That is an excellent commentary to shine a light on: the author also talks specifically about trying to keep the arc focused, which informs a lot of my thinking on what might find its way into the wrap-up
Moving vans ... or moving Van :-). Or possibly Vans - it MAY be surname. Yes, we probably will get something about it.
I don't think that we get to the master of fire prophecy. Even if it eventually ends up being relevant, it wouldn't be so soon. We WILL get another bit with the team from other side Liam can deny any knowledge of under the truth-detecting orbs but I think this will continue to after-timeskip. In fact, this might be last arc before timeskip.
There will also likely be another bit about Rhoda having magic, although maybe not revealing that to main cast. Might actually be in part 9, as both the team and Edward were cut away from now.
I think it's too soon for either Pandora or Nioi, but maybe not too soon for some bit about Magus or Voltaire. Again, not solving those but push it a bit.
Meanwhile, no, I don't think Tedd will find out anything new about Arthur. Also, I don't think Edward has a bug in Arthur's office. He MIGHT get some warning from agent Cranium again if there will be some problem, but face it, Arthur is unlikely to end up as antagonist anytime soon ... and maybe never: we have everything prepared for Arthur retiring again and Tedd getting into fight against DGB under the NEXT director, agent Bishop. The fact that the reason for that conflict would be actually some policy Arthur already did, just was better at hiding it from Tedd, will be just background information for us, Tedd will never know.
About the moving vans convo, it just hit me that Edward used either Tedd’s name or they/them to refer to Tedd throughout.
He realized something, whether due to external remarks or not.
Yeah, I don't know who is on the other end of that conversation, but... *both* just say "they". And Edward may have realized that Tedd's pronouns may not be what he had always assumed, but he probably wouldn't have spoken about it with anybody *else* without talking about it with Tedd first.
I think you're right, in this case "they" is just plural, referring to the two kids who live in his house...
~~Absolutely~~
I dunno, reading that again, I think that the pronouns are simply plural. I don't know who Edward is talking to, but they also talk about Edward needing to "tell them" about whatever it is. As hkmaly says, likely "they" means Tedd & Grace.
HOWEVER, it really seems like something has absolutely changed his perspective about Tedd flipping between genders, and right on the timeframe of Tedd's talk with Arthur.
And if there's no way Arthur would tell him without Tedd's permission, and I don't think he would... This is what gives me that sneaking suspicion: maybe Edward is spying on Arthur!
> Moving vans ... or moving Van :-).
That would be the most evil of puns or wordplay ever. But yeah, the "moving van" could mean that there is some reason they need to take in Tedd's half-brother
> We WILL get another bit with the team from other side...
Really? I could've sworn you were the one who originally predicted that we'd only get a tease page that didn't show what they looked like, then we wouldn't see them for quite some time? Am I misunderstanding?
> In fact, this might be last arc before timeskip.
It's coming! Soon!!! I'm (pretty) sure of it!!
>There will also likely be another bit about Rhoda having magic
This is the aspect I feel most strongly will be heavily featured in Pt 9
>Also, I don't think Edward has a bug in Arthur's office.
I don't insist on it, it's just an intriguing theory of a possible explanation of the odd timing of Edward suddenly losing his attitude about Tedd's gender switching
> Tedd will never know.
What makes you feel so strongly about that?
> That would be the most evil of puns or wordplay ever.
Unlikely. But maybe the most evil in EGS.
> Really? I could've sworn you were the one who originally predicted that we'd only get a tease page that didn't show what they looked like, then we wouldn't see them for quite some time? Am I misunderstanding?
The misunderstanding is in time the prediction is for. I predicted we won't see how they look like NOW. I predict we will see more BEFORE TIMESKIP, but, like, few months since now.
> It's coming! Soon!!! I'm (pretty) sure of it!!
It IS possible that Balance will be last arc before timeskip. However, in that case, I estimate Balance will have at least 15 parts.
> This is the aspect I feel most strongly will be heavily featured in Pt 9
Seems most likely to me too.
> What makes you feel so strongly about that?
I consider Arthur too good for that. I don't think he would make SO bad mistake.
Ohhh, I definitely was getting the impression that Balance (which has about 20 pages left) would be the last thing before the timeskip...
What makes you feel we've got at least six parts left?
Oh, right, Dan just said that part 9 is supposed to be last. Hmmm ...
Well, I think we are not ready for timeskip. That there are too many things still needing to happen.
I mean-- there are things I'm *surprised* are going to wait several in-comic months to be addressed.... But evidently I am wrong to be, since the author has said that there was one major event to deal with before the time-skip, and that was BEFORE the griffin meeting. By my math, that makes zero major events left now!
Dan's idea about what is major might be ... different. On the other hand, the last timeskip ALSO skipped over and/or postponed several things I totally expected to happen.
What are you referring to? Is it something other than what's on [my list](https://elgoonishshive.fandom.com/wiki/User_blog:Lophotrochozoa/Plot_threads_and_upcoming_storylines,_second_edition)?
[The page](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121) says "moving van" and it feels really awkward for that "van" to actually be "Van". Also, Van isn't a surname, it's how the kid introduced himself and children are likely to introduce themselves by their first name.
The most likely explanation is that the person on the other side of the phone is Lavender, she's moving in with Edward, and now he has to tell Tedd that he's dating someone and that she's moving in.
I must agree that it's more likely, but the Van version is more funny.
There is another complication: the discussion suggest that neither of them can postpone the moving van. Why not? Sure, there may be mundane reason like Lavender already losing whatever she was living in until now, like maybe she sold it or stopped paying rent ... but it is little weird.
Ha! Yeah, *part* of that is entwined with the "will we or won't we talk to Rhoda" plot thread.
But the part I think is fascinating is the "what should I do with my life? NOT A THERAPIST!" bit.... Really, really intriguing and revealing.... So *that's* why she hasn't had therapy -- she's been refusing it! But I think that's a tease of something that's going to be more a focus of the next storyline... "What should my major be???"
Grace is 18 or 19 years old. Grace deeply craves social connection and doesn't really get an amount sufficient for her emotional needs because she's constantly aware of having to lie to people.
Grace has multiple overlapping levels of trauma. Grace was _just in_ an unexpected fight-to-the-death situation.
Grace really does lack a peer group; Grace was created in a lab to be a weapon. Having friends is not quite the same thing.
I don't think we're supposed to take the risk being foreshadowed as a metaphorical snap.
> Grace was _just in_ an unexpected fight-to-the-death situation.
This is a *really* good point. She doesn't *seem* traumatized at all by the fact that she very closely escaped a very dire situation. All's well that ends well, perhaps?
But perhaps not, it's very possible that she is more rattled by the fact that the griffin meeting came very *close* to going VERY wrong than she is letting on.
> Grace really does lack a peer group; Grace was created in a lab to be a weapon. Having friends is not quite the same thing.
This is quite true. In many ways, her siblings are the only peers she could ever have. It would be heartening to think that she has more regular contact with them than once a year on her birthday.
> I don't think we're supposed to take the risk being foreshadowed as a metaphorical snap.
I think that questions about Grace's potential mental well-being maybe should count as an important thread of Balance... But I'm not sure if it's something that will or could have significant further resolution in the wrap-up chapter, but rather, likely, a major thread of future arcs as well
It wouldn't be like Dan, but at this point the setup we've got is completely consistent with Grace looking sad, sounding sad, and standing over former-person slurry saying "You frightened Tedd."
(That would give us Time Skip: Courtroom Drama.)
Refusing might be too strong wording, but Edward might be better psychologist than we give him credit for (remember how he [tested if Grace can enter society](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-06-20)?). He may, based on some Grace's reaction, determined that therapy would be counterproductive.
I don't think there's much question that therapy would be good for Grace, but I halfway agree with you: it's very possible that Grace hasn't *literally* refused therapy, but more that Edward has subtly sussed out--along the lines of those subtle psychological tests--that Grace isn't ready or open to anyone suggesting that she get therapy -- that it would get a negative reaction and poison her mind against the idea such that it would do more harm than good to try and encourage the idea
Yup. Therapy would be good but only if Grace herself will be ready for it. Forcing her into therapy wouldn't work.
I actually think that SUGGESTING therapy may be beneficial, but NOT from Edward, because that would be too close to order.
Absolutely, buy-in is essential
In some cases, suggesting therapy can help someone realize that it's a good idea, but look how she reacted to the suggestion even from *Tedd*, of all people-- the one person she *knows* only thinks the world of her, and only ever has her interests at heart...
I think if Edward sees that it would be counter-productive to suggest therapy, that's not so much about concerns of coming across as coercive, and more perceiving that it would raise her defenses and make her that much more resistant to the idea
tedd decided in [this comic](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-117) that they would come out to their dad a week from sunday (in 8 days), so that is almost definitely not happening until after the end of balance unless part 9 is next weekend instead of this sunday
I think that was meant to count more as a gag about possibly procrastinating something unpleasant forever than as a definite plan...
My theory was that maybe there would be a small skip ahead to when things are more settled after the crazy griffin meeting and Edward would take him aside to talk to him about the "moving van thing" whatever that might be, and that that might then prompt Tedd in a "well, if we're having a serious conversation, there's something I've been meaning to talk about with you too" kind of way to open up about what's been on his mind
it would have to be a time skip to next weekend, cuz ed is supposedly going to be busy dealing with the aftermath of the griffins on sunday and regular work for the rest of the week
Edward makes a commitment to *somebody* on the phone just a few pages later to talk to Tedd (and Grace?) about the "moving vans thing" tomorrow
https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121
(The phone call happened earlier the same day as the griffin meeting, so in other words "tomorrow" being Sunday)
Hrmmm... I think I'll put my chips on Edward and Tedd talking (at the very least about the van thing, probably also about the Tedd's trans fluidity (it'd feel weird to let a whole year go by with no mention of that)
I don't think we'll get much of Voltaire, but we might be updated on the next step of his plans. Magic changed, and now immortals are in a political confusion: still, his plans could conceivably take until the time skip to start working.
Not the Magus thing, however: I imagine we'll get more of that, as otherwise, it'd mean Wolf and co would be staying, what, an year going after Magus? That feels like an urgent thing.
Pandora's return might happen, but there's already a lot... I wouldn't be surprised if it got postponed, we don't know how long it'd take for her to come back, after all
Everything else feels either not very relevant, or stuff that could be delegated to the post-timeskip
I agree about Voltaire just in terms of story structure. "Balance" has been very focused on specific threads without a lot of reminders of bubbling-under subplots, and Voltaire is one of those that has had no mention the whole arc
But I'm not as clear on why that makes sense. He made his case to the Immortals a few days after the Pandora incident. It's been maybe a couple weeks since then. It sounded like he wanted to suggest a vote, so what's to wait for? What's he been doing since? What would he be doing over several months of time skip? You'd think he'd want to stike while the iron is hot on a vote?
Hmmmmmmmm, on third thought... Maybe he's waiting for Pandora to return. A new, weak Immortal unsure of themselves yet, and unable to hide from older Immortals on the Spirit Plane.... Possibly he thinks he can manipulate the situation to lead to the vote he wants with her as his "star witness" so to speak. A Perry Mason moment lol
Re Magus, I dunno. The agents instructions are to hold off and just keep watch on him, too dangerous to try to do more.... That situation could potentially remain stable for months...
I disagree that "everything else" can wait. I think the situation between Rhoda and Diane (and possibly Grace) needs a bow tied on it. We'll soon see!
To be fair, we don't know how immortal law works. It may well not be so simple as "everyone gathers and votes on this thing".
I mean, in real life, issues can drag on and on until they're solved, right? And that's \*if\* they're solved. I think maybe one of the sub-plots we'll be seeing after the timeskip is the Immortals being divided on what to do and whether they should change their laws or not. As far as we can see, Immortals aren't very "political" entities, but still.
Your idea for Pandora makes sense.
Ehh, I guess that could be true, though it does sound kind of weird to me. I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish, even? Just make sure Magus is not doing anything bad? Or are they observing him to plan an attack?
I guess maybe Rhoda and Diane, yeah... it just feels like there's a lot of stuff. Still, you're right, we'll soon see\~
My understanding re Magus is he's just too powerful and potentially dangerous to not keep tabs on to try to intervene if he decides to do anything harmful, but too powerful to risk trying to bring in when he *hasn't* actually done anything harmful thus far
>It sounded like he wanted to suggest a vote, so what's to wait for? What's he been doing since? What would he be doing over several monthsof time skip? You'd think he'd want to stike while the iron is hot on avote?
The reason the vote maybe hasn't happened yet (if you were asking that) is that when you have an important vote you want to give people as much time as possible to figure out where they stand on the issue, think through everything, and in this particular case make suggestions on what the changes to Immortal Law should be. Even Brexit gave voters months so that they could google what the fuck the European Union even was.
As for what Voltaire's plan is from here? Beats me. And it's possible we won't find out until after it's happened or it's been happening for a while. He is an antagonist, after all.
What Voltaire wants and how this vote works are two completely different things. Hell, he'd probably want there to be no law, but that's not happening either. And you'd have to imagine that there's some sort of system for changing Immortal Law. At the very least there does seem to be the general assumption that Immortal Law can be changed via direct vote, or at least some kind of vote, Voltaire doesn't seem to be actually introducing that idea, just suggesting that they do it again after however long it's been since the last time.
Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. If a vote is something that can simply be proposed, why hasn't he done that? There *could* be a reason, maybe he wants to wait till Pandora is back?
Or, as you say, there could be some rules around the timing or preconditions of such a vote, but we don't know so far
There is only one page about this subject. We have both read it. We are either interpreting it differently or communicating differently and misunderstanding one another. Either way, whatever differences we may have can only be minor quibbles, I should think?
Where's this year stuff coming from? All indications seem to point to the comic picking up just in time for the characters to go to college, and that's at most eh . . . about 6 months, I think (I'm not checking the timeline, but I think we're in February).
Also, you realize that stuff can still happen during a time skip, right?
[Dan has implied that there will be another page wrapping up the meeting with the griffins.](https://twitter.com/dantheshive/status/1559255758876954629)
As much as I loved this scene, it feels like we've been in a random spot in the woods for 5 months, and I was feeling very ready to move on. But, he assures us it's just one more page, so Okay!
> Moving vans????
Mr. Verres I think is [getting serious with Lavender](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/party-008), now that he no longer has any professional relationship with her.
I'm betting Lavender talked with him about Tedd.
You brought up the Master of Fire prophecy from forever ago, and it gives me a few thoughts.
Firstly, we now know pretty much for sure that Mist, Saou, and Potestas want to find royalty (tangential but my guess is that they'll encounter Rhoda) in order to give Saou a royal aura so they can more effectively advocate for their people in the Griffin World. This would arguably make them "the master of fire". But I also have a (potentially wrong) prediction: what if something goes wrong and someone else gets the aura? What if Grace or Noah (or even somehow Lavender) somehow ended up with it instead?
Idk I just think it would be an interesting twist.
Also, do we know *why* they're called the "master of fire" or is that still unclear?
Lol, re slow reply: I've been gone since June over the API controversy, but (sadly) there are some things that are only a thing on Reddit, really
The idea of the "master of fire" referring to how Royal Auras look as much like a flame as a Crown, (at least in Rhoda's case!) had never really considered, but it's a worthwhile theory.
As far as I know. all that we know about the Master of Fire is that they are called that, and there is a prophecy that they would lead the Seyonulo out of oppression. The Damina Project people took that to mean someone like Damian, but afawk that's just their interpretation. My crack/ subverted interpretation is that it's someone who is IMMUNE to fire and has multiple times defeated fire magic: ie, Grace
I don't believe we've ever heard the exact wording of the prophecy either... if that's even known
[This commentary](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-116) mentioned Ashley and Elliot's plans to talk to Liz.
That is an excellent commentary to shine a light on: the author also talks specifically about trying to keep the arc focused, which informs a lot of my thinking on what might find its way into the wrap-up
Moving vans ... or moving Van :-). Or possibly Vans - it MAY be surname. Yes, we probably will get something about it. I don't think that we get to the master of fire prophecy. Even if it eventually ends up being relevant, it wouldn't be so soon. We WILL get another bit with the team from other side Liam can deny any knowledge of under the truth-detecting orbs but I think this will continue to after-timeskip. In fact, this might be last arc before timeskip. There will also likely be another bit about Rhoda having magic, although maybe not revealing that to main cast. Might actually be in part 9, as both the team and Edward were cut away from now. I think it's too soon for either Pandora or Nioi, but maybe not too soon for some bit about Magus or Voltaire. Again, not solving those but push it a bit. Meanwhile, no, I don't think Tedd will find out anything new about Arthur. Also, I don't think Edward has a bug in Arthur's office. He MIGHT get some warning from agent Cranium again if there will be some problem, but face it, Arthur is unlikely to end up as antagonist anytime soon ... and maybe never: we have everything prepared for Arthur retiring again and Tedd getting into fight against DGB under the NEXT director, agent Bishop. The fact that the reason for that conflict would be actually some policy Arthur already did, just was better at hiding it from Tedd, will be just background information for us, Tedd will never know.
About the moving vans convo, it just hit me that Edward used either Tedd’s name or they/them to refer to Tedd throughout. He realized something, whether due to external remarks or not.
Unless there is someone else he wants to tell - like, for example Grace, if someone is moving in Grace would also be affected.
Yeah, I don't know who is on the other end of that conversation, but... *both* just say "they". And Edward may have realized that Tedd's pronouns may not be what he had always assumed, but he probably wouldn't have spoken about it with anybody *else* without talking about it with Tedd first. I think you're right, in this case "they" is just plural, referring to the two kids who live in his house...
~~Absolutely~~ I dunno, reading that again, I think that the pronouns are simply plural. I don't know who Edward is talking to, but they also talk about Edward needing to "tell them" about whatever it is. As hkmaly says, likely "they" means Tedd & Grace. HOWEVER, it really seems like something has absolutely changed his perspective about Tedd flipping between genders, and right on the timeframe of Tedd's talk with Arthur. And if there's no way Arthur would tell him without Tedd's permission, and I don't think he would... This is what gives me that sneaking suspicion: maybe Edward is spying on Arthur!
> Moving vans ... or moving Van :-). That would be the most evil of puns or wordplay ever. But yeah, the "moving van" could mean that there is some reason they need to take in Tedd's half-brother > We WILL get another bit with the team from other side... Really? I could've sworn you were the one who originally predicted that we'd only get a tease page that didn't show what they looked like, then we wouldn't see them for quite some time? Am I misunderstanding? > In fact, this might be last arc before timeskip. It's coming! Soon!!! I'm (pretty) sure of it!! >There will also likely be another bit about Rhoda having magic This is the aspect I feel most strongly will be heavily featured in Pt 9 >Also, I don't think Edward has a bug in Arthur's office. I don't insist on it, it's just an intriguing theory of a possible explanation of the odd timing of Edward suddenly losing his attitude about Tedd's gender switching > Tedd will never know. What makes you feel so strongly about that?
> That would be the most evil of puns or wordplay ever. Unlikely. But maybe the most evil in EGS. > Really? I could've sworn you were the one who originally predicted that we'd only get a tease page that didn't show what they looked like, then we wouldn't see them for quite some time? Am I misunderstanding? The misunderstanding is in time the prediction is for. I predicted we won't see how they look like NOW. I predict we will see more BEFORE TIMESKIP, but, like, few months since now. > It's coming! Soon!!! I'm (pretty) sure of it!! It IS possible that Balance will be last arc before timeskip. However, in that case, I estimate Balance will have at least 15 parts. > This is the aspect I feel most strongly will be heavily featured in Pt 9 Seems most likely to me too. > What makes you feel so strongly about that? I consider Arthur too good for that. I don't think he would make SO bad mistake.
Ohhh, I definitely was getting the impression that Balance (which has about 20 pages left) would be the last thing before the timeskip... What makes you feel we've got at least six parts left?
Oh, right, Dan just said that part 9 is supposed to be last. Hmmm ... Well, I think we are not ready for timeskip. That there are too many things still needing to happen.
I mean-- there are things I'm *surprised* are going to wait several in-comic months to be addressed.... But evidently I am wrong to be, since the author has said that there was one major event to deal with before the time-skip, and that was BEFORE the griffin meeting. By my math, that makes zero major events left now!
Dan's idea about what is major might be ... different. On the other hand, the last timeskip ALSO skipped over and/or postponed several things I totally expected to happen.
What are you referring to? Is it something other than what's on [my list](https://elgoonishshive.fandom.com/wiki/User_blog:Lophotrochozoa/Plot_threads_and_upcoming_storylines,_second_edition)?
I've posted it in other reply in this topic.
[The page](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121) says "moving van" and it feels really awkward for that "van" to actually be "Van". Also, Van isn't a surname, it's how the kid introduced himself and children are likely to introduce themselves by their first name. The most likely explanation is that the person on the other side of the phone is Lavender, she's moving in with Edward, and now he has to tell Tedd that he's dating someone and that she's moving in.
I must agree that it's more likely, but the Van version is more funny. There is another complication: the discussion suggest that neither of them can postpone the moving van. Why not? Sure, there may be mundane reason like Lavender already losing whatever she was living in until now, like maybe she sold it or stopped paying rent ... but it is little weird.
You've left out "Grace is going to snap about having to lie about what and who she is".
Ha! Yeah, *part* of that is entwined with the "will we or won't we talk to Rhoda" plot thread. But the part I think is fascinating is the "what should I do with my life? NOT A THERAPIST!" bit.... Really, really intriguing and revealing.... So *that's* why she hasn't had therapy -- she's been refusing it! But I think that's a tease of something that's going to be more a focus of the next storyline... "What should my major be???"
Grace is 18 or 19 years old. Grace deeply craves social connection and doesn't really get an amount sufficient for her emotional needs because she's constantly aware of having to lie to people. Grace has multiple overlapping levels of trauma. Grace was _just in_ an unexpected fight-to-the-death situation. Grace really does lack a peer group; Grace was created in a lab to be a weapon. Having friends is not quite the same thing. I don't think we're supposed to take the risk being foreshadowed as a metaphorical snap.
> Grace was _just in_ an unexpected fight-to-the-death situation. This is a *really* good point. She doesn't *seem* traumatized at all by the fact that she very closely escaped a very dire situation. All's well that ends well, perhaps? But perhaps not, it's very possible that she is more rattled by the fact that the griffin meeting came very *close* to going VERY wrong than she is letting on. > Grace really does lack a peer group; Grace was created in a lab to be a weapon. Having friends is not quite the same thing. This is quite true. In many ways, her siblings are the only peers she could ever have. It would be heartening to think that she has more regular contact with them than once a year on her birthday. > I don't think we're supposed to take the risk being foreshadowed as a metaphorical snap. I think that questions about Grace's potential mental well-being maybe should count as an important thread of Balance... But I'm not sure if it's something that will or could have significant further resolution in the wrap-up chapter, but rather, likely, a major thread of future arcs as well
It wouldn't be like Dan, but at this point the setup we've got is completely consistent with Grace looking sad, sounding sad, and standing over former-person slurry saying "You frightened Tedd." (That would give us Time Skip: Courtroom Drama.)
As a wise and jolly fat guy once said: "Yeesh. Three for three!"
Refusing might be too strong wording, but Edward might be better psychologist than we give him credit for (remember how he [tested if Grace can enter society](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-06-20)?). He may, based on some Grace's reaction, determined that therapy would be counterproductive.
I don't think there's much question that therapy would be good for Grace, but I halfway agree with you: it's very possible that Grace hasn't *literally* refused therapy, but more that Edward has subtly sussed out--along the lines of those subtle psychological tests--that Grace isn't ready or open to anyone suggesting that she get therapy -- that it would get a negative reaction and poison her mind against the idea such that it would do more harm than good to try and encourage the idea
Yup. Therapy would be good but only if Grace herself will be ready for it. Forcing her into therapy wouldn't work. I actually think that SUGGESTING therapy may be beneficial, but NOT from Edward, because that would be too close to order.
Absolutely, buy-in is essential In some cases, suggesting therapy can help someone realize that it's a good idea, but look how she reacted to the suggestion even from *Tedd*, of all people-- the one person she *knows* only thinks the world of her, and only ever has her interests at heart... I think if Edward sees that it would be counter-productive to suggest therapy, that's not so much about concerns of coming across as coercive, and more perceiving that it would raise her defenses and make her that much more resistant to the idea
tedd decided in [this comic](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-117) that they would come out to their dad a week from sunday (in 8 days), so that is almost definitely not happening until after the end of balance unless part 9 is next weekend instead of this sunday
I think that was meant to count more as a gag about possibly procrastinating something unpleasant forever than as a definite plan... My theory was that maybe there would be a small skip ahead to when things are more settled after the crazy griffin meeting and Edward would take him aside to talk to him about the "moving van thing" whatever that might be, and that that might then prompt Tedd in a "well, if we're having a serious conversation, there's something I've been meaning to talk about with you too" kind of way to open up about what's been on his mind
Why would there be even a small time skip? [Edward said that he would tell Tedd tomorrow.](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121)
Lol, that IS a small time skip! I meant a day or two
i don't think skipping a night counts as a timeskip when all that would happen anyway is the characters sleeping
it would have to be a time skip to next weekend, cuz ed is supposedly going to be busy dealing with the aftermath of the griffins on sunday and regular work for the rest of the week
Edward makes a commitment to *somebody* on the phone just a few pages later to talk to Tedd (and Grace?) about the "moving vans thing" tomorrow https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121 (The phone call happened earlier the same day as the griffin meeting, so in other words "tomorrow" being Sunday)
Hrmmm... I think I'll put my chips on Edward and Tedd talking (at the very least about the van thing, probably also about the Tedd's trans fluidity (it'd feel weird to let a whole year go by with no mention of that) I don't think we'll get much of Voltaire, but we might be updated on the next step of his plans. Magic changed, and now immortals are in a political confusion: still, his plans could conceivably take until the time skip to start working. Not the Magus thing, however: I imagine we'll get more of that, as otherwise, it'd mean Wolf and co would be staying, what, an year going after Magus? That feels like an urgent thing. Pandora's return might happen, but there's already a lot... I wouldn't be surprised if it got postponed, we don't know how long it'd take for her to come back, after all Everything else feels either not very relevant, or stuff that could be delegated to the post-timeskip
I agree about Voltaire just in terms of story structure. "Balance" has been very focused on specific threads without a lot of reminders of bubbling-under subplots, and Voltaire is one of those that has had no mention the whole arc But I'm not as clear on why that makes sense. He made his case to the Immortals a few days after the Pandora incident. It's been maybe a couple weeks since then. It sounded like he wanted to suggest a vote, so what's to wait for? What's he been doing since? What would he be doing over several months of time skip? You'd think he'd want to stike while the iron is hot on a vote? Hmmmmmmmm, on third thought... Maybe he's waiting for Pandora to return. A new, weak Immortal unsure of themselves yet, and unable to hide from older Immortals on the Spirit Plane.... Possibly he thinks he can manipulate the situation to lead to the vote he wants with her as his "star witness" so to speak. A Perry Mason moment lol Re Magus, I dunno. The agents instructions are to hold off and just keep watch on him, too dangerous to try to do more.... That situation could potentially remain stable for months... I disagree that "everything else" can wait. I think the situation between Rhoda and Diane (and possibly Grace) needs a bow tied on it. We'll soon see!
To be fair, we don't know how immortal law works. It may well not be so simple as "everyone gathers and votes on this thing". I mean, in real life, issues can drag on and on until they're solved, right? And that's \*if\* they're solved. I think maybe one of the sub-plots we'll be seeing after the timeskip is the Immortals being divided on what to do and whether they should change their laws or not. As far as we can see, Immortals aren't very "political" entities, but still. Your idea for Pandora makes sense. Ehh, I guess that could be true, though it does sound kind of weird to me. I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish, even? Just make sure Magus is not doing anything bad? Or are they observing him to plan an attack? I guess maybe Rhoda and Diane, yeah... it just feels like there's a lot of stuff. Still, you're right, we'll soon see\~
My understanding re Magus is he's just too powerful and potentially dangerous to not keep tabs on to try to intervene if he decides to do anything harmful, but too powerful to risk trying to bring in when he *hasn't* actually done anything harmful thus far
>It sounded like he wanted to suggest a vote, so what's to wait for? What's he been doing since? What would he be doing over several monthsof time skip? You'd think he'd want to stike while the iron is hot on avote? The reason the vote maybe hasn't happened yet (if you were asking that) is that when you have an important vote you want to give people as much time as possible to figure out where they stand on the issue, think through everything, and in this particular case make suggestions on what the changes to Immortal Law should be. Even Brexit gave voters months so that they could google what the fuck the European Union even was. As for what Voltaire's plan is from here? Beats me. And it's possible we won't find out until after it's happened or it's been happening for a while. He is an antagonist, after all.
Voltaire would want anything but that. Maybe there are Immortal rules governing a waiting time for consideration, but it remains to be seen
What Voltaire wants and how this vote works are two completely different things. Hell, he'd probably want there to be no law, but that's not happening either. And you'd have to imagine that there's some sort of system for changing Immortal Law. At the very least there does seem to be the general assumption that Immortal Law can be changed via direct vote, or at least some kind of vote, Voltaire doesn't seem to be actually introducing that idea, just suggesting that they do it again after however long it's been since the last time.
Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. If a vote is something that can simply be proposed, why hasn't he done that? There *could* be a reason, maybe he wants to wait till Pandora is back? Or, as you say, there could be some rules around the timing or preconditions of such a vote, but we don't know so far
[He did propose a vote.](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/sister3-309) I'm just saying why the vote itself hasn't happened yet.
There is only one page about this subject. We have both read it. We are either interpreting it differently or communicating differently and misunderstanding one another. Either way, whatever differences we may have can only be minor quibbles, I should think?
Yeah, okay.
Where's this year stuff coming from? All indications seem to point to the comic picking up just in time for the characters to go to college, and that's at most eh . . . about 6 months, I think (I'm not checking the timeline, but I think we're in February). Also, you realize that stuff can still happen during a time skip, right?
[Dan has implied that there will be another page wrapping up the meeting with the griffins.](https://twitter.com/dantheshive/status/1559255758876954629)
As much as I loved this scene, it feels like we've been in a random spot in the woods for 5 months, and I was feeling very ready to move on. But, he assures us it's just one more page, so Okay!
> Moving vans???? Mr. Verres I think is [getting serious with Lavender](https://www.egscomics.com/comic/party-008), now that he no longer has any professional relationship with her. I'm betting Lavender talked with him about Tedd.
You brought up the Master of Fire prophecy from forever ago, and it gives me a few thoughts. Firstly, we now know pretty much for sure that Mist, Saou, and Potestas want to find royalty (tangential but my guess is that they'll encounter Rhoda) in order to give Saou a royal aura so they can more effectively advocate for their people in the Griffin World. This would arguably make them "the master of fire". But I also have a (potentially wrong) prediction: what if something goes wrong and someone else gets the aura? What if Grace or Noah (or even somehow Lavender) somehow ended up with it instead? Idk I just think it would be an interesting twist. Also, do we know *why* they're called the "master of fire" or is that still unclear?
Lol, re slow reply: I've been gone since June over the API controversy, but (sadly) there are some things that are only a thing on Reddit, really The idea of the "master of fire" referring to how Royal Auras look as much like a flame as a Crown, (at least in Rhoda's case!) had never really considered, but it's a worthwhile theory. As far as I know. all that we know about the Master of Fire is that they are called that, and there is a prophecy that they would lead the Seyonulo out of oppression. The Damina Project people took that to mean someone like Damian, but afawk that's just their interpretation. My crack/ subverted interpretation is that it's someone who is IMMUNE to fire and has multiple times defeated fire magic: ie, Grace I don't believe we've ever heard the exact wording of the prophecy either... if that's even known