Bang. On.

After tonight, Boric will happily impale himself on Urrt spears for the guy. But anyone wishing Mentl ill probably have to get through Yatta-Ta first. And Tula. Assuming they ever made it past Zona.

And Tula? I know JD doesn’t believe in the concept, but you’re that very rare creature who rates at “100″ (10 looks x 10 personality).

Zona personifies the Earth Goddess, down to her cha and strength, but Tula seems to personify the Moon goddess, down to her off-the-scale magical talents and wise outlook. I think that’s why together they seem like such a complete representation of the Erogenians, while apart you’d know something was missing - they balance both goddess aspects.

It´s really a must-see for every anglo-phile.
Was worried after Obama it would too become another democratic/liberal mouthpiece, but Jon usually bites both sides “almost” equally.

Lebbrin - Sorry that the pace is slow, but first there’s a couple more pages of talky-talk before we finally see the gals shake a leg.

hans - Thanks very much.

Someguy - Quality time, indeed. A lot of living gets done in a few weeks of life-threatening/saving hard-fighting, back-covering type of time. At this point, she has no problem calling Mentl “brother.”

Gremalkin - I do appreciate the thought very much, though my own estimate is a bit lower on the scale. Still, thanks.

The MacNut - Sorry about the saccharine scene, dude. Can’t help myself. This is the part of these stories where the heroes have a good time before things get more difficult. For their sake, pray that it lasts.

dolo-pzora - You’re welcome. And I actually don’t think Mentl is “ugly” so much as “plain.” Yet when you compare his first appearance to now, even though it’s the exact same model, morph, texture and all he doesn’t look so bad. The hair and the beard and the duds make a lot of difference.

hans - They were on the road for about four or five weeks, walking and riding. A lot of that is barely making headway climbing steep hills and mountain passes and circling around large landmarks and obstacles.

Doc Alaska - A threesome was never in the cards, boychik. Sorry. That look they traded was more like - “Is he for real?” “Yes, he is for real.” And Tula cannot marry anyone, as you know since I know you paid attention.

The Old Hack - Thanks, very much. Yes, most Erogenians mean what they say - in that they are unusual, even in their world. A bit old-fashioned, that idea of a straightforward character.

I had an acting coach who once told us that the difference between Shakespeare and a lot of modern authors and playwrights is that there is no “subtext” to his characters. They tell you who they are in plain language, right in their own speeches. He disagreed with modern re-imaginings of the plays in that they were over-analyzed and made to fit a modern Freudian sensibility when they really were just good stories with enormously well-defined and well-drawn characters whose attributes were the result of a genius’ observations of the real-life people in his own very colorful world. And those characters are all around us, always, with every step you take out into society, whether it’s London of 1593 or Los Angeles in 1990 or Squeedunk, Ohio in 2010.

Jean - Mentl’s had a few, he’s more relaxed than he’s been at any time since he got unceremoniously popped into this world from San Bernardino. Also, he’s articulating concepts he hasn’t had to since he came here, so his own natural slang will come into play. I really didn’t think too much about it, other than that the cute byplay of the verbal culture clash would be fun.

MaryLynne - Well, that won’t be in tomorrow’s teaser, but perhaps that can be the next incentive.

Sarge - Yes, you are right. He’s definitely safe, and he’s okay with that. As to the pace, read above answer to Lebbrin. Sorry , but it will make you all the gladder to see it when it comes!

AdamZero - Can I say that the whole idea of “10″ is BS? I used it as a bit of shorthand here to make a point, but frankly if Bo Derek was supposed to be a “ten,” then give me more sevens and eights or even a five or six with a good heart and a solid interest in sex. Note that even Mentl hesitates to objectively rate Zona as a ten, because she doesn’t match the parameters that supposedly make up a “ten:” She’s too tall, hugely muscular, her breasts are too big, and probably other things I’ve never bothered to learn about. The point is that she’s a ten to *him,* as Tula observes (perceptive lass, she is) and that’s what counts.

Black Ethel - Thanks. I do want to tell the story above all. Yes, fantasy should have pretty things to look at, but not in a vacuum. If they’re not at least nominally like real people, I lose interest. That’s why my favorite fantasy film is still “Ladyhawke.”

Fred - You really are too kind. Thanks.

ICEKAT - Thanks. Hope the crowd remembers all the pleasing when I put them through the wringer.

zangoules - Thanks. Not entirely sure I agree with you, but I’m really picky.

Dragonson - Well, I think everyone got over the mispronunciations of “San Bernardino” awhile ago, so time for a little more subtle stuff.

Ami - I think he’s cleaned up very well, especially since the hair hides his huge loving-cup ears.

Mysto - Yes, I do too. I used the alternate “beardless” version of his texture, and this is a beard prop that, as some have observed, is a bit more real-looking.

mr_oof - Tula has literally dozens of cousins in the Moon Tribe and the Wolf Tribe. But, given that marrying your cousin is, as it is in many places, not a taboo in Erogenia, there was always a different dynamic, sometimes subtle sometimes not. Mentl is not like that, and it’s new and refreshing to her.

Sockpuppet - Word.

Addup2 - YEAH! Did you see Spinal Tap on The Daily Show not too long ago?

Kern - See MacGuyver below.

MAcGuyver - Thanks very much.

LurkerAbove - See my explanation to mr_oof. She doesn’t have one.

Steinar - As I said, he knows his Mel Brooks better than his Dostoevsky. He’s only read the Cliff notes. And that is an interesting comment about Mentl’s past on Earth. Yes, I think there’s some merit to it.

TheLastGarou - Thanks so much. I have the advantage of being an amateur and this being pretty much my only project, so I can devote all my spare time to it.

Kosetsu - “Into” would be, I imagine, like being “into” a blanket, wrapped up in it and comfortable, or “into” a house, a room, a store, a library, or something. the key would be “in” rather than “interest,” I presume.

Jean - Very apt. See my explanation above.

Uhl - Glad you like it! And yes, we men are that insecure.

Lora - A couple pages of dialogue and you’ll have the dancing. I promise.

warnie - Perhaps. I think she just likes him, and not in a sexual way. It’s been that way from the beginning.

Fred - Please!

Local Yokel - Well, I would prefer a series. And I would never want to get involved with a major production company. The advantage of being a hobbyist is the complete creative control. Honestly, I think it can be done very cheaply (relatively speaking) on Poser, Vue or other readily available software. I would need to partner with an animator who would, like me, work for next to nothing. Also, I would need to recruit voice actor buddies of mine who would, likewise, work for next to nothing. Under those circumstances, it could be done. Hm. Wonder if Dino would want to promote it as a project …

Then I realized that they would likely just FUBAR and reduce it to the level of the schmaltz currently being produced.