Daedalia: Chapter 2 - Cosplay - After five years, Lefty and Kelly meet again by accident at Comic-Con in San Diego while she's there attempting to sell her first illustrated zine
"Cannibals love vegans and other delights" haha... brilliant Ben, I laughed!
This chapter is perfectly balanced with humour and tears, I love the time jump, I love that you make us feel sympathetic towards Lefty and his haphazard life, that Kelly, despite her exterior armour, has all the emotions of an normal struggling artist. I love them both already!
Heh, that was a simple and fun little discovery— just a hand cupped over my mouth! So glad you’re here and reading along, Nathan. Heading over to read your new story now.
Sooooo good Ben. Looks like I’m not alone in already falling for Kelly and Lefty - they feel so real. Ditto to what everyone else said already - and this “So then you just crop-dusted the motherfuckers?” - that made me snort too!! And this “You know these people are idiots, right? I mean, all fuckin’ people are idiots, but these people are next level.” - love love love love. I love the narration, the music, the image and it’s such a treat being able to listen - I had a shitty day at work yesterday and listened in the car on the way home and it was the perfect wind down. Can’t wait for what’s next
Awww, already got a soft spot in my heart for Lefty. And Kelly with all that tough vulnerability. Now I’ve got to know, did you visit Comic-Con in your research? I’ve always wanted to go…the same kind of weird intrigue I have for cat shows.:)
I know this chapter has serious work to do but what I enjoyed most is the humor! I LOL’d a few times. “Cannibals Love Vegans and Other Delights” — did you crack yourself up writing that? 😆 And your audio of the storm trooper! <chef’s kiss>
Another favorite image: “He passed a Dr. Spock with only one ear and a Chewbacca with his head in one hand and a piña colada in the other.” I’m loving their dynamic. Already such unique and well-drawn characters.
Absolutely hilarious. This chapter was so fun! So fun, in fact, that I almost missed just how quickly I'm falling for both Kelly and Lefty, in their perfect quirkiness. I already feel so protective of them both.
Oh how I feel for Kelly! I have been in very similar situation - granted, minus the storm troopers and all the cosplay - and it's a shitty place to be.
Great chapter - how they meet again, the humour and then the drama! And amazing job on the narration, as always.
The mother paying for her bus ticket made me tear up a bit - are there really still people that kind in the world?
Hi Sara! Thank you so much. I was ready for a laugh last March after I wrapped up Departures and months of thinking about death. As for the mother in this chapter, yes, I believe there are still humans like this in the real world. I've seen them. I'm so happy you're here. As an artist and a writer, I don't think there's a better reader for this story.
"Cannibals love vegans and other delights" haha... brilliant Ben, I laughed!
This chapter is perfectly balanced with humour and tears, I love the time jump, I love that you make us feel sympathetic towards Lefty and his haphazard life, that Kelly, despite her exterior armour, has all the emotions of an normal struggling artist. I love them both already!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Susie. I’m so happy these characters are already finding their footing with you.
Ok, so I've just read the other comments... looks like we all have the same sentiments which makes you pretty clever at telling!
Such a fun chapter! It definitely reads like you had fun writing it. Ripley staying in character was too much - in a good way 😆
Thank you! As I mentioned in an earlier comment, you can definitely tell I needed a laugh after finishing Departures. I'm happy you're here.
Just love it Ben. Heartfelt and sprinkled with enough levity for it to feel real and relatable.
(Also big props to the style of the interjection by the stormtrooper, I literally let out an excited "hah!" at that moment!)
Heh, that was a simple and fun little discovery— just a hand cupped over my mouth! So glad you’re here and reading along, Nathan. Heading over to read your new story now.
Hah, brilliant! Very effective.
Sooooo good Ben. Looks like I’m not alone in already falling for Kelly and Lefty - they feel so real. Ditto to what everyone else said already - and this “So then you just crop-dusted the motherfuckers?” - that made me snort too!! And this “You know these people are idiots, right? I mean, all fuckin’ people are idiots, but these people are next level.” - love love love love. I love the narration, the music, the image and it’s such a treat being able to listen - I had a shitty day at work yesterday and listened in the car on the way home and it was the perfect wind down. Can’t wait for what’s next
Heh, yeah I smiled when that line came out of Lefty’s mouth. Thank you, Emily. Glad you’re here.
Awww, already got a soft spot in my heart for Lefty. And Kelly with all that tough vulnerability. Now I’ve got to know, did you visit Comic-Con in your research? I’ve always wanted to go…the same kind of weird intrigue I have for cat shows.:)
Alas, no. I’m a con virgin. But I’ve seen lots of photographs and the parade for dragon con here in Atlanta. Lots of storm troopers. 😉
I know this chapter has serious work to do but what I enjoyed most is the humor! I LOL’d a few times. “Cannibals Love Vegans and Other Delights” — did you crack yourself up writing that? 😆 And your audio of the storm trooper! <chef’s kiss>
Another favorite image: “He passed a Dr. Spock with only one ear and a Chewbacca with his head in one hand and a piña colada in the other.” I’m loving their dynamic. Already such unique and well-drawn characters.
I did have fun and there were definitely some chuckles along the way to forming Lefty and Kelly. I’m glad the fun is translating. ❤️
Absolutely hilarious. This chapter was so fun! So fun, in fact, that I almost missed just how quickly I'm falling for both Kelly and Lefty, in their perfect quirkiness. I already feel so protective of them both.
So happy to have a new obsession...
Thank you, Chloe. It is objectively a quirky story with some surprising places we’ll visit together before it’s over.
Oh how I feel for Kelly! I have been in very similar situation - granted, minus the storm troopers and all the cosplay - and it's a shitty place to be.
Great chapter - how they meet again, the humour and then the drama! And amazing job on the narration, as always.
The mother paying for her bus ticket made me tear up a bit - are there really still people that kind in the world?
Hi Sara! Thank you so much. I was ready for a laugh last March after I wrapped up Departures and months of thinking about death. As for the mother in this chapter, yes, I believe there are still humans like this in the real world. I've seen them. I'm so happy you're here. As an artist and a writer, I don't think there's a better reader for this story.
That's very kind of you, Ben. 🙏🏽
Amazing work, Ben! Such a fun chapter—a good mix of drama and humor.
Thank you, Shannon. ❤️
Fantastic dialogue. Looking forward to more Kelly and Lefty!
Thank you for reading and subscribing Terence!
And we’re off! Love these two already. And I’m with Susie—Kelly’s zine title is, well, a delight!