10/24/08 [Abel 2 #33] - Kill Yourself?

[Jer-oh-me]

I couldn't remember if Ink was established as staff at this point in canon or not, it seemed to me possible that he would have at one point been a student at SAIA. I did say I'd look back to make sure the theory was possible.

Ink claims to be slightly younger than Fa'Lina.  This would probably make him older than Destania, who is a faculty member at this point.

Okay, I still think it's Ink suggesting suicide, though.

[Tapewolf]

Okay, I still think it's Ink suggesting suicide, though.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/tapewolf/dmfa/not_ink.png

Even if we assume it's some kind of slip, "Gonna" doesn't sound like something Ink would say.

[Magic]

To answer the previous one,

(Amber, very roughly paraphrased): DMFA Ink is at least a thousand years younger than Fa'lina.

Don't take mine as the final word on that.

As a note, after Turnsky generally integrated Ink into Ariannia too and Ren's decision to toss Ink into the G.S. Brigade, I've generally decided that there's an infinite amount of variations of Ink in an infinite number of universes, all vulpine base form, and all relatively the same profession a la Final Fantasy Cid.

Also incidentally, Ariannia Ink is the benchmark (so far, [/ominousmessage]), other variations, DMFA included, are (mostly) more or less tame depending on the comic writer's tastes.

And finally; for the people asking about the halo: it pops up sometimes when he's actively thinking about being evil.

[Sunblink]

Darn, I had thought Ink was suggesting the suicide too. ALL FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDY.

Even if we assume it's some kind of slip, "Gonna" doesn't sound like something Ink would say.

For some reason I can't shake the thought that it's something Aniz would say, but I doubt he could infiltrate SAIA without Fa'Lina's knowledge - and I also doubt that Fa'Lina would voluntarily allow Aniz near his damaged son ever again.

Destania doesn't seem like the type to say "gonna" either, so I'm going to think it's a new character.

[Jer-oh-me]

Alright I'm convinced that it can't be Ink, but now we have no suspects except the inferred Jon Doe. What if it's... Crud! I can't remember her name. She went back to SAIA to teach in the primary story.

Found her, Aaryanna! Could it be her?

[techmaster-glitch]

Huh. So there wasn't a scene change...

[superluser]

Found her, Aaryanna! Could it be her?

I said before that I sincerely doubt it.  There's a real-life reason why she hasn't been around for a while, and that reason is likely to preclude her being Abel's roommate.

What's more, Aaryanna doesn't seem the type to have a sardonic style of humor and I'd imagine she'd be more blunt than flip.

Those are the two big objections I have.  As to smaller objections, I don't recall if SAIA allows co-ed roommates, but upon reflection, I wouldn't be surprised.  Aary has had 50 years in SAIA at this point, and we know that Abel has had three roommates in 400 years, suggesting that Aary would probably have gotten a roommate by this point.  She also wouldn't seem to be a good fit with Abel in his present state, but Fa'Lina might have a reason to do that.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

If you're drawing from this comic, it seems quite possible, even probable, that Abel has had more than three roommates. All this one shows is that this is the third case of Abel driving a roommate into perpetual wakefulness. He probably did other things to other roommates, especially to the ones that don't sleep naturally.


I'm wondering though, we know that Abel hasn't left SAIA much, if at all, in the 375ish years between Abel's Comic and the core DMFA strip, and that's rather unusual. What is the "normal" term of learning at SAIA? Do the students have to pay tuition? What's the attitude on people coming in, studying for a year or two, going out, and coming back like a century later? How hard do they push 'Cubi to learn there? Do 'Cubi have monetary systems? If someone wished, could they stay at the academy and study for their entire life? (Something that appeals to me at least....)

*Shuts up before his queries lose all coherence*

[Tapewolf]

I'm wondering though, we know that Abel hasn't left SAIA much, if at all, in the 375ish years between Abel's Comic and the core DMFA strip, and that's rather unusual. What is the "normal" term of learning at SAIA?

This may interest you:
http://nice.llearch.net/dmfa_forum2075.htm#ref4

...it covers the course duration aspect, but the rest of it, we don't know.  I'd be particularly interested in how the Academy is financed, especially when you have 'Cubi like Abel and Dan who are taken almost forcibly into the place.

It does seem to be that case that a given 'Cubi could go into a career of academia like my brother seems to have, though with SAIA it's likely that you'd end up on-staff eventually.

[Gamma]

Since magical affinity and use is almost universal among Cubi I would believe anything useful would be created by the students and staff, extraordinarily complex items excluded.
Emotional energy helps fuel them all, created by the residence and "visitors" of SAIA, with imported or grown food supplementing the few who may hold on to such a need.
The school would then be mostly self sufficient and imported items could be bartered for or a large cache of raw materials created over time could be sold off.

Any payment they made need to provide could take the form of creating raw goods and possibly generating/finding emotional energy.

Must I rationalize everything?...
Apparently so.


Then again it could all go off the Federation's idea of "It's all free for the betterment of our civilization/species. Just make sure you're pulling your weight."

[Jer-oh-me]

My guess goes roughly along with Tapewolf's, there are probably graduate level students mucking about SAIA. Given immortality, or near immortality,  being one of the primary cubi traits I'd wager that spending ages in education is normal.

So... Doctor of Grass Growth Sciences anyone?

[Gamma]

Ink's been moonlighting from his normal position.

He probably specializes in crabgrass though.

[Jer-oh-me]

Ink's been moonlighting from his normal position.

He probably specializes in crabgrass though.

Actually that was a crack on the class Abel was in before he was assigned as Dan's tutor.

[Tapewolf]

Then again it could all go off the Federation's idea of "It's all free for the betterment of our civilization/species. Just make sure you're pulling your weight."

They trade with the outside world, that's almost definite.  IIRC Amber did say at one point that it wasn't entirely cut off, and note that they do have a shiny, microprocessor-controlled vending machine (see 571).
Granted, they might have some kind of 'Being Technology' department which makes such things, but the cans have to come from somewhere and having their very own bottling plant seems a bit of a stretch 

That said, I suspect the education itself is subsidised.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

[Naldru]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Considering the fact that Fa'lina has lived for thousands of years and has some ability to see the future, she probably would do well in the stock market.  Besides, when Fa'lina goes around for the fundraiser for the scholarship fund, how many would have the guts to turn her away?

[Amber Williams]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Which warrents the answer "NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS "

Seriously guys. I am not an economics major. I draw a comic about magical and colourful animal-people. If you are focusing on trying to figure out how the import/export system of SAIA works...you are seriously missing the entire point of the strip. Which is to be funny.

[Aleolus]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Which warrents the answer "NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS "

Seriously guys. I am not an economics major. I draw a comic about magical and colourful animal-people. If you are focusing on trying to figure out how the import/export system of SAIA works...you are seriously missing the entire point of the strip. Which is to be funny.

Perhaps this would warrent posting, Miss Williams?

[Gamma]

Sorry but I've noticed most of us have a need to rationalize even the simplest things in fantasy.

I know I do it as a control mechanism for the rest of the world, makes me feel safer knowing more about everything I can. Affords me little hope but I still, somehow, feel safer.

I don't know the reasons behind their rationalizations, I would guess it's mostly for just the fun of it. A new puzzle so to speak.


And yes, I watch waaaay to much House.

[Tapewolf]

Perhaps this would warrent posting, Miss Williams?
[cat girls]

No, that'll make it worse.  I don't like catgirls.  And this isn't physics, it's economics 

Seriously guys. I am not an economics major. I draw a comic about magical and colourful animal-people. If you are focusing on trying to figure out how the import/export system of SAIA works...you are seriously missing the entire point of the strip. Which is to be funny.

Different approaches, I think.  You write the entire life story for a character who appears in just one panel - I sit down and design Jakob's business model and decide which particular brand of hifi appears in the common room.

[Howl]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Which warrents the answer "NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS "

Seriously guys. I am not an economics major. I draw a comic about magical and colourful animal-people. If you are focusing on trying to figure out how the import/export system of SAIA works...you are seriously missing the entire point of the strip. Which is to be funny.

I thought that was only the main strip.

Anyway, question. Do you intend to shift the update schedule around when you finish Perfect Date?

[Naldru]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Which warrants the answer "NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS "

Well, yes, I suppose I am.  However, perhaps I should have put a few smileys on my response.  I was merely pointing out that Fa'lina's abilities and assets are rather sizable.  (Ooooh, the mental image that passed through my mind on that one.)

Bimarck once said that those who enjoy sausages or politics should never watch either of them being made.  The same applies to the over-analysis of fantasy and science fiction.  And this is from a person whose daughter thinks he is far worse than Jyrras.

Shakespeare made the statement: "All the world's a stage.  And all the men and women merely players".  However, as we all know, that's not true.  Most of them are critics.

Amber, let me also take this opportunity to congratulation on your wedding anniversary and return to health.

[Amber Williams]

I thought that was only the main strip.

Anyway, question. Do you intend to shift the update schedule around when you finish Perfect Date?

Answer: I am not your answer pinata. Stop hitting me with a stick everytime I show up expecting me to drop candy or information.  Odds are when I find that out for myself I will post on the main page about it.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Perhaps this would warrent posting, Miss Williams?

... "Miss" ?? Did something happen to tailsteak when I wasn't looking?

[Howl]

Communication is futile, it seems.

Perhaps this would warrent posting, Miss Williams?

... "Miss" ?? Did something happen to tailsteak when I wasn't looking?

Ha.

[Aleolus]

My apologies, I had forgotten that Amber is married.  I know, my mind is a grease pool >.>

[AmigaDragon]

Then again it could all go off the Federation's idea of "It's all free for the betterment of our civilization/species. Just make sure you're pulling your weight."

They trade with the outside world, that's almost definite.  IIRC Amber did say at one point that it wasn't entirely cut off, and note that they do have a shiny, microprocessor-controlled vending machine (see 571).
Granted, they might have some kind of 'Being Technology' department which makes such things, but the cans have to come from somewhere and having their very own bottling plant seems a bit of a stretch 

That said, I suspect the education itself is subsidised.

574, but I see nothing there to indicate whether it's microprocessor controlled, magic controlled or a combination.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

AmigaDragon, I now have a mental image of a magic vending machine.

Vending 8 foot lengths of 2x4 timber. Lengthways, out of a box that is no bigger than 3ft across...

[Noone]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Well, according to comic 652, it's possible that SAIA may have some powerful enough spellcasters to create whatever they might need for the academy, and if all else fails, I guess they could magically create a lump of gold or some diamonds, hide their wings, sell them, and then return with the funds. On a side note, I would hate to imagine what such a process would do to inflation...
I find it more likely that they would just create and manufacture whatever materials they need for the academy though, it seems like a much simpler process and I'm sure there are enough cubi that want to keep SAIA running in order to make that possible.

[Jer-oh-me]

Which raises the question of by whom, and where that party gets the resources from?

Well, according to comic 652, it's possible that SAIA may have some powerful enough spellcasters to create whatever they might need for the academy, and if all else fails, I guess they could magically create a lump of gold or some diamonds, hide their wings, sell them, and then return with the funds. On a side note, I would hate to imagine what such a process would do to inflation...
I find it more likely that they would just create and manufacture whatever materials they need for the academy though, it seems like a much simpler process and I'm sure there are enough cubi that want to keep SAIA running in order to make that possible.

Considering how simple your final thought there is I will side with you on that belief concerning SAIA's socio-economic impact on the rest of the furrae universe, what with it appealing to my appreciation of Ocham's Razor.

To Amber:

Come on surely the musings of a few tame nerds is if not helpful then at least humorous?