Ambassador Whiskers' education of Ren continues—and this time, the lesson comes wrapped in rainlight, charcoal, and a woman who can dismantle his defenses with a glance.
Chapter 8: Elena and the Art of Belonging brings us to the first moment when Ren and Elena finally stop orbiting and collide. And yes, things get intimate. Very intimate. But I won’t ruin the details. Let’s just say: if Chapter 5 was glitter-slick chaos and Chapter 6 was emotional first aid, this one is… the point where theory meets practice and practice involves considerably fewer clothes.
Ambassador Whiskers, of course, oversees events with the solemn dignity of a small, judgmental monarch. He offers commentary. He offers critique. He offers absolutely no privacy whatsoever. (It is unclear whether he believes in boundaries or simply rejects them philosophically.)
This chapter marks Ren’s first real step into something that isn’t performance, self-defense, or panic. Something that feels—dare I say it—welcome. Elena doesn’t teach him how to be seen; she shows him what it’s like to be met.
What happens after that?
Well. The cat would say: read and observe. I would simply say that tomorrow will conclude Ambassador Whiskers' Curriculum of Desire.
Comments, as always, will be archived by Ambassador Whiskers, who insists they count as diplomatic correspondence. He has also requested more flattery and fewer typos.
— Eric