This came together beautifully. I can't even tell you didn't want to write it. It's not forced. So natural Mirage. I want more. Update soon.
Reviewer: Chloe Signed
[Report This]Date: 21/04/17 07:41 pm
Wow! Too much wow here. Bless for you continuing with this. I know it's been a real pill for you probably as big a pill as Circles of Hell and Forces of Nature but you kept going and didn't give up. Thank you for not giving up. This was one of those stories that wasn't my favorite in certain chapter but now has become one of my favorites. It didn't lag anywhere or anything like that and has been written well all throughout but I sorta agreed with you that chapter one was the highlight.....UNTIL Parker went back for Jarod which I didn't see coming and for once in her life thought about her mother and what was right. It took her own child dying because of the Centre to see the truth and you know, I think it would take something of that magnitude to shake sense into her. Thomas didn't, her mother didn't but parents are never supposed to bury their children...it's like a big deal. This chapter was everything I never thought I wanted to read. The way they communicate, Jarod's gently prodding for her to talk about Luc. oh my heart! I like that she didn't pretend to be ok that she didn't seem so cold to Jarod. But the tragedy of it all. Mirage you write loss too well. It scares me. I felt like I was there in the restaraunt watching Jarod and Parker talk...and not talk. It's amazing It's magic like I've always said about you. Magic. Thank you for sharing the magic with us. You've kept Jarod, Parker and gang all alive for me.
Reviewer: TheDarkAngel Signed [Report This]Date: 21/04/17 06:59 pm
I was expecting an update for The Return. This is a pleasant surprise Mirage. You delivered what I've come to believe is the gold standard for Pretender fiction. No, Dear, the mistake was mine. You raised questions. You didn't beg questions. I'll continue to be patient. You do what you do best. Write. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Reviewer: Michael Anonymous [Report This]Date: 11/07/16 02:02 am
Vivid, stunning, all good things here Mirage. You never cease to amaze. More please?
Author's Response:
I'm afraid there is another chapter I will eventually upload, and it, unbelievably, implausibly, puts a merciful end to this fic and on a positive note no less, and with the vague promise of a certain measure of something that resembles contentment. Go figure. Thank you for reading and reviewing, Christoph.
Reviewer: Christoph Signed [Report This]Date: 08/07/16 12:28 am
Oh bless you! It's just like coming home after school, plopping down and watching an episode when I read you. Magic. Good on Jarod to judge the situation and know that he needs to get his mind right before he can help MP get hers right. Can I please say now that I'm forever truly grateful that you write the original universe. Thank you for staying true to the characters, the original series, for being here and wowing me with your talent. Thank you for updating this and all your stories soon like I know you are going to do. I better not press my luck. Stay real.
Author's Response:
You are too kind, Dark one. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Reviewer: TheDarkAngel Signed [Report This]Date: 06/07/16 06:14 am
Thank you for the beautiful writing. "backtracking through hell's boundless hallways" I think that's how it will be after that kind of trauma. You climbed inside his head in all heads here of the characters. Jarod is intelligent. We can see him suffering. You explain everything.I wish you would write more and more stories.
Merci!
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and reviewing, Mlle Parker.
Reviewer: Mlle Parker Anonymous [Report This]Date: 03/07/16 04:43 pm
Young lady I want more. I want it now. Always insightful, profound and intelligently written..your fiction always is. I love every word.
Author's Response:
Aw, you are awfully sweet. Thank you for reading and reviewing, Miss Shannon.
Reviewer: Miss Shannon Anonymous [Report This]Date: 02/07/16 10:44 pm
You've made my month! I'm so glad you decided to continue even though you wanted to stop at chapter one. It would be fine but I love all the little secrets and I can read you forever because your writing is really above par {Centre speak}. You're the reason I still read fanfic and I hate calling your work fanfic. It's fiction. I love this. Continue please.
Author's Response:
It's not so unendurable now that the end is in sight. I might survive this one after all. Thank you for reading and reviewing, Chloe.
Reviewer: Chloe Signed [Report This]Date: 02/07/16 05:54 pm
Impressive Mirage. You always leave me in awe with your insights. Jarod and MP know each other so well and know how to hurt each other. I know you're working on the next chapter.
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Kat.
Reviewer: Kat Anonymous [Report This]Date: 02/07/16 05:03 pm
I put down a best selling novel to read this. Good decision. This is better. So I agree with Jarod 'doh Sydney what were you thinking' but Miss Parker is clever so I do understand why Sydney didn't see past the facade. She is the Queen of concealing and repressing. The title pops for me at the very end of this chapter. Jarod had heard Miss Parker say 'jetlag' and heard everything she wasn't saying. Mirage! You did a spectacular job of capturing every character the way I remember them from the tv series and other than your fiction, tv is the only place I've ever seen them so real and fleshed out.
I know it's a strange thing to love about a story but I love that Miss Parker hasn't told Jarod their son is dead yet. Makes the grief all that more realistic. I want to say one more thing. I think I like that Jarod doesn't like the tension anymore. Maybe he misses their childhood when things were simple? He's older. I think he would be tired of making her feel that way, getting that shock reaction. He seemed to love surprising her on the series like he wanted to scare her. I can't wait to read what you do next. Thanks for writing fantastic stories and sharing your talent with me.
Author's Response:
Right. The tension. The tension between Parker and Jarod (during the series) seems insurmountable. Admittedly, I haven't watched a lot of television/movies, however, I'm certain I won't find that anywhere else, between any other characters and I never will. Something that pervasive and palpable deserves a name. Let's call the tension Damien or Apep or perhaps Lilitu. Haha. The tension is a whole other character, an imposing, divisive character- one that seems to be mostly Jarod-generated. He is going to attempt to slaughter the beast. I hope he's successful. Thank you for reading and reviewing, Jen.
[Report This]Date: 02/07/16 01:19 am
Was on the edge of my seat and nearly fell off a couple times! Don't stop now Mirage. You have that way of writing. It's like a brilliant novel. I want more and more.
Author's Response:
I won't stop writing. How do you feel about long pauses? Are those allowed? (fingers crossed) Thank you reading and rewiewing, Chloe.
Reviewer: Chloe Signed [Report This]Date: 29/05/16 06:28 pm
OMG! The way you write! It kills me Mirage. Your story takes my hand and yanks me in! Now you cover a lot of abuses and different types. It got me wondering. I was reading somewhere that one fan of Pretender thanked Craig and Steve and that fan was sexually abused and talked about how the show helped her deal with the abuse and stuff or something like that and so I guess I wonder now if you are that fan. But then I think how much you don't like Jarod and you don't ever go into details of that risque business episode where that therapist was raped... yeah I remember your other fic...therapist spells the rapist.. weird that I never noticed that before....I'm nosey. You do seem to like being anonymous, never giving us pictures or your name or location...
I love your fics and I do love that you raise awareness and here it's happened to Jarod now. You deal with it respectfully and show all the damage. I wonder how you will end this now and if Jarod will cope. Please hurry and update fast the wait is killing me.
Author's Response:
No, Gunner. I don't know what (or to whom) you're referring (perhaps you've stumbled upon a bit of gossip?). I've never even spoken to the pretender creators. On the off-chance you've stumbled onto something that isn't gossip, I hope you'll let this quest end right here out of respect for that individual.
Anonymity was never the intention. That said, I confess: it felt absolutely right to be synonymous with illusion (and synonymous rhymes with anonymous) (it's a conspiracy, I tell ya). Don't overthink it; I certainly don't.
I'm not the first person to write about rape. The TP writers wrote about it- pregnancy via rape; Catherine was unconscious, unconscious people cannot consent and some people still can't grasp that simple truth (and that's probably reason enough to write about consent more often).
I was only going to write fluff (don't hurt yourself laughing). My fluff is fairly horrible- even worse than everything else I write. It's too easy and feels dishonest and a bit like wearing the wrong skin. However, I hate the darker fics. I swore I'd never write about the darker places. I learned something about myself, however: I'm just the writer; the stories (and the muses) lead me. I know: I never do the popular thing, I offend people (Circles of Hell in particular was all around offensive: rape, abortion, same-sex relationship, adultery, suicide, and bad lust, not to mention language). That's okay. No one ever died (solely) from being offended/bothered by something they've read (and they were warned). The earth spins still.
No, I'm afraid I never was Jarod's biggest fan, but not for the reasons you seem to be implying- although, I'm not sure exactly what it is you're implying.
I'm simply indifferent. I'm an objective observer.
It's wise not to take these things seriously; after all, Jarod is a fictional character, and The Pretender was a fictional television series. Life is short. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
[Report This]Date: 26/05/16 08:09 pm
This is the darkest Jarod recaptured story I've ever read and by far my favorite. It was difficult to read and I imagine difficult to write. It begs the question. Who will guard the guards? Power corrupts even when the power is in Jarod's hands. Forcing Jarod to become himself was a clever move and I'm surprised no other Centre fiend ever thought to do that and remove the emotional umbilical to Parker and Sydney and the memories of Kyle. It solved many problems. Is Jarod overriding the brainwashing though? He held on to his conversations with Miss Parker and seems to have used them as trigger words? Clever to have him triggered by the lit match. Solid chapter all in all and no typos. I'm curious as to how you'll complete it and curious to know if Miss Parker will return to confront the hard truths. Top notch writing! The chapters could be quicker in coming. I had to go back and refresh myself but I do understand...I'm an understanding man. It was worth the revisit.
Author's Response:
Something I wrote begs the question? Or did you intend to type raises the question? I hope it's the latter. This fic contains enough errors already.
Jarod may very well have overridden Cox's brainwashing with the trigger words. I'll leave it to the reader's discretion. I don't have an opinion. I'm just the writer.
It's kind of you to ignore the typos and to be so darn understanding. Thank you for your patience, and for reading and reviewing.
Date: 25/05/16 06:27 pm
Great to have you back Mirage. Awesomeness. "Not where Jarod but when" uhh mmm!! Seeing Jarod battling death.. OMG! He's really running the extremes of emotions all through this and it's totally believable. Cruel of MP to not tell Jarod about his son but she's mourning too? Right? Seems legit 2 me. I want to know what happens next. I know you're typing like a mad woman!
Author's Response:
Aw thanks, Christoph. You're very sweet.
Reviewer: Christoph Signed [Report This]Date: 25/05/16 03:46 am
ok ok!! This was not my favorite story of yours but Mirage it's really come together in a way I didn't expect. This chapter!!! So much visual data. I could see Jarod's bloody hand prints on her neck where he lifted her chin and performed CPR. Covered her mouth with his own.... kiss of life, so unlike your kiss of Death story.
These details. Graphic but sooo profound. You are extremely talented and you are skilled. I think you've always been a genius and had this ability but didn't know how to wield that genius or didn't know the power of your genius with the first stories. I looked back at In Pieces and...don't take this wrong because In Pieces was terrific but I can see the growth. You wrote In Pieces for the fans who were asking you for specific things but every thing since has been completey bold and tenacious. You are Tenacious M. :) In piece was fanfic. Every thing since has been grade A fiction. I continue to be blown away by your writing. I've never see anyone write Jarod so fleshed out ...this includes those novels sorry I know you don't want to be compared and all but credit where due hon. Sydney is so... I get tearful because I love these characters from tv and here they are again. You got inside their heads Mirage and you know them. Gut wranching chapter here. Jarod doesn't know his son is dead yet and he hasn't even begun to remember what all Cox did to him. He only remember being forced to perform the oral part...but the Centre raped Catherine to make Ethan so... it's no great shock to me. I love that you explore the darkness. Keep going. I'm intrigued.
Author's Response:
You didn't expect? This story ended for me at chapter one, and I was so happy to have another completed story under my belt. Oh, let's not talk about In Pieces; that thing jumped the rails. I included every single thing that every reader requested. Um, no, I still don't want to be compared to anyone. This is no competetion. This is fanfic. The day it becomes serious is the day I walk away. Yes, yes, I shall continue. Eventually. Thanks for the R&R, Dark one.
Reviewer: TheDarkAngel Signed [Report This]Date: 24/05/16 07:18 pm
Mirage I love your writing so much. This fic....is brilliant. A real masterpiece.I hope Jarod will work on Miss Parker and help her. GOd when he finds out about his son he is going to be so upset. Let Miss Parker live!!!!! Please!!!!!
Just want you to know I don't think you hate Michael T Weiss. I think you just don't' fangirl and lose your s%it over him. You're cool and probably used to being around gorgeous men and actors. It's no biggie.
It would be cool if you could like get a crush on him. You could get a picture with him to make people think you're really his biggest fan...a selfie with him..that would be really cute. Get his autograph too. Then everyone will know you don't hate him!!! It's the only way to prove it!!! Just get a small crush on him. lol. I know you don't hate anyone. You're really sweet. Stay that way hon. Update soon!!!
Author's Response:
Part 1.
I don't hate H.I.M. infinity
(I win!).
You want me to prove that I don't hate H.I.M. by procuring an autograph from H.I.M. and/or a selfie with H.I.M. (after stating that you don't think I hate H.I.M.).
(I didn't anticipate this)
Mm. Quick question: how exactly would my possessing those items prove how I feel about H.I.M?
The truth is: procuring those items would prove only that I could procure those items. And I could, I suppose. But I will not.
A. I've never asked anyone for an autograph.
B. I've never taken a selfie.
C. I have no desire to do either of those things.
*If it makes you feel better, there may have been a mutual sort of "hi"- I had no desire to bother the man, and on two such occasions, I didn't realize it was H.I.M. until others brought it to my attention. People are just people, even when the word "famous" is shoved onto the front of "people", and therefore I treat actors/ "famous" people the same way I treat everyone else. I won't be taking a selfie with the fedex guy either.
Also: a career shouldn't restrict freedom/disrupt life. It's a career, it's not a choice to relinquish rights (I'm empathetic).
And what the hell would I do with H.I.S. signature anyway? Practice my forgery skills? Admire the penmanship? I don't get it. I just don't.
Part 2.
Fascinating
ly
disturbing.
You want me to develop a crush on H.I.M?
I'm too preoccupied with Significant Man to develop crushes on other men (I really don't pay much attention to other men) (apparently haha- * see part 1). Significant Man, by the way, was the last guy I had a crush on, and has been with me since childhood (never underestimate crushes; cupid could be lurking about and that son of a bitch has impeccable aim).
That said, should Significant Man some day break my heart- who knows?
Developing a crush on an older (and possibly married) man would certainly be a new experience for me and it would be a helpful distraction. Otherwise, I might do something irrational and irresponsible and perhaps dangerous, such as free climbing and oh, perhaps
taking selfies with actors-
No, I'm joking: I'd never take a selfie.
Now, please, let's stop being silly. Thank you for the kind words, for reading and reviewing.
[Report This]Date: 07/02/16 12:10 am
I keep thinking how you were going to stop at chapter one! So glad you continued. You've voiced hatred for this and other fics you've written but this and all of your stories are wildly terrific. I love every chapter and I want more. Keep it on Mirage!
Author's Response:
Thank you, Gunner. You're too kind.
Reviewer: Gunner Signed [Report This]Date: 28/01/16 03:04 am
I'm still around after all these years and I'm glad your still here to Mirage! You get better and better. I thought you were already a brilliant writer when you were writing Forces of Nature. Please don't make us wait to long for the next part. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. You are still my favorite author.
Author's Response:
I'll try to put a rush on it. Real life is a little wild. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Reviewer: pretenderoxx Anonymous [Report This]Date: 27/01/16 08:51 pm
More. I need the rest of this asap! You are killing me. Please keep going. Fast preferably.
Author's Response:
I'm not really killing you- that wouldn't be nice. I'm updating as quickly as I can. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Reviewer: Chloe Signed [Report This]Date: 27/01/16 02:18 am
I don't know what to say. I can barely breathe. Mirage. The writing was mind blowing. It's brilliant. It's amazing! You always blow me away. I don't know what I did to deserve a writer of your caliber writing my favorite tv series and writing these characters I've grown to love the way they were on tv but I did something right! I hope you'll stay. I know you can better, write novels like a mad woman, write circles around everyone else. I'm greedy. I want you to keep contributing here. This fandom needs it. You are the reason I come here. The reason I'm still a fan of this series. You keep me coming back. Please don't leave. ONe more request***** Please don't let Parker die. Let Jarod work on her. You know he can save her. He has to! I will beg.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, Xena, for reading and for the lovely review. You're too kind. No, Parker won't be dying. I might even let Jarod live too.
Reviewer: Xena Signed [Report This]Date: 26/01/16 10:34 pm
Beautiful as always Mirage. Don't let her die. PLEASE!!!
Author's Response:
She won't die. It's okay. "I promise" - haha, said in Jarod's voice. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Reviewer: TheDarkAngel Signed [Report This]Date: 25/01/16 10:19 pm
OMG! You just left us with a major cliffy! How dare you?! Woman get your skinny ass back here and tell me that MP is gonna live. Jarod has to save her. Please!!! I love the rest of the fic...the cliffy is evil! You are evil! The rest of the fic is perfect. I love how badass MP is, even after catching the bullet in her back...damn! I swear you need a college degree to read your work but I have a dictionary and I got through it. Amazing. You are the best Pretender author of all time...including the authors writing the pretender novels. Now I'm gonna piss you off and share you on twitter and facebook lol. Sorry. lol
Author's Response:
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Monica_Bitch.
Reviewer: Monica_Bitch Anonymous [Report This]Date: 25/01/16 08:02 pm
Merci beaucoup! Want more of this now!! Powerful writing.....Jarod is going to be so sorry now but I am glad he will ok. It is so plausible!!! BUT I hope Miss Parker will be ok. Please keep it on writing and please update this soon.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, MlleParker. Miss Parker is- you'll have to read to find out.
Reviewer: MlleParker Signed [Report This]Date: 09/10/15 04:11 am
Superb. You know these characters well. It is a litle scary how well you know them, how in character they remain, and how expressive, fluid and fleshed out they are. These aren't just words on a page. You are a writer. I think your perspectives are fascinating and have a depth that many stories lack. Your writing and the revelations are profound. I love your word choices and how put together the story is. You say you were finished with this back at chapter 1, but Mirage ----or is it Maria/operative_M @twitter? Your pen name is so impersonal...like the rest of you...or is that the point?----anyway, the story needed to be written. Keep trusting your muse. She's led you this far.
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and reviewing, Michael. The name? I'm Mirage only when I publish fan fic. I don't use the name (Mirage) on twitter, or anywhere else (you just reminded me that I have a twitter account- haha. I haven't there since- I don't remember when). I wouldn't even attend a TP chat session with the username Mirage- it has one purpose. My real name isn't important. Honestly, I would have chosen the name "anonymous"; it was taken already. No, impersonal isn't the point- or at least I don't think it is. I'm not sure if there is a point.
Reviewer: Michael Anonymous [Report This]Date: 07/10/15 05:42 am
Honey you need to update more often but Imma let you slide cos you still get shit done and you do it better and faster than many others, creators included. I fucking love your fics. All of them! Keep it dark and keep writing. Uhh God. MORE! Your characterisations & dialogue kick serious ass!
Author's Response:
Well thank you, Monica_Bitch.
Reviewer: Monica_Bitch Signed [Report This]Date: 04/10/15 02:59 am
