The other day, someone asked @squishable on Twitter why Otto was so shocked that Claire thought he was a toy (Bee Tee Dubs, we have our own Twitter feed).
Good question.
Think about Otto’s situation – arriving in a new place in a big box, unaware of your surroundings or of what is expected of you. In a lot of ways, it’s like going to college, and not just because he was literally going to a college (go Fightin’ Pandas!). Do you let your freak flag fly on day one, or do you feel it out to see what it takes to get along before letting your hair down?
On one hand, playing it safe keeps you from alienating people and getting to a comfort level where they can eventually become acquainted with the real you. On the other hand, playing it safe on day one invites playing it safe on day two, day three, day four and on and on. Next thing you know, it’s graduation and you haven’t even tried to talk to anyone who shares your interest in ’70s D-Grade horror flicks. There just isn’t enough corn syrup and red dye in the world to make up for missing out on that opportunity.
As much as I’d like to be on the side of unfettered individuality and self-expression at all times, I think both sides have valid points. Sometimes, it’s the considerate thing to tread cautiously and wait a little while to relax. Everybody is just as out of their element as you are. The comfort of go-along-get-along can help break down barriers and make those around you more accepting of your weird and wonderful side when you do choose to show it. It’s a balance that everyone has to figure out for themselves at one point or another.
So a question to the Fuzzy Five community: do you think that Otto should have talked to Claire immediately in strip #2 at the risk of freaking her out and making her think she had a Chuckie on her hands, or was he right to stay mum and be the adorable, round, fuzzy stuffed animal that she expected and came to love? Do you think that Otto has a “job” to be a Squishable, or should he have stood up for himself right out of the box and demanded his personhood and the right to do his thing even when she is awake to see it?
Wheee!! Spherical animals
If he had started talking to her right out of the box, as shes going in to a new phase of her life, when she’s probably already stressed to the max, it probably would have sent her to the campus health clinic for medication.
I can’t blame Otto for being cautious, as that is in my nature too. It’s scary to come out, for anything! But just like we are hardly only one thing, Otto is not just a squishable or just an adorable spherical octopod! Perhaps he can start gradually introducing himself to Claire soon.
Holy cow! My company softball team’s called the mighty fighting Pandas!!!!
well, most times i believe that Mr. Shortneck, Mr. Greenback, Ms. FrenchKiss and Mr. WhiteStripes have a bit of a party when I’m at work. Too bad they don’t clean!
I have seen many of the webcomics based on commercial products deteriorate into elaborate ads [an analogy would be Bazooka Joe Bubble Gum comics, but those are a strange and isolated case] so I love how The Fuzzy Five has even this early in the strip created a culture, atmosphere, humour, and characters unique to itself. I like how erudite Otto is: Yoga, appropriate disdain for Dragon Ball Z on VHS, knowledge of TED, use of Google over Bing, et cetera. As cute as Otto might be, I think Claire is much cuter in a sexy way! In the next strip we see her in her brassière; I hope we get more of that in the future (without cheapening the strip, of course). On a related note, Jasmine: I can guess that Mr. Shortneck is a giraffe, Mr. Greenback is Cthulhu, Mr. WhiteStripes (nice reference/taste in music, by the way) is a skunk, but who is Ms. FrenchKiss? I want to meet her.
Alicia: so you are right about Mr. Shortneck. Mr. Greenback is my turtle. Mr. Whitestripes is actually my zebra. Ms. FrenchKiss is my snail. It was my bridesmaid gift
I thought it was so funny how she’s cussing while she’s brushing her teeth! Oh, how school can scare you..
Jasmine: Cute names for your Squishables! I have an alligator named Moto (he likes it BIG, he likes it round) and a lion named Leo!
Chuckies are freaky. It all depends on the attitude. Although….it’s always smart to get their love and affection first, then they’re less likely to think you’ll suffocate them in their sleep with your furry little non-existence suckers.
I’m so very impressed with Claire’s speed – two minutes and she’s dressed and out the door! Very jealous – it takes me 20 minutes at my fastest to get everything done!