Marten Explains It All
🕑 Added 2024-10-30 01:09:07 +0000 UTCEMBALMING
Comments
Philip Masters
Remember that she mentioned Pintsize as a benchmark of kink. Doesn't necessarily mean that she still wants to be there when he arrives. But yeah, I suspect that she's mostly just hitting a minor limit. She's nice, but all these references to her possibly coming into intimate contact with other sapient beings are likely to be wearing her down.
Clifton Royston
I finally noticed Pintsize's sad little face in the first panel. Awww.
Opus the Poet
This is a thing that needs to exist.
Bill Marcum
Lucy: Psychiatric help 5 cents (after inflation $6) (apologies to Charles Schultz)
Lisa
You're right. It's not that she's been lying. Perhaps "vulnerable" would have been a better word than "honest." She'd been so busy making incorrect assumptions about other people that she hadn't said much about herself beyond the surface level.
enchantedsleeper
But Hanners was the one who mentioned Pintsize? 😂 I don't think she's fed up with him. As far as we know, he's just been vibing. I think Hanners hit her limit with Anh misunderstandings, though. Or she's just being very emphatic.
ValdVin
Don't Google that on a library computer.
Chris Warren
Ahn needs to be consoled by her new girlfriend, Hannelore.
Philip Masters
Actually, Pintsize getting a job as Anh’s AI companion could work quite well. It’d give him a purpose in life with Martin gone, and allow Anh to explore her possible kink with a degree of deniability. (“No, he isn’t my sex toy, he’s my personal disorganiser. Don’t be vulgar.”) And I think that Anh might be able to turn on enough ferocity to keep him in line when necessary.
Philip Masters
Yeah, Hanners’s expression panel 1 implies to me that even she doesn’t want to take any more of Pintsize’s shit just now. She’s nice, but there are limits.
David Durant
A chorus of AIs appears in the background shouting "Bios! Bios! Bios!"
Clarence the Liar
Hot take, since we're speculating—Ahn's asexual, romantically-inclined, and lesbian or bisexual. Fucking girls may not be her thing, but being gently petted by the girl holding her leash might.
Sparky
Anh seriously needs better friends. Hanners is good at sincerity.
Halloween Jack
Is Fetlife still a thing? Because there have to be a bunch of ways for Anh to explore her kink without riding the Infinite Carousel of Drunkenness and Shame at random wedding receptions.
Adarsh Nednur
It took me several "He's pretty attractive"s before I got there, but same.
Philip Masters
More BDSMwakening, I think.
pfreya
Oh man, now I’m imagining Martin playing a metal cover of the “Clarissa Explains it All” theme song
Philip Masters
But will Anh drink enough to be interested when Pintsize sidles up to her? Hypothesis: Anh's sometimes-inconvenient level of sexual focus actually indicates that she doesn't find the sex she does get entirely satisfying. I'm sure that she usually has little trouble getting some, but perhaps she just wants more an hour later - because it doesn't do something for her. So yeah, I'd say she needs to sort out this repressed kink thing.
Philip Masters
I'm not sure I've noticed her lying at all. A degree of straightforwardness actually seems to be one of her virtues. (Okay, mostly. She was prepared to break Sven's heart if Hanners asked her to.)
Philip Masters
Only when her lips move.
Hugh Eckert
I think it's a relieved sigh, actually.
Hugh Eckert
USBlocked
Stephen Wells
The mortifying ordeal of nosce te ipsum.
BookBeard
I struggle to imagine them ever being at odds. I think their respective energies would simply merge into a single, unstoppable wave of pure wholesomeness which would expand to consume the universe.
alphanor
She would probably be the first one in line for that
enchantedsleeper
Was about to say! We actually saw them pretty recently. Even Penny showed up when Ayo joined the staff at Coffee of Doom. (But it would be nice to see her properly, and Will assuming they're still together). I definitely want to check in on Brun and Millefeuille, and Renee and Dan. There's too many great cast members - clearly we need multiple spin-off strips!
enchantedsleeper
Not just "not especially close" - I don't think Dora and Tai know Yay at all. Despite the expansion of their social circle, the majority of folks in Northampton haven't interacted with Yay.
enchantedsleeper
100% that awakened something in someone. I guarantee it.
enchantedsleeper
MTE - she's like "oh here we go, a direct train back to repression-town"
enchantedsleeper
Hanners' SINCERITY vs Aurelia's MOM VIBES: who will win?
allanfranta
or the Cloak of Normalcy.
allanfranta
@Opus: we're getting old. I didn't recognize any of the actors referenced in the comments, either.
allanfranta
They are like tulips in the spring, they'll be back.
allanfranta
It's safer that way! They have experience!
Mitsuki Ayane
sadly the embalming will lead to puppy play... with Pintsize... ~<3
Uniquitous
He's allowed, just very unwelcome.
Orion Rhine
Stephen, you just helped me figure it out! Pintsize isn't allowed in Canada, so he can't go with Marten and Claire, but Veronica could adopt him. In later strips we'll see him begging when Marten calls home. I don't think we'll see Anh doing the same, but we can dream.
Carl Cravens
I was going to say, Hanners is just made of pure sincerity.
Sarah Peper 🏳️⚧️
maybe she can put it into overdrive?
legobil
He also had some sincere moments in therapy after the bird left the nest and when talking to Claire after transitioning to his new body.
legobil
Throw herself, flat in her back, expecting belly rubs? Yup.
legobil
Anh’s hair is going full rebel..!
legobil
Also Martens exasperated sigh in last panel.
legobil
Someone needs some belly rubs. Now, is it Pintsize or Anh? I’m imagining Anh wants to hold the leash, but her deep subconscious want the opposite.
Dilemma01
I'm surprised that's not just, always on.
Opus the Poet
@Populuxe I prefer the Shield of Boringness.
legobil
Yeah, Pintsize looks like he is ready with some puppy eyes already.
Opus the Poet
GDI that's three "I understood that reference dot gif" this thread.
Opus the Poet
I think Anh would be in the line for that one.
Boots McGoot
all i'm saying is. tails are fun and she should explore her interests without fear.
Opus the Poet
Second "I understood that reference dot gif." of the thread.
Opus the Poet
And nobody from any of her polycules.
Melissa Wilson
In case of emergency, break her glass?
Opus the Poet
I understood that reference dot gif.
Melissa Wilson
Never have I felt such love for Bubbles as when she psychologically unpacked Pintsize in a single breath, while wearing Faye’s old grumble bear t-shirt. And oh *how I want* one of those shirts!!!
Graydon Armstrong
The things I bet she would do if Pintsize just whispered “good girl” as she stormed past.
Graydon Armstrong
That pair, it was for kink.
Graydon Armstrong
He practiced with Flementine though.
Chauncey
It’s more dramatic than mine. It was more like, “He’s pretty attractive. Wait… do I like men too?” It turns out that I’m in to a lot of things. As my sister puts it, “The ladies, theys, and gays.”
enchantedsleeper
I definitely had "Anh digs in further" on my predictions card for this plotline
enchantedsleeper
Hannelore: "Or Pintsize!" Pintsize: and WHY NOT
Sarah Peper 🏳️⚧️
Wait, she can radiate sincerity basically at will?
Shane Wegner
“Sincerity! If you can fake THAT, you’ll have it made!”
legobil
Absolutely. The amount of things you can cover the right (wrong?) amount of alcohol is astounding.
Pejo
My god I wish that degree of simple, direct, inoffensive truth was enough to break people like Anh in ultimately positive ways irl instead of just leading them to dig in further
dcy665 .
Oh, FFS, Jamie, not her leg.
Stephen Wells
Pintsize and Veronica are here to help :)
will davison
Embalming fluid is way more goth than like, black coffee or w/e
SpookyPenguin
I get it. it's hard to be genetically compromised and your fetishes exposed to a general audience. But did you *have* to add the one for formaldehyde , Anh?
Scarlet Shepard
Now I understand why her side of the guest list was originally "whoever Dora wants" xD
Alasdair Mackintosh
I think the technical term is "throttled". Oh, wait, he's into that...
Leak
Undercocked via them bios... D:
MikeT
Pintsize getting cpublocked once again :(
William Cole
Don't worry, Anh! This is nothing that a little Evilus Deathicus Blood Blood Blood can't fix!
William Cole
I wouldn't mind seeing Anh in Werewolf Mode…
William Cole
Hannelore is very powerful!
BookBeard
Be very careful when involving hammers in puppy play.
BookBeard
Just a bit of Anhesty.
Travis Young
Nobody said that she couldn't proposition pintsize for some puppy play, just that marten and/or hanners weren't getting involved (edit: ducking auto carrot)
Pete
I'm betting on Jim holding the leash while Veronica supervises.
Yelling Bird
And I thought my sex life was complicated...
Shane Wegner
“This better not awaken anything in me!”
Foal Papers
Really, if a leash isn’t involved, does it even count as hooking up?
Uniquitous
They've gone to ground. It'll probably be a while before they pop up again.
Uniquitous
Anh is gonna need some puppy play, and no amount of embalming is gonna stuff that genie back in the bottle.
Foal Papers
This is true. It’s definitely a fun option, though. Both are lovely. :-)
Magic Chopstick Games
Namasteeeeeyyyyyyy
Lisa
Anh saying out loud that this has disinterred unsettling truths about herself is one of the most honest things I've heard from her since we met her.
Justin
I'm calling it now: The last couple to use the Hook-Up Room this evening will be Anh and Pintsize. Yes, there will be a leash involved.
Katrina Urmson
Am I the only one adoring Tai's gentle comforting face for Pintsize (who is so BETRAYED!)? 'Cause I ADORE it. Dora's snicker is also brilliant.
Bagge
The funniest part of all this is how not-surprised Tai is. Her eyerolls screams "Goddamit, Anh! Not again!"
Ursus Ridens
Do we have the ingredients for a double Pharaoh's Last Snort?
Ian Dunbar
To be fair, it hasn't been *that* long since Willow was in the comic. Brun on the other hand...
Michael Phillips
You know what I take that back. I was thinking of the wrong late '80s early '90s teenage girl TV show. The big floppy hat was blossom
Michael Phillips
If Martin is going to explain it all, he needs to be wearing a big floppy hat
BookBeard
Ain't we all?
Nikki
There really should be one though.
Allan Widner
No, no - she's kind of an idiot...
Will Weaver
✨SINCERITY✨
Bill Silvia
Most likely between drinks.
Bill Silvia
Despite being an heiress, I don't think Anh has the assets that May is looking for.
Bill Silvia
Yeah, but there's not an open therapy bar.
Maurice Kessler
There'll be more.
Bill Grebner
With hairpins flying like Witch Hazel from Looney Tunes
rhekke
Faye is going to be disappointed she missed this. So much potential for her unique, home brewed, custom built sass.
Tim Mitchell
Alcohol is probably the last thing she needs.
Mad Marie
Something tells me that if this hyperbolic hypothetical had actually happened, Pintsize might be most closely associated with the role of the dog who finally caught the car it had been chasing for years, and then didn't know what to do with it.
Rob Vary
If we're going full Dropout casting, I think Rekha Shankar might have to play Claire. And while this is definitely not how I pictured his voice, Grant O'Brien *has* to play Pintsize, just for the personality.
Doc Gumby
I mean, we've seen it before.
Mad Marie
They went deep underground after The Director tried to be "friendly". I imagine that arc would need more unpacking/follow-up before Yay would show up in the comic again--especially in such a populated setting.
Doc Gumby
Still a few hungry Allosauruses out there...
BookBeard
I can think of two other occasions he appeared on the verge of tears, but Pintsize being Pintsize his sincerity in any given situation is dubious at best. https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3087 https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3764 (edit: oops, off by one)
Thisguy
I'm not sure Yay has ever been especially close with Dora and Tai. Casual acquaintances at best. And given they are currently in hiding with no contact with even their closest friends... I doubt anything short of maybe Roko getting married would cause them to break radio silence.
Doc Gumby
Maybe some Rolling Panda play instead?
Maya Pilkey
She's kinky as fuck and isn't ready for that
Holly Nelson
Re: puppy play. Forty odd years ago I was a member of an obedience club (dogs, not kinkiness.) We often hosted informal competitions. At one of these, for fun, we had a few human pairs go through an obedience routine. There was much laughing. It’s harder than you would think — IIRC, only one pair got a qualifying score.
SilverbackRon
I miss them too. But they all come back eventually. Unless they are named Sarah.
Carrie
Wearing a collar and someone holding a leash on it can also simply be an expression of a power dynamic without what is considered puppy play in any way. (This is why I carry my collar and a leash in my purse.) Puppy play isn't the only option.
BookBeard
They
BookBeard
The look on Tai's face in panel 4 suggests to me that this isn't the first time Anh has done this. I suspect she's been caught in a loop of upsetting self-realization and subsequent alcohol-based re-suppression for a while now.
Benjamin Geiger
Now I'm struggling to think of who else I would cast. Either Josh Ruben or Murph as Marten, maybe Siobhan Thompson as Hanners? Jacob Wysocki could pull off Elliott.
Phil
So Yay didn't make the wedding? I was hoping she would show up in some form.
Benjamin Geiger
If there were a live action QC adaptation, Adam Conover would be better cast as Clinton, IMNSHO.
Captain Button
Why not both?
Pavel Curtis
Typo: "thoroughly"
Fart Captor
Okay but somebody introduce Ahn to May There's an incredibly dorky ship name in there that needs realization and they would be so horrible and messy
Doc Gumby
I miss WIllow and Iris.
Zig Justice
Aw, the most interesting part was entirely off-camera
Sean Kinlin
Marten abides.
Nicolas Demers
THOROUGHLY RE-EMBALMED
Sean Kinlin
Pintsize always is, and has, game.
Logan Nix
yeah Anh was fun but god i miss Brun so dang much 🥺
Sean Kinlin
Witness the power of her fully wholesome sincerity.
David Durant
I for one would be happy in Anh was a once-and-done character if it meant we saw more of Brun, Marigold, Renee, Willow, Penny and any number of other excellent folks we've not circled back to for some time.
Dean Reilly
Well, we know he's tried it before. Maybe he could give Anh some tips, or lend her a collar.
Populuxe
Marten explains it all, or Marten ruins everything?
Populuxe
I could really use a sincerity halo. Best I can muster is an indifference refraction.
DVW
*knotblocked
DVW
Pintsize is still game though
Lucas Werkmeister
now she needs to run into Ayo and Liz https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5286
Chris
I don't know if I was supposed to read "Or Pintsize" after "Sorry, little guy," but it's so much funnier that way.
joe velsher
What gets me is all this is with her BEFORE the drink.
Lorelei
I'M TELLING YOU ALL I'M RIGHT
joe velsher
I ship it.
Foal Papers
Not that I know anything about it, obviously. Nope. This is my innocent face.
Miyaa
Not sure Ahn would know what being cockblocked is like before
Bill Silvia
Yes
Richard
Anh's face is wider in the last panel. She is heading for the bar so fast that Jeph drew a "smear frame".
Bill Silvia
Yay no one shared the link while I was looking for it https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5179
Miyaa
Great. The “Clarissa Explains It All” theme song is playing but instead of Clarissa, it’s Marten. Faye would have definitely been the best friend who climbed in on a huge ladder that no one has ever taken down.
Kenneth Harris
I can help with that!
Simon Vaillancourt
She's just having a rough night being cockblocked, that's all
Foal Papers
A form of kinky human animal roleplay practiced by consenting adults. If you’re of age, the channel Watts The Safeword on YouTube has a number of informative videos on the topic. I’m pretty sure there’s an “Oh Joy Sex Toy” comic on it too.
Davus Otho
Honestly, she should ask Pintsize. He might go for it.
Adam with two As, a D, and an M
Anh... Anh... You did this to yourself.
mike stone
See Anh's speech in the first panel of the previous comic. Basically a cross between BDSM and cosplay.
Armcannon Productions
She's insufferable... I love it.
Kay
Wow she's insufferable
Foal Papers
Am I still blushing? … yes, yes I am. Dagnabit.
Clark Wells
Anh suffering from self-awareness
Doc Gumby
Better watch it when the hair comes down...
Bill Silvia
Preservation of the dead, as compared to the living type of preservation.
JMK
The sad look on Pintsize’s face. Poor guy. Once again denied.
Michael
Puppy play is a consensual, adult role-playing activity where participants dress up and act like dogs or their handlers.
Nick
Google that with incognito mode on
KingAtticus
So… do we think Pintsize wanted to be involved or just watch?
Adarsh Nednur
I think we might be witnessing Anh having her bi awakening, and I for one am here for it
ValdVin
Pintsize, for the first time I can recall, is just about in tears.
Bee Screams
ah yes, the Sincerity Halo... hanners' secret technique
sjlxndr
This is amazing 😂
TheCaptainTrout
Enbalmbed via pickling with alcohol XD
Captain Button
Try Cryonics for unsettling truths instead.
Michael
So preserved? Embalming is a preservation process,.so would alcohol pickling. So is she trying to preserve these things?
Bill Silvia
We may see Pintsize leading Anh by a leash by the end of the reception...
Andrea Andrew
What’s puppy play?
Randall Norman Pick
I do like Anh's word choice.