Chapter 3: Page 21
[The following was the description originally posted for the April Fools version of this page]
Well, we all should have seen this coming: Dak gets emotional, especially when his precious Saturdays are going down the tubes thanks to detention. Of course, we all know exactly why he’s so desperate to escape: he’s got that date with Beck at the nearby University of Lutra’s “Lutra Appreciation Festival”. It’s possible he’s also interested in showing off his rock-juggling skills at the annual Rock’em Bop’em Competition, and he won’t let anyone, even Principal Tosch, prevent that from happening!
It’s depressing to think Quin got roped into this whole mess thanks to Dakkan’s dad — Kenosh totally threw that soda can at Principal Tosch, we all saw it! Tosch knew it was him, too, but without proof, all he could do was make his son and best friend suffer in Kenosh’s place. Tosch will have his revenge soon enough — probably at the next PTA Meeting.
If Quin and Dak are going to get out of this mess, Quin’s going to need to bring his A-game (and probably a screwdriver to get into those ventilation ducts). Also let’s not forget, Quin’s got his tesque match against that bully, Crim, in Sunsgrove Park this very afternoon! The last thing Quin needs is some kind of unnecessary injury that could come from crawling around in the air vents!
Since this is April Fool’s Day, Rachel and I figured it would be hilarious to do a version of this page that takes place in a medieval alternate universe, where Quin and Dak are political prisoners trapped in a dungeon and Tosch is a military general instead of a principal. It’s a bit far-fetched, but if you’re interested, you can check it out right here!
This week, for guest art, SaraaLuna decided to feature Eira, who we haven’t seen since she disappeared into that AP Literature final back in Chapter 2. Bevan and Rathik feature as well — along with Rathik’s inhaler.
We absolutely LOVE how Eira looks here in your style, Saraa! And while it’s not 100% canon that Rathik has an inhaler, it’s certainly not 0%! Especially after this image — I imagine Rathik at the wrestling division championships at Western Deep High suddenly pulling Eira aside and trying to ask for his inhaler in code. Then Bevan holds it up and loudly asks “I’M SORRY, ARE YOU IN NEED OF YOUR INHALER?”
Man, Bevan can be such a jerk. But he always wears that awesome hoodie, so I suppose we’ll all get over it.
I died laughing. A high school version of BWD would be great. We all know that Eira would be the resident literature expert. (Love how she’s carrying The Art of War, by the way.)
The actual page for this week is a gem, too. Dakkan doesn’t trust anyone except his friend, and after last night, who can blame him?
(Oh, and I recognize the teacher. I see what you did there, very clever, you two.)
Slice of life furry webcomics are precisely the thing the Internet needs LESS of, not more.
Although Quin does rock a pretty mean hoodie.
What have you gotten yourself and Quin into this time Dakkan?!
Didn’t you learn anything about staying out of trouble after Crim tricked you and Quinlan into sabotaging Verodun County Technical College’s Winter Solstice Formal* back in chapter one?
Boy, if Beck and her shady friends hadn’t pulled your tails out of the fire you might habe ended up in actual prison!
Nice art as usual Rachel. Even after all these years of following the comic it’s still weird to me that (Fictional Animal)American kids don’t have to wear school uniforms.
Some do! It’s uncommon though, and I never did. :)
I had a uniform for 3/4 of my high school career. It wasn’t that bad, cost aside.
I’ve had a uniform for all my school years. it doesn’t really bother you that much once you’re used to it after a month or two.
Very true, but it is a little different since you didn’t attend school in America (unless I’m missing something). My experience is a little less common for over here, ha. It’s mostly a private school thing.
Ha! Lovely guest art SaraaLuna.
Rathik’s inhaler and Eira being the custodian of all her friends’ crap is one hell of a Comment Section Call-Back (CSC-B). It’s over 3 years old!
Also Alex, it was Rachel who personally commented about Rathik’s inhaler so it’s at least 50% canon, right?
Someone’s gotta be the metaphorical fandom grandma. Now I just need to make an effort to post more.
Lol! I love the twist here! Nice one with the highschool AU here! It’s nice to have a breather when things get real serious. For a bunch of moody teenagers, detention can feel like being trapped in a garrison, so at least it’s a bit related to the main story XD
It was highschool drama all along!
All the political and military stuff from the previous story was just and extended years-long set-up for the real action: slash of life situations and lots of rising romantic tension to pander to teenagers who feel identified with bullied students, bully students, and animals kissing.
NOW the plot BEGINS!
I’d be down for it . . .
Would you also be willing to buy western deep high apparel?
Like a Dakkan’s “Kings of the Oceans” genuine replica hoodie! Complete with genuine replica pizza stains!
: D
: D
I am the Lorax. I speak for the Trees.
The trees meant to say >:-(
I am the Lorilax.
Sooooo what would Hardin be in high school? A computer geek maybe? He already has the plaid for it, just needs a pocket protector and a pair of large, thick rimmed glasses.
He’s mastered the art of the Ermehn Warrior Code.
He’d be the brooding but intelligent kid who is carefully planning a hostile take-over of the school. He already got one of the students’ parents (who’s full name I won’t repeat here, let’s just call him errr…. K. Dakkandad) to hospitalize the vice-principal over a percieved wrong towards the students.
I vote that Western Deep High School becomes a regular thing whenever the story takes a break :P
Seconded.
I would imagine for Hardin to be a very enthusiastic and passionate History Professor XD
This is so full of love! And I cant ever forget Saraa’s depiction of Rathik needing an inhaler ;p;
I’d imagine him and some Sratha-din members to be this:
http://jeri-june.tumblr.com/post/159074520050/tdcpresents-kobbers-in-honor-of-this-weeks
Hardin, Bevan, and Rathik?
Would explain how they were cast in Dakkan’s fantasy.
And we saw Eira above . . . where do Ashtor and Rhosyn fit in in the alternate universe?
Ashtor would be the guidance counselor and Rhosyn is the archery club captain XD
Ah yes, poor Ashtor, the bedraggled old soul, eternally trying to talk some sense into those delinquent Ermehn. But he can’t stop them from trying to vandalize Deltrada library again.
The high school is clearly the true reality, while the story we’ve been witnessing is merely the fantasies of a bored student stuck in detention
What does that say about us, then, trying to stick high school Dakkan in a love triangle with a college student and his teacher?
Would that mean Dakkan is our audience surrogate for the medieval story? Or what if…Dakkan was the real main protagonist all along, and that the story’s really about him? (well, he is related to the guy who got him and his friend in this mess)
Maybe we might get moments of Dak breaking meta/the fourth wall, since it’s his fantasy.
“Escape from Western Deep High” anime confirmed.
Haha this is hilarious, I legit tried tried to see if there were more pages to this after I saw that this is “part 21.” XD
I love the transition from the real comic into this one, with Quin asking Dak that question about Kenosh, and from that Dak freaks out in this one. Can’t forget the emphasis on the word “kill” either, clever. Maybe there is a tiny bit of foreshadowing in this fake comic for the real one? :P
Can’t stop smiling lol! Looking forward to seeing the “Top 10 best anime escapes.”
This is a very fun page. I liked the other times Rachel dew Quin and Dak in these modern outfits. But, now Rachel will have to sketch how the other characters look in this alternate world.
Aaand now it’s the normal page. We all knew it wouldn’t last forever.
Dakkan’s absolutely right, the logical thing for Tosch to do once he’s certain these two don’t know anything is to execute them and tie up the loose ends they represent. Which means that a daring prison break would be in order!
This is the part where certain other readers would suggest that one of our dynamic duo is about to die horribly, but I don’t think that will happen. However, I also don’t have a good plan for how they could escape. What do all of you think?
Well… Can Quinlan fit through the air vent?
Does Deltrada have air vents?
Would a window count? It’s not exactly an HVAC system, but it has the advantage of existing.
And there was one in the cell, last seen a few pages back, but obviously the bars are too close together for Quin to squeeze through.
My suggestion was in jest, of course, even if it does now leave me wondering how well canid masonry holds up against a sufficiently motivated Tesque master. (Probably pretty well.)
In the game Ironclaw there’s a specific ability you can get if you progress down the wilding path that allows you to claw your way through everything up to and including solid steel.
But that doesn’t sound like Quin’s style.
I really liked the first volume in this series and am looking forward to reading the second volume. Here is my review: http://articlesbookreviewsandstories.blogspot.com/2017/04/beyond-western-deep-volume-one-review.html