12/27/09 [AS2 #83] - "Civil" Conversation

[Tapewolf]

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?  
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.

[Crawldragon]

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?  

Oh, yeah. Well, that just made things a whole lot more complicated.

[Bjalf]

... 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.

[Naldru]

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.

[Scrap Fish]

Kira

@Scrap I think you mean 'Kria'.

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

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.

... 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.

[candide]

... 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.

[joshofspam]

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?

[Angel]

Hmm. So the two hottest women in Abel's Story (not counting May in Volume 1) don't get along. Innnnterestink...

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

[Tapewolf]

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.

This 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.

[terrycloth]

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.

[Tapewolf]

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.

[Scarydragon]

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.

[Prof B Hunnydew]

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

[Amber Williams]

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.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

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.........

[Anker Steadfast]

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 !!

[Howl]

From the look on Fa'Lina's face... the gloves are coming off.

[Chakat Blackspots]

I wonder why Kria thinks Fa'Lina brainwashes her students?

[Naldru]

You forgot what Kria's surname is, didn't you?  

Just because the last name is Soulstealer doesn't mean that she practices it on a daily basis.  After all, Wilma Mankiller didn't go around committing homicide on a regular basis.

[LionHeart]

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.

[Cogidubnus]

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.

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...

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.

[Tapewolf]

#Just because the last name is Soulstealer doesn't mean that she practices it on a daily basis.  After all, 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]

*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!

[candide]

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.

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.   

[Dagardo]

I look at Fa'lina's expression and get sort of a "rape face" vibe from it. All thats missing is the big disturbing grin really, like she really needs it though.

[MT Hazard]

I look at Fa'lina's expression and get sort of a "rape face" vibe from it. All thats missing is the big disturbing grin really, like she really needs it though.

She is quite good at those