Ask Zach and Vanna; Bindian Religions Again?

 

Vanna: I'm not sure what more there is to tell between what my parents and I have already discussed for Dawn and Vernon's forum...aside from maybe the wedding ceremony?

Zach: Y'all mean the Leogna? Didn't we talk about that?

Vanna: Maybe? I mean if we did, we probably just talked about our wedding, which didn't use every aspect of your or my traditions in order to fit them together more smoothly, so it's not...a comprehensive take on a full Leogna.

Zach: Well...might as well tell 'em. Between deities, basic fundamental beliefs, and some of the holidays, I don't think we got anythin' else to lay out that ain't gettin' into a college course on the subject. *Chuckles*

Vanna: Well generally the traditions of a Bindu wedding vary from region to region, at least a lot of the surrounding celebrations do. But at its core, there are three fundamental stages. The Kanidyadanam, which was the act of my father giving me away to Zach and approving of our marriage.

Zach: That fit in real easy, as we already do somethin' similar with Norwulffish tithes and pack head approval. 

Vanna: The groom then ideally accepts the maidens paw, which Zach did. This is called the Pantheragrahana.

Zach: Then we did the steps around the fire and the knot thang right? Although the knot ain't a knot...

Vanna: Correct, the Mewgalasutra is referred to as a sacred knot, though it's really sort of a necklace the groom places on the bride to signify her status as betrothed. After that, we take seven steps around a fire, with each step uttering specific traditional promises to one another, and on the seventh step, we are considered irrevocably married.

Zach: That one was a bit awkward to mix together with the tithin' rite, as we kinda wanted both parts to conclude neatly in order to make us married er' tithed in the eye of both our belief systems and families in the same moment...but in the end we had to lean toward doin' the Pantheragrahana before the whole blood rite and final vows.

Vanna: *chuffing softly* Still it was a wonderful night...

Zach: *Clasps Vanna's paws in his* It really was my beautiful lil' Kitten...Y'all looked ...*Gets flustered* Ya'll were just stunnin' when y'all turned up in yer Lahenga...the lil' jewels glittered just as brightly as the stars in the sky...Although they still paled to y'all Darlin'...you was glowin'...

Vanna: *Blushes softly and looks away from her mate.* And you were so...handsome in your Sherwani...

Zach: I love you Kitten... *Zach kisses Vanna's paw sweetly* 

Vanna: I-I love you too goofball...

*Both Vanna and Zach appear momentarily lost in each other's eyes for a moment before snapping out of it*

Vanna: Oh! Right..*Blushes intensely as she draws back from Zach* I forgot to mention the outside ceremonies my family specifically held.

Zach: *Chuckles, sorting a blush of his own as he rubs the back of his head awkwardly.* Y-yeah, we nearly fergot...I was...I was thinkin' bout other thangs...*the wolf lets out a low, throaty laugh.*

Vanna: *Swats a playful paw at Zach as she tries to cover her beet-red muzzle with her other paw* Z-Zach, professionalism, please...

Zach: *Snickers* Alright, alright Darlin'....I'll be a good pup....fer the moment...*The wolf smirks mischievously.*

Vanna: *Holds a paw in his direction, apparently using it to block him out* My parents came out about a week before our tithe, and Ma and Pa Hunter had them stay in the guest rooms. While the rest of the Hunters didn't arrive until the weekend. During that lead-up, we made up for the traditional engagement ceremony they weren't present for, and there were many days of feasting.

Zach: They also dressed up our trailer to the nines with bright powder paints and flowers and lights...but that was after the weddin'...er' durin' I guess...somehow they pulled that off after we left fer the Ranch to prepare for the whole ceremony.

Vanna: That's our way of blessing the new family, as well as their home...speaking of, we're overdue to have my Mother and Father give our townhouse the same treatment...

Zach: *Chuckles* I'm glad they're willin' to do that...I still wish our house was done when we was tithed so they didn't have to go decoratin' that tin can of a trailer of ours...well Myra's now...

Vanna: *Cringes* Don't remind me...please...Not while I'm reminiscing Goofball...

Zach: Thankfully she was able to be fairly reigned in when she was at our weddin'...I think Pascha and Lucero were keepin' her on a tight leash...She did come on purty strong when she met Vern though...Vernon told me she was feelin' him up durin' the reception...

Vanna: *Groans, slapping a paw over her face* Not just Vernon...Trenton too...and Wade....even Ully...Thankfully she left Dorian and Yuri alone...probably because Dorian was tithed and Yuri had Ada with him then.

Zach: At least she's got standards... well...sometimes...*Chuckles*

Ask the Hunters; Religious Beliefs

 

Dorian: I think most of my pups largely take after us in terms of our religious beliefs...

Vernon: Yeah, we're probably all passive Volkinists...Norwulffish, whatever ya'll choose to call it.

Zach: 'Cept fer maybe Yuri...no offense little brother, but I mean, y'all spend a lot o' time crackin' off Native Wolf stuff.

Yuri: *Shakes Head* Just cause I like to throw around words like 'Ome-'.

Audrey: Ah! Ah! Ah! What did I say about usin' the 'O' word in this house?

Yuri: Aw c'mon now Ma! Ain't like I'm callin' any of these sorry sacks o' wolves around me an O-*Stops himself* Look, my point is, I use that stuff cause it gets under folks pelts, not cause I give it any real credence, okay!?

Trenton: That sounds about right. *Chuckles*

Dorian: Anyway, what they mean by 'passive volkinism' is that we follow rites fer big family events and uphold certain traditions. But it ain't like we're holdin' er' attendin' any services on full moon nights er' nothin'.

Wade: And a lot of us don't exactly pray all that often...to the Norwulffish gods I mean.

Yuri: I think the only one of us that breaks form is Ulric...I'd...honestly, I don't even know what to call that mutt...*Chuckles* I wanted to say he's one o' them atheists...but...*Rolls his eyes as if he's mulling things over.*

Xavier: His belief system tends to be in flux based on his current fixation...

Ulric: How many times do I have to say I am a 'TRUTH SEEKER', I seek "TRUTH', and when I find a newr, more compelling argument, I must pursue it!

Yuri: *Rolls his eyes* Here we go...

Zach: He does tend to gravitate back to that one really....weird obscure one though...that one that sound's like it's right out of a Loveclop novel?

Xavier: The space, tentacle thing? The one with the big eye?

Ulric: If you guys would just actually LISTEN to me for once, you would see that that 'things' filthy tendrils have left prints on every culture, in nearly every age of Zootopian history! It's merely modern historians who are trying to bury the lead as-!

Audrey: Honey, have you taken your medication today?

Ulric: I TOOK MY MEDICATION! GEEZE! Listen, he's-!

Vernon: I was gonna say, he tends to start talking about that thing when he's been off his meds for a while...

Ulric: YOU GUYS BROUGHT IT UP! Besides, that's when he....when I see him! That's why I know he's planning to try and set events in motion that will cause his avatar, a son, to be born on Animalia!

Honey: Ully, did you replace-? Uhg, yeah, he replaced the meds in his bottle with M&Ms again...*Clasp Ully's wrists with her strong badger paws, restraining him.* I've got backups in my bag, I'm going to take him to our room give him a dose.

Ulric: NO! NOOOO! I have to TELL THE WORLD! H-HONEY! *Honey starts dragging the wolf toward the stairs.* HOOOONEY STOOOOoooOOOP!*

Honey: OH, and before I duck out, I'm agnostic for the record. I believe there's something...just not sure what. *Is now easily dragging the struggling wolf away.*

Ulric: NOOOoooOOOO! *Voice and whining fades as he is dragged up the stairs and out of sight.*

Vernon: *Coughs* Anywho, yeah....uh...let's just pick it up from Honey's answer and move on to the gals...

Dawn: Well, I'm a passive Capridist I suppose. I do about the same amount of worship and prayer that the rest of the Hunters do when it comes to Volkinism, and upholding the traditional ceremonies. I do...believe in the Elysian fields, or heaven as a sort of basic catch-all, but I don't think I truly believe in any of my pantheon's specific gods...I just feel traditions are important and a nice thing to pass on to your lambs.

Vanna: I agree with Dawn, to some extent. Traditions are nice, and Binduist beliefs have a great many traditions I look forward to sharing with our...kittens *Blushes softly as she grips Zach's paw.* when we adopt. *Smirks* But the tenets of Binduism and the concept of Karma and Dharma are a great sort of...moral framework to live by, and pass on to your kittens.

Zach: *Smiles at his mate* I think so too, although the same could prolly' be said fer Volkinism, and Capridism...

Dawn: Yes, it's good to have a moral framework to live by, and instill in your lambs...

Trenton: *Leans in to inspect Zach and Vanna and smirks* Y'all too got awfully smiley when talkin' 'bout adoptin'....you two fixin' to finally...?

Vanna: *Retracts slightly, covering her muzzle to hide her growing blush* Well...I-I mean....

Zach: We've been talkin' about it a lot lately...and well...we're gonna start touchin' base with agencies next month...

Vernon: *Flashes the couple a wide, toothy smile* Well I'll be dipped! *Chuckles* No way! Yer fixin' to take up rearin' some pup's finally?

Vanna: *Still blushing* W-We've-We feel that we're finally ready to t-take that step.

Zach: Already talked to Pa privately about addin' the new pup's bedroom to the house...we're puttin' some foundation down next week.

Ada, Dawn, Qali, Malcolm and Audrey: *Various excited and girlish squealing*

Dawn: OOOH! I'm so happy for you guys! *Hugs Vanna's leg* If there is anything Vernon and I can do to help, letters of recommendation, anything, you don't even have to ask!

Vernon: I imagine a letter from us could make thangs real nice and smooth fer the whole process all things considered. *Chuckles*

Vanna: *Leans down and hugs Dawn, slowly the other Hunter gals and Malcolm pile on the hug, Vanna's blush only deepens as she tears up. *T-Thank you all...

Audrey: *Audrey turns to Dorian while hugging Vanna* And when was you fixin' to tell me this was happenin'!?

Dorian:*Holds up his paws defensively* I was sworn to secrecy! I swear! They had time constraints, so they had to tell me, but they wanted to tell y'all as a group when the time was right...

*The hug breaks up, and Auddey returns to Dorian's side, giving the older wolf a hug*

Audrey: Alright, I forgive ya Darlin'...*Audrey giggles, planting a kiss on Dorian's muzzle* Next time, y'all might not be as lucky...*Laughs*

*Dorian looks relieved, letting out and audible *phew* As he grips Audrey to his side.*

Vernon: Now 'er pups will finally have some cousins to play with. *Chuckles*

Ada: Dat's so great! I'm so happy for yas too! *Smirks at Yuri* Aldough it's gettin' me tinkin' I might be wantin' my own pups soon...

Yuri: *huffs and crosses his arms*  We got tithed last year fer cryin' out loud! We ain't doin' this now!

Ada: So later den? *Chuckles*

Yuri: *Growls* UGGGH!

Xavier: I think it would be better to give in now Yuri, Ada does seem to always win these sorts of discussions between you.

Malcolm: *Snickers* Best to stop strugglin' and ride the current out...

Yuri: Let's just get back on track already! *Snorts* Ada, tell them about your kooky religion...

Ada: *Rolls her eyes* Hey, don't take potshots at Zoodoo just cause youse know gonna lose dat pup fight.

Dawn: You practice Zoodoo? I thought the Sam Hain Costume your was last year was...well...

Ada: *Chuckles* A gag? Eh...a little from column A, a little from column B. My parents was passive Simboligsts, but me's, I couldn' jives with a religion dat frames all hyenas as evil...considerin' I was one...*Chuckles* 'Specially when I becames a moody teen...

Qali: So what is Zoodoo exactly?

 Ada: Eh...I ain't gonna bog ya downs wit da details. Clops notes voision is da Hyenas fleein' from South Afrikat to escape da treatment dere settled in Suddern Mammalia and da islands and sorta reinvented Simbology usin' a lot of 'non-canonical' texts and meshin' it with old Hyenyan Predganist religions. 

Dawn: Non-canonical...you mean...like Kovu?

Ada: Yeah, and reframin' da hyenas who was vilified unda Scar and puttin' dem' back into da whole 'cicle o' life' where day belong...aldough, we did put a hyena at da top of da pole. Dat would be Jasiri, da den mudder of us modern hyenas, and da goddess of death...

Giselle: She's a goddess of death...you don't see many that many religions with a death goddess at the top...

Ada: Wells, Hyenas as a species are verys intune wit death, I means, are ancestors was da undatakers of da wild...*Snickers*. Besides, she was balanced out by her mate Kion, God of life, and a lion a dat...a forbidden tryst...*Snickers*

Dawn: So do you still...I mean are you still-?

Ada: Eh...I'm passive about it now...more into it when I was a teen...back den I did spell rituals and stuff...no chicken sacrifices dough...wasn't willin' to go dat far...

Vanna: I was about to ask...

Trenton: As for Qali here, she's also a Volkinist...

Qali: My family bloodline trace back to Northern Roarope, and the way things were with foxes of all pelts at the time meant the Norwulves were going to be the only mammals who accepted us as equals...Naturally, my family's patron saint is Vulki! But we don't practice too deeply...

Trenton: It made things much easier durin' our own tithe...we didn't have to worry about meshin' anythin' into the frame work....no offense you guys...*Gestures to Dawn, Vern, Vanna and Zach*

Zach: Eh, we got along just fine...wasn't to hard...

Vernon: Same here, y'all and Gus did a great job mergin' two types o' ceremonies on such short notice. 

Xavier: We're in the same boat, Malcolm is also a passive Volkinist.

Malcolm: So we won't have any trouble at all durin' our tithe this Fall! *Laughs*

Vernon: Cheers to that! We're lookin' forward to it!

Wade: What about you Darlin' yer a Simbologist, right?

Giselle: Yes, my family was from Afrikat originally, and our species never really got a chance to have an organized religion of its own before the Pridelands took over. But like the rest of you I'm a passive worshipper, as are my parents...

Wade: Good thing too, 'er else we might run into some hiccups iffin' we ever got tithed... Simboligists are very anti-cross species tithin's and all...

Audrey: Iffin' yer ever gonna ask that gal, that is! *Laughs*

Wade: Aww MA! Don't start!

Ask the Ruminerds PLUS; Weirdopolis or Fictionpunk?

Vernon: Phew, that's a purty weird, wide net to be castin' in terms of who yer askin'...I mean, I'd expect a question like this fer me and the other Ruminerds...but Gazelle? And Finnick? I don't really even know that fella...

Dawn: I do know about Finnick quite well...but only by virtue of writing his and Gazelle's stories for my sequel book; "The Crosser Diaries". But other than that, I can't say I really...know him in a sense that was...well, I wouldn't say we're on "Nick and Judy" terms. Finnick seems like a very private mammal who doesn't like being bothered...and as for Gazelle, I'd feel weird to be bothering her with a question like this...no offense.

Nick: Afraid it's too small a question for her, or afraid she's gonna steal this guy's ideas and take them to some big movie studio? *Chuckles*

Judy: Nick, don't joke like that! Gazelle would never steal from someone!

Nick: The chapter on Gazelle's faun-hood in Dawn's book would beg to differ Carrots. And that's straight from the antelope's muzzle.

Judy: *Huffs and crosses her arms* Well that...um...I mean...look she doesn't now! And she did that to survive!

Gus: Adding to Dawn's 'no offense' remark, even if Gazelle wanted to steal an idea like that, I don't think she'd know who to take it to in order to sell it. Now me stealing one of these settings for a BnB campaign, that's far more likely. *Snickers*

Melly: *Raises and skeptical brow* Really? C'mon Gussie...You're better than that...

Gus: What!? It's not like I'd be selling it or something, it'd just be a space to play in for our group. If it wasn't for this little conversation with Dawn acting as a stenographer to post it on her and Vernon's 'dear tabby' blog, this hyena guy would never know I intended to use it.

Broomie: What makes you think he's a hyena?

Gus: 'Laugh'lin...with a surname like that, how can he not be?

Melly: *Lets out a snorting laugh* *Shakes her head* Gus, that was terrible...

Gus: *Smirks* It was worth it...

Megumi: Didn't he say his name was pronounced 'lawf'lin...?Why would that...uh...? I am sorry, I'm confused...

Joel: *Whispers in Megumi's ear.*

Megumi: *Eyes widen as realization washes over her.* *The little red panda begins laughing hysterically* Oh-HO-HO! HA-! LAUGH! Because H-hYena's laugh...you said his n-naHAHAme wrong on purpose as part of the joke! *Continues cackling*

Gus: *Flashes Joel a half-lidded gaze.* She really didn't get that?

Joel: *Smirks* She's very good when it comes to Zootopian and Animalian culture and humor in general...but every once and a while something doesn't get through the internal translator just right, and stuff like this happens....*Laughs* I do so love these little 'lost in translation' moments...

*Megumi's laugh trails off as the little panda wipes a tear from her eye.*

Megumi: *Phew*...I need to catch my breath...that caressed my ribs...

Gus: *Quirks eyebrow* Uh...what?

Joel: Tickled babe, the expression is 'tickled my ribs".

Dawn: We're getting way off track. Dustin wanted to know which of these if novelized, we'd rather read.

Gus: Allow me to reframe it for the group if you would Dawn? Guys, which of these settings would you rather play in?

Joel: Fiction Punk...

Megumi: Because you want to rub shoulders with your anime heroes...*Snickers* Or 'super simian Joel'...

Joel: *Places a hoof finger up to his muzzle and hushes Megumi loudly* You promised you'd keep that a secret! *Joel whispers to his mate*

Gus: Oh please, we all know about super simian Joel...we've seen your secret commission harvesting art page...

Joel: *Looks flustered* M-Megumi! You to-!?

Broomie: She didn't do anything, you left yourself logged into Gus BnB computer in the office and forgot to log out. And well...*snickers* There was no way I was gonna keep gold like that to myself.

Joel: *Huffs* I t-thought it was one of those...logs out from the guest systems on idle deals! *Snorts in irritation* CHIKUSHOU!

Gus: I'm voting Weirdopolis.

Vernon: Same...I feel y'all got more creative freedom with that one...with the fiction one y'all gotta...pull from cartoons and books and movies and such...I dunno if I'm keen in playin' in a world like that Ready Player One movie...and as a book...well, I mean I feel that Fiction Punk thang is better served by bein' in a visual medium.

Dawn: It's a difficult call with Fiction Punk...as much as I like it...if you lean heavily on established characters across media interacting you tend to end up leaning toward fan service, and it may hurt the concept...at the same time, a world of original characters, such as fake cartoon and book characters...well not only would you have trouble getting an audience if you didn't have one already...but you'd have to really work out exactly what makes different fictives stand apart from one another...like toony cartoons or superheroes, or...whatever else. Sort of like species traits...

Vernon: So...Weirdopolis?

Dawn: I'd vote Weirdopolis yes.

Melanie: I'd agree with the rest of you...the whole cryptids element really kinda hooks me in from the jump as I'm a bit of a 'conspiracy, urban legends, and cryptid' nerd.

Vernon: *Snickers* Don't let Ully hear you say that...

Melanie: *Laughs* I won't, believe me! I've heard their podcast...and seen their live streams... Ulric would give Alex Roams a run for his money.

Megumi: I do like the creepy and strange concept more...it seems very intriguing.

Joel: Oh sure! Everyone just vote me down! *laughs*

Vernon: What about y'all...I mean...I wager yer probably not interested in this kinda stuff...but...

Judy: As far as books go...I'd lean Weirdopolis...

Nick: As far as your little backroom fantasy games go, we'd go neither. *Chuckles* Though I'd say Fiction Punk would make for a good film...although...I'm not sure what you'd have to do to distance yourself from ol' Roger Rabbit...

Dawn: That's another fair point I guess...Not to discourage you, Dustin, please don't take any of this that way...they're both fun ideas! But if I'm forced to choose...

Nick: He asked for an answer, if he didn't like it, he shouldn't have pitched it to us in the first place.

Judy: Nick, be nice!

Nick: *Rolls eyes* Fine Carrots, fine...

Dawn: Perhaps I can get Gazelle's opinion sometime in the future, but for now I hope that is enough feedback for you Dustin. Good luck in your writing endeavors!

*The group falls silent for a moment*

Megumi: So...is he actually a hyena, or...?

Ask Padaprascha and Lucero; Bindu Gods

 

Padaprascha: Binsuims has many deities. So many that it even I would probably need to spend time researching to name and explain all of them.

Lucero: As we've mentioned before, Bindu's origin was a sort of an amalgam of local religions, beliefs, and deities. And the nature of Bunduisim, with its openness to adapting and absorbing portions of outside religions into itself, its theology has only been added to for millennia after it was initially founded.

Padaprascha: So for brevities sake, I'll just mention some of the key gods and goddesses my family kept me familiar with. First there's our primary god of creation Brahman, who is...unironically worshipped the least among Bindu practitioners. His consort, Simmrawati is the goddess of learning and creative endeavors, essentially arts and poetry and such...

Lucero: Next ones I can recall are Ursidnu, god of preservation, and the most involved of the gods with us mortals on Animalias. He's also the god that has the strongest connection to the concept of Dharma, and has interceded directly many times through incarnating on Animalia in order to maintain cosmic order.

Padaprascha: Good job my love. You recalled quite a bit more about Usidnu than I thought you would.

Lucero: *Chuckles* Well, it helps he's one of the 'biggest gods' in Binduism. Otherwise, I assuredly would only recall Tigra and Purravati.

Padaprascha: *Snickering* Of course you'd be best versed in the gods most commonly associated with our species. But before we get there, let me mention Lakshmaw, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and beauty. She's also a bear.

Lucero: Moving right along we have Tigra, the god of destruction, which...should make his role in the grand scheme of things very apparent. His consort is Purravati, the godess of power, courage, and a little addendum there that she also represents fertility and beauty. 

Padaprascha: As a tiger, she has to steal a bit of the other god's thunder by representing some similar aspects of life.

Lucero: *Chuckles* As a tiger, she can do it better. As can Tigra. God of destruction and the goddess of power and courage...a true power couple if ever there was one. *Snickers*.

Padaprascha: By now you may have noticed a theme among the gods, each of the primary gods representing the birth, preservation, and death of the universe, and the stages of life to an extent. With their consorts representing an extension of those aspects. Though there are a few other gods that are sort of... ancillary?  if that is the right word?

Lucero: Essentially gods outside of the main set that holds a high prominence, that is what you were trying to say, right my dearest?

Padaprascha: Yes, exactly my love. And I have three deities on my mind that would be worthy of noting I think.

Lucero: If they are the gods I'm thinking of, they are certainly relevant, but considering their parentage, I can't help that I've always had some questions. *Snickers*

Padaprascha: A god of great importance that most outsiders know of, aside from Ursidnu and Tigra, would be Gompesha, the elephant god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles in one's life. He's quite commonly worshipped among Bindians. He's also the son of Tigra and Purrvati...

Lucero: Two tigers give birth to an elephant...that must have cause quite a stir. *Laughs*

Padaprascha: Well, apparently Ursidnu sired a camel who would be the god of love, so there's another species peculiarity.

Lucero: I suppose it's reasons like this why one must not take scripture as pure gospel...then again with the birth of Vanna's sister-in-law's hybrid kitten...perhaps Binduism was telling us ahead of time that the barriers that separate species were not as thick as we assumed they were. 

Padaprascha: or you could just go with the standard excuse for religious inconsistency. It's the work of the gods, they can bend reality and therefore do anything! *Snickers*

Lucero: But that's the easy route...*Chuckles* I prefer encouraging letting one's mind wander rather than stifling it with a vague, unsatisfyingly cryptic answer. It's more fun that way.

House Arrest (no, not really) April Update!

 Hey everyone, let me start off by first saying I'm doing much better. My headache is pretty much gone even if it took longer to go away than projected. Should have expected that with my immune system. So yeah, hopefully, your fears are laid to rest if you had any. Anywho...moving on to the thank yous!

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Let's front-load this with the health information. So I had to go to the ER twice last week, once by ambulance because I had such a blinding headache I couldn't drive myself. As sick as I often am, I'm generally not the type to jump to 'I'm dying today' unless I feel absolutely at death's door, which I can say that thanks to last week, has now happened twice in my life. The pain was so intense it felt like my head was hatching open like one of those eggs from alien. I was thinking stroke, or spinal meningitis...mostly because I had my friend Ceebs death, as well as my late uncle's death via spinal meningitis long before I was born hovering in the front of my mind during the pulsing bursts of pain.

All that suffering, all that pain medicine that couldn't actually reach the pressurized pain in my brain...all because of some nitroglycerin ointment. Which I've actually had before...pre-POTS, with no severe side effects. But this time, apparently it decided to cause blinding, mind-deadening headaches. Between that, and the spinal tap required before they figured that out, it took me a solid week to recover to this point. Thankfully that seems to have been the cause, and all that was needed to get over it was a long rest...which if you know anything about me, is very hard to do. That said, my Mom has put me on house arrest more or less, in an effort to keep me from undercutting my recovery...hence the journal-title. She's rarely ever adamant about such things...but last week was pretty scary for all involved...and admittedly I always try to jump back into things prematurely...to mixed results. Probably best to listen to family and friends for once.

Naturally, everything got put on hold for the bulk of the week. Asks, commissions, everything. So we're gonna just pick up the pieces and push through. Don't look back, only forward.

So, asks this week? No. I'm going to be working on writing, which first requires a little review and penning down stuff I wrote in former stories not penned in my little series bible. I've said before about half of my writing is off the cuff, and the other half is planned. Needless to say, considering my average story length, little anecdotes, and inconsistencies are bound to slip through the cracks with time and lore expansion, so I want to do some due diligence before tucking into the next chapter, which is heavy on the dialogue between Dawn and her Mom, and contains some bits I have to cross-check with previous writings.

Also going to be doing commissions sporadically as I'm still paying down that stair lift I purchased for my mom. Between commissions and help from friends, I've already killed a third of the debt, so fingers crossed at this rate I can have that cleared by fall, and in between that stuff you'll have sketches and merch releases and the like to keep things chugging along.

I'm also aiming to start producing acrylic stuff around the summer. Keychains, standees, etc. Seems like a fun type of craft and it's a good way to expand my store and merch stuff. Once we get closer to that possibility, I'll start pitching ideas to you guys for some starting acrylics. I'm already thinking the Dawn head sticker is going to get the keychain treatment, but that's all I've considered at present.

And I think I'll leave it at that for now. A shorter than usual update for me, since I tend to ramble. As always, for those who see this an aren't Patreons, I've linked my Patreon and other pages below. And thanks again to my backers! Love you guys!

-Wasty

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Ask Gus and Melly; Renaissance Faires

 

Melanie: Oh hell yeah, I rutting love me some Renaissance Faires!

Gus: I didn't like them much as a kid, but the fact that my family was always involved in them, and my developing love for roleplaying got me into them really quick by the time I was hitting puberty.

Melanie: I just...I love the period clothing, and speaking in old Kinglish...

Gus: The food is also pretty good.

Melanie: All the revamped culinary delights of the Medieval times without the health code violations and violent bouts of dysentery. *Snickers*

Gus: Clearly not very accurate to the period, I demand a refund. *Chuckles*

Melanie: Generally, unless one of us is sick, we'll hit both Renaissance Faires that come around Zootopia each year. First, there's the huge one in Downtown Savannah Central.

Gus: The 'Zootopia's Founding Renaissance Faire'. Heavy on both the history of early Zootopia and the festivities. Food's top-notch, and the 'actors' are real professionals.

Melly: *Groans* We've been trying desperately to work as players at that one, but the waiting list is so long we'd probably be in our fifties by the time we ever get a shot at performing in the Faire.

Gus: You've been trying desperately...I'm already quite satisfied with our in at the "North Meadowland's Renaissance Faire."

Melly: Hey now, just because I want to perform at the inner city Faire doesn't mean I don't absolutely love acting in the North Meadowlands Faire! Plus it gives us an excuse to visit your parents and Vernon's Mom. *Chuckles*

Gus: I should explain. With my Dad owning a gardening shop, and my Mom teaching at the North Meadowlands Elementary school, both my parents had incentives to get involved with the local Ren Faire. So my Mom plays the role of a tour guide and talks about the history of the North Meadowlands and the mammals who settled there. And my Dad plays the role of a farmhand, selling his vegetables at a stall and talking to folks about ancient agriculture and crop growing methods...while low-key advertising his gardening center...*Chuckles*

Melly: And Vernon's Mom runs, as you'd probably expect by now, a baking stall where she'd sell strawberry, blueberry, elderberry, and a bunch of other spring fruit pies.

Gus: Generally, like when I was a kid I'll go and help my Mom and Dad out, more often than not helping Dad at his stall, so I got to play as an 'apprentice'. As for Melly...

Melly: Well, Gus' Dad generally has enough help with Gus, and...to be honest Gus' Mom doesn't really need a teacher's aid shadowing her all day with no real commentary to add, so more often than not I'll find myself helping Audrey and Vanna at her stall slinging pies...which I have to admit is super fun. 

Gus: That's unsurprising. Anything you have to roll up your sleeves for is usually something you end up enjoying.

Melly: *Giggles* Audrey said I was a natural...Oh, she also wanted to let you know she's adopted me...*Snickers*

Gus: *Chuckles* Makes sense, that she-wolf was like my adopted second Mom once I met Vernon. As far as she was concerned I was one of her pups, albeit the awkward looking one. *Snickers*

Melly: Oh hush! * Melly swats at him playfully* You're adorable..., no surprise she'd make you an honorary Hunter Pup...

Gus: Considering I spent half of my teenage life at that Ranch, it's almost a gimme. *Laughs*

Melly: Regardless, considering what my Mom is like, it's nice to have not one, but two adopted Mom's to back me up...

Gus: So....considering Audrey has taken us both in as her Pups, does that make us related now? Surely that means we can't get married...

Melly: *Scoffs* Nice try Gussie, but you already proposed. The date is set, and there's no way I'm letting you out of our wedding now!

Ask Dawn and Vern; Zootopia doesn't have/isn't a Parliament?

 

Dawn: I mean, technically no...but to be honest, the Zootopian system of governance is a bit of a hodgepodge of multiple political systems. After all, with so many Roaropean nations coming together to found the city in the first place, all hailing from different types of governments, there were a lot of different ideas on how to run the city coming together in one place.

Vernon: Not to mention the effect North Mammalia's succession from Kingland's control would have on the city, and then o' course three hundred years of evolvin' systems on top o' that.

Dawn: We have our own baseline constitution, and bill of rights that we ended up adopting from North Mammalia, but I'm not sure I'd call us a full-on constitutional republic. Although there are some strong elements of that in the fact that our Districts have quite a bit of autonomy to them...

Vernon: But a Parliment wouldn't quite fit us either I guess...We have a main Mayor that our political officials sorta rally behind, and the Mayor has final say in most affairs. And our lower-level officials 'er not like...it ain't an equal party representation when they come to the table to discuss laws and other stuff regardin' how to govern the city. It's closer to a North Mammalian Congress just with more roles.

Dawn: At best...if you stretch it you could probably get away with calling us a Democratic-Republic-Parlimentary Hybrid...

(Wasty; Pardon me if I botch this...Government systems aren't my strong suit.)

When Gus and Melly got Together; Comic Addendum

 

Sorry if this is cheating, but after answering that ask, I was compelled to make a little comic of Gus and Melly's "First moves". It was to cute to me not too...:3

-Wasty

Happy Belated Clover Day!

 

Yeah, this didn't actually start out as a celebration for St. Pat's...but I just felt like doodling Cam and Clover and I decided 'hey, y'know what...I'm eating Corn Beef and Cabbage Pie several days late, may as well make this a St.Pat's pic. 

So here's Cameron, Celebrating Clover Day with a Clover of his own. Just a little warm, romantic, intimate moment between a couple...my personal favorite sort of work.

This isn't the only ask art going up for this session....but I gotta write and draw them up tomorrow before I get back to fic writing.

-Wasty

Ask the Foxes; Slitted Pupils

 

Val: I really don't know about that sort of stuff...history and biology aren't my strongsuit. Basically if I can't ride it, I'm not interested.

Cameron: You are talking about the pupil thing right? Not the fact that arctic foxes tend to have slanted eyes compared to their non-arctic counterparts?

Nick: I've actually kind of wondered about that myself...it's one of those things you keep telling yourself you'll look up, and then you just never do, y'know?

Qali: Oh, well I can answer that! I mean I think I can...*scratches chin thoughtfully* I remember in middle school they said evolutionists thought arctic foxes eyes became more slanted and squinty due to it helping to keep snow out of them in the blustery and frigid tundra weather. Sorta like how our ears are smaller to help us better regulate our body heat compared to normal foxes and Fennecs.

Nick: When your eyes are actually open, they're almost as big as Carrots...I can't imagine any amount of squinting or slanting could keep those eyes from going snowblind...*Chuckles*

Cameron: Evolution is fast and sporadic in Animalia, at least since the whole 'mammalian awakening period' or whatever they called it back in highschool at the onset of the ice age. After that point, mammalian evolution started moving double-time...I wouldn't be surprised if arctic fox eyes were smaller at the height of the primal age only to have grown larger since then as they moved away from daily survival and attraction of mates became more important...but I couldn't tell you...there's a reason I'm a graphic designer and not a biologist or evolutionary scholar.

Val: But you're the one who said you knew why red foxes were occasionally born with slit eyes...

Cameron: Just because I said I wasn't a biology student, doesn't mean I didn't pay attention in school my little Motobug. *chuckles* I paid attention in class, especially when my species came up in discussion that wasn't totally negative.

Nick: So enlighten us old mam', my hackles are standing on end with anticipation...

Cameron: Pft...old Mam'...I have half a mind to...*Holds up paws and shakes head* No, no, it's not worth it...*Ahem* Anyway, the 'slit eye' or 'cat's eye' as it's often referred to in foxes manifests for two reasons...one reason is of course that sometimes lingering ancient strands of DNA thought to be gone will happen to manifest for one reason or another out of the blue in mammals. My co-worker Derrick suffers from a similar condition, in that he was born with single solid hooves for paws instead of the more common 'hoof fingers' among ungulate prey, similar to ancient horses.

Val: Oh yeah! Kodi has one of those...things...

Cameron: He does? Huh...I've never noticed...what kind of Genetic Holdover Deformity does he have...?

Val: Uhhh...*Sweats* It's...uh...well it's uh...his....ears are weird...yeah, that's it! It's really subtle, you'd never notice!

Cameron: Huh...in what way?

Val: Hey, so that slit-eye thing right?

Cameron: Ah right...I suppose I'm getting off track...

Val: *Phew*...

Cameron: Anyway, so yeah I'm not exactly sure of the term, but I believe it's something like 'Genetic Holdover Deformity' or something similar...but the other reason is that it's a more common genetic trait in far eastern foxes and some native species...

Nick: So...like Japandese foxes?

Cameron: Correct...and some tribes of native North Mammalian Foxes. Similar to Roaropean sheep, our evolutionary development favored the round pupil. And since Roaropeans came to displace a lot of North Mammalian foxes through colonization and intermarrying it's...well it's less of a common trait than it was....but it's still fairly prevalent in Japanda. I remember reading in some magazine in a waiting room that roughly forty percent of the fox population in Ursa have the slit pupil.

Nick: huh, that's kinda interesting...

Val: Ehh...your mileage may vary...I know mine does...and the half pint fell asleep standing up...

Qali: *Snore-* W-What, I'm awake! *Rubs eyes* S-sorry! I-I'm just really worn out...

Val: It's okay squirt, I got bored too...

Qali: Don't call me SQUIRT! *Huffs* A-And besides, I-I wasn't bored...I j-just...Work's been heavy at the tree farm okay! *Crosses arms defiantly*