|
Post by King Mir on Feb 15, 2013 12:19:01 GMT
Well, the Headmaster obviously has to know that separating the two would release Renard. So he's either trying to provoke a response from Annie/Coyote/somebody or there's other plans at work here. That's not necessarily a problem if he's confined and contained. They would just need to put up enough no-eyes symbols. He seems to simply be offering Antimony that option. Not that she's likely to ever take it. He's much too disinterested to be trying to provoke anything, but he may be hiding something. Especially since Jones thinks he is.
|
|
|
Post by cu on Feb 15, 2013 12:32:56 GMT
Just for reference, page 372 is soaked in plot juice, and appears very relevant for this chappie.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2013 12:35:40 GMT
Ooo, I just had a crazy idea: what if this is sort of like Annie's final exam? The medium's job is to solve problems between the court and forest. Here the headmaster (most-likely under Jones' guidance, and maybe even with the other adults being let in on it) is contriving a problem to see how she handles it.
It would be a kind of brutal trial-by-fire, but learning how she'll behave under pressure is valuable. (And if she fails, they've already got a plan B in Smitty.)
If this were all an act, that would explain Jones' otherwise unprofessional questioning of the headmaster's actions in public.
|
|
|
Post by mekboy on Feb 15, 2013 12:53:40 GMT
Wahaha~?
What's Misha doing here?
|
|
|
Post by blahzor on Feb 15, 2013 12:56:01 GMT
That's not Coyote laughing. It's Mr. Eglamore. that's not Eglamore laughing that's bot box
|
|
|
Post by Synesthetic Soul on Feb 15, 2013 13:12:31 GMT
That's not Coyote laughing. It's Mr. Eglamore. that's not Eglamore laughing that's bot box Guys, it's clearly Mort!
|
|
|
Post by legion on Feb 15, 2013 13:37:04 GMT
Coyote had not said anything for almost two pages, we couldn't have that.
I wonder if Annie will release Coyote... to the forest.
|
|
|
Post by Lightice on Feb 15, 2013 13:45:02 GMT
I wonder if Annie will release Coyote... to the forest. You mean Renard, right? And Annie has already offered him that option if I remember correctly. Renard doesn't want to leave the Court and has no more sympathies for Coyote than for the Headmaster, as far as we've seen of him. Anyway, the Headmaster seems to understand his limits in this case, at least. He doesn't outright demand Renard to be put back in the Court's custody, since Annie could simply release him at any time if she thought that he was in danger of being put back in a cell. Still, I have a hard time imagining that he would seriously believe that Annie would take up on the offer. Again, I'm of the opinion that this whole thing is a powerplay between the Headmaster and Coyote and it's time for Player 2 to make his move.
|
|
|
Post by legion on Feb 15, 2013 13:46:21 GMT
Yeah I mean Renard. Dem tongue be trippin.
|
|
|
Post by Per on Feb 15, 2013 14:05:58 GMT
that's not Eglamore laughing that's bot box Guys, it's clearly Mort! It's clearly a secret cabal made up of Surma, Bud, Ogee and the geography teacher, laughing in unison. Horsebot is in the back, maintaining its dignity.
|
|
quoodle
Full Member
Just a man on a planet
Posts: 168
|
Post by quoodle on Feb 15, 2013 14:09:45 GMT
Of course it's Coyote with the fake cry - the headmaster is on their right at the end of the hall, then Coyote is at the left. Unless it's Ysengrin (!!) - but no, only coyote would make that fake affectatious cry.
As for Jones - remember folks - Jones is matter-of-fact - she just says what she thinks and doesn't care about the political consequences.
And Annie - as the story is progressing, I'm glad she's stopped feeling sorry about herself and is fighting back. This also confirms that Renard is fully a friend now. Good for her. Also note she's not concerned about visits to the forest as much. Guess who is...
Coyote, of course. Who will tell him stories?
Now things get interesting.
|
|
|
Post by exdevlin on Feb 15, 2013 14:31:10 GMT
If That Sudden Laughter didn't start up in that last panel, I would've thrown out the possibility of another Fire Spike from Annie at the idea that the Court would try to take Renard away again. Though, someone already brought up that he's already been freed, so that also undermines that suggestion. But Annie *is* getting that angry look again...
Oh Coyote, already seeing through the ruse, isn't he? Why else would he be laughing?
Jones seems awfully insistent on having things the way she recommended, considering she is supposed to be An Observer.
|
|
|
Post by TBeholder on Feb 15, 2013 14:32:55 GMT
It's not Eglamore... it's not even Red... it's Jack! Now that would be a calamity, wouldn't it? Ooo, I just had a crazy idea: what if this is sort of like Annie's final exam? The medium's job is to solve problems between the court and forest. Here the headmaster (most-likely under Jones' guidance, and maybe even with the other adults being let in on it) is contriving a problem to see how she handles it. Way too disruptive. Unless in his next phrase Jonathan will announce the new Headmaster too, there's no way for this to end without some backfire even as it is. The folk assembled in that room are leading edge mad scientists, or very close to this. Not sheeple half enough to let him get away with "haha I was only joking" crap even if Coyote would. In such an official situaton he can only speak seriously or not at all. It would be a kind of brutal trial-by-fire, but learning how she'll behave under pressure is valuable. (And if she fails, they've already got a plan B in Smitty.) And, uh, what she's supposed to be able to do about this all? Besides, even if she had a lot of choices, one of the most wicked things Antimony could do in retaliation would be to do nothing - simply support Andrew becoming their Medium and ask Coyote to go easy on him. Because this will most likely result in Smitty's powers running the place over... oh, about every time Coyote calls and brings up a reasonably-sounding request. Which is pretty much at will. And now that he doesn't have free amusement, Coyote will make up for it somehow. Neither Annie (especially right now) nor Andrew are under any rosy illusions that the Headmaster is always right and never becomes the problem, after all - and she knows it. Got the picture?.. Coyote apparently did. "Brutal trial by fire" is the right phrase here, just a little misaimed. ;D And if Antimony is pressed beyond this point, the road of malicious compliance goes further. For one, she may start to transfer her "acting Medium" duties here and now - publically. Even without any extra firebombs (like obscured sinister mentions of Jeanne's case or merely expressing doubts about her own sudden isolation) dropped in, this cannot end well because either: - She says a lot of quite interesting things entirely business-like and alludes to more. Which greatly alarms Court folk, hands the Headmaster a boiling pot of chaos as little or big as she desires and makes him look like a fool in process, because he initiated this, while she merely goes along with the initiative, or - He orders her to shut up. Which immediately demonstrates the rest of the Court that he keeps some dirty secrets from them and assures a lot of folk will ask her for more the moment this show ends and will not take well any attempts to isolate her. That's what she can do without any confrontation. And if she gets pushed past caring, well, in five phrases or so it would be the end of the Court as we knew it. The bottom line is that Antimony is just dangerous enough in more than enough of ways that cornering her is highly unwise even on her own. While on top of this Andrew got power both pervasive and near-impossible to counter, at least for mere mortals, and is likely to be less and less amused by any pressure applied to either him or Annie.
|
|
|
Post by tustin2121 on Feb 15, 2013 14:46:23 GMT
Wild speculation: Coyote is controlling / ripping memories from the Headmaster of the Court!! Hence the headmaster outright asking for Renard!
|
|
|
Post by seppaseppa on Feb 15, 2013 15:02:52 GMT
I love how matter-of-factly Jones just states that he is hiding something. Like she knows and doesn't have to resort to guessing Also, I can't believe that ever since Chapter 13 reading this comic has been one of the first things I do every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Also also, tustin2121, I like that idea. Maybe his seemingly constant tiredness is a side effect of that?
|
|
|
Post by atteSmythe on Feb 15, 2013 15:32:35 GMT
However, the Court has recently been given a more effective means of containing him.
|
|
|
Post by zimmyzims on Feb 15, 2013 15:39:36 GMT
So. Will Coyote now decide to appoint his own medium, seeing how a perfectly good candidate just became available, or just laugh? ;-) Believe me, it's not Coyote laughing, it's Jones. ;D
|
|
|
Post by zimmyzims on Feb 15, 2013 15:48:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Georgie L on Feb 15, 2013 15:55:03 GMT
I might choose to call the headmaster many things. 'Old blowhard' would not be one of them: that would require him to exhibit a certain amount of energy! Over the last week or so I have wondered whether Annie would end up withdrawing to the forest, at Coyote's invitation, and that we'd start volume 4 getting to know Kamlen and his family (while Kat delves into her studies...) I doubt that would happen again, the only reason she seemed to take the first invitation was due to being in a fragile mental state and needing to get away from the court, but back then she had every reason to trust the forest (well more reason than to trust the court from her view.) But after recent dealing with Chuckles I doubt she'd be as trusting of that side either. Plus she was super-sad at having pissed off her best bud when she came back (and tried silly tricks to get her back) , I doubt she'd run off again.
|
|
|
Post by aaroncampbell on Feb 15, 2013 16:27:17 GMT
That's not Coyote laughing. It's Mr. Eglamore. I don't think that the laughter is coming from Renardine, given the direction their eyes are turning. He's drawn below and to Antimony's left, and they're looking away at a level, albeit in that general direction. I'm pretty sure it's Coyote having uproarious fun, watching the chaos. No, it's clearly Bob. After all, he could barely contain his laughter the last time.
|
|
|
Post by moonwolf727 on Feb 15, 2013 16:49:58 GMT
I suspect that Coyote is about to explain everything in his usual cryptic manner such that it will take several chapters before we realize that he explained anything at all.
|
|
|
Post by TBeholder on Feb 15, 2013 17:11:15 GMT
Wild speculation: Coyote is controlling / ripping memories from the Headmaster of the Court!! Hence the headmaster outright asking for Renard! Er... how so? I don't mind jumping to conclusions, just would like to see at least your trampoline. However, the Court has recently been given a more effective means of containing him. Why you assume that anyone has been given anything? The prototype was crushed with concrete-pulverizing force on the spot. Jack himself is more on the rebellious side, and also claims he doesn't understand things he did while high on Whitelegs... all the while he gives a laugh to the Court's tracking system using knowledge he got from hijacking the local network back then. In the case Antimony (herself or via Renard) will get into troubles, he is an unknown factor, but presumably on Annie's side and could do a lot even without bringing up new mad science, just by remembering personnel files and other "hot" data from his hacky time - and that's not counting the obvious possibility of teaming up with Kat (or, far more scarily, Zimmy). Yes! They will share their stories of glorious screw-ups. "Aw, man. I know how it feels..."
|
|
|
Post by atteSmythe on Feb 15, 2013 17:33:00 GMT
Only one of them was - there were seven of those bugs.
|
|
|
Post by Stately Buff-Cookie on Feb 15, 2013 17:36:16 GMT
I think it depends on what the hell the Medium is actually supposed to do, which I don't think has ever been that clear. If you're thinking of it like an ambassadorship where the medium is firmly on the side of the Court and interpreting their wishes for the Forest then yes, Annie's a horrid choice and Smit is probably a fine selection. If the point of the medium is to be not in favor of either side and be able to translate Forest speak to the Court and Court speak to the Forest, Annie's far and away the best choice of the three of them. It's just like real life diplomats. The supposed purpose of a diplomat is to help bring two nations eye to eye and prevent needless fighting. That kind of thing. A diplomat is supposed to be capable of dealing with different viewpoints in an understanding manner, and most of all be kind. In practice, diplomats are mean, nasty, and spiteful towards each other. Diplomats hate eachother's guts, and what diplomats -actually- spend their time doing is putting on a fake smile while rifling around in the pockets of another country. Nations use them as spies, and their purpose is to undermine the other country. Yes, a medium is supposed to help the two sides play nice, but the leadership on either side doesn't give a single shit about that. They just want a heads up on what the other side is doing, and help on knowing what weaknesses to exploit. Just like how Surma got Renard to come to the court. A severe blow that Coyote still does not appreciate. Jones is probably operating on the STATED purpose of the medium because she sees no reason to do otherwise(being Jones and all). Antimony, as young and unstable as she is, is wonderful at that kind of thing. In truth, the court wants an ace in the hole. Smits, and his power, are that ace.
|
|
|
Post by Nnelg on Feb 15, 2013 19:07:11 GMT
Is Annie going to have to flee to Coyote's protection? No, the odds of that are slim to none now that the Headmaster was interrupted before he could finish threatening to take Renardine away. How he gets to his office and to the big announcement room? Rolly office chairs. Nah, he probably has a comfy chair palanquin for that. Complete with fluffy pillows. ;D And why separate Rey from Annie at all? Apparently only the Headmaster himself knows that. Wild speculation: Coyote is controlling / ripping memories from the Headmaster of the Court!! Hence the headmaster outright asking for Renard! Slightly less wild speculation: the whole thing is an illusion made by Coyote, who finally couldn't keep it in. I suspect that Coyote is about to explain everything in his usual cryptic manner such that it will take several chapters before we realize that he explained nothing at all. Fixed.
|
|
|
Post by neurokeen on Feb 15, 2013 19:45:38 GMT
Jones is probably operating on the STATED purpose of the medium because she sees no reason to do otherwise(being Jones and all). I think Jones would know well enough the difference between the stated purpose of a diplomat and the 'real' purpose of one - she's definitely been around long enough to know the human political games. I suspect, given how vocal her objection seems to be, she actually sees this as a deeply disconcerting tactical mistake on the Court's part.
|
|
|
Post by goldenknots on Feb 15, 2013 19:50:00 GMT
It occurs to me that the headmaster may be familiar with the story of Jeanne, and may suspect that Antimony is on to it, having been down to the Annan Waters, but is unaware that Parley and Smitty are involved, and thus he is trying to nip that revelation in the bud.
|
|
|
Post by redfeather on Feb 15, 2013 19:53:24 GMT
Jones is acting very oddly, isn't she? You'd expect her to air her criticisms in private, not announce it openly at the appointment. Of course, it has been hinted that she doesn't really work for the court, so if she's an ally rather than a subordinate that's different.
Jones seems to have a lot invested in Annie, doesn't she? She's really upset by this. And of course, elsewhere she's gone out of her way to... it's really very odd, isn't it? I mean, it's not just me, right?
|
|
|
Post by exuberancium on Feb 15, 2013 20:14:11 GMT
So on the next page, is it going to be revealed that the Headmaster and Coyote traded places for a laugh? And if so, which one just broke character? ;P That was my first thought, but upon closer inspection that doesn't make any sense. It's funny how last time everyone gathered here, it was actually all about Reynardine. Looks like history is repeating itself.
|
|
|
Post by 0o0f on Feb 15, 2013 20:32:16 GMT
Jones is acting very oddly, isn't she? You'd expect her to air her criticisms in private, not announce it openly at the appointment. Of course, it has been hinted that she doesn't really work for the court, so if she's an ally rather than a subordinate that's different. Jones seems to have a lot invested in Annie, doesn't she? She's really upset by this. And of course, elsewhere she's gone out of her way to... it's really very odd, isn't it? I mean, it's not just me, right? It definitely does make me wonder if she really is emotionless. More than I already did, I mean.
|
|