One of my kitties is a foster fail. Every now and again, she tries to bolt out the front door. So far, she has only gotten about one neighbor away (we live in a townhome), before she either allows me to catch her or she returns to our home. I always welcome her back with cuddles and/or treats. However, I purposely leave the front door wide open when it is raining and pretend to not be paying attention. Last night was one of those. She got to the bottom of our stairs before she NOPED back inside! Good girl, you came back!
Couldn’t be Falst too wary to find out and Dainix too busy and until recently to preoccupied to do anything about it? At least until now? Let them all be friends for now. Friendship is Magic?
Even as someone who toes the line between asexual and allosexual, I desperately want these two together (after an appropriately long period of build-up). However, I really don’t want the entire Floof Squad to ‘pair off’ (and knowing Red, I strongly doubt that will happen). They can have the token romantic relationship, and everyone else can be queer and single.
I agree. I am for romance but I like high adventure too! I am willing to let Red tell her story her own unique way! I know that one of her characters- Tess (I can’t cite exact tumblr text) is already demanding her story be told. You know a character has caught lightning when it starts demanding stuff in the writers head. I hope Red listens to Tess in her head and weaves her unique story into the Aurora tapestry she is weaving now!
So it is. And I’m happy for them to bond as friends. You’re probably right, and it is a bit premature to start pairing them up when they’ve only known each other a few days.
But arguably, if there needs must be a romance in this comic, it should be those two. And I reckon shippers gonna ship no matter what, especially since Dainix and Falst have such a wholesome dynamic. So let’s not ignore the growing attraction between them, but for now: Yay friendship!
I love how well-written AND well-illustrated this series is. The main (and even most side) characters are so fleshed out, through their words and just…the little visual tells, the flashes of emotion in facial expression and body language, that there’s a genuine depth to them that makes you actually care about ’em. I hope these get published in book form at some point.
I believe you’re correct in Dainix being trans, but that doesn’t prevent him from being gay. If he is attracted to male individuals and not female individuals, that makes him gay regardless of his gender at birth.
I think no matter what way Red plays it, she will show taste and discrete but let her inner child out to play. I totally trust she can tell to both children and adults a wonderful story about good friends overcoming evil opponents! Go Red!
Oh, I know that, I’m just not sure where that would put Falst. If a cis male is attracted to a trans male…is that straight? Gay? Is it based on the dangly bits or based on the personality?
Does it matter? (no, not really. Life’s too short to worry about labels)
The terminology tends to be based on identity, although in some cases physical attraction could potentially complicate things. In this case though I have the impression Dainix has probably made a very complete physical transition powered by life magic and soul shaping, which would leave him male in all senses of the term.
Alinua: I wonder how many eyes, ears, and arms she had.
Kendal: … what?
Falst might not want to go because of unresolved tension with Dainix, but also because his previous experience exploring an unknown city wasn’t pleasant with the sleeping pellets, arrow though the wrist, and such. Probably best to keep resting anyway at Falst’s healing stage, and to get Kendal used to moving again at his current stage.
@Sunstorm the Budgie makes a good point, that dream conversation with Life, and maybe her attempt at aura reading to find Falst and Dainix, has altered how Alinua sees the world, Life, and probably all primordials. Similar to how the Collector views the world as pieces of primordials melded together, but a much clearer view thanks to the dream and keeping hold of her own morals and outlook.
Prediction for next week: A bit more talking between these two, now that they have a moment alone together, before Tess and/or Erin discovers them to report their news.
Ask Erin to pass that question over to the Void Dragon. Actually… I wouldn’t be surprised if Erin was pestering Voidy constantly with questions about primordial anatomy, diet, and a million other little details that his curious mind can’t help asking. Voidy’s trap explictly required someone too curious for their own good, it’s about time he got exactly what he asked for 😛
I think Vash just never paid attention to domestic cats before or they are rare to non-existent in Aurora. But I am no expert and speculate at the drop of a hat. (smile)
I’m pretty sure Dainix asks Falst out, given Falst isn’t very good at communicating. But then again, Falst asking Dainix out would be hilariously awkward, so I’m going with that.
Tbh I think Falst would just ask Dainix to come do something incredibly wholesome with him, but say it in a very serious and potentially menacing way (I’m thinking Sal and Danny from Dumbing of Age?). They’d go gathering resources in the woods (for tactical reasons!) or hang out at a café or something.
Yeah I dunno, I’m aro.
I still think we’re trying way too hard to “mash the action figures together,” as Red puts it. I like the idea that Falst and Dainix are just bonded by their experiences and mutual respect, but Falst feels really weird and confused by the idea of having a non-Ferin as an actual friend, who respects him and treats him as an equal, and is still waiting for the other shoe to drop, while Dainix is not overthinking this, but instead waiting patiently and calmly for Falst to work through that. Or just possibly, Dainix is oblivious to Falst’s angst and paranoia, but I think Red would play that up for comedy if that was the case.
I will ship them, sure, but not romantically. From where I stand, the romance is pure fanon.
EDIT: I don’t think many people fully understand how difficult it is, for someone with Falst’s life experience, to trust. Anyone. Ever.
Right now, with his paranoia, general trust issues, self-reliance, and obsession with self-sacrifice, he’d make an utterly disastrous lover. I’m far more interested in seeing him get a mental health upgrade than hooking up with Dainix, for BOTH their sakes.
Thank you for brining up Falst’s headspace right now. I don’t think anyone bar Tess would be in a good mental place for a relationship (and that’s probably because we know the least about Tess). Being that everyone else has gone through at least one existential crisis and likely more than one in the past two days.
Oh wow, you just made me reconsider my shipping of these two! I mean, I’m still shipping… chemistry and such (+my definitive love of romance). But like, that’s a fantastic point, and you’re totally right
One of my friends has “jam” as part of their internet name, and they’re a HUGE TMA fan, so when I saw your comment I asked them if they’re reading this comic bc I thought you were them 🤦♀️🤷♀️
They haven’t, but my mind also went to TMA when I saw “vast” – AND they’re at the ocean
Primordial Water must have been massive, but I think Primordial Earth would have them beat. Though I suppose that depends on the precise size of the planet, how much of the interior is taken up by the Void Dragon’s cage… I was going to go “well, maybe Primordial Fire and Earth mixed to create the mantle” but then I remember that no, this planet only superficially resembles an IRL planet, there probably isn’t a molten core of superheated rock. … Probably. “Journey through magma” is a fun thing, though, no matter how hilariously bad the science in The Core was.
… How big around is this planet? Is it Earth(planet)-sized? I haven’t noticed any weird horizon stuff in wide shots that would suggest the planet is smol…
Also “six elements mix together to create an impenetrable cage for the Big Bad and this seal can only be dissolved by the application of those six elements again” is something that happened in Bionicle and I just realized this similarity and this is very funny to me. It’s not like Bionicle owns the concept, just, that’s where I first met it and it’s probably been a thing in other elemental-magic systems but I haven’t seen it elsewhere.
Though I say that (about the horizon) and the ocean line is very slightly convex. Art mistake? Intentional hint to the size of the planet? Excuse me while I go to the kitchen for some tin foil.
Throughout my week-long binge through this comic, I have seen person after person weep in anguish, for they’d hit the end and now have to wait for the next update. It is now that I must join you all in eager anticipation of where the story heads next. Hello all, my name is Cal, and I don’t usually talk like this but for some reason I always go super formal and cold during introductions .-. Been spying on the comments during my binge and you guys seem like a great crowd. Can’t wait to enjoy this incredible comic with you all!
And to Red: Amazing work on this comic! This is a very compelling story and I look forward to seeing it continue. Each character is unique and memorable, and watching their dynamic has been a joy. I in particular love Erin, I relate to him a little too well for my own good.
Prediction time!
What will happen next?
A. Two hubristic fools speed by on a metal boat
B. Giant tsunami goes brrrrr
C. One of them falls into the sea
D. A boat passes them and they get splashed by the wave kicked up by the boats, trunk driving through a puddle style
E. They see someone drowning
F. Paladen time!
G. Tess time!
Love the like, positive existential opinion here? Like, he’s recovering in that ‘oh joy I have found that the world is full of things to explore and by gods I’m going to do it.’ way.
If this weren’t Red, I would think this was setting up a (possibly studio-mandated) romantic subplot between our leading man and leading woman. I don’t think one of those would NECESSARILY even be bad between these two (even if it would have unhealthy elements if it happened now), but it’s good to know there won’t be a forced one.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: a cat who can’t decide if he wants out or in? groundbreaking
Image source: vast
The alttext had me laughing out loud.
In memoriam all the kitties who endless demand to Get Out, all the way until you open the door for them.
Tumblr text: Downtime continues!
Twitter Text: That’s a whole lotta water
WE HAVE THIS TECHNOLOGY?!?!
In the Magnus Archives, The Vast is the entity which is associated with the sea, which makes me wonder if Red’s listen to it
She got sponsored by TMA a couple of years ago, so yes.
One of my kitties is a foster fail. Every now and again, she tries to bolt out the front door. So far, she has only gotten about one neighbor away (we live in a townhome), before she either allows me to catch her or she returns to our home. I always welcome her back with cuddles and/or treats. However, I purposely leave the front door wide open when it is raining and pretend to not be paying attention. Last night was one of those. She got to the bottom of our stairs before she NOPED back inside! Good girl, you came back!
Falst stays in with questionable straightness
And Kendal marvels at Water’s greatness
I think this is my favourite so far
Canonically, neither of them are straight. Falst is bi and Dainix is gay.
Couldn’t be Falst too wary to find out and Dainix too busy and until recently to preoccupied to do anything about it? At least until now? Let them all be friends for now. Friendship is Magic?
They are friends. FOR NOW.
Even as someone who toes the line between asexual and allosexual, I desperately want these two together (after an appropriately long period of build-up). However, I really don’t want the entire Floof Squad to ‘pair off’ (and knowing Red, I strongly doubt that will happen). They can have the token romantic relationship, and everyone else can be queer and single.
I agree. I am for romance but I like high adventure too! I am willing to let Red tell her story her own unique way! I know that one of her characters- Tess (I can’t cite exact tumblr text) is already demanding her story be told. You know a character has caught lightning when it starts demanding stuff in the writers head. I hope Red listens to Tess in her head and weaves her unique story into the Aurora tapestry she is weaving now!
So it is. And I’m happy for them to bond as friends. You’re probably right, and it is a bit premature to start pairing them up when they’ve only known each other a few days.
But arguably, if there needs must be a romance in this comic, it should be those two. And I reckon shippers gonna ship no matter what, especially since Dainix and Falst have such a wholesome dynamic. So let’s not ignore the growing attraction between them, but for now: Yay friendship!
I thought Dainix was trans? As in, born female?
I love how well-written AND well-illustrated this series is. The main (and even most side) characters are so fleshed out, through their words and just…the little visual tells, the flashes of emotion in facial expression and body language, that there’s a genuine depth to them that makes you actually care about ’em. I hope these get published in book form at some point.
I believe you’re correct in Dainix being trans, but that doesn’t prevent him from being gay. If he is attracted to male individuals and not female individuals, that makes him gay regardless of his gender at birth.
Trans Men can be gay, Greg.
I think no matter what way Red plays it, she will show taste and discrete but let her inner child out to play. I totally trust she can tell to both children and adults a wonderful story about good friends overcoming evil opponents! Go Red!
Oh, I know that, I’m just not sure where that would put Falst. If a cis male is attracted to a trans male…is that straight? Gay? Is it based on the dangly bits or based on the personality?
Does it matter? (no, not really. Life’s too short to worry about labels)
The terminology tends to be based on identity, although in some cases physical attraction could potentially complicate things. In this case though I have the impression Dainix has probably made a very complete physical transition powered by life magic and soul shaping, which would leave him male in all senses of the term.
Alinua’s perspective on life has been permanently altered by her dreams hasn’t it
Perhaps you could even say… C’est la vie?
Je vois, que vous fait-la!
It’s times like these that remind me that I should’ve committed more to learning french.
Vast expanse of blue
Can’t grasp its totality
Let alone an inch
That’s . . . A good point with the oceans, I’m just now getting the sheer SIZE of the primordials
The really scary thing is that by that logic, Water is still quite a bit smaller than Stone…
Earth is just more chunky I assume water was just more spread out, Naw that’s probably wrong too. I forget magic (and writers play by their own rules.
Flat and Dainix stay, while Kendal
Leaves with Life’s daughter.
They sit on the cliff and gaze at the vastness
Of what was once Primordial Water.
Then Erin crashes into them, presumably.
Hahaha oh that last line 🤣
That was so dreamy and quaint … just until the last line him me like a truck and floored me!
Falst, not Flat, stupid alt-text. 🤦
I forgive that if you forgive me using ‘him’ instead ‘hit’. (tongue in cheek)
The ocean <3
gay lil catboy. whats he doin up there
Falst representing all cats
Falst has cat-style down pat I’ld say.
Ohhhh falst is looking at dainix and he looks like he wants to say something and they’re alone!!!!! MY SHIIIP!!!!!!
saaaamme
Imagination is what makes a story fun, (smile)
OH FALST ………
Also I missed Soulfriends so much ouhhh
Alinua: I wonder how many eyes, ears, and arms she had.
Kendal: … what?
Falst might not want to go because of unresolved tension with Dainix, but also because his previous experience exploring an unknown city wasn’t pleasant with the sleeping pellets, arrow though the wrist, and such. Probably best to keep resting anyway at Falst’s healing stage, and to get Kendal used to moving again at his current stage.
@Sunstorm the Budgie makes a good point, that dream conversation with Life, and maybe her attempt at aura reading to find Falst and Dainix, has altered how Alinua sees the world, Life, and probably all primordials. Similar to how the Collector views the world as pieces of primordials melded together, but a much clearer view thanks to the dream and keeping hold of her own morals and outlook.
Prediction for next week: A bit more talking between these two, now that they have a moment alone together, before Tess and/or Erin discovers them to report their news.
Ask Erin to pass that question over to the Void Dragon. Actually… I wouldn’t be surprised if Erin was pestering Voidy constantly with questions about primordial anatomy, diet, and a million other little details that his curious mind can’t help asking. Voidy’s trap explictly required someone too curious for their own good, it’s about time he got exactly what he asked for 😛
my prediction is that the peaceful view will be interrupted by two screaming mad scientists as a certain beautiful death trap barrels past
This is the best prediction
Please do this red
Aren’t mad scientists supposed to have black hair with a white streak somewhere? 😉
I wonder if the print version will have the alt-text on each page. Or maybe as a list in the index?
I like to think the implication of the alt text is that Vash has never seen a cat before.
Fabulous interpretation, 10/10, 100% agreed
I think Vash just never paid attention to domestic cats before or they are rare to non-existent in Aurora. But I am no expert and speculate at the drop of a hat. (smile)
Anonymous Aurora Question #47: Assuming Crustables went on a date together, who asks for the date, where do they go and what do they do?
I’m pretty sure Dainix asks Falst out, given Falst isn’t very good at communicating. But then again, Falst asking Dainix out would be hilariously awkward, so I’m going with that.
Tbh I think Falst would just ask Dainix to come do something incredibly wholesome with him, but say it in a very serious and potentially menacing way (I’m thinking Sal and Danny from Dumbing of Age?). They’d go gathering resources in the woods (for tactical reasons!) or hang out at a café or something.
Yeah I dunno, I’m aro.
I still think we’re trying way too hard to “mash the action figures together,” as Red puts it. I like the idea that Falst and Dainix are just bonded by their experiences and mutual respect, but Falst feels really weird and confused by the idea of having a non-Ferin as an actual friend, who respects him and treats him as an equal, and is still waiting for the other shoe to drop, while Dainix is not overthinking this, but instead waiting patiently and calmly for Falst to work through that. Or just possibly, Dainix is oblivious to Falst’s angst and paranoia, but I think Red would play that up for comedy if that was the case.
I will ship them, sure, but not romantically. From where I stand, the romance is pure fanon.
EDIT: I don’t think many people fully understand how difficult it is, for someone with Falst’s life experience, to trust. Anyone. Ever.
Right now, with his paranoia, general trust issues, self-reliance, and obsession with self-sacrifice, he’d make an utterly disastrous lover. I’m far more interested in seeing him get a mental health upgrade than hooking up with Dainix, for BOTH their sakes.
Thank you for brining up Falst’s headspace right now. I don’t think anyone bar Tess would be in a good mental place for a relationship (and that’s probably because we know the least about Tess). Being that everyone else has gone through at least one existential crisis and likely more than one in the past two days.
Oh wow, you just made me reconsider my shipping of these two! I mean, I’m still shipping… chemistry and such (+my definitive love of romance). But like, that’s a fantastic point, and you’re totally right
fun bit about this conversation is that Life *has* tried to get Alinua to envision things on that scale.
Let’s be fair. I don’t think it’s the ocean primordial people are imagining after the first couple of panels…
Lapis Lazuli moment.
At first I thought it was Kendal talking about Primordial Water and was surprised that’s where his mind went. Oh, Alinua. Yes.
For Kendal this is a beginning as fresh as the breeze off that ocean.
Mmmm… blue sky, blue water, boats…. I wonder if they have seagulls in this world or if it’s a different kind of bird.
No way the rat-birds aren’t there
I’d stake my self on it
They. are. everywhere.
But I love the sound of seagulls. There’s an expansiveness and haunting quality. It suits their conversation, too.
Alinua looks so attentive in the last panel. She and Kendal finally get some rare down time and Alinua is NOT going to waste it.
My brain does a neuron activation every time I see a Magnus Archives key-word
One of my friends has “jam” as part of their internet name, and they’re a HUGE TMA fan, so when I saw your comment I asked them if they’re reading this comic bc I thought you were them 🤦♀️🤷♀️
They haven’t, but my mind also went to TMA when I saw “vast” – AND they’re at the ocean
I hope if Falst and Dainix get into a relationship there will be lots of fluff
Falste and Dainix!!!!
Gay
Primordial Water must have been massive, but I think Primordial Earth would have them beat. Though I suppose that depends on the precise size of the planet, how much of the interior is taken up by the Void Dragon’s cage… I was going to go “well, maybe Primordial Fire and Earth mixed to create the mantle” but then I remember that no, this planet only superficially resembles an IRL planet, there probably isn’t a molten core of superheated rock. … Probably. “Journey through magma” is a fun thing, though, no matter how hilariously bad the science in The Core was.
… How big around is this planet? Is it Earth(planet)-sized? I haven’t noticed any weird horizon stuff in wide shots that would suggest the planet is smol…
Also “six elements mix together to create an impenetrable cage for the Big Bad and this seal can only be dissolved by the application of those six elements again” is something that happened in Bionicle and I just realized this similarity and this is very funny to me. It’s not like Bionicle owns the concept, just, that’s where I first met it and it’s probably been a thing in other elemental-magic systems but I haven’t seen it elsewhere.
Though I say that (about the horizon) and the ocean line is very slightly convex. Art mistake? Intentional hint to the size of the planet? Excuse me while I go to the kitchen for some tin foil.
Make them kiss! Make crustables happen!
TL;DR: Fresh air with a side of musings on the vastness of the world.
you know what’s bigger? Your Mom.
Just realized this chapter has a bunch of pairings…and shipping. Ayyyy
Throughout my week-long binge through this comic, I have seen person after person weep in anguish, for they’d hit the end and now have to wait for the next update. It is now that I must join you all in eager anticipation of where the story heads next. Hello all, my name is Cal, and I don’t usually talk like this but for some reason I always go super formal and cold during introductions .-. Been spying on the comments during my binge and you guys seem like a great crowd. Can’t wait to enjoy this incredible comic with you all!
And to Red: Amazing work on this comic! This is a very compelling story and I look forward to seeing it continue. Each character is unique and memorable, and watching their dynamic has been a joy. I in particular love Erin, I relate to him a little too well for my own good.
Prediction time!
What will happen next?
A. Two hubristic fools speed by on a metal boat
B. Giant tsunami goes brrrrr
C. One of them falls into the sea
D. A boat passes them and they get splashed by the wave kicked up by the boats, trunk driving through a puddle style
E. They see someone drowning
F. Paladen time!
G. Tess time!
Our sweet gay little cat warrior, blushing! <3
Love the like, positive existential opinion here? Like, he’s recovering in that ‘oh joy I have found that the world is full of things to explore and by gods I’m going to do it.’ way.
If this weren’t Red, I would think this was setting up a (possibly studio-mandated) romantic subplot between our leading man and leading woman. I don’t think one of those would NECESSARILY even be bad between these two (even if it would have unhealthy elements if it happened now), but it’s good to know there won’t be a forced one.