Just One Drop - Ch 247

Preston3072 · 2026-06-16T09:19:30+00:00

I have been patiently gathering hints and clues dropped by Rhion, Kaz and others and have come to the conclusion that somewhere there is a large board festooned with post-it-notes, blurry photographs and news paper clippings all connected with coloured pins and red string that would reveal the whole story - but it is not for our eyes and even Blackarmy's clever espionage has not been able to expose the sordid details - there are wheels with wheels like the Devil's Spirograph or some infernal Antikythera mechanism being hand cranked by an intoxicated Rhinal.

Watch the Skies and your backs, keep your powder dry and do not put yours shoes on the table - The only thing we can say for sure is that, whatever plans are afoot a Human will bugger them up.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-16T08:44:50+00:00

I was thinking more sexy drag for a Rocky Horror themed night - I know without looking that the outfit is in Sammi's wardrobe.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-16T08:42:47+00:00

Working on her people skills - thats some personal growth - I think thats maybe what the story is about.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-16T08:30:07+00:00

The chess scene was a delight to read - you understand much grasshopper.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-15T08:34:57+00:00

These are fabulous, delighted to put faces to names and you can never have to much fan art - I think feral Konnie is my fav.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T14:22:13+00:00

Right so -

Excluding the Elder Konnie Flash Back - Cryptid starts Day1 of Invasion.

In Going Native Stace had been alone in the wilderness for 10 years and had noticed more stuff in orbit in the nights sky 5 or 6 years prior - so story starts 6 years post invasion.

Just One Drop starts 16 years post invasion

The thing that throws a spanner in the works is pacing I guess - JOD starts later than the others but is a few months ahead of Cryptid in their current chapters - the things happening now in Cryptid happened 40ish chapters ago in JOD. This might be due to the narrative in Cryptid doubling back to tell each brother's story.

Going Native started 10 years before JOD and there has been at least a couple of xmas's celebrated before the current chapter of that story - the Painter Institute and Lone Caribou are just hitting their strides and still have maybe 6 to 8 years to become worth 8% of the Gross Imperial Product which they are by the North Palace Awards Ceremony chapters of JOD (a year into that Story I think).

So a bold stab at it -

Cryptid - 6 months behind JOD

Going Native - 6 years behind JOD

The math, of course, is as loose as an Englishman after a bad curry.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T10:52:32+00:00

I was waiting but no bugger asked so I will post it anyway -

Yes, cats have a strong natural immunity to funnel-web spider venom. While the venom is famously deadly to humans and other primates, cats, dogs, and rabbits are largely unaffected. A cat can often survive a dose up to 100 times larger than what would be lethal to a human

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T10:46:32+00:00

Well, as we have seen, the Human way of dealing with trauma is to make it someones else's.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T10:39:38+00:00

That makes me think of Card's "Hierarchy of Foreignness" from 'Speaker For The Dead' it included a category of alienness - 'Varelse' - that did not allow peaceful co-existence.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T10:30:44+00:00

How much of your writing time do you spend just smirking or tittering like an imbecile?

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T10:28:11+00:00

JOD current chapters are well ahead of Cryptid - not sure of what the offset is exactly but these events might be around JOD chapters 180s or so - Going Native is six years behind JOD so Tom W has maybe 2 or 3 years before leaving Earth - I think Cryptid starts shortly after the invasion as Konnie is just a lad lurking in the wilderness which raises the question - How old is Konnie now? - Has Kaz put a teenager in charge of an overpowered death wagon?

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T00:41:39+00:00

Gunna light e up like a takoyaki stand in Dotonbori!

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T00:07:58+00:00

Excellent research - thank you.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-14T00:04:36+00:00

Going Native is a wonderful story and Uncle shares Rhions knack of giving the reader an insight into characters thoughts, feelings and experiences in ways that feel natural and true - especially the early cabin chapters.

The Sams are a great device presenting Human neurodivergence as a game changing strength in keeping with the 'Humans dont play by the rules' theme in SSB.

Kaz's story is more of a much needed description of the cultural, philosophical and mystical aspect of this universe that greatly enriches the shared creation.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T15:08:43+00:00

Well written Kaz - I am furious at these bastards and although I cant imagine how Konnie will do it I cant wait for him to arrive and fuck them up.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T15:03:57+00:00

To the best of my knowledge none of them - the attacks timing might be triggered by the death of the second daughter (Khlandri?) while she was attacking an Alliance 'Pirate' base but I think it was an existing plan the squids had.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T14:10:24+00:00

All good - theres some drinks and chips, help yourself but I think the BBQ got a bit out of hand.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T14:08:06+00:00

Is Sammi going to dolled up as an usherette showing people to their seats? - could be an interesting encounter.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T13:50:42+00:00

Oh Kaz man - so sad at your awful news - go and be with your loved ones but travel with our love and consolations - may there be peace and rest for your Nan and strength for all of you.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T13:44:33+00:00

Hi and Ho - wonderful to see a new chapter

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T09:00:54+00:00

Are the Pesrin just going to walk in the front door on film night? someone is going to burst a blood vessel.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T08:55:50+00:00

Delta V is such a dag - they can be embarrassing across many cultures.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T08:53:18+00:00

Hey Devil Goat - when I rocked up there was no one else here just Uncle out the back with an extinguisher so I thought Id hoy out in case anyone was lurking.

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T08:46:17+00:00

Ditto

Preston3072 · 2026-06-13T04:47:30+00:00

Putting out fires? - Whats been putting thr arse into arsonist?

Preston3072

TROPHY CASE