[Report This]Date: March 16 2025 9:07 PM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
Why was Duncan so untrusting prior to shrinking? The first chapter could be interpreted as reasonable caution, but this second chapter just screams Serious Trust Issues.
You do a great job early on of framing Kristie as messy and undisciplined, especially when it comes to caring about others. Your efforts to characterize her as a manipulative (to the point of abusive) woman were even a step above. It's clear Kristie actively worked to separate Duncan from people. I can't help but wonder whether she was the primary reason, or more likely primary catalyst, that Duncan separated from the Brenadines (who seem to be his adoptive family, or the main family of which he was a branch member?) The fact that not only are Duncan's whereabouts unknown to his family, but that Kristie is confident of that fact tells me that while she might not make much effort to care for her boy toy, she has made ample effort to keep him to herself. And I do mean boy toy, even before he shrunk. Kristie is definitely hard-core gaslighting him even in her most gentle interactions, and Duncan's reactions that such behavior is expected highlight this quite nicely. I'm very curious to learn what she did to earn his trust in the first place.
I love that you incorporate this controlling aspect into even her most mundane actions. Even just in picking Duncan up, Kristie is not only controlling him by doing so against his will, but she is actively restraining his limbs, removing his agency in this relationship, reducing him to the toy she believes him to be.
Also, I have to comment: Breadcrumbs? Just breadcrumbs? That's all she fed him? I can deal with being caged by a sexy giant woman who wants to treat me as a sex toy, but I draw the line at withholding good food. Give the poor guy a crumb of everything on your plate and he'll be eating like a king. That's not neglect, that's not just betrayal, that is malicious cruelty of the highest order.
Monica Shale is a new character for me (I know the story is already complete). The fact that when comparing Monica to his manipulative girlfriend, Duncan considers Monica the far more controlling individual sets a high bar for her first reveal - and not as a good or caring person.
I feel terrible that Duncan's experiences have given him night terrors. Taking something incredibly intimate and turning it into the thing that terrorizes your dreams is a definite tug at the heartstrings.
And then there's Callie, both desperately trying to help him, but simultaneously awakening to the feelings such power over another person evoke in her.
Loved the song choice for the lullaby, btw!
And my goodness, she made him clothes! And a bed!! I can't be bothered to figure out a sewing machine to patch up my own clothes. I can manage some needle and thread, but it's too much of a hassle. I'm definitely rooting for Callie to come out ahead in this story.
"Or maybe he's into it." Yeah, I laughed wayy too hard at that. Callie is shping up to be a good girl who has some new or repressed desires that might not be so healthy for Duncan. I'm looking forward to seeing what rises to the occasion: her compassion or the newfound aspects of her personality.
Professor Stillwell. I really hope he receives his comeuppance later in the story, and if so, I can't wait to get to it. You have written a grade-A creep, and I only want to learn more about him so I can see that information used against him. Viscerally. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him shrunken and dropped into Kristie's mailbox, maybe with a note that reads, "Despite what I may say, I really enjoy staying bound and gagged."
Oh, my, I see Callie and Duncan have taken a new 'step' in their relationship! It's good for Duncan to explore more of his sexuality, and how else would he have gotten a faceful of Callie's toes and sweat to learn about somethong else that turns him on? Though I admit I expected that event to derail the following conversation, I'm really glad things turned back to Callie's experiences with Stillwell, and I love how you handled it. Both in terms of how Duncan pushed when needed and Callie started to realize where blame truly lay, but also in some of the physicality of the scene contrasting with earlier parts of the chapter. Callie offering Duncan a lift rather than plucking him up, and the juxtaposition of Callie intentionally freeing Duncan's arms to give him a sense of control and agency, when Kristie had intentionally trapped them. But there's also that comparison of her wanting him to be comfortable, and her enjoyment of holding him tightly. Add that to a callback to Callie's cry for help in the previous chapter, and you get a chaf's kiss for this. Gah, this scene is so well done!!!
Oh, my. Callie seems to have some seriously rose-tinted glasses when she looks at Monica Shale. I'm glad to see her giving Duncan the push he needs in the wake of receoving her own push. I just feel sorry that in both instances, he's the one in danger if things are pushed too far.
Man, I'm so glad I finally got a few hours to sit down and dive into another chapter for this story. I'm so looking forward to finding the time for the next one!
Date: February 12 2025 3:07 AM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
Kristie's treatment of Duncan is really fascinating. Recognizing him as her boyfriend and gossiping to him while caging him and denying him basic comforts. And twisting the knife with comments about his family doesn't really fit into either of those threads: she simultaneously views Duncan as a familiar comfort, an amusing pet, and a punching bag to manipulate. And then, a sex toy. As unpleasant as this is for Duncan, it's equally clear that Kristie has no idea what she wants from him.
Stillwell is cartoonishly evil, which is a fun contrast to Kristie's redeeming qualities. I appreciate that you chose to write about this very realistic type of abuse, and that your story contains both male and female abusers.
It's very convenient for Callie that Duncan is good at business school, and it makes for a good story. But I wonder if he is robbed of something by being useful to Callie in this way. If she finds value in him from what he knows, does that mean she will love him less for who he is? Or at least, it's harder for him to know for sure.
I loved how you introduced Monica over the phone. It makes her seem ever more intimidating.
Author's Response:
This is probably the best summation of Kristie in chapter two that I've seen! Since this is re-read for you, you know that Kristie is a very complicated person (especially back then) who really struggles to connect with people. I tried to put a lot of that into the rape scene, and it seems like that sense of confusion on her part peeked through here. So thanks for pointing that out!
Yeah, I really wanted Stillwell to come off as creepy as possible here, and I find it interesting that you compared him with Kristie. I mean, it makes perfect sense to do that, as two "evil" characters are being introduced in the same chapter, but no one else really did that. I agree with the comparison, too!
Thanks for saying that about the abuse stuff. I wanted to make seem as realistic as possible and treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves. And yeah, both men and women are capable of this, so pointing that out felt important, too.
I see what you're saying in a general sense about Duncan maybe being concerned that Callie is using him for his business skills (and yeah, that was pretty convenient, wasn't it?), but I think the way the scene played out would keep him from feeling that way. He was the one who offered, and she tried to turn him down, not wanting to burden him with her problems. He had to insist to get her to agree to it, and she was really thankful for his help when she accepted it. Between that and how much Callie had already done for him in such a short amount of time, I don't think the thought of her using him for his knowledge would cross his mind, let alone the thought that she might love him less for who he is.
Oh, that call was so fun to write! I loved Monica tearing into sweet, innocent Callie (after Monica showed a brief second of concern when she thought it was Duncan). And Callie being excited about it afterward made me laugh as I was typing it up!
[Report This]Date: August 10 2024 9:57 PM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
Pretty cool adventure story so far. Getting a glimpse into Duncan's past with his ex was eye-opening. I didn't really care for her, which I assume was the goal. Poor dude is traumatized. And it appears Callie is also going through her own battles with the professor, which I also didn't care for, haha. Honestly, Callie is my fav right now. And her curiosity about Duncan's height, measuring him while he had a nightmare, was oddly cute to me.
Oh, and I got to give you props on your grammar and style. I don't think many people do ellipsis (...) correctly, myself included. Only a few months ago did I sit down and read the rules and started unfucking myself when I write. I noticed that you actually do them correctly, by placing a space between the last word and the first dot. Kudos!
Anyway, I'm off to the next chapter. I'm unsure how to feel about Duncan's old boss. Something tells me I won't like her, but I'll go in with an open mind. Also, there's this mystery of how Duncan shrunk. I'm curious if that'll come up.
Author's Response:
And kudos back to you for unfucking your grammar when you write! Although, to be fair, I never really noticed anything too glaring in your work, but it's admirable to always strive to improve!
I have to admit, I never expected to be complimented on my use of ellipsis, and this made me way happier than it probably should have. Seeing them used wrong is actually a big pet peeve of mine, but I never say anything because everyone seems to connect the last word and first dot and I don't want to be a grammar nazi. So thank you for mentioning this and giving me an excuse to rant a bit!
Color me shocked that you found the rapist of the chapter unlikable! Shocked, I say!
But seriously, yeah, Kristie and Stillwell were supposed to come off as pretty despicable, and, based on these reviews, that seems to be the general consensus. And I'm glad you're still liking Callie. Yeah, she wanted to calm Duncan down, but she had to get those measurements so she could try making those clothes. Dude's sleeping in dirty boxers at this point!
I'm really curious what you'll think of Monica. I'm going to guess the opposite, actually. I think you will like her.
And yeah, the mystery of how and why Duncan shrunk isn't going away. It's not the central focus of this story, but stuff relating to it is going to come up here and there.
[Report This]Date: March 22 2024 5:19 PM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
Wow, what a fantastic start! I especially enjoyed the depth of these characters.
I appreciate Duncan's resourcefulness and caution. I imagine if I were in his situation I'd react similarly--however I doubt I'd survive the fight with Bigsby! I feel he has a longing for human connection, but has difficulties trusting--I sincerely hope that Callie turns out to be someone he can trust.
Speaking of Callie, I especially love her character. She's a great gentle giantess. Well-meaning, but sometimes says or does the wrong things.
Meanwhile, Kristie is just as I imagined her based on your foreshadowing. I'm sure this was just the tip of the iceberg for the trauma she inflicted on Duncan.
I love the diverse set of characters so far, looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response:
Hey sizeaddled!
I think you should give yourself some more credit. I'm sure you would have found a way to take on Bigsby!
You're dead on about Duncan. He had some trust issues even before shrinking, so those have obviously gotten worse since falling below three inches tall. It's really hard to not trust Callie, though, as much as he tries not to. We'll see next chapter (whenever I get around to finishing it) whether or not a some people from his old life are trustworthy (and if his previous judgment of those relationships was accurate or not).
I'm really glad Callie has been so well received so far! I like your description of her.
I tried to put a lot of thought into foreshadowing various things in the first couple of chapters, so it's great to hear that you already had an idea of who Kristie is based on the brief mention of her in chapter one. He was able to escape from Kristie not too long after the events of that dream sequence, but her impact on his psyche is pretty significant.
And hopefully I can keep up that diverse set of characters next chapter (which I'm hoping to get out relatively soon). I really don't want my characters to overlap and cover the same ground.
Thanks for taking the time to review my little story! Maybe you'll beat me and get the next chapter of Delta Phun out first!
Date: February 21 2024 8:52 AM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
great story so far
Author's Response:
Thanks, rubber!
[Report This]Date: February 13 2024 1:44 AM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
I'm kinda curious as to what Duncan and Kristie's relationship looked like before he shrunk because I'm failing to see what he saw in her from this snippet lol. I mean, three days into shrinking and he's already less than a hamster? Goddamn. I do love how verbally manipulative she was, if being physically imposing wasn't already enough, and that duplicity is clearly responsible for what Duncan "saw" in her.
The opening does a great job contrasting her with Callie, both Callie's softer, deliberate motions in approaching and handling Duncan, as well as her not-so-silver tongue which at least better conveys her sincerity. And man, her explanation of bringing out her mom's sowing machine was adorable ("So I said to myself, 'Self, you gotta help this man out,' cuz that's what roomies do for each other," is so cute it hurts). She's characterized very well throughout the chapter. After making multiple sets of tiny clothes and the most impressive miniature replica of a mattress ever, she's catastrophizing about a short offhand comment she didn't even finish. What a beautiful soul!
The moment Stillwell (great name for a snivelly, creep-ass professor. No offense to any real Stillwells, I'm sure you're cool. Where was I? Oh, right.) locked eyes onto the woman in the backrow of an ampitheater lecture hall, I threw up in my mouth. I hate this guy, and I love that. Every subsequent line about and from him is a downward spiral of vile dreck. The fact that he so brazenly admits he raises the classroom thermostat "for her sake" is the dingleberry on the scum sundae.
Callie being so distraught as to almost unaware step on Duncan is another great moment, enhanced by tiny D being too mesmerized by the titaness before him to move out of the way (and subsequently get a good, totally not enviable I swear, whiff of some toe webbing). I think the potential for harm, usually unitended harm, makes gentle stories all the better. It's hard to explain, but the idea of a giantess intentionally having to hold herself back for the tiny's sake and be ever cognizant the effect simple actions have on him is really appealing.
I already like this Monica character and the two very different impressions our leads have of her. Looking forward to seeing how this meeting with her plays out.
Author's Response:
Hey Terry!
You're right in that Kristie's manipulative nature is something that Duncan got sucked into. I've also been kind of hinting that his childhood wasn't exactly stable and that things were a bit rough, so he kind of mistook some of her meanness for simple, blunt honesty, something he actually values. I should also note that this was a really complicated relationship even before the shrinking, so who knows: Maybe we'll dive a little deeper into that as the story progresses.
I'm thrilled that you pointed out the contrasting ways in which Kristie and Callie have handled Duncan's size, both physically and verbally. I tried a couple of things in an effort to draw out that comparison specifically, so it's good to hear that this stuck out for you.
Callie's sewing machine rant was pretty fun to write. And yeah, I also like the fact that she's still worried about offending him even after doing all of that stuff for him. She's not really the type of person who does stuff for "credit," so she doesn't feel like making that stuff should give her a pass. Also, she's kind of embarrassed and confused, as she was saying that without thinking about it, and she's not really sure what she meant by it. Maybe a bit of a Freudian slip on her part?
I love that your reaction to Stillwell was that immediate. I was trying to set a very particular tone with that creep, and your reaction makes me feel like I nailed it! As for his brazen admission about the thermostat, that was maybe the scummiest thing I could think of for him to do in that situation. He's just playing with her psyche at that point. Dingleberry on a scum sundae indeed.
No need to explain on the appeal of giantess' having to show restraint and the impact of their casual actions. You're preaching to the choir, as they say. And like you said, two people wrapped up in two very different emotions in that moment led to some unintentional carelessness that thankfully only ended with a face full of foot sweat (and a raging hard-on).
Monica is turning out to be a pretty fun character to write (as she was at the back end of this last chapter). That's all I should probably say about that for now.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!
[Report This]Date: February 05 2024 10:48 PM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
I'm liking the continued bonding of our protagonists, it seems like Duncan might have a few skills and connections that will let him pull his weight after all. The Ex sounds like a real piece of work, I wonder how she reacted to his escape? And is she still looking for him or has she moved on?
Stillwell sounds like a potential link or suspect to whatever got Duncan downsized, at the very least there's a motive from a bunch of shady academic types to get rid of him. Clearly the university didn't bother to curb Stillwell's excesses, is he too valuable to let go? Or is it just the insular culture of college administration at work? Then again maybe Duncan just drew the cosmic short straw.
A powerful businesswoman like Ms. Shale is a high risk high reward play, on the one hand proof of being tiny is a pretty damn good excuse to miss work, on the other the true motives of the C-Suite are hard to determine at the best of times. She could be an extremely useful source of resources or another hazard in the way of figuring out what happened.
Anyways good job, looking forward to more!
Author's Response:
Hey Green!
Yeah, like you, I like it better when the tiny isn't a completely helpless and sniveling shit. And I'm glad you're enjoying the bond being formed between Duncan and Callie. I wanted that to feel as organic and natural as possible in a scenario that is in no way actually possible.
All I can say about Kristie at this point is that we haven't seen the last of her in this story.
As for Stillwell, he's definitely the beneficiary of university politics. He's well known in the economic field out in the real world (didn't really find a place to mention that), which helps, but the protection he gets from the administration is more about who he knows than anything else.
And yeah, that does sound like something those shady academic types would do, doesn't it ...
High risk high reward is the right way to look at meeting with Ms. Shale, I think, although I'm pretty sure that's not how either Duncan or Callie are looking at it. Their fear and excitement, respectively, doesn't go past meeting with Monica herself. They're too focused on that to really consider what Monica can do for or to them with the resources she has available to her.
Thanks again for the kind words!
[Report This]Date: February 01 2024 8:42 AM Title: Callie vs. the Persuasive Professor
Another excellent chapter. From the horrors of Duncan’s ex girlfriend to Callie’s messed up and tragic life she has to go through at school, it just shows how much Callie and Duncan need each other and how lucky they are to simply be in each others lives. A true saving grace for one another. Going to be interesting to see the new dynamic of Duncan being her mentor despite being tiny and see how their relationship evolves as a whole.
I love the detail you put in describing Callie from Duncan’s pov how huge she is to him. And poor dude got trapped on her foot haha. Seems like he loved that experience from his reaction though!
Well done overall! Looking forward to the next chapter. If you got discord, I’d love to provide more detailed thoughts to the chapter because I really think this story is one of the tops on the site recently!
Author's Response:
Hey Chief,
Yeah, Duncan's starting to learn a few things about himself for sure! This won't be the last time he gets familiar with a foot.
I'm also glad you're enjoying the Callie-Duncan dynamic so far. I tried to draw some parallels between their two situations in this chapter, and I hope that helped make the way they relate to each other seem more natural. I like gentle stuff, but it really needs to make sense, otherwise its just mushy for no reason, which can become more annoying than endearing, at least in my opinion.
And I'm thrilled you mentioned the size descriptions between Callie and Duncan. I'm trying to give a good mental image to the reader about just how small he is. It's one thing to give a number, but it's another entirely to put that number into practical terms. So thanks for mentioning that this stuck out to you!
Thank you again for your kind words. I get on Discord once in a while. If I get on soon, I'll be sure to look you up. Any feedback helps, and it would be good to see what worked and what I may need to work on in the chapters and stories ahead.