I'm so grateful we had a minor cooling off yesterday and last night or reading this today might've thrown me right over the edge of Too Hot, Too Humid, Too "I Need A Snowbank NOW". :-) I've only ever been in my area's subtropical heat and (way too generous) humidity, but that was enough of a leg up to make me feel even worse for Danny and Steve, with all those days stacked together of it -- just the discomfort alone would've been hellish even before adding in the dangers and survival factors.
I kinda love that Danny is forced to encounter rafflesia. :-) And drink (oh geez, I really don't think I could do that) those "Bloody Marys". I was envying him the aloe gel massage from Steve, though; that really does feel so cool and good in summertime (not to mention how especially good it would feel if it was STEVE applying it. :-))
Such a great atmospheric atmosphere, with no more let up than the storm gives any let up. There would be absolutely nothing idyllic about a South Pacific island of that sort under the circumstances, and I think I felt as trapped as the guys must have. Terrific details, as always, and a great Steve-Danny partnership, with Danny understanding Steve so well -- he may not understand/know much of Steve's classified past, but he *gets* Steve, and Steve's sense of responsibility and leadership and "This is what I do, it's...it's what I have to do.", and the underlying truth of how even when he does relax, Steve is always only an instant away from full alert, power up, save the day mode.
I completely and thoroughly enjoyed this hellish adventure (*pets the branch through Steve's thigh*) -- the torch tree, I loved that, and Danny catching crabs -- and I love the way the guys *are* together: Steve working *with* Danny but still, being Steve, going to extremes on his own and feeling like the ultimate responsibility is his (and with his training, how could he not feel that), and Danny being so Danny and so aware of Steve, making sure he stands down for a while in the cave (snake moment, gah!). They balance each other out so well.
The thing with Denning, knowing he will undoubtedly suspend them, I really like that, and I really, really, really like Danny's idea of where to spend his suspension and who to spend it with, and how much that thought moved Steve. *melts*
You made me very very happy finding this today (and yay, on a day I could sneak in time to enjoy it without RL stomping me under its boots)! Except, you know, for now REALLY wishing I had A/C. :-))) And suddenly have a much less pronounced desire to visit small tropical islands during anything even remotely approaching hurricane season...
You have no idea how stoked I was to hear you had a chance to read this. Yay for a cool spell and some spare time to relax and enjoy yourself!
I really wanted to dive into the real nitty gritty of jungle survival. The heat, humidity, all the bugs, the unclean conditions. But of course I wanted to add all that water to really muck things up. I feel bad for the guys, they were a catharsis vehicle for some miserable weeks.
I wanted Steve and Danny to both have their own skills and knowledge. But Steve's kind of hyper aware of all the dangers and he falls back on his training and it's those skills that not only help keep them alive, but is his mental coping mechanism. And Danny takes Steve's lead, but he won't be bossed around. No, sir :)
It was fun to put them through hell and see how they came out at the end. Together. Leaning on one another, trusting and caring for one another.
I kinda love that Danny is forced to encounter rafflesia. :-) And drink (oh geez, I really don't think I could do that) those "Bloody Marys". I was envying him the aloe gel massage from Steve, though; that really does feel so cool and good in summertime (not to mention how especially good it would feel if it was STEVE applying it. :-))
Such a great atmospheric atmosphere, with no more let up than the storm gives any let up. There would be absolutely nothing idyllic about a South Pacific island of that sort under the circumstances, and I think I felt as trapped as the guys must have. Terrific details, as always, and a great Steve-Danny partnership, with Danny understanding Steve so well -- he may not understand/know much of Steve's classified past, but he *gets* Steve, and Steve's sense of responsibility and leadership and "This is what I do, it's...it's what I have to do.", and the underlying truth of how even when he does relax, Steve is always only an instant away from full alert, power up, save the day mode.
I completely and thoroughly enjoyed this hellish adventure (*pets the branch through Steve's thigh*) -- the torch tree, I loved that, and Danny catching crabs -- and I love the way the guys *are* together: Steve working *with* Danny but still, being Steve, going to extremes on his own and feeling like the ultimate responsibility is his (and with his training, how could he not feel that), and Danny being so Danny and so aware of Steve, making sure he stands down for a while in the cave (snake moment, gah!). They balance each other out so well.
The thing with Denning, knowing he will undoubtedly suspend them, I really like that, and I really, really, really like Danny's idea of where to spend his suspension and who to spend it with, and how much that thought moved Steve. *melts*
You made me very very happy finding this today (and yay, on a day I could sneak in time to enjoy it without RL stomping me under its boots)! Except, you know, for now REALLY wishing I had A/C. :-))) And suddenly have a much less pronounced desire to visit small tropical islands during anything even remotely approaching hurricane season...
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I really wanted to dive into the real nitty gritty of jungle survival. The heat, humidity, all the bugs, the unclean conditions. But of course I wanted to add all that water to really muck things up. I feel bad for the guys, they were a catharsis vehicle for some miserable weeks.
I wanted Steve and Danny to both have their own skills and knowledge. But Steve's kind of hyper aware of all the dangers and he falls back on his training and it's those skills that not only help keep them alive, but is his mental coping mechanism. And Danny takes Steve's lead, but he won't be bossed around. No, sir :)
It was fun to put them through hell and see how they came out at the end. Together. Leaning on one another, trusting and caring for one another.
So, glad you enjoyed it, hon!! *smiches*
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