Megumi: Some, not all. I'm not a super fan like my father was, but I have some favorites. I've got a real soft spot for Gamera and Mothra films..even if they are...production is humorously low, if that's how you say it?
Joel: Those Mothra movies were pretty awful...
Megumi: *Puffs her cheeks in clear irritation* Awfully amazing you mean! I love Mothra...
Joel: I just think the Gamera movies are more...well I definitely laughed harder at them...especially that one where he plays the xylophone on that one monster's back, and plays his own theme song. *Snickers*
Megumi: *Snickers* Yes...well I'll admit that is funny...but I can't help liking Mothra, I liked butterfly-like creatures since I was a cub.
Joel: And that's why you have the biggest Mothra plush I've ever seen, even bigger than your body pillows.
Megumi: *Huffs* My Dad got that for me...it helps remind me of home when I'm staying here...
Joel: Speaking of, to correct the person asking I'm not living in Japanda full-time. Even though we've grown pretty serious we...well, I mean...
Megumi: We both have family and friends we're not quite ready...well we aren't cutting them from our lives, but settling down in one place on either side limits how often we get to see them.
Joel: So we basically visit each other for... *Joel lolls his head and lingers, clearly estimating a timetable* Let's say about two months at a time, where either I'm staying with Megumi in Japanda, or she's staying with me in Zootopia.
Megumi: It's not the cheapest solution...but for the time being it's what works best for both of us.
Joel: That said, in the days of the internet, there's really no need to be in Japanda to fully engross yourself in kaiju stuff. But Kaiju stuff was just never all that big for me compared to super sentai or giant mech Animalme's.
Megumi: You liked Jet Jaguar.
Joel: *Chuckles* Yeah, I do like Jet Jaguar.
Vernon: Sweet sawgrass son...y'all are firin' such a scattershot in terms of who yer lookin' to answer questions I'm thinkin' we're gonna need to rent a stadium just to get all the answers...*Chuckles* Might as well just ask the city at this point.
Dawn: *Pats Vernon's paw affectionately* Puppy, be nice...
Vernon: I am, I'm just kiddin'...*Laughs*
Dawn: Anyway, we were happy to answer your questions. We do our best to try and answer everyone who messages us to the best of our abilities, and your line of questions about your work and writing plans has been particularly engaging.
Gus: Especially to those of us who are...well...
Melanie: Nerds. *Snickers*
Gus: Right, I was looking for a nicer term there...but...eh. *Shrugs*
Dawn: That said, we'll probably keep this question strictly among us Ruminerds, for convenience and simplicities sake.
Vernon: So with that cleared up, we'll answer yer new question...
Dawn: Well first off I want to compliment his character design. It's a really cool mashup of elements from those characters...
Broomie: I ain't gonna complain...I loved Hellboar and Savage Dragon...Also got a little Etrigan the Demon vibes off of your design.
Gus: Going for the deep cuts huh? *Chuckles*
Broomie: Entrigan the Demon is not a deep cut...the dudes showed up in cartoons...he's not 'the brick wall', 'Egg Fur', or gods tremble, 'Snowfang'...
Joel: Isn't that the cat who got his powers by doing like toad drops...or coca leaves?
Broomie: Coca leaves. Yeah, he got high and fought crime...it's nuts...
Joel: At least none of those are dabbling in out there fetish territory, which I would probably stress you shouldn't even dip your hooves-I mean-paws, into that kind of territory even as a gag.
Gus: You talking about the blueberry thing?
Joel: *nods briskly* Trust me, you don't want to open that door even a crack, lest all the weirdos will come out of the woodwork with requests...
Megumi: Takes a pervert to know a pervert huh? *Giggles*
Vernon: No, Joel is speakin' from experience...I remember him fallin' down a 3D modelin' rabbit hole involvin' those folks with a Wonkat Blueberry fetish.
Megumi: *Surprised, glances at Joel* Woah, what is this?
Joel: *Snorts* I was young, I wasn't familiar with the idea that literally any weird thing could be a fetish and someone wanted a model of their character as a blueberry ball like in the movie...
Gus: And he took the job thinking it was just for a gag...
Joel: Once it went out on my work pages, all the weirdos started skittering out of the shadows asking me for increasingly twisted fetish models. *Spits and snorts in clear irritation*
Gus: Hey Joel! C'mon Mam' we talked about the spitting! At least use a damn cup!
Joel: Sorry, sorry! I just still get heated thinking about it...Anyway, about three commissions in I discovered the fetish and it made my wool feel like it was crawling with nits...I had to shut my store for a while, crop up a list of 'I won't do this' catch-alls for my commission page and wait until the messages trickled to nothing before starting to work again...
Broomie: I'm surprised you have standards...*Chuckles*
Joel: Hey, I specialize in cake and giant robots, things you can actually rut and cool stuff...that other stuff is too far even for me...though I will admit some of the offers were tempting...were talking triple or even quadruple my usual rate...and this is back when I was seventeen...
Vernon: But ya didn't?
Joel: I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to feel clean again if I went down that path...
Megumi: Well...relative clean-ness yes?
Vernon: Anywho...er...I'm not sure what I'd suggest...my mind first went to like...creatures outta fables but I thought that might be too... close to that comic series from a little while ago...
Broomie: Wolf Among Us?
Vernon: That's the one!
Joel: Tulpa-ish things would be cool...although I guess that's borderline what your other book is...
Gus: Tulpa?
Joel: Something you imagine that becomes real...
Gus: Ah...
Gus: How about aliens...but specifically the aliens that all the abduction stories are about...the greens.
Joel: Oh yeah, but like specifically not outer space aliens, but our weird perception of them...right down to being obsessed with rectal probing.
Melanie: I feel like that's drifting back into fictive territory. *chuckles* And fetish territory for that matter.
Dawn: Shadowmammals, pelt wearers, maybe creatures that see themselves as ancient gods...but it's questionable as to whether or not they are or were...
Vernon: Those all sorta border on cryptids, don't they?
Dawn: True, true...Mutton chops! this is harder than I thought it would be.
Gus: Oh, continuing that theme...how about all the terrible knockoff cryptids that we see as obvious fakes...Like the Mawlaysian mermaid, the fur trout, or even the Jackalope.
Joel: The Lepridchaun, but looking exactly like the amateur sketch from that one meme...
Gus: Right!
Melanie: *Giggles* That'd be hilarious, like some sort of cryptid island of misfit toys...
Broomie: You could also throw in some stuff in the vein of those SCP things...not direct copies, but stuff inspired by them.
Dawn: Ohh, those are fascinating...Edi got me to read quite a few of them and I'm honestly tempted to throw my own entry in and see if it would get approved...Anonymously of course.
Broomie: Why anonymously?
Dawn: I'd like to get approved or denied on the story's merits alone, and not by name. at the very least it's a good way to take a stab at some sci-fi horror and see how it is received.
Joel: How bout...randomly animate objects...?
Gus: What do you mean?
Joel: Well, you know how mammals lose all sorts of small stuff, like sole pads and keychains and so on...historically that stuff has been attributed to like...borrowers. But what if it was just cases of literally someone's left sole pad coming to life for no reason and running off?
Megumi: That's actually a good one I think. Very creative!
Vernon: A good one to end on too I think...we've been chatterin' about this fer a while, and the longer this goes on, the longer my Honey Lamb's gotta play stenographer.
Melanie: I still don't know how you manage to type so fast Dawn...it's practically blinding...
Dawn: *Giggles* I am a ewe who wears many hats.
Megumi: If you please, I wish to...say something, but I worry it might...upset some of you? Is it okay?
Zach: *Looks to Vanna uneasily* W-Well...
Lucero: You are among company that doesn't balk at much Miss Gomipa, I doubt you will offend anyone present.
Joel: You haven't heard her when she's mad...*Chuckles* She swears like a sailor.
Megumi: *Huffs* I'm not cursing Baka! I just mean that my Animanglish isn't the best, and well, I do not want to make uncomfortable Marcus' parents.
Vanna: *Winces slightly* I'm sure it's fine Megumi...please...
Megumi: Well...my family has always been very...passionate? Is that the right word?
Joel: *Nods*
Megumi: Emotional too. Rageful energy is sort of...directly intertwined with love, and it mani- mani-...Manifestos?
Joel: Manifests. Spree killers write manifestos.
Megumi: Ah, right...my point is, we Gomipa's are prone to passionate displays, and getting worked up in regards to competing with those we care deeply for...It is like a flirt...
Zach: *Winces* So yer sayin' that...
Megumi: Aiko must really have a strong crush on your son to show him such a raw, passionate side of herself...it was the same with me and Joel, and it was the same with my parents who met at a trading card dueling tournament. When we have a crush...that crush can draw the fire out of us so strongly it's amazing we don't simply burn away...
Lucero: *Chuckles softly* That's probably one of the most adorable things I've ever heard...
Pascha: It really is cute. *Cooes in delight*
Megumi: The fact that she can bring that out of him too...the way they perform with one another...it's just, it is evident to everyone.
Joel: Even if they aren't aware of it...
Megumi: *Swoons slightly* Just like a classic Animalme...Cubhood friends growing up together, growing closer, all without realizing just what those building feelings are despite everyone around them being so aware...ahh...Kawaii...
Zach: *whines* Alright, I don't think I wanna hear anymore! *turns to leave*.
Vanna: *Places a paw on Zach's shoulder to stop him.* Zach...Please...
Zach: What, I don't have to listen to this! *huffs, crosses his arms* Why can't they just be friends, huh!? Why is everyone so determined to fix 'em up?!
Pascha: Zach, dear, you know that not a one of us intends to try and force something that isn't there...but...
Zach: But what!? *huffs*
Lucero: If you can't see it, you are being willfully blind my son. Whether it means they will go on to date, or agree to remain friends, there are clear feelings there that they need to address...
Zach: B-But-!
Megumi: Excuse me, but you do not have a problem with your son dating beyond his species, yes?
Zach: Pff-Wha?! O' course not, that's rid-!
Megumi: Red Pandas then? Perhaps you do not like them?
Zach: I AIN'T SPECIEST!
Megumi: Then what is the problem?
Zach: I jus-! I-! *Zach's ears sag as the wolf lets out a defeated whine* I...I've barely gotten a chance to be Marcus' Pa...and he's growin' up so quick...and I...
Vanna: Goofball?
Zach: *Whines* Zach datin' is the start of him...really growin' up...and movin' on and out of our lives...*Sniffles* A'for long he ain't gonna have any use fer his 'ol 'mam...I'll just be gettin' in the way... *Zach leans into Vanna's side, whining*
Vanna: *kneels, wrapping Zach in her arms and nuzzling gently against his head fur.* Zach....is that what this is all about?
Zach: *The wolf whimpers* I-I mean I stand by what I said about not...forcin' stuff...what'll happen between them two will happen...but...fer the most part...I just...*sobs* I've just barely gotten to know my son, he's just finally gettin' comfortable bein' a Hunter and now...iffin' he starts datin' it's just...the beginnin' of us all driftin' apart...
Lucero: *Walks over, placing a paw on Zach's shoulder and drawing the wolf's attention* Zach, just because Marcus is growing up, doesn't mean he'll love you any less...
Pascha: *Joins her mate, wrapping an arm around Lucero's waist.* And he'll certainly want and need you in his life just as much, if not more as he grows...and if our family, as well as the Hunter pack is any indication, he will always be close with you, Vanna, and the rest of us.
Megumi: First love is a very hard part of life...he will need your advice now more than ever Zach. Even I, as an adult, still go to my parents when need advice on my relationship with Joel.
Joel: And I'd do the same if I knew my actual parents...still my aunt makes a pretty good surrogate. She will always be the mother that raised me, and I will always be tight with her...womb to the tomb mam'...
Zach: *Offers a weak smile, pawing at his eyes...* Y-y'all think so?
Vanna: *Grasps Zach's Muzzle and draws it to face her, looking into Zach's eyes and flashing him an affectionate smile* I know so...
Zach: *Sniffles harshly before giving Vanna a kiss* O-okay....I-I ain't over it...but...th-that helps...th-thanks Kitten...
Vanna: You're welcome Goofball...and you know I'll be by your side to listen, and help you get through this...
Zach: *Hugs Vanna tightly* A-And I'll be by yer side too Darlin'...we're in this together...
Megumi: All this said...have you had that...talk with Zach yet?
Zach: *Pales slightly* Well I-...
Lucero: Considering how close they got during their last 'Duelet', it might be best to cover that sooner rather than later...
Joel: The chance for hybridism between them is probably super low, which is even more of an incentive to have lots of unprotect-.
Zach: OKAY! *Zach stands up again, and begins to bolt* NOW I'M REALLY DONE WITH THIS CONVERSATION! *The wolf takes off, bolting out the front door of the ranch.
Vanna: *Stands up, and begins chasing after her mate.* ZACH, WAIT! *Stops at the screen door and glares back at the others.* Thanks for that by the way, he was actually calm for a few seconds there before you put the fear back into him...*Shakes head and leaves*
*Lucero and Pascha flash Joel a soft, but judgemental glare*
Joel: *Rolls his eyes* Oh come on, he's a teenager! We all know how teenagers think!
Dawn: Is that usually when you have to prepare for a presentation...
Vernon: * Groans* yeah...I just get so worked up 'cause I know every time I ain't just sellin' a design, I'm sellin' myself. So despite doin' my best to tune things out and de-stress with music. It just...it can't cut through the anxiousness and annoyance...
Gus: I'm guessing you're talking about having to prove yourself when folks see a wolf trying to pitch them a building design?
Vernon: Unless it's a customer I've worked with before, it's always the same song and dance..." Oh, weird choice to have a wolf present the design to us..." er' "Hey, I said I wanted to meet the real architect!" *Vernon sticks his tongue out* Bleh. A lot of 'em don't wanna hear anymore after they find out I actually am the designer.
Dawn: *Hugs Vernon's leg* Aww...wolfy...
Vernon: Sorry, I sorta drove this off track a bit...just...y'know...I get frustrated...uh...anyway...what were we talkin' about?
Gus: Music energizing you?
Vernon: Right...well outside o' work...I mean, music ain't never got me so full of energy I really want to dance it out er' go fer a run. But it'll get me feelin' extra creative when I'm designin' a buildin' er' structure...and when I'm pushin' through some chore er' what not.
Dawn: I'm the same...I'm not really a big dancer or anything like that...but I feel so infused with creative energy when I hit a really good song while writing...it just makes the words pour out of me like water out of an exploding dam.
Vernon: Y'all sure you don't dance? Cause I know I've caught that wooly butt o' yers wigglin' when doin' some o' the chores while you got them earbuds in...
Dawn: Oh I'm aware, you've certainly 'goosed' me quite a few times while I was unaware...*Chuckles*
Vernon: A wolf's gotta hunt...*Laughs* Besides, can't pass up an excuse to dance with my Honey Lamb.
Dawn: Aww....Puppy, *Gestures the wolf to bend down* C'mere you. *Grips the sides of Vern's face and gives the wolf a deep kiss* MWAH!
Vernon: *Draws back and begins fanning himself with a paw*. This ewe's givin' me the vapors Gustav!
Gus: *Shakes his head, trying to stifle his smirk.* Sweet Sawgrass...you two should get a room already...and don't call me 'Gustav'...you know I hate it...
Melanie: You're only encouraging them. *Snickers*
Gus: Cervidwens Hooves, if it wasn't for the fact it was such a genetic long shot for you two to have kids in the first place, I'd wager you'd be eight litters deep by now.
Dawn and Vernon: *Laughing*
Vernon: Alright, what about you two?
Gus: I'll admit, the right song can really get me going while writing a campaign setting. Or doing work around the store...though I'm not a dancer...like at all...
Melanie: I have to be half-way to drunk to think dancing is a good idea.
Dawn: So like at our reception them? *Dawn smirks*
Melanie: Hey! That wasn't my fault! *Laughs* I was the only not wolf drinking! Your brother-in-law didn't mix it right for someone my size! I didn't choose to be smashed!
Vernon: Hey I didn't mind, watchin' you dress Yuri down because he hadn't tied yer 'new best friend Ada' down yet was probably the funniest thang I'd seen all night...
Melanie: *Holds up a finger* While I was pretty smashed, my point still stood...That yeen is a goddess...waaay too good for him.
Vernon: Yeah, that's what my whole family says...'cept Yuri anyway *Chuckles*
Joel: Animalme soundtracks supercharge my life!
Gus: Don't you spend most of your day in a chair making 3d models...
Joel: And playing visual novels!
Megumi: I prefer North Mammalian Rock...nothin' gets my blood charged like a wi-wicked? Wicked solo. Makes cleaning up our apartment or my store so much easier to get through.
Broomie: I work out a lot now, but even before that music and my job were kind of inseparable, especially on the tougher days when I was really feeling wiped out. When I didn't think I could make the last few blocks worth of deliveries, or the weather just was too miserable, music always gave me the extra push I needed to power through. And it did the same during my...well entry to yoga with Talia.
Joel: Those must have been fuuuUUn...*The llama chuckles sarcastically*
Broomie: Aside from my job, I wasn't a big exerciser...and I certainly wasn't flexible in the slightest.
Vernon: To be fair, most of us ain't...fer me that's the other reason I never went into workin' police like my Pa wanted. Too much...fitness fer upkeep...
Gus: And that's why you've been doughy since high school. *Snickers*
Dawn: Hey, lay off my wolf...*Squeezes his slight gut affectionately.* I happen to be a real fan of dough...*Giggles*
Broomie: Talia didn't force me to like...keep up with her or anything. She didn't even force me into fitness...but she wanted me to be a part of her morning yoga routines and I...wanted to be a part of them too...even with that, most of my morning yoga with Tali is still low-impact...I ended up losing most of my weight for...um...*Blushes* Through other methods...
Gus: *Snickering* Broomie, you animal...
Broomie: Hey, unlike the other stuff, the bedroom was the one place I was determined to keep up! I was not letting Tali down!
Joel: So, did music help you power through or...?
Broomie: Shut up! *Laughs*
Gus: I think that's gonna be just Joel this time around...maybe Megumi too.
Joel: Well yeah, nobody among us is as into Animalme, and animalme styled games in this group except me...and Gus has a particular hatred of anything that takes place in a high school setting.
Gus: It's bottom-tier entertainment...I mean, if stuff set at a high school is always awful in North Mammalian movies and games, why does the same content in Japanda so praised?
Joel: Because instead of singing about how great Highschool is, they have guns and fight zombies or go to the underworld and stuff... it really doesn't compare.
Gus: I was done with High School when I graduated...and I never want to go back.
Melanie: Even if we have kids?
Gus: If we, by the grace of Hornunnus himself have kids, we are home-schooling them.
Joel: Suit yourself...hey, I like the series. it's fun, and playful.... a bit wacky too. I like that.
Megumi: Eh, I'm not big on series...ironically for similar reason to Gus...I'm just...tired of high school stuff...it bore me. I much prefer...fantasy stuff...or stuff that's in a not-so-common setting. So like Cowboy bebop, Full metal Alambist, the classic that is Dragon Maul and Dragon maul Z, that sorta stuff. So a game set in high school based animalme, regardless of supernatural elements just doesn't really appeal.
Joel: Paca plus is set in a high school! *Snorts*
Megumi: YES! I know that! But...it just hit me at right time! There are exception to rule sometime!
Joel: Pft...just sounds like hypocrisy to me...
Megumi: Someone is trying very hard to ensure they won't have warm red panda cuddles tonight...It's all going into my Haida pillow...none for Joel-kun.
Joel: Okay, you know as well as I do that's a total bluff...You want to snuggle as much as I do...you know my neck fluff is better than any Daki on the planet!
Megumi: *Glares at him fiercely before letting out a harsh sigh* Damnit, you see through it every time...you jerk!
Joel: Love you two my little Dakko kuma.
Gus: Probably one of the best Kung Fu movie trilogies, hooves down.
Joel: Seconded...It's a great mixture of like classic Kung Fu style plot lines and intrigue...not to mention the humor.
Gus: Oh yeah, it's amazing how the...I don't even know how to describe it properly. It's like it's paced in such a way that you don't get tonal whiplash from switching from the more comedic elements to the serious moments to the badass fight scenes...It's like it finds a way to strike a perfect balance of all those things and somehow maintains it for three films.
Joel: That's what happens when you keep the team and director consistent across the entire project. The director came in with a plan and a vision and worked with a super-talented team to get it done.
Melanie: I'm just amazed they were able to make those 'non-mammalian' characters actually feel real despite being CGI
Joel: Well not all of them were CG. Master Monkey was actually a fox in a monkey suit and makeup. The ones that were total CG were Master Viper and Master Mantis...Hey...did anyone else find Master Viper kinda hot?
Gus: Ew, no.
Melanie: Nope.
Vernon: Nah...
Broomie: Ehhh....
Dawn: Not really...
Megumi: Absolutely. One hundred percent.
Joel: Thanks for backing me up babe.
Megumi: I would let that snake coil me up and do things to me, and I'm not even into girls...
Melanie: Speaking of, was I....mam' this is gonna sound weird considering who I'm friends with...but was anyone else put off by the romantic subtext between Master Tigress and Po?
Vernon: You were put off by interspecies subtext? *The wolf quirks a brow*
Melanie: No! No! I mean, look you and Dawn are great together. Broomie and Talia, Joel and Megumi, I'm not judging, I love you guys. It's not a species thing it's...I mean Tigress is so cool, and like...Po is super lame...
Broomie: This is coming from you...of all mammals? Seriously? *Broomie glances at Gus, then back to Melly before nodding his head toward the billy.*
Gus: *Gives Broomie a dull glare before shifting his attention back to his mate.* Babe...
Melanie: What? WHAT?
Gus: *Rolls his eyes*
Melanie: Oh come on, I'm not saying...*Shakes her head* Look, you aren't...I'm not cool!
Joel: So Gus is lame then? *Snickers*
Melanie: NO! Gussy I'm not making like...Po's annoying and fat!
Vernon: Ain't most Panda's fat?
Megumi: Generally...Red Panda's also tend to be on the chunky side...it's a bear family thing. We're big-boned and built to put on weight fast...make's it tough to lose it.
Melanie: You aren't annoying or fat Gussy! You know I love you!
Dawn: Melly, stop digging before you hit a sewage main, please...
Vernon: He is grouchy a lot of the time though...
Broomie: And frustrating to argue with...
Joel: And mean...
Gus: *Rolls his eyes* I feel. SO loved. Right now...
(Wasty: In this universe, I see the Kung Fu Panda trilogy as a series of action films for adults. If I were to equate it to something similar in our world, it would probably be something between crouching tiger hidden dragon, and Kung Fu Hustle. With maybe just a pinch of my favorite kung fu film of all time, Kung Pow, enter the fist.)
Joel: I'm just going to tell you right now...like...I sold off my old Hoo-man's collection from when I was a cria after watching that special.
Gus: Geeze...well I guess we know your stance on humans huh?
Joel: Don't get me wrong, I like humans...I mean, I don't think they are like...inherently evil or anything. Lots of different mammals did lots of extremely evil things since the dawn of time...it's just...I couldn't look at those stupid figures and cards anymore without...seeing Marcus...his father...*shudders*
Megumi: I felt the same way. It was...the cuteness was lost...they were...what is the Anamaglish word....Retro...retrotract-?
Joel: Retroactive?
Megumi: Yes! Retroactively ruined by harsh reality. The Hoo-man toy lines had goofy villains, and rarely ever had true...meaningful threats. Reality though...
Gus: Reality is always significantly less cutesy and cuddly than the real deal.
Broomie: To be fair though, Humans weren't a reality until what...like six months ago? Up until that point, Humans were urban legends...a fantasy race in B&B...
Melanie: Did you watch the special Dylan?
Broomie: I did...but since I had fair warning about the beating part...I skipped that portion. I just...I didn't have the stomach for it. I mean, we've all met Marcus...I can...I just...
Gus: Relax Brooms, nobody here is judging you.
Broomie: Did you and Mel...?
Melanie: *Sigh* We did...we...we wanted to know what Marcus really went through...to see it from as close to his perspective as we could...and it....it was ghastly...I just...I was just crying quietly the whole time it was going on...and it just felt like it was going on forever...
Gus: Me and Melly were just sorta huddled on the couch, holding each other during the bulk of it...It was...rough to say the least...
Joel: Megumi was practically strangling my neck she was gripped so tightly to it...not that it mattered, I could barely breathe or swallow anyway...I felt like I was one errant gulp from throwing up Pandese food all over the coffee table.
Judy: I....honestly...I thought I was more steeled for that kind of thing going into it...but I...gods I was clutching Nick's tail and just burying myself into it every time they raised that lash...
Nick: I'm not proud to admit I managed to watch the whole time...but I'm paying for it now...it feels like it's imprinted on my eyelids...every time I close my eyes I see that poor kids face...I hear the disgustingly excited chants from the crowd, the jeers feeling as though they were entirely deafened by them.
Judy: My parents didn't believe in physical reprimand when it came to raising me and my siblings, they never raised a paw to us. It was always groundings and taking stuff away, or just the silent treatment. *shakes head* every time my Mom refused to talk to me, I'd crumble and bawl like a kit begging for forgiveness...and though I've seen dramatizations and true crime stories featuring this kind of stuff...seeing the real, raw footage...I just couldn't take it.
Val: You guys are nuts, why would you even subject yourself to watching literal kit-abuse? Did you just want to kill a little piece of your soul on purpose or something?
Gus: We wanted to better understand what Marcus endured Val...
Val: The kit's told us enough about what he went through, I didn't need to see it.
Melanie: I take it you didn't watch it?
Val: And I'm not going to...like I said. He knows what happened, we know what happened. He's happy now, and I'm sure the kit just wants us to move on. As long as he doesn't feel the need to talk about it...we shouldn't be burdening him with it.
Gus: I mean, that's fair. That's a fair take.
Melanie: Regardless of who watched it and who didn't, we'll all be there for Marcus if he needs it...not that we've gotten to know him all that well compared to Dawn and Vern.
Gus: And we certainly won't see the kid any different than we already did see him. Just a bright young boy trying to live happily with his new family...my feelings on humans though...er...
Melanie: Mixed...as much as I'm ashamed to admit...
Gus: Exactly...I feel the same way.
Judy: Oh come on guys, not all Humans are like that Kartakkan mob...or Marcus' Dad.
Gus: I know, I know....it's just...y'know...sometimes I see a human out and about in the city, or one shows up in the store and I...I look at the-them...*Shakes head* And I can't help but see some of those...faces from the crowd...
Melanie: Or Marcus' Dad's own face...
Gus: We're trying to work past it but...it's not something we can get over overnight, y'know?
Megumi: I can understand that...I feel a pang of small fear every so often when I see one since the video...and then I feel ashamed.
Nick: Despite sitting through that mess of a scene...I've largely been okay with my human interaction...sure...sometimes the video does...pop into my thoughts, but I'm...pretty good at burying it back down into my subconscious...
Broomie: As someone who skipped that part entirely I've been alright...I mean, there are more cities, ones that weren't failed states or dictatorships, I mean they were in the documentary. Joel was right, it's not as if any one species has clean hooves. But...I imagine I might struggle a bit had I seen the lashing video...and I'd especially feel just a little weird seeing Marcus now...Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to make him feel like some kind of alien...but it's just like...I wouldn't even know what to say I think...
Val: Just ask him about Nerd stuff...I'm sure you'll synch up on something...by the time you've been talking his ear off about whatever comic series you're currently binging for half hour the kid will be looking to get away from you rather than the other way around.
Vernon: I don't think any mammal could be more hyped fer Jojo than Joel, I mean granted we're all lookin' forward to it, but Joel's probably stayed more die-hard than the rest of us in terms o' keepin' up with the series.
Gus: He read the Animanga's, you and me only ever watched the animalme with Joel.
Joel: And you guys didn't even watch the '93 OVA. Pft, and you call yourself true fans...
Vernon: Didn't y'all tell us it was bad?
Joel: It's also a right of passage!
Megumi: Eh, it's fun to play drinking games while watching. *Giggles*
Joel: I gotta say though, I mean, Arakau has never let us down in terms of Jojo content. So I can't be anything other than hyped for the news!
Megumi: I'm looking forward to the Animanga with Hol Horse. He was a favorite villian of mine...next to Leo of course...*Sighs amorously* He's so...uh...what do you Animangilish natives say? Dreamy?
Joel: Considering how you fawn over Leo pretty consistently...I'd say Dreamy is apt.
Megumi: *Giggles* he really is the perfect handsome lion vampire husband...
Vernon: He's also a psychotic murderer without any sense o' morals or ethics...
Megumi: No relationship is without its hurdles Vernon-san, certainly you know that all things considered. Even so, he's not my top Animalme husband. He's number seven on my top ten list.
Gus: You okay with her lusting over fictional characters like that Joel? It doesn't concern you?
Megumi: Joel-san has no room to complain considering he fawns just as heavily over his Yukair-chan. *Laughs*
Joel: Yeah, we have an agreement that, should either character become real somehow, we're allowed a freebie. One night with no strings attached.
Gus: Yeah, good luck with that one...
Vernon: Yeah...er...no offense...but that seems flat out impossible.
Megumi: Mammals can dream can't they?
-----
Wasty: I've really enjoyed what I've seen from Jojo, but I kinda stalled midway through Stardust Crusaders due to...well...everything. Working on art, fics, and my health, I just could never find the time...and when I did there were other things I wanted to do. So with that in mind, any real opinions on the show and manga can only really come from the first two and a half seasons. That said, so far my favorite of the series has been "Battle Tendency". Based on Stardust, and snippets of what I've seen later, it seems like it becomes a completely different show altogether. Not that it's a bad thing of course.
So with all that said, I'm looking forward to the new stuff, if I can ever find the time to actually sit down and start marathoning all of the episodes I still have ahead of me.
Joel: The Mammanga is always better, the question is was the comic any good in the first place. To answer your question, yes, yes it was...at the start.
Megumi: I don't know if it was always the authors plan, or she became to wrapped up in show production and the mammanga fell by the way-side, but as the book reached it's sudden, abrupt end it....just became a narrative mess. Plot threads thrown by the way sides, things suddenly happening for seemingly no reason, other elements going absolutely nowhere.
Joel: Not to mention the derailment of the best ship in the series, Kuzco what a middle finger to the fans.
Megumi: I would have been fine with it if it wasn't a greater symptom of the the entire evolution and development of the character being completely tossed aside in final hour.
Joel: As for the actors in the live series, I'm pretty sure they aren't like...massive names yet here in North Mammalia. I mean, I haven't heard about any of them picking up any rolls for Hollywolf projects and stuff. But I hope the buck who plays Louis gets work. He's probably the best actor among them.
Megumi: He really steals the scenes he's in, and his arc of going from like...sort of a snooty rich boy to this cool, calculating badass is...I mean what's not to love. You end up loving him more than Legoshi, am I right?
Joel: He's alright, but you know I'm busy simping for Juno over here. Even though I'm pretty damn sure she's not a pure bred grey wolf like Legoshi.
Megumi: Well, Legoshi isn't technically a full blood wolf if you remember.
Joel: Oh I know, I meant the actors. I'm pretty sure the actress who plays Juno is a hybrid. Maybe Red wolf and Grey? I don't know, but she certainly doesn't look anything like Vernon's family, and their fur colors are all over the place. Don't get me started on the 'lore' of hybrids. *Shakes head* It's giving me a migraine just thinking about it.
Joel: Jeeze, all these strangers so concerned about my Japanda trip...I swear. I can't decide wether I'm flattered or creeped out to be honest.
Megumi: I vote for creeped out. I'd be creeped out if it were me.
Joel: Well they aren't asking for nude pictures or used underwear.
Megumi: Yet...
Joel: Anyway, no I didn't upset any Yakowza types, and I...er...well...as for making a scene.
Megumi: The 'Gunbun' statue incident did make nation-wide news, granted it's not the first time it's happened.
Joel: I had to pay a pretty hefty fine to avoid a bit of jail time. Still...I'm kind of surprised the fee was so low.
Megumi: Again, you weren't the first to pull a stunt like that. There were a number of Otaku before you've who've either tried to scale it because they were fans, as well as a number of...goats, like sheep and goat? Ca-Capri?
Joel: Caprids?
Megumi: Yeah, they got that 'urge to climb' in their blood, well...some of them do. Some of 'em were just compelled to climb it because it was there.
Joel: Well, I was climbing cause I wanted a sweet selfie with an important piece of animalme history.
Megumi: *Chuckles* You sure about that? If I recall, you didn't know that exact gunbun's name and number...
Joel: O-okay...so maybe part of it was...a bit of an urge to scale a weird object... kinda deal...
Megumi: Part of?
Joel: Eighty percent Gunbun, twenty percent free climb.
Joel: Oh fantastic. I love it here. I almost don't want to leave, but I'd have to apply for citizenship and stuff, and that takes a while. I'd also kinda miss seeing my friends.
Megumi: Sometimes I think you're crazy Joel-kun. You live in Zootopia! Greatest city in all of Animalia!
Joel: But they don't appreciate Animalme there like they do here! I mean, how could they? Japanda created Animalme!
Megumi: But that's the place most Animalme's are set in because most of us here in Japanda have such a high opinion of Zootopia! And you actually live there! Rut me, I'd be over the moon if I were you.
Joel: Eh, you're only saying that because you haven't been there.
Megumi: And you only speak so highly of Japanda because you haven't been here long enough.
Joel: Well I suppose we'll see...I've got another few months before we head back to my place for a while. Provided you don't get tired of having me and kick me out early.
Megumi: Of course not, you are my ticket to Zootopia after all...*Giggles* And you rut real good. *Growls playfully*
Joel: You know I know it Short Red.
