Page 133: "Will you permit it?"

[cacambo43]

I've failed to understand what exactly Alex trying to say to Talon:

Don't feel like you have to impress me, Talon!

He don't think Talon must impress him by something in the future? Or Talon didn't impressed him by previous phrase?

Some sort of fancy flying skills that involves Gora Station and Highland-7, probably under "less than compatible" trajectories and velocities, by the sounds of it.

CJSF

[icekatze]

hi hi

I've failed to understand what exactly Alex trying to say to Talon

My interpretation is this: on the previous page (132), Talon says that Alex wanted to see something interesting and that now he'll probably see it.

I feel like Alex's response says a lot of things. First of all, I think he's saying in a roundabout way that he already appreciates what Talon has done, and is doing for him; she doesn't need to take extra steps to impress him. Also, I think he's sort of telling her to keep her cool, to focus on surviving rather than getting distracted by anything else.

But that is just my interpretation.

[Arioch]

Alex: "And if you can get safely aboard, what then?"
Talon: "You wished to see something interesting, Enzin. I think maybe now you will see it!"
Alex: "Don't feel like you have to impress me!"

I don't get what is confusing people about this interchange.

[Diodri]

I understood this just fine. I think in the space between updates people forgot exactly what Talon said on the previous page and didn't take the time to re-read it.

I think the entire relay station is going to jump, or transform, or something.

[Nemo]

I understood this just fine. I think in the space between updates people forgot exactly what Talon said on the previous page and didn't take the time to re-read it.

This. Coupled with the direction Alex's head is turned made me think, at first, that the speaker was obscured while Alex was listening to Beryl. Thought it was background dialog at first pass.

[CF2]

I'm curious to see if Beryl has a similar presence as Fireblade, or whether her experimentation will be a little too timid to create a mental image.

[orion1836]

I understood this just fine. I think in the space between updates people forgot exactly what Talon said on the previous page and didn't take the time to re-read it.

I think the entire relay station is going to jump, or transform, or something.

Macross this ain't.

...unless it is.

[thicket]

I imagine one of these will be coming up next:

Fireblade is up for the challenge! #overthetop

[GabrielGABFonseca]

my money is on Alex being able to sense, somehow, that Beryl is trying to reach him. I don't think he'll be able to respond in any telepathic way, but maybe they'll be able to change the "shapes" that he is seeing?
Part of me would love if Novius' suggestion did come about though...

[thicket]

I wonder if all Loroi have identical heartbeat speeds? It seems to be consistent enough to be used as a standard measurement of time.

well not everyone has the same foot size #nonmetricisdumb

[bunnyboy]

Who wouldn't want some skin-to-skin with sexy and curious blue skinned alien?
I would be all kirk with her.

[Zarya]

@Zarya - I think Arioch has been very clear that there will be no saucy activity of any kind. However, there is this which is entirely non-cannon.

I had the speculation that we have telepathy and telekenisis, and perhaps Alex (being human) would act as an amplifier or a unique alteration being able to be made to that person's mental faculties - but having read this (http://well-of-souls.com/outsider/forum_telepathy.html) I dont think my hypothothis fits with the plot as it exists, and the information provided.

Let’s see how this develops and what the effect is of a consensual touch when a highly trained Listel is doing the probing. Fortunately there is time for practical experimentation to answer some very pressing questions (better understanding what’s going on with the human’s Lotai could be, or is, a matter of life or death for the Loroi!)

BTW in the discussion about page 127 Arioch made the following remark that may become a strong additional motive for Humanity to root for the Loroi, and the other way round. Relationship can imply any form of friendship, not necessarily sauciness.

Well as to the presumed future avoidance of "romantic" developments that is a bit unrealistic but whatever.

I've seen this sort of thing repeated a few times (that supposedly I said there will be no "romantic" relationship of any kind in the story), but I don't recall saying this and I can't find a record of my saying it. I do recall saying something to the effect that those expecting to see graphic depictions of sexual activity are going to be disappointed, but that's not the same thing.

[novius]

BTW in the discussion about page 127 Arioch made the following remark that may become a strong additional motive for Humanity to root for the Loroi, and the other way round. Relationship can imply any form of friendship, not necessarily sauciness.

Well as to the presumed future avoidance of "romantic" developments that is a bit unrealistic but whatever.

I've seen this sort of thing repeated a few times (that supposedly I said there will be no "romantic" relationship of any kind in the story), but I don't recall saying this and I can't find a record of my saying it. I do recall saying something to the effect that those expecting to see graphic depictions of sexual activity are going to be disappointed, but that's not the same thing.

And thus spake the Lord I remember saying something like that as well. The sensible choice would be for Alex to jump ship at the first opportunity since it seems that the Loroi are on the losing side, and humans have a good counter to Loroi telepathy. So yes, a connection on a personal level - be it friendship, a bit of romance or an instance of actually working telepathy between these two - would be another reason for Alex to continue rooting for the Loroi.

PG-13 (as this comic rates itself) may include tasteful depictions of romance. Kissing, one may see, but everything starting with heavy groping would be strictly off-screen. Personally, I like this much more than comics with more mature ratings, because many authors there use these as an excuse to freely go with heavy action - be it sexual situations or gore - unrelated to the plot.

In-character, the Loroi might subconsciously come to a similar conclusion. That they actually feel the need to get into Alex's good graces. Talon might have felt the need to impress him, Beryl to apologize for the actions done to him by her people. Though she is way too innocent to actually play an attempt at seduction - that's something one would expect from Tempo.

[SVlad]

Alex: "And if you can get safely aboard, what then?"
Talon: "You wished to see something interesting, Enzin. I think maybe now you will see it!"
Alex: "Don't feel like you have to impress me!"

I don't get what is confusing people about this interchange.

For nonnative speakers it's easy to confuse modal verb "have to" with present perfect auxiliary verb "have". And understand the last phrase as "You don't feel like you have impressed me".
At least two more Russian speaking readers has been confused by this phrase.

[Krulle]

I wonder whether a willing mind of Alex, willing to connect to Beryl, willing to allow her some connection, for his own curiosity, his wanting to connect allowing her to use a sideeffect his Lotai to find why/where/how the Umiak ships hide themselves.

But this may just be my hope to see the story progress to the advantage of the blue space elves.

[orion1836]

Let’s see how this develops and what the effect is of a consensual touch when a highly trained Listel is doing the probing.

Alex: "Not the way I expected to be probed by aliens."

Let's hope they're never able to read him remotely... he'd never be able to hide his inner snark.

[cacambo43]

Alex: "And if you can get safely aboard, what then?"
Talon: "You wished to see something interesting, Enzin. I think maybe now you will see it!"
Alex: "Don't feel like you have to impress me!"

I don't get what is confusing people about this interchange.

For nonnative speakers it's easy to confuse modal verb "have to" with present perfect auxiliary verb "have". And understand the last phrase as "You don't feel like you have impressed me".
At least two more Russian speaking readers has been confused by this phrase.

I'm sure that's a valid reason for confusion, but I think the English speaking readers (well, those for whom English is their first language) were confused over who Alex was addressing, in the Patreon version of the post. The "final" version of the page has Alex saying, "Don't feel like you have to impress me, Talon!" which makes it clear, but in that original dialog, quoted above, together with the ambiguity of where Alex was looking (and then Beryl's response) made it unclear.

Regarding any budding romance among Alex and any of the Loroi: meh. It'll be annoying. I've never had this blue-elf sexual fantasy, but so long as it's secondary to the main story, it'll be fine.

CJSF

[Diodri]

I've never had this blue-elf sexual fantasy,

HERETIC!

jk jk

[Krulle]

Perverse!


And yes, I also request it to remain secondary to the story, and preferable not be depicted at all.
I like the hints, and how the characters look at each other, and seeing the situation they're in, go for "soft touching" each other.
Showing more would do the story of this comic a lot of harm.
"If something happens" it may be hinted at (e.g. by all Loroi smirking when they see Beryl or Alexander), but should not graphiocally depicted at all.
Otherwise it would distract too much from the story, and seeing the last few years update speed, the story needs to move on before Arioch gets hit with new large projects....

[CF2]

Personally, I like this much more than comics with more mature ratings, because many authors there use these as an excuse to freely go with heavy action - be it sexual situations or gore - unrelated to the plot.

I'd play devil's advocate and argue that the choice of having a plot secondary to the character development isn't necessarily tied to a more mature rating.

As for the situation Alex is in, I wouldn't be surprised if a certain mizol parat helped encourage any relations that secured diplomatic favor or insight.