Description
Panel One: Narration: "Later" Cal is walking in their bedroom. The lights are off, and DJ's bedpost with his hat hanging on it is visible in the right foreground. What light there is comes from DJ's desk lamp. Cal has a cup of coffee in one hand and a plate with a bagel on it in his other. He's looking to the side, his expression a bit uncertain. He says, "I know you said you didn't want any dinner, but-"
Panel Two: Extreme closeup of Cal's eyes, now angry, with a white burst in the background indicating his shock.
Panel Three: Medium shot of DJ from behind. He's laying on his bed, shirtless, with his hair loose and still wearing his white fencing pants. His back is covered in a scattering of partially-healed bruises.
Panel Four: Closeup of Cal's right hand as he grips the handle of the coffee mug tightly. SFX: >clench< His knuckles look pale. "DJ, listen," he says, "I know I'm new here, but your dad-"
Panel Five: "Cal, don't." Closer shot of DJ, from in front of him. We can see his face. He's looking sadly towards his pillow, and the nasty bruises on his arm are prominent. He says, "Please, just - No questions."
Panel Six: Overhead shot of DJ as he continues, "I've got so many I want to ask you. About you, your family, and what it's like Outside, but..." DJ shifts little bit and grips at his pillow with his right hand. "
Panel Seven: Head and shoulders shot of Cal as he listens to DJ say, from off-panel, "I know you'll talk about it when you're ready, and - and so will I. I promise. Okay?" Cal's expression has softened, and he's smiling slightly as he says, "Okay."
Panel Eight: Cal leans down and offers the coffee to DJ, who is now sitting up in bed. "Coffee?" he asks? "Thanks, Cal," says DJ, smiling, as he reaches for the mug.
Author Note
I am back safely from Pennsic AND Steel City Con! On Thursday morning I broke camp, Evie picked me and the kiddo up, then we all went home. Once there, we partially unpacked the car, I took a shower, then I packed up for the con and packed the car. Evie and I went to the convention center, set up for the con, then went grocery shopping and grabbed Chinese for dinner for us and our con friends who crash at our place during the con. We went home, ate dinner with friends, then slept and it was CON TIME.
Earlier today was the first cup of tea I've had since I came home. It was wonderful.
AND amongst ALL of that on Thursday - The Proof for ISSUE 3 came in the mail! Aside from moire issues, it looks amazing. The moire is an easy fix on my end, and I'll be re-rendering and giving the file to my printer sometime later on in the week.
There's also only two more pages of Issue 4 left, and then it's on to Chapter 5! AAAHHHH!
Stay Hydrated!
Bran
