I'm really sorry to say this, but I've been stuck so badly it feels like dying. Last night, even though I went to sleep early because of a cold, I still spent a solid three or four hours thinking about the plot. This morning I've been at it since eight o'clock, but it's still that old truth—beginnings are the hardest. All the ideas and threads in my head are tangled up like a ball of yarn.
I've worked out the key points of this stretch of the story and the parts I personally find quite interesting. The main problem is how to get there. Writing straight through it plainly would be easy enough, but making it exciting—or getting a chuckle out of everyone like the last couple of chapters did, keeping it light—that takes some real thought. Give me a little more time to work it out. One chapter at seven this evening, another at eleven-thirty. I will not miss the update.
The one chapter I still owe, I'll make it up as soon as I've smoothed out this stretch of plot. It definitely won't stretch past this week. Starting next week, the update schedule will return to normal.
Your friendly author, signing off. Also, please toss me a recommendation vote~