“well, sorry Nas, but you know it yourself… as king of Dreamland – like you as Queen of the Elves – we really should not spend our times wandering in the courntryside looking for hidden cities. We have spies, armies, knights, advisors to do this kind of job. We must keep a cool head and deal with the strategies.”
Somehow, in the medieval genre, Kings seem to have nothing better to do than questing… and I, for one, would not like it any different: Go, Go, Go!
😀
You know, it would be really funny (if totally weird) if Alex were to respond to Staj’s (yup, I went there! :P) question with something relating to that.
Alex: “Oh triple super wow, just like Princess Leia! Right? RIGHT!?!? Well okay then, but only if I get a lightsaber!” ^_^
Staj *after a very long, thoughtful pause*: “You are indeed strange, Alexander…” )_)
..and now it’s time for the big Dreamland Chronicles dance number…. 🙂
I just noticed on the Book 5 back cover….from the body positions, it almost looks like Nastajia is holding the Sword of Kings. A bit of foreshadowing? 🙂
This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I’ll voice it anyway. What about this was so urgent that it had to be said now? Felicity is sitting there crying, crushed over not being able to see Nicole, and it barely gets more than a word from Nastajia? Personally I would think Nastajia had the care to see to the emotional well-being of someone she supposedly considers a friend before reminding Alex of his promise.
What would have been wrong with comforting Felicity, making sure she’s ok, maybe try to distract her with a day out, and then speak with Alex at night by firelight in a more controlled and even intimate setting? He just got there, I really doubt he’s going to wake up anytime soon. And even if he does wake up, they can’t exactly head anywhere till he gets back.
This just shows me where Nastajia’s true loyalties lie: herself above all others. Sorry for the rant, but I do feel it needs to be said.
All of this is true, and frankly the kingdom is going to need a lot of TLC and work to get fully functional again. In reality, as the new King, Alex probably should expend his efforts setting things aright. But this is a fantasy setting, he, Nastajia, Paddington, Kiwi, and Felicity are adventurers (and considerable concentrations of abilities, each in their own right; probably far more capable tracking down a lost city than normal beings); and frankly, I doubt Alex has any idea about how to run a kingdom or the day to day duties that entails. He’d have… problems. But I see a possible solution: He has the elders and rulers of the various groups in Dreamland already on board, he could appoint them to a ruling council and have THEM put the kingdom back together while he, Nas, and co. search for her parents. They’d probably be better at it, and have less of a learning curve, than Alex would…
To me, “many weeks ago” implies a time period between 5 and 12 weeks has passed – any more and she would have said “months”; any less and she would have said “few weeks” or something similar – which seems about right. Most of that time, of course, was spent during the training/healing montage …
You also have to figure that Scott is wrapping up Book 5, and I think its awesome to end it by establishing Book 6 will open with the search for Seraphopolis.
There was the two week training montage, a few nights where Alex didn’t wear the sword, and we don’t know exactly how much time passed in Dreamland when Alex was in our world. Since the conversation for us readers was several years ago, I think “many weeks” is a good description.
On a practical level, I’d agree about the ruling council–get the best, most experienced and honest administrators to run things. However, Alex, as King-elect really should be involved–both to keep an eye on things and set the policies, and to learn the ropes of running a kingdom so that, eventually, he can do it properly, and choose the next counselors and administrators once the current set get ready to retire, die, or have to go back to their own duties.
OTOH, this is fantasy. The nuts and bolts of administration do not good storytelling make. Alex, go off with Nastajia, and whoever else you need, and Find that City!
I had assumed Felicity was engrossed in the letter from Nicole. So they were giving her space. Then Orion came in scolding. And Nastajia wanted to save him from any more scolding.
Probably plays that way on a complete read through without waiting between pages, too. I’d actually forgotten that Nicole had sent Felicity another letter. 🙂
when I read the first few panels, I thought she was going to say “but I cannot… I cannot do this to Dreamland. I cannot possibly ask you, the new King of Dreamland, to help me find my parents at this time of need. And, as the stand-in Queen of the Elves, I have my own duties as well. Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh”
Mmm.. I notice that some of your words look bolded, is that intentional? Such as “myself” in panel 3 and “must” in panel 4. If so, maybe you can bold “not”?
I agree with ClawHeart and have been saying so since the first page where Nastajia appeared in this arc of the story. Same with Orion. But I guess Scott’s scenario makes sense too… I just didn’t see it. Thanks for the explanation, Scott!
I think the panel that is supposed to show Felicity engrossed in letter is here: http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-16/page-1318/
maybe because we can’t really see the letter in her hand? And, in the page before that, she looked so depressed at receiving the bag that we didn’t think she would be able to concentrate on the letter?
“help me obi-wan kenobi, you are my only hope” FIRST! heh heh Couldn’t help it and couldn’t pass it up. :p
“As you wish.”
“well, sorry Nas, but you know it yourself… as king of Dreamland – like you as Queen of the Elves – we really should not spend our times wandering in the courntryside looking for hidden cities. We have spies, armies, knights, advisors to do this kind of job. We must keep a cool head and deal with the strategies.”
Somehow, in the medieval genre, Kings seem to have nothing better to do than questing… and I, for one, would not like it any different: Go, Go, Go!
😀
“Actually, I only promised to help you find your parents. The city was not involved at the time. But… As you wish.”
“No. I made other plans… I have to do laundry. I’ve been wearing the same suit for more than 1,000 pages.”
You know, it would be really funny (if totally weird) if Alex were to respond to Staj’s (yup, I went there! :P) question with something relating to that.
Alex: “Oh triple super wow, just like Princess Leia! Right? RIGHT!?!? Well okay then, but only if I get a lightsaber!” ^_^
Staj *after a very long, thoughtful pause*: “You are indeed strange, Alexander…” )_)
He’s gonna wake up.
Just watch!
Cliffhanger!
Alex, if you refuse, you are a fool.
..and now it’s time for the big Dreamland Chronicles dance number…. 🙂
I just noticed on the Book 5 back cover….from the body positions, it almost looks like Nastajia is holding the Sword of Kings. A bit of foreshadowing? 🙂
“Seraphopolis” would translate to “City of Angels.” Maybe they’re in California.
“cannot” is one word.
😉
This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I’ll voice it anyway. What about this was so urgent that it had to be said now? Felicity is sitting there crying, crushed over not being able to see Nicole, and it barely gets more than a word from Nastajia? Personally I would think Nastajia had the care to see to the emotional well-being of someone she supposedly considers a friend before reminding Alex of his promise.
What would have been wrong with comforting Felicity, making sure she’s ok, maybe try to distract her with a day out, and then speak with Alex at night by firelight in a more controlled and even intimate setting? He just got there, I really doubt he’s going to wake up anytime soon. And even if he does wake up, they can’t exactly head anywhere till he gets back.
This just shows me where Nastajia’s true loyalties lie: herself above all others. Sorry for the rant, but I do feel it needs to be said.
All of this is true, and frankly the kingdom is going to need a lot of TLC and work to get fully functional again. In reality, as the new King, Alex probably should expend his efforts setting things aright. But this is a fantasy setting, he, Nastajia, Paddington, Kiwi, and Felicity are adventurers (and considerable concentrations of abilities, each in their own right; probably far more capable tracking down a lost city than normal beings); and frankly, I doubt Alex has any idea about how to run a kingdom or the day to day duties that entails. He’d have… problems. But I see a possible solution: He has the elders and rulers of the various groups in Dreamland already on board, he could appoint them to a ruling council and have THEM put the kingdom back together while he, Nas, and co. search for her parents. They’d probably be better at it, and have less of a learning curve, than Alex would…
Wait, it’s only been a few weeks? Kinda figured it’d have been a few months since then, that’s interesting.
Well, not really those words, but the same intent.
Waiiitm it was only that many weeks ago?
Thanks for saying it first.
And I figured mere days.
THAT would be the perfect response! 😀
Nastajia needs to grow as a character, too. Bare that in mind.
Hmmm…. let me sleep on it and I’ll get back to you.
To me, “many weeks ago” implies a time period between 5 and 12 weeks has passed – any more and she would have said “months”; any less and she would have said “few weeks” or something similar – which seems about right. Most of that time, of course, was spent during the training/healing montage …
the colors in the last few pages are great!
tomorrow is the last page of this chapter! wow! time flies when you’re having fun^^
You also have to figure that Scott is wrapping up Book 5, and I think its awesome to end it by establishing Book 6 will open with the search for Seraphopolis.
There was the two week training montage, a few nights where Alex didn’t wear the sword, and we don’t know exactly how much time passed in Dreamland when Alex was in our world. Since the conversation for us readers was several years ago, I think “many weeks” is a good description.
On a practical level, I’d agree about the ruling council–get the best, most experienced and honest administrators to run things. However, Alex, as King-elect really should be involved–both to keep an eye on things and set the policies, and to learn the ropes of running a kingdom so that, eventually, he can do it properly, and choose the next counselors and administrators once the current set get ready to retire, die, or have to go back to their own duties.
OTOH, this is fantasy. The nuts and bolts of administration do not good storytelling make. Alex, go off with Nastajia, and whoever else you need, and Find that City!
According to some fantasy works, that was part of the whole package with armor–if you can’t awe them with your martial prowess, the odor might help.
how do you pronounce that??? Seraphopolis???
I never saw her as saying cannot. More like saying I can NOT do this myself. There’s a bit of a pause between words.
It’s a good observation. For sure.
I had assumed Felicity was engrossed in the letter from Nicole. So they were giving her space. Then Orion came in scolding. And Nastajia wanted to save him from any more scolding.
That’s how it played out in my head at least.
🙂
No.
Maybe?
Probably plays that way on a complete read through without waiting between pages, too. I’d actually forgotten that Nicole had sent Felicity another letter. 🙂
LOVE panel 2!!
Only weeks? What about, months?!?
when I read the first few panels, I thought she was going to say “but I cannot… I cannot do this to Dreamland. I cannot possibly ask you, the new King of Dreamland, to help me find my parents at this time of need. And, as the stand-in Queen of the Elves, I have my own duties as well. Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh”
Umm.. guess not ^^;
Mmm.. I notice that some of your words look bolded, is that intentional? Such as “myself” in panel 3 and “must” in panel 4. If so, maybe you can bold “not”?
I agree with ClawHeart and have been saying so since the first page where Nastajia appeared in this arc of the story. Same with Orion. But I guess Scott’s scenario makes sense too… I just didn’t see it. Thanks for the explanation, Scott!
I think the panel that is supposed to show Felicity engrossed in letter is here: http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-16/page-1318/
maybe because we can’t really see the letter in her hand? And, in the page before that, she looked so depressed at receiving the bag that we didn’t think she would be able to concentrate on the letter?
I may just add this.
🙂
Yes. I might just do that.
🙂
Thanks. I always find it’s the little moments of doubt or contemplation that I like too.
Please do!!!
Another thing I noticed. Nastajia speaks very formally and does not use contractions, does she?
“like i really have a choice in the matter.’ lol XD
I agree!!
Seconded!
dude get details about this seraph pad before saying “yes”!
Or it’ll be like, “thanks sweetie, now lets go and, oh, watch out for the streets filled with whirling death blades! Tee hee!”
Maybe, as an elf, she’s using English as a Second Language?
Superb! 😀
Whirling death blades…they’ll get you every time.