The Sum Of Our Parts Page 16
Now that we’ve given everyone a chance to make some guesses (and thanks for making them, it’s always fun to read!) and some people have written in asking, we’ll officially reveal the nature of the numbers on the cups!
The entire scene was actually a slight nod to Alice In Wonderland and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The Hatter’s Hat reads In This Style, 10/6, so we played around with the cups to match those numbers. Fragile has the number 4, which is mostly obscured by her hand, because it isn’t terribly important. However, 4+6 = 10 again, and in Kabbalah symbolism (referenced earlier in the comic, in title pages as well), 4, 6 and 10 are important elements/numbers, four being doubly important because it’s also the number of realms of created existence. There’s also a little bit more going on with the Kabbalah symbolism and numbers, but that’s the basic principle! And as another slight nod, Revelations 10:6 references: “And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created Heaven and Earth, that there should be time no longer.” This has long been a proposed idea of why the Hatter’s card read those numbers, but we found it apt for the comic as well.
Also, Arthur has a glass of milk because he wouldn’t like tea. No symbolism, he’s just a picky kid, but Gaki knows him well enough to anticipate it.
Thanks for the continued readership, and as always, the wonderful comments and discussions! <3 A&K Now: Tea Time.
“Can’t break tantrum… must eat biscuits with face to table, despite inconvenience.”
Know that feeling, bro. Know that feeling…
The expression in that last panel is perfect. The characters are all wonderful! Also, Gaki is amazing here.
oooOOOOOO! I’m so intrigued by the numbers on the cups! I wonder if its like how much blood is in the cup; so Gaki 1 drop, Alice 6 drops and mary none. I really cannot get enough of this comic! Everything is so gorgeously done!
Also, the chapter is called ” the SUM of our parts.” Mary’s cup is 0 (zero with a slash, like we computer geeks write), and Arthur is drinking milk. Maybe it is blood content, and maybe it isn’t, but it seems significant. A and K’s minds are warped in the best possible way, so I’m sure there is something going on there.
The biscuits seem to be blood-free. I’m reminded (unfortunately) of a woman who invited me up to her place for her homemade cupcakes, which appeared to be red velvet with pink frosting. Menstrual blood cupcakes! She didn’t mention that ingredient until after I had eaten most of one. Then I felt like I had to finish it, so as not to be impolite.
It really doesn’t take all kinds of people to make a world, but we certainly have all kinds. 😉
Menstruel… Um… Yeah, ok.
Yeah…. yikes!
Is that even legal.
Geez, I hope not!!!
I mean, the cupcake was baked long enough to kill any pathogens, but the pink frosting scared the hell out of me. I’ve had testing for HIV, HepC and STDs since then, and I didn’t catch anything, so I guess it was okay, but creepy. Who would even think of doing that?
OMFG that is so creepy! Poor thing 🙁
Also of note: we can’t see what number is on Fragile’s cup. :O
Judging by the two little spikes visible just above the glove, I’d say it is most likely a 4, or possibly an 11.
Intentionally obscured, perhaps. It could be another slashed zero, but I doubt it. It seems like the numbers are put on with dry erase marker, and the ghosts of erased numbers are still visible behind the current value. I don’t know why it gives me the willies, but it does….
I believe the “ghosts” are ceramic glaze patterns common on English tea services of a certain age. Trust me, I’m a Doctor. 😉
http://images1.americanlisted.com/nlarge/czechoslovakia_tea_set_w_blue_flowers_75_chaumont_24011529.jpg
And now, having said that, I think your observation on the numbers/cup/blood thingy should totally be the Unvarnished TRUTH of the matter – BECAUSE IT’S AN AWESOME!!
I trust You implicitly, whatever Your profession. I’ve never seen ceramic cups with the design applied on the side opposite the handle. Usually the design is on two sides, adjacent to the handle.
It looks like erased numbers to me. Here, I blew it up…
http://intheclearing.org/clearimages/teatime.png
And >smooches< to You, Dear Christopher!
I think that’s a floral pattern, not smudges.
I somewhat bumbled my way onto your website ChaosLife, became addicted, and needed more to see/read. Then found this and completely fell in love your work! Your attention to detail and the character introduction is fantastic. I’ve mentioned both websites to several friends and they have also been pulled in by your humor, artwork, and spaz!
This is perfect in every way.
I love Gaki…
At first I was thinking “How the hell did Fragile get such a weird name?” then I remembered my girlfriend’s father picked her name by reading through the dictionary… so I guess people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
cups are numbered !! but arthur has a glass :p, maybe he desn´t like tea
Alice is fucking adorable.
I had to go make a cup of tea and find some biscuits after I read this.
Stop feeding my addiction, dammit!
So…the cups Numbers are 0-1-6…and the comic’s page is 016 ? Did i win ? =D
And they still put Alice just next to Arthur for tea.
That’s… evil 😀
This is another great page, Dear A and K! Perfectly and brilliantly written, drawn, inked and colored. Beautiful!!! >smooch<
Alice is cute. I really hope Arthur doesn’t get his way. >.<
Mind you, I’ve watched enough episodes of Game of Thrones now to be wary of developing attachments to characters in certain types of stories. 😛
Top right looks o-so very Jill Thompson; what with the red hair going all Einstein, and the little smirk – Excellent!
Haha my Mum/ Dad says “Tea Time” (when I used to live at home) meaning dinner is ready =D
“In this style 10/6.” Ten shillings, sixpence in the pre-decimal system of English currency. Half a guinea, at that time. A fairly fine hat. What made the Hatter coo-coo was Capitalism. He even had a price on his own hat. Everyone at the table is involved in a brutal business. And remember the Hatter’s riddle? “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” The raven (Corvus Corax, remarkably similar to a familiar email address) in American Indian mythology, is a trickster or creator. When Alice gives up on the riddle, finding no commonality between raven and writing desk, she asks the Hatter for the answer. “I have no idea,” he replied.
I have no idea either, Imma just typin’. Perhaps K, the raven-haired beauty, sits at her writing desk, and A the corvuskorax are together creating something tricky for our amusement and edification. I dunno.
They both hold quills. 🙂
LOL XD
So I’ve done the typical “find a cool new comic and read all of it in one hit”
Now I’m up to date and sad I have to wait for more. Great read all the same 🙂
After the fact, many people came up with answers: “Poe wrote on both” and “They both produce very flat notes.” Carrol’s made up answer, I can’t remember in it’s entirety, but had something to do with “nevar(sp) putting them backwards”.
Annnd that was supposed to be a reply to the thing two above.Whoopsie.
Carrol? As in Lewis Carrol? What?
Indeed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hatter#The_Hatter.27s_riddle
This is my favorite page so far! The random tea party doesn’t seem random at all with these characters.
This the most complex and beautiful webcomic I’ve ever read and i’m loving every page. I absolutely LOVE the use of multiple languages (cover pages as well). Keep up the AMAZING work!!! I’m also a fan of ChaosLife and I love the fact that the person who made such a light-hearted comedy also made this which is contrarily darker (which I also love) and just so. so. good. THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL MASTERPIECE!!!