Merry Axemas Best. Seeing as you’ve broken your axe, I got you this.
It’s an enchanted golden needle. When you prick an enemy with it, they turn into a glowing, golden statue of you, instantly commemorating your victory for the ages.
And seeing as you’re such a tremendous prick already, I figured the combat method would come naturally to you.
For fuck’s sake Byron, you don’t have to answer the question of whether Best DESERVES a present. That moral quandary is a waste of time on a waste of flesh. He cares for no one, why should anyone care for him?
The question is: should YOU, the man he has wronged most, give him a (pointless) present?
Obvious answer: only if you want him and everyone to know you are a shameless omega male who tries to win the favor of the piece of shit who assaulted you TWICE, humiliated you, screamed murder at you, endangered the lives of your loved ones, and considers you to be almost nothing compared to him.
So no, you should not give the asshole who tried to kill you yesterday an axemas present, you flaccid bitch.
More accurately the kind of person Bryon has now decided to be: a little bitch who throws away dignity, pride and self respect to prostrate to a manchild aggressor in the vain, disgusting hope of appeasing him.
If Byron was an Omega person, he’d try to please the Alpha person, which is NOT Best.
Byron has dignity and self-respect that is quite independant from others.
Not giving a gift would be not respecting his self, which tries to see the good in everybody.
I’m fine with doing that but I will correct one thing.
The omega doesn’t merely appease the alpha (Syr or Frigg probably), they must yield to EVERYONE else in the group. That’s what it means to be the omega/runt.
It is more Alpha to give gifts to everyone when there is no expectation to do so. Byron is displaying a better character as well as dominance in the fact that He picked and provided to the group. He is showing leadership and command.
If Best expected a gift… yes then Byron would be the little bitch, but that is not the case here, and Byron is acting of his own character.
True and thank you for pointing that out. I assume that Best, being a narcissist, is going to expect the inferior Byron to give him something when he notices him giving gifts to the others. Which is exactly why he should give him nothing.
That’s not what the spirit of Axemas is all about. It’s not about interpersonal social power struggle, it’s about optimism and forgiveness in the face of adversity. It’s the reason Christmas and so many other holidays have been celebrated in the winter solstice, when it’s coldest, and afterwards which the days would become longer and warmer.
Your argument would make sense in any other occasion, but not this one. It’s the whole reason Byron was seeking presents to start with.
Kindness to those who have not shown you kindness is not always weakness: there are many factors at play there. Best may be famous in Arkerra as a whole, but in the social circle on the mountaintop he’s treated with contempt by nearly everyone AND has at last lost a great deal of his self-importance, whereas Byron was nearly universally respected and trusted even before he largely overcame his dangerous disability. In such a context, the “omega” label fits Best better than it fits Byron… and I think the Greek-letter system doesn’t always apply so well to human relationships, in any case.
No, he’s going to expect a present because social convention demands that when you give gifts in a group, you bring enough for the entire class. To do otherwise is extremely rude.
No, I just have a basic understanding of simple peer social hierarchy. “Omega” is a term that has existed long before that bullshit. See: wolf packs. Top dog is alpha, 2nd is beta, last is omega (usually the oldest).
(After centuries of teaching that concept of wolf packs, scientists finally realized there was something wrong with their sample set, studied actual wild wolf packs, and learned that that’s not how wild wolf packs work at all. They’re much smoother and less adversarial, because they’re families. It’s how zoo wolf packs work. i.e., groups of unrelated wolves forced to remain together in an area smaller than a wolf pack’s normal hunting territory, and unable to use wolves’ normal recourse when they don’t like other wolves, of simply avoiding each other.)
It’s ONE example. Alpha-Omega hierarchies apply to many NON-familial mammal groups. I know its different with family. But guess what? Byron and Best have no filial relation at all.
Byron gives Best a ‘Reward’ for repeatedly attacking and dominating him and it doesn’t matter if these two male mammals are humans, wolves, gorillas, zebras etc. He is telling Best via that action “I completely surrender and submit to you in exchange for whatever gentleness you are willing to give me”.
Your claims continue to have nothing to do with reality. Who’s going to think Byron is surrendering to Best or that Best’s mix of whining and violence has been “dominating” him–other than someone in this comment section using MRA-babble terms? Go on. Name one person in the comic. (It would probably be more effective if that person wasn’t Taro Iwatani or otherwise someone who it would be profoundly ridiculous for Byron to care about the opinion of.)
Did I say he would be telling anyone BESIDES Best that he is surrendering to him? No, I did not. Best himself would see it that way (even if he chose to act gracious), which is more than enough reason not to do it.
If you hold me in such poor regard, then I don’t understand why you are wasting your time reading my words or replying to me. I suggest you stop doing so for both our sakes. I’ll help by making this my final reply to you. Goodbye.
Thing your missing is that in wild wolf packs the omega is cared for. They stay with the pups and food is brought to them. And I think if Byron is trying to do anything it’s impress the Alpha Female Syr’Nj. Though more it’s he is one of the co leaders and he thusly is responsible for including every member of the group even a pain in the backside like Best. In this way the gift is more of a show of dominance than a submission. Much like a lord giving a warrior a weapon for him to carry in service of his lord. There is also a small bit of “look see everyone I’m the better man” to it as well.
Um ok, honestly that is way too vague to be able to discern if it is an insult let alone how severe it is.
So I’ll just say: please pardon whatever level of offense my words gave you, it was not intended
Yeah, what a wimp, trying to save that guy. Heroes never act selflessly, and certainly don’t ever try to forgive anyone.
Even overlooking the obvious fact that the peacemakers have all embodies the hero-adventurer element despite their failings, you’re also ignoring the nuance of on character who spent most of his life as a victim of a base nature he could not master alone attempting to drag another person who’s a victim of his base nature back from the ledge. Byron was out of control for the long time. Best has been out of control for a long time. We also know that Best and WAV are the same person, so clearly a duality of natures exists in him.
Simply put, Byron has been there and done that. He knows Best is a rampant fuckup. EVERYONE knows Best is a rampant fuckup, but BYRON is not a rampant fuckup, specifically because others took their chances with him.
Danzin, you’re cruising for a Banzin simply because this sort of alpha/beta/omega horseshit you want to apply to people to assign power structures that are not only wholly unecessary but make you sound like an actual sociopath disgusts me completely.
Don’t ever bring this shit on my comments section ever again. And don’t cry censorship: I own this webpage, I don’t care who says what when where or why, if I don’t like it, it goes.
And this is why Syr’nj loves Byron. This is why his comrades are mostly loyal to him. This is why I like him. He may be afflicted with bad, but he always chooses good.
Yep. The act of giving a gift to someone covers a great deal of emotional ground, from a sign of sincere affection (typically family or close friends), to forgiveness, and all the way down to petty rivalry via veiled or outright insult. What you choose to give another person often reflects as much on your character as it does on theirs in how they receive it.
The old adage that you should give something that you yourself would want holds a certain credibility. Sure, there are plenty of instances where you give them something they’ve put on a ‘wishlist’ that doesn’t interest you, but often the gifts that are best received are those they did not realize they wanted. That’s one of things that makes gift-giving fun, especially with children. :)
Yes but then there is also the aspect of if I was into this fandom / hobby /activity / craft I would want this. I don’t play some of the video games my nephew dose but when I was picking a tee shirt based on his video game preferences I chose one that I thought was cool.
Best totally deserves a gift… It shows that no matter how trash Best behaves towards him, Byron will not turn into a cruel selfish prick. He will always have a place in his heart for everyone who matters in his life. Just sometimes it is hard to see through the ‘zerk.
I don’t know man, a realistic warhammer might be too much of a finesse item for Frigg.
Then again, if it can break through a box block…
Hammer – she could drive her own nails if ya knowhatimean.
Stop. HAMMERTIME.
Crap. Deciding on gifts is tough.
Just gonna give ’em all “Quests R Us” gift cards.
The Pick of Destiny?
Merry Axemas Best. Seeing as you’ve broken your axe, I got you this.
It’s an enchanted golden needle. When you prick an enemy with it, they turn into a glowing, golden statue of you, instantly commemorating your victory for the ages.
And seeing as you’re such a tremendous prick already, I figured the combat method would come naturally to you.
Nice.
+1 :D
Weeelll at least Byron got one Point definitly right.
Bests whole existence is a crime.
A golden instrument?
A box of tissues.
For fuck’s sake Byron, you don’t have to answer the question of whether Best DESERVES a present. That moral quandary is a waste of time on a waste of flesh. He cares for no one, why should anyone care for him?
The question is: should YOU, the man he has wronged most, give him a (pointless) present?
Obvious answer: only if you want him and everyone to know you are a shameless omega male who tries to win the favor of the piece of shit who assaulted you TWICE, humiliated you, screamed murder at you, endangered the lives of your loved ones, and considers you to be almost nothing compared to him.
So no, you should not give the asshole who tried to kill you yesterday an axemas present, you flaccid bitch.
Answer: yes. Because this isn’t about what kind of person Best is, but about what kind of person Byron is.
More accurately the kind of person Bryon has now decided to be: a little bitch who throws away dignity, pride and self respect to prostrate to a manchild aggressor in the vain, disgusting hope of appeasing him.
If Byron was an Omega person, he’d try to please the Alpha person, which is NOT Best.
Byron has dignity and self-respect that is quite independant from others.
Not giving a gift would be not respecting his self, which tries to see the good in everybody.
So let’s agree to disagree on this.
I’m fine with doing that but I will correct one thing.
The omega doesn’t merely appease the alpha (Syr or Frigg probably), they must yield to EVERYONE else in the group. That’s what it means to be the omega/runt.
It is more Alpha to give gifts to everyone when there is no expectation to do so. Byron is displaying a better character as well as dominance in the fact that He picked and provided to the group. He is showing leadership and command.
If Best expected a gift… yes then Byron would be the little bitch, but that is not the case here, and Byron is acting of his own character.
True and thank you for pointing that out. I assume that Best, being a narcissist, is going to expect the inferior Byron to give him something when he notices him giving gifts to the others. Which is exactly why he should give him nothing.
That’s not what the spirit of Axemas is all about. It’s not about interpersonal social power struggle, it’s about optimism and forgiveness in the face of adversity. It’s the reason Christmas and so many other holidays have been celebrated in the winter solstice, when it’s coldest, and afterwards which the days would become longer and warmer.
Your argument would make sense in any other occasion, but not this one. It’s the whole reason Byron was seeking presents to start with.
In Celtic tribes the most respected leaders were those who gave gifts.
Kindness to those who have not shown you kindness is not always weakness: there are many factors at play there. Best may be famous in Arkerra as a whole, but in the social circle on the mountaintop he’s treated with contempt by nearly everyone AND has at last lost a great deal of his self-importance, whereas Byron was nearly universally respected and trusted even before he largely overcame his dangerous disability. In such a context, the “omega” label fits Best better than it fits Byron… and I think the Greek-letter system doesn’t always apply so well to human relationships, in any case.
No, he’s going to expect a present because social convention demands that when you give gifts in a group, you bring enough for the entire class. To do otherwise is extremely rude.
Why not pick a gift and claim it was originally for WAV? I think we can all agree that we’d get WAV something for Axemas.
“Omega male”? Hm. Would you happen to be one of those MRAs and/or MGTOWs, Danzin?
No, I just have a basic understanding of simple peer social hierarchy. “Omega” is a term that has existed long before that bullshit. See: wolf packs. Top dog is alpha, 2nd is beta, last is omega (usually the oldest).
More telling than you realize.
(After centuries of teaching that concept of wolf packs, scientists finally realized there was something wrong with their sample set, studied actual wild wolf packs, and learned that that’s not how wild wolf packs work at all. They’re much smoother and less adversarial, because they’re families. It’s how zoo wolf packs work. i.e., groups of unrelated wolves forced to remain together in an area smaller than a wolf pack’s normal hunting territory, and unable to use wolves’ normal recourse when they don’t like other wolves, of simply avoiding each other.)
It’s ONE example. Alpha-Omega hierarchies apply to many NON-familial mammal groups. I know its different with family. But guess what? Byron and Best have no filial relation at all.
Byron gives Best a ‘Reward’ for repeatedly attacking and dominating him and it doesn’t matter if these two male mammals are humans, wolves, gorillas, zebras etc. He is telling Best via that action “I completely surrender and submit to you in exchange for whatever gentleness you are willing to give me”.
Hopefully the gift is the tombstone that will eventually mark his lonely grave.
Your claims continue to have nothing to do with reality. Who’s going to think Byron is surrendering to Best or that Best’s mix of whining and violence has been “dominating” him–other than someone in this comment section using MRA-babble terms? Go on. Name one person in the comic. (It would probably be more effective if that person wasn’t Taro Iwatani or otherwise someone who it would be profoundly ridiculous for Byron to care about the opinion of.)
Did I say he would be telling anyone BESIDES Best that he is surrendering to him? No, I did not. Best himself would see it that way (even if he chose to act gracious), which is more than enough reason not to do it.
If you hold me in such poor regard, then I don’t understand why you are wasting your time reading my words or replying to me. I suggest you stop doing so for both our sakes. I’ll help by making this my final reply to you. Goodbye.
Yeah, you did. It’s right there.
Much appreciated work, Beroli!
Thing your missing is that in wild wolf packs the omega is cared for. They stay with the pups and food is brought to them. And I think if Byron is trying to do anything it’s impress the Alpha Female Syr’Nj. Though more it’s he is one of the co leaders and he thusly is responsible for including every member of the group even a pain in the backside like Best. In this way the gift is more of a show of dominance than a submission. Much like a lord giving a warrior a weapon for him to carry in service of his lord. There is also a small bit of “look see everyone I’m the better man” to it as well.
Wow. You’re really something. Yes indeed.
Um ok, honestly that is way too vague to be able to discern if it is an insult let alone how severe it is.
So I’ll just say: please pardon whatever level of offense my words gave you, it was not intended
Yeah, what a wimp, trying to save that guy. Heroes never act selflessly, and certainly don’t ever try to forgive anyone.
Even overlooking the obvious fact that the peacemakers have all embodies the hero-adventurer element despite their failings, you’re also ignoring the nuance of on character who spent most of his life as a victim of a base nature he could not master alone attempting to drag another person who’s a victim of his base nature back from the ledge. Byron was out of control for the long time. Best has been out of control for a long time. We also know that Best and WAV are the same person, so clearly a duality of natures exists in him.
Simply put, Byron has been there and done that. He knows Best is a rampant fuckup. EVERYONE knows Best is a rampant fuckup, but BYRON is not a rampant fuckup, specifically because others took their chances with him.
Tl;dr: Best is an asshole but Byron isn’t.
You sound like Best.
Danzin, you’re cruising for a Banzin simply because this sort of alpha/beta/omega horseshit you want to apply to people to assign power structures that are not only wholly unecessary but make you sound like an actual sociopath disgusts me completely.
Don’t ever bring this shit on my comments section ever again. And don’t cry censorship: I own this webpage, I don’t care who says what when where or why, if I don’t like it, it goes.
Thank you, Phil.
Seriously.
Thank. You.
*mwah*
Plants a pretty solid kiss on Phil’s cheek.
*non-metaphorical* kiss, in case my current avatar suggests otherwise!
So you say so it shall be.
I don’t know what it is but glowing like that it must be the Best thing down there.
Calling it now: Axe-Guitar
to replace Bests old one.
I thought he still had that? It’s entirely possible that I’m wrong, though.
Magic Mirror.
And this is why Syr’nj loves Byron. This is why his comrades are mostly loyal to him. This is why I like him. He may be afflicted with bad, but he always chooses good.
Yep. The act of giving a gift to someone covers a great deal of emotional ground, from a sign of sincere affection (typically family or close friends), to forgiveness, and all the way down to petty rivalry via veiled or outright insult. What you choose to give another person often reflects as much on your character as it does on theirs in how they receive it.
The old adage that you should give something that you yourself would want holds a certain credibility. Sure, there are plenty of instances where you give them something they’ve put on a ‘wishlist’ that doesn’t interest you, but often the gifts that are best received are those they did not realize they wanted. That’s one of things that makes gift-giving fun, especially with children. :)
Yes but then there is also the aspect of if I was into this fandom / hobby /activity / craft I would want this. I don’t play some of the video games my nephew dose but when I was picking a tee shirt based on his video game preferences I chose one that I thought was cool.
We happy?
What does Payet Best look like!?
W-w-what?
Does he look like a bitch!?
Why, yes. Yes he does.
Bonus fact: They actually do speak Arkerran in What.
Sometimes I feel like the only person who really likes Best.
Best isn’t bad. He’s just drawn that way.
Best totally deserves a gift… It shows that no matter how trash Best behaves towards him, Byron will not turn into a cruel selfish prick. He will always have a place in his heart for everyone who matters in his life. Just sometimes it is hard to see through the ‘zerk.
when did gravedust lose the ability to talk to ghosts? When he rezzed byron?
That was my understanding–it was the sacrifice he had to make, since he violated the tenets of their order.
Not that anyone else is still around (unless his niece moves to his order.)
“…A lifetime supply of ice cream.”
“What flavor is it?”
“Boot to the head.” *THUNK*
It’s weird no one has pointed out that the warhammer is returning in panel six.
It’s either enchanted or made of a VERY springy metal.
Oh wait, wrist strap.
That alt text. Perfection.
Seeing a lot of catfolk relics sitting around there…