[2246] "And you trust him to do as he says?"

[imaginaryfriend]

They trust him to do "something"... which I think means they trust that there will be negative consequences if they don't do what he wants.

[Timberwere]

The question is, does Khepi perhaps have an alternative option to offer?

[machiavelli33]

"No, but we do trust him to ruin things *more* if he doesn't get what he wants, cause he's an unhinged mutant godling abomination diaperbaby, so could you please work with us here."

[noone3]

Dec 30, 2019 8:11:17 GMT imaginaryfriend said:

They trust him to do "something"... which I think means they trust that there will be negative consequences if they don't do what he wants.

I think this means a "c'mon do something funny" kind of expectations.

Also I wonder if Khepi refers to Annies in plural or singular here. There are languages that care to make a distinctions, you know.

[imaginaryfriend]

Dec 30, 2019 8:41:13 GMT noone3 said:

Dec 30, 2019 8:11:17 GMT imaginaryfriend said:

They trust him to do "something"... which I think means they trust that there will be negative consequences if they don't do what he wants.

I think this means a "c'mon do something funny" kind of expectations.

He may do that too, but Fannie is choosing words to minimize the unspoken threat... which I think Khepi has picked up on despite Courtnie's attempt to draw attention to the larger picture.

Dec 30, 2019 8:41:13 GMT noone3 said:

Also I wonder if Khepi refers to Annies in plural or singular here. There are languages that care to make a distinctions, you know.

Not sure, also not sure that Khepi knows which to use. I think the takeaway is that Khepi is asking if the creature powerful enough to dub her is a being they can trust or at least predict.

...and the answer she got is "no" with a vague hint that if they do what he wants maybe he'll fix something, since he almost certainly won't if they don't.

[bedinsis]

Huh, ever since the second to last chapter I've been convinced that the next subgoal of the comic is getting the lake water, which meant I didn't really consider whether that's a good idea. The point Khepi raises kinda took me off guard, and I'm starting to like her now.

Not that I ever disliked her, mind you.

[imaginaryfriend]

I think they have to get the lakewater regardless, at least doing so buys time. Once they have it they can discuss the ramifications of trying to not give it to "Loup." Coyote makes it seem like they have a choice in the matter but my impression is that the consequences that "Loup" is able to deliver makes that pretty much unthinkable. Is Coyote hinting that "Loup" might already be in such dire straits that he can't actually do as much damage as I think? Maybe... but that's still probably a lot of damage.

There are other options too, but each comes with a set of difficult-to-predict risks. One is to only return part of the water. It may even be useful to cleave off a tiny part of the water using the tooth... which might lead to better rewards in return for the risk, but if the water isn't a memory about the tooth and/or the plan regarding the tooth then they've just flashed their last hole card (possibly except the Omega, whatever that is). [edit] If Kat's willing to break her word then she could use her system to transfer the ownership of the water back to "Loup" and deliberately switch the rights to Coyote's actions to herself after he resurrects. They'd have to do something to cause the etherial bureaucracy to allow it or prevent them from interfering some other way but that's about the one thing that I can think of that could screw up Coyote's plan in a potentially hilarious way.[/edit][edit2] Or even better, have Kat use her system to transfer George's ownership of the water to George, then have a robot deliver the water to "Loup." Then when the water becomes the method that Coyote uses to return to life the ownership of his actions should remain with George thanks to the system's ability to damage contracts but the etheric watchers are faced with the problem that nothing was stolen since the robot has no authority and effectively no agency.[/edit2]

[todd]

I think it's a case of "all the other options are even worse".

Not to mention that, the way the story's flowing at present, the two Annies have to complete the quest for the water, even if they don't turn it over to Loup.

[ctso74]

Coyote said, that returning the Water would then "kill" Loup. So, I'd say getting the Water is probably a good thing, but Khepi is certainty wise to pump the brakes on following Coyote's plan to the letter. On the other hand, Coyote's created a situation (whether by design or dumb luck), where not following it is dangerous and less than satisfactory. I guess Khepi and the Carver Twins can trust, that Coyote wouldn't wreck all his toys, but outside of that...

[Gemini Jim]

Khepi does have a point at the end there. It's not a point which helps the Annies' case, but it is a valid point nonetheless.


None of this negotiation was ever going to be, "oh, you need to borrow a few of my clan? Sure, let me help you."


To step into her elf shoes - She's stuck in a refugee camp in the middle of the DMZ, she doesn't trust the Court (and if she doesn't, the others probably don't as well) and now the Court is coming to her for help. (* Also, elves don't seem to wear shoes.)

Khepi could easily conclude that she prefers the DMZ to the Court. Have fun fire lasering through all that ironwood.



If the negotiations reach the point of "this is basically a hostage situation; while we don't trust Loup, if we don't do what he asks, things could get worse," Khepi is the one who will have to explain all of that to the others.



This is a chess match and the Annies have only made two or three moves so far.

[mturtle7]

Both Annies are desperately trying not to reply with ANYTHING that goes along the lines of "Hey, look on the bright side, at least it can't make things any WORSE..."