Hey, look, food!
Eru and Shanku exited the nursery and followed Zihna down the stairs to the parlor where many guests were gathered and engaged in animated conversation and laughter. Dai met his wife at the bottom and offered his hand to her as she descended.
"Hey, look! Food!" Shanku said excitedly as she peered over the banister.
"Is that all you think about?" Eru asked with evident disappointment. "Food?"
"Gotta eat to live, so I live to eat!" Shanku chirped and hopped to the floor.
"You are painfully simple minded, Shanku," Eru sighed as he stepped off the stairs.
"At least I have a mind!" Shanku giggled and offered a biscuit to him.
"For appetizers," Eru shook his head and accepted a biscuit. He smiled as he heard the first strains of a violin. "The band's started."
"I'm busy," Shanku said quickly and took a bite of her biscuit. "Go find a pretty lady if you want to dance."
Eru shook his head again and left Shanku by the finger foods. He bowed to a group of girls and offered his arm. With a giggle, one with curly red hair accepted and they walked off to the dance floor.
Shanku watched as Eru waltzed with his dance partner. He looks like he's really enjoying himself, Shanku noted. She had a brief twinge of longing, but quickly brushed it off. That's not for me. Ribbons and frou-frou comes naturally to them, but I belong in the dirt and under the trees. Not here. She began to look for a drink and didn't give it another thought.
"Attention, please!" Mrs. Birchfield waved a handkerchief after a few songs had played. She lowered her kerchief when the parlor had quieted and turned toward her. "I'd like to thank you all for coming. The patron will now speak."
"'Twas a good year," Master Woodstock began, who had been patiently standing nearby. "Crops were up and trade was superb. Monsters were minimal! All thanks to our fine citizens doing their parts."
"'Monsters minimal.' Yeah, right," Eru laughed and looked over at Shanku.
"What?" Shanku shrugged, confused. "I'm not that bad!"
"Before we feast...," Master Woodstock paused and looked to Mrs. Birchfield. "I wonder if this fine woman would perfect my year by consenting to be my bride."
A hush fell over the room as Mrs. Birchfield covered her mouth in surprise.
Notes & Commentary
July 29, 2010, Thursday
Hey, look, food!
Don't talk with your mouth full, Shanku...
Zihna's still on some of the steps in that first panel. There's almost a foot of difference in their heights that I miscalculated in some earlier pages, like, the end of chapter two. I've finally gotten used to Dai having a family. He went from being a single guy with a dog to being a responsible parent within a few pages back during Chapter One when I just drew from page to page without planning. But it's fun taking little turns like that and trying to make it work out in the story. 
In regards to Shanku's life philosophy: Just wait. There's gonna be a huuuuge recipe book on this site! If you follow the Tudors link on the Links page, you can find a section of their site dedicated to medieval food. But, seriously, have you ever watched the cooking channel? Those are some of the happiest people in the world. I always say that if I come across a magic lamp and only get one wish, it's gonna be for enough food for everybody for the rest of their lives.
I must say I love doing the lighting for the candles. Probably why there are SO MANY candles in this scene, other than the fact the only electricity that exists in JAD is in the form of lightning bolts. Having a candle sit on Mrs. Birchfield's head was an accident. I made her take a step back and only after I started measuring for the candles did I realize where she was standing. And she was already inked. Oops.
This is likely the most romantic this story will ever get. I'm not much of a lovey-dovey, shoujo girl. Two of my favorite mangas are DragonBall and YuYu Hakusho, which is probably a clue. Both of these characters have already lost their previous spouse, so don't expect any drama of unfaithfulness.
Characters - Shanku Ravenwing - Eru - Dai Birchfield - Zihna Birchfield - Iris Birchfield - Master Woodstock -
Tags - Just Another Day -
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