I guess the demons don't know a lot about SAIA.
Pity those two don't get along. I like Kria's expression, though.
Also: barely veiled hostility over tea. Classic.
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Fa'lina's pink is so calming. And I like the feelings and tension in this strip. Also i notice there are cookies, yeah cookies! :mowcookie
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Well, they're not killing each other. Always a start.
"Your kind" seems rather harsh. More importantly, that epithet actually includes Abel. If that attitude is shared by any significant portion of the town, he has good reason not to want to stay.
I don't know who to feel sympathy for there....
Kria was being nasty to Fa'Lina, but Fa'Lina seems to deserve it based on a combination of her talking about Abel's choice plus that look she gives Kria at the end.... :erk
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall Fa'Lina ever interacting with Kira during Abel's Story before.
There's nothing to stop them from getting along eventually - a good century could do wonders - but I think Kira seems to have a serious matrimonial complex over Abel. (Any psych majors out there that can say what I'm trying to say?) Anyway, we know that Kira is attached somewhat to Abel already, as shown after the outpost attack. Could this just still be protective instinct instead of anything against Fa'Lina? (And 'cubis, and SAIA.)
Also, Fa'Lina seems to have the ability to loom ominously without eve having to stand up.
I've come to notice these characters being referred to as "Lady"--Abel's mother, and now Kria....
Whether or not they have heard much about SAIA, they probably don't trust anything they have heard. Aniz didn't exactly improve the reputation of the cubi race.
Quote from: Scrap Fish on December 27, 2009, 11:08:25 PM
Kira
@Scrap I think you mean 'Kria'.
@Topic
I think it would be fair to assume that Beings are not the only ones that seem to misunderstand Cubi in general. I can't exactly see demons having good things to say about them either, when so many a book were written about the 'sexy, seductive soul-scarfing' cubi rather than the nice ones.
In my opinion, this seems to be a sort of 'pot calling the kettle black' situation.
Quote from: Scrap Fish on December 27, 2009, 11:08:25 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall Fa'Lina ever interacting with Kira during Abel's Story before.
There's nothing to stop them from getting along eventually - a good century could do wonders - but I think Kira seems to have a serious matrimonial complex over Abel.
You mean maternal, as in motherly. Although she might marry him eventually :P
Quote from: Madd the Sane on December 27, 2009, 11:35:32 PM
Quote from: Scrap Fish on December 27, 2009, 11:08:25 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall Fa'Lina ever interacting with Kira during Abel's Story before.
There's nothing to stop them from getting along eventually - a good century could do wonders - but I think Kira seems to have a serious matrimonial complex over Abel.
You mean maternal, as in motherly. Although she might marry him eventually :P
Oh crap, what have you done.
YOU'VE GIVEN THE UNREGISTERED LURKERS MORE CRACK PAIRINGS TO SHIP KGJDFSOIGSJFDIOPGJOIF
Fa'lina looks like Cruella de Ville.
</observation>
"Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretence of a civil conversation would even be happening. I assure you it woulden't"
I'm not really following what Fa'Lina is implying there.
I mean it sounds threatening and ominous and all, but what is being threatened or omened, I can not say.
Quote from: Twist on December 28, 2009, 12:01:52 AM
"Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretence of a civil conversation would even be happening. I assure you it woulden't"
I'm not really following what Fa'Lina is implying there.
I mean it sounds threatening and ominous and all, but what is being threatened or omened, I can not say.
She's basically saying that if she went through the trouble of brainwashing all her students, she wouldn't even be bothering with "chatting" with Kria, and just do whatever the hell she wants to with Abel.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on December 28, 2009, 12:05:32 AM
Quote from: Twist on December 28, 2009, 12:01:52 AM
"Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretence of a civil conversation would even be happening. I assure you it woulden't"
I'm not really following what Fa'Lina is implying there.
I mean it sounds threatening and ominous and all, but what is being threatened or omened, I can not say.
She's basically saying that if she went through the trouble of brainwashing all her students, she wouldn't even be bothering with "chatting" with Kria, and just do whatever the hell she wants to with Abel.
I suppose that makes perfect sense. Thank you.
My brain must not be working entirely correctly.
no, I didn't quite understand it either.
I think Fa'lina's smile there almost borders psychotic. or I'm better then you. I get those two mixed up.
Quote from: ooklah on December 28, 2009, 12:36:36 AM
no, I didn't quite understand it either.
I think Fa'lina's smile there almost borders psychotic. or I'm better then you. I get those two mixed up.
It is a display of power. Kria(WHY DO I ALWAYS WANT TO CALL HER KIRA!) is a demon and demons only respect power (http://www.missmab.com/Demo/demon.php). Kria herself gave a lecture to Jy on the subject of power (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_343.php).
I think this qualifies as tea with dragons, in spite of there not being any actual dragons present. My interpretation of Fa'lina's comment was that if she *were* brainwashing her 'cubi students, she'd have such a power base that the power of Zinvth would be small potatoes in comparison (thus Fa'lina's "smile" - which you *really* don't want directed in your direction if you know Fa'lina).
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on December 28, 2009, 12:05:32 AM
Quote from: Twist on December 28, 2009, 12:01:52 AM
"Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretence of a civil conversation would even be happening. I assure you it woulden't"
I'm not really following what Fa'Lina is implying there.
I mean it sounds threatening and ominous and all, but what is being threatened or omened, I can not say.
She's basically saying that if she went through the trouble of brainwashing all her students, she wouldn't even be bothering with "chatting" with Kria, and just do whatever the hell she wants to with Abel.
I read different meanings from Fa'Lina's statements.
1) First, Fa'Lina is giving a threatening look with her eyes. Remember that for later.
2) Fa'Lina is reminding Kria that she is very powerful and not to be trifled with or more the point here, marginalized.
3) While being vague, Fa'Lina is implying that she could choose to end this conversation with extreme prejudice any time she chose to. Here's where the threatening look comes in, to make sure Kria gets the point. Because it is vague, however, there is nothing Kria can do about it. The threat is entirely implied.
On a side note, Fa'Lina deeply carees about Abel's well-being, and sees Kria as another safety measure for Abel. She'd much rather have Kria alive and in her position as occasional protector of Abel.
On a completely separete note, I really like the composition of this page with the tea party background.
Hehehe....the more I read about this meetup makes me wonder what would happen if Kria ran into Fa'Lina in the present time, or for that matter...if Abel while Lorenda was around :mowhappy
Quote from: jeffh4 on December 28, 2009, 01:16:20 AM
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on December 28, 2009, 12:05:32 AM
Quote from: Twist on December 28, 2009, 12:01:52 AM
"Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretence of a civil conversation would even be happening. I assure you it woulden't"
I'm not really following what Fa'Lina is implying there.
I mean it sounds threatening and ominous and all, but what is being threatened or omened, I can not say.
She's basically saying that if she went through the trouble of brainwashing all her students, she wouldn't even be bothering with "chatting" with Kria, and just do whatever the hell she wants to with Abel.
I read different meanings from Fa'Lina's statements.
1) First, Fa'Lina is giving a threatening look with her eyes. Remember that for later.
2) Fa'Lina is reminding Kria that she is very powerful and not to be trifled with or more the point here, marginalized.
3) While being vague, Fa'Lina is implying that she could choose to end this conversation with extreme prejudice any time she chose to. Here's where the threatening look comes in, to make sure Kria gets the point. Because it is vague, however, there is nothing Kria can do about it. The threat is entirely implied.
On a side note, Fa'Lina deeply carees about Abel's well-being, and sees Kria as another safety measure for Abel. She'd much rather have Kria alive and in her position as occasional protector of Abel.
On a completely separete note, I really like the composition of this page with the tea party background.
My interpretation is that if she had mind control over Abel, why would they be here in the first place? she would just make him stay at SAIA and never think about his mother, or maybe make him forget her. I think that is what she is implying. Why would she let Abel have this opportunity to see his mom before she died if she didn't care or only wanted control?
I'm having flashbacks of Babylon 5.
"The best thing for the young ones is to do exactly as I tell them to do."
"No, the best thing for them is to be able to make decisions for themselves."
/war on
There may well be a less subtle implication here, too. Notably, one along the lines of "If I was that good at brainwashing and wanted to stoop as low as you suggest, why would I even bother trying to convince you the hard way when I could just as easily have you eating out of my hand as well?".
Quote from: A. Lurker on December 28, 2009, 05:09:30 AM
"If I was that good at brainwashing and wanted to stoop as low as you suggest, why would I even bother trying to convince you the hard way when I could just as easily have you eating out of my hand as well?".
Perhaps. However, Fa'Lina has had 39 years to break Abel's will, and maybe 10 minutes with Kria.
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 05:12:50 AM
Quote from: A. Lurker on December 28, 2009, 05:09:30 AM
"If I was that good at brainwashing and wanted to stoop as low as you suggest, why would I even bother trying to convince you the hard way when I could just as easily have you eating out of my hand as well?".
Perhaps. However, Fa'Lina has had 39 years to break Abel's will, and maybe 10 minutes with Kria.
it doesn't take much to screw with a mind, all it takes is to plant that little seed, and the rest can go on from there.
Quote from: Turnsky on December 28, 2009, 05:19:06 AM
it doesn't take much to screw with a mind, all it takes is to plant that little seed, and the rest can go on from there.
I planted my own, and I must say it's growing quite well!
Quote from: Turnsky on December 28, 2009, 05:19:06 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 05:12:50 AM
Quote from: A. Lurker on December 28, 2009, 05:09:30 AM
"If I was that good at brainwashing and wanted to stoop as low as you suggest, why would I even bother trying to convince you the hard way when I could just as easily have you eating out of my hand as well?".
Perhaps. However, Fa'Lina has had 39 years to break Abel's will, and maybe 10 minutes with Kria.
it doesn't take much to screw with a mind, all it takes is to plant that little seed, and the rest can go on from there.
Moreover, while I could be mistaken, from their conversation when arriving at the hospital I got the impression that Fa'lina and Kria knew each other
already. Now, it
is possible that that would be just by reputation and that this was their first actual encounter ever...but if not, that would give Fa'lina rather more than just "maybe 10 minutes" to work on at least 'helping' Kria get over her nasty 'paranoia' towards her. (I'm assuming here that cubi mind tricks do in fact work on demons, but there's been nothing to really indicate they don't -- for all his lack of practice, Dan had no trouble picking up Regina's thoughts in the main story not so long ago, so members of the demon race probably don't enjoy an automatic D&D-ish immunity to 'mind-affecting magic'. And Fa'lina is almost certainly anything
but weak or inexperienced -- not to say that Ms. Soulstealer is, either, but I think you get my point.)
I keep having a vision of Kria pushing Fa'Lina too far, perhaps by interfering with Abel's free-will choice of staying or leaving, leading to Kria (and us) being witness to the true power that is the Tr-Wing Fa'Lina. Demons only respect power, and 'cubi like to hold their cards close to their chest, and my impression is Kria has been trying to make a power-play at Fa'Lina since the encounter at the hospital began. Testing for strengths and weaknesses, if you will.
All of Kria and Fa'Lina's interactions until now probably have been business-orientated and very controlled.
Is there a Tr-Wing moment in the near future to rival Cyra's entrance?
It's an interesting question of which of the two would make a better parent for Abel; both have shown that they care very deeply for him: Fa'Lina by protecting him and his mother from Aniz and actively taking Abel into her care; and Kria by not killing him when she really should have. Of course, both of them have an abundance of cons.
Looking at how Abel turned out in the main comic as opposed to Lorenda, and Kria and Fa'Lina's overall behavior, it's really a choice between two evils, and either way it'll be up to the child to judge the parent. That's not a good position to be in.
The scale is tipped in favor of Fa'Lina, though, because presumably Kria still works for whoever scolded her over showing mercy (presumably Aniz, but let's assume for a moment it's not) but we have to remember that certain 'cubi tend to eat souls for a living, which again balances with the fact that demons demonstratedly have no loyalties, which only emphasizes the choice between two evils.
:explosion
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Fa'Lina's just weird that way. I think it's safe to assume that they're really good friends but Fa'Lina would gladly crush her without hesitating.
Quote from: Crawlwyvern on December 28, 2009, 09:02:50 AM
we have to remember that certain 'cubi tend to eat souls for a living, which again balances with the fact that demons demonstratedly have no loyalties, which only emphasizes the choice between two evils.
You forgot what Kria's surname is, didn't you? :P
Fa'Lina's probably the safer choice in that regard - she's powerful enough that she doesn't need to do that sort of thing.
EDIT:
I suspect that Abel himself is likely to interrupt before anything unpleasant happens.
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 10:04:23 AM
Quote from: Crawlwyvern on December 28, 2009, 09:02:50 AM
we have to remember that certain 'cubi tend to eat souls for a living, which again balances with the fact that demons demonstratedly have no loyalties, which only emphasizes the choice between two evils.
You forgot what Kria's surname is, didn't you? :P
Oh, yeah. Well, that just made things a whole lot more complicated.
Quote from: Crawlwyvern on December 28, 2009, 09:02:50 AM
... because presumably Kria still works for whoever scolded her over showing mercy (presumably Aniz, but let's assume for a moment it's not) ...
I thought that was Uncle Aliph.
Diplomacy is the art of having tea together with polite conversation while both sides true desire is to rip out the throat of the other party.
Quote from: Orion Asmodeus Dezagrats on December 27, 2009, 11:33:08 PM
Quote from: Scrap Fish on December 27, 2009, 11:08:25 PM
Kira
@Scrap I think you mean 'Kria'.
Quote from: Orion Asmodeus Dezagrats on December 27, 2009, 11:43:59 PM
Quote from: Madd the Sane on December 27, 2009, 11:35:32 PM
Quote from: Scrap Fish on December 27, 2009, 11:08:25 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 27, 2009, 10:21:04 PM
Oh, I don't know. I thought Fa'Lina got on rather well with Kria...
Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall Fa'Lina ever interacting with Kira during Abel's Story before.
There's nothing to stop them from getting along eventually - a good century could do wonders - but I think Kira seems to have a serious matrimonial complex over Abel.
You mean maternal, as in motherly. Although she might marry him eventually :P
Oh crap, what have you done.
YOU'VE GIVEN THE UNREGISTERED LURKERS MORE CRACK PAIRINGS TO SHIP KGJDFSOIGSJFDIOPGJOIF
Uh...
Oops?
Doing well, aren't I?
Yes, I meant "maternal" not "matrimonial." That's like, a freudian-slip level mistake. And I go ahead and get Kria's name wrong to boot.
Quote from: Bjalf on December 28, 2009, 10:22:00 AM
Quote from: Crawlwyvern on December 28, 2009, 09:02:50 AM
... because presumably Kria still works for whoever scolded her over showing mercy (presumably Aniz, but let's assume for a moment it's not) ...
I thought that was Uncle Aliph.
It may be. I have my personal suspicions, but nothing is confirmed yet.
Quote from: Bjalf on December 28, 2009, 10:22:00 AM
Quote from: Crawlwyvern on December 28, 2009, 09:02:50 AM
... because presumably Kria still works for whoever scolded her over showing mercy (presumably Aniz, but let's assume for a moment it's not) ...
I thought that was Uncle Aliph.
...or to Kria, her big-brother, Aliph. Who better to train her in demon-rampaging ways that her older, more experienced brother?
(According to the cast page, Kria was, oh, somewhere in her 20's or 30's when she was Abel's kindergarten teacher, still quite young for a demon. Her brother is about 300+ years older than her.)
But back to the reason I wanted to post: Fa'lina's retort:
"Oh you wound my pride Lady Soulstealer. Do you really think that if I had to resort to brainwashing at my school that this pretense of a civil conversation would even be happening? I assure you it wouldn't."
Funny how everyone missed the phrase, "pretense of a civil conversation." Fa'lina's calling Kria's bluff, basically: "This whole chat-over-tea-and-cookies is a sham, and we both know it." Really, those two sentences speak volumes. IMHO, Fa'lina is implying:
- "I am old enough and powerful enough that brainwashing is far beneath me. Your accusation is, therefore, flat-out insulting."
- "I'm tolerating your 'brainwash' insinuation and all of your other insults and rude behavior since I arrived ... barely tolerating them."
- "You obviously know that I'm powerful, but clearly don't know just
how powerful I am. Don't. Test. Your Luck."
That, at least, is how I interpret Fa'lina. And that look on Fa'lina's face ... {shudders}
Scary.
Well Fal'ina probably knows why she's so defensive.
I guess Fa'lina has to calm down Kria before any sort of talking terms can be established.
A vague threat of that level might,
1. Make her take a step back and be reasonable about what their talking about.
2. It might push Kria over the edge and make a battle take place.
But I sense that Abel's dad is going to come into this argument sooner than later.
I wonder if the Demon's even know why the Cubi have a hidden school?
Hmm. So the two hottest women in Abel's Story (not counting May in Volume 1) don't get along. Innnnterestink...
Quote from: ooklah on December 28, 2009, 12:36:36 AM
no, I didn't quite understand it either.
I think Fa'lina's smile there almost borders psychotic. or I'm better then you. I get those two mixed up.
I'd say both. She's got that look cats are the masters of most of the time, but unlike a housecat, she can back up her veiled threat/reassurance/she's a succubus, it means a lot of things. (sips her orange juice thoughtfully) This requires more in-depth looks. WHy would Demons hate 'Cubi, or, more specifically, why would Kria hate Fa'Lina when Demons respect power? Of course, you can hate someone and still respect them, but even if Kria is much younger here than we know her now, she still seemed capable, in other comics, of masking hatred. Here, it's right out there. And Fa'Lina, who is well over 9,000 years old, can't mask whatever the hell she's trying (or not trying) to mask either. It's really really confusing.
........Please, marm, may I have some more? 83
Quote from: Black_angel on December 28, 2009, 12:34:28 PM
I'd say both. She's got that look cats are the masters of most of the time, but unlike a housecat, she can back up her veiled threat/reassurance/she's a succubus, it means a lot of things. (sips her orange juice thoughtfully)
She's Tri-wing, albeit a modest one. It would not surprise me if she could take over Zinvth where she stands, without even needing to put the tea down. Chances are Kria does not really know or accept that.
QuoteThis requires more in-depth looks. WHy would Demons hate 'Cubi, or, more specifically, why would Kria hate Fa'Lina when Demons respect power?
They don't like 'Cubi because they tend to sneak around and deceive people rather than being upfront about it. What Fa'Lina is doing may buy her kudos from Kria. However, I don't think they know about May. That is liable to disrupt things too. Then there is the question of whatever inheritance Abel is entitled to. If he could convert that to liquid assets and bank it, he'd be pretty rich when he leaves SAIA.
She spent all her money helping others or something, that's why she couldn't afford life extension treatment.
Unless you're just talking about compound interest on an initially modest sum. That could work.
Quote from: terrycloth on December 28, 2009, 01:43:55 PM
She spent all her money helping others or something, that's why she couldn't afford life extension treatment.
Unless you're just talking about compound interest on an initially modest sum. That could work.
We have no clue how much life extension costs - it could run into millions. But we do know that Kria's main stated reason for testing Abel was to prevent some unscrupulous 'Cubi from making off with the inheritance, so it's obviously a nonzero sum. It might be the property. 300'000 or so might not pay for life extension but still be a tidy sum, especially after 300 years of compound interest.
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 02:17:52 PM
But we do know that Kria's main stated reason for testing Abel was to prevent some unscrupulous 'Cubi from making off with the inheritance, so it's obviously a nonzero sum. It might be the property. 300'000 or so might not pay for life extension but still be a tidy sum, especially after 300 years of compound interest.
It might even be priceless items and relics. May's husband was an adventurer, who knows what shinies he picked up in his travels.
Quote from: Scarydragon on December 28, 2009, 02:45:58 PM
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 02:17:52 PM
But we do know that Kria's main stated reason for testing Abel was to prevent some unscrupulous 'Cubi from making off with the inheritance, so it's obviously a nonzero sum. It might be the property. 300'000 or so might not pay for life extension but still be a tidy sum, especially after 300 years of compound interest.
It might even be priceless items and relics. May's husband was an adventurer, who knows what shinies he picked up in his travels.
yes, And Some said items maybe better off the market...of which some items, Kria or Fa'lina would object to being in other's hands. (whoa That is too far there)
BUT I think these two are really looking out of Abel's welfare. Which they don't trust each other with.
PBH
Quote from: Naldru on December 28, 2009, 10:58:25 AM
Diplomacy is the art of having tea together with polite conversation while both sides true desire is to rip out the throat of the other party.
One of the more interesting yet boring to tell experiences I had in college was I had the honour of witnessing two historians, both with a different stance regarding the contents of a particular Greecian tomb and who was buried in it, debate. Never before (and possibly never again) have I witnessed such flowery and civil ways of two people calling the other a buttface without actually out and saying it.
Quote from: Amber Williams on December 28, 2009, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: Naldru on December 28, 2009, 10:58:25 AM
Diplomacy is the art of having tea together with polite conversation while both sides true desire is to rip out the throat of the other party.
One of the more interesting yet boring to tell experiences I had in college was I had the honour of witnessing two historians, both with a different stance regarding the contents of a particular Greecian tomb and who was buried in it, debate. Never before (and possibly never again) have I witnessed such flowery and civil ways of two people calling the other a buttface without actually out and saying it.
I direct thy attention to Act 5 of Hamlet......... :D
Quote from: Amber Williams on December 28, 2009, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: Naldru on December 28, 2009, 10:58:25 AM
Diplomacy is the art of having tea together with polite conversation while both sides true desire is to rip out the throat of the other party.
One of the more interesting yet boring to tell experiences I had in college was I had the honour of witnessing two historians, both with a different stance regarding the contents of a particular Greecian tomb and who was buried in it, debate. Never before (and possibly never again) have I witnessed such flowery and civil ways of two people calling the other a buttface without actually out and saying it.
Heh, reminds me of a book, where they practiced what they called "the diplomacy of wolves" :
"Diplomacy is the art of making your enemy cut his own throat for you; convincing him to do it outside where he won't leave a mess AND making him believe that he's getting the best end of the bargain, while he does it."Now THAT is some powerful diplomacy !!
From the look on Fa'Lina's face... the gloves are coming off.
I wonder why Kria thinks Fa'Lina brainwashes her students?
Quote from: Tapewolf on December 28, 2009, 10:04:23 AM
You forgot what Kria's surname is, didn't you? :P
Just because the last name is Soulstealer doesn't mean that she practices it on a daily basis. After all, Wilma Mankiller (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilma_Mankiller) didn't go around committing homicide on a regular basis.
Quote from: Anker Steadfast on December 28, 2009, 04:07:19 PM
Quote from: Amber Williams on December 28, 2009, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: Naldru on December 28, 2009, 10:58:25 AM
Diplomacy is the art of having tea together with polite conversation while both sides true desire is to rip out the throat of the other party.
One of the more interesting yet boring to tell experiences I had in college was I had the honour of witnessing two historians, both with a different stance regarding the contents of a particular Greecian tomb and who was buried in it, debate. Never before (and possibly never again) have I witnessed such flowery and civil ways of two people calling the other a buttface without actually out and saying it.
Heh, reminds me of a book, where they practiced what they called "the diplomacy of wolves" :
"Diplomacy is the art of making your enemy cut his own throat for you; convincing him to do it outside where he won't leave a mess AND making him believe that he's getting the best end of the bargain, while he does it."
Now THAT is some powerful diplomacy !!
Diplomacy is the art of...
...letting the other person have your way.
...telling the other person to go to hell in such a way that he actually looks forward to the journey.
...saying "Nice doggy" while you look for a large rock.
:mowwink
Quote from: LionHeart on December 29, 2009, 01:06:36 AM
Diplomacy is the art of...
...letting the other person have your way.
...telling the other person to go to hell in such a way that he actually looks forward to the journey.
...saying "Nice doggy" while you look for a large rock.
:mowwink
If I might interject my own view?
Diplomacy is the art of saying what another person wants to hear, in a way that gets you what you want.
Perhaps not as entertaining as other ways of saying it, but it's the one that's always worked for me... >:3
Edit: Oh, I also forgot to point out that the subtle mix between slightly pissed off and polite that Fa'Lina is giving off there looks like it'd be very hard to capture, and much props are deserved for it.
Quote from: Naldru on December 28, 2009, 11:25:04 PM
#Just because the last name is Soulstealer doesn't mean that she practices it on a daily basis. After all, Wilma Mankiller (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilma_Mankiller) didn't go around committing homicide on a regular basis.
It's a little unclear what she's saying in 951, but what I was getting at is that 'Cubi don't have a lock on soul-stealing. IIRC Amber said that it's not an innate ability, so it's probably just a spell that anyone who knows how can cast.
*Anri peeks in over Tikki's shoulder* I don't know why you'd want to steal one anyway. They're better just consumed right there fresh from the host...
*hides her tails* Uh, not that I'd know anything about that!
Quote from: Cogidubnus on December 29, 2009, 02:48:18 AMEdit: Oh, I also forgot to point out that the subtle mix between slightly pissed off and polite that Fa'Lina is giving off there looks like it'd be very hard to capture, and much props are deserved for it.
Yes indeed! I wanted to say something about that last panel in my previous comment, but decided against it. Thought I'd come across as too fanboy.
But, now that it's been said: Not only the look on Fa'lina's face, which not only contains a mix of pissed off and polite but also a good dose of Very Scary, but the dialog accompanying it is absolutely brilliant. The combination of the two says what lesser authors would require pages to say the same. Expertly done, Amber. :mowhappy
I look at Fa'lina's expression and get sort of a "rape face" vibe from it. :B All thats missing is the big disturbing grin really, like she really needs it though.
Quote from: Dagardo on December 30, 2009, 01:18:35 AM
I look at Fa'lina's expression and get sort of a "rape face" vibe from it. :B All thats missing is the big disturbing grin really, like she really needs it though.
She is quite good at those (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_534.php)