My BlueSky profile: https://bsky.app/profile/rookmaevsch.bsky.social (Adding this in because this will be where I post updates regarding pages, like if I decide to take a break, or fall ill, ECT.)
This page was a big ol' headache. The on biggest downside to the 'go with the flow' approach to writing is you gotta' be real careful not to either contradict your earlier stuff, or write yourself into a hole. This got REAL close to doing both.
I'm not sure when, exactly. But some time soon I will probably take a day or two's break so I can really knuckle down and get my studying done. I'll let you all know, of course, though I'll post it up on my Bluesky profile, so for all three of you that read these notes, keep an eye over there if there's a day without a page!
I think (and hope) that this community is not the tipical snowflake camp.
If we can handle the theme of the CU universe i guess a bit of dark humor is acceptable too as well.
Omg I'll adopt this headcanon.
Also, they have a group member who's absurdly skinny because their handler refused to let them eat, and also a smartass Milky called "Garlic"
Teddy and them finally had time to recover and rest after... 80+ pages since they fell down a whole layer. Biscuit is cheerful but he was in deep depression most of those pages, even when they were with Orion.
As a group, they are barely surviving and don't have any actual provisions for themselves until they go out and find some more. They are all pretty much starving at this point, with Teddy just now having had any kind of meal, let alone the rest of them.
Finding a lost friend in the caves is pure dumb luck, and all you can do about it is worry. Which is exactly what Stringbean would do, of course. Poor Biscuit :(
It always gets me to see how terrified expies are of making mistakes…
I wouldn't say he's being rude, but he is certianly being a bit inconsiderate. And even THAT isn't exactly his fault. He has serious anxiety, and the idea of not being able to save someone REALLY fucks with him.
I like Stringbean's character trait of wanting to help people no matter what. And I think it's interesting when it can be a flaw like here.
The group has almost no food, no supplies, and are all dealing with their own mental problems to various degrees. They have no safety net for if something goes wrong and one or more of them gets injured.
I feel like Orion would be the one to give a reality check in these cases, at the moment though they're sleeping hard enough to ignore a hurricane.
Poor Stingbean's survivor's complex came through and made him lash out at Biscuit :(
We do have the potential for Orion and Teddy to agree on something, because I feel like both are too pragmatic to go along with the idea of searching an entire planet for someone who could be literally anywhere while supplies are critically low.
Nah, I think Teddy would be down to search, but not recklessly. Not while being critically low on supplies, and even he would understand that it's a bit of a shot in the dark. Orion cares about Biscuit, so he might even be begrudgingly onboard, but again, not while out of supplies.
That’s the problem that holds Stringbean back. They all have something that is hurting them. Biscuit is guilt-ridden over feeling like he can’t do enough and being too scared to act, Teddy is guilt over holding people behind, having trauma with food, and struggling with building relationships due to isolation, and Orion’s is their perceived weakness compared to the rest of their species and feeling looked down upon for it and thus transferring it to how they act towards others, particularly Teddy. Additionally, both Teddy and Orion have issues with their body sizes, where Teddy has been called (effectively) fat by the others whether for mean or ignorant reasons, and Orion has been called, well, a runt for their small size.
Stringbean, meanwhile, has the bane of wanting to help others at all costs. Stringbean nearly sacrificed themself to save Teddy, and neglected their own health to try and keep moving forward and pushing Teddy, stemming from their relationship with their… passed friend. Stringbean means well when they ask why Biscuit didn’t say sooner, but is unintentionally feeding into their own vice by curtailing their current situation with their need to save all they can. This, alongside their need to push for urgency, is a trigger for Biscuit’s bane to reappear, as taking immediate action is something they’ve struggled to do the entire story.
It’s a really well done showcase of how unintentional actions can create problems and reactions, even when no malice is meant. Hurt people hurt people and all, but as I suspect is to come soon, hurt people can heal people, where I suspect that Teddy will de-escalate the conversation as someone who was saved by them. It took them a while to even save Teddy, and 51549 is someone who has notable knowledge and experience it seems. Odds are they will be alive. (I doubt 51549 is alive, I think that lucky charm mentioned WILL come into play, but I think the feeling will be pushed back to deal with at a better time for Biscuit).
ETA: this was supposed to be a response to another commenter, but since Reddit decided to be a jerk and post it as a standalone comment… I think it still fits. This series has done a really great job at defining the characters and showing that, while they do fit with each other in their positive ways (Teddy with Stringbean, Biscuit with Stringbean, Orion with Biscuit), these same positive relationships CAN cause hurt when the respective personalities and motivations clash. It’s very well done. Additionally, take all the time you need. It’s tough to write a continuous story without some kind of immediate structure; if ya need a day or two to figure it out, go ahead. We’ll be back to read them then
I DON'T WANT BISCUIT TO BE SAD I WANNA GIVE HIM A HUG >':
I made him happy for todays Onion because he deserves it
Also ohhh boy I hope Stringbean's anxiety about not being able to save others doesn't affect the group and biscuit too much, so far they've been a perfect leader but it only makes sense that you'd start to show the imperfections of each character too... It also seems like Biscuit is especially afraid of losing those they love, maybe? He was very, VERY depressed when they were leaving before they found Stringbean.
Man I really wonder where this plot goes, once again you're cooking Blue. And do get your studying done, it's important (says me lol)!
I am proud to be among the exclusive group that checks your Bluesky. It’s too bad that your daily streak is going to end, however I knew that day would arrive eventually. I still find it crazy that you’ve managed to do this daily. I’ll go back and check how long you’ve posted daily once you take the break. And once you get back you’ll have to beat your old record 😜
The situation was dark enough, one should not make it worse by assuming the worst. I understand wanting to save another, but assuming one is dead or hurt is a quick way to slip into dark thoughts that distract and cause accidents
...and i hate seeing that fact play out. Emotional Roller-coaster in writing, I await more.
You did nothing wrong Biscuit, they were going to send y'all down here sooner or later. There's a small chance you may find them, but there's also a chance they may not be alive anymore. Hope for the best prepare for the worst.
51549 knew that Biscuit would react like Stringbean when the two got separated, if they ever told them that they should actively look for each other. Tirelessly and carelessly looking for their friend, which is a dangerous thing to do (remember that spike trap Stringbean?)
Only the scenario would be even worse; Stringbean knew where Biscuit was, which is not the case for 51549. Like they said, they could be anywhere. What are the odds of actually finding them? Where to start?
Stringbean is not over their saviour complex (is it the right term? I'm not sure, but i couldn't think of another one), and they are (unknowingly) hurting poor Biscuit, making them feel the same guilt.
YO WAIT A MINUTE IS 51549 SCRAPS NUMBER? they might still be alive :D also DAMN IT BISCUIT THAT ISNT HELPING, biscuits the only one up until this point that hasnt had any downward spirals and the fact that it came from one of his own in the situation theyre in is almost worse than it being from some traumatic memory poor biscuit is more like an inoccent child in the moment :(
i almost hate this part in the moment in part because i can sympathize with them here the mantra of "prepare for the worst hope for the best" alot of times through stress just curdles into "expect the worst prepare for the worst cuse its going to happen anyway" i hope string bean means well when he says that and is just worried :(
Biscuits depression any%? Him asking if he did something wrong was really really dark. Hey blue, hope you're cool 😎, taking a break in this economy? If you need one we will never hold you back, study so our lobster is buttier and our steak is juicier :)
Biscuit folding almost immediately like they were dunked in water. Amazed they didn't combat this, but I guess that's in Biscuit's nature. Like homey, do you know how big the cave systems are? If 515 survived the labs as long as they did, you think they'd die so quickly in the caves?
NOOO BISCUIT!! I hope that stringbean is smart enough to know how to respond, but honestly I think teddy will. Maybe Orion will surprise wake up and respond but then he might get angry at stringbean so thats worst case.
It kinda sounds to me like 51549 already knew what the Gray Planet was like (or at least that they wouldn't be coming back to the labs). I wonder how they knew?
I find it extremely important to know (atleast an idea) where your story is going to end. I recently started to think about making my own comic (and developing some lore for my own character) and, damn, I do struggle a lot with weaving the plot, it feels so hard and exhausting.. I’m already starting to feel a bit burned out (without even starting to actually draw, lol).
How do you manage to write such a great plot, choose the right words for each character individually, and also draw it so effortlessly (at least outwardly)?
Did you study it somewhere?
Nope, no study or anything. Hopefuless is my first real foray into comic creating. At least. Longer-form comic creating that weren't just single page memes. I've never actually read a comic book before.
I know it sounds like a massive 'humble brag', but honestly. I don't really know. I let the characters do the talking for me, I shut my eyes and daydream, and the conversations unfold, and I put it on the page. I just go with what feels natural.
As for the drawing? I chalk it up 99% to me not caring about getting things perfect. I mean, if you look over the pages, the proportions, faces, style, it all changes page to page. My lines are messy, the backgrounds often just aren't there. I favoured a speed over finesse. Which lets me keep the story moving, preventing burnout because I'm always making good progress!
Hmm, inspiring..This doesn’t seem like bragging; it’s more like talent! I’m not joking. Despite having fewer details in your drawings, you manage to create well‑developed poses and natural facial expressions! I think this comes with practice, right? Maybe I should just start drawing and imagining more in my free time... and then maybe I’ll see a little progress instead of just standing still and doing nothing.
Honestly, I can't say I've practised all that much either. At least, not in regards to facial expressions and body language. For the longest time, I'd always just draw static reference poses.
The only tip I can really give you, if you want to improve at art, is the same tip I give everyone; Don't try.
That is to say, don't actively try to improve with the aim of having better and better results with every drawing. You'll burn out hard.
Instead, just draw whatever, whenever and with no 'quality goal'. You'll improve a lot faster by drawing lots of random stuff you have fun making, than you will be trying to perfect a specific thing!
Progress will come naturally, but trying to force it will kill the joy of the craft. Take it from me, I've been arting for 19 years now, and the only time I truly got within reach of quitting for good, was when I was actively trying to improve.
That’s... a pretty important point. I hadn't thought about it *that* way. Thanks a lot - I’ll keep your advice in mind, will do my best not to draw something I don't want to. The only (I think) somewhat unusual question on my mind is: who can I share my work-in-progress with? I don’t have any friends interested in Cas:U, drawing, or storytelling, but I’d *really* love to get some critique or feedback (from someone that I could trust?) before finishing the project. I’m a bit shy, but I can’t just keep it all to myself...
I might start pro Orion screntime movement if this apathy toward Orion continues, thats like 8th page Orion made no movements in and he isn't even away, he is right there
Nooooo TwT not the negativity… 51549 sounds wise, experienced, and probably well trained… They got this… They’re concerned I know… But damn…
Though, I don’t know how either group would even go about that, they aren’t even holding up well enough by themselves… last bit of food one person ate(No offense Teddy, you’re worth it TwT) but no to low food, lack of equipment, and zero clue where the other one is?.. That’s a long term goal based off luck alone…
I have a strange tingling thought, that Orion will be the voice of reason and logic to deescalate this situation because noise raised, he wakes, and he cares quite obviously about Biscuit -w-
Eh. Negativity and many thoughts… Yelling/easing your voice at a friend under current circumstances is a bit emotional ~w~ but this was a surprise…
On the upside, they have fond memories of this person, and that’s a goal, and where there’s a goal, there can be the hope to achieve it >:D
Nice >:3 finally taking some time to yourself aye XD
Though do take all the time you need, especially for studies, lmao, everyone reads the notes, just not every responds about em, I think?(Thank crap I finally set up most of my Bluesky, just haven’t set up the other functions so I’m able to read and like things… That’s all Xd, I’m a little lazy -w-)
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u/[deleted] Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
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