2019/06/28 - Then What Was All That With Grape Eleven Years

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:09 am

[2019/06/28 - Then What Was All That With Grape Eleven Years Ago Huh]
Title Text: "That better not have been directed at me or I'll dangle you out the window" "yes'm"

Unlike Max and Peanut, Jess actually checks.

bjchan95 · Post by **bjchan95** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:10 am

The fact Jessica doesn’t even care is the best part

Saturn381 · Post by **Saturn381** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:10 am

Yeah that's gonna be hard to get use to, Marion.

Gbr23 · Post by **Gbr23** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:12 am

You do you kiddo

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:13 am

AWKWARD.

Well now that is out of the way we can move on to bigger and better things like Steward's introduction into this story. Step by Step. Got to go through the motions of storytelling.

Okay, so the silhouette was a bust (

) but there is hope for the future. Maybe. I don't know anymore.

Marion is officially staying at Jess's place. Now maybe we can see the Elaborate Labyrinth that is the Basement. I don't care what it looks like, that is the name now forever more. I have spoken.

Silly Zealot · Post by **Silly Zealot** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:16 am

Man, I can't tell a male squirrel from a female one in the real world, and suddenly everyone in the comic is an expert!

D-Rock wrote:Unlike Max and Peanut, Jess actually checks.

Jessica is the only animal that doesn't keep her eyes above the waist.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:16 am

He realised what he said as he spoke
but Jess didn’t care one little bit;
one fact to which he’s now awoke
is that Jess doesn’t have the fastest wit.
‘Whatever’ is not any comeback,
but it doesn’t really try to be;
she’s going to cut this little nut some slack
whilst ahem he’s living in her tree.
Jess and Truck are the best he could find,
loyal and loving and helpful to all;
They’ll help him if he sets his nose to the grind…
Now, I wonder when Kix’s mate will call?

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:17 am

Hey, it's a free room, humor her ... we all have to learn to deal with changes, right, kid?

And you did get pie!

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:17 am

Ah, Jess. Relentlessly practical as always. And Truck, relentlessly helpful.

leinglo · Post by **leinglo** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:19 am

bjchan95 wrote:The fact Jessica doesn’t even care is the best part

She puts up with the Opener cult every day. A female squirrel insisting on male pronouns isn't even a blip on her radar.

Silly Zealot · Post by **Silly Zealot** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:33 am

The title and alt-text are just wonderful!

Welsh Halfwit wrote:Now, I wonder when Kix’s mate will call?

Well, that is a good question! When will Kitsune come a-knocking?

NHWestoN wrote:Hey, it's a free room, humor her ... we all have to learn to deal with changes, right, kid?

Ch-ch-ch-changeeees. We all face strange ch-ch-changeeees.

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:58 am

...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?

Padgriffin · Post by **Padgriffin** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:11 am

Speaking of which.. yeah. Where's Kitsume?

Arvetis · Post by **Arvetis** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:14 am

Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?

I don't think it really did. He blushed because the topic immediately drew attention to things that humans aren't used to having... out there. But he was pretty quick to correct her, and stood his ground.

Ryusuta · Post by **Ryusuta** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 2:31 am

DID YOU JUST ASSU-

Champion Wallace · Post by **Champion Wallace** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:11 am

30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.

Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?

It's not just how much it bothers him, but the ratio of that over how hard it is to change someone's mind. It's a lot easier to convince someone to use different pronouns than to convince someone your a different species than you look.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:53 am

Champion Wallace wrote:30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.
Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?
It's not just how much it bothers him, but the ratio of that over how hard it is to change someone's mind. It's a lot easier to convince someone to use different pronouns than to convince someone your a different species than you look.

Plus I imagine it was an automatic response from Marion. And he realised it made him look mad as soon as he said it.

GameCobra · Post by **GameCobra** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:08 am

Grape's superpower - exposed.

Too many dumb/modest males. x3

Argent · Post by **Argent** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:38 am

"HEY MY EYES ARE UP HERE"

Champion Wallace wrote:30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.

With Karishad involved, non-Euclidean geometry is just another Tuesday.

Phnglui Mgwlanfth Karishad Rlyeh Wghnagl Fhtagn.

Post by **SeanWolf** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 7:06 am

Geartooth wrote:Speaking of which.. yeah. Where's Kitsume?

Either close by or on vacation, probably.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 7:28 am

SeanWolf wrote:
Geartooth wrote:Speaking of which.. yeah. Where's Kitsume?
Either close by or on vacation, probably.

Probably both, knowing him.

Douglas Collier · Post by **Douglas Collier** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:17 am

Eyes up, Marion! We’re trying to keep this comic PG.

Nobody · Post by **Nobody** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:44 am

Jess can't be bothered to argue the little details.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:08 am

I assume from Truck's salute that he know Marion passed "inspection."

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:06 am

Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?

Could almost be reflexive for him. Marion is technically a gender neutral name, but there is a bias toward thinking of it as female. It would make sense that he's used to being in situations where his name is called with some assumption that he's a she. So it becomes reflexive

CunningFox · Post by **CunningFox** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:17 am

Geartooth wrote:Speaking of which.. yeah. Where's Kitsume?

Everywhere.

Ash Greytree · Post by **Ash Greytree** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:53 am

After a long day of shock and humiliation and bummers, he's got a stomach full of pie, a safe place to stay for a good while, and a place in a group/community who seem like they'll refer to him as he wishes without issue. Real happy and relieved for Marion here.

Now, the question of his room. Will there be a certain badger in there as Marion's roomie, or someone else entirely? Will it be a single-person room that he'll have all to himself so that he has some personal space he can retreat to if need be? Or will this be a two-person room and that other vacancy will be filled later?

I could see the next arc being about Marion going about his day, interacting with the other treehouse denizens, trying to gather possible info about turning back to human, hanging out with Falstaff & Truck some more and building a surprising rapport with them, maybe interacting with one or two of the pets, and then returning to his new (temporary, maybe) home to find that he has a new roommate:

[Marion opens the front door and enters the treehouse, stretching his arms and looking tired after a long day out and no answers.]
Marion: Welp, no luck today...
Jess: No luck with what?
[Next panel shows Jess is leaning against the wall nonchalantly where Marion didn't see her. She's looking at her phone and texting.]
Marion: O-oh! [Marion thinks fast] I went out to try and find some food for myself, but couldn't. [He puts his hand behind his head.] Still having trouble with this whole foraging and scrounging thing. Heheh.
Jess: Gotcha. We still have food here, so don't worry about it. You should grab a bite before heading up to meet your new roomie.
Marion: Wh-what?
Jess: Yeah, she got here a few hours ago. She seemed to be in the same boat as you. Thought it'd be best for her that you'd bunk together. She hasn't come out at all since I sent her that way, so you'd best get her a snack as well.
[Curious and anxious about what Jess meant when she said 'in the same boat as you', Marion quickly scarfs down some food and grabs some of it for his new bunkmate. He knocks on the door and introduces himself to be polite.]
Marion: H-Hi. It's your roommate. I heard you've been cooped up in here for a bit, so I brought you something to eat. May I...?
Roomie: Come in.
[Marion opens the door to greet her.]
Marion: Oh, by the way, my name's Mari-
[Marion has a shocked expression on his face and drops the food. The next panel centers on her; the new bunkmate is a female squirrel like him, wearing a necklace that says " L & M ". Her expression is one of shock and surprise as well.]
[Last panel goes back to Jessica still leaning against the wall, a knowing smirk on her face as she continues to look at her phone and hears both squirrels say at the same time:]
Lois: Marion?!?
Marion: Lois?!?
[To Be Continued]

Cesco · Post by **Cesco** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:25 pm

Very nice to keep her at home.

That house must be really big, since there are still some free rooms.

Ah, yeah, Marion was an human male and still wants to be considered as such, but it's now better to don't give that explaining (except to King, it he'll ever meet him).

It's funny to see that for Jessica is all fine.

Oh, Truck is under her commands, and he must, if he wants to live there.

Huh, the title is referring to this. Well, in that case, it was Peanut to be totally blind at such things.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 2:18 pm

Jessica - "... the room is free, the humiliation is up to you."

So typical of Rick's talent is how he conveys prepares his punchline with just the slightest nuances in Marion's face and Jessica's eyes. Just another reason to savor this comic strip.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 2:55 pm

Who knew that Jessica was so "woke" when it came to being politically correct about somebody who feels and says they are a different gender than what they actually are when meeting them. That is a new piece of information that is intriguing.

And to be clear, I know Marion isn't transgendered but Jessica doesn't.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:37 pm

What kills me about that "beat" is that not only did Jess look but Marion also had to look just to double or triple check at this point. "Nope, still gone. Still don't know why."

Ash Greytree wrote:After a long day of shock and humiliation and bummers, he's got a stomach full of pie, a safe place to stay for a good while, and a place in a group/community who seem like they'll refer to him as he wishes without issue. Real happy and relieved for Marion here.

Now, the question of his room. Will there be a certain badger in there as Marion's roomie, or someone else entirely? Will it be a single-person room that he'll have all to himself so that he has some personal space he can retreat to if need be? Or will this be a two-person room and that other vacancy will be filled later?

I could see the next arc being about Marion going about his day, interacting with the other treehouse denizens, trying to gather possible info about turning back to human, hanging out with Falstaff & Truck some more and building a surprising rapport with them, maybe interacting with one or two of the pets, and then returning to his new (temporary, maybe) home to find that he has a new roommate:

I'm torn between wanting Steward to be the roommate but I wonder how that works in Jessica's Home for Peculiar Ferals. Feral society is so vastly different would she even think to divide males and females or even care. Would they care that Marion is a female who says he's a male when it came to having a male or female roommate? I can't imagine feral are that concerned and especially Jess. She's already made it clear she doesn't care. He could tell her call me "cotton candy" and she would still be "Whatever, Truck take cotton candy here to one of the free rooms."
Anyway, back to Steward, I mean it would convenient which tells me that it's not going to happen because its way to convenient. Honestly, he might either get his own room or his new roommate would be the partner character. Judging from Jess's "free room" comment, I'm going with a single. I can only imagine what it looks like. Considering Kari probably made it, I'm going to be optimistic and imagine a luxury suite instead of something along the lines of Jess's old den.

Beyond though, I really hope he's not going to hang around but I can see him at least spending the morning trying to get some information from the rest of the residents either about magic transformations or who to talk to in the neighborhood about unusual happenings or even "How not to die!" This is will be how he is going to run into either Kitsune or Steward in my mind. If that is the case then it could take a couple more weeks to get all the steps out of the way. The first night is going to be the hardest. Because again, being changed into a squirrel was incredibly inconvenient on SO many levels. He wasn't even big enough to carry his phone with him even if he didn't get broomed out of the house.

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:11 pm

Champion Wallace wrote:30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.

Well let's see, the foxes probably all live together and i'm pretty sure Draig and Craig are not the only ones in the litter, so that's maybe 5 in a single room, falstaff and truck probably bunk together, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's others in there (maybe the other raccoons) so that's maybe 5 more... i could keep going but it's a lot easier to ask "can a regular house have more than 30÷5 rooms?" well yeah, easily. Were they all designed as bedrooms? No, probably not

also, i'm pretty sure Jessica was just looking at Marion's hips. Many people have commented her body looks too... curvaceous to be male

shadowlucario50 · Post by **shadowlucario50** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:11 pm

Love how even the title points out Grape being thought of as male by all the dogs and cats, while Marion is seen clearly as a girl. Poor, poor Marion.

Also, glad that Jessica's being pretty civil with Marion, even offering him a room. Really a kind soul with a rough exterior.

trekkie · Post by **trekkie** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:33 pm

I’m glad to see Marion got a place to stay and some food. Jessica is beginning to grow on me, I have to admit.

Silly Zealot · Post by **Silly Zealot** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:07 pm

Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?

Boys will be boys........Except when they are not.

Ryusuta wrote:DID YOU JUST ASSU-

Not today! Drama Day is on the 30th of February, remember?

Champion Wallace wrote:30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.

I think it means that her 30 or so friends are free to come and go as they please as long as there is vacancy.

Champion Wallace wrote:
Frank wrote:...really Marion? Being called a squirrel is fine, being told your story is made up without hearing it is fine, having to call the pie thing stealing is fine, and this is the thing that bothers you?
It's not just how much it bothers him, but the ratio of that over how hard it is to change someone's mind. It's a lot easier to convince someone to use different pronouns than to convince someone your a different species than you look.

Seconded.

OrWasIt.EXE · Post by **OrWasIt.EXE** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 7:01 pm

If Steward does appear down the line within this arc, I wonder if we'll actually see him speak again (as in, speak while he's a badger) or not.

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:00 pm

fenrirblack wrote:AWKWARD.

Well now that is out of the way we can move on to bigger and better things like Steward's introduction into this story.

you know i'm half expecting rick to hold off on bringing steward in just to be a massive tease since you keep mentioning him. how many years did he spend messing with grapenut shippers before giving us a straight (no pun intended) answer? i can see something similar happening here only on a smaller (not making a pun at marion's expense, i swear) scale.

Champion Wallace wrote:30+ residents and there are still free rooms. I'm dubious we'll get an answer, but I'm curious what this place's capacity is.

Capacity: 1 Tree

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:08 pm

Honestly? I can see Rick doing that.

angelmar741 · Post by **angelmar741** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:13 pm

I guess you can easily visibly check. Needed to read the first post to get the title though.

Also, I'm thinking Kix might be the shadow in the back, as she kind of seems to know what's going on with Pete and the Dragon.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:03 pm

I'm not sure if she does know what is going on so that is something we will have to keep an eye out for since at this point I think she believes they are just her kits.

Also, I REALLY wanna know who the father (or fathers as they look different so they could be half-siblings) of them are.