Girl Genius XXIII: Screaming, Ranting and Egregious Violence

[lord_khaine]

I'm really curious to see how "aware" he actually is of his true role in all this.

Hmm.. he could be a spy planted to keep track of the loonies.
But i honestly think he is mostly unaware. It would help making him more genuine.
And more likely to be able to fullfill his role of assistant and romantic interest.

So with that i suspect Albia mainly holds him in the dark. And just uses him as a moderatly useful piece on her cheshboard, that enjoyes the adventures he finds and the pretty ladies he is allowed to meet and work with.

[Calemyr]

I guess the main question there is whether we believe the Professors Foglio are going to replay the same notes so quickly. We already had the conspirator ally in Alvor and Larana. I'm expecting more variation, myself. My expectation is that Rakethorn is aware of his role in placating difficult Sparks, keeping them happy and productive. But I don't expect he'll actively be involved in anything insidious - he'll just unknowingly play his role by being who he is, exactly as Albia intended.

[Rogar Demonblud]

The mad social scientist was Doctor Mittelmind.

[Shining Wrath]

I wonder what Albia intends to do about Krosp. I think she may be underestimating him - cute widdo kitty thinks he's a king. But he commands a powerful force of bears and has well-established intelligence gathering capabilities. Krosp may not be here for only the stated reasons of asylum for Vapnoodle and reunification with Agatha.

[Scarlet Knight]

A king is not a king until he has a kingdom.

[Rockphed]

No Shadowrun gear list is complete without a set of overalls with 'Al' stenciled on them.

... I don't follow. How does this relate to Girl Genius?

[HandofShadows]

A king is not a king until he has a kingdom.

When you have a very powerful army, getting a kingdom is not the hardest thing.

[The Glyphstone]

... I don't follow. How does this relate to Girl Genius?

...beats me. That was in reply to a comment that doesn't appear to actually be here. Must be in a different thread.

[Rogar Demonblud]

It seems even Sparks can't work a garbage disposal properly.

[Shining Wrath]

It seems even Sparks can't work a garbage disposal properly.

We do not know for certain that Trogulus is a Spark. He's a foreign exchange lab assistant.

[Rockphed]

...beats me. That was in reply to a comment that doesn't appear to actually be here. Must be in a different thread.

Okay, good, since I spent 5 minutes checking if any of the people in the latest strip had overalls with "Al" (or anything else) stenciled on.

(Though now your post has vanished as well, so I suspect something is eating posts in this thread! Quick! Call a mod to hunt down the dreaded post-eating monster!)I suspect you actually deleted your complete non-sequitur of a post, but if I cannot turn wacky hi-jinks into something related to the comic, then my name isn't Rockphed Vernon Istaria*!

*Okay, so that isn't my name. The Rockphed and Istaria I've used before, but never a middle name. I'm not sure I like "Vernon"

[Kantaki]

Considering how Agatha met those three her comparison might be a bit insulting.

On the other hand... If Krosp includes the Sparkwolves there it fits.
The only reason those are still around is that Martellus got them first.
And can make more.

Also, I love that cat and Jägermonster react the same to the fish outside.
Just on a slightly different scale.
And waiting for a whale with hat makes absolutely sense.
Anyone can catch the regular kind.
Jäger have bigger fish mammals to fry.

[Ellen]

My sympathy is with Lady Ariadne. She has a very legitimate political argument: How Agatha looks will be seen as a sign of how Albia is treating an independent, foreign ruler (OK, ruler in exile whose city state is having troubles, but still).

Of course, Albia wants Agatha distracted. But, I'm willing to believe Ariadne is describing the situation as she sees it.

You know, as weird as it seems, Zeetha might come in on Ariadne's side. She understands the politics of two queens interacting a bit better than Agatha.

[PraetorDragoon]

How else would a fashion lover react to seeing all the latest fashion from Paris? It is like christmas came early.

[Manga Shoggoth]

OK, so we have Zola and Seffie who are also after Gill. Any takers on Tarvek now having Ariadne following him around?

[Kona]

Lady Steelgarter, meet Fashion Clank. Bzzzt!

[geoduck]

OK, so we have Zola and Seffie who are also after Gill. Any takers on Tarvek now having Ariadne following him around?

I'd be a bit surprised if they even meet.

[Traab]

Im thinking this is another attempt to distract agatha. But albia is smart, she isnt sending someone trying to manipulate her, she picked someone whose personal interests are exactly what they seem, a fashion conscious party lady, that the incessant need for parties will slow down her research is totally a coincidence. No, really.

[Kantaki]

Does anyone else hope the blue lady is a fashion spark?

I mean we had a pie focused Spark before, so it wouldn't be impossible.

[HandofShadows]

Yeah, I'm thinking this is all a distraction and part of the plan to keep Agatha in her "garden". I would not bet to much she isn't going to try something with Gil and Tarvek as well. And the end I expect it will blow up in her face in a spectacular fashion.

[Traab]

We also have seen party sparks from the whole paris third act. I think it was grandma who hired her

[keybounce]

Does anyone else hope the blue lady is a fashion spark?

I mean we had a pie focused Spark before, so it wouldn't be impossible.

I came here for basically the exact same post.

[Kantaki]

Speaking of Sparks with a odd focus (and sparkyness in general), now I'm wondering how Armsmaster* from Worm would deal with being dropped in the Girl Genius verse.

On the one hand it's basically a Tinker's paradise. On the other the world is in a even worse state than Earth Bet.

*Or any tinker. But I think Armsy would be the funniest.
Thinkers could be great too.
Heh. Accord'd either go on a rampage- considering his obsession with order most Sparks would drive him insane- or be really happy if he finds someone actually willing to use his plans for world saving.
And I could see some people actually listening.

[geoduck]

The Lady's disparaging comments on the subject make me think she isn't a Spark, and I actually kinda hope she isn't, but.. shrug.

Going by her name, do you suppose she has two extra legs as well?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Dear Gods, I dated that woman in college.

[Rockphed]

Obviously she is part of a matched set with Boris.

[Shining Wrath]

Lady Steelgarter may be a latent Fashion Spark, and Agatha's indifference to having all the latest Parisian fashions will be the stressor that finally triggers her breakthrough to full-on Madness Place.

Let's not read too much into this first party. There are protocols for a visiting monarch, and throwing a welcoming party is certainly among them. Not throwing the party could be viewed as an insult to Agatha, or conversely a sign of weakness on Albia's part - she either hates the Heterodyne, or fears she cannot control the Screaming, Ranting, and Egregious Violence.

This also allows Albia to take Agatha's measure. She's throwing different "encounters" at her, like a Dungeon Master - how does she handle the beefy young Rakethorne? How will she respond to the frivolous Steelgarter? How did she respond to the monstrous Trogulous?

Observations are being made, data is being collected, and right now I'd say Agatha is easing suspicions that she might be an old-school Heterodyne.

[Ellen]

I figured we were seeing the Violetta whose secret desire has been to get to go to parties in fancy dresses. But, blaming Tarvek works to. After all, he's the guy who was trying to figure out how an autumn could pull of a really good, evil monarch look.

Just noticed that, although Zeetha seems to come from a matrilineal society, this is the second time she's introduced herself as her father's daughter. Interesting. I'm assuming there's a reason she gives him precedence.

[Kantaki]

I figured we were seeing the Violetta whose secret desire has been to get to go to parties in fancy dresses. But, blaming Tarvek works to. After all, he's the guy who was trying to figure out how an autumn could pull of a really good, evil monarch look.

Just noticed that, although Zeetha seems to come from a matrilineal society, this is the second time she's introduced herself as her father's daughter. Interesting. I'm assuming there's a reason she gives him precedence.

Well, there's only one queen of Skyfander, so no need to specify on that part?

Also, no idea what's funnier, Violetta blaming Tarvek, or the fact that I believe her.

But the bug lady is definitely wrong with her assessment of Zeetha.
The problem with her as a maid isn't the princess, it's the warrior.
And even then she would be a greater help than anyone they could assign to Agatha.
Well, mostly. Not on the spying part obviously.

[PraetorDragoon]

I figured we were seeing the Violetta whose secret desire has been to get to go to parties in fancy dresses. But, blaming Tarvek works to. After all, he's the guy who was trying to figure out how an autumn could pull of a really good, evil monarch look.

Just noticed that, although Zeetha seems to come from a matrilineal society, this is the second time she's introduced herself as her father's daughter. Interesting. I'm assuming there's a reason she gives him precedence.

Its her secret desire. She isn't going to tell it to a complete stranger.