I don’t know about the last remark. Maybe “need” is a strong word but I could see some utility in having a nearby reminder of the horrors that power can do both figuratively (his pariah status as a result of his own abuse of power) and literally ( his figure, i.e. his face, arm and voice as a result of Plo Quar’s use of Echo power).
I believe there’s a multi-faceted look at the situation. Selkie can see that her inherited powers can do bad things. She doesn’t want to be a bad person, she wants to be helpful. But also, she can get a view of “being helpful to the wrong cause” can also make you a bad person, so you have to be careful who you ally with.
And then, she can see how someone who HAS done bad, can have remorse and try to make amends.
And, the damage that can be done from letting it out full-force, even in self-defense.
I’m glad that the “remember the eel-incident”… didn’t go to “I saved you, so honor my wishes”. Instead, he reminded Todd that it was a dangerous and deadly thing, for HIM, but yet he still brings her to honor HER heritage and learn who she is.
Todd could have well and rightfully forsaken returning to this place, because it can be dangerous for humans. But he’s willing to risk it for his daughter. Because it’s the home of her people.
How is Todd getting permission and funding to keep visiting? That’s a government submarine, not an Über. And when has the government ever done anything for nothing?
I think the sub is technically just part of the settlement. This is a small freshwater lake, not the ocean, the sub was likely made for this, and even if it wasn’t its not like the government’s getting it out of the lake without a crane and semi-truck.
Well he’s not making the trip alone, he calls Avery and Avery arranges it, so he’s under the auspices of the government for this. As to why it’s allowed or why the government is funding Avery for these trips, I imagine that Todd and Selkie are a good test case for integration with the general public. I’d assume the sub is dedicated for this purpose and just stays in the region for when it’s needed as it’s not exactly easy to get a submarine out of the great lakes and into the open ocean.
I do like the point Scar is making here… I do wish that the idea of ‘a parent’s debts to society can be foisted onto the kids as well’ that was touched on briefly by Gien so many chapters ago. Either to warn Todd or to dispel that it’s a thing.
I’d bet Scar doesn’t realize that Todd doesn’t have that concept internalized. To Scar, in a lot of ways, what Todd is doing/saying here is “I think Selkie should inherit your mantle”, when what Todd is actually attempting to do is enlist Scar in exactly what Scar is offering- mentorship and support… but with the very human need to know about her past and where she came from that he, as an orphan and a fellow adoptee, empathizes heavily with.
The government wishes to keep tabs on two potential weapons (the girls). Doing so with permission, and even cooperation is cheaper and more aligned than doing so against the family’s will. If their aims were not aligned, there would be a lot more bureaucracy. Also I would bet that “just” going down to the Sarnoth village is probably something that requires government clearance and approval as well, given the diplomatic issues – this is a refugee colony and the shore is akin to a border. I do hope Selkie overhears this actually and tells Scar she knows that he isn’t telling her everything and she knows why. She is a precocious little girl.
But if she ever does…?
I don’t know about the last remark. Maybe “need” is a strong word but I could see some utility in having a nearby reminder of the horrors that power can do both figuratively (his pariah status as a result of his own abuse of power) and literally ( his figure, i.e. his face, arm and voice as a result of Plo Quar’s use of Echo power).
I believe there’s a multi-faceted look at the situation. Selkie can see that her inherited powers can do bad things. She doesn’t want to be a bad person, she wants to be helpful. But also, she can get a view of “being helpful to the wrong cause” can also make you a bad person, so you have to be careful who you ally with.
And then, she can see how someone who HAS done bad, can have remorse and try to make amends.
And, the damage that can be done from letting it out full-force, even in self-defense.
Dasically what you said, but with more words >_>
And then she also wants to be DR. TERRORHAMMER! SCOURGES OF MANKINDS!
Because Saturday Morning villainy is fun, and technically progressive.
“Yes, yes, your face almost got eaten by a giant eel. We’ve all been there.”
Oddly enough, Todd got bitten in the head by a giant eel, yet somehow he’s the one withn less facial injuries of the two having this conversation.
That’s clearly an imposter and not Pants. You can tell because it’s not saying anything about legwear.
I’m glad that the “remember the eel-incident”… didn’t go to “I saved you, so honor my wishes”. Instead, he reminded Todd that it was a dangerous and deadly thing, for HIM, but yet he still brings her to honor HER heritage and learn who she is.
Todd could have well and rightfully forsaken returning to this place, because it can be dangerous for humans. But he’s willing to risk it for his daughter. Because it’s the home of her people.
How is Todd getting permission and funding to keep visiting? That’s a government submarine, not an Über. And when has the government ever done anything for nothing?
I think the sub is technically just part of the settlement. This is a small freshwater lake, not the ocean, the sub was likely made for this, and even if it wasn’t its not like the government’s getting it out of the lake without a crane and semi-truck.
Well he’s not making the trip alone, he calls Avery and Avery arranges it, so he’s under the auspices of the government for this. As to why it’s allowed or why the government is funding Avery for these trips, I imagine that Todd and Selkie are a good test case for integration with the general public. I’d assume the sub is dedicated for this purpose and just stays in the region for when it’s needed as it’s not exactly easy to get a submarine out of the great lakes and into the open ocean.
I do like the point Scar is making here… I do wish that the idea of ‘a parent’s debts to society can be foisted onto the kids as well’ that was touched on briefly by Gien so many chapters ago. Either to warn Todd or to dispel that it’s a thing.
I’d bet Scar doesn’t realize that Todd doesn’t have that concept internalized. To Scar, in a lot of ways, what Todd is doing/saying here is “I think Selkie should inherit your mantle”, when what Todd is actually attempting to do is enlist Scar in exactly what Scar is offering- mentorship and support… but with the very human need to know about her past and where she came from that he, as an orphan and a fellow adoptee, empathizes heavily with.
I just knew he was her father.
PAAAAAAAAANNNTTSTSS
The government wishes to keep tabs on two potential weapons (the girls). Doing so with permission, and even cooperation is cheaper and more aligned than doing so against the family’s will. If their aims were not aligned, there would be a lot more bureaucracy. Also I would bet that “just” going down to the Sarnoth village is probably something that requires government clearance and approval as well, given the diplomatic issues – this is a refugee colony and the shore is akin to a border. I do hope Selkie overhears this actually and tells Scar she knows that he isn’t telling her everything and she knows why. She is a precocious little girl.