Nope! We know for a fact that she can control Cronus enough to slam two iterations of him into each other while throwing a simple tantrum, at least. And not everyone lower on the hemospectrum is vulnerable to her mind control either--Aradia explicitly states that Vriska has tried to control her but it doesn't work, Terezi is implied to be capable of resisting her control through sheer force of will, and Sollux is only vulnerable half the time, because of course he is. I seem to recall it being stated at some point that it's hard to control the strong-willed and the psychically gifted, though I personally think willpower has more to do with it--Aradia and Terezi are both incredibly strong-willed, Tavros is incredibly weak-willed, and Sollux is Sollux. So I think it's a matter of how susceptible someone is to being controlled in general. Anyway. The theory makes sense, but also worth noting is that we know the Serkets are capable of very subtle mind-control on their own. Spoiler: Discussion of Mindfang's journal, TW for rape Recall, if you will, Mindfang's rape of the Dolorosa. "And so not knowing, I take her will, 8ut leave enough of it to enjoy her response. Her hands are in my service 8ut they still shake. They unfasten the first 8utton at my jacket's waist, clumsily. I have masked the line 8etween my puppeteering and her volition exquisitely, and her uncertainty over her own control fuels her fear." Mindfang can, at the very least, leave someone unsure of whether or not they're doing things of their own free will. It's not a stretch to assume that she could convince someone they were acting entirely of their own will, IMO, and it's also not a stretch to assume Vriska is capable of doing the same with practice. In other words, it's possible that Vriska's controlling them, yes...but I don't think she'd need to use Gamzee as a conduit. (Also, I'm indescribably happy that Sollux and Aradia are still chilling together. MY OTP MAY YET BECOME CANON. <3)
Much as she may wish, Vriska is not Mindfang, though, and i think that level of subtlety is beyond her. Also, doesn't work on humans.
Sorry, shoulda been more clear: does not appear to work on humans beyond a binary put to sleep/wake up. That may not be a hard and fast rule, but I'll believe Vriska can outright mind-control humans when I see it, with serket-circle and all.
Urgh, I wonder just how much of my reading of these characters is fanon. I guess my major objection to the thought of Vriska manipulating the meteor crew for three years running is that I've always read her as kind of dumb. or at least thoughtless. She's dangerous, but like how a big rampaging animal who is also chemical fire that can control minds is dangerous. But fuck, maybe she did do some growing up on the meteor. Just like super not how anyone wanted her to.
Knew something awful was coming. Which is why the happy update made me sad. I'll keep holding out for some sort of nice happy ending for Vriska, but probably in vain which just depresses me. A lot really. Not too sure about the idea of Vriska manipulating everyone on the meteor that subtly though. It's a possibility, but not one I've come to because of what's been shown with her manipulation in the past. Especially considering that there are two humans and she hasn't been shown to do much to humans save putting them to sleep or waking them up. I'm not really a speculation on the plot type though so eh. Eh. Just going to be hideously sad over Vriska. Again. Aranea is still the superior shithead in my eyes and will always be my favorite precious horrible person that I want to become a not shit person. Vriska is up there with her and Mindfang though.
I guess Karkat is only effective when miserable. Terezi and Rose I'm a little surprised by, but maybe they're also distracted by apparently successful relationships, not to imply that either of them were actually all that capable in the original timeline. Vriska is charismatic, but she's not subtle, or at least original Vriska was never subtle, and so both of them should be able to see through her a little more than they seem to be doing. Gamzee's chucklevoodoos may be masking the issue, but using him doesn't seem Vriska's style. Kanaya being disappointed about the promotion was the best bit, though.
Spoiler: are we still spoilering Tuesday update? I'm wondering where Dirk is in this new timeline. He's not on the platform. The last we saw him was in Vriska Fixes Everything montage. I don't recall him dying in this timeline. So where is he?
OH MY GOD. Dave you perfect doof. That was actual a super sweet speech he gave about the whole gay thing. but the precious idiot is still so insecure. *Dons sailor hat* all aboard the SS Davekat.
Okay, so that's three out of four Strilondes blatantly canonically confirmed to not be 100% hetero (Dirk obviously, Rose through her romance with Kanaya, Dave through this chat). And I think it's always been obvious that Roxy swings every possible way so it might as well be four for four here.
I am laughing so hard at the idea Spoiler: bloo of John now trying to awkwardly black flirt at TZ I can't stop giggling. This update wasso great
Spoiler: uhpdayte i just realized something. a lot of people are losing their shit because dave was talking about heteronormativity in the media and his own sexuality and that he's actually taking the time to contemplate all that stuff. i think all that's cool too, but honestly i'm more happy about this like. the fact that he's able to stop pretending that what his bro did was just normal behavior and that he was a big baby who couldn't handle it makes me really happy. or really, i guess he didn't realize back then. it's a little hard to see this sort of thing when you're living it and only thirteen years old. i'm just really really happy he was able to be in an environment where he was able to sit down and process in his own time "okay hey that shit was not an okay thing for bro to do."
@IvyLB Spoiler What if the closest thing to an idea of what blackflirting John can currently process is the "kid being mean to another kid he has a crush on" trope and his attempts at blackflirting are, like, putting gum in Terezi's hair and shit? @Deresto YES. YES THAT. God, that was so good to see.
@Lerxst I am a ball of giggles I'd love this especially considering how much Karkat would facepalm over the whole thing
I spent the entirety of today's update beaming and chinhandsing (is that a verb? it is now). Enough that the significant other checked three times what I was so pleased about. Spoiler: upd8 specifics? Lalondes. Lalondes are my life.
