Endtown by Aaron Neathery for December 21, 2018

Is that what he hit him with?

Ah, the Friday dilemma: what sort of deal will these two tough guys cook up?

I’m hoping our young lion joins the main cast. He’s a pretty cool dude actually.

Oh, boy… This will so not end well. Mark my words…

I sense a triple dog dare coming up that’ll get Chic into some serious trouble.

Back off Chic. You’re going to get into SERIOUS trouble if you go any further with this.

Here it comes.

A disciple of Aaron Marx?

This does not seem like a bully. A bully wouldn’t be anywhere near this nice (he actually complimented him on his integrity). Most bullies want to tear down the self esteem of their victims in any way they can in order to control them. That said, he could be just setting a trap…

I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse, Chick.

How old are these boys? Duffy looks and talks like a teenager but the class was reciting its times tables which is grade school stuff.

Chick has some odd ideas about things. Fairness in a fight? You’ve got to give me enough so that I can beat you?

Uh-oh.

Take a chance. You only live once!

If that head butt was actually forehead to forehead, it was a MAJOR concession! The right way to do the “Liverpool” kiss is forehead to nose.

Shoulda ducked, Chic!

Duffy: “We both head out of the colony after curfew. The first one back with a souvenir wins. If we both come back at the same time, the larger artifact wins.”

I’m starting to like this guy!

Either Duffy is trying to help Chic overcome Chic’s apparent grudge against life in general, or is setting him up for some scheme. I haven’t decided yet which. At the moment I’m leaning more towards the helping Chic scenario.

Not taking responsibility for other’s limitations sounds close to my principle of not being responsible for other’s poor life choices.

I think Chic is confusing “fair” with “evenly-matched”. In the latter, the winner is the best-prepared, the quickest to exploit advantage or weakness. In the former, rules must be discussed and agreed upon. Duffy did fight fair. He even allowed himself to become handicapped. But he knew the game better than Chic did. Duffy used a technique Chic hadn’t prepared for. If Chic wants a fair and/or evenly matched fight—he needs to challenge someone his own size; or learn how to take down someone bigger.

Who wants to bet that this is going to involve whatever it is that Wally is getting too close to uncovering down in the tunnels?

Chic was born in Unity. The place where they had a large arena where the reptilians could watch fighters compete…very likely until one is killed (and the loser would be an outsider like Wally). Would a competent outsider have been handicapped to make the fight “fair” for the lizard? If so, would Chic have seen this? Or am I reaching too far?

Or maybe, this is a new and exciting story arc?

It’s beginning to look like he isn’t a bully. Instead he probably a “cool” guy trying to maintain his reputation, but is willing to help Chic to get his own reputation with the rest of the class.

Word of wise. Dont fight where you are weak but where you are strong. Also, never ever fight when you are led by enemy.

Honestly? I don’t hate this kid right now. Chic seems like he could use a bit of humbling.

And while they’re outside, Chic can pick up that proof of adventuring he was planning on getting anyway. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.