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Too much cake-mix

May got too excited with Pintsize

May had a nasty meet-up with Yelling Bird

SOMEONE had to clean up Dale's bed!

The obligatory reference to synthetic ham

MAY IS MELTING FROM ALL THE SQUEE

May found Marigolds stache of sexy dude pictures

butts

[Loki]

It would help the strip break new frontiers to have a well-rounded android character in a loving relationship with a human.

You know what you've done, right? Now everyone's going to link to this strip.

You know you've been here for too long when you don't even need to click the link.

[Carl-E]

Link?  What link?  I can see the damn comic right through the tubes!!

[MegaBarrakuda]

I think in early comics Jeph set up more Faye&Marten-relationship than Claire&Marten-relationship today. I don't like this C&M-relationship very much. (althought they seem like a cute couple) But in the end it doesn't matter to me that much because this is fiction and Marten deserves to be finally happy.

[Skewbrow]

Where is May working now?

I was wondering about this, too. Here's a thought. IMHO May really should work at ... the Coffee of Doom.

• Faye might appreciate. The old Dora vs Faye sass-a-thon has lost its edge as of late. A new sparring partner would liven up things.
• Dora might not appreciate. After the customers complain about ... whatever ... in a latte.
• Except after May's antics have earned CoD another positive write up in a local paper and she needs to expand to accomodate for the crowd.
• And it would be interesting to see `Hannelore meets May'.

[Aziraphale]

I think in early comics Jeph set up more Faye&Marten-relationship than Claire&Marten-relationship today. I don't like this C&M-relationship very much. (althought they seem like a cute couple) But in the end it doesn't matter to me that much because this is fiction and Marten deserves to be finally happy.

That's a bit different, though, for a few reasons: the comic only had a small handful of main characters early on; the relationship between Marten and Faye pretty much had to be portrayed differently because in the beginning, you didn't have sixteen characters (to pick a plausible number out of thin air) vying for screen time, and not quite the same tangle of storylines. Marten is the story's ostensible protagonist, but Faye and Dora are the only other characters that can plausibly said to provide any kind of through-line from those early days 'til now (I'm not counting Pintsize for the simple fact that he's there more for comic relief than actual plot development). The Claire/Marten relationship is just as organic, and has been given a fair amount of time to grow and evolve, but the fact that it's one relationship in what's now a much more tangled web of relationships (and because of the choppiness that goes with trying to juggle that many narrative threads), it might come off as being more abrupt than it actually has been.

[KOK]

Where is May working now?

The convenience store where Dale used to work.


Fixed - B

[bryntheskits]

Where is May working now?

The convinience store where Dale used to work.

I think that's a couple more http's than you really need.

[Barmymoo]

Heh. You can never have too many, right?

[pwhodges]

Putting quotes round the URL in a tag has that effect in this forum software.

[swapna]

I must admit.. I'm kind of glad that we're back to May. She's not the nicest character (no, actually, she is one of the most rude and obnoxious ones), but I like how she makes an effort. She really works on her bad traits and while it's not easy, she's getting better.

Also, not a big fan of Claire. The sibling-similarities to Clinton are just too.. damn... great...

[Thrillho]

The suggestion that a socially awkward person, when drunk, will not make moves/be smooth is preposterous. Alcohol brings that out of a lot of people.

Marten is hardly a teetotaler though.  He was drunk all the time around Faye back in the day.  He was incredibly drunk when he first met Hanners, and arguably tried to hit on her that first night.  He was also pretty clumsy in his attempts on that woman on the Space Station and Deidre, despite alcohol being involved in both cases.  If Marten had effective liquid courage in the past, we would have seen it. 

There are also other circumstances here. Marten can have emotionally progressed in numerous ways, especially since the intense relationship with Dora. Claire is one of the few people Marten knows who is less dominant than him, and while Marten is frequently a doormat, perhaps he has found his inner confidence being around someone who lacks confidence just as much as he does. Or perhaps Claire is someone who, rather than just being perhaps an IDEALISED type of attraction to him, like Faye and perhaps even Dora, is someone who is more of a good fit for him as a relationship, and that brings out the confidence in him.

[hedgie]

It would help the strip break new frontiers to have a well-rounded android character in a loving relationship with a human.

You know what you've done, right? Now everyone's going to link to this strip.

Wouldn't May || Momo be gynoids rather than androids, though?

Edit:  If I were Momo right now, I'd politely May that she could use the shower when I was done with it, because eww.

[anahata]

Or perhaps Claire is someone who ... is more of a good fit for him as a relationship, and that brings out the confidence in him.

If Marten is noticeably more confident than before (which I'm not entirely certain about, because right from the start he could be quite quick-witted sometimes) - that explanation works for me.

[Masterpiece]

What's the aftermath?

Cuddle Couple- 23 (17.6%)
Marten makes mistakes- 4 (3.1%)
Claire makes mistakes- 0 (0%)
Mistakes for everyone!- 22 (16.8%)
Marten chickens out- 3 (2.3%)
Claire chickens out- 20 (15.3%)
They both decide to get chicken wings- 10 (7.6%)
Marten and Claire become MC Bookworm- 5 (3.8%)
Puncity!- 0 (0%)
Steve decides that sandwiches are much better than cereal- 8 (6.1%)
Pizza Girl makes a triumphant return (and denies being Penelope)- 5 (3.8%)
Butts- 5 (3.8%)
Spathe Ham- 0 (0%)
Alpocalypse- 4 (3.1%)
SQUEETASTIC!- 22 (16.8%)

[bhtooefr]

Sure, but she hasn't rejected the idea of a robot girlfriend, has she? 

Considering that Hanners has said that she's "straight, in theory" (and the "in theory" part being tending towards asexuality, not bisexuality)...

And, considering that Pintsize and Marigold give her porn of guys...

[Masterpiece]

New poll!

[bhtooefr]

It didn't work, I think you have to originally make the poll with an expiration date to get that to work?

(It's not votable if you have already voted.)

[pwhodges]

There is no restriction that I can see preventing the originator of a topic from deleting the poll and adding another.

[Mr. Doctor]

Damn I dont remember where May is working... Did we ever see her get a job? I'm 100% sure we did but I can't remember which one and what job she got.

[KOK]

Vide supra

[ankhtahr]

Dale talked to the owner of the convenience store where he worked and got May a job working the nights.

[Technetium]

this morning forum be like

no go back

we don't care about these two

[KOK]

Quite so. We are all waiting anxiously to hear the result of Angus' audition.

[GarandMarine]

I would have been happier to this comic before The Cute Singularity last week. Now it feels hollow and dry.

[Miaboop]

We want results! Either from angus or the squee-patrol

So is this the next day? Have time passed between the almost-kiss and this? Is this the middle of the night?
I assume so, since i expect there to be drama going on with claire and marten that we should see the next morning. So I'm guessing this is between the almost-kiss and the morning after.

[KOK]

May works at night. This is most likely early morning after her shift. Or she may have had to leave her work during working hours to take a shower. On one hand she does not look like she would need to do that. On the other her remark about this place being closer makes more sense that way.

Edit: Either way she must not to change clothes, unless she expects to borrow from Momo.

[techkid]

Chances are good that this happened during Claire's dressing montage: Part 2.

[RyanW1019]

Where is May working now?

I was wondering about this, too. Here's a thought. IMHO May really should work at ... the Coffee of Doom.

<snip>

• And it would be interesting to see `Hannelore meets May'.

We already saw that (sort of) happen, starting with this strip: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2759

[eschaton]

Hm, off-topic, but I've been binging on the archives again, and do these imply a Charlie Stross expy is one of Marten's "uncles"?

Jeph is a science-fiction (as opposed to just a sci-fi) fan.  I mean, he put steveral Stephen Baxter jokes in the series early on.  So I wouldn't put this past him. 

Awful lot of people here don't seem to want to admit someone might grow as a person or become more comfortable around certain other persons. Are you this unforgiving with the actual people in your lives?

I'm unforgiving of bad characterization.  Jeph is usually very good at having characters develop.  It's been nice seeing Faye not be as damaged as she was in the early strips.  Hanners and Marigold have both slowly morphed into functional human beings.  And Steve has slowly morphed from a relatively nondescript guy, into a bro who is inexplicably friends with Marten...wait, that hasn't been a good transition.   

Seriously though, there's plenty of ways I think a hookup between Claire and Marten would have been fine.  Honestly I wouldn't have had an issue with the wedding arc ending with them making out, because there was a realistic build up to the moment.  We all presumed it was going to happen once Claire decided to go, and the Jeph faked us out with the last panel.  Or if after the wedding Marten talked things out with Steve, Faye, Tai, and maybe Hanners, before deciding to make an awkward move.  But the last year or so of the comic did not have any real feel of a build towards Marten/Claire, what with the one-night-stand arc and Emily's crush on Marten.  It honestly feels as if Jeph decided to suddenly change course here within the last month or so - and did so in a way that resulted in Marten not acting in a believable manner for his character.  And IMHO it's not up to his normal standards. 

I honestly agree with an above poster who said this seems like fan service.  Although provided Marten handles the next morning in more typical fashion (e.g., immediately apologizes to Claire for anything untoward - despite not doing anything untoward - then freaking out and hashing it out with the whole gang) I'll be willing to let it slide.  I just don't want Marten Reed to suddenly become Marty Stu. 

[jwhouk]

• And it would be interesting to see `Hannelore meets May'.

Uh... you forgetting something?

[Skewbrow]

Apparently. Well, I haven't read the last 800 or so strips nearly as many times as the earlier ones.

[jwhouk]

Oops. Poll was destroyed.

[KOK]

• And it would be interesting to see `Hannelore meets May'.

Uh... you forgetting something?

May meets Winslow. Or Samantha.

[marbledmurrelet]

Seriously though, there's plenty of ways I think a hookup between Claire and Marten would have been fine.  Honestly I wouldn't have had an issue with the wedding arc ending with them making out, because there was a realistic build up to the moment.  We all presumed it was going to happen once Claire decided to go, and the Jeph faked us out with the last panel.  Or if after the wedding Martin talked things out with Steve, Faye, Tai, and maybe Hanners, before deciding to make an awkward move.  But the last year or so of the comic did not have any real feel of a build towards Marten/Claire, what with the one-night-stand arc and Emily's crush on Marten.  It honestly feels as if Jeph decided to suddenly change course here within the last month or so - and did so in a way that resulted in Marten not acting in a believable manner for his character.  And IMHO it's not up to his normal standards. 

Around the wedding arc, I thought Claire wouldn't have been ready. And from my own experience - I've had situations where the time wasn't right, where things didn't seem to be going anywhere, life went on, I got crushes on other people, maybe even relationships, and then at some later point that derailed flirt/whatever got revisited and developed further. I don't think this is too uncommon, either.

[Aimless]

This is not OOC. This is how people are. Sometimes they do things on their own without making it everyone else's business, even if that's supposed to be their MO. They change on their own, they have their own private thoughts and feelings, they sometimes take unexpected leaps etc etc. I have seen it in my own life and among my friends in a long string of "huh? when did that happen?"-events, and for me this feels like a natural and believable development that was teased back at the wedding. It's been there a while and now they're both aware of it. People change. I hope Jeph doesn't just stomp on it by forcing Marten to take a dozen steps back, but, even if he were to do that, I have no doubt this is how Marten will eventually find twue wuv.

[Aimless]

I'll tell you this: when I met the future-missus-baldy, I kept mum. There wasn't much in the way of discussions, advice-seeking, thinking-out-loud, "what does this mean?", etc etc. It felt right and I felt safe and confident, and it just stayed between us until we were ready to come clean and smear globs of cute over everyone.

[Orkboy]

This is May's first chassis that we've seen. Prior to this she was on a hard drive in Robot Jail. It was Momo who had the chibi body, which she was eager to get out of.

New as in "she didn't have it before." 

[Thedrd0nna]

I wonder if the fact that Marten hasn't hashed this out with anyone is a sign that, for once, he knows exactly what he wants to do? Maybe it's not so much confidence as him being able to see how things have been going up to this point, and not feeling a need to analyze because he doesn't see any need to change their direction?

[swapna]

I wonder if the fact that Marten hasn't hashed this out with anyone is a sign that, for once, he knows exactly what he wants to do? Maybe it's not so much confidence as him being able to see how things have been going up to this point, and not feeling a need to analyze because he doesn't see any need to change their direction?

I'm not sure. I interpreted his actions more like alcohol-helped flirting, after the scene suddenly became intimate when Faye left. He said 'You're ALL my favorites' as in, favourite interns, which doesn't sound like flirting at all. He asked why Faye was leaving so soon. He only started doing 'flirty' things as soon as he saw Claire's reaction to him massaging her head, so he just went with the flow.

[Thedrd0nna]

I wonder if the fact that Marten hasn't hashed this out with anyone is a sign that, for once, he knows exactly what he wants to do? Maybe it's not so much confidence as him being able to see how things have been going up to this point, and not feeling a need to analyze because he doesn't see any need to change their direction?

I'm not sure. I interpreted his actions more like alcohol-helped flirting, after the scene suddenly became intimate when Faye left. He said 'You're ALL my favorites' as in, favourite interns, which doesn't sound like flirting at all. He asked why Faye was leaving so soon. He only started doing 'flirty' things as soon as he saw Claire's reaction to him massaging her head, so he just went with the flow.

Oh, I'm absolutely certain the alcohol has been helping him out on this (/last?) evening. I'm more of trying to explain why he didn't talk about crushes and interns and all that like he did with Emily. I mean, even as far back as the wedding arc, he didn't focus on her snuggling with him nearly as much as that peck on the cheek from Emily, so it seems like he's just bein' a super chill dude and letting their paths cross naturally. Being the Mr. Nutt to her Agnes, to make a moderately obscure reference.

[KOK]

I am a bit worried that May may have lost her job. Otherwise she would have at least washed her hands before leaving. Even a convenience store must have facilities for that.

[cesium133]

Or she deliberately kept her hands unwashed just so she could do that to Momo.

[MooskiNet]

Or she deliberately kept her hands unwashed just so she could do that to Momo.

Yeah, given that she mooned Faye by way of saying hello back when she was in virtual mode, I'd have to say this is a strong possibility.

[swapna]

[cut stuff because it's long]
 I mean, even as far back as the wedding arc, he didn't focus on her snuggling with him nearly as much as that peck on the cheek from Emily, so it seems like he's just bein' a super chill dude and letting their paths cross naturally. Being the Mr. Nutt to her Agnes, to make a moderately obscure reference.

I did not get that reference, then I googled it. I have to get on with my Discworld reading, thanks for reminding me 

Well he talked it over with Faye AND Dora

Or she deliberately kept her hands unwashed just so she could do that to Momo.

Yeah, given that she mooned Faye by way of saying hello back when she was in virtual mode, I'd have to say this is a strong possibility.

I LOVE MAY

[Thedrd0nna]

Well he talked it over with Faye AND Dora

I mean, with Emily he started with the whole "what." routine, then talked it over with Tai, Hanners, Pintsize, and Faye-with the inclusion of Crisis Wine, although I'm tempted to think that's mostly for Faye. It just seems like a much greater response to a much smaller thing-a peck on the cheek versus nighttime snuggles (right after a wedding).

[swapna]

Yeah, you're right Thedrd0nna (had to re-read it), but he talked it over with Claire herself pretty soon (well, after Clinton started it)

[Smallest]

If robosexual marriage becomes legal, imagine horrible things that will happen to our children.

Seriously though, I'd like it if May actually had some romantic developments with a human eventually.  It would help the strip break new frontiers to have a well-rounded android character in a loving relationship with a human.

I don't have the same reflexive dislike for May that a lot of people on here seem to have for her. With that said, if there's going to be a human/AI pairing, I get the feeling it's far likelier to involve Momo than May.

I actually think May is more likely than Momo, mainly for casting reasons, especially in regards to who would be first if it happened more than once.

Momo is already integrated into the cast as a sort of 'little sister' character for Hanners, Marigold, Marten, and maybe others. She also already knows everyone and so far hasn't shown romantic attraction to any of them (except for briefly Sven, back in her old chassis). Also, I think it would require a new chassis upgrade before she did, because Momo looks young (confirmed by Samantha) and even if it was nonsexual I don't think Jeph would draw that (unless maybe if she had a cute relationship with a middle schooler or something, but I think she's mentally too old for that. An arc where one had a crush on her could be cute though). If she were to get in a relationship, it would probably be with an 'outsider' unless it's after a few comic years for her relationship with the rest of the main cast to change.

On the other hand, no one has commented on May looking too young (maybe because she is more robotic looking, but I don't think she looks as childish), and May hasn't yet gotten a place in regards to the other characters- not meaning Jeph giving her a type, but because they haven't met her for the most part and haven't shuffled her into whatever place in their group. Hopefully her 'place' won't be just 'on [?]'s arm,' but she has more of a chance to not be the 'kid.'

Plus, this is completely in my head, but I think she'd be more willing to do a casual relationship than Momo, which means she wouldn't need forever prior to it to adjust and flirt with the person.

[CaptainFish]

fluffy fluffy fluffy

All hail our fluffy haired queen

God save the fluff-queen, leader of the pun-train

PUNS FOR THE PUN GOD
FLUFF FOR THE FLUFF THRONE

Warhammer reference.
Just as planned.

My Claire-esy knows no bounds. 

[cesium133]

Why can we foresee Claire ships?

Because of the Claire buoyancy. 

[NilsO]

Where is May working now?

The convenience store where Dale used to work.

I have the feeling May may have performed some illegal experiment. Perhaps making explosives for the missile she is planning to build. Or it could just be an innocent mishap, and Momo's apartment was nearby.

Anyhow, did she shake Momo's hand just to make her angry? And is May waterproof? Remember, Clinton could not take a swim because his artificial hand did not have the recommended synthetic covering. May's skin seems similar to Clinton's hand.