Grrl Power V: Probably Not an Octopus

[Traab]

Hmmm, its not right. There are three varia bodies, three different elemental forms, and she is touching three people. Where does the 4th ability, multi bodies, come from?

[JeenLeen]

Hmmm, its not right. There are three varia bodies, three different elemental forms, and she is touching three people. Where does the 4th ability, multi bodies, come from?

After a few moments of confusion, I assumed that it is an artistic way of representing different times in the same comic square. That is, there are no duplicates of her; just she spent time dancing with different folk.

Though I admit it doesn't look that way. But that seems most reasonable as we haven't seen anyone who lets her make duplicates (Harem lets her co-teleport) nor was it remarked upon that she has clones.

[Traab]

After a few moments of confusion, I assumed that it is an artistic way of representing different times in the same comic square. That is, there are no duplicates of her; just she spent time dancing with different folk.

Though I admit it doesn't look that way. But that seems most reasonable as we haven't seen anyone who lets her make duplicates (Harem lets her co-teleport) nor was it remarked upon that she has clones.

Its possible its someone offscreen as you can see water forms arm reaching off panel. However, considering the above panel just showed her dancing multiple times without multiplying I suspect you are right.

[Rogar Demonblud]

It's just Dave's art not clearly communicating what is happening again. He's better at it than most web artists, but that bit is really glaring.

[JeenLeen]

Also, I find it hard to believe that, in a crowded (or at least not very roomy) club, Varia didn't have anyone bump into her before.

It was also neat to learn that she can't turn her power off. Or at least it doesn't default to off--maybe she can focus and suppress manifestations from touching someone--but from previous indications I sorta figured she had to want to activate powers while touching.
Though I reckon that's because, when she was displaying her powers, she was purposefully touching folk.

[Traab]

Also, I find it hard to believe that, in a crowded (or at least not very roomy) club, Varia didn't have anyone bump into her before.

It was also neat to learn that she can't turn her power off. Or at least it doesn't default to off--maybe she can focus and suppress manifestations from touching someone--but from previous indications I sorta figured she had to want to activate powers while touching.
Though I reckon that's because, when she was displaying her powers, she was purposefully touching folk.

Since her power is random depending on the person she touches, its entirely possible anyone she DID touch didnt trigger anything very visible. Like how with sydney it let her orbs orbit her, and touching jiggawatt lets her magneto stuff, etc etc etc.

[lord_khaine]

Also, I find it hard to believe that, in a crowded (or at least not very roomy) club, Varia didn't have anyone bump into her before.

Its not enough to just casually bump into her. There need to be actual skin to skin contact.
And yes as Traab says, it also actually have to be a power with a blatanly visual effect.

[Traab]

Its not enough to just casually bump into her. There need to be actual skin to skin contact.
And yes as Traab says, it also actually have to be a power with a blatanly visual effect.

I mean, too be fair thats really not something she should be banking on as it IS totally random. She isnt as bad as Rogue since her power doesnt hurt anyone it touches but if she is going incognito it would be a good idea to coverup a bit more. Gloves at least as in hindsight the rest of her is fairly well covered up barring midriff and head. But with how she is dressed its probably not THAT hard to avoid skin to skin outside of a super packed location.

Of course this brings to attention the fact that at least one member of arcswat is present. I wonder if they are all about to be blown, or at least, how many more might have to be identified before the club realizes this is a ladies of arcswat (plus mystery friends) night? Also, grats to varia for graduating from training since she is a known member apparently now.

[lord_khaine]

I guess its something Varia just dont care that much about?
Since i mean, the stakes are fairly minor. She dont have a secret identity.
And the worst that can happen is she gets recognised as a super.

[Rogar Demonblud]

I would've remarked about Sydney overreacting, but then I thought about the teen-aged girls I know.

[Keltest]

I would've remarked about Sydney overreacting, but then I thought about the teen-aged girls I know.

Its also a little hard to tell if she isn't being the slightest bit sarcastic.

[Dragonus45]

I think it’s a mix of seriousness, sarcasm, and self depreciation. But for real though not being on your phone is one thing but just seeing it sitting near the bathrooms abandoned. Total red alert in our generation.

[Cazero]

You jest, but a smartphone is probably the most valuable possession of a teenager. On every level. It's expensive, it's useful, it connects to other people, the list goes on.

[Forum Explorer]

You people obviously live in a world of people who actually remember their stuff. Like, none of you are wrong, but it still surprises me, because my life experience is my family and friends constantly forgetting their phone all over the place. Mind you, they typically don't forget them in public places, so that would be odd.

[Ibrinar]

Yeah smartphones are high priority, portable and valuable enough that leaving it by accident in public is pretty rare, especially somewhere where you probably wouldn't put it down.

Also the panel 3 face looks weird

[Rogar Demonblud]

It's Grrlpower. There's generally at least one weird-face panel each week. Although nothing Dave's done tops the Chevy-Chase-With-Massive-Bong-Hit one from Challenges of Zona.

[lord_khaine]

So. Well. Can hardly blame the demon hunter for this.
There are a vast monster conspiracy. It is easy to assume its something malicious.
Especially when some of them either blatantly abuses their power. Or actually need to feed on humans.

[HandofShadows]

She is acting more like a monster than the person she is attacking.

[Kantaki]

She is acting more like a monster than the person she is attacking.

She's acting like a stupid Batman wannabe.
I mean, she gets points for not dangling Tabatha from a roof using her own strength- pro-tip: unless you got superstrength don't. You will drop them. Also, don't „non-lethally” pin people with pointy things. They'll bleed out. Looking at you Shadow Stalker. -but she looses them for not doing her frigging research.

Seriously, you want intel?
Don't grab the- literal -new kid who probably knows less than you.

Also, lady got six arms. Somehow I doubt she's anymore human than the little girl she tied up.
The only question is hypocrite or super.
Kinda expecting the former.

[Rogar Demonblud]

She's another Patreon cameo, so I'm guessing tragic monster oriented backstory. Perhaps including getting cursed by some ancient idol.

If she wasn't a cameo, I suspect we'd be finding out how veiled are those threats Maxima issued about vigilantes.

[lord_khaine]

Seriously, you want intel?
Don't grab the- literal -new kid who probably knows less than you.

Not entirely certain i agree. She may not know a lot.
But she is likely the easiest choice by far to get initial intel from.
And with that as a baseline its likely a lot easier to get more information from the next captive.

Also, lady got six arms. Somehow I doubt she's anymore human than the little girl she tied up.
The only question is hypocrite or super.
Kinda expecting the former.

Hmm.. i cant see why not being a human would make her a hypocrite in any way. Thats a very human centric point of view.
She just need to not be a demon.
All the same, since she want information on the Shadow Council. Then she is likely a human.
Else she could have learned by just attending a meeting.

[Kantaki]

All the same, since she want information on the Shadow Council. Then she is likely a human.
Else she could have learned by just attending a meeting.

Assuming she is part of the community.
Our favourite succubus for example didn't even know what she was.
So, assuming our arachnoid vigilante grew up human (or at least among humans) she might not know that she could just ask what's going on.

Which is actually a compelling backstory for a monster hunter.
Living in a human family and either looking odd or changing one day and well, no one notices.
Then she notices others, equally hidden- possibly witnessing a „attack”- real or misinterpreted -so she wants protect her loved ones.
Huh.
Maybe she'd be more sympathetic if we got her perspective first?
Nah.

Though I wonder how long she's doing this.
The mask looks kinda special, implying she's well prepared.
Snatching a child for her Batman-style interrogation not so much.
Maybe the mask is a Stupid Meal toy?

[Traab]

This being a cameo doesnt make it any less likely we will see what happens to vigilantes. Half the super brawl bad guys were basically cameos and we saw what happened to most of them. As for the arms, nice spot, I honestly missed the extra arm involved in this. I was figuring a professional monster hunter, one who knew they existed but WASNT aware of the greater community until just recently. Another possibility is, she is basically Blade, a half human half whatever who fights the EEEEVIL monsters. She doesnt want info on what the council is, she wants to know where they ARE so she can attack their leaders directly. She has all sorts of gear so could be part of a watchers council type setup, or again, be like Blade with an inventive mystic type able to produce the stuff she needs.

[Forum Explorer]

She's acting like a stupid Batman wannabe.
I mean, she gets points for not dangling Tabatha from a roof using her own strength- pro-tip: unless you got superstrength don't. You will drop them. Also, don't „non-lethally” pin people with pointy things. They'll bleed out. Looking at you Shadow Stalker. -but she looses them for not doing her frigging research.

Seriously, you want intel?
Don't grab the- literal -new kid who probably knows less than you.

Also, lady got six arms. Somehow I doubt she's anymore human than the little girl she tied up.
The only question is hypocrite or super.
Kinda expecting the former.

To be fair, she doesn't know the succubus is a literal new kid until she interrogates her. Also if she doesn't know who the Council is then she likely doesn't know much of anything. So the newbie succubus will actually have important information for her.

Not entirely certain i agree. She may not know a lot.
But she is likely the easiest choice by far to get initial intel from.
And with that as a baseline its likely a lot easier to get more information from the next captive.

Also this. I mean, I assume she's hunting Delecourte. Going after the low level minion is usually a good way to learn something about the boss, even if it's only their stance on human resources.

This being a cameo doesnt make it any less likely we will see what happens to vigilantes. Half the super brawl bad guys were basically cameos and we saw what happened to most of them. As for the arms, nice spot, I honestly missed the extra arm involved in this. I was figuring a professional monster hunter, one who knew they existed but WASNT aware of the greater community until just recently. Another possibility is, she is basically Blade, a half human half whatever who fights the EEEEVIL monsters. She doesnt want info on what the council is, she wants to know where they ARE so she can attack their leaders directly. She has all sorts of gear so could be part of a watchers council type setup, or again, be like Blade with an inventive mystic type able to produce the stuff she needs.

I'm kinda assuming she thinks it's a council of demons working together and not a whole bunch of other races. Mind you, she might even have a point. We don't know how demons and the other 'monsters' of the Council actually treat normal people.

[lord_khaine]

Assuming she is part of the community.
Our favourite succubus for example didn't even know what she was.
So, assuming our arachnoid vigilante grew up human (or at least among humans) she might not know that she could just ask what's going on.

Our favorite little succubus is indeed a good example.
She seemingly isnt out of school yet, but she does know what she are, know about the council, and know a better connected mentor.
Meanwhile her captor is a grown woman. So everything points to that if she were welcome in the community, she would know about it.

Also this. I mean, I assume she's hunting Delecourte. Going after the low level minion is usually a good way to learn something about the boss, even if it's only their stance on human resources.

Yeah if she is hunting Decollete, then Kantaki's weird child obsession aside, Tamatha would be the best source of info.
She both likely has a high degree of access. And are likely to crack easy under interrogation.
Hah.. crud.. imagine trying to pull that stuff on Dabbler? I think best case scenario is just ender up as her meal.

[HandofShadows]

I think we can say the Council goes out of its way to keep their member inline and out of sight. If a someone does go killing or abusing people it's the Council's job stop them and they seem to go for the permanent "stop" (They dead). I also tend to think that if the Council was just covering up crimes rather than stopping the perp, Max wouldn't there playing nice with them. Now there are monsters out there hurting and killing, but there clearly are not in the majority.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Given they formed the Semper Vigilantis just for that purpose, yes the Twilight Council takes steps to keep the monsters in line. As Sciona shows, those steps don't always succeed.

[Forum Explorer]

Given they formed the Semper Vigilantis just for that purpose, yes the Twilight Council takes steps to keep the monsters in line. As Sciona shows, those steps don't always succeed.

Keeping them in line sure. But we know vampires need human blood at least, and they may have an 'acceptable' amount of human casualties that they just keep under wraps from everyone. Other races might have similar requirements.

[Kantaki]

Keeping them in line sure. But we know vampires need human blood at least, and they may have an 'acceptable' amount of human casualties that they just keep under wraps from everyone. Other races might have similar requirements.

I mean, at least vampires don't need to kill (nor do succubi for that matter).
Now that doesn't mean some won't do it anyway for whatever reason, but I wouldn't be surprised if many of them have someone like Mr. Refill lined up who volunteers as a walking Capri Sun.
Be it for money, friendship, general niceness, the chance to become a leech themself or cause they're into it, there's probably enough people who would do it.

Other non-fatal human eaters might have a similar set-up.
And even for those that eat hearts or brains or whatever there are solutions the Council could have put in place.
They probably have their fingers in most morgurs and bloodbanks.

[Rogar Demonblud]

And another Patreon cameo character makes a reappearance.