I'm not sure I like this squirrel

He's actually one of the few characters that said to give Rask the benefit of the doubt and let him stay, unlike Hemlock (the rabbit that wears the pelt) who just wants to outright kill him. Also, he actually kept Hemlock from killing Rask during their first encounter.

I mean, he's still judging Rask pretty hard. There's not trusting a creature due to past experiences and then there's telling the kid they think they are a monster right to their face. At least Hemlock is acting out of fear, probably due to having a lot of close scraps with the pine martens kind, this squirrel clearly thinks he's better than Rask since he didn't eat meat to survive

You have to take what the squirrel (for the life of me, I *will* figure out what his name is, lol) is saying here in hand with his previous words and actions. When he says "you" in the second to last panel, he doesn't just mean Rask specifically but all predators in general. As far as thinking that he's better than Rask because 'he doesn't eat meat', he actually commended Rask on his trick to catch the fish a couple of pages back, without any of the 'holier-than-thou' attitude that you seem to think he has.

His name is Sprig.

lol, thanks. Found it just a minute ago back on page 76.

I think that Sprig also sees an opportunity to forge an even stronger bond between the prey species.

I am quite sure that the perfect community that Oren built has its disconsensus for sure between them. Some thinking they should get more than the others (as is with every community) with the peace they now have.
Egg even said it that since Sprigg is marking the trees like the bear is still alive the wolves never come near the island anymore.
With Rask now in their midst the fear has partially returned (Hemlock and his guard now being inside the sanctuary and the warning sign) which will forge them all back together against a common enemy.

You've got a good point there. BTW, Hemlock is female. Granted, the lack of certain anatomical aspects doesn't help differentiate.

I agree. Plenty of people that come across as 'holier-than-thou' mask such things with a kinder tone, usually to make themselves look even better. Like how wealthy people who could easily afford to give away millions don't give their own money away and instead go on TV shows and do silly little tasks or quizzes to give a few thousand to a charity. So yeah I think he's being condescending too.

it seems like they ALL had their share of bad stuff.

Well... think of how people would feel if we had another sentient creature that ate us?

It's mind boggling to me that so many people are getting mad at the herbivores and prey animals for being mean and harsh to predators. This isn't like in our world of races because we're all the same species with the same wants, goals, desires, and aims. This world is where some of the other people live by EATING YOU. Like yeah, ofc they can't change who they are... but these are an entire group of animals who can only live by killing.

It's not a matter of thinking "I'm so much better than you because I don't eat meat." It's not like the radical vegans lol... these are characters whose literal lives are on the line and in danger because of predators. They're not being judgemental - they are RIGHTFULLY afraid because the whole point of carnivores is eating them. They see predators eating their friends and families. Of course that's horrifying. Of course they judge because of it. It would be like if vampires were actually real and lived in huge packs - not the cute vampires from movies but actual supernatural-esque ones who the majority of KNOW their prey is sentient like they are but still choose to eat them. If anyone reading or commenting takes a modicum of thought, of course these animals are right to be scared and nasty - carnivores eat them for a living.

And ofc Rask is trying to get away because he knows what it's like to be a prey animal, too, but it doesn't change what he's done. He has lived off of eating and killing other intelligent creatures to stay alive. Sure, he has to in order to live. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a killer and a carnivore, and that he's eaten dozens to hundreds of animals just like the squirrels and rabbits hiding in Oren's forge. It's completely understandable and realistic to act like Hemlock. If anything, Sprig is being one of the most understanding and laying it out. He understands why Rask did why he did and doesn't blame him (he's even protecting him from Hemlock) but he also knows that Rask can't change that he needs to eat meat to survive.

Humans did and do have animals that prey on them. The reply is always the same: kill the one, wall them out out, or exterminate their kind

I wish I could like comments heh. You put it quite well.

So far he's been very careful to say "well not you/me specifically but others like you/me" and here, it's directly "you"

...so I'd say he's earned this "not sure I like him" even if he thinks he doesn't deserve it

He does have a point. It's only fair that he gets to call Rask a killer because to him he very much is. Where as someone like Hemlock is seen as overly zealous and is just waiting to kill Rask at the first chance she gets so it's only fair that Rask thinks of her as a bloody lunitic.

The squirrel is frank but otherwise seems fairly neutral towards Rask where as Hemlock wants him dead and gone where Eggsucker welcomes him as company and tries to make him welcome despite the prey animal's very reasonably fear of him

Love the story so far. ^^Really interesting. I like that its complex, and not just a simple answer to simple problems.

The fear of you. Well gosh pardon me for living, you think we LIKE murdering for food?.

Lordie the more I see these herbivores as the WORST sorts of bible thumping jerks that almost beg, BEG to be slammed down by you or fate then whine every step of the way on why you picked on them for saying you do not deserve to exist. I like the idea of a colony working together but yeah sure its all the meat eaters fault for living. Dark DARK thread that is and all too current in the now we live in with you know who and his supporters.

Gaia bless though for wording this, bringing it out, showing what it really is like. Takes guts to make a story like this and even more to stay with it rather then going all pc and earn woke points.
Pakesh_De
Snoofy old burr

Considering that in this world, most carnivores revel in killing prey for food? See pages 5-11. Not to mention the wolverines that slaughtered Rask's family and didn't even do it for food. Squirrel's got a point.

I picture they (at least the wolverines) revel in it the way the Goths did after sacking Rome, or early as American's did, burning and logging their way west. No real understanding of the loss and a sense that all resources are infinitely replenishable. There's also a sense of relief in there, too-- I mean, hey, they get to eat and live another day!

You do realize that to survive that the predator must eat meat which is mostly the prey animals.

Rask has no right to be upset that they don't like or trust them it's like welcoming a medicated serial killer as long as he takes his kills that keeps him from killing them all. Hemlock is agressive because there's in fact kids in the home which makes her concerns far more pressing to the point where she feels she has to act.

Rask on the otherhand is taking a lot of abuse from the prey but it's not completely unfounded. He needs to understand that they have every right to be be concerned and that there are in fact folks there that do welcome him but it's going to take a while for them to accept his presence there if at all if he reasonabley wants to stay. It's not ideal but its better then what he had before.

Ouch. I understand the squirrel's point of view and Rask's point of view. There are no good or bad guys in this story. This is intense!

You've probably never had to run for your life from a rabbit chasing you down for your sweet, tender flesh (at least, I hope you haven't).

Good thing Monty Python is fictional. It is fictional, right? (nervouslook)

Sprig may be a bit harsh with Rask here (could use less painful wording), but I will leave him the benefit of the doubt. I mean, he saved his life, spoke in his favor and complimented him for his fishing trick. He wouldn't have done all of that if he only saw the marten as a threat or a mindless thing.

Now, if someone could just give a hug to Rask, he needs it. Or at least a few comforting words...

Maybe these herbivores need to get in touch with a rabbit called Turner.

People can barely stomach Hemlock, Turner, (especially Overgrowth Turner) is so, so much worse.

Especially that scene when he guesstimates how many wolves he's killed and the other Rabbit asks if that's people.

'No, wolves, lost count of people a long time ago.'

I mean, it's just stating matter-of-fact for him. Turner is a god of vengeance, killing is just what comes natural to him and the world around him keeps forcing his hand to do more of it.

Yeah, poor guy just can't catch a break.

I like it! rather the problem of communicating with the prey (language) Rask couldn't communicate with the prey and it made it easier for him to kill them, but now that he can understand them it's going to be a reality shock for him to find out that the "dumb prey" is much smarter than he thought! that were not just meat but thinking animals just like him! Understanding the other side of life that he could not understand before is the first step to bonding with them and living in harmony in this place.

The squirrel is telling it like it is. Harsh, brutal but true. Oren holds the population with fear, what we need to see now is how Oren handles the governance, as a protector or a dictator. The raccoon had her fangs removed, a sign that represents the shackles of slavery, kept only to work the mines. So what will happen to Rask?

Egg is a badger, not racoon. And it's already been stated that Oren wishes that had never happened to her. If I recall correctly, Hemlock is the one that was responsible for Egg's teeth being 'removed' (read: bashed out with a rock).

I really am enjoying Sprig as a character. They're not mincing words or sugar coating anything with Rask. Rask probably never gave much of a thought about who he killed in the past for food, if they had friends or family. To him, it was just another day of survival. I'm sure Sprig is trying to get through to him, in hopes that he can make him change for the better.

The issue is Rask already came there of his own free will and has not killed anyone. He has already changed. So this just feels like putting salt on a wound someone already knows about.

Maybe . . . Sprig is forgetting just a bit here that Rask also knows what it's like to be prey? The fact that he was hunted by wolves minutes or hours before he made it to the lake? To say nothing of his backstory. I doubt that Rask suffers from a lack of understanding. Dare I say it that Rask is . . . intersectional? He knows, on some level, that prey aren't dumb--because he's been prey himself. Sprig . . . might need to check some of Rask's privilege, but I think it's too far to say to Rask, "You don't know what it's like!" when clearly, he does. Rask might be on the edge of an epiphany: The way that I feel some of the time with some predators is how these creatures feel all the time.

Dang, that feels like forever ago to the point I think most people forgot that Rask was in the same position, but I don't think any of the animals there know that yet.

Me too. XD

Love this so far, an trying to stop reading peoples' narrow minded comments haha... but slight grammar nitpick..!
"its own" instead of "it's own"; it's is only used as a contrition of it is, its is possessive

This is the preds and prey story ive always wanted to see explored.

It's just never worked in my head as a human analogy about race bc its such a different dilemma , one that doesnt really exist in our world (well, not since all other sentient hominids went extinct...)

And again thats not a bad thing. Means its an entirely different and utterly alien scenario and morals and world you gotta build up and deal with, with very few if any analogies to our world.

Yes!! I like zootopia, but I really liked the Distopia plot (collars, wild times and all of those!) and wanted to see that explored. I love seeing the idea of conflict in a completely different way. If you like this, you might like a manga called Beastars - it's about anthro carnivores and herbivores living n a society like our own and having to cope with their differences in the world. It's really cute but also dark and doesn't shy away from all the darker sides of what that would entail.

*Big serious scene... can only see an adorable little pine marten and rabbit chittering* IMMA HUG YOU BOTH!!!

Oo.

God i love this comic so much. I am completely enthralled in the story you are telling and also utterly in love with your amazing art style.

I want to redesign my sona to fit these more animalistic, barely anthropomorphized styles you have.

I cant wait to see more creatures in your style and where you take this story.

Keep up the amazing work as always!

I'm curious to where Sprig will go with his speech from here, because my view of him lowered a bit there at the end.

Like, he should be VERY well aware that there's no true "apex predator." Everything is just trying their hardest to make it through. Not even wolves or bears are invincible.

Well I hope I never have to stoop down to the level of the Donner Party.

Is Orens Forge taking another break?

Too heavy-handed.

Just to inform you, this page is missing in the Comic-Folder :3

Say awesome!

Thanks for letting me know! :]