Also Alinua’s face in panel five! She looks so genuinly worried for Kendal. Is no one going to come through this arc without some major emotional turmoil?!
What’s the point of writing if you’re not going to traumatize your characters a bit? Or a lot?
IDK, as long as it’s not grimdark or “gritty realism” it’s fine.
“Is no one going to come through this arc without some major emotional turmoil?!”
Tess. The stakes aren’t high enough yet to start hurting the comic relief. God help us once they are though.
Perhaps there used to be a page numbered “23” but Red ultimately decided to skip it for better pacing- given it must’ve been exactly on the scene change and all
I am loving that picture of Tess and Erin’s faces just before Erin answers Tess question. One picture is indeed worth a thousand words!
Alinua dear, I think it’s time to let go of Kendal’s sword. You’ll both be O.K. if you lay the sword down next to sleepy head. (My mother hen mode is going on overdrive now, sigh.)
This is prob one of my favourite pages for multiple reasons:
+ Alinua looks really good in the first panel with the robe and sword and dignifieded demeaner (Hope thats the best word to describe it)
+ “I’m glad you bought it up, I don’t know” ia a very memeable line that I will shoehorn into all conversations
+ Theybactually had a good reason for not immediately going after Falst and Dainix
+ Tess and Erin just being awesome siblings (Just the fact that they agrred that they each have theyre own brand of stupitidy
Tess: I’ll stop Kendal from doing anything stupid.
Me: Poor foolish Tess. She will learn, as they all do, the hard way.
Tess and Erin both take Alinua’s “things moving underground” seriously; Erin knows about the nearby cave entrance and Ancient automata and Tess has fought burrower wymns more than once. Also good to see the gang trusting each other’s feelings, even if they come from vague sources.
So Erin did notice their absence but didn’t want to divide the party any more than it is with V.D. itching to get out with no counter … honestly, that’s the smart choice. He also had no way of knowing whether their absence was down to being in danger or those two having a lengthy discussion.
Supportive of one another while also getting the odd burn in; as a guy with three brothers, I get that completely. Now I’m just imagining how exasperated Mrs Ruunaser must get at her children’s repeated dangerous quests.
Prediction for next week: Erin and Alinua set off, the later leaving Kendal’s sword by his side. Then either we we go back to the boys underground, or return to Kendal’s dreamscape.
I don’t know HOW, but this page really gives me the visceral feel of preparing to go back out in the chilly starlight after having already settled down for the night. There’s a lot of talking, but it’s quiet. Everything feels just a bit colder than it seems like it really should be, but perhaps that’s good, helping shake off the warm drowsiness that had set in. Tiredness ebbs away as a second energy reserve opens up, clothes shuffling, a few good blinks wipe away most of the stinging sensation in eyes. An odd unscheduled semi–hunger encroaches in a time–frame usually devoid of meals.
It doesn’t matter when there will be time for rest, that’s a tomorrow problem. Or is it today? Right now, the concern of two not returning when expected, benefit of the doubt slowly boiling over into undeniable wrongness, is calling. Putting on shoes at this time of night feels very strange: they almost feel rougher & heavier than normal. Alright. Time to go.
…it’s also really cute how Erin & Tess hold the former’s mother as a shining beacon of that rare talent of common sense. Then again, most characters introduced as sensible in this comic have pulled at least one outrageously buck–wild stunt since.
THANK YOU!! I guess I just got inspired by the way Red’s put this scene down and decided to have a go at some descriptive prose, I enjoy that kinda stuff a lot! And there’s so many people being creative & kind in these comments it’s awesome!!
Prediction: Alinua’s carrying Sword!Kendall around specifically so she can give it to her emotional support butch. Partially because symbolism (Kendall is still a little bit the sword after all) and also because sparky lightning sword lesbian
Tess: “Stupid by my standards or yours?”
Erin: *remembers that Tess doesn’t find punching angry dragons stupid* *remembers that he didn’t find venturing into The Storm stupid* *thinks* Well, f*ck that, both options are terrible. Especially for someone who literally just had a brush with death.
Is… Alinua going to go into the bunker still carrying Kendal? I doubt she knows how to wield a sword. Oh, well; maybe she’ll surprise me.
Honestly that’s awesome the way you put that. But I reeæaally hope Alinua is sensible enough not to separate sword from godling right now that kinda seems like it might not be great idea.
Since it looks like Question Master hasn’t already shown up today, I’ve got some questions: 1: Where is Question Master? 2: Is the fact he/she is missing in any way related to the skeleton war? 3: Which other foods (besides coffee) fantasy version would you like to see in Aurora? I hope Questions Master is fine and hope he/she gets well soon.
#2 Hopefully not, as that would imply the skeleton war is’nt going to well for them.
#3: Fantasy pasta. And fantasy garlic bread for the aces (myself included).
Okay so a thought I had, (and sorry if someone else mentioned this.)
But it occurs to me:
When Red laid out the world building, she mentioned that Life, Lightning and Fire are thought of as ‘volatile’ magics, because as forms of energy they don’t sit still well, right?
And yet, look at the heroes- Tess, Lightning stormbreaker, Dianix has Fire’s incarnation within him, and Alinua is the current bearer Life’s chimeric Plague.
It makes me wonder- where are the other chosen/bound of the elements? And my personal guess is that they, unlike the ‘volatile’ trio, are going to have settled places for themselves in the world, as their elements are relatively safe to work with and possibly profitable in ways cities might want to keep them around if they can…
Which makes me wonder what precisely is the difference from a mortal perspective between being bound to a particular city versus being ‘godless’ as it were…
In the second to last panel Erin’s face looks like he’s mildly confused but mostly self reflective disappointment ( i may be projecting but tell me that you don’t make the same face).
At last they’re gonna get the boys
While not letting Kendal do stupid ploys
Also Alinua’s face in panel five! She looks so genuinly worried for Kendal. Is no one going to come through this arc without some major emotional turmoil?!
What’s the point of writing if you’re not going to traumatize your characters a bit? Or a lot?
IDK, as long as it’s not grimdark or “gritty realism” it’s fine.
“Is no one going to come through this arc without some major emotional turmoil?!”
Tess. The stakes aren’t high enough yet to start hurting the comic relief. God help us once they are though.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: siblings just be like that
Image source: stupid (Also, the numbering’s still off.)
Perhaps there used to be a page numbered “23” but Red ultimately decided to skip it for better pacing- given it must’ve been exactly on the scene change and all
I never seen or heard anything else about Erin’s and Tessa’s mother but I already like her from those two lines alone.
Kendal this is the perfect time to wake up come onnn
Now we have Dainix&Falst duo, Tess&Kendal duo, Alinua&Erin duo. Things are going to be so interesting
Don’t triple-split the party!
I absolutely love Tess and Erin’s sibling dynamic
Tess and Erin’s sibling banter is a blessed thing
tess is the ONLY person in this stupid (affectionate) comic to get enough sleep ever
Guess Red wasn’t joking about Erin using coffee to stave off possession
It’s so weird to be in this comment section and seeing it empty. Anyway, siblings really knowing each other always makes me smile.
Hmm, more info about Erin’s mum. Interesting.
That cup Erin has is probably this one:
https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Caffeine-Addiction-by-AuroraComic/143321346.9Q0AD
Ooh good call
Erin’s face on that second last panel, omg.
erins like “neither of those are great options” hes surprisingly self aware considering the calibur of decisions hes made
Mother knows best
qsakfjlksjfsldkfjsldkfjsdf god i love tess and erin’s dynamic
I am loving that picture of Tess and Erin’s faces just before Erin answers Tess question. One picture is indeed worth a thousand words!
Alinua dear, I think it’s time to let go of Kendal’s sword. You’ll both be O.K. if you lay the sword down next to sleepy head. (My mother hen mode is going on overdrive now, sigh.)
This is prob one of my favourite pages for multiple reasons:
+ Alinua looks really good in the first panel with the robe and sword and dignifieded demeaner (Hope thats the best word to describe it)
+ “I’m glad you bought it up, I don’t know” ia a very memeable line that I will shoehorn into all conversations
+ Theybactually had a good reason for not immediately going after Falst and Dainix
+ Tess and Erin just being awesome siblings (Just the fact that they agrred that they each have theyre own brand of stupitidy
+ Forgot to add the nod to their mother, would love to learn more about her
Tess: I’ll stop Kendal from doing anything stupid.
Me: Poor foolish Tess. She will learn, as they all do, the hard way.
Tess and Erin both take Alinua’s “things moving underground” seriously; Erin knows about the nearby cave entrance and Ancient automata and Tess has fought burrower wymns more than once. Also good to see the gang trusting each other’s feelings, even if they come from vague sources.
So Erin did notice their absence but didn’t want to divide the party any more than it is with V.D. itching to get out with no counter … honestly, that’s the smart choice. He also had no way of knowing whether their absence was down to being in danger or those two having a lengthy discussion.
Supportive of one another while also getting the odd burn in; as a guy with three brothers, I get that completely. Now I’m just imagining how exasperated Mrs Ruunaser must get at her children’s repeated dangerous quests.
Prediction for next week: Erin and Alinua set off, the later leaving Kendal’s sword by his side. Then either we we go back to the boys underground, or return to Kendal’s dreamscape.
“…with the V.D. itching…”
With that phrasing a very different definition of VD came to mind first. (It’s health related, and a rather dated term.)
I REALLY missed these guys.
So they’ve been gone in-universe for a few hours, but it’s taken actual months to ask where they are
I don’t know HOW, but this page really gives me the visceral feel of preparing to go back out in the chilly starlight after having already settled down for the night. There’s a lot of talking, but it’s quiet. Everything feels just a bit colder than it seems like it really should be, but perhaps that’s good, helping shake off the warm drowsiness that had set in. Tiredness ebbs away as a second energy reserve opens up, clothes shuffling, a few good blinks wipe away most of the stinging sensation in eyes. An odd unscheduled semi–hunger encroaches in a time–frame usually devoid of meals.
It doesn’t matter when there will be time for rest, that’s a tomorrow problem. Or is it today? Right now, the concern of two not returning when expected, benefit of the doubt slowly boiling over into undeniable wrongness, is calling. Putting on shoes at this time of night feels very strange: they almost feel rougher & heavier than normal. Alright. Time to go.
…it’s also really cute how Erin & Tess hold the former’s mother as a shining beacon of that rare talent of common sense. Then again, most characters introduced as sensible in this comic have pulled at least one outrageously buck–wild stunt since.
I love your description! it’s delightful, and captures the feeling wonderfully.
THANK YOU!! I guess I just got inspired by the way Red’s put this scene down and decided to have a go at some descriptive prose, I enjoy that kinda stuff a lot! And there’s so many people being creative & kind in these comments it’s awesome!!
I feel like you play D&D and I feel like you’re good at it too.
Thanks, heh, I don’t though! Never have! But I’m into D&D enough to be flattered by you saying that!
Surprising! But still, it’s a great little bit of creative writing here. I like it.
I agree with @veggiesnake that @cat_on_the_fence’s first post was insightful, entertaining and wonder-inspiring. Bravo/a! (to be more inclusive)
Absolutely love that last exchange. Just, chef’s kiss perfection. I hope my own writing is evolving to close to this level.
There once was a cause for concern:
Time to go look, they discern.
Alinua arose
And with Erin goes
But not before Tess gives a burn.
Prediction: Alinua’s carrying Sword!Kendall around specifically so she can give it to her emotional support butch. Partially because symbolism (Kendall is still a little bit the sword after all) and also because sparky lightning sword lesbian
Can’t wait for Kendal to wake up and immediately try to help out, only for Tess to tackle him and maybe knock him out again.
My goodness, I love these characters! And I cannot wait to see how they all interact once they’re back together again (and conscious).
God that’s relatable. Also YIP PLEASE FETCH THE BOYS YOU HAVE NO IDEA-
I’m going to be honest, I love that last trio of panels and I want to use that as an incorrect quote for everything now.
Tess: “Stupid by my standards or yours?”
Erin: *remembers that Tess doesn’t find punching angry dragons stupid* *remembers that he didn’t find venturing into The Storm stupid* *thinks* Well, f*ck that, both options are terrible. Especially for someone who literally just had a brush with death.
Is… Alinua going to go into the bunker still carrying Kendal? I doubt she knows how to wield a sword. Oh, well; maybe she’ll surprise me.
Honestly that’s awesome the way you put that. But I reeæaally hope Alinua is sensible enough not to separate sword from godling right now that kinda seems like it might not be great idea.
One of us touches weird artifacts and gets in fights with dragons.
The other gets in fights with dragons REPEATEDLY.
Never let it be said that Erin ISN’T smart, he’s just also very stupid at the same time
Ihat reminds me of the quote: ‘A man’s gotta know his limitations’ which fits Erin too.
Erin’s a good reminder that knowledge and wisdom isn’t necessarily the same thing
“Anyone I can convince to help me in my schemes no longer counts as adult supervision.”
I think that quote could apply to ALL members of the Floof Gang.
The day saved again by Mother’s standards
ALINUA USING SWORD ALINUA USING SWORD ALINUA USING SWO-
Since it looks like Question Master hasn’t already shown up today, I’ve got some questions: 1: Where is Question Master? 2: Is the fact he/she is missing in any way related to the skeleton war? 3: Which other foods (besides coffee) fantasy version would you like to see in Aurora? I hope Questions Master is fine and hope he/she gets well soon.
#2 Hopefully not, as that would imply the skeleton war is’nt going to well for them.
#3: Fantasy pasta. And fantasy garlic bread for the aces (myself included).
Let’s split up gang!
Erin fighting the powers of darkness with the power of dark roast.
Well THAT’S a top tier pun!
TL;DR: Search and rescue initiated
Those last three panels are quintessential sibling banter.
Okay so a thought I had, (and sorry if someone else mentioned this.)
But it occurs to me:
When Red laid out the world building, she mentioned that Life, Lightning and Fire are thought of as ‘volatile’ magics, because as forms of energy they don’t sit still well, right?
And yet, look at the heroes- Tess, Lightning stormbreaker, Dianix has Fire’s incarnation within him, and Alinua is the current bearer Life’s chimeric Plague.
It makes me wonder- where are the other chosen/bound of the elements? And my personal guess is that they, unlike the ‘volatile’ trio, are going to have settled places for themselves in the world, as their elements are relatively safe to work with and possibly profitable in ways cities might want to keep them around if they can…
Which makes me wonder what precisely is the difference from a mortal perspective between being bound to a particular city versus being ‘godless’ as it were…
So I just watched the YouTube video on Timeskips and then read THE ENTIRE ARCHIVE WITHOUT STOPPING.
I will be sharing the URL.
Another test comment
Question: I know Erin and Tess are siblings, but do they share a bio mom? would you not say “by OUR mothers” as opposed to “MY Mothers”?
or has that not been addressed in-comic? (i cant remember it if it has)
Ah, that situation’s a bit of a yikes actually: comicaurora.com/aurora/1-15-4/
They consider each other siblings though! comicaurora.com/aurora/1-15-11/
Tess seems to be at least somewhat positive about Erin’s mom: comicaurora.com/aurora/1-15-6/
ahh, I could not remember that for the life of me.
I appreciate the link set! had to work hard to not fall down the rabbit hole of rereading for hours past when i should be sleeping lol
that’s concerning
That’s concerning.
Please go get them before they get into any more trouble
oh my gosh those last three panels are PRICELESS
Love that comic beat when they realize that both their standards of stupid are… ahhh… punching dragons, anyone? Magical storms ring a bell?
There is one good thing to come out of that storm. Erin’s level of hubris has come down quite a notch. Totally disastrous consequences will do that.
‘stupid by my standards or your standards”
those last three panels were comedy gold
In the second to last panel Erin’s face looks like he’s mildly confused but mostly self reflective disappointment ( i may be projecting but tell me that you don’t make the same face).