"Complicated puzzle" indeed. This story reminds me of an intricate mechanical clock... layers and layers of gears ticking away, seemingly all independent, but then suddenly a bell rings and the world moves.
If it wasn't clear, that was a compliment. Please keep ticking away. :)
Author's response
I took it for the compliment- thanks muchly!
Now I've got 'Time' by Pink Floyd running through my brain. If the next chapter has an off-kilter feel, I'll blame you.
Big smile!
wh