About the last update ( + need your opinion!) (Patreon)

Hi ! First of all, thank you SO MUCH for all the feedback on the last update, I am so happy you like it  !  And sorry, it's a bit long lol (but you might learn some stuff about the story!)

I don't usually do this kind of thing because I trust my story and my characters. However, there is one thing that is very complicated for an author, and that's to take a step back from the story. I know these characters by heart, I know where the story is going to lead them and I know their evolution. And I don't know how it looks from the outside. 

I received a few (kind) comments about the last scene, which surprised some readers who didn't understand why Tera was presented in such a negative way. Making him less likable. It was really interesting, and it made me wonder if I'd made the right choices. 

I'll need your opinion, so keep reading lol. 

I think people are kinda confused about what The Boy and the Wolf is; I never thought of the story as a gay drama, it's the story of the Boy falling for Tera (and some other stuff but shh!) who struggles earning his freedom. I always said it's a drama, even if there's humour in it.

I imagined it very life-like, characters will disappoint you. At first you'll think it's a love story and everything shows that love is powerful and beautiful, etc. In fact, it will just lead the characters to bad decisions, and both will have their initial situation reversed. You need to pay attention to what the story is showing you: just a hint for example: in this version the boy is much more reckless; in chapter 1, 2 and 4 I put him in bad situations and he doesn't even realize it. It's because I need you to understand right from the start that he is brave and kinda fearless. I mean who could save Tera and face Black Death if it's not someone like that! And just because of that, I also needed to show you that Black Death is a serious thing. 

I've watched some animes a while ago, and remember those characters who are literally piece of shit the whole story, and suddenly, because the story needs him to be the hero, become a badass character. And I hated it. 

The cruelty in chapter 5 is intentional, in the script I literally wrote : "Show a very violent scene of Black Death. It must contrast with the Boy's bright, sunny nature, and how Tera is with him." as until now, we've seen the story from the Boy's POV. 

And I actually made everything to make it that brutal: Making the poor man nice and simple: he wants to please his daughter, and settle for the promised 20% (which honestly suck lol). Then he gets hit, and then burned - pretty cruel - and the fact that he looks for the piece of glass to shorten his suffering. 

Also, of course, that scene is not here to just show you how wicked Black Death are, it's telling you what the Boy will face later.

About Tera himself: at that moment of the story, he doesn't really know (yet) he wants to get out of Black Death. Note that when the chapter begins he looks away, not because he's uncomfortable but because he's tired of it. He has seen it so many time, it doesn't catch his eyes anymore (But I don't know if he's thinking of the Boy lol). He doesn't really comment either when he does what he has to do, (again, bored) that's why the Tiger speaks at that moment.  

Another thing is:  In these scene, it shows they are not emotionally involved in what they're doing (killing).  And I think THAT'S the point. At least for Tera: he doesn't even realize what he's doing anymore. Why ? Because he's facing  a random man, that he doesn't know personally, used like a tool. Nothing actually confronts him with the horror of what he's doing. You just have to figure out that it's like eating meat or using cosmetics tested on animals: until you've been shown the horror of slaughterhouses and so on, you won't truly figure out that it's questionable. This is where Tera is right now.  

Is he feeling guilty about it ? Not yet, remember, it's just the beginning, and that's how it works: you wouldn't feel him change if he was already kind. Though I don't think he's mean. Just empty. 

You don't know how much I care about every little things so the story makes sense lol. In the upcoming pages, it takes place in the Boy's room, and damn there's a lot of thing I have to quietly show so you learn more about the Boy's life!

But, I had another version of it, where Tera quietly push the piece of glass toward the man, meaning, "I can't help you, but you'll need this". I need you to tell me if I need to add it right now, or it's okay if it comes later. Be honest, but don't let the BL vibe influences you: The Boy and Tera aren't here to be a cute couple made for the fanbase (that's what the sketch/extra part is for lol). They are telling their story!

 Let me know!

Thank you for all your support, 

LOVE -