Girl Genius XXVIII: Dancink! Ve is here for de dancink!

[HandofShadows]

And ... we just learned that this year is non-standard. Plumm is not following the usual rules.
And the Castle is listening. That bit with the gargoyle was creepy.

EDIT:

I very much doubt the people of Mechanicsburg would be showing this much enthusiasm for winning a prize that has never been won ... in centuries.

I honestly missed the bit with the gargoyle until you mentioned it. Plumm is up to something for sure. BUT Der Kastel is Up. To. Something. more than just having fun. It is clearly trying to help the Professora and keep it's involvement quiet. That means she's important in some way.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Error! Assumption that Der Kessel has motivation beyond "Dance Minions Dance!" levels of entertainment.

[Shining Wrath]

Error! Assumption that Der Kessel has motivation beyond "Dance Minions Dance!" levels of entertainment.

I suspect the Castle, being ancient and bored, is definitely in the DMD mood. But it's also a colossal intellect that has had a decade, minimum, to plan what it would do with the opportunity. There will likely be complexities beyond "Aren't they cute when they run into each other?"

And Plumm is up to something, and the Castle knows, and isn't putting a stop to it - yet. Is that because the Castle approves, or disapproves but thinks giving him time to really hang himself is more amusing, or just finds the plotting of ephemeral carbon based lifeforms who aren't Heterodynes to be of no great consequence?

Further, Plumm knows the Castle was awake and talking. But evidently he doesn't know it's still awake. I wonder what his reaction would be if he realized he's being watched? Probably sheer terror and futile attempts to flee.

[eee]

I suspect the Castle, being ancient and bored, is definitely in the DMD mood. But it's also a colossal intellect that has had a decade, minimum, to plan what it would do with the opportunity. There will likely be complexities beyond "Aren't they cute when they run into each other?"

And Plumm is up to something, and the Castle knows, and isn't putting a stop to it - yet. Is that because the Castle approves, or disapproves but thinks giving him time to really hang himself is more amusing, or just finds the plotting of ephemeral carbon based lifeforms who aren't Heterodynes to be of no great consequence?

Further, Plumm knows the Castle was awake and talking. But evidently he doesn't know it's still awake. I wonder what his reaction would be if he realized he's being watched? Probably sheer terror and futile attempts to flee.

We've got chicanery afoot, and a Greenclaw involved. Is it possible the plot to kill Agatha that Ivo stumbled onto is still ongoing? If they think der Kestle is shut down, this might be the only time the plotters believe they can move without dying immediately. Of course Agatha's not there, but if their plan is based on activating one of those arcane, obscure, but incredibly powerful sub-routines which Mechanicsburg seems full of, a substitute might do...

[TeChameleon]

Nope, the plot that Hadrian Greenclaw stumbled onto (and that Ivo Sharktooth heard about secondhand) got shut down with extreme prejudice, mostly via everyone involved dying and their organizations being taken over by one who was loyal to The Lady. While it's remotely possible that some were missed in the housecleaning, Hadrian struck me as the thorough type.

... although I suppose it's possible that this happened earlier, chronologically speaking, than Ivo's story, since it's specified that this is the Lady's first Solstice back in Mechanicsburg.

[Shining Wrath]

I don't know where this tale is relative to Ivo's chronologically, but given the lifespan of Jagers, he's likely in Mechanicsburg either way. As a Jager, he's probably getting very drunk right now. But as a Jager, that doesn't stop him from functioning if need arises. We may see a crossover guest-star appearance! Ivo will appear and save the Professora from Plumm's evil machinations.

Assuming Plumm's machinations are evil and not merely mischievous or eccentric. Mechanicsburg does have a very large eccentricity.

[Ailurus]

Assuming Plumm's machinations are evil and not merely mischievous or eccentric. Mechanicsburg does have a very large eccentricity.

I'm leaning towards the second (if even that). I'm prepared to be proved wrong, but I truly believe his only machinations here is to throw the best Solstice party here can.

When we first meet him here, he seems legitimately upset that the celebrations will need to be changed due to the Heterodyne not being present, and if his plan was to perpetuate some evil on Agatha then there is no benefit to letting the Professora stand in as his plot will go off on her and thus his malice will be fully available when Agatha gets back from monster hunting. And he seems quite willing to help the Professora (assuming his "escape tunnel" is not some horrible doom trap).

Der Kestle not wanting Plumm to know it is awake is perfectly understandable, since it is supposed to be asleep and it wouldn't do for the minions to know they are being messed with here.

As for the imminent conversation with Herr Gearmarcher here, I think that's just a case of Gearmarcher being smart enough to realize that this is not the real Heterodyne and/or not a usual chase and wanting to know what is up.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Doyleistically, we're about due for an info drop.

[geoduck]

I don't know where this tale is relative to Ivo's chronologically, but given the lifespan of Jagers, he's likely in Mechanicsburg either way. As a Jager, he's probably getting very drunk right now. But as a Jager, that doesn't stop him from functioning if need arises. We may see a crossover guest-star appearance! Ivo will appear and save the Professora from Plumm's evil machinations.

Assuming Plumm's machinations are evil and not merely mischievous or eccentric. Mechanicsburg does have a very large eccentricity.

He's already appeared in the story. He can be glimpsed watching the parade rather than participating in it.

[theangelJean]

And I think the clear implication of what the Castle said is that the prize has been awarded, although you are free to be wrong disagree.

Hang on, the Castle was the one that told her about the prize? Wasn't this its first solstice? I thought it normally doesn't even get to watch?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Doesn't say it can't listen in on everybody talking about it the other 364 days of the year. Like Johnny Carson back when we were kids.

[Kantaki]

New comic

Really? Really?
You underestimate Agatha like that?

Also, I wonder how many other groups are „cheating“.

[Rogar Demonblud]

In Mechanicsburg? Everybody. Including the stray dogs and alley cats.

[PraetorDragoon]

In Mechanicsburg? Everybody. Including the stray dogs and alley cats.

Including even the alleys.

[Radar]

Including even the alleys.

The alleys are part of The Castle, so this one should be the most obvious.

[eee]

Ah, I am glad to see I was wrong. Hopefully.

With der Kestle hearing this, I fear Plumm may not be long for his position. Or the world.

[Traab]

Ah, I am glad to see I was wrong. Hopefully.

With der Kestle hearing this, I fear Plumm may not be long for his position. Or the world.

Well it still depends on what the end goal is of catching the heterodyne. It could be as simple as trying to catch a greased pig. The goal is catching it, not doing anything with it afterwards. There might be some bumps and bruises when all is said and done but nobody honestly is trying to hurt each other. Obviously a heterodyne needs a bit more effort than running after her with arms outstretched hence we got wheelchair clanks and such.

[Shining Wrath]

So ... the population thinks the Professora is Agatha. And Plumm planted a tracking device, and was going to do so to Agatha if she'd made it.
There's no way Plumm plants a tracking device on a real Heterodyne if being caught is not part of the "fun". It's the difference between cheating at cards and assassination of a queen. Being caught doing the former may ruin your reputation, but being caught doing the latter results in the Castle going all Castle-y on you.
Agoston also seems to think that catching the Heterodyne results in a prize, not in bloody murder.

I think we can take the straightforward reading of the Solstice as settled; the Heterodyne runs, the townfolk chase, eventually the Heterodyne is caught, a prize is awarded, and some sort of ceremony ensues. This year Plumm tried to cheat because he was bribed to do so by Grandmamma. And the Castle is also cheating, but no one knows it, and no one is likely to find out.

And yes, it's Mechanicsburg. The question is not if people cheat, it's how clever they are at doing so.

EDIT:

What will Grandmamma / the townfolk do when they discover La Professora is not Agatha?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Hopefully they'll have had enough fun they won't care. Beyond inviting her back for next year.

If they something stupid, well, she is married to Jaeger-kin. I doubt the Jaegers will be happy about that. Der Kessel will, as it's basically a stone Xykon.

[PraetorDragoon]

What will Grandmamma / the townfolk do when they discover La Professora is not Agatha?

La Professora had a good rant and is a good runner. The townsfolk will be a bit dissapointed she isn't the actual Heterodyne, but I doubt they'll let that ruin a good proper solstice!

[BRC]

Learning that the Revelmeister accepted a bribe puts a whole new spin on him being super nervous about not being able to provide a "Proper Solstice".

[SZbNAhL]

Learning that the Revelmeister accepted a bribe puts a whole new spin on him being super nervous about not being able to provide a "Proper Solstice".

Especially considering that said bribe came from Mechanicsburg's pre-eminent crime family.

[Rogar Demonblud]

That money did not come from the Heterodynes.

[PraetorDragoon]

That money did not come from the Heterodynes.

Heterodynes don't do crimes. They do science.

[TeChameleon]

Heterodynes don't do crimes. They do science.

Well, aside from the 'crimes against nature' sort, anyways.

[Agi Hammerthief]

They do Science!

Fixed it for you

[Shining Wrath]

It is not wisdom that makes a law, but authority.
Civ 6

Hence, the Heterodynes do not commit crimes in Mechanicsburg, and anyone who says they do, dies painfully. It's a law.
Knowing that Grandmamma is terminally ill does make me sympathetic to her, especially because she thinks she's chasing The Heterodyne so enthusiastically.

I wonder if things will come to a head, lynching will be imminent forestalled by Der Kestle threatening genocidal reprisal, and then Agatha will appear and Heterodyne Ex Machina us to a happy ending.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Especially considering that said bribe came from Mechanicsburg's pre-eminent crime family.

That money did not come from the Heterodynes.

Technically, none of their usual business is illegal in Mechanicsberg...

[Grif]

In some ways, given their level of competence so far, I'd say them not chasing Agatha is a good thing. The Heterodyne herself might not take kindly to be the object of some sort of weird game of It, and it's quite probably she'd fry some of them permanently before the gig is up. I don't believe they mean her harm, of course. It IS a seasonal side story after all, but if Agatha was in the dark, she would be forgiven to think this was some sort of attack on her and react accordingly.

[PraetorDragoon]

In some ways, given their level of competence so far, I'd say them not chasing Agatha is a good thing. The Heterodyne herself might not take kindly to be the object of some sort of weird game of It, and it's quite probably she'd fry some of them permanently before the gig is up. I don't believe they mean her harm, of course. It IS a seasonal side story after all, but if Agatha was in the dark, she would be forgiven to think this was some sort of attack on her and react accordingly.

Fair point. Agatha is more likely to break out the laser guns when chased.