Housepets!

Nice couple of throwbacks with the robe and the Grue...

The Grue isn’t actually there... right?

That reminds me I really should beat those games one of these days.

You are likely to be eaten by a Grue... oh boy, I'm getting serious Temple Crashers vibes here... nuts.

To a small degree, this might be the most predictable page of all. If nothing else, Kari is predictable in his own off beat brand of insanity.

It does sound like this is a tunnel and not a body hole. So where does it come out? A really random guess that makes sense given its Karishad: Tarots' yard.

Well now that’s just rude. Brian only does what he does to take care of his little sister Aisha, and trust me, that’s not easy.



If any of you actually get that reference, I will be amazed.

One more terror for the night
beholds our favourite Marion.
He’s locked in tight, dependant on
one who’d turn him into carrion.
The edible little hero now flees
from those who’d bring his salvation;
allying himself with the one
who’s clearly chaos’s creation.
So run, our hero, run away,
in the darkness find your path.
And, if you fall and fade away?
Well, really, you have to laugh...

I just saw the character tags. Nice to put the Grue there.

This scene really puts into perspective how much trouble Marion is in and how unfortunate being a squirrel really is. I mean that he is so small that he barely twice the size of those stairs, my heart breaks for him.

Zork. Old. Hmmmm...

The Underworld. Let's see we saw the real underworld so this should be interesting. But I have a question. How is there a grue there when the temple was destroyed. Because, again it's worth repeating, that everything in the temple was magic and therefore existed in a space within the temple. So that would mean either Kari is toying with Marion (again) or the grue escaped like the gargoyles.

Thank the gods Kari is there so he can run the grue off again

Marion's face in the final panel is literally something I would expect from a horror movie poster. You can use that entire panel, slap a title on it, and advertise at theaters. Coming this Halloween. "My Life As a Teenage Squirrel" the Movie.

Okay, so the chance of this being an escape tunnel is (in my opinion) pretty high now. Leading to where, who knows? Especially given that it we know which eccentric fox created it. For all we know this ominous path could just lead to a secret ultra-relaxing lounge space or something else like that, and Karishad has the robe and set up the path to be spooky because he’s Karishad.

This makes no sense. Why is Marion running from the police he originally sought help from? Did he REALLY think that the old lady called the police for a pie she effectively gave away?

I do hope we are going to shift back to the above ground and check in on Fox and Fido now that Marion has successfully ruined his best chance at finding real help for the time being. Now that he's gone, Jess can lift the Purge security system and let them in. I need to know if Lois is there with them.

https://youtu.be/8al0RzkDqgM This will help anyone who doesn't know what Zork is.

fenrirblack wrote:I do hope we are going to shift back to the above ground and check in on Fox and Fido now that Marion has successfully ruined his best chance at finding real help for the time being.

Well said.

Lucky squirrel, Dante had to settle for Virgil to guide him through the Underworld. Wonder if he'll run into Eudoant?

Ryusuta wrote:This makes no sense. Why is Marion running from the police he originally sought help from? Did he REALLY think that the old lady called the police for a pie she effectively gave away?

I believe he thinks the police are looking for him because he "broke into" his own house

I just love Marion's face in panel 4.

Oh no, Karishad's moved the Temple remains to the basement!

That's the reason why he's wearing robes! And Why the Grue is there!

The Mana-Well, or whatever is left of it, is under Jessica's house, and likely, with several artifacts as well! It never could have so easily been Destroyed by simply Crumbling!

Obbl wrote:

Ryusuta wrote:This makes no sense. Why is Marion running from the police he originally sought help from? Did he REALLY think that the old lady called the police for a pie she effectively gave away?

I believe he thinks the police are looking for him because he "broke into" his own house

The only person that could have called the police over that is the old lady herself, and there's no reason at all for Marion to think she'd do that.

Gbr23 wrote:Nice couple of throwbacks with the robe and the Grue...

The Grue isn’t actually there... right?

I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at first, it was kinda scary, but it kinda grue on me.

Ryusuta wrote:

Obbl wrote:

Ryusuta wrote:This makes no sense. Why is Marion running from the police he originally sought help from? Did he REALLY think that the old lady called the police for a pie she effectively gave away?

I believe he thinks the police are looking for him because he "broke into" his own house

The only person that could have called the police over that is the old lady herself, and there's no reason at all for Marion to think she'd do that.

Not Mrs MacGillycuddy. HIS OWN house.

Legotron123 wrote:If any of you actually get that reference, I will be amazed.

Really it's Rachel you have to worry about in the HP! universe.

John-056 wrote:Oh no, Karishad's moved the Temple remains to the basement!

Or vice versa.

Well at least me know Marion has some great tastes in games! But at least he can look on the bright side: At least there isn't anyone from Amnesia (I hope...)!

Wouldn't be surprised if Kari's made the most dizzying temple yet down there. A tunnel? I don't think he'd make something so simple

Nathan Kerbonaut wrote:Wouldn't be surprised if Kari's made the most dizzying temple yet down there. A tunnel? I don't think he'd make something so simple

It's probably a Labyrinth, complete with a expy of David Bowie.

SeanWolf wrote:It's probably a Labyrinth, complete with a expy of David Bowie.

Pete just wishes he was as cool as the Goblin King.

dr_eirik wrote:To a small degree, this might be the most predictable page of all. If nothing else, Kari is predictable in his own off beat brand of insanity.

It does sound like this is a tunnel and not a body hole. So where does it come out? A really random guess that makes sense given its Karishad: Tarots' yard.

Tarot’s yard does kind of make sense, and she and Sabrina would not only be acquainted with people being transformed into animals, but Sabrina might be able to call Fido and Fox, and get them to bring Lois to meet with our squirrel.

restcure wrote:

Gbr23 wrote:Nice couple of throwbacks with the robe and the Grue...

The Grue isn’t actually there... right?

I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at first, it was kinda scary, but it kinda grue on me.

MAJOR PUN !!

SeanWolf wrote:

Nathan Kerbonaut wrote:Wouldn't be surprised if Kari's made the most dizzying temple yet down there. A tunnel? I don't think he'd make something so simple

It's probably a Labyrinth, complete with a expy of David Bowie.

… and a side room opening to the basement of the limerick-spouting Hermit! Poor Marion.

Argent wrote:

Legotron123 wrote:If any of you actually get that reference, I will be amazed.

Really it's Rachel you have to worry about in the HP! universe.

Now I wanna read a story where a post-GM Rachel winds up in the Housepets universe. She’d certainly have some interesting advice for this situation.
”You just gotta do what I did whenever the police came after me; brutally maul and maim them until everyone knows to leave you alone.”

Welsh Halfwit wrote:Not Mrs MacGillycuddy. HIS OWN house.

I still think that is a really big stretch.

I so want to go down there. I'd trust Kari fully any day.

At this point I'm assuming that Kari is a relative of Kitsume, while Marion continues his trend of making me want to pull my hair out since every thing he does ends up making his problem worse.

Jacy wrote:I so want to go down there. I'd trust Kari fully any day.

I'v often mentioned that Kari is the ultimate wild card. Even Pete couldn't figure him out. But I also think that he's ultimately the most trustworthy of the characters. If you are fundamentally good, no (permanent) harm will come to you in his presence. Even if there was a grue, or snake or something equally deadly to Marion in those tunnels, nothing will happen to him. It's not that Kari would throw himself in the way of danger, but more that Dig Dug will suddenly pop into the tunnel and inflate the evil-doer to bursting or something.

I know I'm guessing as much as anything, but I strongly suspect (or maybe that's hope I feel) that the end of the tunnel is going to be answers in some form. I suppose that it could simply end in a random forest clearing, but that's not Karishads style. Could be at the remains of the temple, the Milton mansion, the local Funko Pop store, or anything.

So, my speculation on what might happen....

<Karishad leads Marion down the tunnel for some time>
Marion: Where are we going, anyway? Deeper into the woods?
Kari: <typing away on his phone non-stop> No... yes... no, maybe. We need to find a place to stash you until the heat wears off. Or at least until the oven is preheated.
Marion: Look, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I don't want to get too far from the neighborhood.
<They reach an ornate wooden door, which Karishad opens to reveal Lois, Fox and Fido standing on the porch of a home in Babylon Gardens. They turn and look startled>
Fox: What are you doing here?
Karishad: I asked you first.
Fox: No you... look, we came looking for answers. We think... is that the squirrel we're looking for?
<Tarot opens the door, looks at all of them, eyes settle on Marion, hiding behind Karishad>
Tarot: Everyone inside. <She uses her grabber to close Fidos muzzle before he can talk> Hold all your questions for the end, Detective Friday. This is not really a police matter...

dr_eirik wrote:I know I'm guessing as much as anything, but I strongly suspect (or maybe that's hope I feel) that the end of the tunnel is going to be answers in some form. I suppose that it could simply end in a random forest clearing, but that's not Karishads style. Could be at the remains of the temple, the Milton mansion, the local Funko Pop store, or anything.

So, my speculation on what might happen....

<Karishad leads Marion down the tunnel for some time>
Marion: Where are we going, anyway? Deeper into the woods?
Kari: <typing away on his phone non-stop> No... yes... no, maybe. We need to find a place to stash you until the heat wears off. Or at least until the oven is preheated.
Marion: Look, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I don't want to get too far from the neighborhood.
<They reach an ornate wooden door, which Karishad opens to reveal Lois, Fox and Fido standing on the porch of a home in Babylon Gardens. They turn and look startled>
Fox: What are you doing here?
Karishad: I asked you first.
Fox: No you... look, we came looking for answers. We think... is that the squirrel we're looking for?
<Tarot opens the door, looks at all of them, eyes settle on Marion, hiding behind Karishad>
Tarot: Everyone inside. <She uses her grabber to close Fidos muzzle before he can talk> Hold all your questions for the end, Detective Friday. This is not really a police matter...

I love it.

[Marion looks quizzically back at the doorway, which is somehow gone, and then at Kari, then Tarot and the K-9's. Tarot notices that the squirrel is beyond confused at this point and decides to reassure him.]
Tarot: Oh, don't worry; once we get settled inside, you can ask as many questions as you need.

And Marion goes down it. It's a bit creepy with so little light. And there's Karishad. We know he sleeps and has his stiff there, and I hope he's happy of living in that way. Oh, come on, now stop to scare Marion, ok? I just heard of this Zork game, but in these cases, it's better don't talk about things a fox can't know.

dr_eirik wrote:

Jacy wrote:I so want to go down there. I'd trust Kari fully any day.

I'v often mentioned that Kari is the ultimate wild card. Even Pete couldn't figure him out. But I also think that he's ultimately the most trustworthy of the characters. If you are fundamentally good, no (permanent) harm will come to you in his presence. Even if there was a grue, or snake or something equally deadly to Marion in those tunnels, nothing will happen to him. It's not that Kari would throw himself in the way of danger, but more that Dig Dug will suddenly pop into the tunnel and inflate the evil-doer to bursting or something.

I know I'm guessing as much as anything, but I strongly suspect (or maybe that's hope I feel) that the end of the tunnel is going to be answers in some form. I suppose that it could simply end in a random forest clearing, but that's not Karishads style. Could be at the remains of the temple, the Milton mansion, the local Funko Pop store, or anything.

I was thinking about that last night and came up with a few possibilities based on Kari's history:
1: Tarot's house. This seems like the most obvious option because of their history and the fact that we need Tarot's help. The problem is it would make more sense for Fox to take Marion there, not Kari unless Fox, Fido, and Lois would go there separately and they all meet there not unlike that little scenario.
2: Milton Manor. Obvious reasons. Kari used to work there and the ECP is still Marion's best chance at normalcy but with Keene moved out, it wouldn't be the same.
3: Keene's House. Because Keene isn't at the Manor and it would totally be something Kari would do.
4: The Wolf House. This is because of several reasons. King is there so bring him into the plot for kicks and giggles. There is still a possibility that Miles was Marion's teacher so he might know him and with his experience with King believe Marion if he told Miles the truth. Third the Wolf house is actually one of the very few places we know has a basement so if there was going to be an underground tunnel leading somewhere then it would make sense for it to lead to someone's basement. Plus it would be up Kari's alley to lead Marion to a pack of wolves because it's Kari.
5: Somewhere in the middle of the woods. At this point why not? Plus I still believe that there is a chance that Fox and Fido might be able to catch up to them if they leave Jess's house and move quickly.
6: A different comic. Sure why not? It is Kari we're talking about.

Isn't "zork" one of those things that Pinky says?

D-Rock wrote:Considering his current circumstances, Marion has no trouble believing the existence of the grue.

Gbr23 wrote:Nice couple of throwbacks with the robe and the Grue...

The Grue isn’t actually there... right?

Don't worry, there is a 50% chance Karishad is bluffing.

Solid 50%!

Silly Zealot wrote:Isn't "zork" one of those things that Pinky says?

D-Rock wrote:Considering his current circumstances, Marion has no trouble believing the existence of the grue.

Gbr23 wrote:Nice couple of throwbacks with the robe and the Grue...

The Grue isn’t actually there... right?

Don't worry, there is a 50% chance Karishad is bluffing.

Solid 50%!

Aahhhhhhhhhh, but which half??

fenrirblack wrote: I was thinking about that last night and came up with a few possibilities based on Kari's history:
1: Tarot's house. This seems like the most obvious option because of their history and the fact that we need Tarot's help. The problem is it would make more sense for Fox to take Marion there, not Kari unless Fox, Fido, and Lois would go there separately and they all meet there not unlike that little scenario.

Obviously I like this one, and it is a pretty likely outcome... which is the only reason I wouldn't expect it. So far, Rick has played with our expectations pretty much at every turn.

2: Milton Manor. Obvious reasons. Kari used to work there and the ECP is still Marion's best chance at normalcy but with Keene moved out, it wouldn't be the same.
3: Keene's House. Because Keene isn't at the Manor and it would totally be something Kari would do.

Taking these together, since they likely lead to the same result, they are both pretty good options. I could see Karishad coming up through the closet and just about sending Keene and Breel back to Heaven.

4: The Wolf House. This is because of several reasons. King is there so bring him into the plot for kicks and giggles. There is still a possibility that Miles was Marion's teacher so he might know him and with his experience with King believe Marion if he told Miles the truth. Third the Wolf house is actually one of the very few places we know so if there was going to be an underground tunnel leading somewhere then it would make sense for it to lead to someone's basement. Plus it would be up Kari's alley to lead Marion to a pack of wolves because it's Kari.

I admit that I really like this one, if only for that moment when Marion realizes hes surrounded by wolves and at the moment he looks like a midnight snack. I could also see Miles doing a double take before he's told anything, taking a deeper sniff, "Marion Ward? What are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's finals week! And you're a squirrel! Were you always a squirrel or am I getting forgetful?"

5: Somewhere in the middle of the woods. At this point why not? Plus I still believe that there is a chance that Fox and Fido might be able to catch up to them if they leave Jess's house and move quickly.

They would have to have some idea where it's coming out first, and it would take more than a few seconds to get that outta Jess. Though, it's not exactly impossible that the opening is about 10 feet from the front door. This is, again, Kari.

6: A different comic. Sure why not? It is Kari we're talking about.

I love this idea, but I'm not sure that Rick has ever pulled a gag like that. I could easily see it though:

Marion: Is that a polar bear and a raccoon playing paintball? Where the heck are we?!

dr_eirik wrote:

Jacy wrote:I so want to go down there. I'd trust Kari fully any day.

I'v often mentioned that Kari is the ultimate wild card. Even Pete couldn't figure him out. But I also think that he's ultimately the most trustworthy of the characters. If you are fundamentally good, no (permanent) harm will come to you in his presence. Even if there was a grue, or snake or something equally deadly to Marion in those tunnels, nothing will happen to him. It's not that Kari would throw himself in the way of danger, but more that Dig Dug will suddenly pop into the tunnel and inflate the evil-doer to bursting or something.

I know I'm guessing as much as anything, but I strongly suspect (or maybe that's hope I feel) that the end of the tunnel is going to be answers in some form. I suppose that it could simply end in a random forest clearing, but that's not Karishads style. Could be at the remains of the temple, the Milton mansion, the local Funko Pop store, or anything.

So, my speculation on what might happen....

<Karishad leads Marion down the tunnel for some time>
Marion: Where are we going, anyway? Deeper into the woods?
Kari: <typing away on his phone non-stop> No... yes... no, maybe. We need to find a place to stash you until the heat wears off. Or at least until the oven is preheated.
Marion: Look, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I don't want to get too far from the neighborhood.
<They reach an ornate wooden door, which Karishad opens to reveal Lois, Fox and Fido standing on the porch of a home in Babylon Gardens. They turn and look startled>
Fox: What are you doing here?
Karishad: I asked you first.
Fox: No you... look, we came looking for answers. We think... is that the squirrel we're looking for?
<Tarot opens the door, looks at all of them, eyes settle on Marion, hiding behind Karishad>
Tarot: Everyone inside. <She uses her grabber to close Fidos muzzle before he can talk> Hold all your questions for the end, Detective Friday. This is not really a police matter...

I love the visual of Tarot using her grabber on Fido. I wonder if Fido and Fox will talk to Kevin and Ralph and hear a squirrel matching Marion’s description that talked about transformation, or perhaps read Kevin’s report, as Kevin writes a lot of reports.

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