This story is very interesting to me at this point in my life. Wouldn't be surprised if I were misinterpreting the story, but what I took from it was the idea of struggling to control your own self and your Strange Thing (emotions and painting, in Henry's case), but then starting to understand yourself better and live in harmony with your spirit. Similar to the God Eaters in that way, that talents are some supernatural spirit in us that can make us grow or destroy us.

Oh WOW. Just, WOW. I know, this is late (so late) for a review but I feel that if I don't say anything, I won't give you the credit u deserve (that won't sit well with me u c, so plz let me get this off my chest).
This story is kind of weird but the your writing style just capture me and I can't help myself but to continue reading. Henry has something weird going on in that mind of his, but then again, everyone have something weird going on in their heads; Henry's is just more than others'. I love how you described his strangeness though. So poetic. I can't fault him as a person for being overly weird, or for having dark thoughts. I just accept that as a part of him and you even made me feel sympathetic that others aren't ready to accept him for being different.
This ended up as a rant but I just have to convey how enraptured I am with this story and it's beautifully written to boot! Definitely worth the long read XD

you are a poet

This is so easy to fall in love with, thank you very much for sharing it. You make writing brilliant prose seem effortless.

That was beautiful in so many ways. I am touched. I think we all have a little bit of Henry, Evan and Dale in all of us. Stefan is the find we're all searching for eventually. How did u plan this story? Imagination with experience and theory beautifully interwoven created something that kind of haunts. I don't know why I'm so emotional right now. I like this and I'll figure it out eventually. Thanks.

Oh my God, the imagery in this one. Henry is such a precocious child/young adult and the way he sees the world is just so poetic and bleak and I love how you slowly leeched the wonder and beauty away from his version of the world and then put it back. This just. Gah. Beautiful.

Nice story, I liked it.

The ending is so wonderful I cried. Ahaha, I'm a sap. Love the crazy feel-the otherness. Definitely can pick up on Henry's weirdness. And I love Stefan. I have a soft spot for those dorky, nice guys. :)

So gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

Okay ... wow ... just wow ...

This is ... beautiful, fantastic, ... just ... god, I can't even think to give a proper review. Um ... I loved it. The wording, the characterization. It all seems ... perfect.

I loved this. It was beautiful. It was a story but it was also poetry. Every sentence just seemed like it belonged, like the story wouldn't be complete if it wasn't there in a way that just blew my mind. Simple and effective. And then there was all the emotions in the text and all the strangeness that I felt wasn't that strange at all. I really loved this. Thank you for writing it.

Oh my goodness, this story was incredible! I loved the complexity of it and how Henry deals with his shadow. I really enjoyed the slow steady build of his and Stefan's relationship and he begins to surrender all the hatred in him to please Stefan. This story was truly a wonderful piece and I am so glad it read it! :D

This story was reaaly cool to read. A nice plot too. :)

I feel like there is something seriously mentally wrong with Henry but I suppose it's what both defines him and drives him to madness. I love that the whole story was written poetic like and that the repetitive sentences every age change keep things real even though the story is a bit confusing. You are a wonderful writer and I can't wait to check out your other stories.

Dang...

All I can say, dang...

That's a good thing.