Re: Sketching in the Shade

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:33 pm

Zaïren paused, then scratched at his cheek. "Yeah, okay, that's a good point. But he sent you to a school between Arcadia and Earth, with classes taught by creatures that are about as human as a beagle. And students!" He pointed at himself. "I mean, I don't even really look human. I've got the right basic shape, but thaaat's about it."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:36 pm

"I'm not entirely sure he knew much about that. Or maybe he just decided to brush it off. Still, I doubt he'll be able to much longer. I can't exactly write home without mentioning all the unusual people and things I've seen here, can I? Besides, that would be lying by omission."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:47 pm

"Yeah. Definitely. 'By the way, I think there's like, ten humans in this school. Lots and lots of people, ten humans'. And I'm not sure how much of an exaggeration that is." He looked up and raised a hand as if making invisible tally marks. "...Well, I'm not too far off I don't think."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:54 pm

Jason nodded. "I honestly would have expected more, given that this place is as much on Earth as it is in Faerie. But it is what it is. At least the Fair Ones around here are friendly."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:27 pm

"Well, there's lots of part humans, and former humans... I guess some of it depends on where you draw the line. Are Changelings still human? I don't qualify wherever you draw the line but." Zaïren shrugged. "There are arguments you aren't human anymore, so I guess it all depends."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:32 pm

Jason nodded. "I see lycanthropy as more like a disease than anything else, but that might just be me. I'm still human, or look it, but for twelve or thirteen nights in a year. And it does have its upsides, which sounds strange but it's true. I have a much better sense of smell than I ever did, and the immunity to cold like I said before. Avoiding silver isn't all that terribly hard, either."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:38 pm

"No, it really isn't. Iron is pretty easy to avoid around here too. Silverware and stuff is clearly labeled, all that fun stuff. Though, fewer people have to avoid iron than you'd think too. That seems to be primarily a Fae of Arcadia thing. All I really have to worry about is cold. Thank goodness for modern heating."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:52 pm

Jason nodded. "That's very true. Makes things easier for everyone. It's good that people are able to coexist so well. In a lot of the stories they really don't get along at all. Though I guess it still probably holds true where there isn't so much mingling."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:55 pm

"Oh, there's plenty of doesn't get along, just not here at Lakeshore. Everyone tends to enforce good behavior, and Fae usually have a thing about rules. Granted, it's only THEIR rules they follow, but most learn quickly that you follow the local rules or you regret it."

He looked over at Jason's sketchbook. "I didn't mean to interrupt your art, though. What's that you're working on?"

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:37 pm

Jason showed him. "Just the Joker. I've been on a comic binge lately. Marvel and DC both."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:57 pm

"Ah. Only the Big Two? I read some webcomics, but mostly I tend to stick with novels. Speculative more than anything, though some historical novels aren't too bad."

He looked at the sketch. "It's very good, but I always hated the Joker. And in a way, Batman and the entire judicial system of Gotham. I mean, seriously? Why didn't anyone ever try to take him down permanently?"

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:03 pm

"Oh, I do webcomics too. I was just into these most recently."

Jason nodded as Zaïren spoke. "I see your point. It would have saved a lot of trouble. There have to be people in Gotham who wouldn't be opposed to killing like Batman is. He doesn't have to break his rule, the Joker is dealt with, everybody wins."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:21 pm

"Exactly. It's just cheap writing, in my opinion. I like Wonder Woman specifically because she doesn't usually have that issue. I know the Joker is iconic, but he's not someone that should have been allowed to live." Zaïren waved his hand. "Especially given that mostly, the comics live by the rules of the world outside Arcadia."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:32 pm

"Also true." Jason stretched, then looked back up at Zaïren. "So which webcomics do you read? I'm a huge fan of Roommates and Strays, and I also recently found one that's a gay retelling of Swan Lake. Very interesting."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:42 pm

"I actually follow Roommates and the ....connected? Side? comic Girls Next Door. I like the way they riff off each other's plots. Also Girl Genius, fantastic steampunk action romance, and Mad Science TM."

He grinned. "Things are madder here, but it's still a lot of fun."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:44 pm

Jason nodded. "Can't say I've read any of Girl Genius, but I look at El Goonish Shive now and again. And I really need to get caught up on Ensign Sue Must Die. Now that is madness."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:23 pm

"Completed, too. I enjoyed the end, it's worth it. El Goonish Shive is okay. Sometimes it gets a bit too ridiculous for me, which is hilarious given the obvious. Maybe that's part of the problem. It's less of an escape for me than something like Girl Genius."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:29 pm

"Really? Wow, I guess I've missed more than I thought. Good to know, though."

He nodded. "I can understand that. When your normal life is like something out of a fantasy novel, some of those novels lose their appeal."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:33 pm

Zaïren laughed. "Actually, believe it or not it's the high school drama that keeps making me lose interest. Though, Academy Junior, I have a fair amount of that in my life too. Not as much as I'd expect being Neylen's brother but still plenty."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:36 pm

Jason laughed. "Fair enough. Neylen sounds like an interesting character. How old is he?"

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:39 pm

"Twenty one. And he is. I think the Headmaster considers him karma biting her finally for some reason. He's completely committed to his girlfriend, though. I like her. I like her pet snake, too."

He grinned and laughed. "Probably as much because Neylen doesn't as anything else. What can I say? I'm definitely a younger brother."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:42 pm

Jason grinned. "Yes you are. His girlfriend is Aye, right? The girl who glows?" That had fascinated him on first sight. He really ought to talk with her and find out more about that. "I don't think I've met her pet before, though."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:44 pm

"Yeah. Awful story about that, actually." Zaïren pulled a face, then dropped the topic and moved back to the rest. "He's a snake. Likes to hang out in Aye's cleavage, and scares Neylen. Amuses me to no end."

by Jason Hiller Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:47 pm

Jason raised his eyebrows slightly, but nodded. Clearly that talk wasn't such a good idea. But they could always talk about basically everything else.

He chuckled at the description of the snake. "That does sound amusing. I guess he gets a lot of body heat in there."

by Zaïren Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:53 pm

"And squished between her and Neylen because Aye is almost as cold blooded as her pet. In a metaphorical sense, I think I should point out, given where we are and all. Aye and I both like to steal body heat, especially in winter."

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