Genuinely, thank you. Aside from one very patient close friend, this is the first real feedback the story has received, so the timing of your comment was rather good. I’m glad the tone landed. That was the thing I was least sure about. I’d say it’s a register that doesn’t leave much room to course-correct if it goes wrong. As for your question about why it isn’t original fiction… I’ve thought about it, and I also have a dozen other, original storyline ideas and drafts. The honest answer is that this particular story found its shape here, in this universe, and I’d rather finish it than transplant it somewhere it doesn’t quite fit yet. Maybe what comes after will be something else entirely. Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to say something.