[798] He said she was real nice

Oh come on. You can't just post a link to the comic and leave it at that. At least make a quick comment before you start the topic.

That structure in the background, I feel like we've seen it before.

I usually do. That was pretty damn close though. I checked the main page right after I posted mine and yours was already there.

The unspoken thing here is that in order for Hyland Sr to have mentioned that he knew Annie's mother, he had to have been having a conversation with Jack about Annie. And one wonders how that topic came up between them!

All we ever see of Hyland Sr. is one scene from when he was 13 years old. I'm sure there was one day in all of our childhoods that, when looked at alone, would make us look like horrible people. People change, especially at that time in life.

You know, I really can't think of any good reason why the elder Hyland would lie to his son about Surma. Gives me hope that his people skills improved as he grew up.

Heh, whoever predicted Annie would pull an awkward move like this give yourselves a pat on the back. It's interesting to know that Jack's dad is now among the folks who attended, and now work, at the Court.

Actually, Jack, I'm pretty sure he said she was a cu- *WHUD*

I almost forgot that Jack's last name was Hyland.

I see Jack's attempt to woo this triple super awesome female human has just been twarted.

Also, hypothesis: Jack's father hasn't actually said nice things about Surma at all, and it is Jack who is lying because he doesn't think the truth would be nice here.

God I get so sick of hearing this. She's fricking 13. And never been in a romantic situation. On top of that she's currently confused about her own mother and the significance of the relationships she's had.

Ice queen is what you call someone when they are a bitch to the opposite gender, and they know it. The word you're looking for in Annie's case is fricking teenager. And please, God, let that be the end of that.

No personal offense against you intended, lovecraft.

With regards to Jack's father, another possibility is that although they hated each other at school, looking back as an adult he can see that she was a genuinely nice person to others (although, as we've just learned, that's not necessarily true).

I'm really kind of curious about Annie's expression in panel four. It really looks to me like she has doubts about the trip, though it might be left over discomfort from the handtouch.

Uh, you realize that the time we saw him was at least twenty years ago?

Chances are he probably regrets being a jerk and acting dumb towards other kids in school. Boys will be boys, and all that.

It wouldn't really be a surprise considering how several people have guessed that's what happens already, myself included. I mean, is it so hard to believe that two thirteen year-old kids who hate each other eventually come to terms by they time they grow up?