2019/07/03 - Badger Before Bed

Post by **D-Rock** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:04 am

[2019/07/03 - Badger Before Bed]
Title Text: oh, no, another "P" word! *dives out the window*

I mean, if our theories hold any water, it could be.

LunarFox · Post by **LunarFox** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:05 am

Please save poor Marion posthaste!

In other words, uh oh.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:08 am

Well that's not suspicious.

He's definitely got some bad guy lingo and movements going on. How do I know that? It is the same thing I do when I'm manipulating people for my own personal needs.

Look at him being all nice and friendly when you know he has something planned. He's like teenage girl from a Disney cartoon, you know he's pure evil on the inside. He's going to manipulate Marion.

Nobody · Post by **Nobody** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:09 am

Has Steward's dialogue always been slightly stilted like that?

LunarFox · Post by **LunarFox** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:10 am

Nope... bad badger, bad badger...!

Gbr23 · Post by **Gbr23** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:11 am

I definitely did not have to google that word

Rikunda · Post by **Rikunda** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:12 am

The hype is flowing! Man I want to know now, but I also love that the author is bringing it out at a natural pacing. Man it is so nailing biting!

Champion Wallace · Post by **Champion Wallace** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:13 am

"No proselytizing" was not part of the tenant agreement. Is a year still considered "new-is" because some have been there over three? I'm a little confused about the timeline if it's not even "the middle of the night" yet. Did Marion sleep for zero hours in the treehouse before getting woken up by Falstaff and Truck? Stewart, you really shouldn't badger new guests.
... I'll see myself out.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:16 am

See? He’s not being evil here,
the bad Badger came to say hello;
and Jess herself came to protect
and lets her odd commune grow.
He has Karishad, who wants to eat him
and the Cubs who make you think;
now he’s drawn into the circle of Badgers
and, for religion? Hi, Custom Ink!
The day has faded for our young friend,
perhaps tomorrow will bring some clues?
As he goes forth into the trap-filled world
which of us would want to be in his shoes?

(Or pads as he’s not wearing any shoes(!)

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:20 am

Is Steward A Villain: Yes

Steward's Goal: Revenge

Did He Change Marion: No

Does He Know Marion’s True Identity: Maybe. (He's doesn't want to scare Marion off or risk exposure since no one knows about his past)

Who Changed Marion: Dino-Demon or another new supernatural character that has not been introduced.

Will Marion Return Home: Yes. Soon.

Theories
Steward is going to question Marion in the morning and bring up the subject of the coin but the coin was not responsible and Steward never intended to use it on anyone yet. Once Steward discovers Marion was changed and wants to use Marion for his own devious purposes which is still revenge against the Miltons.
Steward wants to learn more about Marion and his arrival but does not suspect that Marion was formerly human like him but still plans to use Marion for some type of goal.
Steward wants to create an army of ferals and march on Babylon Gardens or overthrow Jessica as ruler of the treehouse.

jonas · Post by **jonas** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:27 am

Very interesting indeed.

I wonder if something is permanently out of whack since the collapse of the Temple. D:

Keldor · Post by **Keldor** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:32 am

"...so don't run off in the middle of the night"

You know, when you say it like that, it's nearly bound to happen! Marion will be kidnapped by rich ferrets or something.

I wonder what Steward's goals are now. They were already unclear before, but now AFTER he's been turned into a badger, they're anyone's guess.

Saturn381 · Post by **Saturn381** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:37 am

Why does Steward find Marion's name interesting? Does he know him?

Mctwisp · Post by **Mctwisp** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:51 am

Marion didn't even question the badger about wearing glasses.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:55 am

Apparently Mr.Steward/Badger isn't the only "badgerer" around the burrow. He still talks like an accountant.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:07 am

Saturn381 wrote:Why does Steward find Marion's name interesting? Does he know him?

He lives around people called 'Custom Ink', 'Draig', 'Karishad' and 'Tiny Tum'. Even with there being a Jessica, he may simply be noting that 'Marion' is more of 'Human' name than an Animal one.

Champion Wallace · Post by **Champion Wallace** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:23 am

Marion's run into several ladies that don't want to listen to all Marion has to say. Funny that by the time he encounters someone who wants to talk he's too tired. Given what Steward says in the first panel, could it be possible he hasn't spent as much time living there in-universe as it's been since the strip of him going to Jessica our time?

Ruska · Post by **Ruska** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:26 am

Marion looks so cute in the third panel! I’m loving this arc so far. I hope we get to see some of the day-to-day life at Jessica’s house.

Post by **SeanWolf** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 6:40 am

Ruska wrote:Marion looks so cute in the third panel! I’m loving this arc so far. I hope we get to see some of the day-to-day life at Jessica’s house.

He does, doesn't he? I think it's the tail that cements the cuteness.

HundKatzeMaus · Post by **HundKatzeMaus** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 7:13 am

Nobody wrote:Has Steward's dialogue always been slightly stilted like that?

Not sure, maybe he wants to sound softspoken and educated to let others think he is harmless.

I wonder if Steward is just turning some random people into animals to see how the magic of the coin works.
Actually I would like to know too. Does it really just turn people into random animals (and sometimes changes the gender) or does it depend on the person?

OrWasIt.EXE · Post by **OrWasIt.EXE** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 8:35 am

Steward's dialogue in the second panel is pretty much my reaction to not only getting an answer as to whether he even speaks anymore post-transformation or not, but also to the way he speaks.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 8:45 am

HundKatzeMaus wrote:
Nobody wrote:Has Steward's dialogue always been slightly stilted like that?
Not sure, maybe he wants to sound softspoken and educated to let others think he is harmless.

I wonder if Steward is just turning some random people into animals to see how the magic of the coin works.
Actually I would like to know too. Does it really just turn people into random animals (and sometimes changes the gender) or does it depend on the person?

That is an interesting question - what dynamics determines the animal you become. Jes'something else that might be revealed as the story unfolds.

Sir Chestnut · Post by **Sir Chestnut** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:28 am

Mctwisp wrote:Marion didn't even question the badger about wearing glasses.

He might not think anything of it since Miles also wears glasses. It's most likely Marion's met Miles at some point since he made it a point to introduce the pack to the neighborhood when they arrived.

Although I'm pretty certain Miles is the only actual animal with glasses up to this point.

shadowlucario50 · Post by **shadowlucario50** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:37 am

Sir Chestnut wrote:
Mctwisp wrote:Marion didn't even question the badger about wearing glasses.
He might not think anything of it since Miles also wears glasses. It's most likely Marion's met Miles at some point since he made it a point to introduce the pack to the neighborhood when they arrived.

Although I'm pretty certain Miles is the only actual animal with glasses up to this point.

Or Marion's just really tired and doesn't care at the moment for anything but sleep.

What I find more intriguing is how Jessica is telling off Steward not to proselyte. Has he been that closed off or silent for the other forest animals to not know about him? How much has he spoken to them before? And how long has he been in the treehouse?

... Ah, questions leading to more questions. That's what I love about a good plotline.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:50 am

I would really like it if Steward instead of being evil like everybody assumes he is going to be would just also be trying to get his human body back. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:49 am

Sir Chestnut wrote:
Mctwisp wrote:Marion didn't even question the badger about wearing glasses.

He might not think anything of it since Miles also wears glasses. It's most likely Marion's met Miles at some point since he made it a point to introduce the pack to the neighborhood when they arrived.

Although I'm pretty certain Miles is the only actual animal with glasses up to this point.

Also, Miles is a substitute teacher now, it's not impossible that Marion was in his class or saw him in the halls of school.

His "interesting" line is, well, interesting. Its hard to interpret, but seems clear that he didn't transform Marion. I wonder if Steward heard about the missing teenager and now meets a same-named squirrel who seems lost and is making a connection.

Ash Greytree · Post by **Ash Greytree** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:51 am

Notes from last night as I was getting sleepy:

-In panel 3, Marion looks super cute curled up into that floofball! Glad that he's finally getting a good night's sleep. He looks quite cute with his pose and expression in the first panel as well.

-It's neat that Steward is giving him some space and time to rest. Makes me think his intentions aren't super evil. Especially if they're going to be talking in the morning at or near the treehouse where a whole lot of animals could possibly eavesdrop on them.

-Steward saying "interesting" to Marion's name means one of two things: 1) Steward knows about Marion and who he is or 2) it's some kind of trick to get Marion to think Steward knows something more; an attempt to get the squirrel interested in what he has to say.

-Since Marion's getting some much-deserved shuteye now, the rest of the arc may shift to another character's perspective. My bet is we're gonna see what Steward's been up to, then the next arc picks back up with Marion in the morning.

Now, stuff I thought about today:

Rereading the strip, Steward saying "No doubt." to Marion makes it seem like he knows more than he's letting on. I still don't think he's out for revenge or anything truly evil, though. He could be looking to turn back to human, and this is an "If you want to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs" situation. Bonus points if Steward explains to Marion that all he wants to do is change back, discusses that he was experimenting with the coin and Marion was an accidental test subject of that experimentation, promises Marion that he'll figure out a way to get them both back to normal, and says the omelette thing to Marion about his transformation while they're eating eggs for breakfast

Marion: [Facepalming] You did not just drop a bombshell like that on me and follow it up with a dad joke...

If the arc does in fact start out with Marion talking to Steward in the morning, then hopefully the "Marion goes about his day and interacts with more of the animals" arc I really want plays out. It could be brought on by Marion being asked to run a benign errand in or around the neighborhood for Steward or Jessica.

Keldor wrote:"...so don't run off in the middle of the night"

You know, when you say it like that, it's nearly bound to happen! Marion will be kidnapped by rich ferrets or something.

Yeah, him having to leave sometime in the middle of the night is a possibility too. He stirs awake later in the night and overhears something another pet says that sounds suspicious but is actually innocuous, or he gets a surprise visit from Kitsune that causes him to freak out and jump out a window (with a joke being that he instinctually sticks the landing on another nearby tree thanks to being a squirrel) and gets the heck out of there, or someone does indeed kidnap him... Man, if it does end up like that, with Marion out on his own again or in hot water, I'm going to be really sad. Please don't do it, Rick; Marion's suffered enough, dangit!

Although, Kitsune would probably visit Marion in his dreams instead. That'd be a neat way to end this arc or begin the one after this; Marion chats with Kitsune in a dream and some plot-thickening happens.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:09 pm

Ash Greytree wrote:
Although, Kitsune would probably visit Marion in his dreams instead. That'd be a neat way to end this arc or begin the one after this; Marion chats with Kitsune in a dream and some plot-thickening happens.

I kinda thought that we might see a dream sequence in the strip after Jessica asks Truck to show him to the room. I think it's still possible to be coming soon.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:12 pm

Amazee Dayzee wrote:I would really like it if Steward instead of being evil like everybody assumes he is going to be would just also be trying to get his human body back. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case.

As long as Steward does something morally bad or could qualify as villainous then it doesn't matter what his goal is. The best example I could give right now is near the end of the Emperor's New Groove where Ezma was turned into a cat then tried to drink the human potion before Kuzco which would qualify as villainous. They over dramatized it for cartoon purposes but the point stands. If Steward wanted to return to human, then all he would have to do to be considered a villain is use Marion in some fashion. As much fun as Steward being the anarchist or world dominating type, that isn't going to happen. But we know that he has already tried to rob the Milton's so that is already a lead up to villainy. So the next step, if we continue with the return to human aspect, could be using Marion to steal a scroll or information from the Manor, just Marion as leverage against the Miltons, or maybe the Milton's won't be involved but I doubt that since Steward's character essentially revolved around the Miltons and that is all he knows.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:23 pm

Oh, and on a purely non-plot note, Ink looks adorable here. I'd read a comic with her reading the phone book... well, maybe not, but I'm glad we're seeing more of her in this arc.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:27 pm

dr_eirik wrote:Oh, and on a purely non-plot note, Ink looks adorable here. I'd read a comic with her reading the phone book... well, maybe not, but I'm glad we're seeing more of her in this arc.

Ink's a sweet creature - wouldn't mind seeing her featured in a short adventure that didn't revolve around her "Openerarianism" … actually, that could be fun, too.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:28 pm

Sir Chestnut wrote:
Mctwisp wrote:Marion didn't even question the badger about wearing glasses.

He might not think anything of it since Miles also wears glasses. It's most likely Marion's met Miles at some point since he made it a point to introduce the pack to the neighborhood when they arrived.

Although I'm pretty certain Miles is the only actual animal with glasses up to this point.

Actually, we've seen several don "readers" before - Marvin, for example.

fenrirblack · Post by **fenrirblack** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:29 pm

Ash Greytree wrote: Now, stuff I thought about today:

Rereading the strip, Steward saying "No doubt." to Marion makes it seem like he knows more than he's letting on.

If I've learned anything from watching too much TV is that when a character says "No doubt," they want something from you.

Ash Greytree wrote:If the arc does in fact start out with Marion talking to Steward in the morning, then hopefully the "Marion goes about his day and interacts with more of the animals" arc I really want plays out. It could be brought on by Marion being asked to run a benign errand in or around the neighborhood for Steward or Jessica.

Steward is going to play a key role from here on out, that much is all but certain. I could see Steward telling Marion to go to Point A and do Task A when he arrives. What those are is unknown but I would bet anything it has to do with the Miltons to some degree. How many of the other pets come to play is an interesting question. I don't think Marion is not going to change back anytime soon, which is to be expected, so if the other characters come into play then it will be over a longer period of time.

Ash Greytree wrote:
Keldor wrote:"...so don't run off in the middle of the night"

You know, when you say it like that, it's nearly bound to happen! Marion will be kidnapped by rich ferrets or something.
Yeah, him having to leave sometime in the middle of the night is a possibility too. He stirs awake later in the night and overhears something another pet says that sounds suspicious but is actually innocuous, or he gets a surprise visit from Kitsune that causes him to freak out and jump out a window (with a joke being that he instinctually sticks the landing on another nearby tree thanks to being a squirrel) and gets the heck out of there, or someone does indeed kidnap him... Man, if it does end up like that, with Marion out on his own again or in hot water, I'm going to be really sad. Please don't do it, Rick; Marion's suffered enough, dangit!

Although, Kitsune would probably visit Marion in his dreams instead. That'd be a neat way to end this arc or begin the one after this; Marion chats with Kitsune in a dream and some plot-thickening happens.

I do want Kitsune to pop up but even if he did, what could he do right now? We've established that he's not going to help Marion change back for plot purposes so his presence is unnecessary right now. It would be super funny if he popped up in Marion's room like everyone else but for right now I would expect him to wait in the wings and let Steward do his thing. I have a feeling Kitsune will come more into play once the cause of Marion's transformation is established.
Rick hasn't done "dream sequences" since Year 1. It's not really his style. Unless he wanted to repeat Pete's introduction with a new character then I could see a dream sequence being used but beyond that I doubt it.
If Marion was a bigger animal, I could see a scene where he rolls over and Kitsune is there lying next to him in bed. Another missed opportunity.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:40 pm

Eventually, despite all the crowd, Steward/Badger and Marion are going to have a little chat, Marion will be thrilled to learn he's not the only "transedformeder" in the world, and we'll get a sense of what our accountant is calculating.

Interesting, the transformation solved Steward's poison ivy problem but didn't improve his vision. Badger's don't have the best eyesight but maybe they're immune to itchy-twitchy leaves.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:45 pm

NHWestoN wrote:Eventually, despite all the crowd, Steward/Badger and Marion are going to have a little chat, Marion will be thrilled to learn he's not the only "transedformeder" in the world, and we'll get a sense of what our accountant is calculating.

Interesting, the transformation solved Steward's poison ivy problem but didn't improve his vision. Badger's don't have the best eyesight but maybe they're immune to itchy-twitchy leaves.

Marion might be thrilled until he learns that none of the known transformation victims have ever turned back (well, other than King, but he stayed a dog)

We actually don't know that it solved his terror ivy exposure. We only saw him transform, and then later showing up at Jessicas. He might have been itching the whole time.

Cesco · Post by **Cesco** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:30 pm

Alright, good you followed my advice.

It's indeed better to speak tomorrow morning, and don't worry Steward, Marion is surely too tired to ever think to run away during the night, with all the related dangers in the woods, then.

I wonder why Steward finds Marion's name interesting. Maybe he already knows of something?

Uhm, proselyting? How come?

It must be an usual way to do of Steward... Eheh, yep, it's another P word to teach to Tiger.

trekkie · Post by **trekkie** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:15 pm

Both Marion and Ink are adorable, I hope that Marion is careful around Steward.

Argent · Post by **Argent** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:38 pm

fenrirblack wrote:I do want Kitsune to pop up but even if he did, what could he do right now? We've established that he's not going to help Marion change back for plot purposes

Where has that been established?

NHWestoN wrote:Interesting, the transformation solved Steward's poison ivy problem but didn't improve his vision. Badger's don't have the best eyesight but maybe they're immune to itchy-twitchy leaves.

Poison ivy primarily effects primates. It has no effect on dogs, as demonstrated when I got poison ivy after petting my dogs when they'd run through a patch. I am sure that badgers are immune.

dr_eirik · Post by **dr_eirik** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:50 pm

Argent wrote:
fenrirblack wrote:I do want Kitsune to pop up but even if he did, what could he do right now? We've established that he's not going to help Marion change back for plot purposes
Where has that been established?

It hasn't been established, but if Kitsune popped in and just turned Marion back into a human then the story is over, more or less. I suppose that he could pop in and fix Marion and there could still be a story after that, but it seems unlikely.

I've speculated that he'll pop in and clarify that here is some reason that he can't fix things. He might not even do that with Marion directly, but perhaps as a "break the fourth wall" moment. Kinda depends on how much Marion learns before they meet.

NHWestoN · Post by **NHWestoN** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:57 pm

It's interesting that Jessica interpreted Steward/Badger's approach to Marion as "proselytizing". Wonder what basis she makes that connection? Has she got her eye on Badger boy because she suspects him of having an agenda? Seems to be a bit of tension atwix them.

Wonder if any of the other tree-dwellers will meet Marion before he has his heart-to-heart with Badger? Kinda wish Zach was around.