Until proven otherwise, I’m just going to assume the polycule in the dorm has been slowly adding new members in the background this whole time, and will eventually assimilate the entire cast.
Mind you, having just glanced back to reread the last few strips with him and Billie, she did everything she could to push him away, and he actively did make an effort to have her as a girlfriend.
I feel like maybe this was in response to someone else? Also yeah dating Jennifer does earn Asher some sympathy points but don’t fall for that! She was a bad girlfriend, but he still suspicious! You can be more than one thing.
I used to be really distrustful of Asher as a new reader in the early days of the timeskip, but at this point I’m really liking him and the distrust is pretty much gone for me. I could be proven wrong yet again, though.
I’m reading him as the type of gangster where he wants out, but these goddam circumstances keep conspiring to prevent that. Hopefully he won’t be in a situation where selling out his boyfriend’s best friend is his best path forward.
I’ve decided to take Asher at face value over the whole “wanted to get out of the game” thing. I’m probably wrong to do so, but I like Asher and it makes things more enjoyable for me.
I like Asher. He’s fun and charming as a character
I do not trust him. There is a reason we learned that Sal’s motorbike is gone because she was only allowed to have it because a parent pulled strings after it was shown that Asher suddenly had one
I think they meant the consistency of Willis drawing her carrying them every time she goes to shower. Not every artist would remember to include them every time, but he does.
Thomas
Willis is adorable for his consistency. Got it.
Clif
Be fair. Willis is probably adorable in other ways as well.
I think it’s pretty cute that Carla made them for her and she’s still using them months later. Often DIY projects are just a novelty for a week or so, but she actually incorporated them into her routine.
Why does Ethan seem pissed at Joyce? Is this just him being flat affect or is he mad at her for some reason? Delayed resentment about the unhealthy nature of their relationship?
I doubt he’s pissed at her. Ethan can’t even give his oldest friend anything better than the minimum emotional effort. Even Joyce’s naturally cheerfulness won’t break his depression. He’s not mad at her. This is just who he is now.
Abruptly awakened by someone else, in a place he hadn’t meant to sleep and is now hurriedly vacating, after a night of drinking. I’d be no more than halfway present, under such circumstances.
To tell the truth, it is the first time that they meet again after everything that happened, I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem like he is upset with her, although it is very likely that they will argue about it.
I don’t seen him being pissed? His expression looks pretty neutral. (This remind me how often my parents think I am mad because I have a “pissed off face” when I thought I was just not expressing anything).
I’ve been accused of this too. And yet – I’m used to a one-word “[Name]” address with a blank expression being a sign of hostility or at least coolness in visual fiction.
Real talk: I’m impressed that Joyce A) knows what a “polycule” is B) is sufficiently not-freaked out by the concept that she can actually say it out loud.
One of the Patreon bonus strips had Joyce asking Sierra et al about their “group thingy” and how they coordinated “snuggling”. When she said she’s fit 3 people into her dorm bed, they asked who was in her polycule.
Ruth had to break her own door handle with a freaking hammer!
thejeff
To be fair to Jen there, that didn’t come out of the blue. Part of the Sexy Lesbian Suicide Pact was “Billie. Please don’t [leave me]. Ever. Not even if I get stupid and make you. Stay.”
That’s messed up in all sorts of ways, but different ones
Sirksome
This. I think people really misunderstood that Ruth basically coached Billie into not believing a breakup between them was real. That is not an indictment on how Jennifer treats every relationship. Ruth locked herself away from Billie because she expected Billie to fight for her, and even post breakup Ruth hypocritically wants to still resent Jennifer for not succeeding in keeping the relationship together in spite of her self sabotage. Ruth said all of this herself by the way. Somehow Jennifer is still the problem though.
“[Jennifer] has trouble expressing love in ways that isn’t buying stuff for people.”
— alt text of a pre-timeskip comic
Jeremiah
They can both be the problem.
thejeff
They definitely both have problems. The SLSP was deeply problematic from the very start, but “Ruth had to break her own door handle with a freaking hammer!” or “Jennifer’s idea of “breaking up” is not really breaking up. She views it as a game” are not reasonable descriptions of those problems.
I’m gonna make a gamble here and say Jen will not care. Asher already told her point blank he made out with Ethan and she called him desperate. Jennifer has been hurt so badly by Ruth and maybe to a lesser extent Alice, that she is likely incapable of investing in anyone romantically. Raidah said get back together with him, his connections are good for my plans to control the world. Jen was like whatever.
Dating Asher was never anything more than a status move to show how much better she was doing and how totally over Ruth she definitely is. Asher having options will likely sting more than him actually being off the table to Jennifer.
110 thoughts on “Dropped”
NGPZ
>:D Polylylylylylylylyy….
Animedingo
Does jennifer know
General Tekno
I suspect she’s going to find out shortly.
Bryy
This conversation is going to be fun, considering Jennifer doesn’t respect boundaries and actually thinks that is how you flirt.
Deanatay
Jennifer: Really? Hmph. He’s just trying to make me jealous. He’ll come crawling back soon, You’ll see.
*30 years later*
Old maid Jennifer: Any day now… You’ll see…
Nymph
48 is “old maid”?
anonymsly
I’m pretty firmly spinsterized at 44, so maybe? (Of course, that’s 100% intentional so maybe I’m not a useful statistic)
GreyICE
Given that she caused it? Probably not.
EpochFlame
finally, they’re over!
Needfuldoer
[ Strong Bad voice ]
IT’S OVERRR!
Aura
‘Tis ne’er ‘e’er o’er, m’lo’er o’ ‘clo’er
(I probably misspelled that here and there, oh well!)
Sajuuk-Khar
*Geoffrey Rush voice* Ye’d best start formulatin’ emotional responses to polycule things, Miss Brown…
Doctor_Who
Until proven otherwise, I’m just going to assume the polycule in the dorm has been slowly adding new members in the background this whole time, and will eventually assimilate the entire cast.
Decidedly Orthogonal
Obligatory XKCD
Effie
I was SO sure it was going to be this one”!! But I was wrong.
Dana
Me too
staszu13
Resistance is futile
Decidedly Orthogonal
Ooohh I just watched him deliver that line tonight! Barbosa
Ambadi
You’re in one
Sirksome
Everyone decided not to trust Asher yesterday but I’m here to say I was distrusting of him back before it was cool!
General Tekno
Mind you, having just glanced back to reread the last few strips with him and Billie, she did everything she could to push him away, and he actively did make an effort to have her as a girlfriend.
She’s an idiot.
Sirksome
I feel like maybe this was in response to someone else? Also yeah dating Jennifer does earn Asher some sympathy points but don’t fall for that! She was a bad girlfriend, but he still suspicious! You can be more than one thing.
staszu13
I don’t anyone has ever accused Jennifer of being a super genius
RassilonTDavros
I used to be really distrustful of Asher as a new reader in the early days of the timeskip, but at this point I’m really liking him and the distrust is pretty much gone for me. I could be proven wrong yet again, though.
jflb96
I’m reading him as the type of gangster where he wants out, but these goddam circumstances keep conspiring to prevent that. Hopefully he won’t be in a situation where selling out his boyfriend’s best friend is his best path forward.
Wereg
I’ve decided to take Asher at face value over the whole “wanted to get out of the game” thing. I’m probably wrong to do so, but I like Asher and it makes things more enjoyable for me.
Seralyna
asher rules and im happy to be ahead of the curve on liking him
Nymph
Agreed and seconded. I like him and idc what other people say.
zee
Same. Asher Stan since he first showed up as an adult. Slay king, get that education
Thag Simmons
I like Asher. He’s fun and charming as a character
I do not trust him. There is a reason we learned that Sal’s motorbike is gone because she was only allowed to have it because a parent pulled strings after it was shown that Asher suddenly had one
Michael Steamweed
You hipster, you.
jeffepp
Amber’s fics have her prepared for this eventually. And her next load of laundry.
Jo_cubstar
I kinda like Asher. I think he’s good for ethan
EtchJetty
i love the consistency of her bringing the jugshoes with her, it’s adorable
Thomas
Yeah, like… she returns from the shower. It’s pretty consistent of her to bring back what she brought there.
JustBeth
I think they meant the consistency of Willis drawing her carrying them every time she goes to shower. Not every artist would remember to include them every time, but he does.
Thomas
Willis is adorable for his consistency. Got it.
Clif
Be fair. Willis is probably adorable in other ways as well.
Bash
I think it’s pretty cute that Carla made them for her and she’s still using them months later. Often DIY projects are just a novelty for a week or so, but she actually incorporated them into her routine.
Clif
I suspect that the shower floors haven’t gotten any better.
WillowD
Yuch. I do NOT want to think about the shower floors. And now I can’t get them out of my mind.
I’ve gone camping at campgrounds where there is a wooden slat platform on top of the shower floor and the campground can’t be bothered to clean them.
Michael Steamweed
Methinks Carla’s constructed works have durability.
WillowD
When Carla makes something it will be durable and eternal so that Carla will be noticed, observed and appreciated.
The Carla is a Goddess and WILL be worshipped. (In the eyes of the Carla.)
Needfuldoer
She wouldn’t want to associate her name with shoddy craftsmanship.
(And she designed them so the plastic jug parts could be easily replaced when they wore out.)
Meagan
Why does Ethan seem pissed at Joyce? Is this just him being flat affect or is he mad at her for some reason? Delayed resentment about the unhealthy nature of their relationship?
Sirksome
I doubt he’s pissed at her. Ethan can’t even give his oldest friend anything better than the minimum emotional effort. Even Joyce’s naturally cheerfulness won’t break his depression. He’s not mad at her. This is just who he is now.
anonymsly
I think it’s just flat affect. Also Joyce being cheery at him when he’s just woken up, maybe.
Mark
Abruptly awakened by someone else, in a place he hadn’t meant to sleep and is now hurriedly vacating, after a night of drinking. I’d be no more than halfway present, under such circumstances.
Coatl
To tell the truth, it is the first time that they meet again after everything that happened, I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem like he is upset with her, although it is very likely that they will argue about it.
egon
he’s just a downer now
Shade
He seems like his usual self to me. Well the usual self he is now.
Jeremiah
I don’t seen him being pissed? His expression looks pretty neutral. (This remind me how often my parents think I am mad because I have a “pissed off face” when I thought I was just not expressing anything).
Meagan
I’ve been accused of this too. And yet – I’m used to a one-word “[Name]” address with a blank expression being a sign of hostility or at least coolness in visual fiction.
Freezer
Real talk: I’m impressed that Joyce A) knows what a “polycule” is B) is sufficiently not-freaked out by the concept that she can actually say it out loud.
Nono
I mean she already encountered a poly relationship with Mandy/Grace/Sierra.
Jeremiah
Well she does know about Sierra dm the other two girls whose names escape me right now, so it isn’t an entirely new thing for her.
drs
One of the Patreon bonus strips had Joyce asking Sierra et al about their “group thingy” and how they coordinated “snuggling”. When she said she’s fit 3 people into her dorm bed, they asked who was in her polycule.
Jerach
Dang, it sounds like I’m missing out not being on the Patreon.
TulipKitten
Not to mention, Joyce said that she wanted to watch Dorothy and Walky have sex, which kind of teeters on ethical non-monogamy.
Ray Radlein
Hey, lots of Bible folks had multiple wives
Jeremiah
Jennifer does knows they broke up, she is just also expecting that he comes to win her back eventually. She is in for quite a shock.
Coatl
I wonder what kind of reaction she would manifest?
it will be interesting
Bryy
Let’s be honest: Jennifer’s idea of “breaking up” is not really breaking up. She views it as a game.
Jeremiah
Ruth had to break her own door handle with a freaking hammer!
thejeff
To be fair to Jen there, that didn’t come out of the blue. Part of the Sexy Lesbian Suicide Pact was “Billie. Please don’t [leave me]. Ever. Not even if I get stupid and make you. Stay.”
That’s messed up in all sorts of ways, but different ones
Sirksome
This. I think people really misunderstood that Ruth basically coached Billie into not believing a breakup between them was real. That is not an indictment on how Jennifer treats every relationship. Ruth locked herself away from Billie because she expected Billie to fight for her, and even post breakup Ruth hypocritically wants to still resent Jennifer for not succeeding in keeping the relationship together in spite of her self sabotage. Ruth said all of this herself by the way. Somehow Jennifer is still the problem though.
NGPZ
“[Jennifer] has trouble expressing love in ways that isn’t buying stuff for people.”
— alt text of a pre-timeskip comic
Jeremiah
They can both be the problem.
thejeff
They definitely both have problems. The SLSP was deeply problematic from the very start, but “Ruth had to break her own door handle with a freaking hammer!” or “Jennifer’s idea of “breaking up” is not really breaking up. She views it as a game” are not reasonable descriptions of those problems.
Sirksome
I’m gonna make a gamble here and say Jen will not care. Asher already told her point blank he made out with Ethan and she called him desperate. Jennifer has been hurt so badly by Ruth and maybe to a lesser extent Alice, that she is likely incapable of investing in anyone romantically. Raidah said get back together with him, his connections are good for my plans to control the world. Jen was like whatever.
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2024/comic/book-14/04-for-me-it-was-tuesday/slipaway/
Dating Asher was never anything more than a status move to show how much better she was doing and how totally over Ruth she definitely is. Asher having options will likely sting more than him actually being off the table to Jennifer.
thejeff