2019/09/18 - Meet And Greet

[D-Rock]

[2019/09/18 - Meet And Greet]
Title Text:

Marion:

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[Saturn381]

So Miles has been promoted to principal? Cool.

[IceKitsune]

Oh boy he is going to have a fun day for sure!

[fenrirblack]

There are no words. At this moment. I can't even begin to process or form words to describe my thoughts.

Actually there are three. Oh. My. God.

[Char89Charizard]

Seems Marion knows who Miles is. Either that's his actual homeroom teacher before the curse, or Keane introduce them to each other. Likely the former.

[TheSilverFox51]

This can only go well... Possibly... hopefully... probably not.

[dr_eirik]

Welp, squirrel is out of the bag now!

Can't tell if they knew each other before.

[Champion Wallace]

Is there much point to a backpack that small? There's no way he can have any papers in there. I know we've been speculating, but is this the first time there's been the name of the school and only the second time the name River Ridge has appeared in the comic?

[LunarFox]

Um... things are getting squirrelly now, aren't they? Seriously though, Marion's in for a fun ride now!

[Welsh Halfwit]

Miles isn’t one for secrets, kid,
so get down on your knees and pray
that everyone who hated you
has gone and called in sick today.
He’s not much bigger than his pens
but now he does look really cool;
he needed the chance to finish
and prove he’s never been a fool.
You can get through this, Marion,
it’s just one more great obstacle;
but then, with new squirrellinous,
your life’s already a pickle...

[fenrirblack]

Several thoughts. A. I think this was poorly handled. Not the video announcement thing either but the fact that Marion is going to take his exams along with everyone else and pretend like nothing happened. B. Oh snap he's in trouble. C. I hope Lois is there for emotional support and physical support because he's in trouble. D. I hope he doesn't have enemies. E. That is going to be a long four days. F. I guess Marion is going to be able to walk during Graduation after all. G. And the most important of all, OH SNAP, this going to be viral and the world is going to find out about Human-Animal transformation. Keene made a thing out of it after all and it only cost Marion's dignity.

Can't tell if they knew each other before.

I'm going to assume yes, for convenience sake.

Still though. Mr. The Wolf.

[dr_eirik]

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I can see this going dark, like parents demanding he not be in school for reasons, or Marion becomes the new hot topic of conversation and temporarily popular.

I rather hope it's closer to the latter.

[LunarFox]

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

[fenrirblack]

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.
Miles voice: regular man.

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I can see this going dark, like parents demanding he not be in school for reasons, or Marion becomes the new hot topic of conversation and temporarily popular.

I rather hope it's closer to the latter.

Oh he is so going to get harassed. This is going to make the bathroom incident look like nothing (I couldn't think of a simile). I hope Lois is going to back him up. I hope the cubs back him up. Ooooh, this would be a good chance for the cubs to get in the spotlight and actually see what their high school careers are like a little more even if the school year ends in four days. Which by the way, is when I'm assuming Marion's arc will end for a while. See him graduate then pick this story up a year or so later. The dominos are about to fall.

[Champion Wallace]

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I think Marion might be on the same side as the rest of the kids with claiming Miles is lying (or it's a senior prank).

[LunarFox]

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.
Miles voice: regular man.

Fair. Just wondering, that's all.

[fenrirblack]

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I think Mario might be on the same side as the rest of the kids with claiming Miles is lying (or it's a senior prank).

Marion: Oh yeah, hahhaha. This is a senior prank. I'm not really Marion, just a random squirrel who just happen to be fully dressed, with pants, taking the real Marion's exams because apparently I know everything a high school senior should know despite never been in a classroom before. Marion spared no expense renting a limo for me to arrive in not to mention this clothes and backpack that had to be specially made. And Marion convinced or managed to trick Mr. Wolf to go and announce that I'm "really" Marion because they apparently have that kind of relationship.

[Gbr23]

I love how Rick takes the comics's plot in directions I never saw coming. No sarcasm, I truly love it.

[dr_eirik]

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.
Miles voice: regular man.

Fair. Just wondering, that's all.

I have a really hard time coming up with the voices in my head (that sounds wrong) other than Bill, who Rick suggested in an alt text sounded like Patrick Warbuton. Miles I always felt had a slightly gruff voice. Deep. Not the best example, but like Stanley from the office, without the flat tone.

Marion I think has a higher voice than he did, a bit chipmunky. If only because on the occasions that the smaller animals voices have come up they've been described as high pitched and squeaky.

[Welsh Halfwit]

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.
Miles voice: regular man.

Uh, he's a girl Squirrel right now?

Unfortunately, I'd have to go with one of the Chipettes for his voice right now.

And your standard Geography teacher for Miles.

[fenrirblack]

I love the throw back to Mile's limo ride.

Okay so if my timing is correct and we assume this all started on a monday and it's now Tues of the following week. Eight days has passed since Marion became a squirrel. I guess this did take a little longer to set up than I would have thought or just the right amount of wheeling and dealing from Lana and Keene. I would Hope Julia is at least on board with all of this by now.

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.
Miles voice: regular man.

Uh, he's a girl Squirrel right now?

Unfortunately, I'd have to go with one of the Chipettes for his voice right now.

Magic was involved so there is no telling what happened to his voice or if it was changed. King's didn't change and I'm assuming neither did Stewards or Thomas.
Besides I don't hear Keene's voice as high or squeaky and that was confirmed. I just choose to ignore it when I read his lines. Either way I choose to hear Marion as a normal guy whether or not the opposite is true.

[Silly Zealot]

Marion is an average kid,
That no one undertands,
Mom and dad(maybe?) and the wolf
Always giving him commands...

There are no words. At this moment. I can't even begin to process or form words to describe my thoughts.

Actually there are three. Oh. My. God.

PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING IS ON THE THIRD CLOUD TO THE RIGHT OF THE PEARLY GATES, MY SON.

[fenrirblack]

Theories
Is Steward A Villain: YES.

Steward's Goal: Regaining his Old Life

Did He Change Marion: No

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

Will Marion Return Home: Yes.

The Marion & Lois Part
-Keene recruits Marion into the ECP and exploits him so Marion can regain his normal life and human rights.
-Marion graduates without too much drama and contemplates his future along with Lois.

The King Part
-King serves as Marion's mentor and guru to the life as a therianthrope and dealing with the other animals of the neighborhood
-King consults Kitsune who ops out of doing anything for the time being.

The Steward Part
-Steward steps out of the shadows and pleads with the Milton's to take him into the ECP after hearing about Marion.
-Steward goes behind Keene's back and starts transforming humans into animals for the ECP to get back into Keene's good graces.
--Marion's story gets broadcasted and Steward hears about it. He sees this as an opportunity to use the coin to his advantage and take advantage of the disorder stirred up by Marion's reveal
--Angered by the fact that Marion is part of the ECP without his help, he finds an unlikely alley with a supernatural entity and together plot to take down the ECP

[Mr. Whisper]

I'll be honest: When I first saw Marion's backpack, I thought he was wearing a quiver and arrows.

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I can see this going dark, like parents demanding he not be in school for reasons, or Marion becomes the new hot topic of conversation and temporarily popular.

I rather hope it's closer to the latter.

Oh, my money is definitely on dark. I wasn't joking when I made the Eudoant prediction. It's not easy for a demon to get some random mortal to agree to do their bidding. They need to be brought low. Real low. To the point they would be willing to do absolutely anything to get their old life back.

[Obbl]

I love everything that is happening here Just beautiful

I'll be honest: When I first saw Marion's backpack, I thought he was wearing a quiver and arrows.

Same!

[NHWestoN]

"Spotlight on talent!" Nothing says "adolescent humiliation" like teacher recognition through the school audio-visual system...

[Ash Greytree]

So the whole school’s going to know he’s a human-turned-squirrel. Well, it looks like those are going to some really embarrassing and nasty days for him. Hopefully anybody who tries to bully him has to deal with Miles and Lois, cliché as that would be.

Seriously though, what happens now that everyone knows that Marion’s a squirrel and that transformation is possible? Or are they going to treat it like a hyper-elaborate senior prank? The sky’s the limit for what people’s reactions are going to be, and the ramifications for the ECP could be huge and possibly damaging if people do something like accuse Keene of turning people into animals to strengthen the program’s numbers.

Also, I think the chances are still high that Marion’s going to be living with Miles and his family. If he’s still living with his mom, this little fiasco may make him want to move out of his house now and somewhere else to keep the news vans away from him... unless that’s what Keene wants.

OH SNAP, this going to be viral and the world is going to find out about Human-Animal transformation. Keene made a thing out of it after all and it only cost Marion's dignity.

Depending on the way this goes and the way Marion’s squirreliness (and more importantly female squirreliness) are considered by his classmates, I... yeah, I dislike the decision to make Marion’s secret public. Very much would’ve preferred if Rick had gone with what Marion said in the second panel, and let Marion keep some semblance of basic dignity (and the ability to live in peace as a private citizen, both currently and if/when he changes back to human) in the midst of cruel high schoolers.

Marion wanting/having to keep his humanity secret during his short stint through his last bit of high school would’ve been more compelling, in my opinion. Him being thrust into unfortunate circumstances against his own wishes is getting old. There could be a last-minute happy comedic twist that his fellow students are actually very accepting of Marion’s new form, but that’s a long shot.

I just hope that Marion isn’t put on a bus after he graduates only to come back a year or even years later or something. It’d be nice to have him stick around in Babylon Gardens as a focus of the comic for longer, see him interact with the rest of the pets, and claim his own agency and reclaim his lost dignity as a character rather than endlessly reacting to things.

[fenrirblack]

Here's something I had to do: Fenrir Black Theater: Bill and King
scene: Bill and King on the couch watching Marion on the news.
Bill: Can you believe that humans are running around as animals?
King: No I can't. I can't believe that at all.
Bill: One second you're human and the next you're some animal like a squirrel, cat or even a dog. Poof your missing one day only to turn up the next with fur and a tail.
King shifts uncomfortably: I know right.
Bill: You know I wonder if that Robinson fellow I locked up a decade ago could have this happened to him. Did I ever tell about that, King?
King: I think you did. Yep, you did.
Bill: What a loser he was. Then one day disappeared before his trial. Poof. Gone. Without a trace. Ooh, I was furious.
King: silently screaming.
Bill: You kind of remind me of him. In fact, you remind me a lot of him. I haven't thought about him in ten years but I swear you even sound like him.
King: *switches to a high pitch* No, I don't think so.
Bill: How are old are you anyway?
King: I think I hear Bailey calling me.
King jumps off the couch but Bill grabs his collar and pulls him back.
Bill: Get back here right now.

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I can see this going dark, like parents demanding he not be in school for reasons, or Marion becomes the new hot topic of conversation and temporarily popular.

I rather hope it's closer to the latter.

Oh, my money is definitely on dark. I wasn't joking when I made the Eudoant prediction. It's not easy for a demon to get some random mortal to agree to do their bidding. They need to be brought low. Real low. To the point they would be willing to do absolutely anything to get their old life back.

I said the same thing a while back. But I think that his life will slowly continue to improve. Its going to be rough for a little bit and for the day few days but he might become really popular or people just might not care. I do want to reiterate something. I think this arc will end with Marion’s graduation and Steward beginning to make his move. What that move involves we’ll see and whether or not demons are involved, fingers crossed. Maybe we’ll begin to see the ripple affect of Stewards actions throughout the next few arcs.
I think that would be cool like if Peanut and Grape were doing something then in the background you see this panicked animal trying to find help or they meet some animal at the store like a cashier who tells them that they used to be human. It doesn’t affect the chapter plot, but it’s happening in the background.

Depending on the way this goes and the way Marion’s squirreliness (and more importantly female squirreliness) are considered by his classmates, I... yeah, I dislike the decision to make Marion’s secret public. Very much would’ve preferred if Rick had gone with what Marion said in the second panel, and let Marion keep some semblance of basic dignity (and the ability to live in peace as a private citizen, both currently and if/when he changes back to human) in the midst of cruel high schoolers.

This opens the floodgates of comedy and revives Marion's story. I'll be honest, I was getting bored but now I'm reenergized and ready to spend more time with Marion. Hopefully we can avoid cliche High school tropes though but we can't avoid Marion suddenly becoming a spectacle.

Marion wanting/having to keep his humanity secret during his short stint through his last bit of high school would’ve been more compelling, in my opinion. Him being thrust into unfortunate circumstances against his own wishes is getting old. There could be a last-minute happy comedic twist that his fellow students are actually very accepting of Marion’s new form, but that’s a long shot.

I have to disagree about it being more "compelling" because there is nothing to do with that. Rick might as well end the chapter now if no one was going to know about Marion. Plus everyone finding out sets up the "Grand future" for the comic as a whole which is something that wouldn't happen if the beans hadn't been spilled. Not to mention it would be hard to explain why a random squirrel is in class for four days, taking the final exams, and Marion is still missing for two weeks. Just from a storytelling standpoint and a logic standpoint this was Rick's best call. This sets the comic on a new path that means big(ger) changes than what would/could have happened if Marion's change was kept secret. There are going to be consequences to this was the best way for Marion to regain his life. And this does give us insight to Keene's "thing" and answers the question of whether or not the secret would be revealed. Now other therians like Thomas, Steward, King (eh), *coughLois*coughtevenually* to be able to follow Marion's example and find normalcy in an abnormal situation.

I just hope that Marion isn’t put on a bus after he graduates only to come back a year or even years later or something. It’d be nice to have him stick around in Babylon Gardens as a focus of the comic for longer, see him interact with the rest of the pets, and claim his own agency and reclaim his lost dignity as a character rather than endlessly reacting to things.

This I agree with. He should interact with the other pets even if he is not under the spotlight. Any dignity to be reclaimed will probably come from how Keene wants to use him for the ECP.

[Champion Wallace]

Ok, so what happens next? Students harass him? Avoid him? Claim he's lying?

I think Marion might be on the same side as the rest of the kids with claiming Miles is lying (or it's a senior prank).

Marion: Oh yeah, hahhaha. This is a senior prank. I'm not really Marion, just a random squirrel who just happen to be fully dressed, with pants, taking the real Marion's exams because apparently I know everything a high school senior should know despite never been in a classroom before. Marion spared no expense renting a limo for me to arrive in not to mention this clothes and backpack that had to be specially made. And Marion convinced or managed to trick Mr. Wolf to go and announce that I'm "really" Marion because they apparently have that kind of relationship.

Remember, the alternative is magic(k) is real.

Bill: You kind of remind me of him. In fact, you remind me a lot of him. I haven't thought about him in ten years but I swear you even sound like him.

If King sounded like Joel Fox would've recognized it immediately if this is how he reacts to just the name Joel a year and a half later.

[Silly Zealot]

I wonder what the "R R" on the wall in the last panel means. Though I do have my suspicions.

Here's something I had to do: Fenrir Black Theater: Bill and King

I watch the groth of your comedy skills with great pride.

I'll be honest: When I first saw Marion's backpack, I thought he was wearing a quiver and arrows.

Me too, but the truth turned out to be even funnier.

If King sounded like Joel Fox would've recognized it immediately if this is how he reacts to just the name Joel a year and a half later.

When Fox talks to Joel under the sheets, he doesn't notice any voice change.

Honestly, I just chalk it off in my head by saying to myself "Minor plot-hole. Shut up. don't think too hard about it. Move on. Look at the cutesy animals. They talk and some wear hats.

[Argent]

Is there much point to a backpack that small?

I guess it's for his phone. What I don't get is how he's going to write legibly with a pen the size of his arm.

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.

Christine Cavanaugh.

Miles voice: regular man.

James Earl Jones.

[SeanWolf]

OK, show of paws: Who else would've loved to have Miles as their teacher?

[trekkie]

Is there much point to a backpack that small?

I guess it's for his phone. What I don't get is how he's going to write legibly with a pen the size of his arm.

Random question, but what're everyone's headcanons for Miles' and Marion's voices? Just curious.

Marion's voice: normal teenage boy.

Christine Cavanaugh.

Miles voice: regular man.

James Earl Jones.

Poor squirrel. Maybe Marion can take his exams on the computer? My alma mater allowed people with learning disabilities to use a computer, but of course that presents its own problems. I could see James Earl Jones doing Miles’ voice . I would’ve loved to have Miles as a teacher. He, Lucretia, and Gale all seem to be educated.

[Nathan Kerbonaut]

This is a level 5 "bruh moment," please evacuate the area immediately.
I was not expecting this. At all. I'd be worried about Marion but I don't know what to believe anymore

OK, show of paws: Who else would've loved to have Miles as their teacher?

*raises both hands*

[Gameb18oy]

To the bright side, Marion earned immediate sympathy points from Miles' cubs, so if they weren't friends before, this event likely could easily serve as a catalyst.

[NHWestoN]

To the bright side, Marion earned immediate sympathy points from Miles' cubs, so if they weren't friends before, this event likely could easily serve as a catalyst.

Yeah, they're gonna empathize with that "Daaaa..aaaahD!!" moment, definitely!

[GameCobra]

Point Marion to the nearest school counselor.

[dr_eirik]

To be fair to Miles, this was not a secret that was going to last long, even assuming that Keene wasn't getting ready to spill it. For Marion to be back in school and and taking exams as Marion Ward, then his teachers had to know as well as school administration. Even Marion hanging out with Lois was going to create questions. Maybe not "Is that squirrel really Marion?" But certainly about why it suddenly showed up in school taking finals. Someone would have spilled it.

I think I'd have likes him as a teacher... maybe not as a confidant .

I can see one or more of his cibs introducing themselves. Partly out of mutual commiseration about Miles, partly because Miles might have volun-told them to keep an eye on him.

Oh, is there alt text today? I cant see it on my phone and it's not in the first post.

[Sir Chestnut]

Oh, is there alt text today? I cant see it on my phone and it's not in the first post.

"you didn't drink any orange soda on the way here did you, it does different things to animals for no discernible reason"

don't want him having a King moment lol.

[trekkie]

Yeah, that's the last thing Marion needs, especially with having to take his finals.