#//haha you're good

[salamispots]

dream from several days ago

[smoosie]

The 'We need to talk' scene

but I've made it into a wet cat short comic

(and it only gets worse for him...)

Bonus secret 5th panel :

(intrusive thoughts so strong they make his brain crash)

[jaypentaghast]

[seirindono]

The Missing Scarf VIII - part 33 (END (1))

Eye contact

-

And there you have it, Part VIII ends here... for now ⸜( *ˊᵕˋ* )⸝

Almost six months of activity on this blog, that's quite something. Unheard of, even, I hope you're proud that you had a great time with Mel and the gang! They'll be back for new adventures next year (sometime in may or june prbly). And HT Sans will be along for the ride this time!

Some side stories, extras and animatics might drop in the meantime (no promise) but I'll try to answer a few asks first… and before that, finish my assignements, get over that cold, and enjoy a nice holydays ( ´ ▿ ` )

TLDR the comic is taking its annual hiatus, updates will be less frequent but you can expect some lore, silly stuff, and other random things to be released now and then.

Thanks for reading and supporting TMS!

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Ko-fi | Patreon | Comic | Commissions  | To support the comic

[sysig]

Chewtoy (Patreon)

[vaguelyhumanoidvoid]

I'm back in the fucking building again-

[quillium]

things TeSTAR has canonically done that drives me nuts (spoilers!!)

Kim Raebin was accused of plagiarizing... himself.

Park Moondae arranged a concert with someone who kidnapped and attempted to murder him. UNPROMPTED.

Cha Eugene ran away from his hotel room in the middle of a massive problem that he caused with only a single note. He also didn't bring his cell phone OR wallet.

Seon Ahyeon tried to put Moondae in a psychiatric hospital (DESERVE)

Keun Sejin believed Moondae when he said he was a transmigrator with basically zero proof. Hello???

Ryu Chungwoo got into a serious car accident that destroyed his whole life and career and immediately was like. Haha what if I join this idol survival show. AND DEBUTED AS LEADER.

Park Moondae caused an entire company to dissolve

Bae Sejin: [started IdolCo with 0 basic skill] "I think the most important part of being an idol is basic skill"

Keun Sejin was the first person to surpass the System's potential limitation (!!!)

[ridreamir]

Kieran, handing you a Dipplin as he pushes his mask back down on his face: "H-h-here!!" You as you look down at your half eaten candy apple: 'Ah, uh, apple with a worm in it? Does he expect me to eat this? But I already have one?' Everyone staring, mouth agape: :OOOOO Carmine, sputtering out chunks of apple that go flying onto the pavement and then choking because Kieran just made the equivalent of a marriage proposal in front of their entire town: :OOOOOO You again: "Uh, let me finish... this one first..." *Holding up the half eaten apple by the stick* Kieran, face hidden under the mask:

[fooltofancy]

good morning, may i interest you in some giraffes

[arthur-lesters-right-arm]

Awful confession, I got really high and actually thought I was smoking with Malev characters for a sec. I left that experience with some information, Oscar likes strawberry lemonade and hello kitty gummy edibles, Larson thinks they're vile. I'm ashamed.

Dude you literally astral projected into Harlan Guthrie's mind and extracted forbidden bonus info! Absolutely fantastic work. I am gonna have to kill you tho since that is classified intel. Boys, get 'em!

[iztea]

what's that swirly sun symbol you put on dazai arts?

oh i'm glad you noticed! it's nothing in particular, just a recurring black swirly sun motif/symbol i like to associate him with. - he has a bubbly (albeit mostly fake) personality, but you wouldn't exactly call him a ray of sunshine so i made the sun black, the spiral is for the never-ending rumination, confusion, some sort of yin-yang influence, but also softness and stagnancy(?) because of the round shape, things like that

meanwhile, i gave chuuya a very sharp star symbol in contrast (just as a little fun fact)

[elizabethshaw]

[collophora]

Hi there !!! I wanted to let you know your bad batch art is BEAUTIFUL I'm always happy to see it cross my dash!! Your art style is so pretty and I love the way you draw Tech!!

Do you have anymore sketches of Tech we haven't seen yet? No pressure <3!!! Have a lovely day :DD

Oh my that's so sweet thank you! éAè <3 <3 <3 Hughhhhh well since you ask nicely I dug into my wip folder and found a sketch ^^

[sysig]

So much experimenting to be done, where to even start (Patreon)

[jacky-rubou]

I had a dream where Ford acts like Dipper and makes a list of all the things he thinks he should apologize to his brother for and then he tells Stan to sit in the chair and makes Stan promise to listen to what he has to say until the end and without interruptions. Ford finishes apologizing for everything he thinks he should apologize to Stan, his brother gets up from his seat and gives him a hug saying he forgives him. But Ford is confused because Stan didn't specify what exactly he forgave, only for Stan to respond "for everything". Then the two of them start crying and hug each other tightly.

this was so cute i couldn't just not write a ficlet about it haha (hope you don't mind, but inspiration struck lol)

"Stan?"

"Hmmm?" Stan acknowledged while half-listening, his eyes still focused on the project in front of him. Clothes haphazardly loomed in a big messy pile to his left, a few duffel bags to his left, and a vain attempt to do it all alone had his attention all to itself. His mind found only a brief moment to worry as he folded and tucked a plain white shirt into its spot at the bottom, lost in the action.

At least, until he realized Ford hadn't responded. Stan glanced over his shoulder and swore he saw his twin stuff something into his coat when he caught his eye. Stan gave him a raised eyebrow, glancing at the spot of interest until Ford sheepishly turned away. Stan shrugged and continued his work, finding comfort in the idea of this tedium leading to the trip of his dreams despite how long such a thing would take for just one person to do.

But Ford was still just... standing behind him. Awkwardly. In the way Stan couldn't pretend wasn't just like how he'd wait for room to speak when they were in school and he needed to speak to a teacher. Always uncomfortable and unsure if he was being bothersome for having a question or needing help. Stan could even hear him muttering under his breath, like he was psyching himself up. If Stan was being honest, it was quite annoying that Ford wouldn't just say what he wanted instead of making a big painful deal about it.

"Just spit it out, Ford. I'm waiting," Stan blurted, irritation sneaking its way into his tone that only gathered a gasp and immediate withdrawal from Ford, "...what is it? Better be important, heh..."

"Nothing... it's..." Ford took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, "It's nothing... Just pretend I didn't say anything..."

"Ya can't just say that and think I'd believe ya. What is it?" Stan asked once more, fully turning around to find a sight he wasn't expecting. Ford was looking down, his eyes visibly watering and his throat swallowing heavily. Ford caught his staring and just... sucked it all in at once in a single moment to gather himself that felt all wrong. "What's wrong?"

"I told you it's nothing, just... let's get this all packed..." Ford walked over to stand next to Stan and began to pack clothes for their trip before Stan could even protest that there was certainly something wrong with how strongly he's deflecting. "Then we can get on that trip faster, yes?"

"Ford, you're trembling. Tell me what's wrong before you mess up all the clothes," Stan saw the sloppy way that Ford was packing, quickly devolving into just tossing shirts and pants in with no regards to order. But instead of making his brother tell him what was up, it only seemed to make him more upset. Stan grabbed his hand before he could toss anything else into a bag, finally pausing him enough for his eyes to well up. "You know you can tell me anything, right? Did something happen?"

Stan let Ford go and he stepped back, looking more and more like a sad cat with every moment. He peeked into his coat for a moment, nervously turning away before the sound of crinkling echoed in the small bedroom. Stan simply stared in confusion before Ford turned back and cleared his throat for the last time.

"You might want to sit down. And I... I would like it if you just... heard me out," Ford requested, soft and delicate as a leaf in the fall. Stan frowned, concern etching on his features as he found an empty spot on the messy bed to sit. "I'll say my piece and then... we can forget about it before dinner. Maybe even by lunch."

Ford chuckled but there was no humor in it. Much less his face, which was twisted in pained sorrow. Stan couldn't help but search Ford's eyes for an explanation that didn't leave him confused and wanting to punch whatever or whoever clearly upset him this much. Ford took a few deep breaths and Stan could see him fighting for his life to say what he wanted to in his expression.

"Promise me you won't interrupt, that you'll just hear me out," Ford requested quietly, patting his coat for the mysterious thing he'd been hiding the entire time. Stan nodded. "Just... just say it in words. I need to know I'll be heard..."

"I promise," Stan tried to tamp down the initial annoyance at the theatrics, realizing it was important to Ford that he listen, "You're worryin' me, Ford. But that doesn't mean I won't listen."

"No need to be worried, just..." Ford sucked in a breath and tensed all up like he was scared of something, "I have something important I have to get off my chest before... well, nevermind all that."

Stan stayed quiet, watching Ford's face contort into something that could only be described as pure guilt. He refused to look Stan in the eye as he began, holding himself tightly as he began to speak what he'd clearly been meaning to say the entire time. Stan listened, his job to get these clothes and stuff packed momentarily forgotten as Ford checked his coat once more.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry. I can't say that... enough," Ford swallowed thickly and looked to his feet, "So I guess I'll apologize for everything, one by one. Before we get on a boat and let this travesty ruin our relationship again."

Stan didn't know what he meant with 'this travesty', finding only concern at every possible connotation. But still he stayed silent, paying the utmost attention as Ford began to list off everything he thought he needed to apologize for with a voice that was only trembling.

"I am sorry for not considering how West Coast Tech would've made you feel, for not... thinking our dream was viable... for abandoning our dream so soon..." Ford began with a choke, a place Stan never expected him to start with, "I should've known it would upset you. I should've asked if you were okay with it. I should've defended you in that stupid principal's office. I should've rejected it. I'm sorry I didn't."

Stan wanted so badly to speak up, to say that that wasn't fully fair, finding his lips tied at the promise he'd made moments earlier. Ford was barely holding together at the first thing he'd listed, sucking it in with a frown.

"I am sorry I assumed the incident was a sabotage. I should've known you'd never do that. I'm..." Ford glanced at Stan's face before looking at the ground again, pain within his form, "I'm sorry I let Pa kick you out without so much of a word of protest. I ruined your life. I'm so sorry."

Stan stayed silent as Ford apologized for not reaching out to him sooner. For thinking badly of him, even though Stan wouldn't have known. Stan fought with his mind at the idea of stopping Ford from continuing, feeling something soothing at the words acknowledging unspoken hurt. But Stan... felt something wrong about it at the same time that disconcerted him that he couldn't place as Ford spoke on.

"I am sorry I only called you to be an 'errand boy'. I should've known what you'd think of that after you were homeless for a decade," Ford sighed softly, curling in on himself as memories flashed across his face, "I am sorry I didn't just let you burn the journal. I'm sorry I fought you and I'm sorry I... I fell in the portal and made you work for so long to get me back..."

"What..." Stan spoke before he could think, his mind reeling at just what Ford could be willing to apologize for. Ford looked at him and Stan cleared his throat apologetically at the broken promise. "Sorry... sorry, just... involuntary. Go on..."

"I'm sorry I punched you out of the portal. I'm sorry I didn't thank you. I'm sorry I said I was going to kick you out. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you or try to make amends..." Ford went quiet, quieter than he'd been throughout this little speech, and took a quick glance at the inner side of his coat like he thought he was being sneaky about it. Stan didn't call him out, simply heard him out like he'd promised. "I'm... I'm sorry I had to erase your mind... to... to see that you were better than... the entirety of, well, me.

"I'm sorry this trip didn't happen until a week from now, 40 years after when it should've been... I'm sorry for..." Ford paused, his breaths shuddering even more than they had been, "I'm sorry for being a completely inadequate brother to you. I'm... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

"You don't have to say anything... I-I don't deserve to be forgiven. I just... wanted to get it off my chest before I trap you on a boat with me," Ford finished with his pose looking disconcertingly like how he'd hold himself after he'd been bullied as a kid; hands hidden behind his back, his head down, a nervous frown on his face that betrayed something deeper... Stan couldn't stand it. "In fact, you don't even have to go on that boat trip if you don't want to. I can't imagine wanting to live with me for an extended period of time now that I think of it. I'm sorry for not considering that before rushing you into it..."

"Hey, hey, none of that, 'kay?" Stan stood up and touched Ford on the shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. Ford looked at him and Stan could see something break behind his eyes before it happened on his face and he melted into him. Stan hugged Ford and whispered comfort in his ear before deciding it was best to give his poor twin some closure. "As far as I'm concerned, it's all water under the boat. Or however that phrase goes. I forgive you."

"For what part of it? Letting you get kicked out? Punching you? Or..." Ford fell silent, lost in thought as Stan wondered how he could've misunderstood 'I forgive you' to be only for one thing. "Or maybe the late trip?"

"No, no, Ford... you don't get it..." Stan sighed, only watching Ford become slightly panicked before he explained further with a small frown, "I mean all of it. I forgive you for everything."

"Even the errand boy stuff?"

"Even the errand boy stuff..." Stan repeated with a nod, letting out an involuntary 'oomph!' when Ford squeezed him tight in hug reciprocation. Stan blinked, finding himself almost surprised to find tears in his own eyes. Ford shook with tears of his own, barely able to keep his composure.

"Th-thank you..."

"Of course, Ford," Stan led him to the bed after noticing how unstable he was, keeping an arm around him the entire time. "I hope you know that I love you and want you on this trip."

"I... I still don't understand why... I can never make up for what I've done to hurt you..." Ford sighed softly, a tired frown on his face that was lifted slightly at Stan's kindness. He reached into his pocket to pull out what he'd been hiding the entire time, and Stan could only feel his heart sink. "I still have so much more on this list I didn't mention..."

"You and Dipper really are more alike than I thought, huh?" Stan chuckled lightly, though his eyes wandered and widened at some of the things on the list he managed to catch before Ford turned it from view. '-I'm sorry for being a burden' and '-I'm sorry I took your guest room' were the next things on the list, though crossed out with the words 'too needy and annoying' written as an excuse to skip them. "Ford... you're fine. You needed the guest room. I hardly think that makes you a burden... or any of that..."

"I should've stayed in the basement like I said I would..." Ford murmured before Stan turned his face to him with a stern frown, "What? It's true..."

"No it isn't. Stop lying to yourself or I might just slap you," Stan poked a finger in his direction, watching Ford shrink back before softening up, "You mean a lot to me, Ford. I told you that I forgave you and I meant it. Let me rip up that list and then maybe we can work on healing together, hmm?"

"But I can't make it up to you! Why are you being so nice to me?" Ford cried, pulling away only to start weeping, "You're supposed to be mad at me..."

"Hey. Let's not talk like that, eh? You're mean enough to yourself," Stan pointed out, yanking the list out of Ford's hand before he could protest and tearing it into shreds, "If you want to 'make it up to me' or whatever, you can start by helping me pack for our trip. Not like you need to or nothing."

"I guess I can live with that..." Ford sighed in resignation and before Stan could reiterate that he didn't need to, started folding clothes and putting them away without another word, "Serves me right..."

"Ford, it's not that serious. Here, I'll help you," Stan put himself back into the work, folding clothes and tucking them away without letting Ford do too much of it. Ford looked to challenge that idea, quickening his pace until Stan finally put a hand on his shoulder to pause him again. "Ford. I love you. Remember that. Don't work yourself to death over anything, okay?"

"Okay..." Ford stopped folding clothes, turning to Stan with a sheepish frown. He took one look at Stan's concern and outstretched arms before breaking and falling into Stan's arms once more. No dry eye existed in that small bedroom, the sound of sniffling and warbling clear. "I love you... so much... I wish I hadn't tried to deny it for so long..."

"Shhh, it's okay. I forgive you. Love you too."

Stan couldn't sweep the pieces of that blasted list into the trash any faster.

[rawliverandgoronspice]

One thing that TotK does constantly but really doesn't land for me when compared to BotW is that every NPC loves Zelda so much.

She is the sweetest, and she loves animals and is the very best at them, and she goes to every major landmark to spend time there and also she teaches the people secrets about the lands they have always lived in and they're like woow thanks zelda incredible I'll change my entire ways because you were just SO enlightening (Lurelin + Gerudo Town feeling particularly questionable here for obvious reasons), and she's so wise and beloved and talented --to the point that nobody (beyond the Zora King) even dares to question her actions when she starts acting off.

(Yunobo please stop letting her walk all over you, like it's alarming that you understand she basically brainwashed you and your entire race, and you're still running after her like a lost puppy for an explanation that will surely make everything make sense instead of, like, punting her into the sun? I know it's the eeeevil zelda, but that this situation could even remotely begin to happen feels... so offputting.)

In BotW, the rare mentions of Zelda worked because 1) she was an ancient figure and the modern hylians knew very little about her and would build her up as a legendary figure accordingly, 2) she was literally giving her life for them (I mean she kind of still does here but people do not know that or cannot infer that in any way --which is its own sort of problem), 3) she was extremely hard on herself, felt like a failure and... kind of was one (and she was given shit for it).

(also in BotW we are in a post-Hyrule kingdom world, while here we're living its re-foundation, and so it feels very... convenient that they excavate a previous version of their perfect kingdom to boister up the hylian claim upon the lands also --but that's beyond the topic)

So for anyone to give her grace and compassion in BotW, while a little eyeroll worthy at times, was endearing and made sense. None of this was her fault; she may have extreme power, but she didn't directly yield it --her imperfections the byproduct of a stressful situation every champion was being forced into due to the tides of fate. Also the king was criticized for being a little ruthless and asking too much of his subjects, including his own daughter. There was solidarity between you and everyone else at the same level.

But here? I don't know, it feels like the entire kingdom is terrified that the sheikah secret police will drag them back in the Bottom of the Well if they breathe wrong when talking about their beloved princess, it's so unsettling. I liked BotW Zelda, but... I don't know, I'm literally more comfortable around fake Zelda than the real one. Fake Zelda feels more like a real person that she does.