Here's a question

[desperance]

If I had a paid account, I'd make this a poll; but I don't, so it's just a question. With context.

I said, "I can do this," and picked him up and cuddled him.

He said, "I can do this," and drew blood from the back of my hand.

So: opposable thumbs, or retractable claws? Answer in comments, please, and show your working.

Comments

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

Tentacles !

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Damn. Of course...!

(I shoulda known, there'd be someone of the cephalopod tendency out there...)

(One? Who am I kidding? Schools. Hordes...)

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

...how about both? Can I be Wolverine?

Not that this has anything to do with your posting, but despite my Dire Warnings, I read BRIDGE OF DREAMS on my train trip to Dublin this weekend.

It is absolutely *gorgeous*. The first sentence made me happy, because I read it and I thought, "Oh, this sounds *just* like desperance," and I settled in thereafter with joy in my heart for finding bits that are *particularly* you, but aside from that game, it's, well, just gorgeous. Wonderful patient lyrical storytelling and some lines that just killed me ("Oh, he was ruthless, with other people's pain." *tud* Tulk is ... *gglgghgll*!) and I love Issel (and am dying to see if my theories about him prove true) and Jendre is a fantastic character. Good, good book, Chaz. I must find the next one post haste. How many will there be? O.O

(Also, did you know that according to this book cover, your last name is "Brenchley", when all along I've thought it was "Benchley"? Silly publishers...)

[glinda-w.livejournal.com]

*has hysterics over icon*

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Aww, you say all the right things, y'know...? ('Specially about Issel, because my editor never really got him, which is really what caused all the trouble & mess...)

I am so glad you liked it. Next one - "River of the World" - is out now, and is the last. Just a duo. Enjoy...

People always think I must be a Benchley, because Benchleys are famous from Robert to Peter, from whimsy to sharks, while Brenchleys are of course unknown in literary circles ('cept that Dick Francis's wife was a Brenchley, but no one knows that except me)(and Dick).

How long have you got?

[jeremy-m.livejournal.com]

> So: opposable thumbs, or retractable claws?

It depends on the scale of available time and space, claws are better on a small immediate scale but opposable thumbs have good emergent effects on the large scale.

The Visigoth warrior may be in awe of Roman civilisation and lust after its many benefits while being able to kill its scholars where they stand. If you're trying to evolve opposable thumbs on the veldt before the tiger gets you, it's probably too late.

But if you can get a million years in a quiet corner with the thumbs and develop a tool using culture, woe betide the moggies.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

"I can do this," I said, and picked her up by the scruff of her neck.

Re: How long have you got?

[desperance.livejournal.com]

But if you can get a million years in a quiet corner with the thumbs and develop a tool using culture, woe betide the moggies.

But we did all that, and - well, I still reckon the moggies won. At least, in this house...

Okay. (rolls dice)

[billbrent.livejournal.com]

Cat clause:

"Thank the Cat doG for what it has given you, and what it has taken away."

This clause is non-retractable.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

*boggle* What's not to get about Issel? I think he's a fantastically realized character in a really difficult position. His magic terrifies him and he's loyal to nobody, but he's stuck using it because he's developed a friendship he doesn't know how to (perhaps doesn't want to, although hoo boy I can't wait to see what happens in the second book) escape. I find him wonderfully sympathetic, although *Tulk* is so damned youthful and naive and *stupid* he makes me want to shake some brains into Issel's head. :)

I will be seeing if I can pick up RIVER OF THE WORLD this afternoon. Yay. :)

I don't typically drop or transpose letters in people's names, so I was rather surprised to realize you were a Brenchley and not a Benchley. But I shan't forget from now on. :)