Ali, Kendal immediately knew he wasn’t Vash. Maybe, if you weren’t truly yourself, you would have also known immediately?
In any case, I know that’s a difficult question to ask oneself. I… have seen this before. And even though you literally cannot reach the others, know that you aren’t alone in this predicament.
And if it’s worth anything, here is my grain of salt. *Even if* you really aren’t Alinua as she used to be, she is most probably part of you. Not lost.
… Kinda puts a downer on the heartwarming that was 1-3-33.
The existential crisis button was going to be pressed eventually. At least here it’s being pressed by someone who’ll likely have some answers, or at least good hypotheses, and in a peaceful unstressed environment.
Great communication of her inner turmoil and doubts and considering how transformative life magic is, and how Kendal looks human despite being very different, her fears are very real. I wonder if Kendal’s new knowledge from the Collector will make things better for her or worse.
A possible solution to this might be to see someone from Alinua’s past. Maybe Erin decides they can take a detour to visit Alinua’s adopted family to both reaffirm who she is and give some closure on that end.
I agree with the second & third paragraphs. Let’s not blame Erin for being the one who knew enough to bring it up. And I think its good that it came up when she can get some solid information from two trusted friends.
Considering her response to Kendall bringing up her past on the big rock, I don’t know that her adopted family’s confirmation is going to mean much to her.
I think Erin’s more of the slightly awkward pat on the back/shoulder type. Followed by a lot of very useful information and knowledgeable theorizing. And what is that but a big brain hug anyway?
Thanks for bringing up a reason for existential crisis, Erin. Reaaaally what we needed right now. But I suppose better to get it done sooner, rather than later.
So basically Falst is way out of his depth with this group. Everyone else is the avatar or vessel for some kind of god or primordial and he’s just Edgy Cat Boy.
That just means out of literal flower child, eldritch hubrismeister, and baby disguised as an epic warrior, he gets to be the practical grounded one. He already identified Kendal’s lack of self-care skills, I’m sure he’ll settle into this
Alinua was certainly more subdued in her intro, but then again, living alone and being positive you’ll die young can do that type of thing to you. But she still liked safety and not running face-first into danger for no reason. (see beginning of Chapter 5) And she still had her blunt sass. So no, she’s still the same, just not afraid of dying and exploding.
Evidently, I am incapable of commenting things that aren’t large theories or character analysis. So lets tell a joke:
Um
Erin please don’t talk about science this time, it’s rude.
I love the parallelism here between Kendal and Alinua, they both went through extremely drastic changes in an instant and now have to cope with their new reality. Kendal knows that he is different and something completely different, so he’s kind of allowed to not really understand who or what he is and not know his place in the world, apart from his connection to Vash. Only his experience of the world is Vash’s, so he has to learn how to operate as a “normal” human being, as he is practically still a child. While Alinua has to relearn her place in the world, along with who and what she is, not to mention how much her powers have changed with her. She used to be a crime against nature, a living biological time bomb shunned by everyone and anyone, but now is she Life’s champion, or her new body? She doesn’t know if she’s still herself but “cured” or is she like Kendal and is something brand new. Is she in control and Life just gave her a major power boost, with a little angel on her shoulder action, or is Life in control and she’s just letting Alinua do her thing, meaning she’s just along for the ride?
Also, you can see the eye change from ch3 pg21(grey) to ch3 pg29(green)
Ok so theory (I have no idea if this is obvious or not if so just ignore me) but once Life was revived, she started looking for beings that could become her vessels. However, until Alinua came along, no being could handle the power, thus resulting in the Chimeric Plague. This would explain why there’s only one carrier at a time (mentioned in the extra lore page) and why Life Mum was very excited when Alinua managed to not die (the “FINALLY” gives that away). The plague showed up around 300 years ago, which approximately lines up with the time the Collector would supposedly have awoken Life.
I actually went back to check and yea, she really did use to have Grey/Silver eyes. It was easy to miss because they glow a lot early on but yep that detail is true. Well played.
hi this is very good I really enjoy your work, it has a therapeutic use for me. a court prevents me from getting a real one. I would not be stable enough to survive if you work was not available. for this reason and your self benefit you should back up your YouTube videos on a site called odysee. it will help many people find your work an become more chill. if you read this I thank you. thanks for your help.
“Once upon a time, I, Zhuangzi, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Zhuangzi. Soon I awakened, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”
-Zhuangzi
Fun fact: alinua’s eyes were grey the first time she’s introduced, which is after healing Kendall. someone go find when exactly they turned green, im thinkin when she tried to break into the caves with plants
If you get back here, It’s in chapter three. After the attempted plant break-in, they stayed grey after the glowing went down. They officially turned green on page 29 of chapter 3. The last time they were grey was on page 21, but you can clearly see them grey on page 16.
poor Ali, i wish i’d be there to give her hugs 🙁
Me too, she was so happy to finally be free, and then this came along. Why can’t people just be happy?
She looks so… tired in that last panel.
Ooohhh snap this is deep, existential and possibly plot-shaking.
*clap clap* Such a fantastic model of self-awareness and introspection, truly impressive really
I was waiting for the eye colour change to come up in the narrative. I was actually surprised that kendal didn’t say anything of it.
Kendal either didn’t notice or care
He hadn’t been alive for very long when it happened. He might have thought it was normal. People’s eyes change color sometimes.
I NEVER NOTICED HER EYE COLOR CHANGED I AM AN UNOBSERVANT SLUG
[Oprah voice] “You get a possession, and you get a possession, and you get a possession”
Is Kendal a possessing entity? The body he’s using belongs to Vash but Vash isn’t actually occupying it?
kendal got unpossesed by vash
EVERYONE GO HUG THE ELF
(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
✔(©️〰️©️)✔
✔(✖〰️✖)✔
(>?w?)>
You’re okay sweetie *hugs Ali*
Ali, Kendal immediately knew he wasn’t Vash. Maybe, if you weren’t truly yourself, you would have also known immediately?
In any case, I know that’s a difficult question to ask oneself. I… have seen this before. And even though you literally cannot reach the others, know that you aren’t alone in this predicament.
And if it’s worth anything, here is my grain of salt. *Even if* you really aren’t Alinua as she used to be, she is most probably part of you. Not lost.
Nice way of looking at it
Call Kendal, Alinua needs a hug
Let Kendal sleep! He needs it!
*whispering* oh, sorry
Just wait for him to wake up. Between his dream/vision/visitation and Alinua’s low-key extensional crisis, I’m sure they’ll both need a hug.
… Kinda puts a downer on the heartwarming that was 1-3-33.
The existential crisis button was going to be pressed eventually. At least here it’s being pressed by someone who’ll likely have some answers, or at least good hypotheses, and in a peaceful unstressed environment.
Great communication of her inner turmoil and doubts and considering how transformative life magic is, and how Kendal looks human despite being very different, her fears are very real. I wonder if Kendal’s new knowledge from the Collector will make things better for her or worse.
A possible solution to this might be to see someone from Alinua’s past. Maybe Erin decides they can take a detour to visit Alinua’s adopted family to both reaffirm who she is and give some closure on that end.
I agree with the second & third paragraphs. Let’s not blame Erin for being the one who knew enough to bring it up. And I think its good that it came up when she can get some solid information from two trusted friends.
Considering her response to Kendall bringing up her past on the big rock, I don’t know that her adopted family’s confirmation is going to mean much to her.
So many hugs for Alinua.
youo must be the one who woke up, Alinua.
Even if the grey-eyed one wasn’t
*you
Erin, give her a hug. NOW.
I think Erin’s more of the slightly awkward pat on the back/shoulder type. Followed by a lot of very useful information and knowledgeable theorizing. And what is that but a big brain hug anyway?
I am going to shamelessly steal that. “Brain-hug.” My life has just become magical.
“Brain hug” is the most heavenly term ever. I want a brain hug
Thanks for bringing up a reason for existential crisis, Erin. Reaaaally what we needed right now. But I suppose better to get it done sooner, rather than later.
Man, looking back at silver-eyed Alinua right now, she looked very different.
CALL THE AMBULANCE! ALINUA NEEDS THE MOST FLUFFY BLANKETS AND 50 CC OF WARM HUGS!
WE’RE OUT OF WARM HUGS!! SHOULD WE USE FRIENDLY HUGS INSTEAD? 100cc?
To is my birthday and Ali having an existential crisis is the best birthday present ever!
Happy birthday.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday
Erin better not respond with “That… is FASCINATING.” again…
THAT IS FASCINATING.
it is
I know right? Most FASCINATING thing ever!
…At least we have the benefit of hiding behind the fourth wall, so I’ll let that one slide.
Alinua: *pours out her soul*
Erin: “…Could you pause right there? I need to write this down.”
TL;DR: Gardener elf dives deeper into the pit of existential crisis with little encouragement from Mr. Hubris. Nice job being independent.
Is THIS what independence looks like? I must be VERY independent, then.
Indeed. Congrats
So basically Falst is way out of his depth with this group. Everyone else is the avatar or vessel for some kind of god or primordial and he’s just Edgy Cat Boy.
i really like that dynamic ghkhkgkjhkhkgjhk
That just means out of literal flower child, eldritch hubrismeister, and baby disguised as an epic warrior, he gets to be the practical grounded one. He already identified Kendal’s lack of self-care skills, I’m sure he’ll settle into this
Yes. That’s him exactly. How much you want to bet Edgy Cat Boy still finds a way to complain about no one understanding how hard it is to be him?
I mean, seeing as how weird they all are, he still hasn’t met anyone who really understands how hard it is to be him.
Confirmed, Falst is Sokka
Hm.
Alinua was certainly more subdued in her intro, but then again, living alone and being positive you’ll die young can do that type of thing to you. But she still liked safety and not running face-first into danger for no reason. (see beginning of Chapter 5) And she still had her blunt sass. So no, she’s still the same, just not afraid of dying and exploding.
Evidently, I am incapable of commenting things that aren’t large theories or character analysis. So lets tell a joke:
Um
Erin please don’t talk about science this time, it’s rude.
If Erin is involved in it in any way, it is probably always fair to blame him even if it isn’t strictly his fault.
I really like this series and was inspired to created a minecraft skin based off of Alinua.
(Link to Minecraft skin: https://www.minecraftskins.com/skin/16653827/alinua-from-comicaurora-com/)
I love the parallelism here between Kendal and Alinua, they both went through extremely drastic changes in an instant and now have to cope with their new reality. Kendal knows that he is different and something completely different, so he’s kind of allowed to not really understand who or what he is and not know his place in the world, apart from his connection to Vash. Only his experience of the world is Vash’s, so he has to learn how to operate as a “normal” human being, as he is practically still a child. While Alinua has to relearn her place in the world, along with who and what she is, not to mention how much her powers have changed with her. She used to be a crime against nature, a living biological time bomb shunned by everyone and anyone, but now is she Life’s champion, or her new body? She doesn’t know if she’s still herself but “cured” or is she like Kendal and is something brand new. Is she in control and Life just gave her a major power boost, with a little angel on her shoulder action, or is Life in control and she’s just letting Alinua do her thing, meaning she’s just along for the ride?
Also, you can see the eye change from ch3 pg21(grey) to ch3 pg29(green)
Wow, I didn’t saw how Alinua’s eye colour changed 0-0
Ok so theory (I have no idea if this is obvious or not if so just ignore me) but once Life was revived, she started looking for beings that could become her vessels. However, until Alinua came along, no being could handle the power, thus resulting in the Chimeric Plague. This would explain why there’s only one carrier at a time (mentioned in the extra lore page) and why Life Mum was very excited when Alinua managed to not die (the “FINALLY” gives that away). The plague showed up around 300 years ago, which approximately lines up with the time the Collector would supposedly have awoken Life.
why did this have to end on a cliff hanger?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heraclitus has joined the chat.
Ah, yes; you can never step in the same river twice.
(that was Heraclitus right? i’m a little rusty on my philosophers)
Yep! Something something continuty of personhood is relevant here.
T-T NO ALINUA WASN’T SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANGST
Oh that’s so cute!
Okay, but can we talk about how cool Alinua’s old grey/pink eyes looked?
I actually went back to check and yea, she really did use to have Grey/Silver eyes. It was easy to miss because they glow a lot early on but yep that detail is true. Well played.
hi this is very good I really enjoy your work, it has a therapeutic use for me. a court prevents me from getting a real one. I would not be stable enough to survive if you work was not available. for this reason and your self benefit you should back up your YouTube videos on a site called odysee. it will help many people find your work an become more chill. if you read this I thank you. thanks for your help.
Nah, I think Alinua is still Alinua, we see what she’s like when Life is in direct control.
“Once upon a time, I, Zhuangzi, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Zhuangzi. Soon I awakened, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”
-Zhuangzi
alt text:
it’s not strictly erin’s fault that he hit the existential crisis button, but I’m gonna blame him anyway
Fun fact: alinua’s eyes were grey the first time she’s introduced, which is after healing Kendall. someone go find when exactly they turned green, im thinkin when she tried to break into the caves with plants
If you get back here, It’s in chapter three. After the attempted plant break-in, they stayed grey after the glowing went down. They officially turned green on page 29 of chapter 3. The last time they were grey was on page 21, but you can clearly see them grey on page 16.
Image source: changed
(1-3-21 is the last time they were grey, but you can see them grey easier on page 1-3-16.)
That one panel of Life cradling Ali in her hands just looks like she’s thinking “look at this tiny little creature. Hello smol fren.”
aaawwww
Alinua’s face in panel 2
Erin: “Mages like to think their magic is what makes them special but that’s not true. My magic is extraordinary because I’M so special.”
Imagine your imposter syndrome metastasizes into an existential crisis like Alinua’s having rn