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[Farideh]

No poll, sorry.

[Farideh]

Comic up.

No time like the present, indeed. I wonder if that is also supposed to be a clock pun? 

[shanejayell]

No time like the present, indeed. I wonder if that is also supposed to be a clock pun? 

Knowing Jeph, probably.

Go, girl! Hope it works out.

[Oenone]

This is actually a great time to have this convo — it’s not right before or after sex, neither’s drunk, and if they want to part now, it’s as simple as him going back to his hotel room (or whatever) instead of back to the apartment. Tuvok approves!

[SubaruStephen]

Did he even hear what Renee asked? Or hasn’t it sunk in yet?

[Tova]

It won't sink in until at least tomorrow, when the next comic lands.

[BenRG]

So, Renee is the sort of woman who just yells it all out all at once when she's under stress or if it's really important to her. I'm sure that's a behaviour characteristic that's led to some weird consequences every now and then!

Brun, don't go too far. I'm pretty sure that Dan and Renee need a friend on hand to ensure that they don't become their own worst enemies, what with Renee's nervousness-induced shouting and Dan's tendency to make weird jokes when he's nervous.

[ihaveavoice]

Did he even hear what Renee asked? Or hasn’t it sunk in yet?

I think his face looks like he's feeling the awkwardness already. 

[Perfectly Reasonable]

I must now know all about Brün's face powder.

[jesslc]

I have to say I love Renee's inability to avoid blurting things out like this. I don’t know that I would love it if I knew Renee in real life, but as a webcomic character it's hilarious. Also good on her for being direct.

Maybe Brun could head over and chat to Elliot for a bit.

[Gnabberwocky]

Comic's up.

Brun, maybe go with...I don't know, "gotta go wind my clocks" or something next time.

[shanejayell]

"I'ma gonna go do cocaine in the bathroom."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT POWDERING YOUR NOSE MEANS."

 

[Torlek]

Brun, maybe go with...I don't know, "gotta go wind my clocks" or something next time.

I dunno, that one's too easy to turn into a euphemism for masturbation.

[hedgie]

She *did* try.

[Oenone]

Is... is Brun making a joke?

[Farideh]

I don't think so. It seems more like she's unfamiliar with the 'powdering your nose' euphemism.

[Gyrre]

"I'ma gonna go do cocaine in the bathroom."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT POWDERING YOUR NOSE MEANS."

 

Notable exceptions to the above; Capitol Hill, Hollywood.

[St.Clair]

Dan is a good egg.

[Nepiophage]

Callback to https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2627

[BenRG]

This may just be my romantic nature in charge but my reading on this is that most of Dan's hesitation was surprise that Renee actually wanted this to become long term. I mean... he's Shitty Dan the RPG Nerd, right? Surely someone as hot as Renee couldn't want him other than as a fling? If I'm right in my reading, then one of the things that Renee will start to pick up on will be that Dan keeps on giving hints about low self-esteem and his fears as to whether she's going to 'realise' that he isn't the one for her. It would be ironic as she's basically struggling with the same feelings.

Meanwhile, I have to say that I'm really wondering what Brun thinks certain common phrases mean and whether that's ever led her into trouble! I do hope that she doesn't repeat her interpretation of 'powder my nose' to anyone outside her circle of friends!

[Shjade]

Possible, but I don't really get that vibe. He doesn't seem to be anxious or overeager about her proposal the way I'd expect of someone in that category of self-deprecation. I think he really was just treating it as a casual fun thing and, hey, he's been having a good time, so why not see where this goes, sure. Maybe a dash of "it's long-distance so what's the worst that could happen if it doesn't go well, we go back to not seeing each other like normal?"

[Torlek]

He can have low self-esteem and it not manifest as desperation. It may be more like imposter syndrome. Or echoes from school: "Man, I'm just a shitty nerd. Why is this cool girl asking to date me? Surely she's setting up some horrible joke at my expense."

[Mr_Rose]

He can have low self-esteem and it not manifest as desperation. It may be more like imposter syndrome. Or echoes from school: "Man, I'm just a shitty nerd. Why is this cool girl asking to date me? Surely she's setting up some horrible joke at my expense."

Not even necessarily that level of paranoia; could be closer to “I can’t believe this is happening, this never happens, better keep my expectations low so I don’t get hurt too bad when the inevitable happens.”

[Gus_Smedstad]

I don't believe any of the above narratives.

I think it's pretty much exactly how it reads. He was having sex, liked having sex, didn't think of it as a relationship, but doesn't have a problem with a relationship now that she brings it up. If you're already sleeping together, moving it on to a relationship seems the like the easiest route unless you're a commitment phobe.

As a commitment-phile, I'd be thinking about it as a relationship right away once sex started happening. Dan's clearly in the middle. Commitment-neutral.

[notStanley]

keep my expectations low so I don’t get hurt too bad when the inevitable happens

even before the quarantines, do not even try to talk to anyone or leave the house anymore

[Baz_Yat]

I think Shitty Dan needs to be renamed to Really Not Shitty At All Dan.

[shanejayell]

Awww. That was cute.

Meanwhile...

"How long do I need to hide in the bathroom?" Brun wondered

[Gnabberwocky]

The infrastructure's not great, but at least the hot dogs are good.

[Farideh]

The basis of every relationship.

'Wanna give it a go?'
- 'Sure, why not?'

[BenRG]

I think that Jeph is giving us a clear indication of the problems well in advance: Renee is permanently going to be waiting for the next shoe to drop and Dan is basically going to keep giving non-answers that he hopes Renee will like because he's kind of scared that, if he's too honest, he'll scare her off.

Example of possibly 'too honest at this stage': "The catch is that, if  this works out, I may have to ask you to marry me."

[Is it cold in here?]

Brun could certainly have a sense of humor. Noticing how incongruous and contradictory figures of speech are is something anyone could do and that neurodivergent people might even be better at.

[Gnabberwocky]

Oh, my!

Could...could it be? Is that...potential conflict and intricate future plot in an otherwise happy QC relationship? Surely not!

[Farideh]

In Renee's position, I would like hearing that sort of that thing as well. Don't tell me what I want to hear, tell me what I need to hear! Honesty and good communication are of paramount importance in any sort of relationship.

[Oenone]

Dan smiles a LOT and shows his teeth, and I can’t tell if that means he’s untrustworthy according Jeph’s facial expressions lexicon.

[Sorflakne]

Or he's just nervous.  Anecdotally, I do toothy, awkward smiles when nervous or uncertain.

[Oenone]

Or he's just nervous.  Anecdotally, I do toothy, awkward smiles when nervous or uncertain.

Ohh, I hadn’t thought of that! I wonder if that’s the hint that he’s less chill than he’s seemed so far.

[Gyrre]

In Renee's position, I would like hearing that sort of that thing as well. Don't tell me what I want to hear, tell me what I need to hear! Honesty and good communication are of paramount importance in any sort of relationship.

Definitely better to identify potential future issues eaely on than to discover them once they've become a problem?

[St.Clair]

True, but I get the feeling that Renee is coming at this from the perspective of "things never end up well for me, so let's try to figure out how this is going to inevitably fail."
She can't let herself imagine actually being happy and successful at a relationship.

[sitnspin]

Even "successful" relationships inevitably end.

[Shjade]

Don't tell me what I want to hear, tell me what I need to hear!

But how can I tell you what you need to hear without telling you what you want to hear if what you want is to hear what you need to hear? D:

[DaiJB]

Or he's just nervous.  Anecdotally, I do toothy, awkward smiles when nervous or uncertain.

Ohh, I hadn’t thought of that! I wonder if that’s the hint that he’s less chill than he’s seemed so far.

I'd say that's on the cards - with a school experience like "Shitty" Dan went through, I imagine that a measure of  anxiety is part of the baggage he's been saddled with - even if it's usually not obvious.

I am a little bit suspicious of the way he seems to be dealing with it - I mean, a QC universe character who's actually getting his shit together? And doing it in a mature and rational manner?? Inconceivable!

[BenRG]

I think that Renee probably has an issue with Dan seeming so perfect. A relationship with flaws is something she can work around. A relationship that goes from zero to lifetime commitment in a week is like something out of a weird romantic novel and she knows those aren't realistic.

That said, her way of expressing that is a bit weird.

[Fuzzlepuzzle]

This isn't particularly relevant to today's comic, but I've been feeling a bit weird about Renee ever since I remembered that she was Angus's toxic ex-girlfriend. (His housemates at the time were probably Marigold and Momo, and Momo is pretty lax with people, which makes her sound like Really Bad News.) Not that people can't change, but I'm not super fond of just sweeping abusive relationships under the rug off-screen. It's probably just an abandoned/forgotten character trait, though, and no longer canon. I should try to not get too hung up on it.

Anyway, this is already looking like a fracture in the making! Dan doesn't seem thrilled by her style of communication, and Renee doesn't seem like she'll deal well with someone so non-chalant. I can sympathize with her; it drives me bonkers when people won't share their whole thought process with me. And when people won't talk about potential future problems. But it can be pretty overwhelming, especially for someone who isn't used to talking like that and doesn't want to. I expect this to be a reoccuring thing in their relationship.

Personally, a long distance exclusive relationship with someone you've been hanging out with for a week is like a big neon sign flashing "please do not do this", but I'm risk adverse. Their New Relationship Energy is in full force and it likely won't last. They'll just be left with lonely beds and texting, and it seems like both of them were having frequent ONS's before this. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole thing implodes because one of them ends up cheating.

[bhtooefr]

I dunno, that one's too easy to turn into a euphemism for masturbation.

She does enjoy that, though.

[Is it cold in here?]

I can see Renee thinking "This is too good to be true! Oh no! But wait, here's something that makes it realistic! What a relief!".

[Oenone]

This isn't particularly relevant to today's comic, but I've been feeling a bit weird about Renee ever since I remembered that she was Angus's toxic ex-girlfriend. (His housemates at the time were probably Marigold and Momo, and Momo is pretty lax with people, which makes her sound like Really Bad News.) Not that people can't change, but I'm not super fond of just sweeping abusive relationships under the rug off-screen. It's probably just an abandoned/forgotten character trait, though, and no longer canon. I should try to not get too hung up on it.

Anyway, this is already looking like a fracture in the making! Dan doesn't seem thrilled by her style of communication, and Renee doesn't seem like she'll deal well with someone so non-chalant. I can sympathize with her; it drives me bonkers when people won't share their whole thought process with me. And when people won't talk about potential future problems. But it can be pretty overwhelming, especially for someone who isn't used to talking like that and doesn't want to. I expect this to be a reoccuring thing in their relationship.

Personally, a long distance exclusive relationship with someone you've been hanging out with for a week is like a big neon sign flashing "please do not do this", but I'm risk adverse. Their New Relationship Energy is in full force and it likely won't last. They'll just be left with lonely beds and texting, and it seems like both of them were having frequent ONS's before this. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole thing implodes because one of them ends up cheating.

I mean, at the time Marigold had an unrequited crush on Angus and Momo’s character arc has been about accepting others who don’t do what she thinks is right so  I’m not sure how toxic Renee was at that time?

[hedgie]

Not to mention, that the further you go back into the archives, the less likely certain things are to being certain canon.  Not to mention, Angus' description of the breakup and aftermath might not be all that reliable.

[Oenone]

I mean, I can see them not getting along as a couple — Angus wasn’t where he wanted to be career wise and wanted a partner committed to professional self improvement. In a lot of ways, Renee is pretty set professionally. She’s one of the lead bakers at a bakery whose reputation is such that it supplies baked goods to other local businesses. Her next move up would be starting her own bakery and that doesn’t seem to be what she wants.

Also, shit if Renee came in a day when Faye was drunk or Dorian the wrong mood then I can see them fucking her drink for looking at them wrong.

[sitnspin]

There is a pretty strong tendency for men to label any woman they have a less than pleasant relationship with as a crazy bitch. Any ex-boyfriend is likely an unreliable narrator.

[hedgie]

Quite true.  As far as "crazy" goes, all my exes did choose to date me, so they might qualify there.  Only one was flat-out malignant, though.