needs vs staying sane vs whether the two parents can agree on anything. You convey it so well. I want to give little Theo a big hug.
When I was reading all the family members I thought "It must have been a nightmare choosing names for them." I take ages choosing names sometimes! So long as there isn't a family reunion chapter for a holiday I'm thinking it will be fine. Maybe I will remember their names! Lol

This will sound weird. I wanted a break from the more "conventional" DA fics so an OC centric one seemed a great choice. Theo has won me over yet again! I look forward to reading more about him.
I find it interesting to read this chapter knowing that you are a mother and can refer to your own experiences for scenes like these. The birth seemed clean If blood was the only worry? XD all brilliantly described, as always. I liked the perspective the dad took about how even if she is in pain at least it is proof she is alive. He seems like a kind and level headed man, such a contrast to Dorians family.
I'll see how much of this I can get through!

So many opportunities wasted on both sides - it's such a very real and possible tragedy, one so avoidable and so unavoidable, and you've unfolded it so skillfully.

I like the way Theo is neither despairing nor angry nor cowed, but somehow slips beneath all three of those options to find a way that's entirely his own, and remains so thoroughly who he is despite the stamps everyone else seeks to place on him.

The darkness and confusion and solitude Theo has been left to stumble through is so saddening, and yet there's such a sense here of understanding - we all know why this has happened, and while his parents' decision-making is on the questionable side, they're doing what they think is the best they can ... which is, at heart, the real tragedy, that if at any time, any of them sat down and put away the trappings of what is expected of them as nobles and just talked to one another, so much of this could be fixed ... and yet they can't, any of them. You've built this just beautifully.

Poor Theo, His mother knew him so much better than his father, who stubbornly keeps trying to force a square peg into a round hole. It will work eventually, but shave off everything that made him who he was meant to be.

Never have I been so happy to know that the plan will fail.

Dang it, now I want to go back and re read all of Fumbling again...