08/08/2010 [DMFA #1135] - Cover blown! Panic! Panic!

[Bjalf]

Well, it had to happen sooner or later.

Edit:
For some reason, the expression "let it all hang out" comes to mind.


Did anybody else see a version of the strip where Chicki speaks normally? Stupid me, I pressed "reload" without saving a copy first, and now Chicki is speaking with an insectis accent again.

[Jigsaw Forte]

Psst! Do Insectis...y'know, bleed?

That might be useful information...

[Inumo]

I guess Abel forgot that Dan's wings are much more standard than his... Though I find Chicki going naughty-paparazzi funny.

[That_wolf]

Fun thing I noticed, Abel has the combo of bat/feathery wings, and the dual eyes, like the Love clan. Also, Chiki, pics, or it didn't happen.

[Jairus]

Fun thing I noticed, Abel has the combo of bat/feathery wings, and the dual eyes, like the Love clan. Also, Chiki, pics, or it didn't happen.

Yeah, it's something that Aniz was very interested in, or at least found desirable.

Also, any bets that Jyrras would buy that camera and memory unit/film in a heartbeat if he knew what was on it?

[Bjalf]

Also, any bets that Jyrras would buy that camera and memory unit/film in a heartbeat if he knew what was on it?

Well, just to help Abel keep his cubi secret, of course. Not to make posters to hang on the bedroom walls. Huuuge posters ... no, certainly not!    


- Jyrras, why are there huge posters of nekkid Abel in your bedroom?
- ... err ... umm ... why not?
- Point.

[PantheraLeo]

I think Chicki is playing with Able, and totally enjoying it!

Look out Wildy, you may have competition for the title 'puppet master'!

[Keleth]

Also, any bets that Jyrras would buy that camera and memory unit/film in a heartbeat if he knew what was on it?

Well, just to help Abel keep his cubi secret, of course. Not to make posters to hang on the bedroom walls. Huuuge posters ... no, certainly not!    


- Jyrras, why are there huge posters of nekkid Abel in your bedroom?
- ... err ... umm ... why not?
- Point.

Jyrras seems to have this thing where he ...ya know, doesn't like people to know he's gay, and he's not entirely sure of himself and he sure wouldn't want people to know that. *Cough*

But it could be people are just lusting after their gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay fantasies

[Bjalf]

Jyrras seems to have this thing where he ...ya know, doesn't like people to know he's gay, and he's not entirely sure of himself and he sure wouldn't want people to know that. *Cough*

Not anymore. He seems to have "come out" rather completely.
http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_859.php

[Thirty Second Artbomb]

"So much for plan A. No worries. Plan B's are more fun anyhow!"

[Bjalf]

"So much for plan A. No worries. Plan B's are more fun anyhow!"

Mmmmm....muffins!

[Raskahn]

"Dozens and dozens of pictures I took of you while you were naked and a Griffon."

I almost spilled my coffee while reading.  Wait a second, doesn't Abel normally charge $50,- for naked pictures?

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

If Chicki took dozens of pictures...


... why did (s)he turn the flash on, afterwards?

[Tapewolf]

Not anymore. He seems to have "come out" rather completely.
http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_859.php

Only in Lost Lake, I'm not sure the folks who know of him through the Bachelor of the Year thing know.

If Chicki took dozens of pictures...
... why did (s)he turn the flash on, afterwards?

My camera defaults to flash on, and forgets it's turned off when you switch mode...

[Bjalf]

Wait a second, doesn't Abel normally charge $50,- for naked pictures?

Does he know what a camera is, anyway? He's been out of the loop for hundreds of years. Maybe he thought he just sold his paint covered clothes?

I just thought of something. Chicki really wants to interview Jyrras. Abel really, really wants those pictures. There's a possible deal in the making.

Is Abel going to sell out Jyrras? I'll fix it so that you get an interview, and I get that camera. Possible, but rather unlikely. Being techno-clueless, Abel might end up with the camera, while Chicki keeps the memory card.

Or is Jyrras going to buy them to help Abel? That could result in sooo many embarrassing situations ...  

[PantheraLeo]

If Chicki took dozens of pictures...

... why did (s)he turn the flash on, afterwards?

If (s)he was going to freak out about Abel being a shape-changing soul sucking demon? Why is sticking around out-lining out the reason (s)he should be running for it's life? Why isn't (s)he afraid (s)he's about to be cut into little ant chunks? (S)he clears know more then a few details, Why isn't (s)he afraid Abel's going to turn around and fry it's chittenous self for outing him?

I could be just enjoying Abel reaction too much (that's a define possibility! muhaha), but Amber has been know to setup twists and such like this before. (It's why I like the comic so much.) I'm ~98% sure, (s)he just wrapping him around her little finger just to see how far she can go before making with the extortion [edit] or other games[/edit].

(SA: Fa'Lina, Wildy, and other obscure references Amber likes to dig out of her bag of tricks when she thinks no one remembers.)

http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_008.php
http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_120.php

[RobbieThe1st]

If Chicki took dozens of pictures...


... why did (s)he turn the flash on, afterwards?

Comic relief.

(Or, its as tapewolf said, and a "feature"/glitch)

[Jasonrevall]

I know it is highly unlikely but the funny thought occurred to me. What if that insectis is actually jyrras wearing a patch? That would be highly hilarious.

[D'ymkarra]

If (s)he was going to freak out about Abel being a shape-changing soul sucking demon? Why is sticking around out-lining out the reason (s)he should be running for it's life? Why isn't (s)he afraid (s)he's about to be cut into little ant chunks? (S)he clears know more then a few details, Why isn't (s)he afraid Abel's going to turn around and fry it's chittenous self for outing him?

Well, considering how far off-base her first assumptions/ rumors/ info about cubi were, she may not realize just *how* dangerous they *can* be...Or, she could just be that oblivious. I do love Abel's reaction though; he seems more interested now in doing damage control, than actual damage to anyone else.

[Tapewolf]

Well, considering how far off-base her first assumptions/ rumors/ info about cubi were, she may not realize just *how* dangerous they *can* be...Or, she could just be that oblivious. I do love Abel's reaction though; he seems more interested now in doing damage control, than actual damage to anyone else.

If Abel doesn't panic completely, "Aren't you be afraid of 'Cubi?" might be a good question to judge this.
Also, if he's been seen shapeshiftng, assuming a 'Cubi-like form is probably better - more honest - than trying to conceal what he is.

[RandomMetaphysics]

Wait a second, doesn't Abel normally charge $50,- for naked pictures?

Does he know what a camera is, anyway? He's been out of the loop for hundreds of years. Maybe he thought he just sold his paint covered clothes?

I just thought of something. Chicki really wants to interview Jyrras. Abel really, really wants those pictures. There's a possible deal in the making.

Is Abel going to sell out Jyrras? I'll fix it so that you get an interview, and I get that camera. Possible, but rather unlikely. Being techno-clueless, Abel might end up with the camera, while Chicki keeps the memory card.

Or is Jyrras going to buy them to help Abel? That could result in sooo many embarrassing situations ...  

I'm pretty sure that the students of SAIA are kept up to date with the outside. They have to learn how to blend in with society and freaking out at the sign of a camera and or a camera flash would be really... conspicuous. Not to mention that our lil giddy bug friend here just said (s)he took Abel's picture. If he doesn't know exactly what the means, he can probably conclude that means his cover has been compromised. His expression seems to reflect this.

If (s)he was going to freak out about Abel being a shape-changing soul sucking demon? Why is sticking around out-lining out the reason (s)he should be running for it's life? Why isn't (s)he afraid (s)he's about to be cut into little ant chunks? (S)he clears know more then a few details, Why isn't (s)he afraid Abel's going to turn around and fry it's chittenous self for outing him?

Well, considering how far off-base her first assumptions/ rumors/ info about cubi were, she may not realize just *how* dangerous they *can* be...Or, she could just be that oblivious. I do love Abel's reaction though; he seems more interested now in doing damage control, than actual damage to anyone else.

Well, keep in mind a lot of people think all Cubi are pretty much like Nact'Larn and her clan, and being a secretive race in general, not much other information is available to go against these assumptions. Knowing Abel, he'll probably just break the camera and knock her out with magic or something... unless there are other reporters.

... Ok, upon realizing that more reporters could be nearby I think it's safe to say that Abel is in a real pickle here.

[That_wolf]

I think Abel's going to basically kidnap her, into Jyrases house. Also, I think Jyras will see the camera.

[Tapewolf]

I'm pretty sure that the students of SAIA are kept up to date with the outside. They have to learn how to blend in with society and freaking out at the sign of a camera and or a camera flash would be really... conspicuous.

I would be surprised and somewhat horrified if they didn't have some kind of Being technology/society class for that very reason.
More likely, Abel hasn't taken it for a long time.  He didn't seem to be showing much signs of leaving the Academy, after all - if he'd known that he was going to be living outside for a couple of years, he might have taken a refresher course.

[That_wolf]

Yeah, but I'm sure he's learned SOME things in the past. ... How long has it been since Dan went to/left SAIA?

[Bjalf]

I would be surprised and somewhat horrified if they didn't have some kind of Being technology/society class for that very reason.

The problem with technology is that it changes very rapidly, and you would need regular refresher courses to stay on top of it. And in real life, you will meet people who are surprisingly uninterested in aspects of their own society.
- Naah, I tried it, but it wasn't my thing.
- I never bothered to learn that stuff.
- I don't read books. (my favourite)

A much more useful class (IMHO) would be cold reading, a favourite among con men beings everywhere. Bluffing skills don't get outdated.

[Tapewolf]

The problem with technology is that it changes very rapidly, and you would need regular refresher courses to stay on top of it. And in real life, you will meet people who are surprisingly uninterested in aspects of their own society.

Yes, but there are a few key differences here.  Firstly, you'd probably take a refresher just before you leave, which as mentioned, Abel has done unexpectedly.
Secondly, you have the problem that if you can't fit in, someone may well take your head off as with Mink's mother.
Thirdly, if you're going to kidnap/kill someone and assume their identity, you're going to be royally screwed if you don't even understand what their trade is, let alone how to do it 

Granted, Abel isn't really the type for the latter, but if you're going to live in a Being society, you're going to have to know about it.  Granted, it might be easier to assume a Demon form or something...

A much more useful class (IMHO) would be cold reading, a favourite among con men beings everywhere. Bluffing skills don't get outdated.

True, and very useful.  But I can also see some people (foolishly) going "I don't need that, I can read minds"...

[Bjalf]

Firstly, you'd probably take a refresher just before you leave, which as mentioned, Abel has done unexpectedly.

Oh, I agree, but in that case it would be part of a plan, known in advance. And then it would include in-depth classes on specific subjects, like dentistry for anxiety cubis. They would certainly plan ahead, and take appropriate classes before they leave. It's just that things never go according to plan, so I suspect there are several classes in ad-libbing, cold reading, blending in, throwing off suspicion, vanishing in a puff of smoke, recognizing new technology, and so on.

Secondly, you have the problem that if you can't fit in, someone may well take your head off as with Mink's mother.

Yes, but that was arguably a result of racism, and is impossible to guard completely against. When you choose a side by assuming an identity, you also define your enemies, the "other side".

Thirdly, if you're going to kidnap/kill someone and assume their identity, you're going to be royally screwed if you don't even understand what their trade is, let alone how to do it 

I think that would be too specialized for a class, anyway. But I can well imagine generalized classes on how to kidnap, interrogate for information, hide the body, become a master of any trade, weave a convincing web of lies, 1000 iron-clad excuses, and so on.


Abel wasn't prepared for this little adventure, so whatever information he has on life outside of SAIA is probably somewhat outdated. We still don't know for sure if Abel 1) just sold his paint covered clothes, or 2) willingly performed a strip-tease in front of a camera in strip 630.

He's wised up in a hurry in the current strip, though.      I have a feeling Jyrras will open the door just as Abel is trying for a (probably) non-fatal blow to the (assumed) head of an adversary of an unfamiliar species, with intent to kidnap, ravish, etc, beginners classes every second thursday afternoon.

[Lucheek]

My prediction:

SUCKER PUNCH: THE REVENGE

[Tapewolf]

Oh, I agree, but in that case it would be part of a plan, known in advance.

I wonder... when Dan returns to the Academy, is Abel going to end up taking some kind of refresher course then...?

[Turnsky]

My prediction:

SUCKER PUNCH: THE REVENGE

better prediction: Abel becomes bachelor of the year after Jy.