She’s still trying to process that her mind was not her own, she’s also trying to not get her friend in trouble and she’s trying to confide simultaneously. Her brain needs a bit of time to process everything before she’s coherent.
In situations like that, one way of handling it would be to get the emotions and shock out – hug, cry, etc, then sleep, then talk with confidant after that. Of course, that’s more easily said than done.
I think that’s one of the reasons why Shelly is confused: She feels Bud is the best person to talk to about her situation but fears what Bud will do in response because it was Tina who did it to her. She doesn’t want Tina to get hurt but she needs someone to talk to.
Out of all the golem girls, Bud is the one who has struggled the most with being a Chimera also it seems.
Finding out her friend was being controlled by someone would possibly give her an outlet to vent her own rage at being controlled herself as well as the justification feeling of it being her defending someone else.
Baaaad combo…
It being someone she detests is just the icing on the cake really..
A good thing about Bud is that she only overreacts if no one else is already doing it. She’s actually very good at handling those situations. Seeing Shelly blame Tina too much may help Bud realize that she had been basically doing the same thing.
Thanks to your comment I have a better understanding of why Tina bothered Bud so much, though.
Yes, with Shelly trying to simultaneously continue talking it out with Bud and apologize to Tina for giving Bud the wrong idea, and M having to possibly take quick action…if she’s still there, that is…
Im still trying to work out why Shelly thinks Tina can control her…or why Monica put the thought into Shellys head!!
Demons can influence you but they cannot control you…
Least thats what i thought the whole speil about Monica’s empowerment was all about..
Shelly is trying to redeem herself, or rather absolve herself from letting (yet again) her violent nature, as in: do not understand or like it?? Beat it to pulp, get the better of her. Pointing to other influences is easy.. I have done the same in the past. Admitting that You have a say in it yourself, is much harder.
Shelly, much as I like her, and despite her growth, has the unpleasant habit of blaming everyone, except herself.
You know…that makes perfect sense. Shelly, being Shelly, probably latched on to what Monica said about Tina’s ability to influence people and hyperboled the crap out of that though until it became “I was being controlled like some sort of alien experiment!”
IIRC, Amanda said a long time ago that she never liked Shelly because of her immaturity and Jacqui (sp?) tried to get Shelly to stop lashing back at people. So, yeah, I agree with what you and Jay-Em are saying.
Yes, but how much influence? Tina’s demons are not like “normal” ones. Plus, Tina was overwrought and out of control herself, so her vibes/influence may have been quite strong. Not to mention she was physically very close to Shelly. The demons were that voice in Shelly’s head chanting “do it! do it! do it!”
Or, knowing paul, we may yet find out something else entirely is going on.
Unless there were other things being said between panels, it’s not like Tina was really provoking much. She was concerned about her wall. Plus Shelly’s own demon being thingie was right there. Tina’s fight with nudge started with Creepy girl ringing the bell. Maybe SHE was controlling Tina. Hmmm.
Non-conventional hyperbole??? Ay… that explains..
Heh, it’s indeed in the same legue as what I said to a numbnut “superuser” when he, for the umpteenth time did exactly THAT which lets a certain app used in our company, go haywire on the server-side, thereby shutting the app off for about 1000 users. (“Known Error’ in ITSM-speak). Admin-auth. are a dangerous thing.
I calmly stated that , if he ever did that again, I would “break his fingers..One by One…very slowly and deliberately” Apparently my expression was so deadly serious that my collegues had that “Oh MFG” expression, while looking at me.. The only ones snickering where the “loyal’ collegues of that digibetic d–k wad.. 😆 😆
Something about being six feet tall, weighting at the time about two hundred pounds, and speaking in a very quiet, level, slow and distinct manner, i think.
The situation was indeed quite exeptional, since both of them were angry and out of control so a careless “figure of speach” (killing) turns to active intention.
But this could evolve into a growth story, where Shelly learns to better guard herself from outside and inside influences – thus being prepared against unfriendlies as well 🙂
I think Shelly might be guilty of a bit of projection here…blaming Tina’s “influence” for what easily could have been just as much a loss of temper on her part.
…and i’m really hoping Bud realizes this before she reacts further…
Ewww…that reminds me of ads I use to see for having your cremated loved ones turned into diamonds that you could then wear. That always ooked me out a bit. I mean, think about it…
“Ooo! I love that necklace! Is that a real diamond??”
Excellent and scary points. We might just be witnessing illogic at work… for a purpose. I sometimes have to remind myself that just because an action in this story is illogical and makes little sense it is to be remembered that the people in said universe are far from perfect and somethimes that is the whole point.
That is true only in the same way that no other human can control you.
While making you walk around like a zombie doing things you normally wouldn’t isn’t a power of demons (or humans), that doesn’t mean that they can’t charm, coerce, influence, or implant the idea in you.
And, if a demon does do that, then Bad Things could happen. The least of which is that a Sphinx comes along, decides that things were too close and has a nice bowl of Demon-os with milk for breakfast.
That’s for sure. Brandi is the deep thinker – Bud is the quick, improvising thinker.
As Simon Templar once remarked of a particular Big Time Crook, “She’s so quick on the uptake that if she fell out a window on the seventieth floor of the Empire State Building, she’d be sitting in the top floor cafe having coffee before she was absolutey sure what happened…”
OldWolf, as long as you are establishing a confused corner annex here at Wapsi Square from the tattered remains of the you-know-what couch, please allow me to at least supply the barleywine…
Barleywine?? Eeeewww..(HATE ales!) Yay! on the scones (and clotted cream if You don’t mind) at least if they are as good as those served at Watersmeet…
Ah … barleywine. Have a bottle in the fridge as we speak. Still, for really confusing days such as this, a nice double scotch whiskey is the preferred potable.
“Notchocolate.” I believe you may have coined a new term for yet another totally artificial product. Something in the diet foods category right along with nonfat.
Wow! Do a Google for “notchocolate” (in quotes) and you find it’s not nearly as new as thought. I guess this posting section will be in the list soon too.
I realized I was correct the first time, but let it go. When I go to Starbucks, I always order a “not chocolate” – hot sweetened milk with hazelnut flavoring. 😛
Sometimes you want hazlenut flavor instead of chocolate? 🙂 And decaf makes perfect sense…if you like coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) and have trouble sleeping.
Black Forest: Black cherry, double mocha, scoop of Nutella ™, two shots espresso and whip cream about three inches high. And my coffe-bartender invented it just for me.
He could have made it decaf and I wouldn’t have known the difference. Thank you Brian, wherever you are!
@Fairportfan – I’ve tried dirt and didn’t like it (gotta love growing up as the most gullible kid on the street). Maybe I just didn’t add enough fat and sugar. 🙂
I’ll join the party. Coffee, please, sugar and milk. And I’ll bring the hidden cameras and set up couches and TV screens in the vacant building next door, conveniently converting it into the Lounge of Confusion. Someone else has to supply the mood music, though.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Bud and Tina reconcile, but I don’t expect that there will be much of a confrontation to start it off. Bud is very good at spotting when someone else is overreacting. If anything she will convince herself that it was unfair to blame Tina for things going wrong at the same time she convinces Shelly. She might even wind up feeling bad for the way she used to treat Tina before talking to Tina.
At the same time, Tina wouldn’t defend herself. If Tina blames herself too much, which she probably would do, Bud would probably see right through that. If there is an argument, it would probably be the opposite of what Shelly is worried about.
Right. In this case, I think it’s best to just sit and wait to see what comes of it all. Paul’s spending a lot of time on the situation. I believe there will be more to it than what has been presented thus far.
So gratified that I’m not the only one having trouble processing all of this. I mean, I’d like to think I’m at least as smart as the next guy or gal, but Pablo’s twists and turns make my pia mater ache…
Wow Shelly, ramble much? Oh yeah, you do.
She’s still trying to process that her mind was not her own, she’s also trying to not get her friend in trouble and she’s trying to confide simultaneously. Her brain needs a bit of time to process everything before she’s coherent.
In situations like that, one way of handling it would be to get the emotions and shock out – hug, cry, etc, then sleep, then talk with confidant after that. Of course, that’s more easily said than done.
She’s had several days to do all that. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time has passed, she will still just blurt stuff out and hope for the best.
In our time it’s been days but I suspect it’s only been minutes (hours at the most) comic time.
Just re-read the section, it looks like hours, maybe a day. I see what you mean.
More than that, if her hair’s had time to grow back out…
Girls. We handle stuff by talking. Our brains file the current thought in the air around our heads, where it’s easier to find and file properly.
Come to think of it, maybe that’s why all my mail is in a stack by the kitchen sink.
This is one example of when being a spaz is a distinct disadvantage…
Spaz is as spaz does. Life is like a box of spaz ya know.
spaz, spaz, spaz, spaz, lovely SPAAAAAAZ, wonferful SPAZ…
Isn’t it wonferful??
. . . spaz, spaz, spaz, spaz, lovely spaz! Wonderful spaz!
Lovely spaz! Wonderful spaz!
It seems like it would be against the very nature of spaz to be boxed…
Great Simultaneous Posting Race win #2!!
Dang, I’m about as confused as Bud is.
And that’s impressive, since I actually saw what happened in the coffee shop in the previous pages. XD
I thought the “crumple test” to show how strong Shelly was proved that Tina couldn’t make Shelly do anything?
The crumple test was just a trick to make Shelly go she-hulk on the pitcher. Anyone could have done the same.
Bud has never liked Tina, anyway. So this can’t be good.
I think that’s one of the reasons why Shelly is confused: She feels Bud is the best person to talk to about her situation but fears what Bud will do in response because it was Tina who did it to her. She doesn’t want Tina to get hurt but she needs someone to talk to.
I think she chose Bud because she is the only one of the supernaturals with whom Shelly as developed a rapport with.
Not only that, but I think you could call it “friendship.”
Out of all the golem girls, Bud is the one who has struggled the most with being a Chimera also it seems.
Finding out her friend was being controlled by someone would possibly give her an outlet to vent her own rage at being controlled herself as well as the justification feeling of it being her defending someone else.
Baaaad combo…
It being someone she detests is just the icing on the cake really..
Fortunately, Shelly is not on close terms with Phix as yet. She would be the worst one to go to with this problem.
A good thing about Bud is that she only overreacts if no one else is already doing it. She’s actually very good at handling those situations. Seeing Shelly blame Tina too much may help Bud realize that she had been basically doing the same thing.
Thanks to your comment I have a better understanding of why Tina bothered Bud so much, though.
Graeme: …but there’s no need to tell Tim. All he’d do is panic
Bill: Right.
Graeme: And we do not need him to do that.
Bill: Right. We can do that for ourselves. AHHHHHHH!
Shelly! Start in the middle and jump randomly around in the narative! Otherwise she won’t get the wrong idea!
😆
Excellent!
Do you think she learned from Paul?
3..2..1..*poit* and we’re back in the coffee shop for round two….XD
Yes, with Shelly trying to simultaneously continue talking it out with Bud and apologize to Tina for giving Bud the wrong idea, and M having to possibly take quick action…if she’s still there, that is…
lil-sis will need a new gong at this rate 🙂
I win the Great Simultaneous Posting Race! 🙂
Im still trying to work out why Shelly thinks Tina can control her…or why Monica put the thought into Shellys head!!
Demons can influence you but they cannot control you…
Least thats what i thought the whole speil about Monica’s empowerment was all about..
You are correct. *hands you a cookie* 🙂
*snicker*
What I thought. To me it is probably like this:
Shelly is trying to redeem herself, or rather absolve herself from letting (yet again) her violent nature, as in: do not understand or like it?? Beat it to pulp, get the better of her. Pointing to other influences is easy.. I have done the same in the past. Admitting that You have a say in it yourself, is much harder.
Shelly, much as I like her, and despite her growth, has the unpleasant habit of blaming everyone, except herself.
You know…that makes perfect sense. Shelly, being Shelly, probably latched on to what Monica said about Tina’s ability to influence people and hyperboled the crap out of that though until it became “I was being controlled like some sort of alien experiment!”
IIRC, Amanda said a long time ago that she never liked Shelly because of her immaturity and Jacqui (sp?) tried to get Shelly to stop lashing back at people. So, yeah, I agree with what you and Jay-Em are saying.
COOKIE!!
*noms happily*
Yes, but how much influence? Tina’s demons are not like “normal” ones. Plus, Tina was overwrought and out of control herself, so her vibes/influence may have been quite strong. Not to mention she was physically very close to Shelly. The demons were that voice in Shelly’s head chanting “do it! do it! do it!”
Or, knowing paul, we may yet find out something else entirely is going on.
Unless there were other things being said between panels, it’s not like Tina was really provoking much. She was concerned about her wall. Plus Shelly’s own demon being thingie was right there. Tina’s fight with nudge started with Creepy girl ringing the bell. Maybe SHE was controlling Tina. Hmmm.
The thing that’s not being considered is that “Don’t kill her all over my fresh-painted wall” is actually a not-uncommon type of hyperbole…
Non-conventional hyperbole??? Ay… that explains..
Heh, it’s indeed in the same legue as what I said to a numbnut “superuser” when he, for the umpteenth time did exactly THAT which lets a certain app used in our company, go haywire on the server-side, thereby shutting the app off for about 1000 users. (“Known Error’ in ITSM-speak). Admin-auth. are a dangerous thing.
I calmly stated that , if he ever did that again, I would “break his fingers..One by One…very slowly and deliberately” Apparently my expression was so deadly serious that my collegues had that “Oh MFG” expression, while looking at me.. The only ones snickering where the “loyal’ collegues of that digibetic d–k wad.. 😆 😆
Whhps mhbmlmblmbl *removes foot from mouth* Oh..You said “Not-uncommon” Mblmblmblmbl *puts foot back in mouth*
Oh, i’ve threatened a few users myself.
I usually got believed.
Something about being six feet tall, weighting at the time about two hundred pounds, and speaking in a very quiet, level, slow and distinct manner, i think.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially when combined with a little power. Do us all a favor and follow through if the situation arises. 😐
The situation was indeed quite exeptional, since both of them were angry and out of control so a careless “figure of speach” (killing) turns to active intention.
But this could evolve into a growth story, where Shelly learns to better guard herself from outside and inside influences – thus being prepared against unfriendlies as well 🙂
I think Shelly might be guilty of a bit of projection here…blaming Tina’s “influence” for what easily could have been just as much a loss of temper on her part.
…and i’m really hoping Bud realizes this before she reacts further…
That “Bud” -part is, indeed, unsettling.
I wonder..How good a diamond would Tina make?
considering we are carbon based, and the amount of rage Bud can produce, i’d say flawless, in all three catagories.
Ewww…that reminds me of ads I use to see for having your cremated loved ones turned into diamonds that you could then wear. That always ooked me out a bit. I mean, think about it…
“Ooo! I love that necklace! Is that a real diamond??”
“Yep! It’s my grandmother.”
“She gave that to you? That’s generous!”
“No…it actually is my grandmother.”
*shudder*
Excellent and scary points. We might just be witnessing illogic at work… for a purpose. I sometimes have to remind myself that just because an action in this story is illogical and makes little sense it is to be remembered that the people in said universe are far from perfect and somethimes that is the whole point.
That is true only in the same way that no other human can control you.
While making you walk around like a zombie doing things you normally wouldn’t isn’t a power of demons (or humans), that doesn’t mean that they can’t charm, coerce, influence, or implant the idea in you.
And, if a demon does do that, then Bad Things could happen. The least of which is that a Sphinx comes along, decides that things were too close and has a nice bowl of Demon-os with milk for breakfast.
I’m sort of impressed that Bud managed to pick up on the fact that “she” must be Tina…
“She can’t cause harm to humans!” in the third panel. Tina’s the only one that fits that statement.
Yeah, but it went by so fast…
Hell, Shelly’s entire side of the conversation went by so fast. And Bud’s not nearly as dim as thinks herself to be.
That’s for sure. Brandi is the deep thinker – Bud is the quick, improvising thinker.
As Simon Templar once remarked of a particular Big Time Crook, “She’s so quick on the uptake that if she fell out a window on the seventieth floor of the Empire State Building, she’d be sitting in the top floor cafe having coffee before she was absolutey sure what happened…”
Heh
I will so steal and use that phrase for later 😀
*Buys a scone and a not chocolate from Tina and sits in the corner confused but happy*
Argh. That’s *hot* chocolate…
Nah, either way *joins LoneWolf in corner, slightly less confused, but happy none theless*
*plops into the confused corner, too* Tea for me, please! 🙂
Splendid!
lapchong? Pecoe? turkish Appleblossom ‘n cinnamon or just a nice hot Earl Grey?
Hmm..it’s getting cosy here in he spectator’s corner. Now just wait how round II will develop.
Marco Polo and I’ll bring the oatmeal scones.
No fuss, no muss. 🙂 I’ll take an Earl Grey.
Ah, but with not chocolate, you could share a table and some not popcorn with NOTDilbert and take in the scene.
Or not. 🙂
You have:
no chocolate
an atomic vector plotter
a thing your aunt gave that you don’t know what it is…
I like hot chocolate and hot popcorn better than I don’t like not chocolate and not popcorn (although the hazelnut concoction below sounds tasty).
OldWolf, as long as you are establishing a confused corner annex here at Wapsi Square from the tattered remains of the you-know-what couch, please allow me to at least supply the barleywine…
Barleywine?? Eeeewww..(HATE ales!) Yay! on the scones (and clotted cream if You don’t mind) at least if they are as good as those served at Watersmeet…
Yes, but our imaginations will be fueled by the mind-altering alcohol content…which is a proven cure for confusion…
Absinthe parfait, anyone?
Clotted cream. Mmmmm. Must go wipe chin.
Ah … barleywine. Have a bottle in the fridge as we speak. Still, for really confusing days such as this, a nice double scotch whiskey is the preferred potable.
Tea-wise, Lapsang Souchong is very calming.
Yas, yas, I think a Confusion Corner here at Wapsi would be a superb addition. I’ll add the virtual Guinness™ since it’s the only kind I can drink…
As someone who’s teetotal, these days, too, pour me a pint, please.
We already have a few couchies here, we need to addict…er…invite the rest over to this incredible saga…
Oooo…I may change my order. 😀 Guinness please!!!
Speaking of which, doesn’t Pib/Death look HAWT?
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!
Txmystic, just come out and say it… You’re Tepoz in disguise.
[And if I ever figure out how this thing decides where to put my replies, I’ll fix this one.]
A “not” chocolate is coffee, or tea, so it makes perfect sense. Serendipity strikes again!
“Notchocolate.” I believe you may have coined a new term for yet another totally artificial product. Something in the diet foods category right along with nonfat.
I believe the proper name for “NotChocolate®” is
1,6-Dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-4-deoxy-α-D-cacaoamine
Wow! Do a Google for “notchocolate” (in quotes) and you find it’s not nearly as new as thought. I guess this posting section will be in the list soon too.
Let’s wrap it around this time:
“NotChocolate®” is
1,6-Dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-
4-deoxy-α-D-cacaoamine
I realized I was correct the first time, but let it go. When I go to Starbucks, I always order a “not chocolate” – hot sweetened milk with hazelnut flavoring. 😛
I’ve thought about trying a “not chocolate”–but I kinda feel about it the way many a caffeine addict feels about decaf coffee: what’s the point? 😉
Sometimes you want hazlenut flavor instead of chocolate? 🙂 And decaf makes perfect sense…if you like coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) and have trouble sleeping.
As a friend once remarked:
Black Forest: Black cherry, double mocha, scoop of Nutella ™, two shots espresso and whip cream about three inches high. And my coffe-bartender invented it just for me.
He could have made it decaf and I wouldn’t have known the difference. Thank you Brian, wherever you are!
@Fairportfan – I’ve tried dirt and didn’t like it (gotta love growing up as the most gullible kid on the street). Maybe I just didn’t add enough fat and sugar. 🙂
I’ll join the party. Coffee, please, sugar and milk. And I’ll bring the hidden cameras and set up couches and TV screens in the vacant building next door, conveniently converting it into the Lounge of Confusion. Someone else has to supply the mood music, though.
All I’ll say is, I like how Bud spins Shelly around to face her questioning.
She has her strength controlled very well.
Considering she can turn an apple into a gem stone – Bud could prolly crush even shelly with a gesture 🙂
There is no way it’s gonna stay at this. There WILL be a confrontation between Bud and Tina, but I sincerely doubt it will be violent.
I think there will be some words, and then Bud will start to accept Tina too.
Tina’s lonely”remorse’ scene is too obvious not to be crucial. here.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Bud and Tina reconcile, but I don’t expect that there will be much of a confrontation to start it off. Bud is very good at spotting when someone else is overreacting. If anything she will convince herself that it was unfair to blame Tina for things going wrong at the same time she convinces Shelly. She might even wind up feeling bad for the way she used to treat Tina before talking to Tina.
At the same time, Tina wouldn’t defend herself. If Tina blames herself too much, which she probably would do, Bud would probably see right through that. If there is an argument, it would probably be the opposite of what Shelly is worried about.
There will be blood. Oh. yes, my childer. There will be blood.
Nurrrr soooo confuuuuused…
I’ll meet you over at Old Wolf’s table. I gotta pick up a coffee and I think a biscotti.
Right. In this case, I think it’s best to just sit and wait to see what comes of it all. Paul’s spending a lot of time on the situation. I believe there will be more to it than what has been presented thus far.
So gratified that I’m not the only one having trouble processing all of this. I mean, I’d like to think I’m at least as smart as the next guy or gal, but Pablo’s twists and turns make my pia mater ache…
yay! two more additions before the weekend!
…I smell a cliffhanger coming!!
bites lip with greedy anticipation…
Yes, but can he pull off a bi-directional cliff hanger?
Would that be essentially like walking along a very skinny ledge where there’s a drop-off on your right and left? 🙂
We need to talk Paul into going 7 days a week, with a color one on Sundays. WWW (Wapsi Weekend Withdrawal) is hard to bear.
AGREED!!
Shelly, breath!
Is that anything like dog breath? (In the year of the plague or not.)
If you think Bud’s upset now, wait til she finds out Pie was involved, and no one brought her a piece!
Oh. the horror! Doom! Destruction!