Chapter 5: Page 18
So happy to be able to bring you some consistent updates for a while!
I’ve got a news post regarding the push to get these last pages done and the break I’m contemplating so I can focus on some behind-the-scenes stuff. Basically, I’m taking a break after Issue #5 to get some important things in order so I can reprint the comics and make them available digitally. Not sure when Issue #6 will start, but I’ll be updating on social media.
Research Notes:
The éraic (“ay-DIK”, the r is kind of rolled so it sounds like a “d”) was an interesting accidental discovery. It first came up in a story I was reading–indeed, a lot of Irish folklore seems to me to deal with consequences and revenge. But I soon learned the éraic was actually part of early medieval law in Ireland and was usually associated with reparations for loss of life. I didn’t think the damage of a sprite’s wing would have quite the same weight as manslaughter, but as I went on searching, I couldn’t find a more appropriate term.
Einachlan, for example, dealt more with honour than blood guilt, and it sure wasn’t the sprite’s honour Ina offended. Corpdir was a physical punishment, such as amputation–and maybe this is a spoiler, but the fae won’t be cutting off Ina’s net-swinging hand. Hopefully any Brehon Law enthusiasts won’t flay me for muddying the use of éraic for my purposes.
Also, I’d like to assure my brother-in-law that I did not name a sprite after him on purpose. It just seemed the natural place for an English-speaker to go from éraic.
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The daughter that misbehaves gets the attention…the daughter that doesn’t misbehave notices and resents. Will she draw the conclusion that “misbehavior equals parental attention?” Stay tuned…
I’m not sure that this is what Ina sees in this situation. I read the page more as “hey look, a teacher thinks I’d do great in a culinary school, my work has paid off!” followed by “Oh of course Jienny’s going to where I want to go. Without trying even. And who wants to bet she’ll rock it ? Not me, that’s who, because of course she will”.
I think I agree with you. What sucks is that Ina loves to bake. Jienny is only so-so interested and when she’s bored will drop it, leaving Ina feeling like second best. Seeing more of this backstory really underscores why Ina feels the way she does. There was more to the beginning than her just being grumpy. Love it. And I love little Eric too!