Let's Burn Some Muscle!! p85
Added 2014-09-24 03:20:01 +0000 UTC
Comments
And that's the jerkiness I'm talking about in the last paragraph (as someone else put it: “sometimes I feel like entire pages are missing”). We've only been in that place for a couple of pages and now we are jumping to completely different place? That's too fast. If it'll jump to some other place (Than, Sadie or Kay, even “real Alexis” lair could be qualified as a “different place”, I guess) then it'll be an acceptable transition (yet scene will be too short as I've noted above), but if we'll “follow Alexis' Figurehead into the back” then it's just poor operator's work: he quite obviously lost the script and thus stayed in the same place for too long.
Khimru
2014-09-26 08:51:18 +0000 UTCI sincerely hope that you are wrong. And it's not that I'm fan of Rhea or Lou (heck, I slightly dislike Rhea and know nothing about Lou at all). It's just basic rules of the composition. Comics are, at their heart, series of stills from the [imaginary] films. And work of [imaginary] operator is important part of the quality of comic. Here we clearly see that Alexis is leaving the camera's field of vision while Lou in moving into that field. That basically means that next scene should include Lou and Rhea. If producer planned to show us Alexis in the next scene he should have asked the operator to keep Alexis in camera's field of vision—that means last frame would have been portrayed with Alexis in the foreground and Lou with Rhea in the background. It's still possible that you are right: camera operator work is a little lacking in LBSM (it's mostly good, but sometimes operator just jerks camera for no good reason—which leads to somewhat jarring jerkiness), but I sure hope it's not THAT bad here.
Khimru
2014-09-25 19:24:50 +0000 UTCI don't think so, you're awfully obsessed with Lou the last few posts. He's just a side character at best, we're obviously going to follow Alexis' Figurehead into the back.
Galka30
2014-09-25 17:53:56 +0000 UTCRe: Dammit Friday can't come soon enough. I don't think we'll see much on Friday. To keep sane pace in comic next page or two should be dedicated to interaction between Lou and Rhea.
Khimru
2014-09-25 15:59:10 +0000 UTCIt's all the system of favors and concessions people “at the top” are playing constantly. I don't know who owed whom and what at this point, but Rhea started with pretty negative account: Alexis helped her and she ruined Alexis life in exchange. This is not something “Cowloon which always remeber its friends” could do without some kind of concession. We know nothing about Cowloon's internal works—the offer which you COULD refuse could have been just such a confession (remember that Alexis “fetched a very good price” and thus is thoretically a property of Cowloon… Rhea should have an ability to order have around). Or, perhaps, it was not enough and Rhea actually gave “Baron von Beefdips” to Alexis as a compensation. We just don't know. But no matter what the fact that Rhea used the “exercise” excuse to talk with Alexis about something is pretty clear to everyone—INCLUDING Alexis. If Alexis decided to “misinterpret” her intentions then it could be done to show that she thinks that she's still not fully compensated (in this case Alexis WOULD return and WOULD talk—but later and on HER terms), or it could be an attempt to declare “war” on the Cowloon state while in the Cowloon state (which is childish, foolish and just plain out “not done” unless government there is on verge of collapse). Government have many ways to bring down an opponent it doesn't like. They are different depending on the mentality and place but they are always there (government which does not have such means is on the way out—it's as simple as that). I hope that Aexis have finally learned how to play that game, since LBSC showed that she have no idea how such things are played AT ALL. And that's why I hope (for Alexis sake) that she does not plan to get rid of Rhea by sending her to Lou: this is just too dangerous. Rhea could do couple more attempts of “bringing Alexis on her side” (in some shape or form), but if it'll not happen then eventually she'll have no choice: she'll be forced to forget all about her good intentions WRT Alexis and deal with her as she must for the good of the state (or else sooner or later someone will use Rhea's treatment of Alexis against Rhea herself). Note that this is not about the “consulting job” per se and more about the aility to play power games: if you don't want to play by [unwritten] rules then you are too dangrous to be left to your own devices. And Alexis here pushes said unwritten rules almost to the breaking point. Is it the dangrous game she consciously playing or is she just not aware about what exactly she's doing? P.S. And there is the separate question of figurehead: we have only seen one till now thus we just don't know if that form of telecommunication is common or privelege of really rich in the LBSM universe. Is it something you could buy for the price of a single exercise machine, car or is it closer to price of the whole “Baron von Beefdips” establishment? In the first case it'll be a [relatively] minor purchase for Alexis, in the last case it could be a [pretty major] concession (most likely from Rhea, again).
Khimru
2014-09-24 22:40:33 +0000 UTCYsabel is probably one of the researchers working on making/checking to see if BOOST, well boosts milk production and if it can be sustained in Bovians, since this was her way out too. I still think Miriam went home though. As for a milking machine, it would be draining thousands of gallons a day from her most likely. I don't think that would be easy to ignore, ever stick your hand on the end of a vacuum cleaner hose? Okay, now do that to one of the more sensitive and might I add, erogenous areas of the body, the nipple. And if she went with gene grafting and got all "moo'd" up, multiple that times 4(two pairs of breasts and four udders), there was a reason that cowgirl in the page before getting milked at supersize had the little musical note. Probably very euphoric, Alexis we've seen is pretty damn sensitive in the chest area. It didn't take Annabelle too much effort to get her practically flooding the showers way back when, she'd probably be incoherent with constant stimulation.
Galka30
2014-09-24 21:03:14 +0000 UTCShe's not ignoring her. It's clear Rhea was using exercise as an excuse to get some alone time with Alexis to talk to her about this consulting job. But you did call me out on the whole "results over morality" but the thing is, I realize that if Alexis didn't have a choice in the matter at all, why would Rhea offer it in the first place? She's not sending her packing, she's giving her what she asked for: a workout. Either that or she has gone through with either calving/gene grafting and got it over with and feels her "debt" to Rhea is paid. Who knows, we'll find out more Friday.
Galka30
2014-09-24 20:58:29 +0000 UTCMake up your mind, please! “They're a closed insular city state—pretty sure they're concerned with results over morality” were YOUR words, not mine. This state of affairs quite naturally leads to “volunteer willingly in time or we'll just force it on you”. I don't think it's quite THAT acute, but you could not really send the “the powers that be” packing and expect no retailations. They WILL find a way to make your life miserable if they will actually feel like that. No, I don't think Alexis will actually ignore Rhea for too long—that will be childish and, more importantly, counter-productive. She just gives Rhea a chance to see her establishment and gives herself time to prepare. Just what kinds of preparations she have in mind I just don't know—there are many possibilities. Note that Than, e.g., uses her figurehead a lot but when she talked about really important things with Alexis she preferred to do that face-to-face. Alexis could want to do the same: no matter how advanced her figurehead is it's still not the same as direct human interaction.
Khimru
2014-09-24 18:06:48 +0000 UTCYoung monthers are pretty involved in breastfeeding, after few months it becomes much less less involving routine. And that's breastfeeding, not milking! Baby makes helluva a lot of difference: milking is much less stressfull process, it could be combined with other jobs easily. Plus it's not 24/7, most of the time she'll be just digesting raw materials (injected intravenously or via planted tube). But I agree that it's somewhat unlikely: note about “two jobs” is spot-on. The fate of Ysabel is kind of more interesting than fate of Miriam: Miriam is just a dimwit, who could be involved in someone's else schemes, but Ysabel certainly had it's own agenda (she went away before they even reached “an Exhibition Hall A”, remember?).
Khimru
2014-09-24 17:49:26 +0000 UTCOne other note, it seems the skin of Alexis' figurehead is quite pliant indeed. No pain receptors it seems though, would be hard to keep it from being damaged in an environment like a gym unless it had some kind of active sensor system capable of detecting actual damage in real time and presenting it to the operator. I wonder how complete it is though, it must have some kind of tactile response mechanism. Dammit Friday can't come soon enough.
Galka30
2014-09-24 16:38:43 +0000 UTCPretty sure Lou is just gonna give her a standard workout. Rhea just wanted an excuse to talk to Alexis further I'm sure and Alexis wasn't going to have any of it. As for "ordering her", I doubt it. She gave her a clear choice before, not an ultimatum. It wasn't "Volunteer willingly in time or we'll just force it on you" as far as I could see. I DO hope we get to see another flashback though.
Galka30
2014-09-24 16:35:56 +0000 UTCNah, I feel if she was constantly hooked up to a milking apparatus she'd have said two jobs. It's probably hard to maintain a figurehead when that much physical sensation is going on. Ever try to talk to a woman breastfeeding? It usually takes a lot out of them(literally). Now, we know Alexis' company tanked but I would not be surprised if she had a slush fund or offshores account hidden away for just an occasion, and only recently was able to access it since Than was more or less keeping her prisoner, with Rhea not so much. Speaking of which, wonder where Ysabel and Miriam are at this juncture?
Galka30
2014-09-24 16:33:05 +0000 UTCAlexis has an Avatar
chuylo
2014-09-24 11:44:06 +0000 UTC1. I would not be so sure. Since she uses figurehead she could simultaneously be a large-scale milker AND fitness trainer. It's not as if milking is highly-intellectual procedure which requires actual presence of mind in the body of milk producer. 2. Yup. And this is kind of mystery. I don't think she could be an owner outside of Cowloon: her former company is under investigation and this will probably make it impossible for her to start a new one… and it's not named after Alexis this time which kind of implies that she have gotten that one in exchange for something, not founded it. And in Cowloon she would always under the Rhea's control. The whole thing is huge mystery, which is not suprising: it's “several months later”, there could have been many changes in that timeframe. Thus I don't think that she could have sent Rhea “packing”: she could not afford that. She's just wants to stew Rhea a bit. Similarly to how Rhea treated Alexis when she was abducted by Than, just on [much] smaller scale. Think about it: Ysabel certainly had an idea about what goes on, yet she made no noise at all. She could have withheld the information to make sure Alexis will not make wrong move and will not make situation even more dire and before Than actually sprung up the new that Alexis was actually sold it was not really needed (Than kind-of-implied that she's protecting Alexis and have said nothing about auction thus Alexis had no idea about what really went on behind the scenes), but she said nothing even on plane when everything was more-or-less finished! Alexis believed after that point that she was sold into actual slavery to god-knows-whom. That's extremely delicate moment: Rhea could just throw a tantrum and start pulling authority (which will lead to wider rift between Alexis and Rhea) or Lou could become too eager (which will not help either except this time Alexis will be guily side), or, if Lou will get a hint this could lead to kind of “let bygones be bygones” scene after which they will make some plans together. Alexis could even arrive in the flesh to make it more clear. Basically there are many possible outcomes which will have very large-scale consequences thus I eagerly await the next page(s)!
Khimru
2014-09-24 11:26:32 +0000 UTCMy guess is that the whole “Alexis Prois” fiasco have started with similar discussion with Rhea—which is the reason for why now Alexis is reluctant to commit to any new shenanigans Rhea invents. Still… she could not avoid them while in Cowloon: Rhea IS the current Cowloon's materfamilias. She could just use an authority and ORDER Alexis to comply. Of course this will automatically move her from “friend” (or at least “friendly acquaintance”) into an “overbearing boss” category. Which means that eventually Alexis will acquiesce no matter what, but this is good opportunity to see where Alexis and Rhea stay currently. Good play on Alexis part. Finally. As Rhea admitted her meddling have “ultimately tanked the business and Alexis' life in a lot of ways” which is certainly more than a little sweat, which means that to mend things Rhea MUST accept Lou's “coaching”. I only hope that Lou will not destroy Alexis ploy: his goal here is not to run Rhea ragged and send her packing, but to make her sweat just a little. More of a symbolic act rather than actual “pump on” extreme exercising. Rhea could always continue her excercises later but if Lou will avert that, obviously important, discussion completely then this will make more harm than good. P.S. And I agree with Undercroft: transitions are jarring in the LBSM (and LBSC). As someone have put it: “sometimes I feel like entire pages are missing”. I could kind of understand why that happens: Zdemian kind of rushes things to save time, but I'm not sure it actually helps. Huge jump in the third chapter meant that the whole sizable side-story needed to be introduced. Yes, it was great, but in the end it took 30 pages whereas in the unexpanded form (short, but not short enough to become confusing) if would have taken may be 5 or 10 pages. Sadie's side-story was great in that regard: it only took 6 pages (or may be even 5 pages if you'll not count 68th transition page), but it made a situation with “wider world” significantly more clear.
Khimru
2014-09-24 10:17:58 +0000 UTCSo let's see what we can confirm from this? 1. Alexis most likely did NOT take the offer from several months back. 2. She OWNS the gym she's running. She says she has "one job and it keeps her busy already", so it's doubtful she became a milker from Rhea's original offer. Where she got the funds and clout to purchase the gym and a custom figurehead is beyond me, it doesn't seem like Rhea made a gift of either. Alexis seems to have gotten a bit of control over her own life again from the looks of things and the way she /almost/ told Rhea off there.
Galka30
2014-09-24 09:43:21 +0000 UTCalways wonderful work, and you are so productive. however, if i may offer some feedback, the timeskips are fine for cliffhangers but you should do them between "seasons" or "volumes" of the story, putting one in here like this is very jarring to the narrative and feel like it's veering off course. Still on cowloon with these girls but no real follow up on the offer she previously made. once sand castles came out it actually "fixed" your previous timeskip and I was just fine with the diversion into wonderland. let the reader get slivers and fingers of the secrets you want to spill, don't keep everything from them Thank you as ever I eagerly await tuesdays and fridays these days.
strange lights
2014-09-24 05:10:10 +0000 UTCit's a figurehead
strange lights
2014-09-24 05:06:23 +0000 UTCShe gon' get rekt.
Threyon
2014-09-24 04:26:32 +0000 UTCI kind of really hate the fact that Alexis is a cow now. I miss the room sized tits.
Chalupacabra
2014-09-24 04:26:17 +0000 UTCJust a little bit of payback I think...
CarlTL
2014-09-24 03:29:38 +0000 UTC
