Hi!
Haven't posted anything here in a while now mostly because of work and working things out in a very slow manner. But i got plans......
And while i'm planning stuff, DELTARUNE TODAY! CHAPTER 5 will be up in a matter of hours (depending on where you live, check out deltarune.com). So excited!
She's doing all right! I'm having a bit of a frustration lately because I cannot find the proper greens for her daily salad, and I might need to resort to more drastic measures if that continues to be a problem in the coming weeks.
But for herself, she's been much more out and about and active lately because she's finally shedding some! She tends to stay in her hide most of the time, but these days she's basking or out on her hammock much more often in order to get that shed off. Also means she's eating well, which is always good!
You can see here a big chunk of shed coming off of her tummy!
And on a nice warm day I took her out in her little dragon wing harness to get some actual sunshine! (She ate a cherry blossom...)
Kris finally encounters a new eldritch beast while traversing a land of waterfalls and misty darkness! Unfortunately, they prove to be difficult to work with, and Kris's attempts to resolve the situation just make things worse for them!
Man I've been wanting to do the Meeting Cattington comic forever, so it's real nice to finally get to it! This is yet another two-parter, so look out for the conclusion tomorrow!
Alt text for this comic is under the read more:
Page 1
Panel 1 - An inset panel with a closeup n Ralsei. He cups his hands around his mouth and yells downward: “Keep going, Kris! You’re almost there!”
Panel 2 - Wide shot to reveal a tall, almost pillar-like mountain. The mountain is full of holes, and long waterfalls spill from the holes endlessly. Ralsei, Susie, Noelle and Berdly stand on top of the mountain, as Kris carefully climbs their way up to them via a long trail of handholds. Several more pillared mountains stand tall in the distance, and the whole area is thick with vapor from the waterfalls.
Berdly calls down, “Yeah, hurry up, Kris!”
Panel 3 - An angled overhead shot as Kris struggles to climb up the mountain, their hand gripping a handhold near the camera. The waterfalls spill around them, sending spray everywhere. “You know, Berdly…this would go much faster…if you would just…*fly* me to the top…” Kris says between breaths, looking clearly annoyed. Below them, the base of the mountain disappears into darkness.
Panel 4 - Middle shot of Berdly as he flippantly casts a wing to the side. “All this moisture’s got my feathers wet! You’ll just weigh me down!” he says, making excuses for himself.
Panel 5 - Kris continues to try and scale the mountain as the waterfalls hiss and spray around them. They grunt, “I have half a mind…to just command you, because…”
Panel 6 - They continue, “These stones are–”
Closeup on Kris’s foot as they balance it precariously on the edge of a foothold. The stones are wet from the waterfall…
Panel 7 - Continued closeup as Kris slips on the wet stone, and falls backwards from the mountainside.
Page 2
Panel 1 - Kris plunges from the mountain into the darkness below, arms outstretched.
Panel 2 - Full shot as Ralsei and all of the beasts stare down in shock to where Kris fell. For a moment, they just stand there, gaping.
Panel 3 - Same shot, although this time, Berdly speaks up. “Heavens to yikes, it’s gonna take *forever* for them to get back up now!”
Noelle, Susie and Ralsei all turn to look at Berdly with annoyed expressions.
Then, a transition panel from light into darkness…
Panel 4 - Wide shot as Kris finally lands, plunging into a deep, still pool of water. Bubbles explode up from their landing in the pool.
Panel 5 - Kris bursts back through the surface of the pool, gasping for breath and splashing water everywhere.
Panel 6 - Wider shot as a wet and bedraggled Kris walks from the deep end of the pool to the shallow shore. Behind them, the waterfalls continue to empty into the pools, spreading mist everywhere.
Page 3
Panel 1 - Kris shakes their body wildly like a dog, trying to dry themself off a bit. Water flies everywhere.
Panel 2 - Wider shot as Kris looks around their new surroundings. The area is dark and remarkably flat. There’s only the softly hissing waterfalls, mist, and darkness.
“Dammit…where am I now?...” Kris asks, mostly to themself.
Panel 3 - Kris turns their head as, off in the misty distance, a ball bounces into their view.
Panel 4 - Wide, broad panel as Kris walks over to observe the object. All around them, the landscape is shrouded in mist and shadow.
Panel 5 - Kris looks down. Sitting on the ground is what appears to be an ordinary soccer ball.
Panel 6 - Kris stares down at the ball with confusion. “A ball…?” they say aloud. They fail to notice a large shadow creeping up behind them…
Panel 7 - …At least until it’s right on top of them. Catti steps out of the darkness, grinning down at Kris. She appears as a large cat beast, with a pink stripe stretching down to her nose, and three earrings on each ear. A halo of spinning orbs, almost like planetary orbits, circles around her head. While her left side appears normal, the right side is pure, wispy black void, dotted with seven cat eyes that peer down at Kris. Kris turns and looks up in shock.
Page 4
Panel 1 - Kris spins around, taken off-guard by the beast’s sudden appearance. “You!--” They then begin to speak a command…
Panel 2 - Mid shot of Catti as the orbs circling her head spin faster, and she traces a line in the air with one claw. Her claw brims with glowing magic. She utters one word: “Hush.”
Panel 3 - Before Kris can finish speaking, the spell strikes at their throat, and their voice is stolen from them.
Panel 4 - In the foreground, Kris grabs at their throat, continuously trying to speak. However, no words come out of them. Behind them, Catti peers closer, narrowing her eyes at them. “A human. Interesting,” she says.
Panel 5 - Full shot as Catti finally steps fully into Kris’s view, revealing one more feature of her: her tail is a separate beast; a grinning snake with bits of plated armor, and dark markings around his eyes. It’s Jockington, and together the two form a chimera.
“Woah Catti, it’s our first, human in soooo long! We can, get a new spell!” Jockington says excitedly.
“Perhaps. Must investigate,” Catti replies. Kris continues to grab at their throat and attempt to speak.
Panel 6 - With that not working, despite Kris’s continued attempts, they reach down and go for their sword.
Panel 7 - “Tsk. None of that,” Catti warns. The orbs again spin around her head, and another magic spell jumps to her void claws with a hiss.
Panel 8 - The spell is a telekinetic one. Kris is lifted off the ground and brought to Catti’s face, their sword falling from their hands as they rise. An aura of magic surrounds them as they’re levitated.
Page 5
Panel 1 - Kris is levitated helplessly, their arms as legs flailing, as Catti gives them a couple sniffs. “Ooh. Young. Strong,” she says, looking interested. “Should get a powerful new spell from you.”
Panel 2 - Kris continues to float about in the foreground. Catti backs up from them suddenly, her face scrunched up and her tongue sticking out. “Uuugh. Demon stink,” she says, clearly disgusted.
Panel 3 - Closeup on Jockington, as he says, “Whaaat? Our first human in, forever, an’ we can’t have ‘em ‘cause some demon owns them? Unradical!”
Panel 4 - Kris hangs upside-down by Catti’s head, still unsuccessfully attempting to speak. Catti turns to Jockington with a sly grin, and says, “Hmph. Finders, keepers.”
Panel 5 - Mid shot as Catti idly paws at the floating Kris, like a cat playing with a feather toy. They spin around helplessly in midair. “Better our dinner than a demon’s toy,” she says, licking her lips.
Panel 6 - Closeup on Jockington as he grins, and unhinges his jaw. “Yeah, yeah! I’m starving!”
Panel 7 - Closeup on Catti as she claws at Kris, giving them a wicked grin. “Pity. Time’s up already.” Kris just stares back at her, still unable to speak.
Page 6
Panel 1 - Full shot as Catti turns back towards Jockington at her rear end. “Farewell, human.” With a flick of her claw and a bit of magic, she levitates Kris over to her snake tail.
Panel 2 - Closeup on Kris in the foreground, as they hover over Jockington. His jaws are unhinged and open wide, ready to swallow Kris whole.
Panel 3 - Kris looks panicked as they’re lowered closer and closer to the snake’s open jaws. They try again and again to say something, but no words come out. They can’t move or speak.
Panel 4 - The orbs again spin around Catti’s head, and she twists magic around her claw, undoing one of her spells. She says, “Hmm. One last scream, before you go.”
Panel 5 - Closeup on Kris as the spell hits them in the throat once again. They look shocked. They’re still being held by telekinesis, but their voice is back!
Panel 6 - And Kris immediately uses their voice to give the MERCY command as loud as they can.
Panel 7 - The command works, and Jockington snaps his jaws shut mere inches from Kris’s face. Kris has their eyes squeezed shut in anticipation, while Jockington looks thoroughly surprised.
Page 7
Panel 1 - Full shot as Catti glances back towards Jockington with confusion. The command was given specifically to the snake tail, and not the cat. “What? Not hungry?” she asks Jockington. Kris, still floating between them, glances back towards her.
Jockington twists in the air, looking thoughtful. “Uhhh they just, said stop, so. Guess not??”
Panel 2 - Catti impatiently holds up a claw, and says, “I am. Open up.”
In the foreground, Kris glances behind them. Close to the waterfall that they first swam away from, they can see a large silhouette stalking around…
Panel 3 - In a closer panel, we can see the silhouette is Susie. Her shape is dark against the mist, but her glowing yellow eyes are clear enough.
Panel 4 - Closeup on Kris as they desperately yell out to her: “SUSIE!” They then give her the DEFEND command.
Panel 5 - In the darkness, Susie whips around at the sound of Kris’s voice, her yellow eyes glowing bright with the sudden motion…
Panel 6 - And she charges forward out of the mist and darkness, snarling and stomping.
Panel 7 - Full shot as Susie barrels into Catti, claws pushing against her underside. Susie is much larger than Catti, and easily knocks her and Jockington over. The telekinesis spell over Kris breaks, and they tumble to the ground between the two monsters.
Page 8
Panel 1 - Full shot as Catti gets back to her feet, hissing furiously. Her hackles and hair are all standing on end; a cat cornered and angry. Behind her, Jockington looks bewildered. Susie’s snout remains in the corner of the foreground.
Panel 2 - The two beasts attack each other with their claws, both hissing and snarling. Even though Catti is smaller, she’s not backing down. However, Kris is still caught between the two of them.
Panel 3 - An action panel focused on Kris, struggling to stay upright as enormous paws and claws stomp all around them. “Wait, wait–” they cry out.
Panel 4 - Action panel as Jockington is whipped around by the force of the fight, unable to get his bearings. “Wooooahh hold uuuup!--”
Panel 5 - Action panel as Catti and Susie whirl around each other, baring their teeth, stomping and clawing still. Kris tries to crawl away from the fight under Catti, and find themself under her void side.
Panel 6 - Action panel as Susie leans in to the fight, grabbing Catti by the left hind side. She clearly intends to push them to the ground, but Kris is still scrambling to get out from under them. “Wait, I’m under here–”
Panel 7 - A shadow is cast over Kris as they hold out a hand over them, trying in vain to protect themself. In a last ditch effort, they again give the MERCY command–
Panel 8 - But it’s too late, as in the midst of the fight, Susie pushes Catti on top of Kris. The void half of Catti falls on top of them.
VMA-331 was a United States Marine Corps attack squadron known as the “Doodlebugs” and “Bumblebees.” It served in World War II and later conflicts, and it was decommissioned on 1 October 1992.
Kris confronts the shadow in the chest, and manages to stop it before it steals their body. They then escape and deal with Ramb...but the shadow's words still carry a great weight of worry.
Aaaand heck yes, this comic is done! A tricky one to do considering the angles and lighting involved, but hopefully it all works well enough! Sometimes there's scarier things for Kris to deal with than death! ;)
Not sure when the next comic will happen since I need to start scripting it first, but as always, there will be more in the future!
Alt text for this comic is under the read more:
Page 1
Panel 1 - Mid shot as Kris spins around, and tries to swing their sword at the shadow–
Panel 2 - As they do, the magical fire moves around as well with a soft hiss.
Panel 3 - Wide shot as the fire changes position. In doing so, it also changes the mantleholder’s position, and they shiver out of the way, always behind Kris. Kris’s sword strikes the wall with a useless CLANG!
Panel 4 - High angle shot as the mantleholder moves over Kris, its grinning face now over the ceiling. “Heeheehahaha! Not a moment wasted!” it says. “You’re so eager to fight!”
Panel 5 - Low angle shot as Kris spins around to face the shadow, sword still in hand. “I’m not eager to die is all!” they retort.
Panel 6 - The mantleholder splays across a variety of stone blocks, its silhouette contorting across the angled surfaces. It replies, “Is that so? Death is no danger to you, after all!”
Panel 7 - Kris again tries to strike at the shadow, and again the fire changes direction in order to change the shadow. It slithers out of the way, and Kris’s sword again hits the wall. “Not when *he’s* got your soul gripped tight in his claws!” the mantleholder continues.
Panel 8 - “But I can fix that for you!” it says. “All you need to do is hold still for a moment…” Kris grimaces as they stand between the floating fire, and the shadow dancing across the stones behind them.
Page 2
Panel 1 - Low angle as a huge stone block above Kris shudders with a rumble.
Panel 2 - High angle as Kris hears the noise, and looks up, their face shocked–
Panel 3 - The stone drops from the ceiling and slams into the ground with a loud BOOM!
Panel 4 - Kris stands with their arms spread out, pinned against the wall. Only a narrow gap separates them from where the block fell, and their body shakes.
Panel 5 - Wide shot of the chamber as more come: all around, the stone blocks begin to move in every direction. They slide across the floor and walls, drop from the ceiling, shift left and right. Kris is still pinned between the firelight and wriggling shadow.
Panel 6 - High angle shot as Kris tries to run and keep ahead of the moving blocks. The fire keeps pace with them, floating ahead. “There’s no sense in running, Kris! I see what’s burning in your eyes.”
Panel 7 - Kris’s head wheels around as the mantleholder continues to taunt them from the ceiling: “I know how you *anticipate* the violence you’ll bring to your town?”
Panel 8 - “How *good* it’ll feel when you order those beasts to kill them,” it continues. Kris continues to run down the length of the chamber, the blocks dropping and shifting with ominous rumbles all around them.
Page 3
Panels 1-5 - A spread of panels in a kaleidoscope as Kris tries to fight back against the shadow, all while avoiding the blocks. They still only strike the walls as the mantleholder evades their strikes. Kris is starting to look scared and a little desperate. Still, all around, the blocks move from one side of the chamber to the other.
Through it all, the mantleholder taunts them: “And I know there’s something nagging at the back of your mind…something so horrible, you date not speak it!” It says. “What happens *after* the fire dies out? When they’re all dead by your hands…what if there’s *guilt*? Despair? *Regret*?
Panel 6 - The mantleholder spreads its shadow all across the moving blocks of the chamber. It changes its shape to more resemble Ralsei: horns, fiery fur, and glowing eyes. “What *will* he do to you?” the shadow taunts.
Panel 7 - Kris is distracted as the mantleholder shifts across the whole chamber, still retaining Ralsei’s shape. “I can spare you all of it, Kris!” it says.
Panel 8 - Full shot as Kris suddenly turns to their left. A stone block is hurtling towards them at high speed, rumbling against the floor.
Page 4
Panel 1 - Kris tries to run out of the way as the block rushes towards them in a blur of stone–
Panel 2 - But they don’t quite make it. The block slams into the wall with an echoing BOOM, crushing Kris’s lower left arm between the two.
Panel 3 - Kris throws their head back and screams.
Panel 4 - Wide shot as the block then slides away, revealing what remains of Kris’s arm–
Panel 5 - Kris turns and gapes in shock as what was once their arm is now only a shadow, like the mantleholder.
Panel 6 - Another angle as Kris tries to move, but finds that they’re effectively pinned to the wall, as their arm now just exists as a shadow on the surface of the stone.
Panel 7 - “Heeheehahaha, incredible! What a sensation!” the mantleholder cries. Kris turns back to their right…
Panel 8 - And sees the mantleholder grinning maniacly against the wall. However, its left shadow arm has now been replaced with Kris’s arm, sticking comically out of the wall.
Page 5
Panel 1 - “Existing in three dimensions is such a thrill!” the mantleholder says, waving Kris’s arm and wiggling the fingers with excitement.
Panel 2 - High angle as Kris looks on in horror, eyes wide. “What are you doing to me?!” they yell back.
Panel 3 - Wider shot as Kris and the mantleholder face each other, showing how Kris’s arm has effectively traded places with the shadow. “Just hold still a little longer, Kris! It’ll be painless…you can stay here, free from him!” the mantleholder says. “I’ll take your body back and do *all* the same things you’ll do.”
Panel 4 - The mantleholder holds out Kris’s arm as if in offering, still grinning. “They’ll never know it’s not *really* you!” it says.
Panel 5 - Low angle as Kris looks up: another stone block has shifted position and is hurtling down, ready to crush them.
Panel 6 - Kris runs towards camera, dodging the block as it slams into the ground. However, with their arm flattened, they’re forced to run against the wall. The mantleholder continues to slither around the room, taking Kris’s forearm as it goes.
Page 6
Panel 1 - Kris still tries to fight back, but it’s all the harder as they’re pinned to the wall. They swing their sword around at the shadow again, but miss. The fire still burns ahead of them. “All the revenge your heart desires, without the burden of you actually doing it!” the mantleholder continues.
Panel 2 - Kris swings their sword around again, their expression frightened and desperate. They again miss, and their sword strikes the wall.
Panel 3 - The mantleholder grins down from the angled ceiling, waving Kris’s arm from above. “Doesn’t that sound perfect, Kris?”
Panel 4 - As another block passes by, Kris finally stops to notice something else: the magical flame burning just ahead of them, always keeping the shadow behind them.
Panel 5 - Closeup on Kris as they study the fire, their face illuminated by its glow. Their eyes narrow as they come to an understanding.
Panel 6 - High angle as another block against the wall starts to slide across to the other end of the chamber. Getting an idea, Kris quickly moves so that their shadow arm falls onto the new surface, peeling them away from the wall.
Panel 7 - Wide shot as the stone block moves across the length of the chamber, with Kris running alongside it so that their arm can remain on the block. The mantleholder grins from the ceiling above.
Panel 8 - Kris runs faster as they approach the fire glowing ahead of them, focusing on their target…
Panel 9 - As they run, almost on top of it, they throw their sword to the ground. It lands with a CLANG!
Page 7
Panel 1 - Furious and desperate, Kris charges right at the glowing flame in front of them, but instead of their sword, they grab their cowl in their right hand and hold it upward, ready to yank it over the flame.
Panel 2 - The mantleholder realizes too late Kris’s actual intentions. It yells out “NO–” and reaches Kris’s hand out as if to stop them…
Panel 3 - But Kris doesn’t listen, and once the block is close enough, they yank their cowl hard over the floating fire, snuffing the flames.
Panel 4 - Wide shot as all the moving blocks in the chamber begin to slide to a stop, including the one that Kris is attached to. Without the light, the shadow behind them has vanished. “Whatever you are…DIE!” they shout.
Panel 5 - A last few flickering embers remain on Kris’s cowl, and from that light, the mantleholder’s shadow stretches across Kris’s own body. “So, you reject my offer,” he says, his speech now less steady.
Panel 6-7 - The camera gets closer to Kris’s face as the shadow creeps up, closer, until it’s nearly hugging Kris’s face. He gives Kris his parting words: “Heehee…don’t say I didn’t warn you! At least…you got a little practice at it!”
Panel 8 - Wider shot as Kris is left alone, standing next to the now-still stone block. The fire light has completely gone out, and the mantleholder has vanished, leaving Kris alone in darkness.
Page 8
Panel 1 - Kris pulls their left arm away from the block…it’s whole once again.
Panel 2 - Lower angle shot as Kris looks down at their arm, shaking and breathing heavily. Their arm is back, but the experience has clearly left them disturbed.
Panel 3 - Kris turns their head, and sees an opening appear in the ceiling…it’s their way out of the chamber.
Panel 4 - In a wide angle, Ramb paces back and forth in front of the open chest. He’s clearly waiting for something to finish.
Panel 5 - However, he turns his head suddenly as, in the foreground, Kris’s hand grabs onto the edge of the chest with a clink!
Panel 6 - Kris pulls themself up and out of the chest, gripping their sword in their right hand. Their expression is furious.
Panel 7 - Ramb was clearly not expecting this outcome. Trembling, he holds his arms out and says, “K-Kris! Luv!! You…”
Panel 8 - “Got yourself out of that place, huh?” he finishes nervously. Kris, now fully out of the chest, strides toward him with the sword out and fury in their eyes.
Page 9
Panel 1 - Inset layer of a closeup on Ralsei, as he yells out “KRIS!”
Panel 2 - Wide shot as Ralsei, Susie and Noelle all walk up to Kris and Ramb by the open chest. They’ve finally found where Kris has gone.
Panel 3 - Ramb turns back to Kris, shaking and scrunching himself up with worry. The beasts and demon prince are now directly behind him, and Kris stands ahead of him. “Oh, Kris, I know you’re upset. But…can you blame me?” he asks.
Panel 4 - “A creature like me’s got so few options…your soul’s such a rare opportunity, I-I had to give it a go…” he continues, trying to plead with Kris. Kris still looks furious.
Panel 5 - Closeup on Ralsei as he again tries to work out the situation. “What’s happened?”
Panel 6 - Kris ignores him, and instead just points at the shaking Ramb. Noelle trots up behind the mutilated minion. Kris just speaks her name, and gives her the FIGHT command.
Panel 7 - Closeup on Noelle’s face as icy frost begins to spill from her open mouth…she’s preparing to use her freezing spell.
Page 10
Panel 1 - High angle as Noelle peers down at Ramb, frost and ice still gathering around her. Ramb holds his hands up, shaking, as he stares up at her in horror. “P-please…Kris, please sp–”
Panel 2 - His stuttering plea is cut off. Noelle rears back, and a blast of freezing magic shoots from her mouth.
Panel 3 - The blast hits Ramb, and he is instantly frozen in a chunk of ragged ice with a loud, icy CRAAAAKKK.
Panel 4 - But Noelle is not done. Kris watches, stone faced, as Noelle rears up on her hind legs over the frozen Ramb…
Panel 5 - And then brings her front hooves down on him, smashing him into dozens of frozen chunks.
Panel 6 - Susie walks up and sniffs at the frozen chunks of Ramb, looking a little disappointed. “Aw man, could’ve had a fresh snack…”
Panel 7 - “Eh, no use crying over it. Frozen’s still good,” she concludes, and laps up a piece of ice with a smile.
Panel 8 - In the background, Noelle, Susie and Berdly all help themselves to the remains of the frozen minion, ice crunching between their teeth and beaks. Kris watches them from the foreground, while Ralsei walks up to stand beside them.
Page 11
Panel 1 - Full shot as Kris stands close to the open chest, trembling all over. Ralsei notices, and puts a hand on their shoulder. “You’re shaking. What did he try to do?” he asks.
Panel 2 - Kris turns away from Ralsei, still shaking a bit. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Panel 3 - Closeup on Kris and Ralsei - Kris still looks rather worried, while Ralsei has his own concerns about Kris not speaking up. He elects not to bother them about it, though.
Panel 4 - Ralsei turns away as well. “I see. Well, there’s no need to fret over it. You’re safe now!” he says, trying to sound encouraging.
Panel 5 - Kris suddenly turns back around, their eyes wide–
Panel 6 - Against Ralsei’s robes, their lower left arm again looks like it’s turned to shadow.
Panel 7-8 - Extreme closeup as Kris shuts their eyes tight, then opens them again…
Panel 9 - Their arm looks normal as always. Was it a trick of their mind?
Panel 10 - Mid shot as Kris hugs their left arm to their chest, looking disturbed. Ralsei keeps one hand at their back, standing close to them. “You’ll always be safe with me,” he says. The frame cuts off the top half of his head, revealing only a familiar smile.
