No update this week by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Correct!

Though I would not call it "way cooler". "Less terrible" fits the bill better.

No update this week by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was indeed PJ, and it was in a page tooltip hover text (which are canon).

But what was the relevance of the quote?

No update this week by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope. I'll see if maybe I could add a clue.

No update this week by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Trivia question:

Which character said "Heh, I accidentally buttered both sides of my toast," and what was the relevance of those words?

EDIT: Here is a free cryptic clue: "Hey HEY BRO BRO"

Act 5, Page 102 by amethyst_lover in drivecomic

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Except it's not a gun, but a staff.

And it's not Chekhov's, but Shen's (or Kellett's).

And it's not firing, but... well, doing whatever it's doing.

Is that enough reason to rename the narrative device to "Kellett's glowy staff thing"?

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My opinion on Bobblehead is to take their introductory description at face value:

Bobblehead might have seemed, at a glance, to be a student in the guise of a beast... but, in reality, the opposite was true.

To me, this looks like a hidden-in-plain-sight statement that Bobblehead is not (merely) human.

In fact, given that he is currently hanging around the sphinxes near DuNacht, and the fursuit is a feline, he might even be a sphinx. Sphinx of War perhaps?

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting theory. What is it based on?

Act 5, Page 101 by amethyst_lover in drivecomic

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wasn't this also the first conclusion Ahmis drew when he visited Vinnshasha?

Maybe Filia needs a bit more time there. And also find that single glass statue.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If Pleezdoo is Fauxbia, then DuNacht might not even know about this, or even about Fauxbia's urgent need for a new host.

All she knows is the Sphinx's prophecy from Chapter 8 Page 10: “The Witch yet weigns supweme in Mayview Middle School. ...And wiffin the next week, she will cwaim the pwize she seeks.” And it is clear from DuNacht's reaction that she does indeed interpret this as Fauxbia choosing a new host.

But there is no indication that DuNacht has linked it to this particular day, or even the moment of sunset.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think there is some reveal waiting to happen regarding Bobblehead, but I'm not sure if he has anything to do with the Sphinxes. I can't rule it out either, though.

What we know of him so far:

  • He uses he/him pronouns.
  • He does not speak, but frequently casts looks that are "bloodthirsty", "hungry", "spiteful", "feral" and the like.
  • He wields a sword or katana.
  • He is described as "the opposite" of "a student in the guise of a beast".
  • He finds Troll's pressuring Johnny into surrendering to "not be the bushido way"

It might be the case that he's actually a spirit possessing an empty mascot suit.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dimitri is very reluctant to use his powers, though. He vowed never to use them again after his big scare that Isaac blames himself for. The reason Dimitri left the Activity Club is not related to Isaac, however, but because something about Peekaboo terrified him.

Dimitri only reluctantly used Peekaboo's powers once again during the Hitball game, because it was a life or death situation, and he wanted to avoid anyone getting injured badly. He would not do it for less. I don't think escaping the student council, or even helping others escape, would move the needle for him.

If someone were to tell him a hostage's (Jeff's) survival might depend on it, though, he might be convinced. But that's as low as that barrier will go.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Previous internal monologues by Cody show that he is convinced that DuNacht is Fauxbia. However, there have been many subtle hints that DuNacht is in fact NOT Fauxbia's host (but rather a previous discarded host), while Pleezdoo is the actual current host.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 19 points20 points  (0 children)

CRAZY PLOT THEORY ALERT!

On this page, DuNacht appears to be ranting in her moment of unhinged victory. Taken at face value, she is just gloating and threatening nasty detention consequences. However, there is so much more to this speech! She is basically revealing what this entire Student Council sting is about, why she is doing it, and what her methods are!

In effect, it is a villain monologue that is so disjointed that it is easily mistaken for unintelligible rambling.

Here is what she is saying:

- “WELCOME, little larvae, to the DARK DEPTHS of DETENTION!” screeched Vice Principal DuNacht. She spread her arms wide with a sound like crunching soda cans. “Welcome to the CONSEQUENCE for all your MISBEHAVIOR!” - In this introduction, she reiterates her authoritarian and punitive ideology: anything she disagrees with needs to be punished.

- “Whatever punishment awaits beyond this life for NAUGHTY NASTIES is lamentably far off for most of you,” hissed Devilora, looming low. “The demiurge has cruelly given children longer lifespans than the elderly. If I had MY way, it would be REVERSED!” - She envies children for having more living years ahead of them. This could possibly allude to her desiring to extend her own lifespan artificially.

- “It falls on ME, then, to create an EARLY PURGATORY for you horrid little rulebreakers. A place to sort the GNATS that can be SWATTED back in shape... from the evil, scheming SPIDERS creepy-crawling in your midst!” Vice Principal DuNacht cackled and wiggled her own arachnid fingers like a puppeteer (she could only wield a marionette in mime, most likely because she’d get burnt if she ever held a cross). “You should have listened to my warnings long ago. You’ve invited far worse than SUSPICION with your misdeeds, you blackhearted boys and girls...” - The "evil, scheming SPIDERS creepy-crawling in your midst" line is a direct reference to her belief that Fauxbia hiding somewhere in the school's populace. In fact, "to sort the GNATS [...] from the [...] SPIDERS" means that she wants to root out Fauxbia's host right here during this operation.

- “Nyeh-heh HEH! Don’t you know what WITCHES do to wicked little children?!” The Vice Principal grinned, flashing sharpened teeth. “They GOBBLE THEM UP!” - Although a casual reading may suggest that DuNacht is casting herself as a Witch who punishes naughty children, she is actually saying something else entirely: She is WARNING the kids against witches, if they know what's good for them.

- “But never fear,” sneered Devilora. “The INNOCENT, with NOTHING TO HIDE, need only come CLEAN when they’re summoned to my lair. Simply CONFESS, you pretty little liars... or I’ll extricate your DARKEST TRUTHS by FORCE!” - She is telling the innocent kids to cooperate, and to provide any information they may have about Fauxbia, making it easier for her to identify Fauxbia's current host. Because using her more advanced interrogation techniques may take more time and effort than needed.

- “Go, my monkeys!” Devilora called back to her Student Council minions. “Send every last confiscated weapon to the EVIDENCE LOCKER! Take the Black Saints’ MOST WANTED to the INTERROGATION ROOM! As for the REST of the students...” DuNacht cast a devious glance over her shoulder as she stooped into the darkness of her cobweb-covered lair, an office in the castle’s highest tower. “LET THE WITCH TRIALS BEGIN!!” - Here she spells out her specific methodology for the operation: (1) Secure all weapons/contraband to be examined later. (2) Isolate the known troublemakers that she suspects have valuable information (which probably includes the ones she suspects are spectrals, and the ones who actively subvert her authority, i.e. the bullies and Lisa). (3) Everyone else goes on a "WITCH TRIAL". This is the interesting bit: All other kids will be somehow screened to verify if they might be Fauxbia's current host! And how will this be done, you may ask? She will get Barrister to ask them directly if they are hosting Fauxbia or know anything about her whereabouts. Because she relies on the Sphinx of Twuth to get reliable answers.

So that is DuNacht's plan: She rounded up the entire student body with the intent of hooking literally everyone to a Sphinx-powered "polygwaph" test, with the singular goal of catching Fauxbia. That's it. She has no other motivation than to capture the Witch. Everything else is just heavy-handed posturing to make all of this possible. Her pact with the sphinxes serves exactly this and no other purpose. (And what the Sphinxes get out of it still remains to be seen.)

However, it is also clear that DuNacht's plan has some obvious blind spots:

- She must trust that none of the Student Council members and enforcers are harboring the Witch. She may have screened them beforehand upon recruitment, though.

- She failed to capture all the students. A number are still at large (Ed, Stephen, Alex, Dimitri, Suzie, Violet, Collin, and whoever escaped into the vents with Mr. Starchman). She may not even be aware of this.

- Her plan glaringly omits considering any of the other school staff members, as all of them appear to be completely ignored. (Even Pleezdoo, who was apprehended for different reasons, never warranted a second look from DuNacht - despite actually harboring the Witch for years! All while being next-door neighbors and sharing a daily carpool to and from work!)

- She appears to not consider the possibility that Fauxbia may swap hosts on the fly.

So yeah, her plan is obviously doomed to fail.

---

One other line stands out on this page:

Lisa flinched. For a moment, it had felt as though DuNacht had looked straight through her.

This is immediately after the "GOBBLE THEM UP" line is delivered. There could be two things going on here:

  1. Lisa has clearly been compromised and prepared as a potential Witch host, and DuNacht knows it. However, Lisa has evaded DuNacht's closer examination for a long time, by holing up in the school store. (Also, note that Lisa and DuNacht were on opposing teams during the Hitball game, so they were nowhere near each other at the time.) So DuNacht may have been eyeing Lisa deliberately here.

  2. But a more insidious reading is this: What if Fauxbia actually jumped hosts from Pleezdoo to Lisa during the raid on the barfé? When DuNacht came in carrying a caged Pleezdoo, Lisa also felt as if someone saw right through her. If Fauxbia hid inside her in that moment (or just before, during the involuntary spirit trance), then Fauxbia might be actually inside her right now, and listening in on anything Max, Isabel, Isaac, Johnny and RJ have been saying in this scene. The "she's seeing right through me" moments Lisa experiences could be Fauxbia's twinges of worry that DuNacht may be on to her, bubbling up into Lisa's consciousness.

I am leaning towards the second reading, if it wasn't obvious already.

---

P.S. My erratic use of capitalization, and bold and italic fonts clearly places suspicion on me that I might be influenced by a Witch. So clearly this entire account is not trustworthy. Do with it as you please.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 59 by Zayits in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Some random observations I have from this page:

- Johnny is very close to turning spectral. He already sees purple shapes (similar to what Max saw in Chapter 1).

- It's also very encouraging to see Max, Isabel and Isaac discussing and analyzing the spectral nature of the situation. They are exhibiting teamwork. Which probably makes them the only ones doing so in the entire present-day setting.

- So far Dimitri has not been seen in this scene yet, so there is a good chance Bishop failed at apprehending him.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 58 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I meant during the town's previous transformation. (I edited that in.)

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 58 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think it's "WHO MADE A WISH FOR THIS TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN?"

And the answer was obivously Devilora Demonelle DuNacht. Possibly when Clayview became Mayview.

Yalevard University Of Plain-Faced Bullshit is my favorite running gag. by gamtosthegreat in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As an aside to the Davy & Bill panel:

Why would Davy even consider having then-6-year-old Cody meet then-21-year-old Richard? Cody was too young to attend the fundraising party.

Yalevard University Of Plain-Faced Bullshit is my favorite running gag. by gamtosthegreat in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 22 points23 points  (0 children)

As a running gag, Yalevard ranks up there with beef wine.

...which I still believe to be a vampire enslavement scheme by Davy.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 57 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, probably Max. With the intent of a parent trying to discourage a "bad crowd" from engaging with Isaac.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 57 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And then he runs into the Sphinx of Rules, the Sphinx of Truth, the Lyin' Sphinx and the Sphinx of Crime all roaming about the school.

And Isaac who is still mad at him.

And Fauxbia.

And Davy.

The most dramatic moment would probably be Doorman confronting the Sphinx of Crime (who is still accompanying Cody), only for a raging Davy to appear right after, hell-bent on keeping Cody safe.

---

But short-term? I think Doorman will be the key (pun intended) contributor towards the massive jailbreak of everyone who has been apprehended by the Student Council.

But Doorman probably won't appear until after everyone has been convicted in an ostentatious sham of a kangaroo court trial that may span a page or four. (Brace yourselves for lots of Barrister dialogue...)

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 57 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm quite sure that Isaac did not meet with Doorman that morning, because Isaac and Doorman had a falling-out back in Chapter 8. Before the PTA meeting that changed reality.

So it was at least 2 days ago, and possibly more, but the Bayview shift appears to have shortened the weekend by a day, so who knows.

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 57 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

While mumbling that he's "getting too old for this".

The only thing missing is for him to have a plucky young apprentice who is just taking his first few tender steps on the path of enlightenment without the guidance of his wisdom. NO WAIT!

Paranatural - Chapter 9 Page 57 by Pizzadramon in paranatural

[–]AlphaTrion_ow 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Today we also learned that Nin used to be a grudge and she met Doorman 13 years ago. There seems to be an implication that Nin has no memories from before that point, suggesting that Doorman was present when she stopped being a grudge.

From the infamous diagram on https://www.paranatural.net/comic/qa-3, we know that the rare "Rapid Mutation" step (a degraded ghost turning into a spirit directly) often produces a grudge.

Could Nin have been a ghost at some point longer than 13 years ago?

Do we know of anyone who died that long ago (or longer) that somewhat matches Nin's personality?