Page 932…
Hey all!
It’s the boys’ first day of 1st grade today.
I’m taking Donna to “Boo Hoo” breakfast this morning (after we drop the boys off of course).
This will be our 3rd annual “Boo Hoo” breakfast. It started with pre-school.
🙂
I think Donna will be fine. And the boys couldn’t be more exited to start school.
In other news…I made contact with one of my BEST FRIENDS from Elementary School yesterday (thank you Google). We haven’t spoken in almost 30 years. It was like NO time had passed. It was so amazing.
I can’t wait to get together and hang out with my old pal…and I was just so blown away with how cool it was to talk to someone I spent so much time with as a kid. I really missed him.
So that’s cool…right?
Right.
And lastly. Thanks all that have been voting for me on Top Webcomics and TGT. You guys are great.
I’ve not been putting the links up for a couple reasons.
1) I just wanted to give you all a break from it all.
2) I kind of want Mike Prokopt to win. I was listening to their recent podcast…and he seems like a really nice guy.
So…we’ll see. There’s still a few more days left. I may change my mind later…ha ha.
Oh. We’re still working up shipping costs for the Sketch Cards. So I’ll let you know how that’s coming along too.
Thanks all!
Scott
PS.
No…we NEVER get to read what’s in that letter. So you all know.
Sorry…as Orion stated…it’s for “Dan’s eyes only”.
I’m just wondering, what is Nicole’s reaction going to be to everyone else’s reactions?
Do we at least get a hint of what’s in the letter? Just the gist of it? I do so hope it says “Dan, you’re really the one who ought to be king of Dreamland.” 😉
That’s one of my personal pet theories too. Along with… “To break the spell that keeps you from visiting Dreamland, borrow the sword, since it is a magical artifact that allows adults to travel there.”
Do we get to know what Dan’s response is to Orion’s letter?
if i remember right Dan can now get to dreamland with that magic bag. it was so wasn’t it?
No, as far as I can tell, the bag is just an interdimentional mailbox. You can use it to send letters (and maybe small items?) to Dreamland and back.
I know what’s on the letter.
“Dear Dan. Here’s the Kentucky Colonel’s secret recipie . . . .”
I think now is an appropriate time for us to all make up messages that could have been in that letter. 🙂
“Hey, Dan. How’s it going? Alex told me you like Twilight. Do you want to be pen pals?”
I think it has somthing to do with why Dan can’t make it to dreamland and when we learn that, then we will know what the general idea of the letter is. ooohhh I can’t wait to find out why he’s stuck on earth, wasn’t the elf king trying to figure it out? Maybe Dan is like the dragon dudes down fall. (I know ‘Dragon Dude’ is not his name I just don’t know how to spell it…)
Gratz to the boys. They started a year of great adventure and discoveries.
I’m sure they’ll do very well in school.
This is a pretty big moment for Dan…
To Cat: You know, somehow I really wish that were true. That the magic preventing Dan from visiting Dreamland is a sign that he’s really important, maybe even the true king of Dreamland. That would be awesome (especially since Dan has grown to be one of my favourite characters of the whole story). I guess, we still have to wait a few more years to find out what the big secret with Dan is *sigh*.
These last two pages have been really wonderful and touching. I grew all warm and fuzzy and compassionate inside when Dan started to cry.
Also: Congrats on your little ones getting to school, Scott. That means you’ll get more time for yourself and for your wife, I guess, right?
One of my little brothers started school this week as well… even though he’s just my brother and I may now know what it feels like to send my own child off to school for the first time, it still makes me a bit wary and proud.
My goodness… another long comment. 🙁 Sorry.
Imagine your last annual “Boo Hoo” breakfast, knowing the kids are in their last year of college and about to graduate from school for good, sounds melancholy D:
I think it’s more likely to say something like:
“Alex needs to study to be useful in both our worlds. Help him!”
or
“When Alex and Nastijia became friends a prophecy was fulfilled. You were blocked from Dreamland to protect you from the usurper.”
On second thoughts, the first is more likely as Orion wants a response so it has to be a request or a question.
My other theory was something along the lines of:
“Do X to send Nicole. Felicity won’t recover if she doesn’t come. Our mission won’t succeed without N or F.”
I apologise for the multiple posts.
Ya’know Dan, technically is isn’t corresponding till you write back. 🙂 Just saying. So get out that pen buddy!
I thought so too, Thomas.
It sounded better than “Heard from”, though.
Right?
Well if Orion cqan wield magic and can make people to awaken from their Dream by his will he might was able to hear Dan’s pleas to get a chance of entering Dreamland. He might have made a reference to something Dan plead to in the letter and in that way it can be a response. So “corresponding” could fit the letter. Sadly we won’t know for sure, since as Scott said we don’t get a chance to see what Orion wrote…
Also: I hope the kids will have fun in School 🙂 Here’s to good grades and great friendships to come!
I really hope Nicole doesn’t spoil the moment. Not sure Alex would tolerate much more from her, and if he has a go at her then she’d throw him off her “medical testing” and he’d flunk out (as she threatened when he tried to quit).
Huh? School starts in August now? That seems wrong!
Love this moment in the story, Scott. Leaving the message a mystery is definitely a good idea. It adds another dimension to the storyline. Well done!
Wow, Dan must have wanted to know Dreamland real badly…
These last two pages (along with other readers’ theories since long ago :P) are starting to convince me that he may end up being the real “heir” to the throne after all… That would be quite a change from the typical “main character becomes king/hero/whatever” storyline… But in any case, there’s no doubt that Dan has great importance to Dreamland, even though we can’t tell how just yet. =/
Wow, it’s too bad we won’t be able to see what Orion wrote :(. But it’s so wonderful that Dan finally got proof that dreamland exists (take THAT Nicole!). I honestly do not think that Dan would have any importance in dreamland, I think that he is fine where he is, I don’t think that he will be the secret heir to the throne or anything, just a regular Joe in Dreamland whose brother is the king :D. I may be wrong though, I can’t wait too see what happens next! Congrats on your boys Scott! I hope that they have a fantastic school year :).
“Dear Daniel, here is a gift from Orion! Included is a login, password, and free 30-day trial code for Dreamland MMORPG…”
I think we can all guess what it says though… (:
haha, i love these replies.
I think it must relate to Alex, and that is why Dan doesn’t want to share it. Orion doesn’t want to create a riff between the brothers. Examples:
“Dan – you are Nastaja’s true love”
“Alex is such an idiot – how you put up with him for 20 years is beyond me!”
“I have this great pecan pie recipe”
LOL at the letter contents. SO FUNNY!
I have three theories as to why Dan can’t get into Dreamland. 1. It’s somehow a natural occurance that blocks someone from Dreamland, and it blocks many from around the world, but their Dreamland circle is so small that they haven’t met anyone in Dan’s circumstances.
2. Later, somehow the spell blocking him is broken and he is somehow able to go. (Not with the sword.)
3. Only because it would make a nice twist. Dan is somehow a villian in Dreamland, chosen by Nick, to help him thwart Alex and the others, probably in or near the final climax of the series. (I’m sure I’ll cry when I read the last page.) Dan doesn’t realize any of this but Nick triggers whatever is dormant in him and villiany happens.
Well it would make a nice twist and explain the devil horns.
Regarding Francisco’s theory that Dan needs to get Nicole to Dreamland to save Felicity, remember that one of Scott’s comments at the end of the “little Nicole” arc was that he has not decided yet whether they would ever meet up again.
Here’s another note content possibility.
“Dan, Dan, Dan. I know you are a starving college student, but please live with some dignity, especially regarding what you eat. Do you know what they put in Dog Food? I’ll give you a hint. IT GOES NEIGH!!!! AND YES, I AM A BIT SENSITIVE ON THIS SUBJECT!!!!!
Hope you ace that Calculus test.
Sincerely, your friend Orion.”
@Kat: The “dragon dude’s” name is Nicodemus. Happy to help ^_^
“Dear Dan,
Nicole loves pink carnations, double-fudge ice cream, chardonnay, and having her neck rubbed.
You go get her, tiger!”
“Dear Dan,
Follow the white rabbit.”
“Dear Dan,
Spend less time reading Native Indian fortune cookies and more time studying.”
“Dear Dan,
Have you noticed that noone else in the library has a ‘Hi, my name is’ sticker on?
Don’t wear an idiot badge unless you want them to know.
Later, dude.
Orion”
JakesDad,
When I found the comic, yesterday, I skipped through the archives as fast as I could to catch up so missed that.
I like that one giving dating advice.
That reminds of one I toyed with yesterday…
“Dan, if my calculations are correct, you are, at this very moment, having dinner with the woman you are going to marry…”
I do, however, think that both Dan and Nicole are necessary for Alex to succeed.
More outtakes for “the note:”
“Dear Dan,
Change the firewall settings on your subconscious, that should help you get into Dreamland.
–Orion”
“Dear Dan,
How do you keep the brother of a prophesied king of an alternate dimension busy for hours? See other side of this note.
–Orion.”
“Herbal Viagra, centaur-grade! Reply for your free sample today!”
“Dear Dan,
Do you like me? Check one:
__ Yes __No
–Orion”
“Dear Dan,
Enclosed is a concoction of sacred hallucinogenic herbs and fungi. If THIS doesn’t get you into Dreamland, I don’t know WHAT will!
–Orion”
I don’t know what’s better… this page or the responses. hehe.
I just hope that Dan understands that Orion is expecting a reply, and/or that Alex informs Dan of that.
Now, about the TGTWebcomic Tournament: We need a big push these final 3 days of this round in the tourney, because Scott is trailing in Bracket #1. I have listened to the countering interviews for both TDC and GG, Scott’s and Phil’s interviews were far superior in my book.
As for you, Scott, voting to get you into the final rounds of any contest that shows off your talents is well our efforts, a small payment for letting us see the comic for free. Your work is much better than any that I’ve seen so far, tho’ a few others come close. Those ahead of you in the TWC voting are not among them, however.
Dan, Be sure to drink your ovaltine, Orion
Gotta love reading the comments.
And I think that it’s cool getting to see someone you haven’t seen in awhile. As long as you still get along with them at least. I had a friend who moved away and I saw her at Wal-Mart one day, so I gave her my number and didn’t hear from her until a few months ago, but it was the coolest thing ever cuz she remembered!
Also, I think Dan has accomplished his life’s goal. He’ll need to make a new one. :U
dan’s the mage of the party
haha, I just had a 4th grade facebook reunion. Been catching up with all my old friends. ^_^
You should make Dan’s letter an extra in one of the books…or a vote incentive? Come on, Scott…Orion wouldn’t mind! 😉
ok, Mavellesta, i knew his name… just not how to spell it 🙂 thanks though!
Come on Dan, keep it together! Be a man! Don’t cry!
Another wild theory:
Whilst I still think Alex is the one who is meant to be the King (with Nastijia at his side). If Alex is not meant to be ruler then the obvious person is Nicole as she is the only human we know of to materialise in the capital city.
For Dan, logic said two different things:
(1) Dreamland is not real; Alex is just making things up. There is no way to reach from this cosmos to another.
(2) Alex could not make it up so convincingly; Dreamland must be real, even if there is no evidence.
Now that dilemma is beginning to be resolved.
One last take on the note.
Maybe, . . maybe it’s a creepy love letter.
“Dear Daniel. Sweet Daniel,
Long have I heard the hoofbeats of your love galloping towards my heart. . . . ”
. . .. Ew.
Maybe it’s best that we don’t know what’s in the letter.
My real take on the letter: Scott knew what effect he wanted the letter to have, but couldn’t come up with sufficiently profound specific words to accomplish the effect. So he leaves the exact wording a mystery, while successfully achieving the effect. (And Kudos to the artist/storyteller who recognizes that something hinted at but hidden is often more alluring than something revealed, just as a woman sometimes can be more attractive in a well-designed bikini than naked … )
“Dear Dan:
This is an automated reply from the Dreamland HelpDesk. Your ticket has been received and will be forwarded to one of our Technical Support Specialists, who will contact you shortly to help you resolve your issue.
Thank you for choosing Dreamland!
– Dreamland Technical Support Team”
😉
Gah! I so didn’t mean to step on your joke!
Alex: Redhead @ one o’ clock..distraction levels 80%
[actually in the previous page]