1107 Early.

I guess I don’t have anything particularly important to say at the moment. Let’s just get on with the story:

It wasn’t clear how long he had been asleep, but Julius was suddenly wide awake in the darkness. He could hear the others breathing. Twig was snuggled up to him and he could feel her strangely relaxed breaths on his shoulder. He carefully extracted himself from her and stood. The complete blankness of the room was unnerving. Above the sound of sleep there seemed to be the faint echo of people talking a great distance away, and a slow, heavy, rhythmic, movement of air. He needed light. Even if it was creepy and green.
Compared to his movements the snoring and whatnot seemed like the crashing of thunder. Maybe it was his imagination, but he didn’t even feel the need to mask his steps. He opened the door and sickly light arced inside in a clear beam. He made to shut the door, but almost screamed as a hand stayed his own. Alina’s hand.

“I can’t be in there anymore.” She whispered. Panic subsiding, Julius let her step into the corridor with him. The door remained slightly ajar as it was meant to be sealed from inside. “Where are you going?”

“I can’t take being in their either.” He whispered in response. He made a motion for her to follow and they began slowly walking along the long hall. Once they were a fair distance away Alina spoke again.

“You’ve been invaluable on this expedition.” She began. “I don’t really… Praise isn’t something I’m good with…”

“Well, I’m not used to getting it, so maybe we can take it as read that you appreciate my work and leave it at that?” He replied.

Alina smiled and nodded.

Not wanting to stray too far from the party, Julius slid himself down the wall and Alina did likewise. They sat there in silence for a long while before either spoke again. Alina seemed lost in thought and Julius chanced a good, long look at her. He could hardly believe she was just a human woman. One with martial prowess that far exceeded that of most, but still. He might have crossed her path in the street and never noticed. Well, no… Not with that hair. He would have noticed, but not had an inkling of her astounding skills. He remained lost in this reverie until a moment after Alina had noticed him gazing at her in apparent wonder.

“Still a little awed by my presence?” She asked, blushing in spit of years of this sort of attention.

“Uh, yes!” Julius spurted, whipping his gaze away in embarrassment. “You are easily as awe inspiring in person as on a poster.”

“Do you… actually have one?” She asked slyly. “One of those silly propaganda posters?”

His face had already answered, but not being aware of this he replied anyway. “I… might have taken one. For… decorative purposes.”

“You aren’t alone.” She laughed. “Every new group of trainees comes in with a few boys… and some girls… who hang them by their beds.”

“That honestly doesn’t make me feel much better.” He admitted.

“No? Well, you’re a big boy. You’ll get over it.” She teased.

“It must be annoying.” He said. “Going through this every time you meet someone new.”

“Not exactly annoying, but I miss being a nobody sometimes.” She replied. “I’ve never really felt like that woman in the posters. I understand their purpose, but they look like someone I don’t know to me too. I only ever meant to be a medic, you know? And I certainly wasn’t supposed to be at the gate that day. Our commander fled when the line broke. We were in a complete route. When we saw the elite guard overrun I decided I’d rather die fighting than with an arrow in my back. When I stopped running so did Niona and Regalius. I picked up a mace and prayed that our sacrifice might allow others to escape.”

“That’s not the story they told us.” Said Julius.

“I know. They always made it out like I was something more than just a terrified healer. As arrogant as he can be Regalius has every right to be angry when people only credit me for saving the city. If he hadn’t been there, if they all hadn’t been with me, I wouldn’t be here now. But that was not the story the council wanted told. And honestly I think the others count it as a blessing, even Regalius, in spite of his protests. It is very… vexing… being a living legend sometimes.”

“I’ll have to teach you the art of not being seen.” Julius smiled.

“I would like that very much.” Grinned Alina. “But from what Niona tells me I’d be better off letting your cat teach me”

38 Comments

God I love this comic.

Looks like I’m first again. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have anything important to say either. Animal crossing update work? I told you about my now perfect town. I finished the balloon set today, I think. Furniture anyways, not sure if there are other clothing pieces…but I’m about to have to redo my whole house now so my balloon room may get moved to the basement. I went with the zen house redo for some reason and I’m starting to think I should try and bring some coherence to my decorating schemes…

You mentioned on Facebook you had something horrible for Thomas. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM THAT WILL MOST LIKELY ANGER THE THOMAS FAN CLUB.

Sorry, you have to wait a bit. I hope you can forgive me.

It’s ok. The last panel does help me a bit because I know he’s happy now. Just don’t make it too bad and cause us to want to punch you too :)

Kidding- but whatever it is I’m banking on Carol being there to “make it up” to him…

I am an avid reader. I will read practically anything that plops into my lap, and keep detailed descriptions of the characters.

And Between Failures still holds a high position on my Webcomics sub-list, and (I think, haven’t updated it recently) #28 on my Greatest Reads list. Props.

I’ve read this comic from the beginning to the current update and I’m so hooked on it. I love the Thomas and Carol relationship and it’s adorable to see how it started out! I want to give them both a great big squeeze. :D It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! And also inclined to draw some fanart in the future! If you don’t mind that is.

Man, I need to buy some super-saturated tshirts. Everyone just looks so damn attractive with their bright blues and yellows.

It kinda seems like Carol and Thomas are somewhat meant for each other in that hodgepodge kinda way.

You know, like how chocolate and peanut butter are different at room temperature but then when you heat things up they both get all goopy and mix into a mouthgasm.

It’s great to see Thomas at his best and worst in such close proximity. Taken together we get a greater sense of the whole.

Of course we may not have seen “worst” yet depending on what he has in mind with Jessica.

Aside from snarkiness, I think Thomas has decided to stay as close to the high road as he can in regards to Dawn. I think he has masked cleverness going on with Jessica.

Ugh. A classmate has had a really hard time lately, and I lent him my bicycle. I really miss my bicycle already, but he needs it more.

I feel like Han when he let Lando use the Millennium Falcon for the raid on the second death star, and I didn’t even pay 1 cent to take possession of the bike! Not even a gamble. I sure feel like I’m gambling now, though.

Just have to chill out. I mean, I have my pickup.

I love these two so much! But I know that this comic is about life between failures, so I’m dreading the event that turns this comic back to black and white :(

What even is this? Did he say it was going to get plunged back into Black and White at some point??? this makes me very sad if it is true.

” We were in a complete route.” Think it’s just “rout” in this instance. Love the comic! And the story!

Need…update….soon.
Seriously though
Last April I found out the women I loved and was about to ask to marry me had been cheating on me for the past four months, and after that my life feel apart I have trouble remembering sometimes because most all of it is a blur of pain. I just wanted to say Thank you.
For a while littearly the only thing keeping me from slitting my wrist was my curiosity and interest in this comic that I randomly happened across one day.

Happy to help. Times like that really make it seem like the world is ending. I’m glad my stuff made it seem like there were things worth sticking around for.

I want to see this in a “Lets read” by “CoLabHQ”
I am going to suggest this in their most recent video, ASAP. I will post again once I have done this. I picture Nina with a Nepeta voice. Just sayin’ since you know…shippers.

I always look forward to reading your comic but wanted to say that something about this strip was just incredible. The last panel says so much about the dynamic Carol and Thomas have and this whole back-story arc you’ve got going is retroactively adding so much depth to the characters! You’re wonderful, thankyou!

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