AU - Nayana and Koan Live
Added 2025-01-25 18:26:21 +0000 UTC
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!
...okay Isiah, I'm absolutely sorry for this one...but I'm 100% agreeing w/ Fwubble here. Your wall0texts are also major run-on sentences that makes it hard to 1) follow whatever you're attempting to say & 2) understand anything at all, because it's all mashed together. :/
May I suggest using more punctuation marks than just the occasional comma & some actual complete thoughts(sentences)??
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-28 22:44:22 +0000 UTC
English is my first and only language, and I know what iam talking about, I've been a fan for like 11-13 years, so I know whats happening in the comic
your saying she dosent want kids at all, iam saying, I dont think thats true, the assumption is because of how natani thinks,in both the comic and this AU post, she'll never want kids, which I think is completely untrue, now granted, she probably is less likely in the comic, but I don't think she'd rule kids out entirely
I think even in the AU shed meet Keith, like him and have kids with him, in the comic it's less likely, but that's only because natani has to keep moving, hiding her true self, pretending to be a guy because clovis is breathing down her neck
if she got the opportunity to actually settle down with Keith at some point, and get away from all the chaos that has happened with the Templar and the war and such, and dealing with Clovis and his crap,she'd probably take it and wouldn't have to worry about pretending to be a guy around everyone anymore, she could live as herself with keith,perhapse in the village of Le knoll, or what ever it's called
Isaiah James
2025-01-28 03:31:41 +0000 UTC
...I'm gonna try to be as nice as possible here. Your reply was indecipherable. Is English not your first language? Trust me, I get it - it's a hard language! But when reading something it's not all just words, subtext and context are important. Simply put, based on your writing ability, you cannot read well enough understand what is happening in the comic.
Fwubble
2025-01-28 03:18:19 +0000 UTC
No she dosemt...,she jokes about not wanting kids, she's being abit self conscious and skeptical about it, but I think if she met Keith in this Alternative universe, she'd be more likely and willing to want to be a mother and drop alot of that self pride,not that she has to nor will or should drop all of it
just this type of attitude she has of thinking she'll never have kids, in the comic the whole reason she dosent has been because she hasn't thought about, and hasn't because her only current instinct is to survive, hiding,pretending, lying, being very cautious. I do think there's still a good chance in the main comic that natani and Keith will get together,and be more involved with eachother,because at somepoint, neither of them will have to worry about the stress of fighting,hiding, lying, self doubt and moving around places.
but if and when? We won't know, and honestly I don't know if Tom knows yet, or maybe he does, but even if he did know, he's not going to tell his audience and spoil it
Isaiah James
2025-01-28 01:51:28 +0000 UTC
Man this is a wild take. Natani here outright says they DON'T want to be a mother. That was true for Youngtani so it would still be true here. Even without any soul shattering gender stuff, being herself does not mean settling down and having a family - that much should be obvious to anyone who has read the comic at all.
I mean, right in the artwork, Natani's eyes being empty and hollow at the suggestion of motherhood is doing a LOT of work. This is a monkey's paw scenario if I've ever seen one.
Fwubble
2025-01-28 01:32:03 +0000 UTC
Lilith was Zens first crush.
Yettie
2025-01-27 16:28:23 +0000 UTC
Thank you, probably the most insulting thing to women is assume they might be male just because they don't want kids.
Kids are such a major life changing thing that some people just can't deal with.
K_D Lawrence
2025-01-27 16:05:47 +0000 UTC
Who is Lilith and is this the first time we've seen their parents?
Rueme
2025-01-27 13:42:06 +0000 UTC
Yeah, making this decision of Your own free will and taking the responsibility is a major game changer. But I would say nearly everyone that has done so will agree, when I say the payback is immeasurable.
And also: itโs not us that change the world, our children will do at a point we had had our chance long ago.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-27 04:33:39 +0000 UTC
And it's always the same people starting those discussions.
Drazgon
2025-01-26 21:36:05 +0000 UTC
https://www.deviantart.com/twokinds/art/Nekked-Euchre-wolf-style-32387478
Drazgon
2025-01-26 21:31:08 +0000 UTC
Her name is Lilith, btw.
Kythl Moonpaw
2025-01-26 21:25:05 +0000 UTC
I ain't reading allat ๐ฃ๏ธ๐ฅ
1 week ago
2025-01-26 19:30:07 +0000 UTC
Comment chains like this is why the discord sever has the โZero Days without a discussion about Natโs Genderโ stickerโฆ.
Your name
2025-01-26 19:12:15 +0000 UTC
Yes, You are right and I was remembering wrong. Its extremly seldom to have two males or two females in the pack that are not related.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-26 18:23:05 +0000 UTC
A wolf pack is typically parents and their children, plus the occasional outside newcomer. Pretty close to the scenario in this picture, actually.
Iago24
2025-01-26 18:10:12 +0000 UTC
Haha yes! I understand why there so censorship on females (because of fur). But males usually have silly censorship made with background stuff.
Natani Wolf
2025-01-26 15:34:05 +0000 UTC
Oh, the cringe Tom would feel if he had to explain in detail why it isn't censorship X)
AlaricLives87
2025-01-26 15:32:21 +0000 UTC
Congrats and I hope all is well with you. Good luck!
AlaricLives87
2025-01-26 15:29:25 +0000 UTC
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.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-26 09:43:59 +0000 UTC
Tomboys don't have masculine feelings and want to be seen and referred to as male, nor do they have "gender: male" on their ref sheets. He's trans, get over it.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-26 08:40:46 +0000 UTC
OMG that First Crush piece is soooo cute!
coredumperror
2025-01-26 07:53:59 +0000 UTC
Zen got no pants
beepboopskippitybop
2025-01-26 06:45:32 +0000 UTC
I couldn't quite put my finger on what was bothering me about those other comments. Well said!
AetherSprite224
2025-01-26 04:29:51 +0000 UTC
Nat would probably still sort out everything in time. Nothing would spur it on directly (that we know of), but there'd be the advantages of Nat's soul and memories being in one piece, and not viewing large chunks of life from Zen's perspective and memories.
Rook Prime
2025-01-26 04:01:17 +0000 UTC
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.
Rook Prime
2025-01-26 03:24:53 +0000 UTC
Those feelings could just as easily come from being a tomboy in what are very obviously medieval times, things were EXTREMELY conservative back then, a girl with masculine tendencies wolf have been punished SEVERELY for it, something we seem to have forgotten in the process of making a better environment for transgender individuals is that not every girl with masculine tendencies is trans, sometimes theyโre just a tomboy, and thatโs just as ok as being trans is
Ebin
2025-01-26 02:42:44 +0000 UTC
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
Facelessbuster
2025-01-26 02:27:51 +0000 UTC
Could someone detail who all these characters are? I recognize Zen and Natani, but not the others.
coredumperror
2025-01-26 02:16:21 +0000 UTC
Heartwarming ๐ฅน๐ฅน
Mr great ape
2025-01-26 01:43:40 +0000 UTC
Oh, what could have been, the bittersweet image of a world that never was.
Some Foxy
2025-01-26 01:23:14 +0000 UTC
Oh, they definitely are XD
The thing that throws me is that Nat is looking right at the "camera" as she replies to the question, and not towards Zen and Lilith. It's confusing. But I think you're right - Tom just got creative with his speech bubbles XD
Tuna
2025-01-26 00:57:03 +0000 UTC
Koan: I'm serious!
Natani: (gulp)
SCD
2025-01-26 00:23:02 +0000 UTC
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. :/
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-25 23:21:14 +0000 UTC
Tom said that Nat still has the same feelings here as he does in canon, but he doesn't know that being trans is a possibility, so he doesn't know what they really mean.
And it's straight up been confirmed that the soul shenanigans didn't impact Natani's gender identity.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 22:13:27 +0000 UTC
It's straight up been confirmed that the soul shenanigans didn't impact Natani's gender identity. Tom also confirmed on stream that Nat still has the same feelings here as he does in the comic.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 22:10:35 +0000 UTC
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. ^~^;;
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-25 21:58:16 +0000 UTC
all that pages shows is that Natani grew up having Tomboy tendencies, which there's nothing wrong with that. A little masculinity in females should never be seen as a bad thing, but encouraged to find themselves through the gender norms + excel at it. (same w/ femininity in males)
It's the other way it's looked at that's controversial...
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-25 21:53:39 +0000 UTC
Yesh ~ Nat obviously practices w/ that pitchfork everyday. She'll an awesomely tough but fair auntie~~
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-25 21:48:48 +0000 UTC
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.
Tuna
2025-01-25 21:40:52 +0000 UTC
I know that this is not Natani directly saying their (least controversial pronoun) gender but here: https://twokinds.keenspot.com/comic/932/ it does show that Natani always felt more masculine than feminine so I would say more of their personality comes from themselves rather than Zen.
Rainbow Sheep
2025-01-25 21:24:13 +0000 UTC
This is an alternate world. No transition in this timeline.
Stephen Gilberg
2025-01-25 21:17:15 +0000 UTC
Maybe? But I know plenty of biological females that only identify as female that would react the same.
What's more interesting to me is seeing how different people here read into Nat what most fits them based on their own experiences in real life. Which really shows the strength of the character more than anything else. That there isn't a cut and dry answer feels more real.
For me personally, all I care is that Keith and Nat are happy. The questions around if Nat would have identified as male even if he hadn't had a mind link are fun thought experiments, but should never impact the core goal here: that they are happy, and make us happy to see them.
AstroChaos
2025-01-25 21:05:21 +0000 UTC
Does nat even know how to fight
HarmonicTwilight256
2025-01-25 20:55:58 +0000 UTC
It's an interesting point here. It's impossible to tell how much of Nat's gender identity is base personality and how much comes from being linked up Zen.
And I don't know that we have an answer. I don't recall Youngtani ever using "he" but that's not exactly proof of anything. And then here Nat seems less than thrilled about becoming a mother, but that also isn't exactly proof of anything.
๐คท๐ฝ
AstroChaos
2025-01-25 20:55:39 +0000 UTC
*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.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 20:42:00 +0000 UTC
I see being a conservative female still carries over into this AU for Nattie; look how peaceful she is too~๐~
Now we need to know the names of Zen's lil brats & who Nat will teach how to fight first... ๐ค
Daemon Blitzkrieg
2025-01-25 20:38:45 +0000 UTC
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.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-25 20:36:58 +0000 UTC
This is the type of anthro life that I love to see: The quiet moments between wars and devastation just peace with the family
Broaster07
2025-01-25 20:22:11 +0000 UTC
Charming!
Jonathan
2025-01-25 20:00:59 +0000 UTC
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
Puugu
2025-01-25 19:51:22 +0000 UTC
Just noticed ring on zen finger
HarmonicTwilight256
2025-01-25 19:50:51 +0000 UTC
What couldโve been in another timeline
Brandon awesome
2025-01-25 19:38:03 +0000 UTC
*his *he.
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.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 19:36:05 +0000 UTC
This is really sweet! Iโm glad I got to see this now since Iโll be leaving soon unfortunately. Just having some personal trouble, so fingers crossed! Thank you Tom!!
Carter
2025-01-25 19:35:51 +0000 UTC
Natani was born with a warrior spirit, orphan or not... wolf society doesn't appreciate that from its females, so I can see Natani having problems with that no matter what.
AetherSprite224
2025-01-25 19:18:04 +0000 UTC
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...
AlaricLives87
2025-01-25 19:17:25 +0000 UTC
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
silver dragonia
2025-01-25 19:16:36 +0000 UTC
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...
Rook Prime
2025-01-25 19:15:27 +0000 UTC
A closet he doesn't even realize is there.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 19:08:51 +0000 UTC
He'll probably figure it out eventually. Some people's journey takes longer than others.
Fukata
2025-01-25 19:02:30 +0000 UTC
Or feels trapped living in the closet
AlaricLives87
2025-01-25 18:59:42 +0000 UTC
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.
Dan Vaelling
2025-01-25 18:58:55 +0000 UTC
Oh I know and I'm very happy for them
RemyHindle
2025-01-25 18:56:03 +0000 UTC
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."
AetherSprite224
2025-01-25 18:54:12 +0000 UTC
and a new AU was born...
Eclipse(Adrakist)
2025-01-25 18:53:49 +0000 UTC
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.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-25 18:48:27 +0000 UTC
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...
Spillthefire6
2025-01-25 18:44:04 +0000 UTC
I mean Tom's art!!! I don't talk about... Other...
Natani Wolf
2025-01-25 18:41:05 +0000 UTC
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.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-25 18:41:05 +0000 UTC
I see Nat still likes dressing up, to an unusual degree for a keidran
Silent Thunder
2025-01-25 18:41:03 +0000 UTC
But it seems they are about to find their harbor in canon. All thumbs pressed.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-25 18:41:00 +0000 UTC
Natani responding uncomfortably to the mother suggestion there is, I take it, because of gender dysphoria that heโs probably not thought about as much as he did in the main timeline?
Spey
2025-01-25 18:40:33 +0000 UTC
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
Isaiah James
2025-01-25 18:38:26 +0000 UTC
So wholesome!
LunacyDreamer
2025-01-25 18:38:23 +0000 UTC
Oh right, completely forgot about her, itโs been so long since she last showed up! Forgot to check the tags, since theyโre kinda small on my phone
Silent Thunder
2025-01-25 18:38:12 +0000 UTC
OML I would love to see this colored. Nat & Zen are my favorite and this is wholesome goodness
Anubis
2025-01-25 18:36:39 +0000 UTC
Heartwarming โบ๏ธ
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-25 18:36:21 +0000 UTC
A future that could have been, Natani and Zen's lives are one of the most tragic
I really hope this gets colored! :)
RemyHindle
2025-01-25 18:36:03 +0000 UTC
This makes me wonder if zen will have kids in the mainstream comic
HarmonicTwilight256
2025-01-25 18:35:23 +0000 UTC
Thatโs not raine itโs Lilith
HarmonicTwilight256
2025-01-25 18:34:48 +0000 UTC
Hah canโt wait for Natalia brother to come popping by
Twokinds fan
2025-01-25 18:34:22 +0000 UTC
Guessing thatโs the grandkids, from Zen and Raineโs 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).
Silent Thunder
2025-01-25 18:32:49 +0000 UTC
Most likely
โ๏ธปใษสษฎสวีผโโโโไธ
2025-01-25 18:30:29 +0000 UTC
For me ^^
Natani Wolf
2025-01-25 18:30:17 +0000 UTC
Awww zen as a father is so cute!
Mediawatcher
2025-01-25 18:29:34 +0000 UTC
Foreshadowing
Mr.Hans
2025-01-25 18:29:25 +0000 UTC
Time to drag in a Basitin, Nat!
Also, do you think Zen is still #1Ass(assin) in that AU? ๐ค
J. N. Squire
2025-01-25 18:29:20 +0000 UTC
It's not.
Thomas Fischbach
2025-01-25 18:29:18 +0000 UTC
First time seeing naked male keidran without censorship...
Natani Wolf
2025-01-25 18:28:42 +0000 UTC
Aaaaaaand not long after Keith stumbles into their village one way or another
Thestooge
2025-01-25 18:27:59 +0000 UTC