They say you never forget your first time.

You really don't... at least, he certainly won't

That first time lasts a LONG time.

Far too long

Very well drawn, as always, Dearshul. I just feel so sorry for the little bambino. :'(

Thank you, my friend! I do, too T^T I'm so terrible to him.

We'll fix that.

Oh?

It'll take a couple of centuries... but yeah. He'll be made good.

Ah! Yes. ^^ In a thoroughly unexpected way

looks like one of the boys from the 1996 pinocchio

That was one of the inspirations for the concept. ^^ Though, the original illustrations from Collodi's work and the Johnathan Taylor-Thomas Pinocchio also played a part for costume design.

always a great refrence

Can't beat the Nine Old Men. ^^

I thought it was 12 angry men lol

Lol, a very good movie! XD

Seriously, though, the nine original core animators for Disney were masters. You want dynamic poses and realistic weight to a character? Study their work and Miyazaki’s

Oh yes the original Disney an Miyazaki are the masters of their craft

I envy him :3

Were it under different circumstances, it probably wouldn't be so bad. ^^

Assume he went to pleasure island? He got to have the time of his life and left on four hooves.

Yup. Though, he wasn’t expecting the result or being sold into farm labor. That’s kind of a downer

Only if you try to act like a human instead of a donkey

Actively working on book one? Does this mean... dare I hope... you are getting close to finishing?

My very, very tentative hope is to release issue one, free to view on my own website, by the end September. It is far from done, but I am optimistic. ^^

I cannot wait to see it! Keep going! I believe in you!

Thank you so much for the encouragement! From here on out the plan is that weekends are comic days (body willing). The biggest hurdle is the backgrounds at the moment but we’ll figure it out. I can’t wait to actually get it out there for those who have waited so patiently like yourself!

Have you considered a Patreon for the project as a whole?

We have, but given the scope of everything we plan to do (which includes much more than just TWIU-related work) we’ve decided on going with a different business model. More on that as it develops ^^

Issue One? Omg-hypehypehypehypehype lol

As much as I love any Candle content...poor kiddo...

*Hugs*

Lol, yay! I’m really pushing for it to get done in a timely fashion. XD

Yeah, he really does have one of the most painful stories, the poor guy. I’m so horrible to him T^T

*hugs*

True, but sometimes a harder road makes for a sweeter reward. He'll have his time in the sun, and his goodness will win him friends along the way. It's what makes for a good story 😉

Very good points! ^^

I feel so bad for Candle in this moment. His life was so hard initially.

It really was. Bad at home, bad when he tried to escape the abuse, bad after... none of it was easy.

*Walks over and sits down next to candle. Patting him softly on the neck and offering a shoulder to lean on in support* Hello there my dear friend. I am truly sorry that this had to happen to you. *Turns candle's face to look him directly in the eyes* I want you to know right here and now my friend that you will always have individuals like myself and others who will try our best to keep you safe and be there for you when you need someone to talk to. Please stay strong and know that there is a happy ending at the end of this road. *Hugs the donkey lightly around the neck, crying tears of love and comfort as I do so*

Candle: *Trembles, still attempting to make sense of what just happened to him and the stark contrast of comfort. Small bray-sobs escape him*

*Cries softly, tears running down my cheeks and into candle's mane as I hug him lightly around the neck, stroking his mane softly to try and calm him down and ease his terror* Please stay strong my friend. I will stay here with you for as long as I can. *Continues to stroke candle's head and mane softly as I very softly begin to sing an Italian lullaby*

Fonso: *offers accompaniment with his violin as he approaches* Bene, bene. Beautiful choice, signore.

Candle: *breath hitches and he tries to put you between himself and Fonso*

Fonso: *takes a respectful step backward* You must be very frightened, amico mio. *he kneels to be on Candle’s level* I do not want to frighten you any further.

*I whisper softly into candle's ear* Do not be afraid my friend. *Turns to the newcomer* Mon Signore, as much as I do appreciate the musical accompaniment, I would appreciate even more if you might state your name and business first and foremost. *I continue to stroke and pat candle's mane, trying my best to settle the poor boys nerves*

Fonso: *stops playing to remove his hat* Fonso, signore. *he gestures around himself at the island* I am a stable hand here. It is for me to bring i ragazzi to be inspected, unfortunate as it is.

Well let us discuss that shall we. Now it sounds to me as if you certainly do not gain any satisfaction from your job Signore, How much would I have to pay so that this young one need never have to make it to the stable? I would be more than happy to pay in either standard fare, or something a little more magical.

Fonso: *replacing his hat* If he is missing from inspection it will be me who is whipped, signore. But after... well, it would not be the first time one has wandered off when I was not looking, se capisci. *with a shrug he resumes playing* I do not care for money... I have no use for it. But I am very distracted today.

*Raises an eyebrow and looks kindly down at candle* Well we certainly would hate to see you come to injury Signore, I am hopeful that I friend candle here would at the very least be willing to appear at the inspection, provided of course there were promises made that he would be able to slip away afterwards. As to your boredom I would certainly be interested to hear if there was anything that I could do to help alleviate such a condition. *Continues to stroke candle's mane, keeping a kind eye on him and helping him stay calm and pay attention to the conversation happening*

Candle: *eyes the man with suspicion*

Fonso: *setting aside his instrument and lifting his hands* Capisco, capisco. Someone who seemed kind probably brought you to this place. Why should you trust anyone, especially a man with a rope on his belt? But, ragazzo, now you will need to make difficult decisions to keep yourself safe now. Will you gamble and trust a stranger to keep his word?

Candle: *weighs the options for a moment, turns, and bolts*

Fonso: *sighs and stands* Pobre raggazo. He has had enough of gambling.

*Places a hand on fonso's shoulder lightly* Do not bother signore. I think that in all honesty we can pull off your plan without him, if anything to spare both him and yourself the agony of your masters whip. Will you indulge my idea?

Fonso: *raises an eyebrow* I will not argue with a man who holds magic in his hand. What is it?

*My form shimmers as my body shifts into an identical copy of candle's new donkey form* Use me for the inspection signore, after which we can either stick with your plan of saying that I wandered off, or, if that would cause trouble for you I would be more than willing to provide a plain non cursed identical donkey to take both my, and young candle's place. Is this agreeable to you Mon Signore?

Fonso: *somewhat uneasily* Your disguise is no inconvenience to me, signore, but if the real ragazzo is found alone he will not be treated kindly. I am the only one who has sworn never to use a whip.

*I nod in understanding* Do not worry about young candle my friend. I have exact knowledge of his location at all times and I managed to mask his presence both magically and from visible sight, no one will be able to see him or feel his presence other than myself until the magic is lifted. As a matter of fact he has run only a ways away and hidden himself in a hollow where he has sadly dropped into an exhausted sleep. He shall be more than safe. *Looks up at fonso with a newfound respect* I must say that I am quite pleased to find someone such as yourself signore, who, while stuck with certainly not a job I would think that you would choose, a job that you at the very least try to make bearable for the poor young ones to are unfortunate to find themselves here. You do have my gratitude for doing the best you can for them my friend.

Fonso: *picking up his instrument and beginning to lead the way* We cannot always choose our situation, amico mio, only what we may do in it. We Romani take what opportunity we can find. *he falls silent for a moment*

May I offer you some advice?

*Follows slightly behind Fonso, looking up with curiosity at the question* By all means Signore. I am always happy to learn and store away in my memory the knowledge of those with far more experience and worldly knowledge than myself.

Fonso: *smirks* It does not come from me. I am simply a messenger of Fate. *he turns to look back at you* She tells me that it is kind of you to spare il ragazzo some of his discomfort, but she also tells me that he should not be kept from his path for too long. It will be painful for him, but it is the only way that he will know true happiness in the end.

*Nods in understanding* Believe me my friend I do understand, probably more than you know. Now I would like to explain something to you which I hope that you might be able to grasp. Throughout existence there are literally an infinite number of possible outcomes to every single moment that can and will ever be. So I simply came to this one, where candle was spirited away shortly after his transformation. What I am saying my friend is that this is not the universe where our young friend candle goes through all of those trials. This is what you would call an alternate, or non cannon universe. At least as far as your creator would probably agree. *I say with a chuckle*

Poor little guy. Though Candle was.a cute kid.

He has definitely seen some bad times. But thank you!

I'm definitely looking forward to the first issue! So excited!