1/31/07 - Nothing you can't handle...?

[Tapewolf]

With Abel, I can't help but wonder if he doesn't try to make friends for that underlying fear that they may go the same way as Xander and Devin, this is of course just a ponder from the backstory.

Indeed.  Originally I thought it was Cindy of course, and it's rather impressive if he managed to remain alone for something like 375 years, but loss is my pet theory.

I also hear the tense music play in the last panel, oh noes

I was thinking something more sombre, with strings...

I must say I do like Abel's expression in the third panel.

[Feather Dancer]

Cindy hadn't honestly clicked with me then but it is honestly possible that there might still be a niggle of feeling he could have prevented the suicide. There was clear personal blame, at least at the time, for Devin which may also be stomping around.

He could also be seeing the incident with the lying between Dan and Jyrass as "That's everything I want to avoid". I'm probably reading too much into it but it's a possible at least. Tense music meaning that "Du. Du. Du" for the end of Neighbous/Eastenders/another blasted soap when it hits the end episode cliff hanger. Always seem to catch those when channel switching

[Tapewolf]

Cindy hadn't honestly clicked with me then but it is honestly possible that there might still be a niggle of feeling he could have prevented the suicide. There was clear personal blame, at least at the time, for Devin which may also be stomping around.

Indeed - this was back before Devin appeared.

Tense music meaning that "Du. Du. Du" for the end of Neighbous/Eastenders/another blasted soap when it hits the end episode cliff hanger. Always seem to catch those when channel switching

Perhaps I'd better try to catch one, see how they score them.
It's rather difficult for this, because a dramatic buildup like that would be best, but on the other hand we're probably going to stay with Dan and Jyrras which is going to want something more sombre given that both of them are unhappy.

[MaskedRetriever]

Well, Jyrras is about to have a number of big reasons to feel better about his own situation (Dan already knows, Alexi isn't a racist, etc) and a couple of reasons to feel sorry for Dan, as in WOW, YOU POOR MIXED-UP SCHLUB-CUBI.

So Dan's gonna get oodles of sympathy from Jyrras, I'd bet.  On the other hand, Dan is still gonna be all vulnerable and--

Okay this probably won't turn into Dan/Jyrras slash, but a guy can hope.   

LOVING Abel's development here.  Betcha he falls for Jyrras eventually 

[superluser]

Is the cut from the third panel to the fourth one a sign that Abel's master plan is coming together, or that he is dead wrong?

I think he's shortly going to learn that Jyrras wants his body.

I think it's far simpler than that.  Abel probably thinks that he can handle a situation like that.  And let's face it, he probably could.  Dan, on the other hand, is not expected to be able to.  Whether or not he actually can is a separate issue.

In screenplay format, it would look something like the following:

ABEL

     After hundreds of years, there's nothing I can't handle.

JUMP CUT TO:

EXT. THE PARK

Jyrras is sitting on a park bench, looking dejected.  Dan approaches from behind.  Here is a situation that he can't handle.

The contrast here is between what Abel can handle and what Dan can handle.  It would be more obvious in the script, but it tends to get lost in the translation to images.

[Sid]

I think it's far simpler than that.  Abel probably thinks that he can handle a situation like that.  And let's face it, he probably could.  Dan, on the other hand, is not expected to be able to.  Whether or not he actually can is a separate issue.

Ah, good point. Didn't think of that...

[Tapewolf]

I think he's shortly going to learn that Jyrras wants his body.

I think it's far simpler than that.  Abel probably thinks that he can handle a situation like that.  And let's face it, he probably could.  Dan, on the other hand, is not expected to be able to.  Whether or not he actually can is a separate issue.

Perhaps.  Abel wasn't able to handle the jump of leaving SAIA initially, although he seems to be adapting.  His method of handling Fa'Lina resembles sticking his fingers in his ears and pretending she isn't there - which is interesting when contrasted to that confident smile in pane 3.

He's spent the last 370 years or so trying to avoid relationships, and he deliberately shut the door on Jy in #608 in so I'm not sure what he's going to do.

In fact, I'm not sure I agree with your assertion that Abel would be able to handle it.
Looking at 608 again, Abel turns on Jyrras, apparently because he seems to be afraid of becoming his friend.  After he shuts the door, the very next frame we see him is in a foetal position in the very poignant 609 strip.

You could be entirely right, of course - he could have turned away hundreds of gay incubi at SAIA and have got the "sorry but no" thing down to a fine art - but that's not exactly the impression I'm getting.

[Aleolus]

OK, this is going to be an interesting conversation coming up in the next comic.  And as for Abel not making any friends while he's here, that ain't gonna last.  He's gonna try, and fail spectaularly, becoming close friends with almost everyone there, including Dan, though his friendship with Dan will be the type where they constantly annoy and tease each other, but know they can count on the other in a tight situation.

[ShiningShadow]

OK then in theory if Abel will have friends then it will be hard to make them let alone not to annoy them till no end. But I think he will do fine if he tries to be difficult. Anywho I will wait till friday to see what happens next.

[Aridas]

What happened to Dan's bracer's?  When we last saw him in 735 he had bracer's on both arms and what looks like an armband on his left arm.  But in todays comic they are gone.  Did amber forget about them or did he take them off? Also, Jim Halisstrad, could you edit your post.  The text you have in CAPS has no spaces in it, and is causing me, and likely other people, to have to scroll from side to side to read other peoples posts.

The problem with all this is that he had bracers to hide his headwings... but he apparently doesn't have them right now either.

[Tapewolf]

Is the cut from the third panel to the fourth one a sign that Abel's master plan is coming together, or that he is dead wrong?

Abel's line "I'll be gone in a year or two" just gave me a thought.  How would he handle it if Fa'Lina tells him that he isn't coming back to the Academy afterwards?

[Stygian]

Abel's line "I'll be gone in a year or two" just gave me a thought.  How would he handle it if Fa'Lina tells him that he isn't coming back to the Academy afterwards?

Tricky question. And an especially good one, seeing as how her prescience has been diminished. Not if we presume that she is capable of remembering her visions, but... For the sake of the hypothesis, let's presume that her ability to predict the future is not only conditional of her being at SAIA or not, but also of the uncertainty factor that comes from being involved in events and shaping them actively, meaning that the conditions and the "timeline", if you will, are constantly changing and thus can't be regarded completely with her power as it is limited by her not being present at the collegium.
   If that is the case, then this is the perfect opportunity for Abel to escape the vile clutches of the pink poodle, wave it in her face, and then amscray and do whatever the f*** he likes. That would be a serious improvement, I think. One cannot live off being a thorn in another's side. Well, perhaps cubi can, but even they should feel a bit incomplete...

[AndersW]

What happened to Dan's bracer's?  When we last saw him in 735 he had bracer's on both arms and what looks like an armband on his left arm.  But in todays comic they are gone.  Did amber forget about them or did he take them off?

The problem with all this is that he had bracers to hide his headwings... but he apparently doesn't have them right now either.

Dan lost the bracer that hides his headwings and learned how to hide them on his own.  What I am trying to point out is that the last time we saw Dan, he was wearing bracer's and an armband, and now he is not.

[ShiningShadow]

Abel's line "I'll be gone in a year or two" just gave me a thought.  How would he handle it if Fa'Lina tells him that he isn't coming back to the Academy afterwards?

Tricky question. And an especially good one, seeing as how her prescience has been diminished. Not if we presume that she is capable of remembering her visions, but... For the sake of the hypothesis, let's presume that her ability to predict the future is not only conditional of her being at SAIA or not, but also of the uncertainty factor that comes from being involved in events and shaping them actively, meaning that the conditions and the "timeline", if you will, are constantly changing and thus can't be regarded completely with her power as it is limited by her not being present at the collegium.
   If that is the case, then this is the perfect opportunity for Abel to escape the vile clutches of the pink poodle, wave it in her face, and then amscray and do whatever the f*** he likes. That would be a serious improvement, I think. One cannot live off being a thorn in another's side. Well, perhaps cubi can, but even they should feel a bit incomplete...

In other words Abel just run out on Falina knowing his spine will be handed to him on a silver platter if she finds him. But I do like the idea of Abel doing what he likes on his own really on his own.

[Tapewolf]

Abel's line "I'll be gone in a year or two" just gave me a thought.  How would he handle it if Fa'Lina tells him that he isn't coming back to the Academy afterwards?

If that is the case [that her prescience is fogged] then this is the perfect opportunity for Abel to escape the vile clutches of the pink poodle, wave it in her face, and then amscray and do whatever the f*** he likes. That would be a serious improvement, I think. One cannot live off being a thorn in another's side. Well, perhaps cubi can, but even they should feel a bit incomplete...

Umm... but that would force her prediction to become true.  I don't know what hold Fa'Lina has over Abel but he did not want to leave the Academy.  I was wondering if she was going to offer him some official position, thus allowing him to return as a reward.  But if she doesn't...?

[ShiningShadow]

Yeah TW what is the thing she has a hold on Abel? Wait a minute I think I know and it iinvolves with the Abel Arc. I think Falina has the name of the professor who was there when Kria and the other student attacked the outpost and Falina is will give it to Abel when he completes this mission. I have a feeling that Abel has vengance in his heart mark my words.

[superluser]

You could be entirely right, of course - he could have turned away hundreds of gay incubi at SAIA and have got the "sorry but no" thing down to a fine art - but that's not exactly the impression I'm getting.

Well, I never said that he could handle the situation *well*, just that he could handle it to his satisfaction.

What I am trying to point out is that the last time we saw Dan, he was wearing bracer's and an armband, and now he is not.

Perhaps he feels that wearing armor to a heart-to-heart would be inappropriate?

Also, I didn't really pick up on Abel's particular phrasing of ``I'll be gone in a year or two,'' which sounds awfully familiar...

[Tapewolf]

Also, I didn't really pick up on Abel's particular phrasing of ``I'll be gone in a year or two,'' which sounds awfully familiar...

I think you'll find that if Amber ever decided to kill Abel she'd be dead before dawn! 

No, the thing is that Abel was in SAIA upon Fa'Lina's sufferance.  She's already taken the first step in getting him to go outside for two years.  The question is whether she'll let him return.  Mind you, in two years he might have decided it's not so bad and not want to return, but I guess we'll see.

[superluser]

Also, I didn't really pick up on Abel's particular phrasing of ``I'll be gone in a year or two,'' which sounds awfully familiar...

I think you'll find that if Amber ever decided to kill Abel she'd be dead before dawn!

Maybe I'm misreading the lyrics, but I don't think he dies in Take On Me.

[Tapewolf]

I think you'll find that if Amber ever decided to kill Abel she'd be dead before dawn!

Maybe I'm misreading the lyrics, but I don't think he dies in Take On Me.

Gah... quite right - I was thinking of another video from that period.

[Tiny crested flint]

From a critical standpoint, this comic is stupendous and the layout works well.  Absolutely perfect use of the scene swap technique wherein a simple comment that preceeds the swap comepletely explains all the aspects of the next scene. Lastly there is just pure power of emotion in the final panel. Amazing how you conveyed so much emotion in just one shot, and just a simple close-up face shot on Jyrras. Usually it takes the facial expressions AND the body language to express so much. to Ms. Amber.

Now from the story-reader and comic fan veiwpoint,
Oh poor Jyrras
That's not the look of "this is the hardest time of my life, I need help" that look says "everyone hates me, I hate myself, I've given up all hope, I wish I were dead"
and on top of all that there seems to be a slight hint of "All these problems are my fault" He just needs a hug so desperately.  of course it's not his fault at all.

on to Dan.... Dan, You Had Better NOT start a rant about your own feelings (at least not yet) 'cause when you rant you say the first thing thought up without considering any kind of tact,  and that's what got you in this mess in the first place.  So for this heart-to-heart, think every word through carefully.

[Azlan]

I don't hug guys. 

Neither did I, then I committed myself to religious studies of DMFA and something happened.  I'm still married to a woman! 

help...

[Valynth]

What the heck do you need help getting away from?  All the free ***?  I would help you, but the only person I'll have *** with is MY wife, nonexistant though she may be.

(edited for censorship)

[Azlan]

What the heck do you need help getting away from?  All the free ***?  I would help you, but the only person I'll have *** with is MY wife, nonexistant though she may be.

(edited for censorship)

It was more of a help for the guy hugging thing... the whole Neni thing rules, that's one force of chaos.   

[Kenji]

What the heck do you need help getting away from?  All the free ***?  I would help you, but the only person I'll have *** with is MY wife, nonexistant though she may be.

(edited for censorship)

It was more of a help for the guy hugging thing... the whole Neni thing rules, that's one force of chaos.   

Your only hope is to kiss Neni so deep that your thoughts of hugging guys goes poof. o:

[Azlan]

Indeed, but small fluffy cute...

[Kenji]

No! Bad Azlan! No thinking about sad Jy-Jys! Be mad that he has patches that can make you look bad! Mad I say!

[Azlan]

Yes bad! 

On a side note, I do love the dolls... if I had one of Janus Bond, I could feed him to the paragator.

[Alondro]

My reaction to the comic is that I suspect sudden tragedy!  Poor Jy-jy is sitting there as Dan approaches to attempt reconcilliation.  But suddenly out from the shadows leaps none other than the savage, sadistic succubus Charline!  She devours Jy in an instant, before Dan can react, then whisks away roaring in maniacal laughter! 

All hope of understanding gone, Dan breaks down before the little puddle of blood, which is all that remains of poor little Jyrras.  Thus, his dark, brooding, and unfunny emo quest to avenge Jyrras begins.  There is NO humor!  It's increasingly sad and depressing as one character after another dies a heart-rending death and the world of Furrae crumbles into bloody chaos...  until at last all the readers stab themselves with marshmallows.

And that's why we never let Amber watch "Wolf's Rain". 

[Fex]

My reaction to the comic is that I suspect sudden tragedy!  Poor Jy-jy is sitting there as Dan approaches to attempt reconcilliation.  But suddenly out from the shadows leaps none other than the savage, sadistic succubus Charline!  She devours Jy in an instant, before Dan can react, then whisks away roaring in maniacal laughter! 

All hope of understanding gone, Dan breaks down before the little puddle of blood, which is all that remains of poor little Jyrras.  Thus, his dark, brooding, and unfunny emo quest to avenge Jyrras begins.  There is NO humor!  It's increasingly sad and depressing as one character after another dies a heart-rending death and the world of Furrae crumbles into bloody chaos...  until at last all the readers stab themselves with marshmallows.

And that's why we never let Amber watch "Wolf's Rain". 

NOOOOOOOOOOOO JY JY *shoots my self with a marshmallowgun* those are reall to I made one my self =3 you need a empty toiletpaper roll, a balloon, duct tape and marshmallows. You put the opening of the balloon around one end of the roll then use the duct tape to keep it in place. Then you can shoot marshmallows =3