Have A Bite 2012-09-03

[Jürgen A. Erhard]

Also ... ummm ... " ...where you swing that..."

Also it should be "too close" in panel four (if this thing had threading, Pablo could see both remarks at once...

[Jürgen A. Erhard]

"Eenie meenie miny mail, catch a sphinxy by the tail."

Dropping a slightly chewed sphinx tail in the pun jar...

[Jabberwonky]

It strikes me, upon even a cursory search, that there are a LOT of tricksters in mythology. And while many of the Wapsi cast's supernatural entities seem to have carried dual roles now and then, they tend to usually just be temporary gigs.

Could Nudge have been ALL the big tricksters of mythology? Taking on a role for a few centuries, then skipping off to give birth to wolves or something, then appearing elsewhere as Coyote etc. I've seen internet trolls go to as much effort for lulz.

Edit
Or maybe I'm just a Nudge fanboi and want to give her a scratch behind the ears.

That thought hadn't occured to me. But has there been a rise in Trickster-isms since the days of Oedipus? (that would be about the time she got loose from the Library...)

It's not the scratch behind the ears, it's what that'll lead to...

[zachariah]

Enjoy the Battle royale. But let's not loose sight of the fact we still don't know why Nudge is doing this.

Nudge will now say: Oh my. Your Po little tale. Is it dragon?

Clink.

[jwhouk]

So...I'm guessing Phix hasn't come down off that preadator's high just yet...

Well, check to see if her fur is still full of red wing, or if it's still gold colored.

(plops two tickets to Nashville's season opener into the pun vault... hopefully they're not as useless as my pun attempts)

[Jabberwonky]

So...I'm guessing Phix hasn't come down off that preadator's high just yet...

Well, check to see if her fur is still full of red wing, or if it's still gold colored.

(plops two tickets to Nashville's season opener into the pun vault... hopefully they're not as useless as my pun attempts)

Are you saying that Phix should be hanging out in Nashville? There are a lot of good BBQ joints in that town...

(places a marinated haunch of beef in the refrigerated section of the vault)

[Dave]

Yeah, the button Nudge was pushing was definitely the one labeled MAUL. Those are supposed to have one of those nifty spring-loaded safety latches to prevent accidental operation, but I suppose that such safety mechanisms are optional in the case of apex predators like sphinxes (and in this case Nudge clearly intended to do just what she did).

Even if Nudge does have Librarian Immunity, this took courage!

Nudge's words seem to confirm that this goading/confrontation is as much about Shelly, as it is about Monica.

That's gotta hurt.

Eventually, yes. Problem is, it might not slow Phix down very much (if at all) while she's in her boiling-rage mode of attack. Wounds, even serious ones, often don't hurt at all until the adrenaline wears off. Nudge is going to have to continue to dance for a while yet.

[BallBearingMousetrap]

OK, that's what I expected from Nudge. Combination of "get it out of your system" and "here are a few hard thoughts to chew on; when you can tell me why they're wrong you'll understand yourself better."

[as363]

Lets see - fresh pot - check - bowl of popcorn - lightly buttered with sea-salt - check - fresh bagels from N.Y. - check - large travel cup - check pillows fluffed - check .. that should do it for the next few days.

[Wdot]

Unstoppable force, meet immovable object....

I think that was what happened at the bottom of Panel One.

Nah! The walls aren't immovable. You can drive a Titan through one if you're mad enough. Okay, okay, I'll pay up, don't get all bent out of shape.

[kingklash]

A prime example of Industrial-Strength Tricksterism. Nudge may not get another chance to read Phix the riot act, even if it's "Hear me now, and listen to me later." We'll know when comprehension has sunk in past the several layers of hard candy, when Phix puts her glasses back on.

[Wyvern]

Could Nudge have been ALL the big tricksters of mythology? Taking on a role for a few centuries, then skipping off to give birth to wolves or something, then appearing elsewhere as Coyote etc. I've seen internet trolls go to as much effort for lulz.

Sure, why not? She can certainly tell people how she's been all the great trickster gods. Personally I think Nudge would enjoy a crossover with Coyote of Gunnerkrigg Court, although I'd just as soon watch their antics from a distance - they'd be sure to egg each other on into something hilarious and poorly considered.

Also, this is the first time we've seen Phix's thagomizer!

[txmystic]

Agreed that Nudge is in full Coyote-Trickster mode here, and I think we are witnessing the only time she can successfully survive a full-on sphinx attack. Like any god trickster, she is clearly adept at hitting all the right buttons, being relentless, and successfully evasive. In this way, she's letting Phix do more harm to herself than to Nudge with every attack. This will certainly force a cathartic event, which I hope both survive!

But I still believe Nudge's motivations are noble here. She is forcing the issue of whether Phix wants to remain enslaved by the Sphinx norms of old or evolve into someone who can establish a close relationship with a human. I think this is actually a key moment in the strip because only after Phix gives in to opening herself up will she understand how important it is to both Shelly and Monica to maintain their closeness in spite of Shelly's Sphinxiness.

Nudge really must have grown quite attached to Shelly, because she's really got her back here...

[Sphinx-Napped]

uhh nudge, dont you think her biting her own tail will make her even more angry and maybe go into animalistic mode.. i.e she already had her food now she fighting and they may kick in survival mode

[bmonk]

Girl Fight! Girl Fight!! No love taps this time around. This is serious business. I think the judges will deduct points for the tail biting, however.

But who loses the points? The one who bit the tail, or the one who positioned it?

Could Nudge have been ALL the big tricksters of mythology? Taking on a role for a few centuries, then skipping off to give birth to wolves or something, then appearing elsewhere as Coyote etc. I've seen internet trolls go to as much effort for lulz.

Sure, why not? She can certainly tell people how she's been all the great trickster gods.

Of course, if asked, what trickster would deny being someone else?

I've heard of getting panties in a kink, but one rarely sees the process of getting a kink into the tail itself. Poor Phix--and like most encounters with a Trickster, she has nobody to blame but herself and her own anger.

Still, the best Tricksters are also usually adept at getting themselves into trouble. Wonder if Nudge will manage that as well?

[Dave]

But who loses the points? The one who bit the tail, or the one who positioned it?

Kosh: "Yes."

I've heard of getting panties in a kink, but one rarely sees the process of getting a kink into the tail itself. Poor Phix--and like most encounters with a Trickster, she has nobody to blame but herself and her own anger.

Still, the best Tricksters are also usually adept at getting themselves into trouble. Wonder if Nudge will manage that as well?

Wouldn't be surprising at all... ruckus-making usually has consequences, even if it was done in a good cause. We'll just have to wait and see...Phix's tail might not be the only thing which ends up being badly chewed, and Nudge may have some more biting remarks of her own to deliver. This is much more a battle of words and meanings than of bodies.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's thrilling episode of Tongue Fu: The Legend Continues

[Bathorys Daughter]

At the end of all this, and they are standing side by side, Phix is going to have a difficult time explaining how it is she is the one all black and blue and swollen tailed. What's she going to say? I beat myself up? Not and maintain any dignity. Although the alternative, Nudge beat me up, isn't any better. She could make up a story about how she was attacked by many Apos at once and defeated them all (with several still in the library's walk-in freezer for later) and the survivors off licking their wounds (literally). Of course, Nudge, being the joker she is, could then announce, "Big BBQ tonight! Phix's treat!."

[shadowinthelight]

Kosh: "Yes."

Nudge: "Who are you?"
Tsillah: "What do you want?"
Bia: "Why are you here?"


And FYI for everyone, Google's webpage caching lets you read the old comments if you do a search.

[Fairportfan]

Also, this is the first time we've seen Phix's thagomizer!

Not actually the first time - first time we've seen it in action, though.

[Fairportfan]

At the end of all this, and they are standing side by side, Phix is going to have a difficult time explaining how it is she is the one all black and blue and swollen tailed. What's she going to say? I beat myself up? Not and maintain any dignity. Although the alternative, Nudge beat me up, isn't any better.

Nah. Phix calms down.

She tells Nudge she understands.

Cue standing side-by-side.

BONG!

Flying horseshoe.

Phix turns and very dignifiedly, tail in air, stalks off.

Nudge, on floor, moans.

"Hey! You can't do that! I won!!"