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Out of the Inn
Caedere does character colors/shades
(High-res and textless version for free over on my Patreon!)
Out of the Inn
Caedere does character colors/shades(High-res and textless version for free over on my Patreon!)
Category Artwork (Digital) / Comics
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 900 x 2138px
File Size 1.72 MB
Listed in Folders
Oh! Maybe this person is telling themselves the characters not real, because this page hits really hard and they're trying to reassure themselves? (Kinda like what I had to do when playing Spiritfarer so that I wouldn't have a complete emotional breakdown)
You know, that's it I bet!
You know, that's it I bet!
Yeah that was more what I meant. It's ok to get invested into a story, but when you get upset over something unpleasant happening in fiction it's important to remind yourself that it is fiction so it doesn't impact your emotional health. Something that I'm not always perfect at doing myself.
There were many better ways to handle that, you coward. :V
For serious though, it was definitely important for him to get out of the position he was in because he was clearly uncomfortable, BUT he could've talked to her about it, asked to turn around, asked to be the big spoon, been honest with her about his fear even though it would've hurt her feelings, etc. This way he just dumps the emotional pain on her with no explanation and peaces out. Bad Form dude, Bad Form.
For serious though, it was definitely important for him to get out of the position he was in because he was clearly uncomfortable, BUT he could've talked to her about it, asked to turn around, asked to be the big spoon, been honest with her about his fear even though it would've hurt her feelings, etc. This way he just dumps the emotional pain on her with no explanation and peaces out. Bad Form dude, Bad Form.
That was hard to watch. He was basically having a panic attack. We all know that Isher would go out of her way to be accommodating, but for him that was just pure panic. From my understanding, it's likely that he couldn't have reacted any other way due to how his mind was screaming at him to get out of danger.
The real test of character is what he does now.
The real test of character is what he does now.
That relatively calm look on her face makes me slightly hopeful that she will be alright with this. o.O Like she'll just presume that's how long this sort of thing usually lasts.
But yeah, could have just said something to her. ^^; 'Hey, mind if we switch sides?' or even make an excuse of 'I'm used to sleeping on my belly/back. Lets turn this around some.' Betting she wouldn't have minded in the slightest. :3
Extra blanket wrapped around the thumb claw perhaps just in case. Tada! All night cuddles. :3
But yeah, could have just said something to her. ^^; 'Hey, mind if we switch sides?' or even make an excuse of 'I'm used to sleeping on my belly/back. Lets turn this around some.' Betting she wouldn't have minded in the slightest. :3
Extra blanket wrapped around the thumb claw perhaps just in case. Tada! All night cuddles. :3
Now...what he did was scummy yes, but we also need to think he probably was having a panic attack. THat might of been super new for him and he didn't know how to cope with it. I think people here are just being too harsh on the guy, he regrets what he did, he doesn't know if he should go back or keep going, he's only human. At least he didn't just bang her and when she offered to cuddle he didn't just "Nah I'm a bang and run type of person."
I humbly agree with your opinion. I myself am optimistic and try to see the best in other people and understand why they think/do the things they think/do. Unfortunately, I feel like most people don't care about intentions or believe in redemption. Perhaps its to avoid being naive or gullible, which is fair enough, but a complete lack of sympathy or understanding isn't really good for one's own humanity.
I know and that makes it worse, cus I still feel sorry for him even while wanting to give him a smack on the back on the head.
Damn you, stop writing three dimensional characters who's struggles are deeply relatable and feel painfully honest! (Actually no, keep doing that, its actually a very good thing.)
Damn you, stop writing three dimensional characters who's struggles are deeply relatable and feel painfully honest! (Actually no, keep doing that, its actually a very good thing.)
Anxiety to the point of a panic attack can drive us to do irrational things for the sake of Survival, even if the chance of what's driving our Anxiety is slim to none. Also I can also understand his desire from wanting to leave an embarrassing situation, that being him leaving Isher due to his panic attack and the fact he feels Guilty for doing it but is driven by his fight or flight response to keep going, it's only when he's 'out of danger' That he realizes the gravity of his actions and feels too sheepish (and anxious) to go back, apologize, and see if Isher can and will forgive him for his impulsive action. It's a dick move to be sure, but an understandable one.
See, now this is interesting. You're the second person here to slag straight folks in light of this. Honestly, how does that even relate?
I could see it somewhat relating to "Toxic masculinity" or patriarchy, which are unquestionably problematic. But aren't non-straight people just as subject to those influences? He was obviously struggling with and questioning his own thoughts of "Emasculation". Could this have not played out just the same if they were both of the same gender? And besides, I think that the people here referring to panic attacks are probably much closer to on target with his motivation here, which even he is questioning at this point.
Also, he seemed to show a fairly decent level of sensitivity when he was trying to pick her up and on the rest of their "date" up to the point at which he found himself in her tight embrace with a couple of six inch blades in his face.
I could see it somewhat relating to "Toxic masculinity" or patriarchy, which are unquestionably problematic. But aren't non-straight people just as subject to those influences? He was obviously struggling with and questioning his own thoughts of "Emasculation". Could this have not played out just the same if they were both of the same gender? And besides, I think that the people here referring to panic attacks are probably much closer to on target with his motivation here, which even he is questioning at this point.
Also, he seemed to show a fairly decent level of sensitivity when he was trying to pick her up and on the rest of their "date" up to the point at which he found himself in her tight embrace with a couple of six inch blades in his face.
It technically could have played out the same no matter the gender, but in my experience it’s almost always straight guys who are the insecure ones who would do something like this. It’s always straight guys who won’t drink anything fruity, who won’t dress certain ways, who would never have long hair like me because that would be girly, who won’t wash their ass, who always have to be strong and never emotional.
Isher could perhaps use a gentle lesson on how to cuddle, that seems like a bit of a scary position for many people. But his thought was not “She’s like surrounding me and I feel claustrophobic and there are steak knife claws in my face,” his thought was that he feels emasculated and like a little baby man. This combined with what he imagined on the page before this, where he’s the big one cuddling a much smaller Isher, makes me think he’s insecure. Straight culture has taught him that he’s supposed to be the big man. When he feels small he panics.
It’s been my experience that queer culture is one of the major things that breaks you free of the toxic parts of straight culture. Certainly most gay guys aren’t concerned with being manly or being a real man. I remember how broken I felt for not being interested in anyone growing up and how terrible it felt to look girly in any way. Life got much better when I realized I’m asexual, went to college and met other queer people, and now I see how immature I was. I attribute that to growing up surrounded exclusively by straights.
Isher could perhaps use a gentle lesson on how to cuddle, that seems like a bit of a scary position for many people. But his thought was not “She’s like surrounding me and I feel claustrophobic and there are steak knife claws in my face,” his thought was that he feels emasculated and like a little baby man. This combined with what he imagined on the page before this, where he’s the big one cuddling a much smaller Isher, makes me think he’s insecure. Straight culture has taught him that he’s supposed to be the big man. When he feels small he panics.
It’s been my experience that queer culture is one of the major things that breaks you free of the toxic parts of straight culture. Certainly most gay guys aren’t concerned with being manly or being a real man. I remember how broken I felt for not being interested in anyone growing up and how terrible it felt to look girly in any way. Life got much better when I realized I’m asexual, went to college and met other queer people, and now I see how immature I was. I attribute that to growing up surrounded exclusively by straights.
Points definitely taken, but as I mentioned, I'd tend to chalk that up to toxic masculinity and patriarchy more than straight people specifically.
That kind of culture is still the ground of our society, although thankfully things seem to be improving, if for no other reason than that the older, less open minded people who were products of that culture continue to die off, and the newer generations of kids have an increasingly better chance of growing up with a much more enlightened and nuanced reading of emotion and sexuality.
I'm guessing that I'm older than you, and believe me, when I was growing up things were much worse. I happen to be straight -Granted, a pretty bent sort of straight, but I think that's partly because of a combination of things: A generally antagonistic attitude for societal conventions and authority since I was a kid; where and when I grew up; (The S.F. bay area during the 60's and 70's) and having some great queer role models that I really loved and respected as I grew up. So I may be a bit of an exception to the rule, having lived in that particular bubble.
I had long hair from as soon as I could get away with it. (Maybe starting from when I was ten years old or so). I often caught shit for it. And I was never a terribly butch kind of guy. I was never into sports, I've always loved music, art, nature, and generally more intellectual pursuits. My dad was a classic straight hardass -but once again, I'd say he was a product of his environment. At one point as a teen my folks actually came to the conclusion that I was gay and sat me down for a serious talk in hopes of getting me some "Help". -You can imagine my confusion. I can't begin to count the times I was called a faggot and harassed by bullies. But I always liked who I was and just said "Fuck you". Still, I don't think it was because they were straight. (I'd be willing to bet some of them weren't!) I think it was because of the social environment they grew up in, and the aforementioned toxic masculinity, patriarchy and homophobia.
That kind of culture is still the ground of our society, although thankfully things seem to be improving, if for no other reason than that the older, less open minded people who were products of that culture continue to die off, and the newer generations of kids have an increasingly better chance of growing up with a much more enlightened and nuanced reading of emotion and sexuality.
I'm guessing that I'm older than you, and believe me, when I was growing up things were much worse. I happen to be straight -Granted, a pretty bent sort of straight, but I think that's partly because of a combination of things: A generally antagonistic attitude for societal conventions and authority since I was a kid; where and when I grew up; (The S.F. bay area during the 60's and 70's) and having some great queer role models that I really loved and respected as I grew up. So I may be a bit of an exception to the rule, having lived in that particular bubble.
I had long hair from as soon as I could get away with it. (Maybe starting from when I was ten years old or so). I often caught shit for it. And I was never a terribly butch kind of guy. I was never into sports, I've always loved music, art, nature, and generally more intellectual pursuits. My dad was a classic straight hardass -but once again, I'd say he was a product of his environment. At one point as a teen my folks actually came to the conclusion that I was gay and sat me down for a serious talk in hopes of getting me some "Help". -You can imagine my confusion. I can't begin to count the times I was called a faggot and harassed by bullies. But I always liked who I was and just said "Fuck you". Still, I don't think it was because they were straight. (I'd be willing to bet some of them weren't!) I think it was because of the social environment they grew up in, and the aforementioned toxic masculinity, patriarchy and homophobia.
I would say the social environment they grew up in, with its toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and homophobia, formed in large part because straight = normal and queer = other. Closeted people won’t come out on their own without any examples, and I don’t have high hopes that straight culture on its own would realize that there are other things a man can be besides tough and in control. I often see stories on asexual forums of people who are in relationships, who got married and had kids, just because that’s what’s normal and that’s what you do, all the while they don’t realize you’re supposed to want it, not do it out of obligation. I would say queer culture and the presence of queer role models is a major factor in preventing toxic masculinity and homophobia.
I sympathize with his physical discomfort of feeling small and not liking that; everyone's different in that sense & physical intimacy is very particular...
Probably also would be difficult to even bring it up; she'd probably feel really bad. But that would've been a lot better.
Probably also would be difficult to even bring it up; she'd probably feel really bad. But that would've been a lot better.
It worries me how many of the people reading this have never been in a situation where they want to be stronger than they are.
That's how it goes, sometimes your rational mind puts you in a place your guts can't measure up to. Sometimes doing the right thing ain't how your brain allows you to work.
That's how it goes, sometimes your rational mind puts you in a place your guts can't measure up to. Sometimes doing the right thing ain't how your brain allows you to work.
I don't think how many people realize, she really could disembowel him purely by accident. She had no scabbards, no sheaths, he was taking a gamble just by bedding with, basically, a female Edward Scissorhands. However, that was not at all the way to handle it. He should have been honest. He should have told her that her claws were making him uncomfortable. In the end, yes it was awkward. He is a piece of shit for leaving like that. It likely will leave Isher with lasting damage. He is a nice guy, but certainly has faults. Poor decision making is one of them. He's certainly regretting his decision. I hope they get back together.
As much as I hate what Semyel is doing here and the effect it's bound to have on Isher, it's a truth in life that you don't know how you'll react to a stressful situation until you're in it. They moved too fast, and Semyel wasn't ready for it. Just... too much. Always appreciated how OoPs maintains emotional honesty in moments like these.
Speaking as someone with anxiety, I think folks are being a little too hard on him (Including himself).
Yeah it sucks for Isher that he had to go. But what was he supposed to do? Ask Isher to walk on eggshells all night for him, just so he could sleep? He was scared and panicking. That's not how a date should end.
Sometimes two people have needs that can't both be met while together, and the only solution is to go their separate ways. I have no doubt that he could have gotten used to sharing a bed with her over time, but this was always gonna be a one night stand. Such is life.
Yeah it sucks for Isher that he had to go. But what was he supposed to do? Ask Isher to walk on eggshells all night for him, just so he could sleep? He was scared and panicking. That's not how a date should end.
Sometimes two people have needs that can't both be met while together, and the only solution is to go their separate ways. I have no doubt that he could have gotten used to sharing a bed with her over time, but this was always gonna be a one night stand. Such is life.
Yeah, fuck that guy for feeling less safe than he thought he would when cuddling with someone 3x his size with giant claws. Seriously tho, he explicitly didn't want to have to leave. He just was way less comfortable with the situation than he expected to be. What was he supposed to do, just shut up and be terrified and miserable all night? Or make Isher walk on eggshells instead of getting cuddle like she wanted and make her feel bad anyway?
Sometimes different people's needs get in the way of each other's, and the only solution is to separate. It can't always be helped.
Sometimes different people's needs get in the way of each other's, and the only solution is to separate. It can't always be helped.
Yes. He was supposed to be terrified and miserable all night; it's the risk he knowlingly sighed up for because he wanted exotic sex. Even if it's just for one night, sexual advances come with something resembling commitment for that night. It's not okay to seduce-then-discard. He knew what (and who) he was getting into, saw her vulnerability, used it to his advantage, then chickened out leaving someone else to pick up the pieces.
A user, an abuser, a coward.
The least that could have been done is honesty, or even a face-saving lie. Something as simple as "I'm having trouble sleeping". But he chickened out, discarded, ran.
Sorry, but I find this to be indefensible. I am not going to change my mind that such low behavior is okay, be it in a comic or in real life... a behavior which is extremely common and which I've seen many times. Any defense is explicitly "his wants and needs come before hers; semen is more important than tears".
Because the man's needs must come before the woman's.
Because when it doesn't, it's "emasculation".
Because female grief is lesser than male power-fear.
Because bullshit.
A user, an abuser, a coward.
The least that could have been done is honesty, or even a face-saving lie. Something as simple as "I'm having trouble sleeping". But he chickened out, discarded, ran.
Sorry, but I find this to be indefensible. I am not going to change my mind that such low behavior is okay, be it in a comic or in real life... a behavior which is extremely common and which I've seen many times. Any defense is explicitly "his wants and needs come before hers; semen is more important than tears".
Because the man's needs must come before the woman's.
Because when it doesn't, it's "emasculation".
Because female grief is lesser than male power-fear.
Because bullshit.
Ummm no he wasn't. Nobody owes anyone else misery and suffering in a situation like that, especially if they weren't prepared for that. You're literally calling him a coward for not traumatizing himself. That's some toxic BS.
But let's set that aside, and say he DID do that for her. Isher isn't the type of person who would want their partner doing that to themself on her behalf. If she ever found out about it, all the positive feelings she had for that evening would be turned on their head and she'd feel like a gigantic piece of shit for putting him through that.
But let's set that aside, and say he DID do that for her. Isher isn't the type of person who would want their partner doing that to themself on her behalf. If she ever found out about it, all the positive feelings she had for that evening would be turned on their head and she'd feel like a gigantic piece of shit for putting him through that.
Not prepared for it? It's what he was SEEKING.
As I said and you ignored (and I'm starting to see why), he KNEW she was big and scary and vulnerable, was attracted to all three of those traits, competed with other men to secure that for himself, and preyed upon her anyway. And you want to see people like that get away with it because they are suddenly confronted with the consequences of their actions. You're painting the aggressor as the victim. That says far more about YOU as a person and what YOU are trying to justify than it does about me. I just hope the women around you know that you think it's an excuse so they can get you out of their lives and guard against your own toxic bullshit and other actions.
Cowards hate being called out.
DON'T THEY.
As I said and you ignored (and I'm starting to see why), he KNEW she was big and scary and vulnerable, was attracted to all three of those traits, competed with other men to secure that for himself, and preyed upon her anyway. And you want to see people like that get away with it because they are suddenly confronted with the consequences of their actions. You're painting the aggressor as the victim. That says far more about YOU as a person and what YOU are trying to justify than it does about me. I just hope the women around you know that you think it's an excuse so they can get you out of their lives and guard against your own toxic bullshit and other actions.
Cowards hate being called out.
DON'T THEY.
Um, it's exactly the opposite. Read it again. His logical mind was questioning it, but he was having a physical reaction. He was sweating and panicking. And he literally realized it was a shitty thing to do. That's exactly what he said in the next to last panel.
Why do I feel like panel 8 is hiding something?
Nevertheless, what an intriguing direction this one night stand took. I was wondering what this night could mean for Isher, then this dude is like, "nah, I'll bail," and I'm like, "well, shit."
To be honest, I'm not totally mad at Semyel, mostly for the same reason others have already stated. What really interests me is the reaction this page received. I'm glad most can sympathize and understand the choice the guy made even if they don't agree, while it feels like some people have lost all respect for him because of this one screw-up even though he's been nothing but nice to her all night up until this point, which is Twitter-cancellation levels of intelligence. Although, I recognize the importance of not being naive or gullible, it's still important to recognize the opportunity to learn from mistakes and to redeem oneself.
Nevertheless, what an intriguing direction this one night stand took. I was wondering what this night could mean for Isher, then this dude is like, "nah, I'll bail," and I'm like, "well, shit."
To be honest, I'm not totally mad at Semyel, mostly for the same reason others have already stated. What really interests me is the reaction this page received. I'm glad most can sympathize and understand the choice the guy made even if they don't agree, while it feels like some people have lost all respect for him because of this one screw-up even though he's been nothing but nice to her all night up until this point, which is Twitter-cancellation levels of intelligence. Although, I recognize the importance of not being naive or gullible, it's still important to recognize the opportunity to learn from mistakes and to redeem oneself.
If he's so freaked out, why would he sleep with her in the first place? She didn't change in the last few minutes...he did, as soon as he came. Makes him quite shallow. And no, I don't think this has anything to do with him being straight. It has to do with him being shallow. No one sexuality has the lock on that.
I feel very sorry for her...because what she really wanted in the first place was a bit of closeness.
I feel very sorry for her...because what she really wanted in the first place was a bit of closeness.
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