AU - Nayana and Koan Live
An alternate reality exploring what life might have been like if Zen and Natani's village hadn't been burned down and the deaths of their parents had never occurred, suggested by Carter!
Comments (54)
Who is Lilith and is this the first time we've seen their parents?
Lilith was Zens first crush.
What's going through my head: somehow I imagined the Wolf Keidran society to be more like a wolf pack. At least not strictly monogamous. But that's obviously not the case, which becomes clear in the comic based on Nat's memories also. This isn't meant to be a criticism, just to share my thoughts.
A wolf pack is typically parents and their children, plus the occasional outside newcomer. Pretty close to the scenario in this picture, actually.
Zen got no pants
Could someone detail who all these characters are? I recognize Zen and Natani, but not the others.
The two with the pups around them are Zen and Natani's canonical parents, Nayana and Koan. The lass in the back with the flower in her hair is the girl from an early piece called "First Crush" right here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/first-crush-8392993
Heartwarming 🥹🥹
Oh, what could have been, the bittersweet image of a world that never was.
Koan: I'm serious! Natani: (gulp)
Actually one more thing: some of the comments here are implying that being uncomfortable w/ thoughts of having/raising kids...is a masculine thing; which is not & far from it. There are plenty of female folk (Human and otherwise) who don't like the idea of being pregnant, raising a child, and/or simply aren't ready for such a life change + responsibility & will likely never be. That's all this should be looked at as, 'coz think about it yourself: would YOU be randomly ready to drop everything to conceive/raise a child, even if well prepared?? It's a scary & uncomfortable subject for any sex/gender. :/
Plenty of people around the world right now who have zero interest in raising kids or think they'd be bad parents, gender be damned. And it fits both versions of Nat. Even in an AU where none of the trauma/soul grafting/memory loss/LITERALLY having parts of Zen's perspective implanted happened, it's pretty strongly indicated Nat's a tomboy, and not really one for sitting still/settling down. Not wanting kids is zero surprise there.
Who is the offscreen person speaking to Nayana, that is the parent to the kids? A lot of folks seem to be assuming that they're Zen's, but he is in the background, not speaking.
if not Zen, then Lilith. Think of the speech bubbles as a moving scene progression: by the time Nayana asks Nat about having pups, Zen & Lilith are plotting on having a 4th one already. ^~^;;
I see being a conservative female still carries over into this AU for Nattie; look how peaceful she is too~💖~ Now we need to know the names of Zen's lil brats & who Nat will teach how to fight first... 🤔
Does nat even know how to fight
I for one think Natani would make a great mother. She would have a great family to support her,and no doubt she would both push her children to experience the world while also protecting them.
*he. *his Keep in mind you should still use preferred pronouns when talking about a trans person from before they came out, or in this case when they're in an AU where they never came out.
This is the type of anthro life that I love to see: The quiet moments between wars and devastation just peace with the family
Charming!
I love how Nat's identity is because of who they are, and not because of the mind link with Zen. As a grnderqueer person myself, it is such a delight to see it treated that way
Just noticed ring on zen finger
What could’ve been in another timeline
This is really sweet! I’m glad I got to see this now since I’ll be leaving soon unfortunately. Just having some personal trouble, so fingers crossed! Thank you Tom!!
Congrats and I hope all is well with you. Good luck!
It's bittersweet solely because of Nat's predicament here. The brothers went through so much and what they wouldn't give to have their parents back, even for a day, but in this AU, nothing happened to their family, and all seems well, except it isn't, specifically for Nat. His reaction to his parents' suggestions implies he is not at all comfortable with how he's living; presumably, he is forced to live as an AFAB due to a very restrictive wolf society where females are not only subjugated but being anything but heterosexual would ostracize anyone and(or) their family for all we know. So, he may live the equivalent of a mind fracture that gets worse the longer it goes on. I would know. Having experienced homophobia and internalizing it for as long as I did, I have my good days and my bad days, and on my bad days, I don't feel like I'm out of the closet. I question whether I should have come out or whether existing is worth it. I will never be 100% happy with myself as a result of all the trauma. I speak only for myself, though, and can only imagine what other LGBTQ+ fans have gone through, especially those who are trans. Still, it might not all turn out bad. I'd imagine the pressure becomes too much for Nat, so he runs away. As fate would have it, it is during these AU adventures that he may run into a certain Basitin...
Nayana DOES look look like she'd follow through on trying to set up Nat with someone to get another shot at the grandkid experience...
Such a bittersweet AU, Zen gets the happy and peaceful life he always wanted, while Natani would never truly find himself, never figure out why he never feels quite right. The kids are super adorable though. Zen's looking significantly twinkier than in canon, not that I'm complaining. Love his outfit.
He'll probably figure it out eventually. Some people's journey takes longer than others.
Now I want to see this timeline's Natani meet Keith... "If half-Basitin kids are possible, maybe I can start catching up to Zen."
and a new AU was born...
I guess in this timeliness Nayana had gone for a different look from the over the shoulder mom braid and so altered destiny...of course now she is wearing it again.
What a wonderful time line. Zens wife is really pumping out the little goobers and from the look she is giving him,another one is on the way.
I see Nat still likes dressing up, to an unusual degree for a keidran
Natani responding uncomfortably to the mother suggestion there is, I take it, because of gender dysphoria that he’s probably not thought about as much as he did in the main timeline?
Or feels trapped living in the closet
Aw, this is adorable, it's also interesting, nat still has a bit of a non schlaunt attitude, but is not worried about life, not stressed, who she truly can be when all things are settled in the story, she can settle down with Keith and be a mother someday
i'm certain she'd be a great mother someday and a great grandparent if her kids will get kids i'm also sure natani and keith would somehow still meet
So wholesome!
OML I would love to see this colored. Nat & Zen are my favorite and this is wholesome goodness
Heartwarming ☺️
A future that could have been, Natani and Zen's lives are one of the most tragic I really hope this gets colored! :)
But it seems they are about to find their harbor in canon. All thumbs pressed.
This makes me wonder if zen will have kids in the mainstream comic
Guessing that’s the grandkids, from Zen and Raine’s marriage? (If that is her in the background, a little hard to tell for sure uncolored. Could easily be some other wolf girl from the village).
That’s not raine it’s Lilith
Awww zen as a father is so cute!
Foreshadowing
Most likely
Time to drag in a Basitin, Nat! Also, do you think Zen is still #1Ass(assin) in that AU? 🤔
First time seeing naked male keidran without censorship...
It's not.
Aaaaaaand not long after Keith stumbles into their village one way or another
Nat of course is interested by his strange appearance takes him into her house to help him recuperate. She finds herself Fascinated by his tales of "basitins" as well as his excellently crafted sword and armor...