IDK. I don't explain or justify. Honestly, justifications and "realism" might be antithetical to this style—Lemony style is facetious rather than servile to the reader, and it embraces fiction's artificial nature rather than trying to be simulationist. I just do it and the reader can DEAL WITH IT!

I think this is the key. Preoccupation with character (and/or narrative voice and author) being Cool is poison to comedy

Almost zero importance or effort. My story having been done a zillion times already and every twist being foreseeable is part of the fun for me. I'm in conversation with those ancestors who have come before! I focus on executing it well and saying what I as a unique individual have to say.

🤔😁🤐

everyone's accusing everything of being ai these days, so you may as well keep those em dashes

Yeah!! One of the things I love playing with in this story is deconstructing and reconstructing this sort of ideology around honor, nobility, gentlemanliness, etc. I get to write these things as simultaneously toxic and meaningless, AND beautiful and heroic.

He is basically so sure that he is always right, that whatever feels good and fits his goals MUST be honorable. He'll become a bit more able to spot this self-delusion as he matures… Tho' he so loves honesty, justice, &c. that his "I am honor and honor is me" isn't wildly wrong in practice. 😅

I mean, not only are those all good ideas for trapping Blackthorne, I might let myself in as well don't-mind-if-I-do...

"Great shoes in the right size" actually incredible idea for bait. Gotta have an appropriate pair for every occasion.

You better be ready for him to arrive FAST, possibly crashing in through the window!!!

I think he would indeed be trappable with amazing stockings of his own time period but imagine if modern fabrics and designs were also available to bait him with 🤯

Man, you know he WOULD go for it... I almost wonder if the setup would work just as well if the good-looking guy had a chloroform hankie simply going "haha smell this"

But what about a mean brute....... 👀

CURSES, FOILED AGAIN!!!!

I feel like this would work to attract Blackthorne but he would circle around it and then somehow fishing-hook-and-ten-foot-pole the entire seven course meal and drink out of the trap without triggering it...

Perhaps this whole scenario was all Blackthorne's elaborate mind game to recruit his foes into helping him find a dang boyfriend.......

The better to flip his hair in an insouciant manner✨