1.11.15
on February 8, 2021
at 3:00 am
congrats, your personhood is not in question! just your autonomy! is that better I’m not sure that’s better
Aurora
A fantasy webcomic. Updates M-W-F.
congrats, your personhood is not in question! just your autonomy! is that better I’m not sure that’s better
Aw, Erin is nice. This really sweet.
whoo, Erin to the rescue!
i love their sibling dynamic so much
“This isn’t my first identity crisis” we are doing GREAT
Also congratulations to Tifa for predicting the shoulder pat and the Brain-Hug ^.^
Thank you. Although, I think Red deserves most of the credit for writing a character you can predict like a friend. ^_^
God, Ali’s smile just sends such feels. She babey
Side note, what the heck is happening with Vash and the Collector? More dissection shenanigans?
I don’t know why, but I always love seeing rational and intelligent characters offering calm, kind, logical words of comfort. Maybe I like seeing smart characters be nice, or maybe I like seeing someone comfort a friend with valid reasoning instead of meaningless reassurances, or maybe it’s because it reminds me of how I try (and fail) to comfort others. Whatever it is, this page made me very happy.
Also, though, that pause in the first panel where Erin tries to figure out what to say to comfort her . . .
Ah, a fellow intellectual, let me make your acquaintance.
seriously, though, this is also my preferred mention of comfort. Except when attempting to logic away the depression monster is clearly futile, then I just give as many hugs as seem appropriate, and remind the miserable person that I still love them and everything will work out fine (whether I think it will or not.)
When the depression monster can’t be logic’d away, then I wish I could do what Thistle did in “Daughter of the Lilies.” (It was depicted as her ripping off the other character’s speech bubble and, when it turned into a black goo monster, she stomped it into oblivion while ranting at it. It makes sense in context.)
That’s my favorite method of comfort too! I don’t know how to do anything else lol
“You were miserable for so long that you don’t recognize yourself when you’re happy” — ouch.
I immediately started thinking of BoJack Horseman (the series) when I heard that.
“Roll charisma.”
*die clatter*
“Critical success.”
Is Erin speaking from logic or from experience?
Yes.
That was surprisingly sweet of Erin, he may seem like a know-it-all little shit but he can be quite kind and caring when needed.
“I don’t want you worrying needlessly.” Just say that you care about them, Erin
Erin: In fact, I’ve had so many identity crises that my entire identity now REVOLVES around having identity crises
This is spectacular
I absolutely love Erin comforting Alinua. It really shows how much their relationship has evolved in just a few days.
I’m not up early. I’m back, tired and late.
(brownie points if you know the reference)
I nominate Erin as an emotional crouching moron hidden badass.
seconded
Moron?
Well after Alinua told him her tragic backstory and he said ‘thats fascinating’ I thought he was a clutz when it came to other people’s feelings so I was blindsided by him being empathetic and helping Alinua with her crisis.
Fair enough; a different kind of moron.
Agreed.
Tl:Dr, Mr hubris talks to plant girl about life
Hey! I do the TL;DR s! Without them I am nothing in this chat section!
In all seriousness, please let me keep doing these. If you don’t like them, please tell me.
Oh yeah, we don’t really do off-brand TL;DRs here. That is Somebody’s domain, they coined it, it’s theirs.
I don’tdrink off brand soda
Thanks guys. I really enjoy posting ridiculous summaries.
Hold on. Is that the end of the lacrima beneath the “She’s not USING you” speech bubble?
That was very comforting of Erin, props to him. Yeah Life’s use of Alinua is very different from the one-sided nature of Erin and V.D., she only takes over in extreme circumstances, can be communicated and reasoned with as shown with Gleicann’s conversation with her, and seems content with Alinua being free to do her own thing. Still Erin’s right, knowing Life’s motives would be very useful.
So Erin’s had multiple identity crises in the past, my money’s on Imposter syndrome being one of them. I could see that happening as he’s the first elemental magus in over a century.
Hmm, Ten-eyes is still listen in the characters page as ???, wonder how long that’ll last.
My guess about Erin’s past identity crises and imposter syndrome is more accusatory: I think he wasn’t born an elemental magus, but rather his family exercised their connections to have the soulshaper monks open elemental soul links for him, which explains the sweet tats and why he touches said tats literally every time he channels non-Void magic. He can’t channel magic any other way. (Plus, it explains why he freaked out when Alinua asked him if he lied about his status… she basically hit the bullseye)
Red said that soulshaper monks aren’t super mystical, so I don’t think they could give someone elemental magic they weren’t born with. If they could, there would be a lot more Elemental Maguses, or at least some multi-mages.
Also, for someone reason I just don’t like the idea that Erin wasn’t born with the awesomeness
I worded that poorly; I guess I meant he might’ve been born with malformed or incomplete links, the stuff he says they specialize in opening, instead of no links at all.
Okay, yeah, that might be possible, or maybe even likely. I still personally think that Erin’s arrogance is a little more . . . genuine than that? Like, his arrogance doesn’t seem like that of an insecure/ashamed person pretending to be proud to protect himself and hide his shame, it seems like the arrogance of someone who genuinely thinks they’re the best and doesn’t realize they might be wrong.
I dunno, that’s just the sense I get. You’re right, though, your theory would explain the tattoos!
It would seem Erin has mastery over the magic of friendship as well.
You get a gold star for that one. ⭐
I don’t think life has been as peaches and cream for Erin as Dr Jolon assumed/implied. Of course, the mad scientist isn’t one to look to for good reason in the first place…
TL;DR: Mr. Hubris tries to talk identity crises with gardener elf, ends up being surprisingly insightful.
To the surprise of everyone who’s ever known Mr. Hubris, he actually has a drop of empathy in him that might help water gardener elf’s plants
Ahh, poetic. Unexpected, but nice.
“Might help water gardener elf’s plants” sounds like my new favourite innuendo.
I’m not sorry.
My ace butt is kinda distressed by the idea of someone taking something I said casually as an innuendo, but go ahead I guess, it’s not like I can stop you
You’ve proven me wrong; I AM sorry. I only meant it as a bad joke but… I’m sorry for any anxiety it might have caused you.
I mean… I’m aroase and I still make innuendos… at least now I know this is a potential trigger for you
Oh my gosh, how are you the nicest people I’ve ever met? I swear, this comment section could disprove the “everyone is meaner online” theory all on its own.
It’s not a big deal, you don’t need to apologize! I made it sound like a bigger deal than it is. (Probably shouldn’t have used the word ‘distressed’.) I didn’t make me anxious and it’s not a trigger. It was just kind of strange and uncomfortable, because I generally avoid stuff like that, so that idea that I might’ve made an innuendo accidentally was . . . weird. But you can use it however you want, obviously!
And I know that being ace has almost nothing to do with being uncomfortable with innuendos and the likes, it’s just the only justification I could possibly use for my discomfort with stuff like that.
I love how Erin comforted Aliuna, it was so cute!(In a platonic way if I need to specify). Also I need to know, what did Erin have identity crises over? Now I kind of want to see vulnerable Erin.
Well, there was the whole Void Dragon bit and I’d imagine growing up as the Elemental magus had its fair share of pressure and life questioning moments. Also, if the mage college probably has plenty of people who go through an identity crisis. Could be he’s helped others before.
We NEED to make an Erin quotebook
Here are my favorites:
“Being your puppet is taking all the fun out of being an elemental magus.”
“Your plan has one small problem, though. I don’t like it.”
“You’re baiting me. You called me ‘arrogant’ literally thirty seconds ago.”
“But unfortunately for you, I’m also petty and vindictive.”
“Silly me! I’m so rattled, I forgot neither of you have a sense of self-preservation!”
“I’d rather not end up on the wrong side of the microscope.”
“It must’ve slipped my mind when I was abducted by an eldritch primordial dragon god!”
“We had to prioritize. And I make a better distraction.”
“HUAGH Not as confused as ME! What in the WORLD made you think that was a good idea?!”
“Please. This isn’t my first identity crisis.”
I love him so much
Don’t forget
“That is… fascinating”
“I’m not grumpy!”
This is beautiful
“I’M ALREADY DEAD!”
“I don’t expect world-shattering insight from a man who wanted to take a casual stroll through 10,000 miles of cursed caves.”
“Of course, that’s because I’VE never tried.” *lightning flashes in background*
“No, THESE are nice tattoos. THIS is really, really bad.”
“Hm. They didn’t like when I used ‘phenomenal natural talent’ last time.”
He is definitely my favorite character in this comic so far, which has pleasantly surprised me. ^_^
My favorite is Kendal, but Erin’s a close second
I can’t decide whether I like Erin or Kendal more. I love nerdy, arrogant, and fun characters, so it’s like Erin was written to appeal to me specifically. But Kendal is fantastic, inspirational, and admirable, not to mention he reminds me of one of my own characters. They’re both so easy to love.
Alinua is amazing too, because she seems like she was set up to be the classic “sweet girl”, but then she subverts that by being tough, powerful, serious, and yet STILL sensitive and loving. And I don’t know Falst very well yet, but he’s got some great themes and angst set up, as well as being wonderfully snarky.
I guess they’re all perfect!
– “can you reproduce it under controlled conditions/circumstances. (can’t remember which)”
– “well obviously I’m the NEW one.”
– “Intresting that how our elemental magic works,”
– “No, YOU MADE ELEMENTAL MAGIC?!”
– “It’s not complicated, it’s the most natural thing in the world!”
– *Falst, reveals his great plans and pours his heart out* “What?!”
you’re right. I second (third?) this
Oof… Kendal does not look like he’s having a good time
platonic bonding timeeeeeee
You know, for such a self-important mage, Erin has a surprisingly mature outlook on his powers. Proud of you, buddy.
Wholesome friendship
Eyy I finished binging! And whooo boy I am SO IN LOVE WITH EVERYONE!
Congratulations. ^_^ Now you can anxiously await each update with the rest of us!
Well, I didn’t expect to feel EMOTIONS today. Not recognizing yourself when you’re happy hit far closer to home than I would have liked. And also being more than your skill-set is super impactful. Not gonna lie. I actually cried a bit. I really needed this today. Thanks Red- I mean Erin.
Erin: Yeah I actually have an identity crisis about once a year- coincidentally right around finals
WHY IS THERE NO LIKE BUTTON??!!!??
so who’s placing bets on which god is going to possess falst? i mean, every single member of our main squad is a vessel for a got except for him.
“This isn’t my first identity crisis”
I’m dead.
SO WHOLESOME!
“And can you reproduce it in controlled conditions?”
And we recently learned about tess, who probably WAS his first identity crisis!
alt text:
oh if only someone was eavesdroppoig on that exact subject as we speak
KENDAL MY BOY
Image source: special
I just came across this page again and thought “Is he referring to Tess?”
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who thought of that.
Alinua is not life’s vessel. She’s a vessel for life!
Sorry. Bad, unsubtle pun
Went through the comments section and am surprised to see noone shipping Allinua and Erin
Nature is healing
This is the other reason I identify so much with Erin… he’s not just “hubris-boy,” he’s deeper and kinder and more well-rounded than that. And he’s able to help people by giving them an outside perspective.