[Report This]Date: October 25 2026 6:08 PM Title: Chapter 30
Thanks for yet another fun chapter! I just love the contrast between how playful Natalie is compared to the more concerned Claire.
[Report This]Date: October 20 2026 5:17 AM Title: Chapter 29
This chapter generally reinforces a characteristic of Natalie that I've highlighted in earlier posts: her natural leadership abilities. Natalie is humble, deferential to authority, but also in complete control of every room and situation she is in. The last part of this observation stands in stark contrast to the first part, particularly when you consider how the average person would probably react if put in the girls' position. Most people can't handle having power over others very well, which is why genuinely effective leaders are so rare. Think of how differently Natalie behaves here compared to what we'd expect from nearly anyone else........
.......First, let's state the obvious: Claire and Natalie are mingling with the crowd as if they're amongst equals, but this isn't at all the case. In reality, they are effectively Goddesses amongst mere mortals, and therefore are under no obligation to defer to anyone in that room, or on the planet, for that matter. Further, everyone around them is well aware of this fact. People in leadership positions often have considerably more power than their entourage (although obviously not to this extreme) and, to lead effectively, must be conscious of this in order to avoid bullying or trampling their "inferiors".
.....Given this reality, and even considering the more historically accurate version of Lord Acton's quote (an interesting aside, by the way!), the fact that they are so humble here is truly remarkable. For example, Natalie shows genuine interest in Angela, the Joint Chief's daughter, and manages to put her at ease by validating her questions while simultaneously giving an object lesson from her own life by illustrating the importance of deferring to authority, and for the right reason (morality vs. fear of punishment), as exemplified in her and Claire's lives. Further, she hands Angela a huge compliment by telling the reporter that the girl is asking better questions than the average journalist. Consider how good this young lady probably feels after this encounter: validated, empowered, yet also wiser due to Natalie's subtle life lesson. And we're just getting started here! Natalie continues, over the course of the interview, to raise those around her up rather than lording it over them, which she could easily do.....
.....Next, the reporter tries to elicit a response from Natalie on her understanding of the meaning of the recent UN resolution. Rather than answering it, as most people with the real power would do, she deliberately defers to the Joint Chiefs Chair. Giantess3D even notes in the story that she and Claire planned to do this in advance. I cannot over-emphasize how rare this quality is: the average person lacks the restraint, humility, and introspection to hold back in this manner. Natalie, perhaps drawing lessons from her earlier, ill-considered comments on the Valmeran situation, is consciously admitting her own limitations and allowing a more experienced, older, wiser person to handle this delicate portion of the interview. Contrast this with the typical preening blowhards who tend to populate the halls of power in the real world. And Natalie STILL hasn't finished elevating and deferring to the wisdom and expertise of those around her, because.....
.....Finally, Natalie loops in Mr. Donnelly, her history teacher. She explicitly says she is doing so to add historical context which she may have left out. He gives a fairly limited answer, but it's still pretty cool that she treats him this way. Perhaps it's her way of once again thanking him for refusing the Valmeran bribe and staying true to both his principles and his students. Clearly, she's not someone who ever forgets a good turn, and she's also expert at identifying good people, which are both important leadership qualities.
All of the above is indicative of what remarkable young ladies these two are. If you compare this entire exchange to the girls' lunchroom discussion from Chapter 6, clear patterns emerge. Firstly, both Natalie and Claire are consciously aware both of the extreme power differential that exists between them and the entire human race, and of the fact that everyone around them must be intimidated as a result. Due to this realization, both of them, particularly Natalie, proactively take unusual pains to put others at ease by soliciting their input, genuinely listening, and even changing their own well-considered positions as a result of said input. Yes, they are in ultimate control of the discussion, but they never use that fact to diminish those around them. As a result, they are ultimately able to become more informed, and thus to make better decisions than would otherwise be the case. Considering their abilities, as aptly demonstrated in Valmera, this characteristic is extremely important because their actions have the potential to be truly catastrophic. It is also a characteristic demonstrated by some of the most capable leaders throughout history.
I want to once again compliment you on your astonishing insight into the human psyche. You write people SO well, SO believably, that it greatly enhances the enjoyment of reading this story. I'm looking forward to what's in store for all of these well-rounded characters!
Macrophile
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:47 AM Title: Chapter 28
One of the aspects (out of many) that I'm enjoying about this story is that you appear to be in no hurry, either in the sense of how quickly its internal events are progressing, and also in the sense that you're taking plenty of time before treating us to each segment. Both of these elements are key to the story's effectiveness:
......The fact that you're allowing events to slow down between the "action" sequences means that your characters are able to take stock of how these more intense events have affected them and those around them. In real life, actual people do this. They don't usually just lurch from one crisis to another, but rather they decompress and consider the implications of their decisions and actions on the course of their lives. In this particular universe, luckily for everyone else, both Natalie and Claire appear to be unusually introspective and sensitive to how their abilities are used in, and also perceived by, the world. Their superior morality (especially Claire's) is one of the narrative's defining characteristics......
......The fact that you're taking your sweet time between releasing chapters is key to how enjoyable this all is for two reasons. Firstly, it presumably means that you're able to take the time needed to marshal your obviously keen writing skills and create the best product possible. (By the way, in case me singing your praises isn't obvious enough, I think you are doing a TERRIFIC JOB here. Don't you change a thing about your work, even if it means we all need to be more patient). Secondly, spacing out your segments gives US more time to fully absorb each segment, take stock, and formulate a response, just like your characters are doing in the story. For example, I read this latest chapter a day or two ago, but I deliberately waited to post about it until it had sat with me for awhile, due to some of the concepts you've introduced here: .......
.......What concepts am I referring to? Well, I was quite taken by Caire's valedictorian speech. In it, she made some points I've seen referenced before, and some I was unaware of. I'm a bit of a science, and sci-fi, nerd, so I am familiar with the idea that many theoreticians and writers, from Carl Sagan to Gene Roddenberry, have posited that any meeting of two intelligent species is very likely to result in a huge mismatch between their relative levels of development, and that this difference in capabilities would be particularly true if an alien species were advanced enough to come here while we're still at our current level of advancement.
For example, in one Star Trek (The Original Series) episode, the writers have Science Officer Spock remark that a civilization they have just interacted with is as far advanced over humanity as humanity is over the amoeba. More pertinent to your story, in his book "Contact", Sagan has a character use an interesting analogy to explain why the aliens they're interacting with are probably not hostile. The character claims that humanity is no threat to the other civilization, and that therefore they have no need to wipe us out. It would be like (the character continues) a human going to extra trouble to travel to a remote location on another continent to kick over an anthill. This concept sprung to mind as I was reading the portion of Claire's speech where she hopes that if the civilization which created the artifact ever visits, they will have the girls' concept of morality rather than the average human's.
Initially, I thought that Claire's and Natalie's aversion to harming insects was merely a vehicle to explain why they're not a threat to everyone, but, as your narrative is progressing, it's becoming clearer that this plot device is more central to the story that it first seemed. Which leads rather neatly to my second observation on Claire's speech, namely that I'd never heard of a study being done on insect cognition. I've read articles and seen broadcast segments on self-awareness amongst some mammalian species such as primates, dolphins, and whales, but the concept that an ant, or ants generally, might have this sort of cognitive ability is new to me, and startling in its implications, both in the real world and in your story.
Clearly, Claire, and by extension Natalie, have had plenty of time to consider these matters, both before they received their abilities, and certainly after. In this chapter, it is revealed more fully than before that the conclusions they have reached about how they can ethically use their abilities are not just running in parallel to the idea that harming weaker creatures is wrong, but are rather the direct result of this specific concept. The fact that Claire is able to so clearly articulate how humans harming insects is analogous to aliens (or those with alien abilities) harming humans is a refreshing new take on a theory that has been in the public realm for decades, and I applaud your effort to include it here.
All this is a further example of your tendency to slowly reveal additional information which causes the reader to re-examine, and re-imagine, earlier portions of the narrative. It is a trait displayed by some of the best writers throughout history, and it makes me more anxious than before to see what comes next. Rock on, dude! Take your time, but know that I, for one, am really looking further to the next chapters....
Macrophile
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:41 AM Title: Chapter 27
I've SO been looking forward to this new chapter, and you didn't disappoint! There are several fun elements here. For starters, I love how Natalie remembers the name of the general's daughter, and smiles as she does so. It drives home not only her eye for detail, but also her naturally friendly, outgoing nature. It's sweet, too, that Claire came up with the idea of inviting his family.
Natalie's realization about her final grades is also fun. I just LOVE how much she values honesty.
Further, how many celebrities, when they're considering how much land surrounds a prospective new house, are interested not just in the privacy the lot affords, but also whether they'll be enough room to stand when they're a fifth of a mile tall?
It's also fun that she calls Diane her friend. Natalie likely values the pilot's straightforward nature and the fact that she tried to soothe the girls' worries after the events in Valmera. I also feel that calling Diane a friend drives home Natalie's empathy, since it's likely that one of the reasons she gravitated towards the pilot was due to her family's terrible experiences with the Valmeran intelligence goons.
Finally, there's Natalie's frankly disquieting answer about her favorite movie. That one kinda came out of left field and hit me in a rather peculiar way. In much the same sense that the scrum of reporters nervously tittered after hearing "Godzilla", I wasn't quite certain how to take her comment. Both Natalie and her mom tried to pass it off as a cute joke, but you've already made quite clear that Natalie really enjoys being a giantess, and that she seems to relish others' (even Brian's) fears of her abilities. Learning that she's fascinated with monster movies puts her looming over the city like she did, at the beginning of the story, in a bit of a different light. It introduces a further level of uncertainty into that whole episode, including the birthday-candle gesture.
One thing I AM certain of, though: you added her comment in to create some truly delicious ambiguity going forward. You're actually rather good at creating believable, complex characters, and I'm looking forward to further revelations. Keep up the awesome work!
Macrophile
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:40 AM Title: Chapter 26
This discussion between Natalie and her history teacher is spot-on. I mean it. It is an insightful, enlightening illustration of the historical parallels of what happened to the Roman Republic and what's occurring in this story. It also neatly recapitulates a recurring theme of backsliding and the hollowing out of institutions in other countries, past and present.
I mean, seriously, dude, there's a lot of really good giantess content out there. I've read much of it. But this sort of analytical writing is next level. It elevates your material well beyond the common herd, and makes this tale far more interesting and exciting to read. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
Keep up the excellent work!
Macrophile
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:38 AM Title: Chapter 25
Again, a bit of foreshadowing, speculating that the girls may someday turn on each other? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.....
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:38 AM Title: Chapter 24
"Claire never threatened your school."
"She doesn't have to."
Excellent example of the "obedience-in-advance" behavior seen, often, in autocratic regimes. Hopefully not a bit of foreshadowing on what might be in store for the girls.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:37 AM Title: Chapter 23
The ladies are still decompressing, still taking stock, still trying to find MEANING in all this. Just like real people do. You are a very effective writer.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:36 AM Title: Chapter 22
This chapter is yet again a great exploration of the ladies' psyches. The best part of this whole story is that you don't just relate the tale of two giantesses doing their thing; you allow space for the characters to decompress and take stock of the implications of what happened, both to them and to others around them.
I just love how worried Claire is about the fact that part of her enjoyed capturing the intelligence agents. Natalie, too, is introspective, and warns of the danger of anyone believing that they're carrying out Divine will. These two have a meaningful discussion about the moral dimensions of what was a pretty extraordinary day, and, importantly, they invite Diane to join in as an equal.
Just like in the scene from Chapter 6 in the lunchroom, the girls seek direct input from a person who those of lesser character would consider an unimportant functionary. They could have simply ignored and dismissed the pilot as they carried on their discussion, and such a dismissal would not even have been unreasonable for almost anyone else in the ladies' position. After all, it was Natalie and Claire who had saved the day, who had stood over an army like a couple of Goddesses, who had humiliated the Valmeran intelligence apparatus. Diana was essentially the taxi driver who took them to and from their destination. It would have been far too easy for the vast majority of people in such a dominant position to focus only on their own power and accomplishments, and to simply ignore the "help".
But not these two. At one point, Claire even directly solicits Diane's input when the latter feels unqualified to proffer an opinion. Claire also expresses genuine empathy about what happened to Diane's father. It must again be emphasized that, due to the OVERWHELMING power differential on display earlier in the day, these two are under NO obligation to take anyone else's feelings or thoughts into consideration. They hold all the cards. And yet, they make a conscious choice to do the opposite.
If more powerful people in our actual world acted in this manner, things would be so much better. That's why I suggested in my earlier essay after Chapter 6 that Claire and Natalie make excellent case studies for good leadership qualities.
You write your characters, and especially these two ladies, SO well. again, I want to commend you for your skills and insight.
Macrophile
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:33 AM Title: Chapter 21
Another terrific chapter! What a power move, pocketing those intelligence goons. I also enjoy how introspective Claire is about her enjoyment of the sequence. She's a really cool lady.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:32 AM Title: Chapter 20
The HQ building "no longer looked imposing. It looked temporary." Terrific description of this very surgical power move by the ladies! Great chapter, once again sowing these two's resolve and restraint.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:28 AM Title: Chapter 17
Further evidence of the ladies' purposefulness, self-restraint, and care for those around them. The graphic (over on DeviantArt) accompanying this chapter is beautifully rendered. She looks like a Greek Goddess of old!
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:26 AM Title: Chapter 15
Love this chapter! SUCH a power move, impassively standing there like a couple of Goddesses. I also enjoyed your framing of various other characters' reactions. Your nuanced understanding of human psychology shines through yet again!
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:25 AM Title: Chapter 13
I love how, in this chapter, Natalie carefully studies the history of the conflict she's about to introduce herself into. Further evidence of her thoughtful, introspective nature. Too bad more actual world leaders fail to conduct due diligence like this.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:24 AM Title: Chapter 12
Once again, Claire and Natalie's characters are revealed in all their beautiful glory. Their love of truth and transparency, their empathy for others, their willingness to take responsibility for the consequences of their words and actions, the fact that they stick to their principles no matter what. You seemed dubious about my comment on Chapter 6 that these girls are sort of case studies of excellent leadership qualities. Perhaps that's not what is top of mind to you as you're writing this story, but I'm going to stand by my earlier observation. If more leaders in our actual reality behaved like these two precocious young women, our world would be a much better place. Thank you for writing these two like this, as as examples to be emulated.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:23 AM Title: Chapter 11
The first section of this chapter is yet another case study in how Claire and Natalie can put others around them at ease. Not only are they amenable to getting the selfies, they're perceptive and empathetic enough to realize that many students are too nervous to ask, and proactively invite them in. They even make peace with the Mean Girl. I just love the way you write these two!
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:22 AM Title: Chapter 10
Your renderings (over on DeviantArt) of the ladies doing their fashion show for this and the previous chapter are well-done, and really help drive home the, er, enormity of the event. lol
I also thoroughly enjoyed Natalie's enthusiasm about the show, and hoe restrained Claire is. It's also touching that Claire is happy just seeing her friend enjoying herself. The bond between these two is teriific!
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:17 AM Title: Chapter 8
Terrific chapter! Well-written, thoughtful, great character development. I particularly enjoyed the Joint Chief Chairman's statement that he'd be more afraid if his own daughter obtained the powers instead. That may be the best compliment I've ever heard.
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:15 AM Title: Chapter 5
I just love how nervous and vulnerable Claire is (both your text and accompanying image [over on DeviantArt] really drive that point home), even though she's just demonstrated she has the power of a god. She's truly concerned with whether the others will still accept her, even though they're not truly her equals. Terrific insight into her psychology!
[Report This]Date: October 12 2026 3:13 AM Title: Chapter 4
I like that in the graphic accompanying this chapter, you can see the media scrum reflected in the mirror behind where the family is sitting. It REALLY drives home their isolation, the "three of them against the world" aspect of the news conference.