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Message: <blockquote data-quote="orsal" data-source="post: 5186119" data-attributes="member: 16016">Really? That's not how I interpreted it. For reference, <a href="http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0050.html" target="_blank">here's the link</a>. I took it as an omniscient narrator's flashback. It's in response to Elan's expressed puzzlement, but there's no suggestion that any character is narrating that frame. In the same vein, two frames later there's a flashback in response to Nale's expressed puzzlement, but that's clearly not a reply from Elan. After all, how could Elan have remember being beaten on the head by his brother when he had no idea he had a brother?No, I don't think there's any doubt that their father is lawful evil. It plays on the duality between the brothers -- each one takes after the parent who raised him. I think there are at least two fine explanations for his friendliness, maybe three with a stretch:(1) Nale may be lawful evil, but he's a traitor to this particular evil power structure. Dad has taken an oath to serve it, and being lawful evil, he takes his oath seriously. Nale is therefore his enemy, putting him on the same side as Elan. Note that seeking supreme power, and faithfully serving another evil power structures are both manifestations of lawful evil.(2) He's devious (Nale takes after him in more ways than one!) and has a plan that involves Elan. He knows enough about Elan to know how to manipulate him.(3) Heh, he's lawful evil, but he's also capable of parental pride. Just because he could only get custody of one child in the divorce, doesn't mean he doesn't care about both. I find this explanation less satisfying than the others, but it's not totally unreasonable. After all, family loyalty is also a lawful trait.There are probably other explanations. I suspect than in another strip or three we'll have more insight into Dad's motivations. I'm willing to bet that when the dust settles he'll be one of the villains. But I don't know how quickly that'll happen.</blockquote>

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