I absolutely love this! It's amazing, the characters are so... In-character (excuse my lack for better description) and the way you tell it from Paine's point of view is fantastic! Great job :)

This was brilliant. That's all you can say for a fictoin like this; simply brilliant..

I really enjoy the idea that Paine is partially so admiring of Nooj because he reminds her of Auron.

I really adore the way that Paine finds Nooj and his friends incredibly arrogant at first and avoids them stringently for that reason.

The account of Nooj's maiming is extremely vivid, even told through another party. You really have a way with characters marrating events, you somehow keep the events interesting even though they are strictly filtered through narration. I like the way Luzzu is so admiring of Nooj.

I like the idea that Paine hears and files away rumours of Nooj. I like the fact that she isn't already one of his friends, but she hears about him, because he sounds like a very notorious figure and not the sort one could failt o hear about. I like Paine's observations about the rumours she hears.

I really adore the way Paine describes her party with distaste. Hee.

I am intrigued by the way that Paine rebfuss herself from her growing attraction to Nooj by always sitting on his machina side.

I like her practicality in refusing Baralai on the grounds that they areteammates and their relationship should stay professional and the way she stands by this when she develops an attraction for Nooj.

I like the sort of matter of fact way the two fall into bed. It almost seems like it is another matter of practicality.

I really like the way you refuse to avoid the difficulties of the relationship.

This is deliciously deep and I can really feel the inside of Paine's head, I think. I like it a lot.

This was so sweet. There's such a lack of Nooj/Paine, especially good fics. You managed to keep both of them in character. Great job!

*Loud huzzas and fervent applause* What a delight! This is so well done with all the bits and pieces properly in place. You have done your readers the courtesy of proof-reading and editing which is a rarity in these parts. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It is fascinating to watch how various writers handle what is basically the same material, do you not think? Your reading of the canon through the eyes of Paine is believable and intriguing. I shall read this again a little later because I find it both well written and provocative. One tiny caveat: I do not think Nooj would use the term 'house of ill repute'. It does not sound like him and jars my ear just a tad. (Well, I'm a critica dn have to find something to criticize!)

I like it. Just the right amount of fluff and sadness. Personally, I have never been able to understand WHY Paine/Baralai is so much more popular a pairing then Paine/Nooj. There's so much more evidence for Paine and Nooj. On that note, I sent you an invite to my C2 group :)