June 27th, 2017
27 Jun 2017 · page 709 of 1306
Bye, Wolfe
Cast: Benjamin Thackerey, Heinrich Wolfe, Sidney Malik
Comments (99)
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So, what they need is someone incapable of being happy with themself.
Somebody find where Voss went!
Sid is actually pretty strong, here . . . Here is the place where his insecurities are the strongest! GO FORTH, THOSE WITH HORRIBLE SELF-ESTEEM!
Sid proceeds to get trapped in a mirror
LOW SELF ESTEEM TEAM
Ha! Sort of like Usopp and his negativity powers
Now there's a crossover I didn't know I wanted until right this moment
I sincerely hope there is a golden mean somewhere between Voss and Ve... I mean, Lei. :)
What they need are blindfolds. Can't see yourself in the mirror if you can't see.
Ben to the rescue!
Aww, who'd have thought? Well, now it's time for the dropout and the 3rd-degree-wizard to humble all those 1st-class university folks!
Sid wasn't so much a dropout as he was expelled due to stealing. It was a magpie buggerup that was stealing things against his will, but that somehow didn't affect the decision to expel him. I half expect to find out there was some foul play in booting him - how would an institution of expert wizards not figure out the nature of his problem and try to (and probably succeed in) fix[ing] it, rather than kicking him into the street?
Maybe we're going to meet a particularly prideful headmaster who ejected Sid to protect his own ego for some reason?
But it seems that the buggerups are invisible, and since Sid seemed to think that he himself was the problem and didn't think it might be a buggerup (since I guess they usually don't follow people around), I guess the administration believed him and had to kick him out when he didn't fix "his behavior."
Maybe it's unusual for a buggerup to steal and put things in specifically one person's pockets, so that's part of it?
I think you're right - most people can't see the buggerups, so until Mal got a good look at Sid (when they met briefly on the train in Chapter 1, Mal was trying to avoid looking at him, so either didn't notice anything or didn't bother commenting on it), there was no way for anyone to know what exactly was causing the problem.
My guess is that, had Sid paid more attention, he probably would have been able to deduce it was a buggerup. Hard to say as the only other person besides Mal who could diagnose an out-of-control buggerup (Ben), didn't even know about Sid's stealing curse until Mal mentioned it stole his keys.
There have been clues--several in fact--that Sid was expelled because he flunked out. The stealing was a problem, but in the story and in the canon filler ask-the-character pieces, Sid's inability to focus on the classwork hurt him.
And flunking out has hurt his own pride and self-esteem...which actually helps him here.
Hmmm. If so, I've never picked up on it. Sure, we've seen copious evidence that in comparison to Ben, our Sidney is a chaotic scatterbrain, but that personality type is suggested to actually enhance his natural affinity to the spirits, which is why he's so talented compared to duff-degree-Ben, despite the latter's studiousness.
It wouldn't surprise me that his lack of organizational skills didn't help his case, but I did not get the impression he was expelled for straightforward failure.
And yes, he's always been rather cagey about the whole expulsion thing, but I always attributed that to his paralyzing terror about the possibility of his parents finding out about it. Indian parents can be very scary.
If you have anything concrete that pinpoints the reason he was expelled, if you'd be so kind as to point me toward it, I'd appreciate it.
Otherwise, I shall default to the explanation he himself gave early on in the story (or so I remember things).
Either way, I expect the full truth will come out during this story arc.
The explanation he himself gave early on in the story was: "If I could stop this I would, I really would... Look, they can confirm that at the university! It's... sort of... why I got expelled in the first place..." ( [http://www.widdershinscomic...](http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/november-9th-2011/ "http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/november-9th-2011/") ) And given at that time he thought Harry was a policewoman and she was able to make a formal request about him from the University, I suppose he said the exact truth, then. Later, he told Harry simple "Yes" (at the question whether his curse was the reason of his expulsion), but he knew already that she wasn't able to check out his words.
This "sort of" makes me think about some mix of factors, including Sid's curse of stealing and bad performance.
Looking at the pages in question I see you have a good case. It's odd though, as just about the only thing we see Sid doing is wizardry - it doesn't seem in-character for him to neglect his studies, considering his studies are doing wizardry.
Then again, he DID say he much prefers magic tricks...maybe he spent all his time in Uni practicing slight-of-hand rather than drawing summoning circles and memorizing incantations. (Yet he's still nearly as capable as Ben.)
Well, Sid's "Second Year Report" ( [http://www.widdershinscomic...](http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-qas/ "http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-qas/") ) tells clearly about his distracting through lectures and neglecting essays. :)
Speaking in general, it is somewhat a common story about "naturally gifted" students which tend to make the minimum of their efforts and neglect theory/routine practicing because their natural talent makes up for that. Finally, it stops working and the story goes to a bad end.
In the case of Sidney, if we believe his words about prefering magic tricks (as I do), it seems he attended the University because the career of wizard is respectable and his parents wanted him make this one. No wonder that his motivation was not so high.
Still, it looks a little funny when the guy who gets excited with guns pointed to him and talks nonchalantly with Deadlies is sweating from a question about his education. :)
Ahum. Yes. I'd not remembered that report card. I think you've solved the mystery here.
As for your last comment, it's easy to explain. Angry and disappointed Indian parents are far more frightening than deadly spirits and guns. It's as simple as that.
About parents, maybe, but it doesn't explain why Sid lied about his degree to the rest of the team. Or why there ( [http://www.widdershinscomic...](http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-q-and-a-2-march-2017/ "http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-q-and-a-2-march-2017/") ) he reacted in the same way at the question about parents and one about whether he was going to try and finish the University. :)
Sid was a total failure at Widdershins, though. Go back and read his report card, then look at the strip where Harry asks him to draw the circles to trap each of the deadlies. He never did his work, and didn't know how to draw the circles.
He's gotten along for years on his brilliance, not through effort. (Of course, the fact that he really doesn't much want to be a wizard may have something to do with that...)
To be fair, I tend to think that Deadly Sins' circles aren't common knowledge for the University's students, because of how dangerous their summons are. Ben pointed it out, about Sloth, and referred to Fairbarn's "right forms". And I think he remembered them because he specially looked for information about the Deadly Sins the last night (and a few nights before, possibly).
Though Sidney himself said ( [http://www.widdershinscomic...](http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-qa-round-1/ "http://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/character-qa-round-1/") ), "I didn't really pay too much attention to that lecture... er, or a few of the others..." and we see him practicing a trick with a coin instead of writing down a lecturer's words. :)
Ooooh torches that ignite when you move along the hallway- if you stand still and the torches extinguish, you wouldn't be able to see yourself and be trapped! To be fair you'd be a different sort of trapped- stuck in the dark unable to move, rather than stuck in a picture unable to move, but you know, small victories?
Wolfe was trapped when he wasn't looking in the mirror... But was reflexing the situation... :)
Reflexing not without some teeny-weeny bit of pride for his good guessing too.
But there was a mirror behind Sid, who moved out of the way as he spoke...
Aaaaaah! You are right!
Wolfe's sleeve is in the mirror behind Sid!
I'm almost crying with laughter at this, I didn't expect Wolfe to be out of commission on this one at all, and so soon at that! Their expressions/postures in the last panel are perfect!
Yeah, I never thought Wolfe would be caught by Pride! Ooops.
Nothing wrong will feeling good about yourself for a few moments when somebody praises you. The brain processes it and one moves on without becoming narcissistic. But in this context, any amount of pride is a terrible trap, apparently.
I'm thinking the only person who could defeat pride in a situation like this is somebody too full of trembling fear and worry about the crisis, yet who is brave enough not to be paralyzed by that fear. Such a person would be able to fight the good fight without having the mental space to feel good about progress made. Instead, every thought would be, "I'm glad that worked, but was it enough?"
Nora would be a good fit.
Yes!
But she's already been a big hero and isn't here, so I doubt she'll get the opportunity.
Yep, Wolfe's pride was totally healthy, just dangerous in these special circumstances.
They need to avoid feeling good about anything they do, and avoid praising each other or being too supportive. I think these two will do ok at that.
Or possibly they could just avoid mirrors..
Low Self-worth squad assemble!
Well, well, and who usually operates at 90% level of stress, knows fear and overcomes it, never gets his praise and was pleased with himself at only time, in the form "We're fantastic!"? Looking around. I'm sure I have seen this person somewhere.
While I expected it, I admit I expected it to take a bit more effort as well than simply glance in a mirror while feeling momentarily proud. Considering how Envy needed to prod Benji before being able to enchant him, and Wrath required a stronger mood to get a hold, Pride seems to be pretty strong if it's able to snatch up people based on a simple flicker of emotion.
Pride was also summoned right over the Anchor, wasn't it? Envy had to travel from another anchor, and Wrath nowhere near one, respectively. If summoning conditions affect their power, Pride's gonna be a hefty competetor!
Pride is also currently close to an anchor, considering that the university is underground for that specific reason.
It is well noticed but I think that just happened with Wolfe is more like that Envy "did" to Sidney, with his words about wishing to play on the scene (in contrast with Ben). The same single flicker of emotion and "oops". The difference is, Sid was able to put the Deadly's influence off just after that, and Wolfe is in the mirror now and he can't. (It is interesting what do trapped people feel and at which extent they understand the situation.)
Though I must admit I feel that (at single moments) Ben and Wolfe's (and maybe Verity's) behaviour in the University is a bit "off" as if it were already under Pride's influence a little. I can mistake in that regard, but I can't help feeling that I never have seen Wolfe so young Henry Barber-like behaving like he does in the third panel here.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha XD
Time to reflect on your mistake, Wolfe !
sigh Do you really think it is a good idea to make a judgement on vanity of others in the Pride's kingdom, Mr Wolfe? They say, "You can have no greater sign of a confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough", you know.
Time to quote Weird Al...
Granted, he didn't actually believe it reflected well on himself until Sid complimented him.
"reflected well"
I am stunned. That was so spot on, and I can't believe I didn't think of it until I saw what you'd written.
I thought you had a utility belt FULL of stolen puns...
Mirror, mirror on the wall...DOH! Bad question.
Hmm... I don't know if I agree having a healthy self-esteem is "vainer" than being insecure, what with all the self-scrutiny and comparison of self to others that insecurity entails.
I am, however, excited to see these adorable insecure idiots take on Pride, and on Pride month of all months.
Well, sometimes even one's weaknesses can help in battle against sin. And it isn't really unfair, considering that Ben's insecurity made him fall to Envy. It doesn't mean that insecurity is a good thing, only that there is much more insecure people than saints which are totally immune to Pride.
And I agree that one's low self-esteem can, in certain situations, make them vulnerable before Pride... though I hope Sid and Ben wouldn't be the case.
I know! Let's set everyone free by breaking all the mirrors they are trapped behind!
Und if dot dozzent verk, ve at least gets to break zum mirrors, eh? Ho, boy!! (Apfelburg grabs ornate, highly-valuable antique chair, smashes it, brandishes chair leg) Ven do ve start, Cheneral?
Vell, ve gets rid ov de proud pipple vun vay or anodder und dot veakens de sin, ja, zo ve iz goot, ja? Und hy iz only Leutnant Kernel. Und hy see hyu iz AVOL, private!
Wait. doe that light on the ceiling have a flame that flickers down?
It's magic, I think fire-spirits don't care much. :)
Are there fire-spirits? I thought all the spirits were emotions.
What emotion do you summon to light a hallway? Rage? (Bad plan) Understanding? Frustration?
Well, Wrath left behind in Ben's office a "fire creature" that Ben wasn't able to desummon because there was no spirit, just "an effect". Maybe, those flames (and ones in street-lamps) are like that.
I wonder what color did the last word of Wolfe (with outline) get? Purple, grey?
I think maybe it's just fading out as his physical body fades into the mirror.
This is interesting - so it's not just pride in your appearance that traps you (although that's almost certainly what got Vee), but also being proud of yourself in other ways when there's a reflective surface nearby.
Also, it's kind of cute how Wolfe lapses into German in panel 2 when he can't come up with the word he wants.
"reflective surface nearby"
I still expect one needs to be looking AT the reflective surface. Wolfe just happened to be oriented toward a mirror, behind Sid, when the prideful moment occurred, and that's what got him.
That makes sense.
Where Wolfe?
In the glass behind Sid.
...I know. I was making a phonetic joke.
Ah. "Where's Wally?"
:)
I'm not a native English speaker, so didn't get the joke at once... 😊
No, no "Werewolf" as in, he turns into a wolf on a full moon.
Wolfe would make BEST where wolfe. ^_^ awooooooooooooooooo
I see, thanks :)
You know, I've seen that pun a bunch (in comments to Wilde Life) but never understood it before because I don't pronounce werewolf and where-wolf the same. I'm part of what's apparently a minority (in the US at least) who pronounce a bit of H before the W in most wh- words.
Well that's whhhhhat the H is there for, but I'm surprised the sounds are so clearly defined in your brain that you don't even make the connection.
As a kid I never understood that the title of the book "Which Witch?" was meant to be homonyms and not just a rhyme, either.
(In Old English, "what" was spelled "hwat", which is more how it's pronounced if the h is pronounced at all.)
Do your parents and/or the people who raised you pronounce the H?
Yup, and I asked my brother about it once when other people asked me, and he said he was surprised that anyone didn't pronounce the H, and he is not what you'd call a stickler for pronunciation. We never thought about it, we just did it. It is apparently less common than it once was.
That's so cool though, because it means your brain is literally wired to hear "wh" as a sound with a completely separate meaning from "w," as separate as "ah" and "d" are! It happened about the time you were six months old.
Yeah, different phonemes. I just checked Wikipedia, apparently the historical shift toward losing the distinction is called the "wine/whine merger", and it's pretty complete except for parts of northern England, Scotland, parts of Ireland, older generation New Zealanders, maybe parts of Canada, and about 17% of the US population. They also said the distinct wh- phoneme is actually a voiceless w. I don't always pronounce it differently (if I'm saying a quick, relaxed "Well waddaya know", for example) and I am not necessarily conscious of whether others pronounce them differently. Just as I've gotten used to the cot/caught merger where I live now, although i pronounce them differently.
Yes, this comment has been made ad nauseum in the Wilde Life comments... Personally, I pronounce "were-" to rhyme with "here"... this could just be because I'm a nerd who learned more words by reading them than by hearing them pronounced, of course...
Like weird wolf without the d? Or weir wolf (hangs out by the dam and scoops up fish)? I like it.
Werewolf? points There Wolfe! (Sorry..but I can't do Marty Feldman's crazy eyes.)
Good example:
[https://www.youtube.com/wat...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_G8mHdJ5UI "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_G8mHdJ5UI")
The best example!
A propos, Ben sees him there - he can't see behind the corner, but he looks just on that glass with horror.
It's funny....I though Ben was doing a face palm.
There wolf. There castle.
[http://imgur.com/gallery/XS5LK](http://imgur.com/gallery/XS5LK "http://imgur.com/gallery/XS5LK")
You take the one with the turban, and I'll take the blonde.
::Adjusts his glasses on his nose::
Actually, it was the other way around
[https://www.youtube.com/wat...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjaUqv5qFLc "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjaUqv5qFLc")
high five
I just love all the clever challenges you come up with for your stories!! All enjoyably mystical and thematically appropriate and with such interesting ways to highlight character! So much fun!
Whoops.
Called it. :)
Cough I have spent a number of playing/running Call of Cthulhu campaigns...
Plot twist: Verity isn't trapped in the mirror, she just went around the corner to find a toilet and didn't hear them calling
So now Sid and Ben will be reduced to insulting and deriding each other to ensure they get out without being trapped.
Oof. That little amount of pride in something is enough to get caught. This one will be tough, and not just because they're down to two people already.
Give me ten men like Sidney Malik and I could destroy the world! Actually, we might manage it with just the one.
thank mr.skeletal
Eh, second step of a prison break: Get one of your own guys on the inside. On to Step Three...
(Yes, Step One is usually "Plan the Prison Break"; but this bunch is so good at improvisation that I'm not gonna worry...too much...)
once again, low self esteem will save the day
Aw, poop. So even the glow of praise from a friend who's proud of you will cast you into the looking glass.
Ah...it's taking people who feel "superior". Vee commented on how the wizards were cowardly in her eyes and now Wolfe was saying that Vee is vain (thus implying that he is less vain). So, since Sidney feels pretty inferior here in the group, he should be alright. Ben also seems to have self-esteem issues, especially given the recent events involving Envy and Gluttony and Wrath, so that could work out well for him too.
But it wasn't even that much pride!