Oh Aweena, :*(

I didn't know if Simon would care for Winn beyond a confusion between physical and romantic intimacy, but he's changed quite a bit. Before Guild Fall I was growing bored of him. The slavery arc was meant to pull something out of him or potentially even lead to his death. I'm not averse to him dying if chance pushes it, but his being manipulated and taken to life's edge has revealed more than I expected. I'm glad he inspires this sympathy because I see him as a standard for what Apocalyptica creates. I also recognize that like any standard he'll likely not receive some great reward for his struggles. It'd be interesting to see how honesty, guilt, and life may lead Winn, Simon, and really the rest of our group as they become emotionally tied or dispersed. Winn is this strange apparition of potential for Simon in that if he feels love, it's that hopeful love for a life he's been denied and may well never live. I know Winn has other connections, and Simon does too, but his are up north in Olympia and could well be dead. Winn is something he knows and will likely only cling to all the more desperately as new challenges arise. It's a complex thing I don't know if I've investigated as deeply before -- and I'm loving it. 

Not discouraging at all. I enjoy reflexive moments and it's a testament to what we've all created/are creating.