I think even MAXUS could use a hug. That news hit him hard. He (effectively) lost a daughter, but has to be proud of her. She died protecting the Princess.
Arianna didn't do it for that, CptK. She did it, unknowingly echoing Democlus on page Lights Out [7 October 2015], for her Princess without any regard for herself.
Since we are referencing Lights Out, I have a question: Nox says "My master was never worth dying for". Many of the Cassians seem to be of the opinion that Prince Valerian might well have been worth dying for. Is Nox just referring only to her current master's lifespan, being overcome by the years of abuse at Decimus' hands and speaking inexactly, did she have some specific issues with Prince Valerian, or was she constructed after the ascension of Decimus?
In other words, would Nox be able to say "I once had a master worth dying for. He died. The bastard!"? ^_^
Considering Nox's opinion of humanity in general, my first guess would be she didn't think any any of her "masters" were worth her death as such, but she also reportedly didn't have a high regard for her own existence as well. So I would have to conclude that her statement was mostly along the lines of, "I've never had a cause or belief worth that sort of dedication. I just do what I'm programed to do and I hate it."
Except it is implied that a good part of her pessimistic attitude towards humans was shaped by the abuses and petty cruelties to which Decimus exposed her. That is the crux of my question: Did she hate humans from her first day "out of the box", so to speak? Or was she a very different soul before Decimus poisoned her spirit -- and, if so, what kind of person was she?
It's possible. During the time of Valerius, she might have been an altogether different and more cheerful sort of person ...
Liked to wear a frilly pink sundress ...
Owned a small cocker spaniel named "Sheela" and a red rubber ball with which the two of them would play ...
Listened to Simon & Garfunkel tunes while watching the sun set over the city skyline ...
Who knows what she was like? Then came Decimus ... and the dark times.
Luperca is the name of a Cassian we haven't heard of before. Hmm. 'Lupa' would be the word in latin for a female wolf. 'Luperca' then would be something like 'the lady of the wolves' or 'the wolf woman' or something.
See, that's the kind of crucial detail that doesn't make it into the sources from which some of us learned latin from.
Not that I ever got fluent or anything, but it's not the first time there's been an omission that might have gotten me in trouble had I ever actually visited someplace where it were spoken on the street.
That slang meaning also puts a very different spin on the Romulus and Remus story -- given that they were apparently raised by a "she-wolf". Food for thought, anyway.
I really want to know who's building Cassians for Nova Roma. I understand it's probably very spoiler-y and probably not scheduled for reveal any time soon, but it is looming an ever larger and larger unanswered question.
It would seem logical, at this point, to propose Julia Willis came upon the body of Democlus and she along with Miraiko have him in treatment in one of the clinics.
Depending on the quality and design of the internal fire walls and barriers it could be possible to continue using one side of a clinical area while the other was on fire. Perhaps not the best idea, but possible.
I would like to say something on the art to everyone, today about Maxus's face. This is the most perfect confluence of grief and duty I have ever seen in any comic. I've barely even seen its rival in A list movies.
The pain is written there in his face and in his words, but also that sense that he knows how strong he must be for the others.
And look at Noctis's eyes in the last panel, she knows his pain.
This is utterly beautiful.
It's sometimes easy to forget, while wrapped in the story, that this is also art. Even without the words, the emotions remain clear as day.
There is a reason I often put this comic as one of my favorite science fictions of all time, up there equal with Citizen of the Galaxy, Midworld, and Sentenced to Prism.
This is my favorite comic of all time, with two of my favorite authors of all time.
Datachasers had made me cry, more than once, and it earned those tears. IT has made me laugh more times than I can count. It has made me digusted when they aimed for disgust, hopeful when they aimed for hope, angry when they aimed for anger.
The evil duo writes and creates art of such a high caliber as to provoke the emotions so strongly, and so exactly.
There are so many more great things I can say about Datachasers. Its plot, its art, its characters, its world, they all amazing. Our two lovely authors and wonderful too, they participate actively in their community, they work so hard for this comic. And this community? Never before have I seen a more welcoming, happy, friendly community online. We come from all over the world, all sorts of walks of life, and we gather around our love for this comic, and its authors.
So I'd like to propose a toast... To Terri Hale, to Krissy Smoot, to Datachasers, and to all their wonderful fans. It is a great and wonderful pleasure and experience to be among all you. Thank you.
I would echo what others have said about the Universe represented here, it compares with the Universes of The Dorsai, The Foundation, and that of Lazarus Long, AKA Captain Aaron Sheffield.
In other words, would Nox be able to say "I once had a master worth dying for. He died. The bastard!"? ^_^
Liked to wear a frilly pink sundress ...
Owned a small cocker spaniel named "Sheela" and a red rubber ball with which the two of them would play ...
Listened to Simon & Garfunkel tunes while watching the sun set over the city skyline ...
Who knows what she was like? Then came Decimus ... and the dark times.
Not that I ever got fluent or anything, but it's not the first time there's been an omission that might have gotten me in trouble had I ever actually visited someplace where it were spoken on the street.
Well several of those here could use a good counselor... Including Ada and TeeDee!
...yeah, Arianna now is royalty...
The pain is written there in his face and in his words, but also that sense that he knows how strong he must be for the others.
And look at Noctis's eyes in the last panel, she knows his pain.
This is utterly beautiful.
It's sometimes easy to forget, while wrapped in the story, that this is also art. Even without the words, the emotions remain clear as day.
There is a reason I often put this comic as one of my favorite science fictions of all time, up there equal with Citizen of the Galaxy, Midworld, and Sentenced to Prism.
This is my favorite comic of all time, with two of my favorite authors of all time.
Datachasers had made me cry, more than once, and it earned those tears. IT has made me laugh more times than I can count. It has made me digusted when they aimed for disgust, hopeful when they aimed for hope, angry when they aimed for anger.
The evil duo writes and creates art of such a high caliber as to provoke the emotions so strongly, and so exactly.
There are so many more great things I can say about Datachasers. Its plot, its art, its characters, its world, they all amazing. Our two lovely authors and wonderful too, they participate actively in their community, they work so hard for this comic. And this community? Never before have I seen a more welcoming, happy, friendly community online. We come from all over the world, all sorts of walks of life, and we gather around our love for this comic, and its authors.
So I'd like to propose a toast... To Terri Hale, to Krissy Smoot, to Datachasers, and to all their wonderful fans. It is a great and wonderful pleasure and experience to be among all you. Thank you.
Cheers.
I would also propose a toast to Arianna Acanthia and to the Emperess she allowed to live (so far), Acantha! Long may she reign!
To Terri Hale, Krissy Smoot, Datachasers, and all their wonderful fans!
Terri and Krissy have developed a universe both realistic and fantastic.
I look forward to each post and the fan conversation that follows.
....... what ?
(I loved this sequence when Terri sent me the pages, too.)