Comment by Tama-chan

Bunny-ostrich man speaks! :O

Comment by Tehbeefer

"—with mayo...and maybe just a hiiint of mustard. No wait, nix the mustard, bad move."

Man, that guy in the background with the blue cloak has some pretty some pretty good fashion sense, and he knows it.

Reply by Shazzbaa

He only had a walk-on role so he knew he had to OWN IT.

Comment by Jeweleya

Tareth and I seem to have the same thought process when we're flustered! And I sincerely hope that bunny-ostrich rider is a good dude, because his eyes are distinctly unnerving... And he's kinda unintentionally sneaking up on Tareth, since he doesn't know she's deaf. That's going to be shocking when she turns around. I really like his gloves/gauntlets/bracers, though.

Reply by Shazzbaa

Ahhh, thanks! AND NO MAN, I'D BE DOING THE SAME THING, I WON'T LIE.

Comment by Nziz

Ha, "mind-reading is like having a twitter account." That is awesome.

Reply by Shazzbaa

I feel like actual telepathy would get REALLY ANNOYING REALLY FAST. xD

Reply by AlpineBob

I agree. Both that "mind-reading is like having a twitter account" is awesome, and that it would get annoying. In a few stories I've read, some telepaths end up being hermits in desolate areas because large concentrations of minds are overwhelming.

I'm guessing in our bunny-riders case, his power is generally slightly on, so he only notes surface thoughts, but when he concentrates to block out all but the desired mind, he gets that darkened eyesocket effect. I'll be very curious to see what the actual mechanism is, and if I'm at all close...

Comment by Glew

Eavesdropping might be rude, but I think mindsdropping is even ruder...

Reply by Tk

not if the person is broadcasting their thoughts

Reply by Glew

But wouldn't that be called "talking"?

Comment by Artificer-Urza

I wonder... when a telepath "hears" a person thinking, do they hear words and sounds or is it something they see? What do the thoughts of a deaf person (such as Tareth) "sound" like?

Reply by evercloseyoureyes

Maybe it's a mixture of both, so like if they were mind reading a deaf or mute person it would just be words they would see but for someone else you could hear and see the words???

Comment by evercloseyoureyes

I just noticed that his eyes switch between going completely black and being more normal, does he go temporarily blind when he uses his powers or something?

Comment by Obligatonym

I've been meaning to ask, is Tareth saying "gosh" instead of "God" deliberate? If so, is it because it makes little sense in story for her to say God? Or is it because you want to avoid blaspheming, no matter how slight? Or is it just some other reason?

Reply by Shazzbaa

Tareth's use of "gosh/omigosh" is very intentional - that's just how she talks! :") There are plenty of people who just... straight up use "gosh" as their strongest exclamation, and she's one of them. xD I think what words people choose as expletives kind of says something about them, and you can't just bump a word down to a less severe version without changing something about that person. Sev is the kind of person who'll yell "crap" even when he's legitimately upset, whereas it's difficult to imagine such a juvenile word leaving Esra's mouth.

But SINCE YOU ASKED - yes! I am, in fact, ALSO avoiding casual use of "God" as an expletive. It's not a world thing -- the main religion of the area does have a god, and there's been one use of "Thank God" in the comic -- but moreso the fact that "oh my god" is considered so mild when it's... actually one of the only exclamations that could be called using the Lord's name in vain? So I thought it would be cool to make at least one story where it's not used casually. c: That's more important to me than avoiding swears, haha.

But the sort of person who'd say "oh my god" isn't the same kind of person who'd say "oh my gosh," so it usually just means thoughts are reworded or expressed differently. :")

</Shazz rambles about word choice>

Reply by Jeweleya

I ALSO THINK ABOUT THIS A LOT actually since voice and word choice define characters so well, and when you have their voices well-established breaking their pattern can have a great effect. I look forward to seeing more of Runewriters, and I love all the work you've put into it! :)

Reply by Obligatonym

I guessed it had something to do with basic character voice, but thought I might as well ask in case there was a larger reason. I'm glad I did, given how delighted you seemed to be to have an excuse to ramble on about word choice.

I've never seen "oh my god" or its derivatives as all that with the taking the Lord's name in vain. Though that might just be because of my lack of religious beliefs. On the other hand, now that I think about it, I'm prone to using "gosh" far more than "god". But that's probably more to do with how the word tastes in my mouth than anything else.

Reply by Tehbeefer

I saw this question and I'd also noticed, but Tareth just seemed like the type to say omigosh. She's blonde, yes, but, that's just not her style. "Oh my god", even when not done in the style of the valley-girl stereotype, seems a bit too urban for Tareth, if that makes sense.

On the other hand, I wonder what expletives fall from Jonan's lips? (well obviously none now, so maybe its a moot point) Jonan seems too proud of his refined, educated nature to swear like a sailor, but too cranky for something pompous and empty. So...he probably just uses whatever common utilitarian curses abound, no need to get fancy.
I guess that leaves only Quentin or Iavin to swear by Grabthar's Hammer, though if Quentin does you can bet it'll be full of whimsy.

Reply by Autzormin

Hmm, perhaps he simply wouldn't swear? Maybe he'd make a sarcastic comment about the situation. Or cross his arms, shake his head, and sigh loudly. I say this because he seems like the type who would consider himself "above the crudity of the masses."

Reply by Nziz

Ha ha, Grabthar's Hammer. *internet points*

Comment by Robinwing

I weirdly get the feeling the ostrich thing might start chewing Tareth's hair. It looks pretty interested.

Reply by Shazzbaa

That is a pretty adorable mental image.

Comment by Obligatonym

One more question: can Mister Mindmage read the mind of his bunnyostrich he's riding and, by extension, other animals too?

Comment by Kellan

Guy looks like he could be blind but can instead read minds. So far it looks like I was totally right about the blind-mute-deaf trio!

Comment by Why?!?!

For his sake I hope Mr. Turban's blacked-out eyes are a sign of him actively using his power and thus a sign that he can turn off the mindreading. Although in the vote incentive he has normal eyes and still apparently "hears" people, so. . .

Also, assuming Jonan stays lip-locked (which would be unfortunate for him), I wonder if Mr. Turban will become Jonan's "voice". Jonan might be proud enough to continue writing everything.

Comment by Wabbajack

Is turban-guy-whose-name-I-forgot a witch?? His eyes are doing the same freakzoid thing that Iavin's were doing! *EPIC REALISATION*

Reply by Wabbajack

Ohhh he's MIND READING. That makes so much more sense. *headdesk*

Comment by SotiCoto

HE'S A WITCH!

Comment by Karma Squirrel

It is now (and I wonder why this didn't occur to me earlier in the story) that I begin to ask myself whether or not other people can see a Runewriter's eyes change color when they use their power. Things could get awfully sticky for a witch in a place witches are not supposed to be if this is the case.