2019/08/02 - The End Of The Tour

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:03 am

[2019/08/02 - The End Of The Tour]
Title Text: we're never gonna tour again

I'm reminded of a certain story about some troublemaker and a wolf.

LunarFox · Post by **LunarFox** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:04 am

Aw, nuts. Well, this doesn't look good... who's the hand belong to? My guess is Lois?

Saturn381 · Post by **Saturn381** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:06 am

It's the hand of Bahamut in human form.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:06 am

The tunnel ends at a ditch? I'm kinda disappointed by that.

A gloved hand dives down from the sky. Who's is it? I mean we know the obvious answer but for kicks and giggles let's say it could be anyone. *Cough Fox, Fido, or Lois*

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:07 am

Depending on where that tunnel ends it could be anyone really. But likely its Fido,Fox or Lois

zeusdemigod131 · Post by **zeusdemigod131** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:09 am

Bets on Marion get capture by a forest hobo for squirrel stew?

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:11 am

Always ominous, sometimes serious,
ol’ Karishad is a master at play.
You follow him through to who knows where
and then you hear him say:-
“We’ve travelled a path, you and I,
and I really must say you look tasty.
If you die when you turn around
I promise you’ll go well in pastry.”
Who’s hand is this, from the stars?
Isn’t the only one that size Cerberus?
Has she come down from on high,
to find why the Squirrel’s in a fuss?

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:20 am

The hand has five fingers. That should eliminate a lot of possibilities.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:32 am

D-Rock wrote:The hand has five fingers. That should eliminate a lot of possibilities.

Let's think really hard. In the woods at night. It would need to be someone who just happen to stumble on the exit or somehow knew where the tunnel would lead. Someone who was informed of its location by someone who knew it existed. Someone smart enough or clever enough with long enough legs to reach the exit before Marion got to the end. Someone who was already looking for him. Someone who could recognize him from somewhere before like from a photo. Someone who would be wearing gloves almost as if they were investigating a crime and didn't want to contaminate the evidence. Someone with a relationship with the K-9 unit who would be able to tag along with them.
Hmm....I'm stumped.

Legotron123 · Post by **Legotron123** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:59 am

If this turns out to be Steward and not someone who can actually help, I’m going to be so mad.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:01 am

Legotron123 wrote:If this turns out to be Steward and not someone who can actually help, I’m going to be so mad.

Steward doesn't have the requisite number of fingers. Or the sheer difference in size.

Ash Greytree · Post by **Ash Greytree** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:07 am

fenrirblack wrote:
D-Rock wrote:The hand has five fingers. That should eliminate a lot of possibilities.
Let's think really hard. In the woods at night. It would need to be someone who just happen to stumble on the exit or somehow knew where the tunnel would lead. Someone who was informed of its location by someone who knew it existed. Someone smart enough or clever enough with long enough legs to reach the exit before Marion got to the end. Someone who was already looking for him. Someone who could recognize him from somewhere before like from a photo. Someone who would be wearing gloves almost as if they were investigating a crime and didn't want to contaminate the evidence. Someone with a relationship with the K-9 unit who would be able to tag along with them.
Hmm....I'm stumped.

Agreed. Unless Kari’s tunnel leads out so far that he’s in some rando’s lawn and they just happen to be doing some late-night gardening, Lois is the only human we currently know of who’d have a reason to be out in the forest this late at night.

Then again, the hand looks decidedly thick and burly to where it might not be Lois. But that could just be foreshortening.

I really, really do hope it’s Lois. Sending Marion on yet another ever-so-convenient detour away from any assistance would just be torture at this point for Marion (and a lot of readers, I feel).

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:50 am

Last time we saw a hand that big it was Cerberus. Celestial intervention? Infernal? The video store guy? The Hermit? Bruno? Who?

John-056 · Post by **John-056** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:50 am

Well, guess that one commenter in the previous strip was right, Rick did waste Three strips for a poor Joke.

LunarFox wrote:Aw, nuts. Well, this doesn't look good... who's the hand belong to? My guess is Lois?

It's likely Bruno. You know, the she-bear Bino 'hired'.

Seems to be just the right size for her... Unless it's another bear.

Honestly, I Hope it's Bruno. Maybe we can see if she has a Speaking Role, since her last appearances were in the Winter months, and she was tired at the time.

HundKatzeMaus · Post by **HundKatzeMaus** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:32 am

Why would Karishad point wildly behind Marion?
It indicates he is in panic or something and I doubt he would react like that torwards Lois, except to mess around with Marion or if Marion happens to wear a scary looking outfit for some reason.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:34 am

Clearly this is the hand of God. Kari accidentally killed Marion with that last joke and we are seeing him ascend to squirrel Heaven, with all the nuts he can eat. I hope hes not allergic in the afterlife.

Has Kari ever looked more menacing than in that first panel? And, again, does he know what hes doing there?

Post by **SeanWolf** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:39 am

HundKatzeMaus wrote:Why would Karishad point wildly behind Marion?
It indicates he is in panic or something and I doubt he would react like that torwards Lois, except to mess around with Marion or if Marion happens to wear a scary looking outfit for some reason.

Which is interesting cause I don't thing we ever seen Kari panic before.

trekkie · Post by **trekkie** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:05 am

SeanWolf wrote:
HundKatzeMaus wrote:Why would Karishad point wildly behind Marion?
It indicates he is in panic or something and I doubt he would react like that torwards Lois, except to mess around with Marion or if Marion happens to wear a scary looking outfit for some reason.
Which is interesting cause I don't thing we ever seen Kari panic before.

The hand still could be Lois’, and she is with Fido and Fox. Kari could be panicky because Jessica told him that Marion was wanted by the police, because that is what Fido told her when he knocked at the door.

CunningFox · Post by **CunningFox** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:28 am

The only character I can remember wearing gloves like that is Thomas, and last we saw him, he didn't have hands to wear them on.

Post by **CyberDragon** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:18 am

dr_eirik wrote:Clearly this is the hand of God. Kari accidentally killed Marion with that last joke and we are seeing him ascend to squirrel Heaven, with all the nuts he can eat. I hope hes not allergic in the afterlife.

Has Kari ever looked more menacing than in that first panel? And, again, does he know what hes doing there?

It's Karishad.

Of course he knows exactly what he is doing.

Sir Chestnut · Post by **Sir Chestnut** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:34 am

Hopefully Joel's partner didn't get out of prison yet.

Argent · Post by **Argent** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:55 am

Fox's owner is a police officer.

Sir Chestnut · Post by **Sir Chestnut** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:17 am

CunningFox wrote:The only character I can remember wearing gloves like that is Thomas, and last we saw him, he didn't have hands to wear them on.

Granted it was winter, Bill has been seen wearing brown gloves like that once.

http://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/200 ... bike-ride/

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:44 am

Sir Chestnut wrote:
CunningFox wrote:The only character I can remember wearing gloves like that is Thomas, and last we saw him, he didn't have hands to wear them on.
Granted it was winter, Bill has been seen wearing brown gloves like that once.

Bill is a motorcycle cop, so he'd be wearing gloves in the middle of a heatwave. As least on his bike.

The designs on the characters have certainly changed over the years. Took me a second to realize that wasn't Joey on the back of the bike.

Silly Zealot · Post by **Silly Zealot** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:08 am

zeusdemigod131 wrote:Bets on Marion get capture by a forest hobo for squirrel stew?

Forest hobo! Why didn't I think of that name? It fits so well.

Welsh Halfwit wrote:“We’ve travelled a path, you and I,
and I really must say you look tasty.
If you die when you turn around
I promise you’ll go well in pastry.”

This is why I love Welsh's poems.
(Cerberus doesn't rhyme very well with fuss, though)

fenrirblack wrote:
D-Rock wrote:The hand has five fingers. That should eliminate a lot of possibilities.
Let's think really hard. In the woods at night. It would need to be someone who just happen to stumble on the exit or somehow knew where the tunnel would lead. Someone who was informed of its location by someone who knew it existed. Someone smart enough or clever enough with long enough legs to reach the exit before Marion got to the end. Someone who was already looking for him. Someone who could recognize him from somewhere before like from a photo. Someone who would be wearing gloves almost as if they were investigating a crime and didn't want to contaminate the evidence. Someone with a relationship with the K-9 unit who would be able to tag along with them.
Hmm....I'm stumped.

Oh, no! It's that Joel guy from PETA!!!!
I wondered when he would return after that gryphon made him dissappear.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:38 am

Silly Zealot wrote: Oh, no! It's that Joel guy from PETA!!!!
I wondered when he would return after that gryphon made him dissappear.

You might be right about that! Word among the pets is that he's been hanging around the neighborhood, too. One of them found his watch a few years back! Last we heard, King Milton had it! They should send Fox and Fido to interrogate him!

Ash Greytree · Post by **Ash Greytree** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:29 pm

If it is Lois, I imagine their encounter going something like this:

Lois: [Raises Marion up to eye level with her. She has a serious look on her face.] Alright, squirrelly, where's Marion?
Marion: Lois?! Oh thank goodness it's you! You have to- Wait, why are you wearing gardening gloves?
Lois: It's dark out here and I don't want to accidentally touch any poison oak. I don't want to have a rash on my hands at graduation. Anyway, tell me where my boyfriend is. Now.
Marion: Listen, it really is me! It wasn't a prank or anything; I am Marion!
Lois: Yeah, right. You think I was born yesterday? People don't just turn into squirrels.
Marion: [Muttering under his breath] Do I really have to do thing that they do in the cartoons and movies? [Sighs] Here goes...
Marion: [Says embarrassing but PG-rated secret that only they know and promised to never tell anyone.]
Lois: [With a visibly shocked expression on her face and almost dropping the squirrel.] MARION?!?!

trekkie · Post by **trekkie** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:30 pm

Bill would make sense if other cops are investigating Marion’s disappearance. Maybe it could also be Jeeves if he does any gardening in the Milton estate.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:42 pm

Obviously it has to be Lois. Or an officer from the police department tagging along although if there was one then why weren't they asking Lois about Marion back at the station. So let's stick with Lois since she is the character who actually has a stake in the plot and is important (no sense in dragging in random characters like Bill just to move the story along). So how would this play out?

Lois: I got her.
Fox: Be careful, you don't want to hurt her.
Marion: Lois! What are you doing here?
Lois: Okay squirrel, where is Marion? You had to be the last one to see him since he sent the photo of you and you're wearing his bracelet.
Marion: Lois for the last time, I AM MARION! I woke up like this. You have to believe me. You have no idea what I've been through today.
Lois: Really? You're Marion? Why would I believe that. People don't randomly change into animals.
Fox: Well, that's not entirely true.
Marion & Lois: What?
Fox: Did you happen to run into any supernatural beings lately? A three headed dog or a nine-tailed fox?
Marion: No. Like I said I woke up like this. When I went to bed I was human and when I woke up I was a squirrel. A female squirrel.
Lois: This is ridiculous. Look squirrel, I don't know what your deal is but this little prank has gone one long enough. Tell me where my boyfriend is your I'm feeding you to the fox.
Marion: Okay, if I'm not Marion then how do I know that your favorite show is Orange is the New Black, that your favorite book is The Golden Compass, or this past Christmas I got you that pink frilly—"
Lois covers his mouth with her hand.
Lois: Okay, I believe you. You're definitely Marion. I told you to never mention that in public.
Marion: Finally.
Lois: Why are you a squirrel? Why are you female? Why are you in a ditch?
Marion: I wish I knew. You have to help me figure it out.
Fox: There is someone who can help us.
Lois: You know someone who is well-versed in the supernatural and arcane arts.
Fido: Two someone's actually. My girlfriend is one.
Marion: Why not? This night can't get any weirder.
Fox: Hold that thought because things are about to get really weird. Let me tell you a story about my friend King.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:53 pm

fenrirblack wrote:Obviously it has to be Lois. Or an officer from the police department tagging along although if there was one then why weren't they asking Lois about Marion back at the station. So let's stick with Lois since she is the character who actually has a stake in the plot and is important (no sense in dragging in random characters like Bill just to move the story along). So how would this play out?

Lois: I got her.
Fox: Be careful, you don't want to hurt her.
Marion: Lois! What are you doing here?
Lois: Okay squirrel, where is Marion? You had to be the last one to see him since he sent the photo of you and you're wearing his bracelet.
Marion: Lois for the last time, I AM MARION! I woke up like this. You have to believe me. You have no idea what I've been through today.
Lois: Really? You're Marion? Why would I believe that. People don't randomly change into animals.
Fox: Well, that's not entirely true.
Marion & Lois: What?
Fox: Did you happen to run into any supernatural beings lately? A three headed dog or a nine-tailed fox?
Marion: No. Like I said I woke up like this. When I went to bed I was human and when I woke up I was a squirrel. A female squirrel.
Lois: This is ridiculous. Look squirrel, I don't know what your deal is but this little prank has gone one long enough. Tell me where my boyfriend is your I'm feeding you to the fox.
Marion: Okay, if I'm not Marion then how do I know that your favorite show is Orange is the New Black, that your favorite book is The Golden Compass, or this past Christmas I got you that pink frilly—"
Lois covers his mouth with her hand.
Lois: Okay, I believe you. You're definitely Marion. I told you to never mention that in public.
Marion: Finally.
Lois: Why are you a squirrel? Why are you female? Why are you in a ditch?
Marion: I wish I knew. You have to help me figure it out.
Fox: There is someone who can help us.
Lois: You know someone who is well-versed in the supernatural and arcane arts.
Fido: Two someone's actually. My girlfriend is one.
Marion: Why not? This night can't get any weirder.
Fox: Hold that thought because things are about to get really weird. Let me tell you a story about my friend King.

I rather like this, but I don't think that Fox would spill about King to a couple of strangers, nor Fido. I don't think he's aware that King was human, and a wanted man besides. In fact, is Fido even aware that humans can be transformed? I suppose Sabrina might have told him at some point, but he's never been present for that specific act.

When they meet, I've thought he was going to have to tell a secret to get her to believe him, but more in the whispers-in-her-ear-as-her-eyes-bug-out manner.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:03 pm

dr_eirik wrote:
I rather like this, but I don't think that Fox would spill about King to a couple of strangers, nor Fido. I don't think he's aware that King was human, and a wanted man besides. In fact, is Fido even aware that humans can be transformed? I suppose Sabrina might have told him at some point, but he's never been present for that specific act.

When they meet, I've thought he was going to have to tell a secret to get her to believe him, but more in the whispers-in-her-ear-as-her-eyes-bug-out manner.

I don't think he has much choice at the moment. Fido is kinda a wild card because I don't think he knows about King so that's going to take some explaining but there is no point in hiding it from Lois or Marion who don't know King/Joel or his history so it won't matter if they know. Even though it's a "secret," it's really a secret to those who know him or someone of importance. What are they going to do post on Twitter, "OMG there is this corgi in our neighborhood that used to be a human." Fido would be the only reason Fox wouldn't be upfront about King. Right now it might benefit the situation if they knew that this wasn't the first time something like this has happened to reassure them and demonstrate that he has experience in this kind of situation. Marion has been through a lot so finally meeting someone who not only believes him but can actually help would be a huge step in the right direction.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:08 pm

trekkie wrote:Bill would make sense if other cops are investigating Marion’s disappearance. Maybe it could also be Jeeves if he does any gardening in the Milton estate.

JEEVES??? Um...yeah...why not?

Cesco · Post by **Cesco** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:50 pm

Oh, Karishad, you really give shivers...

That tunnel has an end to outside, wasn't expecting that.

Aww, poor Marion and his little heart again. Yeah, why scare him once again?

Now he really going to take a big fright...

That must be an human hand, who can be? Maybe right Lois?

shadowlucario50 · Post by **shadowlucario50** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:59 pm

Next comic, I'm predicting that Marion will slowly wake up to a completely different place based on that comment alone. The person I feel is most likely will be the officer that owns Fox. But that's too logical, so I'm going to say it's Peanut's dad just for fun.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:03 pm

fenrirblack wrote: I don't think he has much choice at the moment. Fido is kinda a wild card because I don't think he knows about King so that's going to take some explaining but there is no point in hiding it from Lois or Marion who don't know King/Joel or his history so it won't matter if they know. Even though it's a "secret," it's really a secret to those who know him or someone of importance. What are they going to do post on Twitter, "OMG there is this corgi in our neighborhood that used to be a human." Fido would be the only reason Fox wouldn't be upfront about King. Right now it might benefit the situation if they knew that this wasn't the first time something like this has happened to reassure them and demonstrate that he has experience in this kind of situation. Marion has been through a lot so finally meeting someone who not only believes him but can actually help would be a huge step in the right direction.

I would think Fox could just tell Fido that he's aware that it can happen and has seen it happen. He can be coy about who it is for the moment (assuming, again, that he doesn't already know). It might also go back to the status of their friendship. I've wondered if the Sabrina thing tainted their friendship and the brief interactions we've seen of them since haven't been clear to me. Fox might not want to let on that he knows this large of a secret and has been holding it back for so long.

In the end, Kings secret is Kings. I can't see Fox telling anyone on his own without a really good reason or Kings permission. For the moment, it would be enough they know two pets that can help.

In the realm of things that won't happen but are fun to speculate about: If Fido does find out, does he try to arrest King? Or have a long talk with him? Keep quiet but eye him suspiciously? Fido was one of the arresting police dogs, after all.

Argent · Post by **Argent** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:18 pm

Big twist - Marion wakes up as a pangolin.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 4:47 pm

dr_eirik wrote: I would think Fox could just tell Fido that he's aware that it can happen and has seen it happen. He can be coy about who it is for the moment (assuming, again, that he doesn't already know). It might also go back to the status of their friendship. I've wondered if the Sabrina thing tainted their friendship and the brief interactions we've seen of them since haven't been clear to me. Fox might not want to let on that he knows this large of a secret and has been holding it back for so long.

In the end, Kings secret is Kings. I can't see Fox telling anyone on his own without a really good reason or Kings permission. For the moment, it would be enough they know two pets that can help.

In the realm of things that won't happen but are fun to speculate about: If Fido does find out, does he try to arrest King? Or have a long talk with him? Keep quiet but eye him suspiciously? Fido was one of the arresting police dogs, after all.

This could be setting up an arc down the line for Fox and Fido. Considering they have two strips so far their roles in this arc seem to be limited to simply guides. This is Marion's and Lois's arc so i can't see them having too much to do right now but it would be leading to something later that focuses on their relationship which in all honestly despite them being best friends, they've rarely hung out. They've interacted on several occasions but Fox doesn't have the same relationship with Fido as he has with King or Mungo.

You're right about it being King's secret so I doubt Fox will be too upfront about it. There is no need to bring King up at all because like I've said before Tarot and Sabrina are the essential ones. King has been in Marion's position before but he can't (and won't want to) help. I could still see Fox calling him though and be like "It's happening again." Followed by a stream of profanity on the other end of the phone followed by Bailey smacking him.

It would be interesting to see Fido's reaction and see how he interacts with King which considering the limited interactions before I doubt much would change. They're still in two different spheres that rarely if ever come in contact to one another. If not for Fox they would have nothing in common beyond the fact that Fido arrested him eleven years ago.

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:14 pm

fenrirblack wrote:
D-Rock wrote:The hand has five fingers. That should eliminate a lot of possibilities.
Let's think really hard. In the woods at night. It would need to be someone who just happen to stumble on the exit or somehow knew where the tunnel would lead. Someone who was informed of its location by someone who knew it existed. Someone smart enough or clever enough with long enough legs to reach the exit before Marion got to the end. Someone who was already looking for him. Someone who could recognize him from somewhere before like from a photo. Someone who would be wearing gloves almost as if they were investigating a crime and didn't want to contaminate the evidence. Someone with a relationship with the K-9 unit who would be able to tag along with them.
Hmm....I'm stumped.

TIGER!

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:21 pm

Good lord I really hope that this is someone who can actually go and help Marion somehow. If it is yet just ANOTHER detour I'll tear my hair out because its getting tiring.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:52 pm

fenrirblack wrote:
This could be setting up an arc down the line for Fox and Fido. Considering they have two strips so far their roles in this arc seem to be limited to simply guides. This is Marion's and Lois's arc so i can't see them having too much to do right now but it would be leading to something later that focuses on their relationship which in all honestly despite them being best friends, they've rarely hung out. They've interacted on several occasions but Fox doesn't have the same relationship with Fido as he has with King or Mungo.

You're right about it being King's secret so I doubt Fox will be too upfront about it. There is no need to bring King up at all because like I've said before Tarot and Sabrina are the essential ones. King has been in Marion's position before but he can't (and won't want to) help. I could still see Fox calling him though and be like "It's happening again." Followed by a stream of profanity on the other end of the phone followed by Bailey smacking him.

It would be interesting to see Fido's reaction and see how he interacts with King which considering the limited interactions before I doubt much would change. They're still in two different spheres that rarely if ever come in contact to one another. If not for Fox they would have nothing in common beyond the fact that Fido arrested him eleven years ago.

You're right, this isn't their arc. If this is gong to come up at all, it will be very brief here and may or may not show up later.

I did have a slightly dark scene in mind that almost certainly won't happen...
<Early morning, Wolf house. There is a knock on the door. King opens it to see Fido, who looks steamed>
King: Fido? What are you doing here so early? Is Fox okay?
Fido: <very coolly> Fox is fine. And its Officer Byron, Joel.
King: What are you...
Fido: Shut it! Sabrina spilled it accidentally. So, its true?
King: ...it is.
<Fido advances on King, and the smaller dog backs up until he's pressed against the wall>
Fido: We've been looking for you for a decade! You've been right under our noses the whole time!
King: I can explain!
<Bailey and Lucretia come out of the kitchen>
Bailey: What is all the yelling about?
<Fido has his handcuffs out>
Fido: I'm deciding if I should arrest your husband for dognapping and breaking out of jail!
Bailey: Are you insane?
King: You don't know the whole story, Fido!
Fido: Shut up, Joel!
<Lucretia steps between them and put a hand on Fidos chest>
Lucretia: Why don't you calm down, officer, and let King speak.
Fido: But he's...
Lucretia: <Suddenly showing her teeth as her wolf instincts and protective instincts flare to the surface>. Officer! SIT! STAY!! <Fido meekly sits on the sofa. Lucretia turns back to hostess mode>. Would you like coffee while you SIT and LISTEN?