SOME SAY : That the Prince smells of Murder Turd, because Rose got her hands on some Murder Turd glands, and then she "accidentally" sprayed some of it on Prince Douchebag.
OTHERS SAY : It was a good thing she was wearing a full gimp suit while handling those glands, or she could have ended up smelling bad too!
All we know is, she's NOT the Stig, but she is the Stig's secret lover !
@plymayer: That choice depends on the balance of power in Nova Rome---which Cent and Rose know rather more about than we do---but if you go back a ways there's a discussion between Maxus and Kali about moving against Total Psycho Dickhead before Acantha attains her majority and can legally assume the throne (starts on page 806). A few pages later Maxus arguably tells Lynn she's correct Total Psycho Dickhead needs to be murdered. It's unclear if he says that within Kali's earshot (most likely not, though Kali does say she won't betray Maxus a little earlier). It's also unclear the extent to which Acantha may be in on what seems to be high treason and a coup plot (I would tend to guess less rather than more but maybe all that'll happen is Rose'll laugh at me :). But in the middle of all that Kali reminds Maxus things may get worse. I suspect that's what's Cent's getting at in the above question.
Keep in mind Lynn's capture increases risks in Nova Rome considerably. New Troy's own balance of power rests on a nuclear armed military AI who's apparently chosen both not to disarm and to accept the risks of deferring to Lynn's rather fragile mother who's just coming out of 10+ years of chronic depression. It's unclear just how much Total Psycho Dickhead knows about those fault lines and how able he is to exploit them. It's also unclear at what point Cent-Comm would choose not to follow Calliope's directives if something more happens or is thought to happen to Lynn. One possibility is Cent-Comm's caution in handling Calliope is because Cent-Comm can't disobey.
What does seem clear is Maxus is deadly serious when he comments New Rome needs Nova Troy's friendship rather than enmity (page 808). Essentially what Total Psycho Dickhead is asking for here is return of the pawn he's gambiting to try to checkmate Cent-Comm. If he gets too ticked off he'll likely try to regain her by force. At which point, well, refer to Rose's quote of Random Guard below if something goes wrong.
Page 808 is also really interesting as it mentions neither Cent-Comm or Deep Blue are responding to Maxus and unnamed others. Cent brings that up again lower in this page's comments (which I think is technically a spoiler even though it's not hard to infer---Rose, if you could refrain from killing her it'd be appreciated). It's something I've been wondering about for some time. Nova Rome is not well known to New Troy but it's improbable Cent-Comm wouldn't follow up on the leads created by factions within Nova Rome trying to get in touch. So Cent-Comm may be running a clandestine gambit of her own. Or the conspirators' messages may be getting blocked on either the Nova Rome or New Troy end of things. Or perhaps Cent-Comm's responses are blocked.
I'll just note what seems to be an elite cyberespionage AI which calls itself Tokyo Rose has recently installed a second operative in Nova Rome and leave it at that. :)
I've something of an apology, though. I'm having quite the difficulty coming up with questions to send off to centcomm01@gmail.com which are both interesting and answerable without giving away half the plot. Plus I'm starting a vacation tomorrow and will be offline for some time. Bad reader, no biscuit. Toodles!
Certainly worth it IMO; it is, I think, one of the more pivotal sequences in the script so far. Check out the comments for page 802 while you're at it.
(Also, I think page 795 comments is where attack pickles come from. That might be more important.)
I've always wondered why officials from New Rome had any trouble at all, contacting officials in New Troy - After all, Luna Comm had *no problem* in delivering Prince Douchebags message that he had captured Lynn, and Irene even have a Luna Comm node at her house.
If there is any lack of communication between the two cities, it is because the people in charge *wants* it that way.
@Sheela: You should hit up page 802 too. Quite some discussion there about who might or might not be allowing what.
@Cent: Aww, thanks. I'll do my best. This fine website has captured your musings on attack pickles for posterity here. There might be a good plot angle with Tulip.
Yeah, I remember Lexine's extra function CentComm. Lexine is taking it VERY seriously, which is what you want out of a bodyguard.
I'll see your messenger wearing combat gear (that looks like a flak vest with ammo pouches to me) and raise you a killer android nurse! :-D I'm doubting he got any standard weapons into the building with Lexine on the job, but he might still have a non-standard weapon secreted upon his person. :-)
Actually if Lynns no longer going to blow up and with Acantha can apparently go anywhere, why haven't they gone back to New Troy yet? Deci's may follow them but Cent's Battle drones would flatten him.
well for one the mods to Lynns bracelet are a secret also Acantha and Max would really like to arrange a chat with Cent-comm Also were Lynn to actually bolt it is doubtful they could make it out of Roma's borders and then Lynn would probably wind up as a "guest" in the detention area..
I kind of fell out of love lust with Acantha when she farted on page 1113, but the more she runs around in bathing suits and PJ's the more I start to like her again. =)
This is a tricky point of policy. As someone who started training as a wee 'un and became the family pie baker when my grandmother retired (in her 80s she announced 65 years of cooking was enough and she wasn't going to do it any more) it's my stance fruit pie for breakfast is perfectly acceptable. IF the pie was served and mostly eaten the previous day. Knocking down such leftovers before others in the community fall prey to temptation is a noble act of altruistic self-sacrifice. Especially if you're the cook. ;)
Given Acantha's current circumstances if I were Irene I'd break the Pie Consumption Rules too. But for dessert pies Lynn basically has the right of it here. Morning consumption of fresh baked ones is just asking for all kinds of trouble. Now, if it were a savoury pie that's entirely different...
I think Acantha gets a pass for the time being. After nearly being raped/killed by her brother, I would say she has earned the right to eat Pie anytime she wants for the next several months. After that, sanity and rules of Pi should return. :-D
There are interesting underlying questions here. To what extent have Irene and Maxus become Acantha's parents? And what's the nature the parenting aspects of their guardianship? Presumably Acantha is closely watched for any sign Total Psycho Dickhead syndrome might be heritable. Or, as Maxus touches on a few hundred pages back, "contagious" in the sense Decimus's behavior is hazardous to the mental health of those around him.
Not much can be inferred from two speech bubbles about eating peaches, I think. But Irene's four words are a surprisingly thought provoking mix of support and chastisement. Excellent dialogue as always. Over and out.
in a dangerous city-state
in a dangerous world...
Well the offer does 'smell'...
SOME SAY : That the Prince smells of Murder Turd, because Rose got her hands on some Murder Turd glands, and then she "accidentally" sprayed some of it on Prince Douchebag.
OTHERS SAY : It was a good thing she was wearing a full gimp suit while handling those glands, or she could have ended up smelling bad too!
All we know is, she's NOT the Stig, but she is the Stig's secret lover !
It even took the Stig by surprise!
But then, she *was* wearing a strapon. XD
You can say a lot about Tokyo Rose, but she's good at motivating people. :D
Might be better to throw him meat from time to time.
Keep in mind Lynn's capture increases risks in Nova Rome considerably. New Troy's own balance of power rests on a nuclear armed military AI who's apparently chosen both not to disarm and to accept the risks of deferring to Lynn's rather fragile mother who's just coming out of 10+ years of chronic depression. It's unclear just how much Total Psycho Dickhead knows about those fault lines and how able he is to exploit them. It's also unclear at what point Cent-Comm would choose not to follow Calliope's directives if something more happens or is thought to happen to Lynn. One possibility is Cent-Comm's caution in handling Calliope is because Cent-Comm can't disobey.
What does seem clear is Maxus is deadly serious when he comments New Rome needs Nova Troy's friendship rather than enmity (page 808). Essentially what Total Psycho Dickhead is asking for here is return of the pawn he's gambiting to try to checkmate Cent-Comm. If he gets too ticked off he'll likely try to regain her by force. At which point, well, refer to Rose's quote of Random Guard below if something goes wrong.
Page 808 is also really interesting as it mentions neither Cent-Comm or Deep Blue are responding to Maxus and unnamed others. Cent brings that up again lower in this page's comments (which I think is technically a spoiler even though it's not hard to infer---Rose, if you could refrain from killing her it'd be appreciated). It's something I've been wondering about for some time. Nova Rome is not well known to New Troy but it's improbable Cent-Comm wouldn't follow up on the leads created by factions within Nova Rome trying to get in touch. So Cent-Comm may be running a clandestine gambit of her own. Or the conspirators' messages may be getting blocked on either the Nova Rome or New Troy end of things. Or perhaps Cent-Comm's responses are blocked.
I'll just note what seems to be an elite cyberespionage AI which calls itself Tokyo Rose has recently installed a second operative in Nova Rome and leave it at that. :)
I've something of an apology, though. I'm having quite the difficulty coming up with questions to send off to centcomm01@gmail.com which are both interesting and answerable without giving away half the plot. Plus I'm starting a vacation tomorrow and will be offline for some time. Bad reader, no biscuit. Toodles!
(Also, I think page 795 comments is where attack pickles come from. That might be more important.)
Attack pickles???
If there is any lack of communication between the two cities, it is because the people in charge *wants* it that way.
@Cent: Aww, thanks. I'll do my best. This fine website has captured your musings on attack pickles for posterity here. There might be a good plot angle with Tulip.
*hugs*
@alt text: what is odd? that invitation? More like the whole situation...
So, what are douchebag's intentions? Is this something like a "wedding" or just normal supper?
...at least they can run into Leo that way...
I notice how close to the messenger Lexine is staying. Almost like she doesn't trust him to stay polite. :-D
I'll see your messenger wearing combat gear (that looks like a flak vest with ammo pouches to me) and raise you a killer android nurse! :-D I'm doubting he got any standard weapons into the building with Lexine on the job, but he might still have a non-standard weapon secreted upon his person. :-)
Random Guard: "Did I just accidentally a war?"
"Hey guys, didja hear ? I started a war !"
"Awesome man!"
"Duuuude"
lovelust with Acantha when she farted on page 1113, but the more she runs around in bathing suits and PJ's the more I start to like her again. =)Given Acantha's current circumstances if I were Irene I'd break the Pie Consumption Rules too. But for dessert pies Lynn basically has the right of it here. Morning consumption of fresh baked ones is just asking for all kinds of trouble. Now, if it were a savoury pie that's entirely different...
Not much can be inferred from two speech bubbles about eating peaches, I think. But Irene's four words are a surprisingly thought provoking mix of support and chastisement. Excellent dialogue as always. Over and out.
:D