wtf bro isnt that zoophilia?? it was disgusting af

Bro didnt actually read the comic.

I don't actually blame you, this one's rough.

The re-up wiped all the previous comments, that's a shame

They're still there, just in an orphaned thread.

https://dynasty-scans.com/forum/topics/22591-i-m-a-cat-discussion

The dead cicada, being a creature that normally "sings", I view as a sign her talent was already fading at the time, or an omen for what was to come (a slow decay).

That made a lot more sense now. Also Cicadas are known to be extremely short-lived. Most cicadas go through a life cycle that lasts 2–5 years (some species live for 13 or 17 years, though), but die within a few weeks after emerging from the soil and singing to attract female into mating (that reminded me, Qiangyi was also attracted by A'Wu's singing, right?) which is probably also considered by the artist.

The re-up wiped all the previous comments, that's a shame

Or you can read the 3rd comment here...

last edited at Sep 18, 2025 2:44AM

I don't think Qiangyi was crying tears of happiness, I think that she is definitely sad. However the fact that she just went to her girlfriend and went "let's fuck" I think also shows us her own issues as she was willing to bury her relationship with A'wu with her. A'wu and Qiangyi is definitely in a sort of codependent relationship where both are being manipulative to get a sense of control over the other. And I would argue that Qiangyi, while ALSO being a victim, also has her own issues that made the situation much worse for the both of them. A match made in hell really.

A'wu takes control by being helpless and needing to be taken care of (which is quite clear in the comic). Qiangyi puts herself firmly in a martyr and rescuer position, thus A'wu saying "that's not what I meant" a few times during the comic as Qiangyi focuses on placating A'wu, even if A'wu presents a bid for connection. She also doesn't seem to have that good of a self esteem based off of what she said in p 37 and is dependent on the attention she gets from A'wu to feel special.

Not saying Qiangyi isn't a victim, or that it is all her fault. I've been in situations where I had played a similar role and it's a whole mental dynamic that isn't good. Playing the role of a savior, being attracted to difficult people (without the boundaries and intent to help them in a meaningful way), and, to quote the mom, "mothering an adult" (not in a parent way) is an issue in and of itself.

last edited at Sep 18, 2025 10:49AM

Like the cuddly toy with the scarf? It stands in stark contrast to the other animals at the "shelter", and it's re-appearance later made me think it's important... it's easy to miss, but in the BG of p. 30, you can see them winning it! And it even appears as early as p. 3!

I think it represents A'wu's role in her relationship with Qiangyi in the sense that she is Qiangyi's "broken pet." The plush is a bag that Qiangyi uses, quite literally an accessory. It sort of shows how warped their roles are, there's a human and a pet. Imo Qiangyi projected something on A'wu or put her on a pedestal and thus may have a flatter, sort of objectified way of viewing her as someone amazing, brave, beautiful, etc thats why she stayed with her for so long.

Not saying Qiangyi isn't a victim, or that it is all her fault. I've been in situations where I had played a similar role and it's a whole mental dynamic that isn't good. Playing the role of a savior, being attracted to difficult people (without the boundaries and intent to help them in a meaningful way), and, to quote the mom, "mothering an adult" (not in a parent way) is an issue in and of itself.

I get the feeling it might be a habitual trait of hers and that it could replicate itself in her new relationship also. A'wu might be out of her life but they never really addressed the issues between them.

I don't think Qiangyi was crying tears of happiness, I think that she is definitely sad. However the fact that she just went to her girlfriend and went "let's fuck" I think also shows us her own issues as she was willing to bury her relationship with A'wu with her. A'wu and Qiangyi is definitely in a sort of codependent relationship where both are being manipulative to get a sense of control over the other. And I would argue that Qiangyi, while ALSO being a victim, also has her own issues that made the situation much worse for the both of them. A match made in hell really.

A'wu takes control by being helpless and needing to be taken care of (which is quite clear in the comic). Qiangyi puts herself firmly in a martyr and rescuer position, thus A'wu saying "that's not what I meant" a few times during the comic as Qiangyi focuses on placating A'wu, even if A'wu presents a bid for connection. She also doesn't seem to have that good of a self esteem based off of what she said in p 37 and is dependent on the attention she gets from A'wu to feel special.

Not saying Qiangyi isn't a victim, or that it is all her fault. I've been in situations where I had played a similar role and it's a whole mental dynamic that isn't good. Playing the role of a savior, being attracted to difficult people (without the boundaries and intent to help them in a meaningful way), and, to quote the mom, "mothering an adult" (not in a parent way) is an issue in and of itself.

All of those, plus the fact that only days later, shortly after having a "goodbye sex" and admitting her ex into a psych ward, she is already living with another "beloved" girlfriend, really doesn't paint her in a good light either.

I don't know what to think about the focus on food in the final dialogue - maybe I'm reading too much into it. On its own, it's innocuous, but considering she gave food to A'wu even when that wasn't what she needed, looks maybe like some kind of pattern. Sex or food is what she gives when she wants to avoid something/distract?

And p,38 feels a bit like her saying that she "got rid of a bunch of stuff, including her useless ex, already".

It just gives toxic all around the place.

I don't know what to think about the focus on food in the final dialogue - maybe I'm reading too much into it. On its own, it's innocuous, but considering she gave food to A'wu even when that wasn't what she needed, looks maybe like some kind of pattern. Sex or food is what she gives when she wants to avoid something/distract?

It reads to me as a sort of inability to communicate, which ties in with the 'That's not what I meant' comments from A'wu. Instead of actually talking or working through problems she falls back towards these acts that satisfy more base needs - sex and food. It's an avoidant personality trait. Dealing with all these crushing emotional issues is hard, but dealing with those base needs is easy. You are hungry - you cook food. You are aroused - you have sex. So unable to deal with the hard emotional issues she leaves them unresolved and instead tries to focus on stuff that is more easy.

So if she jumps right to having sex after hearing of A'wu's death at the end that is her once more trying to avoid doing the emotional work, and opening up to her new girlfriend about this. It is not her feeling happy about this death, or her consciously pushing her old relationship away, but her being unable to do this kind of hard emotional work.

It is a very dysfunctional trait, and will most likely lead to a similarly dysfunctional relationship. Not sure I's call it outright toxic though.

last edited at Sep 19, 2025 9:17AM

If she's crying happy tears over her ex's death that feels extremely fucked up and gross to me. Especially combined with the mental illness factor. I think it was important that they broke up, though I also think this story feels excessive in it's spite towards the ex and dealing with a partner that has mental illness.

It's a bit cold, but if you pay attention you'll also see that when she's with her new girlfriend is the only time she doesn't have bruises on her face, so...

If she's crying happy tears over her ex's death that feels extremely fucked up and gross to me. Especially combined with the mental illness factor. I think it was important that they broke up, though I also think this story feels excessive in it's spite towards the ex and dealing with a partner that has mental illness.

It's a bit cold, but if you pay attention you'll also see that when she's with her new girlfriend is the only time she doesn't have bruises on her face, so...

That’s a detail I wasn’t registering that way, due to her returning home with the bandage and mark, we don’t see her physically abused to my knowledge. So I was viewing the story as being about taking care of a mentally ill partner, that isn’t helping themself and is a lot of work to be with, where you have to look after yourself and even though you love them a break up is necessary. You might be right though, I wish the story was clearer about everything happening, one way or another the whole thing was depressing and I’m not a fan. The ending also felt weirdly paced and jarring to me.

Also for context I’ll say briefly I have dealt with tragedy and mental illness in combination in my life. Without getting too personal, that’s something that’s going to give me a certain lens when viewing anything, so the thought of her maybe crying tears of happiness when she heard her mentally ill partner died just made me feel sick.

loved the cat analogy

If she's crying happy tears over her ex's death that feels extremely fucked up and gross to me. Especially combined with the mental illness factor. I think it was important that they broke up, though I also think this story feels excessive in it's spite towards the ex and dealing with a partner that has mental illness.

It's a bit cold, but if you pay attention you'll also see that when she's with her new girlfriend is the only time she doesn't have bruises on her face, so...

That’s a detail I wasn’t registering that way, due to her returning home with the bandage and mark, we don’t see her physically abused to my knowledge. So I was viewing the story as being about taking care of a mentally ill partner, that isn’t helping themself and is a lot of work to be with, where you have to look after yourself and even though you love them a break up is necessary. You might be right though, I wish the story was clearer about everything happening, one way or another the whole thing was depressing and I’m not a fan. The ending also felt weirdly paced and jarring to me.

Also for context I’ll say briefly I have dealt with tragedy and mental illness in combination in my life. Without getting too personal, that’s something that’s going to give me a certain lens when viewing anything, so the thought of her maybe crying tears of happiness when she heard her mentally ill partner died just made me feel sick.

I think I you might be too hang up on the "tears of happiness". Her face shows sadness and maybe some relief to me.

As for the bruises, I agree with the previous commenter. Considering what we've seen of their relationship, I think she was most likely physically abused by A'wu. Of course it's a story about taking care of a mentally ill partner, but both issues can coexist in their relationship. I just don't see any other possible explanation for her wounds (unless they were metaphorical to show her mental exhaustion, but I think this would've been clear without adding facial bruises).

If she's crying happy tears over her ex's death that feels extremely fucked up and gross to me. Especially combined with the mental illness factor. I think it was important that they broke up, though I also think this story feels excessive in it's spite towards the ex and dealing with a partner that has mental illness.

It's a bit cold, but if you pay attention you'll also see that when she's with her new girlfriend is the only time she doesn't have bruises on her face, so...

That’s a detail I wasn’t registering that way, due to her returning home with the bandage and mark, we don’t see her physically abused to my knowledge. So I was viewing the story as being about taking care of a mentally ill partner, that isn’t helping themself and is a lot of work to be with, where you have to look after yourself and even though you love them a break up is necessary. You might be right though, I wish the story was clearer about everything happening, one way or another the whole thing was depressing and I’m not a fan. The ending also felt weirdly paced and jarring to me.

Also for context I’ll say briefly I have dealt with tragedy and mental illness in combination in my life. Without getting too personal, that’s something that’s going to give me a certain lens when viewing anything, so the thought of her maybe crying tears of happiness when she heard her mentally ill partner died just made me feel sick.

I think I you might be too hang up on the "tears of happiness". Her face shows sadness and maybe some relief to me.

As for the bruises, I agree with the previous commenter. Considering what we've seen of their relationship, I think she was most likely physically abused by A'wu. Of course it's a story about taking care of a mentally ill partner, but both issues can coexist in their relationship. I just don't see any other possible explanation for her wounds (unless they were metaphorical to show her mental exhaustion, but I think this would've been clear without adding facial bruises).

I don't think I'm hung up on that, my initial reply was due to someone thinking she was trying tears of happiness, that felt off to me, then someone replied to me and so I expanded on my thoughts.

Also I'm also not disagreeing with them, I'm only saying I wish the story was expanded on further and in a clearer way. I didn't realize the bandages meant that she was being beaten when I read the story at first, and we're not shown any physical violence or mention of domestic abuse. There's a lot happening in a short amount of time in the story, with some haphazard pacing combined with the cat analogy and everything.

I just don't care for the story and I have a difficult time with the subject of mental illness due to own personal experiences. That's what I'm focused on. I don't want to discuss this further and am not comfortable doing so. I wish you well.

I don't think I'm hung up on that, my initial reply was due to someone thinking she was trying tears of happiness, that felt off to me, then someone replied to me and so I expanded on my thoughts.

Also I'm also not disagreeing with them, I'm only saying I wish the story was expanded on further and in a clearer way. I didn't realize the bandages meant that she was being beaten when I read the story at first, and we're not shown any physical violence or mention of domestic abuse. There's a lot happening in a short amount of time in the story, with some haphazard pacing combined with the cat analogy and everything.

I just don't care for the story and I have a difficult time with the subject of mental illness due to own personal experiences. That's what I'm focused on. I don't want to discuss this further and am not comfortable doing so. I wish you well.

It seems I misunderstood your initial reply. I agree that the story should have expanded further on some things. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable with my comment. I wish you well too.

It seems I misunderstood your initial reply. I agree that the story should have expanded further on some things. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable with my comment. I wish you well too.

Thanks, and it's okay the story is definitely a rough one to talk about for a variety of reasons, the kind that can hit hard and close to home.

leaves me feeling a bit suffocated, great work though

I hardly sympatize with the burden one in a relationship, add to that the domestic violence and it's impossible, her death didn't move me. It's understandable Qiangyi's tears being partially of relieve, but I do think her reply to the new lover was a way to just brushed it off and avoid talking about it, not that she is necessarily fine with her ex's death. Qiangyi's new girlfriend being the one who cooks shows a different dynamic now, so I don't think Qiangyi has any relationship pattern. I think the story is pretty clear, a solid oneshot. At least A'wu accepted to end thing with Qiangyi this time

a’wu is so real (for everything but the DV)
ive reread this what like 20 times atp??
“aren’t i pitiful enough? can you continue to love me?”

I have wished for a different story for this one.

I wish that, Qiangyi can be, strict and firm and slap A'wu out of her mind, and tell her that, give yourself some years and if it's not working, let's go back to reality and get a decent job.
If she is sturdy and firm about their future together, will that help A'wu making a better decision and not ended up being abusive towards alcoholism and I think there's DV happening but I might be wrong, as it's too subtle.

was A'Wu ever a competent musician to begin with, or is that part of her delusion?

She was actually a musician, that's how she and Qiangyi met.

Qiangyi's new girlfriend being the one who cooks shows a different dynamic now, so I don't think Qiangyi has any relationship pattern.

You're wrong. She's still the one cooking.