Of course, that was expected. It would be too easy. In order for the portal to open, some additional conditions must be met, which coincidentally happened nine years ago. Now Scarled must discover which ones.
Called it, the door won’t open. Would’ve been too easy. Now what? Scarlet wanted access to the basement and she got it, but the result was not what she wanted. Will she be able to handle the consequences?
I doubt she will be able to access this basement again if she leaves. Grondar isn’t likely to provide her such concessions twice. And if she goes back, she’s gonna hafta face the music for having destroyed a high-ranking official’s career for nothing. But if there’s nothing to it beyond a strange stone in the wall, it’s unlikely they’ll let her stay much longer.
Looks like she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place…
There is certainly a mechanism there. That much has been established. The question is: what does the mechanism do? Does it physically open a door (in which case, they could resolve the issue by simply breaking through), or simply open a portal to another location (in which case, damaging the frame in any way could permanently damage the portal structure). Important things to consider.
Hmmm, sabotage or conditional requirements?
I did suggest possible sabotage on the last page but also admitted that that may have been my old TTRPG instincts kicking in.
After all, I used to GM CoC and S.L.A games.
The obvious first thing to try would be have everyone else leave the building. Her parents were outside working when she stumbled onto the door; it may only open if she’s alone. But then, even if it opens, she may be the only one who can go through it. A security system.
Some readers have commented on that. But it’s not an idea I had while writing the story. So, no, the Elodie doll is not needed and won’t be addressed at any time in the comic.
No, definitely not. Those are just decorative pieces without any technological or magical effects. She also didn’t carry the one she found when exploring the cellar.
The cellar looks rougher than it used to in her childhood: https://www.sandraandwoo.com/scarlet/comic/the-machine-of-eternal-summer-021/
It could’ve had some work on it done, for example, because of an explosion happening in it — it was war after all. Either the damage or repair work could’ve caused the door becoming stuck.
She was (probably) ‘quoting’ from the book. She held a fake conversation between her Elodie doll and a red dragon, so maybe it’s a ‘catch-prhase’ or something, plus pressing the button.
The book held an actual picture of the machine, so it does make sense (as strange as it is that such vital information is hidden in a children’s book). Scarlet didn’t carry the Rainbow Disk back then, but it would have been my 2nd guess. 3rd would be trying to replicate all actions as much as possible as it was years ago…
25 thoughts on “Machine Girl 063”
Hegel-Marx
Of course, that was expected. It would be too easy. In order for the portal to open, some additional conditions must be met, which coincidentally happened nine years ago. Now Scarled must discover which ones.
El Príncipe Austral
Ohh Scarlet’s order of machinist is in danger now!
How many will still believe?
Lurker
Called it, the door won’t open. Would’ve been too easy. Now what? Scarlet wanted access to the basement and she got it, but the result was not what she wanted. Will she be able to handle the consequences?
I doubt she will be able to access this basement again if she leaves. Grondar isn’t likely to provide her such concessions twice. And if she goes back, she’s gonna hafta face the music for having destroyed a high-ranking official’s career for nothing. But if there’s nothing to it beyond a strange stone in the wall, it’s unlikely they’ll let her stay much longer.
Looks like she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place…
Novil
Yes, it’s not looking good for her.
Returning would also only make sense if she would somehow be able to find out what was missing to open the door.
BlackDragonSlayer
There is certainly a mechanism there. That much has been established. The question is: what does the mechanism do? Does it physically open a door (in which case, they could resolve the issue by simply breaking through), or simply open a portal to another location (in which case, damaging the frame in any way could permanently damage the portal structure). Important things to consider.
FuryoftheStars
When she opened it before, it did seem to open like a door.
ToBeFree
and I thought the cliffhanger was painful
Damoinion
Hmmm, sabotage or conditional requirements?
I did suggest possible sabotage on the last page but also admitted that that may have been my old TTRPG instincts kicking in.
After all, I used to GM CoC and S.L.A games.
ME
Has she tried unplugging and then plugging it back in?
WAhydrohead
Don’t you know that all stone walls have arches and buttons for no good reason.
Tadrix
Arches — yes (mostly decorative, occasionally something walled-in), buttons — not really.
John C.
The obvious first thing to try would be have everyone else leave the building. Her parents were outside working when she stumbled onto the door; it may only open if she’s alone. But then, even if it opens, she may be the only one who can go through it. A security system.
b_jonas
The door opens for princess Elodie only. Scarlet should bring her princess Elodie doll like she did the last time.
Macareux Moine
She doesn’t have her doll anymore. She only had the book on her when Tibor saved her life. (There is an off chance the doll is still in this house)
Novil
Some readers have commented on that. But it’s not an idea I had while writing the story. So, no, the Elodie doll is not needed and won’t be addressed at any time in the comic.
Prairiedruid
The button is actually lower, she was just a child when she opened it. She is pressing a brick that is too high.
Tadrix
Could be the right height still. Earlier it was above her head. https://www.sandraandwoo.com/scarlet/comic/the-machine-of-eternal-summer-022/
Midgard
Comparing the stonework between the previous page (MG 62) and the one you linked, it’s definitely the correct spot.
LurkerAbove
Maybe it is a security-feature, and the door only opens
when there is only one person in the room ?
BCS
Random guess, she needs an Arcadian Rainbow Disk.
Novil
No, definitely not. Those are just decorative pieces without any technological or magical effects. She also didn’t carry the one she found when exploring the cellar.
Tadrix
The cellar looks rougher than it used to in her childhood: https://www.sandraandwoo.com/scarlet/comic/the-machine-of-eternal-summer-021/
It could’ve had some work on it done, for example, because of an explosion happening in it — it was war after all. Either the damage or repair work could’ve caused the door becoming stuck.
Dah
May sound stupid, but maybe she has to read from the book. Similar to “ParaNorman” …
Tadrix
She wasn’t reading from the book when she first opened it, though. Just toying with plushies.
Dah
She was (probably) ‘quoting’ from the book. She held a fake conversation between her Elodie doll and a red dragon, so maybe it’s a ‘catch-prhase’ or something, plus pressing the button.
The book held an actual picture of the machine, so it does make sense (as strange as it is that such vital information is hidden in a children’s book). Scarlet didn’t carry the Rainbow Disk back then, but it would have been my 2nd guess. 3rd would be trying to replicate all actions as much as possible as it was years ago…
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