> > That's easy. It's because she's a natural at using Void, while she has to learn how to use her elemental power more effectively. > > That's not something I'd picked up on in previous stories. Her earliest appearances had her finding void a rare and unusual substance o control.

She can always learn more about using Void, but it's an ability that no one really showed her how to use. She just knew she could once she figured out she can manipulate elements. Yes, she found out about Fire accidentally too, but she didn't really know how to use it at the time.

The difference is learning how to walk vs learning how to drive. You have to figure out both, but walking eventually comes naturally.

> > It's either a question of how she became a void manipulator on her own, or why she was chosen. The latter is by far a darker question. > > It's certainly an interesting question to explore at some point.

So far it's just been a mystery. Liu Xi would prefer not to think about being chosen - because that would mean someone would come back to collect the favor.

> > She'll be watching. If CSFB! is given enough cold shoulders or lectures and does his losing his temper and leaving the Lair Legion thing, she's likely not to say much about her own fears. If they accept it and deal with it she might be a little more brave, but still a little worried - after all, she's not a Lair Legion member and has very little history with the team. > > How would any of the team be aware of what Lara did in that other place anyhow? The only ones who might have tracked the full goings-on were probably Salieri and Samantha - and maybe Search Engineer.

These things have a way of getting out. That, and Lara's own tendency to be so honest. Eventually, if she thinks is safe to tell, she might say what happened to someone. She does have the ability to keep secrets, but they're usually about her or close friends, and don't really affect anyone else.

> > Faite is more a manipulator than a fighter, because she knows what kind of damage she's capable of, and exactly how dangerous it is. > > It's because the Parodyverse is regulated and protected at a macro level that the Carnifex has been sent in "below the radar".

Faite wouldn't be concerned with him at all, since his intention isn't to re-write the Parodyverse. While Faite can operate outside her normal scope, her most important job is to make sure someone can't subvert the normal balance of the Parodyverse and rewrite it in their own image. She does that by subverting the plans that are supposed to subvert the Parodyverse. She's the ultimate thorn in any ultimate super-villain's side.

It's also interesting to note that the lack of a confrontation between the Hooded Hood and Faite proves just how careful the Hood is. He plays inside the rules, so any changes he makes become part of the Parodyverse without subverting it.

> > Lara has a very long list of people who have tried [to neutralise her]. That "smart" part is going to give him a lot of trouble. He may have to settle for trying to give her a reason not to interfere - that seems to work for the Hooded Hood. > > The Carnifex plans a very different camoaign in a very different style to the Hood. The cowled crime czar is a schemer who likes to turn people's strengths and actions against them. Carnifex is a hunter who stalks then strikes. He wouldn't feel satisfied without a bloody confrontation at the end.

If he's that smart he'd probably consider avoiding fighting with Lara as long as he can. The problem with trying to kill her is she tends to come back, and she becomes even angrier and more clever. That self-restoring side effect of energy mastery can make her really obnoxious, especially if she's smart enough to do so only to waste his time until the Lair Legion can pile on him too.

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.

> > One interesting fact about this is that Lara may decide to try and visit him and have a chat once she's made aware of his presence. > > She's welcome to call in at his iron Esqualine Tower anytime for a brew. After all, everyone knows the Carnifex. They're just prevented from wondering why or from thinking of awkward questions. > > The Untold Tales story after the current Caphan arc may well deal with this.

The irony of that is whether Lara is prevented from asking questions or not is irrelevant. She's the one person, as an outsider, that may understand the purpose of the Carnifex. The only time she might start asking questions is if he starts acting outside his purpose (when he goes on the attack for example).

It might be amusing, actually, because if Lara meets him and chats with him first, when he turns on everyone she might feel like she can negotiate with him because she felt he was reasonable before.

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.