I think you're on the right lines in judging that word has to get out so that there can be consequences. Thinking about this, the other people who would be aware of what Lara did were the ones she evaporated in the blast, Liu Xi and Chiaki. Chiaki at least would presumably know that the devastation wasn't confined to one building in a densely-populated city.



That could result in Faite actually helping the Carnifax out with his current amusements. As long as he's still enjoying the situation he's in, playing with the Parodyverse, he's not destroying it. Distractions like Zdenka could keep the Carnifax amused for years yet, maybe decades.

> The Moderator was a lucky moment for her, because her own power was almost polar opposite to his. He can delete things in current time, and she can change things in current time (i.e. restore something he deleted). It was like a brutal game of tug-of-war.

Noted.

> Lara also has a clever habit of not being there when she's hunted. That way she can surprise anyone who has it in for her. It worked quite well during the war with the Parody Master...twice. Though the second time it was Shema buying into the same strategy.

A good hunter really has to take that methodology into consideration. That's why the Carnifex is taking his time and watching how people react and perform during a number of events he intends to precipitate.

> > > Something more clever might be doing something to keep Lara away from him, at least for a while. Like promising to leave Visionary's kids alone if she minds her own business. At least until she figures out he's lying. > > He'd see that as unsporting. > The lying part or threatening the kids?

He's not shown any signs yet of using lies or hostages as part of his methods. If he decides he wants children dead then he'll just do it when the time comes. He's not afraid of any of the heroes he's seen so he doesn't feel the need to set up things to keep them off his back.

Now his agents, Mr Skinner, Mr Flay, and Miss Peel, on the other hand, are cruel sadistic bastards. Cruel sadistic bastards who can walk away from a nuclear blast.

> > He might ask her "as a friend" whether she thinks it's too soon for him to court Zdenka, and if Jay would be okay with it.

> Lara knows that Zdenka is pretty smart. She would probably say it's up to her.

The Carnifex wouldn't want to cut in on another guy's girl. Not while the guy was still living.

> > > And that's based on her opinion of the Hooded Hood, which she has made clear previously. She knows that the Lair Legion thinks of him as evil, but she sees him as a necessary force that helps hold the Parodyverse together. That's why she's willing to chat with him civilly, and even listen to his plans. > > The Legion have generally come to other conclusions. > There's an explanation for that: Lara is willing to see the bigger picture that the Hooded Hood has kept trying to point out to the Lair Legion. She doesn't agree with the tactics to achieve it most of the time, but she does see it. The skill that goes into that kind of planning, she believes, is worthy of some respect.

The Hood probably is worthy of respect - he's generally formidable and he has some heroic qualities - but deep down he's an archvillain. When I'm writing him I always have to remember that there's an icy core of insane ambition in his soul. Pierce the charming veneer and it'll come and kill you. Mumphrey tends to see through the Hood more than many people do, which is why they mutually loathe each other.