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That boy Sam told Momo that she kissed on a dare

4 (19%)

A guy she met at Little Wilderness Adventurers (he's into snakes too)

1 (4.8%)

Sam's BFF who we just haven't seen before

0 (0%)

A fan of Sam's sprays and/or Let's Plays who wanted to meet his artistic idol

3 (14.3%)

A random kid Sam met on the street and decided is her BFF

3 (14.3%)

A relative of a regular cast member who we haven't met before

1 (4.8%)

A transfer student to her school; she's over-interpreting the instruction to 'show him around'

6 (28.6%)

Other (please specify in comments)

3 (14.3%)

Total Members Voted: 20

[BenRG]

I'm trying to figure out what happened in panel 4 of today's strip. The way I see it, it was either:

• Emmett reacting to the idea of robotic butts clenching;
• Faye just nudged them and hard to remind them to get 'in character' with Sam;
• They're so deeply infatuated with Sam that their mouth and tongue just went offline in a big way just because she's in the same room.

[Gyrre]

It’s not a hoodie, but Bubs can borrow my bathrobe, I ordered the biggest one I could find online, turns out it’s gigantic, makes a 6’1” man look like a Jawa.

But does it fit in the shoulders? That's usually where I have the most trouble (5'5" with a 17.5"  shoulder span).

Oh, it’s waaay too big, my shoulders are 22”, and the shoulders on this terrycloth circus tent are 31”!

Holly!

That'd be an interesting change for me. Normally, stuff is too long and the shoulders are just wide enough.

[snubnose]

I am so confused now.

How does the dude know that 14 is horrible ?

He has no comparison ... ?

By the way, I really had a great time at 14.

[Wombat]

I am so confused now.

How does the dude know that 14 is horrible ?

He has no comparison ... ?

By the way, I really had a great time at 14.

Sorry, what? What dude? Do you mean Emmett? Because I would assume most 14 year olds have been not-14 in their lives.

[Ghanima Atreides]

I am so confused now.

How does the dude know that 14 is horrible ?

He has no comparison ... ?

By the way, I really had a great time at 14.

Emmett is non-binary, so not a dude.

Also, shy, socially-awkward 14 year olds do not have a great time. I know from experience. That age was the WORST.

[pwhodges]

Emmett is non-binary, so not a dude.

Well, we don't actually know that...  Sam's use of "they" is not necessarily definitive.

And anyway, these days women use "dude" too, in my experience.

[oddtail]

Emmett is non-binary, so not a dude.

Well, we don't actually know that...  Sam's use of "they" is not necessarily definitive.

And anyway, these days women use "dude" too, in my experience.

Some women use dude, true.

It's just... a fraught thing. It's good to make sure in advance a woman being addressed with "dude" considers it a gender-neutral term. Especially non-cis femme-leaning people of all kinds.
[/PSA]

I, for one, would not like to be referred to as "dude", and I know I'm far from alone in this.

[Ghanima Atreides]

I had assumed that Sam's pronouns choice when referring to Emmett is the confirmation that they use they/them pronouns, since Sam would know their preferences by now.

[ankhtahr]

Also, at least to me, it feels like there's a difference between being addressed as "dude" and being described as "dude".

I wouldn't mind if a friend of mine told me "Dude, look over there!" if they wanted to show me something. It would feel very different if a friend whom I told about being non-binary and being not a man™ described me to somebody else as "the dude over there".

Also I'd like to note that pronouns are not gender, so while most people who prefer they/them are non-binary (and that includes genders underneath the non-binary umbrella), not all of them are. So while I take Sam's usage as a fairly sure sign of Emmett preferring these pronouns, we can't be sure about their gender identity unless they or Jeph tell us about it

And the way I know this comic it might be a while until that happens, if at all, because this comic seems to make a point about normalising self identification and not making a big deal out of it, which I really appreciate.

[snubnose]

Yes I was assuming that was a boy. Apparently I was wrong.

[BenRG]

FWIW, I noticed that Jeph gave Emmett eye-corner 'wings' today in panel 3, so they may be an early/pre-transition F2M transmale.

[ankhtahr]

I would very much like if we could stop all the speculation about Emmett's gender until we get some actual information given by them or Jeph. All we know is that they're called Emmett, are very shy, Sam uses "they/them" for them, and they seem to have a crush on Sam. I feel like that's more than enough to talk about without having to speculate about very personal aspects of this character we don't know anything about.

[Perfectly Reasonable]

I'm with ankhtahr on this. Of course we have to speculate wildly about -something- or the forum would be very boring.

Pronouns are an optional extra. It's possible to speak politely and grammatically without using them at all. But they can signal disrespect for gender choices. Or be perceived as such.

How do the muscles join up when that robutt is installed? Is there a special glue or something?

[Is it cold in here?]

I was trying to figure out how to say that, with just the right balance between our being here to speculate and overanalyze and the sensitivities of our gender-nonstandard members, and without coming across as criticism.

Even if we find out Emmett is something other than cis, it usually won't be relevant to discussion.

[Near Lurker]

I feel like Faye should encourage Emmett to ask Sam out, or at least to talk out their feelings about her.  I mean, [insert C.S. Lewis quote here], but it seems clear from their subsequent conversation with Faye that they're into her.  Even if Sam's not into enbies, it would be best to get everything on the table.

[dutchrvl]

Hm, yeah possibly a crush, or just a general very-much-looking-up-to her, either would work.

[_Islanio]

I'm still wondering about that mechanical butt showed in there. It looks like it's a display only piece, since it's like just a section cut.

[TV4Fun]

I'd be very worried about stuff getting in that butt just leaving it sitting out like that, for example dust or metal shavings or Emmett's saliva, none of which are probably good for that complex electromechanical system. Shouldn't Faye at least keep it covered?

[Is it cold in here?]

CYA?

[Near Lurker]

What do you mean CYA?  That Emmett is subject to the same rules as Sam?

[Pilchard123]

"CYA" means "cover your ass" - to make sure that whatever happens, you have evidence that a bad thing is not your fault. If your boss orally tells do something you know to be a bad idea, you might emails them "per our conversation earlier, you want me to do <bad idea> despite it being a terrible plan, please confirm". When they email back saying "yes, do <bad idea>" you have evidence that they told you to do it and it's their fault.

Or, in this case, literally covering the ass on the workbench to stop dirt getting in the workings.

[Perfectly Reasonable]

'Display only piece' makes sense. It's also a demonstration piece since it has cheeks that can clench. Probably other amusing features as well.