Watch out for...

[frameacloud]

Page number 12 of Theri There, originally posted on November 14, 2005.







Notes from November 14, 2005:
Today’s comic was inspired by a certain thread where Kyoudai mentioned having had an experience of receiving sensory feedback from a phantom limb, as shown. This could be called a rather odd way of having ESP, Extra Sensory Perception. Kitsune are a kind of Japanese mythological creature. They’re shapeshifting fox-spirits, cunning magical tricksters. While I could have shown the kitsune in this comic as being like a real-world fox, I preferred kitsune as depicted in Hiroshige’s prints.

Notes from updating this in 2025: When I was younger, phantom limbs were one of many things that I thought of within a framework of paranormal phenomena. Though it is common for people to think of their phantoms in a spiritual way, that isn't necessary for having them. Even for people who don't think of them that way, sometimes folks do tend to feel more alert about obstacles near their phantom. It's all part of the range of how people experience phantom limb phenomena, and some of it can seem strange.

Image description:
An otherkin who is a Japanese fox spirit (kitsune) browses a bookshelf. Someone tries to sneak up and surprise them, but bumps into their phantom tail. The kitsune thinks, “Hmm… it feels like someone is standing behind me!” The caption says, “Watch out for kitsune… their butts have ESP.”
Description ends.

Edit 2025-01-09: Added local images and navigation.

Comments

[slupine.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if this has actually happened to me before. More than likely, seeing as how I hate it when anyone but my boyfriend comes in too close behind me.

The thing that DID happen recently was me being grossed out as I realized (if you'll pardon the mild grossness here) that my tail was dipping into the toilet. I was twitchy for a while, and it took a bit to remind myself that since the tail isn't "real", it is perfectly safe to sit on my furniture with it wet, without fear of contamination. o.o;;

It's bad when your OCD starts to extend to the phantom limbs, man. No wonder I have the most issues in the smaller stalls of public bathrooms.

[frameacloud]

Ew!
Hmm...
Nah, I think I'd better not make a comic out of that one. o.O

In a world where people really did have tails, chairs wouldn't be the only household objects that were modified to accommodate it.

[slupine.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Granted I wouldn't mind if you did, but it might make others as twitchy as it made me, just thinking about it. I have been careful about where I put my tail since then.... though I think that goes without saying...