The story itself

[cairn destop]

Now that was good.  I thought the art work showing every bit of Sand'y's fur standing on end the best part of the picture.  That kid is really frightened. 

Of course, there's no real danger since the bear will be as intelligent as Sandy.  Perhaps even more if the bear is an adult.  (I keep remembering the bear merchant that would sell anything mounted on a stick.)

[AllieFiona]

Do we know the bear is a Morph?  If it is Morph, do we know that all morph bears are civilized?  Maybe, as Bcates mentions, some Morph do eat other Morph?  Hmmm... there's an idea.  Let's up the ante a little bit.

[WyrmMaster]

Rif: And what exactly is it that you sell?

Bear Merchant: Sweets. Fruit on a stick, honey on a stick, honeyed fruits on a stick. If it's sweet and will fit on a stick, I'll sell it.

-_-

[bcates]

Well, Sandy could be in trouble either way.  If it is animal bear, then it is not likely to hunt and eat something Sandy's size.  But it may well attack a trespasser in its lair, particularly if there are cubs in there...  mama bear will not be amused.

OTOH, if it is a morph bear, Sandy could make a fine set of meals over several days.  Would the bear merchant sell Sandy on a Stick?  <grins evilly>  Then again, Sandy might be safe - he's not exactly what I would call "sweet".

So, for Sandy it may be dead either way, being eaten may just be a very odd form of afterlife.  Somehow though, and for reasons that break the fourth wall, I expect he's not going to get "et by the bar" just yet.

[Timmie]

I don't feel Sandy is in any real trouble with the bear.  This could go in several directions.  First, the bear could be friendly and team up with Sandy on his "adventure".  If the bear was more animal then morph, Sandy may end up using the bear for transportation and ride him through the woods.  Second, the bear could be angry with Sandy being in his cave and chase him of of the cave.  Sandy runs off and leads the bear into the group that is looking for him.  The bear then chases off the others.  Third, the bear could try selling "sweet on a stick" to Sandy.  (and NO, not like, "Want a piece of candy?"  That is just WRONG!)

I perfer that the first scene to happen.  I little wolf cub taming a big bear would turn a few furry heads.  ^_^

[cairn destop]

Stewpot?  Am wondering if our artist / writers are having fun with us readers as this week is Thanksgiving, which means a lot of cooking. 

Don't know why, but this bear reminded me of the pomeranian on steroids.  She had that teddy-bear look that conflicts with her comments.  A special word of praise for the artist who did Sandy.  I do believe you have really captured his fear.  I even noted the one panel where Sandy had his tail tucked betwixt his legs.

[bcates]

I don't feel Sandy is in any real trouble with the bear.  This could go in several directions.  First, the bear could be friendly and team up with Sandy on his "adventure". 

Yeah, and the history of literature is filled with safe, cozy stories with happy endings.  Sandy has made a rather bad mistake, a mistake which in reality could have proved fatal.  I'm not saying that the bear should off Sandy, but I am saying that avoiding the "who's been sleeping in my bed" issue reeks of bedtime story cuteness.  Perhaps Sandy will get some sort of fine or duty for tresspassing. 

How would you feel if you came home and some stranger was sleeping in your house?

[AllieFiona]

I think even morph bears can be very grumpy when you invade their den.  Bears often look cute (Just check out any of those polar bear calendars and greeting cards), but they are formidable beasts.  If it were early spring it would probably be all over for Sandy.  As it is, it looks like Sandy is in very hot water.

[cairn destop]

I do believe Rif knows nothing about rabbits.  I checked out the thumbnailed pictures of the three rabbits and I don't see anything "meek" about them.  Of course the old hedgehog here could be wrong since the text of that drawing has them identified as hares.  Reminds me of the same thing happening in a Redwall story where the hare was compared to a rabbit and took exception.

[bcates]

Are you sure he's referring to morph rabbits?

[WyrmMaster]

Not that there is anything wrong with being a rabbit -_-

[AllieFiona]

The morph hares refer to themselves as hares (not rabbits).  However, Morphs are not immune from stereotyping.  It is unclear whether Rif is refering to Morph or animals, but he is refering to a stereotype nontheless.

By the way, my high school's mascot was the jackrabbit.  It has produced the top rated football team in the nation for more than a decade,  and has graduated more famous atheletes than any other high school in the U.S.

google "Long Beach Poly High" to find out more.

[bcates]

Perhaps you should have a copy of "Watership Down" on a table or something next time we see Elara.

[cairn destop]

However, Morphs are not immune from stereotyping. 

We seem to be seeing another case of such animosity between the goat and Rhea.  This is also an excellent example of the written word being insufficient.  I can give the unknown goat three different vocal inflections and each will have a diffent meaning that ranges from the overt curiousity to downright insulting.

Seems even the ferrets are not immune to such prejudices.  Makes me wonder why our two characters remain in the village.  Again, dependent on voice inflections, the ferrets either tolerate or loathe their fox "guests."

[AllieFiona]

The ram does seem a little bit irascible, but if you encounter the ram at the fair in the game, you'll find him just as grumpy.  I think they have short fuses.  Or maybe just a gruff manner.  They are rams, after all.

As far as the ferrets are concerned, I don't think they are terribly troubled by Rif and Rhene's residence in their village.