The office seems to be getting a bit full. XD
Also, if you happen to be returning, I updated the Director Commentary with some new tidbits. :3 Thanks to Karl for prompting the train of thought.
I really liked the way this one looked without shadows and almost left it at flat colors. Changed my mind though. Also, I originally intended to address the speed with which Barbara Fairweather arrived at the school comparative to Todd directly, but changed my mind because I felt focusing on Todd immediately recognizing her flowed better. But in my first draft, the first few panels were like this: John (the principal): Mrs. Fairweather! We didn't expect you so soon. Barb (holding a smartphone, terse): Shopping. Cellphone. Buying hazelnuts. Ran some redlights.
Everything went better than expected.
At least this far. š
Barb: Oh how much do I oh you?
Todd: You don’t to give me- actually 5,000$ should cover it.
Barb: Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff….
angry, upset and not the least defensive on her daughters activities. A decent/polite relation to subordinates is a plus too!
Yeah, my opinion of her just went up a notch. But I can’t help thinking that in that last panel she’s thinking omgthisisgoingtobeanexpensivelawsuit.
Yessss… I’m thinking that too. She’s not the kind of mom to care about who gets hurt except to worry that her name will be connected.
Dude, we haven’t seen enough of her yet to know that. If you want to assume that, then I guess you’re within you’re rights, but I hope you’re not this judgemental about real people.
I think we started forming opinions back when she adopted Heather? Weren’t her remarks about Selki a little out of line, then?
Well selkie’s smile is a bit creepy. But if she was real I’d get to know her probably be a friend to her as well. She cute and creepy, like me exept I try to be a little creepy to drive away the shallow people.
Agreed.
Staying classy with that last panel, I see. š
small world?
Fudge indeed.
Hahaha:)
If I remember how elementary school bullies went, Barb is going to force Heather to apologize, and Selkie will pretty much be forced to accept…
Man, I hated grade school. >.< Their entire systems are ass-backwards…
I am sort of hoping that things won't be tense between Todd and the Fairweathers because of this, though… hopefully that's only worst-case scenario.
Heather: *sniffs* I’m sorry.
Selkie: Nos yous nots.
Heather: What?!
Selkie: Yous and the others makes funs of me alls the times. Whys should I believes you?
Yes!
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. She’s too honest and tells the truth, that pretty much sums up the mess.
The little allergic reaction is starting to turn into some weird badge… every image with him has it in there, even the one with his clean side. It looks weird and feels out of place. Do something with it ><
Yeah, it does look like it’s expanding. He should really go see a doctor.
….orrrr goodness’ sake?
You know, swearwords aside, or perhaps surpassing swearwords as such, just doing the “fffffffff” noise, and/or “sssssss” works too. Heck, I use them in real life, and I don’t even speak English (as part of my normal daily life). š
So *that* is what the “ffffff” means… I thought she was just losing air pressure ;-).
ArenĀ“t Georgie, Amanda, Keisha and Jessie supposed to be on their way to having lunch already?
They were all just leaving when Todd and Mina bumped heads.
Wow! I have to say I’m really liking Heather’s mom now. Between the part where she drops Heather off and this, she’s really a mom already. Love her new redesign, too. While she’s still “barbiesqe” she’s very cute and has great expressions now (her new mouth looks fantastic). š
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Sorry, but this is going to be fun. So many ways to spin this. And the chance for a new friendship. š
BTW, here’s my little take on the last pannel (just to keep the theme going):
rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaccccck!!!
Hi!
I’ve just finished reading the whole comic, I think I found you because of your ad on girlswithslingshots and was curious to know about a guy who adopts a *something*
I’m now a faithful fan, I bookmarked you and will always come back.
I’m impressed with, despite Selkie being whatever she is, you managed to make every character so real and believable with so many details that only a great righter could think of, really…
Anyway, I just think you should know how awesome you are š
First Heather stole- bad. Steal from someone her parents work with- bad. Steal from someone her parents work with who is different/might be considered a ‘special needs’……
Heather was worried her parents wouldn’t want her. I’m thinking she’s about to learn just what it means to have parents. š
I am hoping what happens next goes on the lines of “Heather, you are grounded! Why did you do such a thing!?” Heather pours out her fears – they are fears that need to be taken care of. Mom goes “Oh, sweetie…we will talk about this over hugs and ice cream. But your ass is still grounded.”
I really hope so, but that isn’t what her name suggests…
I figure if she does go down the “de-adopt the little thief” route, Todd will set her straight right away… even ignoring standards of good parenting, we know he has very firm opinion about adoptions. He wonĀ“t stand for nonsense along the line of “give her back if sheĀ“s misbehaving”, even if itĀ“s just an empty threat to put the fear of the Almighty into Heather.
I wonder if ToddĀ“s uncleĀ“s farm is still there, for shoveling horse poop?
I of course like your proposed scenario but am I the only one with raised brows for Heather’s new mom’s strong choice of words? Not referring to “fudge”. I’m talking about the “little thief” labelling. Am I the only one who feels this is very negative and not the way I would address my child even in the same circumstances? Name-calling, blaming, no benefit of the doubt even to find out the circumstances of said thievery? Hm… And all Heather has is the valid excuse for her actions that she is an orphan who is suffering from friend alienation and the highs and adjustments of a new home.
..and that appears to be a little thief as well. Yup, the words are strong, but they’re correct. And as a matter of fact, I think a real mom wouldn’t let that slip, and would ground her daughter, because you don’t want your children to become thieves.
Maybe it’s because my own mom could appear as a dragon when I misbehaved, but I’m not really worried for Heather and I think it’s pretty normal that her mother is shouting given the situation.
Noticed Selkie’s face was blocked from Mrs. fairweather’s view… Anyone see something happening with that?
Well, she hasn’t seen Selkie yet. THAT will be interesting to see happen:)
aaaaagh I want to find out what happens to Heather. At least Barb sounds upset, so she’s not going to be the rich-bitch “of course my little angel didn’t do it” type. Now I’m just worried she’s going to give Heather back to the orphanage.
SUSPENSE!!! I CAN’T STAND IT even when I create it for myself ;_;
Ahh…Poor Barb…it’s going to be pretty awkward now.
You said it.
I’m actually worried on Heather’s behalf. “Fairweather”? As in fair-weather friend? Someone looking for a picture perfect child to make her family complete(picture perfect)? Would she try to return Heather? I don’t have a lot of confidence in Barb, for fair and balanced consequences.
…my thoughts exactly…
Agreed! See my above comment. Though there isn’t much hope that Todd would adopt Heather, too, it is much more likely that Barb would return a not-so-perfect child.
Todd had to go through sooo much paperwork to adopt; would it be fair to assume that Mr.s Fairweather may have had to, as well? I don’t *think* you can just return a kid like they’re an ugly Christmas sweater. If you can… /shudder isn’t strong enough…
I don’t think you can return a kid that easily once you’ve gotten far enough in the adoption process to be allowed to take them home. Plus, They’ve had Heather long enough to grow attached to her. Also, I think you’re looking at Barb too cynically. Being flighty is one thing, but actually crushing a child’s heart by abandoning them (especially when they are so desperate for approval) takes a special kind of sinister. I don’t think someone that horrible would be adopting in the first place.
You seem to be a good egg, Somebody. I’m sure that it would never occur to you to treat a child like this, but I’ve actually seen it happen. My closest friend in high school was adopted, her mother was a “church lady” who kept holy water around the house for her elaborate prayers in front of us. I really was uncomfortable with this lady anointing me. The only time I spent the weekend with this friend was the first big shock. Joining hands to say grace around the dinner table I was expecting the rote “Bless us o lord…” that we’d learned from childhood. Church lady proceeded to take the next five minutes to beseech the heavenly father to “Take Angela(not her real name) home to him so that the family could be happy at last.” She listed all Angelas flaws, calling her everything from selfish, to possessed, to a woman of ill repute, and again begged god for her daughters death so that the family could be happy. Later in the weekend she beat Angela around the head and shoulders with a paddle for a mistake I’d made. Oh, and in front of me, when I protested that the mistake was mine, she said that Angelas birth mother had been a fifteen year old slut and that Angela would never be any better. It happened thirty years ago, and I still can’t unsee it.
O_o That’s horrible. I hope your friend received help.
In the last panel Barb looks like a kid who got her hand caught in the cookie jar.
To me, she’s making a face more like she got her hand caught in a car door.
I like: The whole room is standing there frozen as this really intense person walks in the door, with little Heather notably as far away as possible from Mummy Nemisis. I love the way they are all spread out. Interesting the way the school staff are allowing Todd to take point kinda as if they were quite happy for him to defuse her…
I dunno, but that sore on Todd’s face is the thing that is really starting to scare the beheck out of me. It’s getting worse, we don’t know how Selkie cause it and since it gets worse instead of better… presumably (in my abandonment fixated mind) Todd will expire from a lingering death in another hundred panels!!! I feel like everyone in that office full of people looks in panel #2. but it’s not because of Ms Fairweather.
Oh, another thing I like: Heather’s Mom has a consistent character. She’s really, really intense and instinctively uses overkill as her first approach, thus two cakes, referring to her wee daughter as “a little thief..” I hope for Heather’s sake that her mom’s last name is not an indication of character, but I expect it is.
I’m also impressed with Metzger12. Oh yeah… Todd works for a company named Fairweather… Good connection.
All Ms Fairweather’s expressions are beautifully done. So many nuances!
Ha! I love how closely Barb’s bright shirt matches her hair. It really adds to her intensity as a character. First panel is priceless, too. Way to amp up the mood.
Oh, I hope I hope I hope that this continues in this vein. It would be wonderful if Barb proves to be a human being and a bit of a mensch, and it would be a much more satisfying conclusion to this arc (than if she returns Heather or turns on Todd and/or Selkie).
Honestly, though, based on what I’ve seen so far, while it’s obvious she’s angry about what Heather did, I wouldn’t be surprised if her reaction is to take Heather to see a child psychiatrist about this very inappropriate misbehavior. And if the shrink’s any good, that could actually give Heather some help and support which Heather clearly /needs/.
Heather’s just a kid who did something stupid. She’s really angry now but as soon as she sees Heather crying about what she did mom will lighten up. Only then Heather will be grounded for life.
I don’t think Barb will overreact to much. She had to go through a ton of paperwork and home visits as Todd did.
Unless she skipped that part by bribing someone with money or some other rich person favor… Oh, the intrigue!
LOVING the art in this installment. You’re showing great improvement!
I think Barbās attitude is wrong. If she had had Heather for a while, and Heather had a habit of going into Barbās purse a couple of times a week, and the neighbors said they did not want Heather coming over to their house anymore, because money seemed to disappear when she visited, then yes, āIām looking for a little thiefā makes sense. But for this first time of going to the Principal, while she should be mad, she should want Heatherās side of the story before breathing fire.
Todd should have had that attitude. I know I would have. I will comfort my child in a moment. First I must destroy her enemy. I would want Heather hiding behind the Principal, peeing her pants, so scared of me that she would never even THINK of doing something to Selkie again.
And whatās with this āgive her back to the orphanageā? You can give back a foster kid, give a dog back to the pound or divorce your spouse. But once youāve adopted a kid, that kid is yours. Aināt no going back when you take that step.
Clearly you have never had a parent that immediately responds to something like “Bobby hit me!” with “And what did you do to make Bobby want to hit you?” š
I don’t see her mom even considering giving her back right now either. Like you said, it’s not returning a pair of shoes and honestly if she HAD felt that way about Heather (“oh, she’ll be a great accessory!”) then I don’t believe she would have come down to the school to straighten things out in the first place. Her attitude would probably be more like “Well we’re just gonna give her back now, so why deal with the trouble?”
Hmmm. I’m not sure HOW I feel about the start of this. “deal with a little thief” might be a little TOO intense for this situation. IMO it’s important to deal with children’s behavior in the context of making sure that the behavior doesn’t get turned into a reflection of the child. IOW, “dealing with Heather’s stealing” doesn’t become “You’re a bad person and a thief.” Because young children will really internalize that kind of thing and it can do a lot of damage.
I bring this up not because I think Heather shouldn’t be punished – she should – but because that line was, for some reason, startlingly reminiscent to me of my own father, who was abusive. Any time you misbehaved, it was not because you made a mistake but because you were a bad person. I ended up internalizing a lot of that and it took a long time to get over it.
I’m just saying, people should be a little more calm about this. I know people were very concerned about Heather maybe getting a pass on this from “not-my-precious” type parents, but it IS possible to go too far in the other direction and do real damage.
and they definitely need to deal with the fact their actions led to this incident, by taking Heather away from the orphanage before she could say goodbye to her friends.
Barb Fairweather = blonde lady that Selkie mentions in episode 26. . .potential “you adopted that!?!” moment coming up. . .?
Oh I like this~ Her Mom seems alright. š
You know, most people don’t analyze their own sentences that much before saying them. In this case, Barb believes Heather stole something (at least until further evidence presents itself) and therefore this qualifies Heather as a “thief”, if only in this instance. These are all perfectly normal reactions. You guys are over-analyzing things.
Is that an Order of the Stick avatar? :3
This is indeed an OotS style avatar, custom-made for me by Ceika.
I agree with you, Charidan. Parents aren’t infallible, they may just go for the first semi-appropriate response that popped up in their minds.
Heck, I wouldn’t mind Barb taking Heather to the police station to have “the nice policeman” explain what happens to real thieves. Cause you really don’t want shoplifting to be the next thing your kid gets caught with. Nip it in the bud.
That said, I doubt the Fairweathers are stupid/insensitive enough to even threaten Heather with de-adoption. I mean, Barb wouldn’t be reacting this strongly, if Heather was just a disposable trinket. It’s more likely that because she’s there to stay as their kid, that she needs to learn how to NOT behave, because it makes not just her but her mommy and daddy look bad.
I actually like how Barb storms in, with the ‘thief’ comment.
It shows that she’s in it for the long haul. This, to me, seems to have been her way to set up a ‘stealing from someone isn’t right’ speech when Heather gets home.
i would love it if you would re updated the cast list or make all the members of the cast i want to draw them
Um… Iw WHAT UNIVERSE is Heather’s mom’s reaction reasonable, kind or OK? I mean she just adopted this child and they have yet to build trust.
Of course she needs to let Heather know what she did was wrong, but by shouting at her and calling hernames in front of others, without even asking her what happened? Public humilation? Terror tactics?
How about ” I need to talk to my daughter. In Private. NOW!”
Or “Could someone please tall me exactly what happened?”
Heather is a CHILD who is going through huge personal transitions. Her mom is an asshole.
Would be totally reasonable in our real-life universe. Heck, I don’t want to even really think of it, but if I’d been stupid enough to steal anything from anyone at school, you bet my mom had acted something like this. She’s got a fiery temperament (passed it on to me and one of my brothers), which means she can say things when she’s incensed, that she might not say if she’d had time to think things calmly through.
Barb is actually acting like a real-life parent would. As for Heather – a lot of kids are in difficult situations, but they still don’t think stealing from a classmate is a hoot.
Uh… Did Barb crack the Principle’s glass when she enters in panel 1?
Just one good reason not to slam doors. XD
Ok. I like Barb now. Her reaction is like my mom’s when I’d get in trouble at school. Barb’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she’s trying to do the right thing at this point. That gives me better feels about her. She’s new to parenting and just heard her daughter stole a shirt off another kid in the bathroom. I don’t blame her for being on edge. People don’t always filter their words when they’re angry.
One of the big mom lessons I’ve learned is this: you get in your car and you rant until you get to the school. THen you park and calm down for a minute. Then you go in and be as carefully clearheaded as possible. Pretend you’re a paramedic or something if you have to (my go-to when I need massive calm action).
Because… school workers are forced by state law, and often chose on their own as well, to report any out-of-line parental behaviour to social services, who are required to investigate.
To a parent, that’s the “ballroom dance hall full of scary robot clowns with knives” fear-inducing threat. Heather’s mom may not know that… but she should, and she should’ve spent a minute considering her opening moves before joining this game. I like her character, but I can see things going very badly for her, and not from a “Todd will sue” perspective.
Hmm. Everyone seems to like Barb more now, but I’m still on the edge about her. Well, just read all of them now. BOOKMARKED š <3
I’m just really impressed with how fast she got there.
Was she on her cellphone in the parking lot, or does she have super powers?
“Yes Heather, your new mommy is a super hero…”
I was actually going to address that originally, but I decided the strip worked better with Todd’s surprised reaction getting the focus.
In my first script, the first few panels were like this:
John (the principal): Mrs. Fairweather! We didn’t expect you so soon.
Barb (holding a smartphone): Shopping. Cellphone. Buying hazelnuts. Ran some redlights.
Actually, I think this makes good Director Commentary. Gonna add it in. XD
I have to throw my cap in with the Barb Fairweather supporters on this one. Could she have considered her words better? Probably. That said, I remember my own childhood well enough. A really short temper meant I got into a number of fights at school. Obviously, I’d get punished for it, and I would always lie about it to my parents. I was called a liar a couple of times, and it was very true.
That wasn’t immediately used on me, true, but I can sympathize where Barb is coming from. This is an incredibly frustrating thing when it happens, and chances are her filter wasn’t even close to operating. I don’t think Barb is a bad mother because of the comment; that’s simply going too far. I certainly don’t think her sole concern is “I’m getting sued” in the last panel, either. In all likelihood, the thought going through her mind is how awkward this going to make her work experiences with Todd, which is not by itself a completely selfish reaction. It’s only human.
Also, given how grueling the process of adoption is (my aunt and uncle were inspected at least three times to my knowledge), they would have known that Barb and her husband would make capable parents, otherwise they wouldn’t have let them adopt. Frankly, I’m willing to give Barb the benefit of the doubt.
Damn good story, enjoyable art work, and Todd should really get that looked at. Keep up the good work.