When the “good guys” punish their servants in ways that makes the servants really hesitant, it’s time for the old “…are we the bad guys?” gif.
We’ll see what Calian does… it doesn’t look very happy at all, more like a slightly frightened baby dragon.
Could be that the dragon is feeling shame there. It DID choose not to report in because it wanted to play with its prey instead. Less “I did my best and now I’m going to be punished for something that was out of my control” and more “I’m going to have to explain away how my desire to have a bit of fun might have let the target get away and put the world at risk”.
That’s going to be an uncomfortable conversation regardless of where Stefan sits on the spectrum from “Not mad, just disappointed” to “Cruel and unusual punishment”.
If anything, this reinforces my theory that this is Calian’s first official mission… And one they maybe weren’t supposed to be on, but they pleaded and promised that they were ready to go into the field, and that they would prove it… And they’ve gone and done the opposite, and something tells me that maybe this isn’t the first time they’ve tried to prove themselves only for it to backfire.
Surprise cut not to Alinua, but it makes sense. Alinua’s going to make for Rakhn the moment she hears Kendal is in trouble, and her new allies are naturally going to help her because of what she did to help them. I suppose Red thought that showing that would feel a bit redundant, but now we know Alinua can show up any time.
Gods damn it I forgot to sign it.
What ever, I’m kind of worried Erin right now.
Given that he’s in a slowly shrinking bubble of ice and Dainix is a pillar of fire!
Oh I’m also worried about Dainix.
(FUN FACT! A recommendation for Erin’s name was Drinking, for some reason.)
-Signed The Vessel Of A Glowing God
(aka The Princess)
Erin: (incredibly tired) must … stay … awake … (Calian fires their BWEEM. Suddenly Erin is invigorated) HA! Another measly BWEEM from the Paladins! Can’t hit Kendal with it, can’t hit Dainix with it, meanwhile a certain someone used a BWEEM to punch a hole in a storm! Void Dragon: Oh by the stars, JUST GO TO SLEEP ALREADY!
Interesting how Dainix stopped attacking as soon as Calian started talking to someone who isn’t here, and is staying back near the iceberg in panel 4. Those aren’t the actions of a mindless Demon.
Maybe, since Dainix’s mission when he transformed was to protect Erin rather than destroy a threat, he’s only attacking when attacked.
Maybe Dainix is getting better at the technique, and is conscious enough in this form now to pick up on battle cues he couldn’t before.
I’m torn. On one hand @Tindome-Art’s suggestion of Stefan inflicting some punishment on Calian for their failure would allow another look on how the Paladins are pure and light on the outside only. Such punishments may even be necessary to keep the dragons, beings working for the Paladins less out of loyalty to L.D. and more for the love of the game, in line.
On the other hand, that panel 7 face also conjures the image of a child who realises that Suressa is going to tell on them to their parents.
Calian’s panel 7 expression is amazing, but I also love panel 5 and just how angrily exasperated Loquor Suressa is. They’ve spent all evening reading and compiling dozens of reports every few minutes, building a map of areas searched, forwarded all manners of orders, and it may all be for nothing because ONE dragon wasn’t towing the line. There’s some kind of modern workplace parallel to be made here.
I noticed that too, about Dainix! I wonder if he’s going to remember more when he changes back or if everything is still fuzzy. This also shows how little the VD understands him. This is the second time he’s called Dainix a “mindless beast” and yet, Dainix stood down when Kendal interposed himself between him and the VD, and now he seems coherent enough to focus on defense and not get too far from Erin. I don’t doubt that the moment Calian leaves, Dainix is going to swim right back to him. I’m curious to see how he’ll help with the shrinking bubble situation in this form.
God, when you put it that way, I’d be SO pissed off if I were Suressa and my brain was being used as a shared excel spreadsheet for Operation: Save The World.
Suressa: This is why we fill out form 2B, why didnât you fill out form 2B?
Calian: (grumbling) Stupid Suressa, always fill out form 2B, never good job Calian on fighting the two mages.
Suressa: I can still hear you Calian.
Calian: AAGHH!!!
Calian, youâre in trouble buddy, youâd better hope Suressa covers for your stupid decision, and says that you just found the âtwo mages.â Either way like @Tindome-Art said weâll get to see how good, the light paladins are, probably a fun example of light isnât always good.
Either way I feel, and hope that Calian is about to be clobbered by some combination of Dainix, Alinua, and Tess the second that he tryâs to leave the island.
Goodbye and see you on Wednesday,
a Crazed Alchemist.
(Ps. No 2B or not 2B jokes for you.)
Yeah! I think Calian looks like an IceWing, but they might be IceWing-SeaWing because of the ability to breathe underwater that I’d assume they share with Vros.
The dragon that Kendalâs was fighting like- eight pages ago, is *not* the same dragon that just got in trouble for eating the birthday cake right?
They just look so similar and I am VERY confused
Nope! That was Vros, this is Calian. You’re right though, they’re basically the same visually apart from a few nuances in their faces. (nice username btw)
For one, TYSM FOR NOTICING (diehard os-pod fan over here).
And for the actual response, yeah I kinda figured? I was just thinking about how similar in design and personality they were and just wanted to confirm. Ty!
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: too many BWEEMS in this chapter. this has gotta be the last one right
Image source: explain
Oh god, that means it’s NOT the last Bweem, doesn’t it?
I suspect not.
Tumblr text: the game of elemental rock paper scissors continues!
Bluesky text: Meanwhile.
Calian is screwed. Maybe alinua can capture him(?)? They need bargaining chips
Aww, poor dra-guy… good to see that Dainix is in very good shape!
Sucks to suck, buddy boy
When the “good guys” punish their servants in ways that makes the servants really hesitant, it’s time for the old “…are we the bad guys?” gif.
We’ll see what Calian does… it doesn’t look very happy at all, more like a slightly frightened baby dragon.
Also Dainix being SO cool, I never get enough.
Could be that the dragon is feeling shame there. It DID choose not to report in because it wanted to play with its prey instead. Less “I did my best and now I’m going to be punished for something that was out of my control” and more “I’m going to have to explain away how my desire to have a bit of fun might have let the target get away and put the world at risk”.
That’s going to be an uncomfortable conversation regardless of where Stefan sits on the spectrum from “Not mad, just disappointed” to “Cruel and unusual punishment”.
Thus “guilty puppy” look.
I’m going to make a safe-ish bet on “not mad, just disappointed, and so it is time for some cruel and unusual punishment”…
Because Calian got caught fucking around and now they know their ass is getting called to the principal’s office.
If anything, this reinforces my theory that this is Calian’s first official mission… And one they maybe weren’t supposed to be on, but they pleaded and promised that they were ready to go into the field, and that they would prove it… And they’ve gone and done the opposite, and something tells me that maybe this isn’t the first time they’ve tried to prove themselves only for it to backfire.
Oh no, that is such a depressing but likely take…!
To be fair, this is probably the first time any of the Paladins have been deployed to apprehend the Elemental Magus.
We’ve been over this! Dainix is not ‘cool’! He is very, very hot!
Oops, yes, you are of course very much correct! My mistake! “He’s awesome and also very hot.”
“It was at that point, that Calian knew… they’d f***ed up.”
Surprise cut not to Alinua, but it makes sense. Alinua’s going to make for Rakhn the moment she hears Kendal is in trouble, and her new allies are naturally going to help her because of what she did to help them. I suppose Red thought that showing that would feel a bit redundant, but now we know Alinua can show up any time.
Well I hope you all enjoyed your 1/8th page of Alinua, see you again summer 2027 :’)
Hey, you know what would be great for going after the dragon that took Kendal? Another dragon. (Tell him you won’t tell Stefan).
Wow.
So, not exactly what I was expecting.
What ever Alinua is coming soon, so I don’t care.
Gods damn it I forgot to sign it.
What ever, I’m kind of worried Erin right now.
Given that he’s in a slowly shrinking bubble of ice and Dainix is a pillar of fire!
Oh I’m also worried about Dainix.
(FUN FACT! A recommendation for Erin’s name was Drinking, for some reason.)
-Signed The Vessel Of A Glowing God
(aka The Princess)
Erin: (incredibly tired) must … stay … awake … (Calian fires their BWEEM. Suddenly Erin is invigorated) HA! Another measly BWEEM from the Paladins! Can’t hit Kendal with it, can’t hit Dainix with it, meanwhile a certain someone used a BWEEM to punch a hole in a storm!
Void Dragon: Oh by the stars, JUST GO TO SLEEP ALREADY!
Interesting how Dainix stopped attacking as soon as Calian started talking to someone who isn’t here, and is staying back near the iceberg in panel 4. Those aren’t the actions of a mindless Demon.
Maybe, since Dainix’s mission when he transformed was to protect Erin rather than destroy a threat, he’s only attacking when attacked.
Maybe Dainix is getting better at the technique, and is conscious enough in this form now to pick up on battle cues he couldn’t before.
I’m torn. On one hand @Tindome-Art’s suggestion of Stefan inflicting some punishment on Calian for their failure would allow another look on how the Paladins are pure and light on the outside only. Such punishments may even be necessary to keep the dragons, beings working for the Paladins less out of loyalty to L.D. and more for the love of the game, in line.
On the other hand, that panel 7 face also conjures the image of a child who realises that Suressa is going to tell on them to their parents.
Calian’s panel 7 expression is amazing, but I also love panel 5 and just how angrily exasperated Loquor Suressa is. They’ve spent all evening reading and compiling dozens of reports every few minutes, building a map of areas searched, forwarded all manners of orders, and it may all be for nothing because ONE dragon wasn’t towing the line. There’s some kind of modern workplace parallel to be made here.
I noticed that too, about Dainix! I wonder if he’s going to remember more when he changes back or if everything is still fuzzy. This also shows how little the VD understands him. This is the second time he’s called Dainix a “mindless beast” and yet, Dainix stood down when Kendal interposed himself between him and the VD, and now he seems coherent enough to focus on defense and not get too far from Erin. I don’t doubt that the moment Calian leaves, Dainix is going to swim right back to him. I’m curious to see how he’ll help with the shrinking bubble situation in this form.
God, when you put it that way, I’d be SO pissed off if I were Suressa and my brain was being used as a shared excel spreadsheet for Operation: Save The World.
Suressa: This is why we fill out form 2B, why didnât you fill out form 2B?
Calian: (grumbling) Stupid Suressa, always fill out form 2B, never good job Calian on fighting the two mages.
Suressa: I can still hear you Calian.
Calian: AAGHH!!!
Calian, youâre in trouble buddy, youâd better hope Suressa covers for your stupid decision, and says that you just found the âtwo mages.â Either way like @Tindome-Art said weâll get to see how good, the light paladins are, probably a fun example of light isnât always good.
Either way I feel, and hope that Calian is about to be clobbered by some combination of Dainix, Alinua, and Tess the second that he tryâs to leave the island.
Goodbye and see you on Wednesday,
a Crazed Alchemist.
(Ps. No 2B or not 2B jokes for you.)
Nooo poor dragon boi.
Suressa: Have you been chewing on Lord Stefan’s slippers again, Calian? You have, haven’t you! Bad draggo! Very bad draggo!
YEssss mWuAhAhaahah chew those slippers, throw Stefan off the trail!
hi Dainix đ your boyfriend is doing something silly again đ
DON’T MAKE ME TELL DAD CALIAN
Ah, yes. Alinua is back, and NOW… we cut to the bubble boys instead. But I like this interaction between Calian and Loquor Suressa.
awww Calian looks so sadsss :((( kudos to Red for drawing one of the most anxious dragon expressions ive ever seen in my life
Itâs reminding me of a panel from Wings of Fire
Yeah! I think Calian looks like an IceWing, but they might be IceWing-SeaWing because of the ability to breathe underwater that I’d assume they share with Vros.
Calian is so in the outside Dragon House right now!
I am confused and require assistance,
The dragon that Kendalâs was fighting like- eight pages ago, is *not* the same dragon that just got in trouble for eating the birthday cake right?
They just look so similar and I am VERY confused
Nope! That was Vros, this is Calian. You’re right though, they’re basically the same visually apart from a few nuances in their faces. (nice username btw)
For one, TYSM FOR NOTICING (diehard os-pod fan over here).
And for the actual response, yeah I kinda figured? I was just thinking about how similar in design and personality they were and just wanted to confirm. Ty!
yep, two dragons were originally sent to search the sea for Erin, one found Kendal, the other found Erin&Dainix
I went back to 2.7.13 when Stefan sends them out, and I see what youâre talking about, I bet theyâre like- brothers of something.
Oh no they took his toys away.
Calian is basically a kitten