Waterfall Wednesdays #3

Guess what?! It's Wednesday again! In the past, Wednesdays have been weird days for me - kind of stuck in the middle, and either feeling like a second Monday or a really early Thursday. But that's all changed, thanks to Waterfall Wednesdays! Seriously, this is incredibly fun - I haven't done a read-along quite like this since my undergrad days (and I must confess: most of those were not this fun, haha), so it's doubly fun to be reading the same book as a whole assortment of people, and all having the same set of questions and seeing how our responses vary -  or agree. Plus, I have absolutely fallen in love with this book, and this series. But I'll stop rambling, and let you see my answers for Week 3...

Waterfall by Lisa T Bergren

Discussion 3: Chapters 12-17
Today's Questions hosted by Edgy Inspirational Romance

1. In Siena, on her way to the ball at Palazzo Pubblico, Gabi likened her experience to being on the red carpet at the Academy Awards, the goal being "to see and be seen." If you were a peasant, watching from the crowd, what would you be thinking as this procession passed by?

Hmm...Well, obviously these are the people who are making the decisions that keep you safe and 'alive' - so I wouldn't want to tick 'em off by staging a protest or anything. On some level, I think my response would be similar to that of the red carpet idea: this is so obviously not a part of my day-to-day world, but it's fun to see - the colors, the fabrics, the intrigues and mysteries...

2. Though quite nervous about dancing at the ball, Gabi discovers a strange feeling of connection to the time, the people, and the society through the unified beauty of the dance. Have you ever been in a position where you felt out of your element, but, in one, pinpointed moment, became a part of or connected to something bigger than your fear?

Okay, I've been thinking about this one since I saw it, and saved it to come back to, to give myself more time to think...and I'm still drawing a blank. I definitely have times and instances where I am (often quite clearly) out of my element - but these are never moments that either A: truly 'scare' me or B: have a 'unifying factor' like Gabi experienced with the dance. Really, the only thing I can think of that comes closest to 'matching' that is everything surrounding 9/11: Everything changed, so my element wasn't really an element anymore, it was a new one, ya know? But the thing that got me - everyone - through that time of uncertainty and doubt and fear was knowing that we were all going through it, and we were all going to survive and triumph. So it's an imperfect answer/comparison, but it's the best one my mind can find in the archives.

3. The kiss. Oh, the kiss. When Marcello finally kisses Gabi, he believes the experience to be proof that they are meant to be together. What did you think about his assumption? Were you surprised at Gabi's reaction to it? Have you ever experienced a kiss that seemed to be prophetic in a similar (or opposite!) way?

The. Kiss! I loved the way he set it up - I was chuckling to myself, thinking "That is such a boy-thing"...I think it was also pretty daring of him, considering the situation and context, but hey - we like Marcello for his guts, right? As for Gabi's reaction...I like that she really is trying to "do the right thing" in regards to Marcello, even though it's painfully obvious there is something major-league-significant between them. I give her props for trying to convince him to take time and think about things, and while neither can deny The Kiss and its 'power,' there is definitely wisdom in what Gabi says. Especially considering the HUGE gamble they're all fixing to take. Oh man, I love this stuff, haha...

As for personal experience...in the nature of true, book-bonded, confession: I am still waiting on my first kiss. With the advantage of hindsight, I'm very happy that none of the past cases were able to stake that claim. But when it does come? Yeah, I'm thinking it'll probably be on a prophetic-level like this...

4. Many go through their teen years with a subdued sense of immortality. Do you think Gabi has a sense of this teen feeling? And did you think Gabi's converse observation, "Sometimes death came hunting and there was no way to cut it off at the pass." was informed more by the experience of losing her father, her self-admitted closet hypochondria, or the forced maturation of being transported to a different time? How does this observation show Gabi's growth as a character?

I think Gabi has a bit of the immortality 'tude, but more from being transported into a different time than just the normal teenage perspective -- almost like "I'm from the 21st century, nothing can happen to me here." I think her death observation is a combination of losing her father fairly recently, and seeing what she is seeing as "normal living" during her time with the Forellis. She's been transported to a different time, where Life isn't certain, and Death is often ugly. She's seen it face-to-face already, and it's settling into her awareness, her subconscious, and helping her grow into an ever-more-likable, better rounded, developing heroine.

5. In the span of a few moments, Gabi goes from sword-wielding teen beauty to man-killing warrior. Did you think her realization of the finality of death -- and her justification for its necessity -- was realistic? And, in her slippers, could you have done the same?

I think the scene did play out realistically: it's not an easy time, this is a life-or-death situation, and if you "show mercy" it does not mean your enemy/opponent will show the same mercy. I especially like how the threat to Luca and Marcello is what helped spur her on -- Gabi's showing good loyalty, true friendship, a real connection to these people and this place. Could I do the same? I don't know. I'd hope, if my life or that of my close friends, was on the line that I could step in and take whatever actions necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of those involved. But I think that's one of those things you don't find out about yourself until you're placed in the position of decision. 

This story gets better and better as I keep reading - and I really hope I'm catching your interest and you're wanting to jump in to the River of Time (if you haven't already)! I'm already looking forward to next week's installment - but for now, I'm going to see what everyone is saying...

...But before I go, I need to do something very important. You guys, I'm declaring myself. I have made my choice, and I am posting it proudly on The Blog. (Which, you know, is almost as BIG as making it facebook official!). I am... ::drumroll please:: ... Team Marcello! I know there's a lot of complication and so many things keeping us (er, I mean, Marcello and Gabi) apart, but take Lady Rossi outta the picture, take everything that's complicated - heck, take everything romantic outta the picture - and I love Marcello as a character. (And I'm using a lot of italics...) He's a true hero - he's amazing, but he's also human. He makes mistakes, but he's manful about them. He's loyal and true. Le Swoon. And *now* I'm going to go see what everyone else has to say this week.