The Stand Still, Stay Silent Fan-Forum

Worlds and Stories => SSSS & ARTD Board => Topic started by: Richard Weir on September 24, 2014, 11:11:42 AM

Title: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Richard Weir on September 24, 2014, 11:11:42 AM
So now we have met the brave self-opinionated Captain!

It is quite easy to see where she starts her journey of self-discovery from - she has a VERY high opinion of herself. Emil, by contrast, suffers from no more than a fragile go that needs bolstering with bluster. THIS lady looks like she has NO fragility!

Or has she? How is her character going to develop and be revealed?

This is the thread for us to map out her character development as we observe it.

EDIT: Typos.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on September 24, 2014, 12:18:05 PM
Chapter 3 contained some foreshadowing about one of the team members being a person who has been fired a lot (we now know that is Mikkel) and the other one having some other issues. It will be interesting to see what this entails - although it's been heavily suggested that she is just too stupid to stay out of trouble.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Solovei on September 24, 2014, 12:35:36 PM
I noticed hat Sigrun is said to only speak Norwegian... but from what she said to Lalli, it's clear that she's worked with Icelandic mages before... so... how did they communicate?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Mkvenner on September 24, 2014, 12:49:06 PM
Well Minna did mention tha Sigrun will be a bit of a goofball and slightly accident prone when not in her area of expertise.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on September 24, 2014, 01:00:54 PM
I noticed hat Sigrun is said to only speak Norwegian... but from what she said to Lalli, it's clear that she's worked with Icelandic mages before... so... how did they communicate?

There are Norwegian mages who are trained in the "Seidr" brand of magic at the Icelandic mage academy. If she's been in the army her entire life she has most likely worked with some of them.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: BrainBlow on September 24, 2014, 01:51:24 PM
There are Norwegian mages who are trained in the "Seidr" brand of magic at the Icelandic mage academy. If she's been in the army her entire life she has most likely worked with some of them.
This.

Also, the book drive cover reveals her eyes to be purple.
See, I have this little "tally" that keeps confirming to me that a character in comics or animation who have purple irises almost always are good characters.
Be they cute, hilarious, badass, charming, whatever. They will always be good.

It totally does not have anything to do with purple being my favorite color alongside green. Nooot at all.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on September 24, 2014, 02:37:59 PM
This.

Also, the book drive cover reveals her eyes to be purple.
See, I have this little "tally" that keeps confirming to me that a character in comics or animation who have purple irises almost always are good characters.
Be they cute, hilarious, badass, charming, whatever. They will always be good.

It totally does not have anything to do with purple being my favorite color alongside green. Nooot at all.

Not going to pretend like I know anything about colour classification, but couldn't italso be a case of blue eyes appearing violet under intense light?

I mean, I don't think it's normal to have purple eyes...?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sparky Dragon on September 24, 2014, 02:58:16 PM
Oh, gosh. I was just going to say something, but then I forgot, because the OTHER thought crossed my mind that Sigrun might have oddly colored eyes...because she's the other mage. Just a thought, but then I started thinking about what would happen if she WAS the other mage. Oh, gosh.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: BrainBlow on September 24, 2014, 03:15:48 PM
Not going to pretend like I know anything about colour classification, but couldn't this also be a case of blue eyes appearing violet (http://s397.photobucket.com/user/orabinji/media/eyecolour.png.html?sort=3&o=0) under intense light?

I mean, I don't think it's normal to have purple eyes...?
Lalli has white eyes on the cover, and Braidy has emerald green eyes. Neither of which are "real" colors.
It is probably just artistic license. Minna has said the comic will take a few liberties with physics(in a comic with fleshblob zombie giants? No waaaay!)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Mayabird on September 24, 2014, 09:41:29 PM
I wonder if part of her ancestry is from some of those surviving Scots who moved to Norway. 
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: shauhagah on September 25, 2014, 05:22:27 AM
Aksel Eide and his grandmother has sorta purplish eyes so maybe it runs in the family.

Quote
Oh, gosh. I was just going to say something, but then I forgot, because the OTHER thought crossed my mind that Sigrun might have oddly colored eyes...because she's the other mage. Just a thought, but then I started thinking about what would happen if she WAS the other mage. Oh, gosh.

I doubt she's a mage. I mean, she's 32, you think she'd notice if she started getting prophetic dreams and magical powers. Also giving someone like her magical powers is definitely disastrous. Think of all the havoc she'd be able to wreck.

On a completely unrelated note, I wonder what happens when a mage gets drunk. Can they still use their magical powers because wow you wouldn't want to be in the area.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on September 25, 2014, 05:24:17 AM
I wonder if part of her ancestry is from some of those surviving Scots who moved to Norway.

Because she is a redhead?

Norway and Iceland isn't that far behind Celtic countries in percentage of redheads. Take Árni and Aksel for example, there's nothing to suggest that they are part Scottish.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: JoB on September 25, 2014, 06:05:57 AM
On a completely unrelated note, I wonder what happens when a mage gets drunk. Can they still use their magical powers because wow you wouldn't want to be in the area.
Well, it shouldn't be too different from some mage turning angry, evil, insane, daydreaming, having nightmares, turning into a troll, or developing his abilities a bit too early for his formation to start, or, for that matter, any mage growing up someplace where said formation somehow happens to be not readily available.

I guess having a couple peers of his at hand is your best bet.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Cynic on September 25, 2014, 06:17:58 AM
...
Norway and Iceland isn't that far behind Celtic countries in number of redheads...
Not surprising, at least for Iceland since they are genetically almost a third Celtic (not enough women from the old country when it was settled).
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Mayabird on September 25, 2014, 08:38:25 AM
Because she is a redhead?

Norway and Iceland isn't that far behind Celtic countries in percentage of redheads. Take Árni for example, there's nothing to suggest that he's part Scottish.

Partly, but Minna stated that the remaining Scots moved to Norway, so Sigrun would be a good way of introducing that in-universe.  She'd also demonstrate how integrated they are (or can be) into the population since she doesn't know Scottish or English.  It would also give her an interest in searching for other survivors in the world, maybe even a childhood dream of traveling far afield and finding other people.  After all, most other people have had it drilled into their heads from birth that there's nothing out there but ruins and monsters, and holing up and hiding behind walls has become ingrained in the cultures.  She and a few other now-Norwegians would know though that there had been some other survivors, at least for a while, so possibly there could be more out there. 
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on October 02, 2014, 03:54:06 AM
Sigrun's penchant for bestowing nicknames (e.g. "Stubby" for Tuuri) inspired the following conversation on p. 186 (slightly edited for clarity):

Sharion
I guess you can't be too sensitive if you wish to be a soldier. At least Sigrun doesn't seem to say "stubby" because of malice. It appears to me she's just got used to talking like this - I don't think she'd really notice or care if she got some "nickname" back. (Except if she wanted to strengthen her position as leader.)
Actually, I'm starting to like her character.
 
Snow Cat --> Sharion
Most of the nicknames we used when I was in the Army were plays on people's names. Ferminweinreb became "Ferngully", Mumm-Cupples was "Mudpuddles", McCumber was "Cucumber, and Barzevolen was "Beelzebub" (or "Beezie" when the Company Commander was around, lol).

TBA --> Snow Cat
This is pretty common in blue collar jobs as well, which often has a large number of veterans in them. Arney becomes Barney and remains that until you realize it is part of the hazing and play along (i.e. give back to them in kind) Although some of the nicknames could be pretty raw. Especially if 3 or more people had the same name. Welder Larry, Pressure Test Larry and then The Idiot Over in Section 2, aka Needle D$@k the Bug F&^#@r.

Sharion  --> TBA
I heard lots of stories from acquaintances, but I never was part of the army myself. (Still laughed my heart out when I heard about the poor guy whose family name was Chicken. You can imagine, what he got as a soldier...)

Could be a local thing, but we give nicks more freely in everyday life. For example, when there was two girls with my name, we sometimes got called T1 and T2 or 2.0 (now I have other one, used by my friends - one more funny than flattering). We had security guards by the "name" of Egg, Ball, and "Winnie-the-Macho"; had a colleague called Cube because of his IT knowledge (and he were rather proud of it), have a friend that even I often call "Evil One" (or, more like "Evilie" or "Wickie", but it sounds horrible in English) because of his inclination to play practical jokes. We have a "Chocolate Bunny" and "Simon magus", because of resemblance, had a cashier by the name of "KGB boss" (and we really loved her)... I could list them for hours, the ones that stuck and the ones we use as a one-time thing (the latter could be "stubby" - sure, that's mostly used for lanky people). They are mostly played for laugh, not to offend, though.

TBA --> Sharion
That's how it went for most of my friends too. One was called Gump for his love and dedication to one girl and he did a perfect Forrest Gump impression. In the work force and from the military people I worked with most of the nicknames were for fun and in good jest. If you really were to be hated on you would know it. The name-calling would be straight-up verbal assault or you would just be ignored or avoided.

I really like the Captain -- she seems like the kind of boss I'd like. Outgoing types help me overcome my shyness and improve my own confidence.

Sharion --> TBA
I also noticed that people with that mentality and some brains usually have the skill to pull one out of a depressed mood or lasting self-pity, either by humour, awakening some fighting spirit or just bringing logic back to the picture. (And have a fine skill to bully people through a hard task or two...)

Albeit without a certain level of intellect and sensitivity to go with it, they can do more damage than good.
I reckon if Sigrun's heralded idiocy would apply to her judgment, she wouldn't be in her current position now, so I'm not too worried as of yet.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fen Shen on October 02, 2014, 04:37:36 AM
Although Sigrun has clearly witnessed Emil breaking the mirror, she covers up for him declaring that it was already broken before they got there (today's p. 188). Maybe that is already part of her group building leader abilities.  ;)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: FrogEater on October 02, 2014, 01:14:46 PM
Maybe. May also be that the mirror was at least in a really poor condition : Emil did not lean heavily on it, that mirror was certainly to fall at the first bump on the road. But then, we wouldn't be waiting for the crate gag to come..... :-)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Richard Weir on October 06, 2014, 08:48:53 PM
Although Sigrun has clearly witnessed Emil breaking the mirror, she covers up for him declaring that it was already broken before they got there (today's p. 188). Maybe that is already part of her group building leader abilities.  ;)

But now (page 191) we see her being a bit more flexible with the truth in claiming that she knows how to drive. First time was somewhat admirable, but not this time: it looks like she engaged in CV-padding and is having to lie more to cover it.

Oh - and her boast about "I have even killed a few [trolls] with my bare hands" (page 182) looks to be along the same lines. Three untruths in a few minutes is looking a bit... dodgy. Unreliable even. Possibly even something of a liability!

Will this be a constant of her repertoire, or will she mature a bit and grow out of it?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sera on October 06, 2014, 09:53:20 PM
Since she knew they were going to get a vehicle for this expedition (pretty sure she didn't assume they were going to be walking or taking non-infected horses that would be better used for farming and not risky expeditions into the Silent Dark), maybe she sort of extrapolated 'I can totally drive' from driving farm machinery, as Tuuri seems to have done? And as to how hard it can be, I suppose we now get to see if the RV o' Doom is automatic or manual.... >.>
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sparky Dragon on October 06, 2014, 10:38:32 PM
Sooo, analyzing Sigrun's statements so far...

Killing trolls with her bare hands: I'd say that with her...enthusiasm, combined with her apparent disregard for little things like safety, this is actually plausible. Especially since she's part of a troll and giant hunting group.

Already broken mirror: Well, it was cracked, and Emil didn't lean on it THAT hard, but this still counts as half-true

Can drive: I really, really hope she's done more than, say, watch someone read a century old golf cart manual. Who knows, maybe she can drive a tractor, too!
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Richard Weir on October 17, 2014, 11:57:14 AM
So, Page 198 only reinforces the idea that Sigrun has failed to read the info on her troops - she has no idea how old Tuuri is! (Remember that she had no idea Lalli spoke only Finnish and Mikkel had to tell her.)

This is definitely going to be a "thing", isn't it? What's the betting she has no more idea what this expedition is about than Lalli does?  :o
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: BrainBlow on October 18, 2014, 06:09:23 PM
Something I think is safe to assume from the new page:
Sigrun will HAAAATE Braidy, at least at first.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on October 18, 2014, 06:18:42 PM
Something I think is safe to assume from the new page:
Sigrun will HAAAATE Braidy, at least at first.

Why? Because he is likely to be young and incompetent? Some of the art slightly suggests that she will appreciate his contribution.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: BrainBlow on October 18, 2014, 06:20:17 PM
Why? Because he is likely to be young and incompetent? Some of the art slightly suggests that she will appreciate his contribution.
Yes, young, completely inexperienced and useless, and probably not even properly hired to the team.
I doubt they'll get along at first.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: FrogEater on October 20, 2014, 08:12:44 PM
+1.
I guess Braidy, all inexperienced and useless as we suppose he is, will happen to know something something very useful, maybe even vital, without even realising its importance. And that will make Sigrun maaaaaad (and give a lot of silent fun to Mikkel).
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on October 21, 2014, 03:52:42 AM
From the Disqus thread on page 199:


Sirennus
Something tells me Sigrun wasn't chosen on account of being an 'outstanding warrior'.

Sunflower 
I'm not sure I agree. On p. 63, Trond says, "Some of the most outstanding soldiers I've had the pleasure of working with were idiots ... They can be outstanding, loyal employees as long as they know their craft." (paraphrasing)
It's possible -- though not a sure thing -- that he was already thinking of Sigrun, given that she knew him well enough to attend his retirement party. If so, he might not have a high regard for her intellect or mature judgment, but he'd certainly respect her fighting skills.

Sharion 
It could be that in her case, being a good warrior and "idiotic" enough to think this mission an honour both counted as merits. (Here, it seems, that's more of an attitude than lack of brains.)
Although, according to her people's hunting method (Minna described it somewhere), I could imagine that she wasn't the only one who didn't ask about the salary first.

I wonder what will she think when she realize that Lalli's repertoire (probably) doesn't include skill enhancing (as the "Mages" page hints about Icelandic ones). Now I'm just "thinking loudly", but compared with the Swedes' effectiveness (or, at least, they seem to be more organized), the Norwegians appear to be like a swarm of berserkers - especially if Sigrun told the truth of killing a troll with her bare hands (which, as seen in the train scene, is not impossible).

I'm guessing Icelandic mages may play a much bigger role in keeping everyone alive than the hunters like to think. Now she's got someone with a different skill-set she's not familiar yet, which means she either have to alter her methods to fit the recent circumstances (this would also mean a long chat with the Finns), or face some really serious injuries.

(And most likely more suspicious, unkown illnesses, like face cancer. :D)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on November 15, 2014, 09:25:52 PM
Some thoughts on Sigrun's unexpected lack of interest in pressing on to Copenhagen before dark, as demonstrated on p. 218. 

Peter Sadlon
I'm in shock. I could power a large city on how shocked I am with Sigrun's caution.

Richard Weir 
I thought it was funny how HARD she had to think about it.

Amati
Oh thank Minna....
I have some respect for Sigrun now. She CAN use common sense.

Rabbit 
Same here! I found her entertaining before, even likeable despite her tendency to bulldoze people, but after this page I'm finding I can actually respect her, as an adult, as an officer and most importantly as the person who's supposed to keep all these children alive. That's a world of difference made in a few panels.

And the best part is she hasn't lost any of her previously established personality, either - for a bit there she was clearly entertaining the option of going out into unknown troll country at night!

Prestwick
Sigrun was probably thinking back to the last time she said "You know what? Yeah! Let's go check it out, we've still got an hour until sundown..."

That probably explains why most of her unit were in various states of serious injury and trauma when she volunteered for this gig ;-)


Minando --> Amati
Don't let your hopes get too high, that's not common sense, that's basic self preservation. After all, where's the fun in getting yourself killed before the real party begins ?

Aggeliki --> Minando
Well, she IS a captain. If she was unable to use common sense, her and her squad would be long dead :P

I guess she can tell the difference of mild risk from suicidal behavior, as demonstrated from her decision to open the gate and check what is outside. She knew there was a city further away, but that they were relatively safe right outside the tunnel. Also, if they had spend the night inside the tunnel and send the scout during the day, they'd have to wait one more day before actually getting into the town themselves. If this was just one operation, the extra caution would be good, but they'll have to explore for the whole winter, I guess they can't afford to waste too much time or they won't get anything done.

If Sigrun had actually made sure she knew everything about her subordinates like Magnificent Mikkel did, I'd be convinced she's the most best captain ever :P

Wapiti 
Just like the younger members of the team, Sigrun certainly has room for character development and growth. Mikkel's shortcomings (the ones we know of)
aren't as bad, but he probably has space for growth as well.

Then again, she and Mikkel might be used as foils through the story to develop the youngsters.

Aggeliki 
I don't think they're foils, they both have room for growth, as you said! Sigrun might learn to be more attentive and/or cautious, while Mikkel--uh. He already seems to be pretty well, you know. He is obedient, smart, cautious, calm, funny, and I have a feeling he will be very caring, probably more than anyone.

But he may have low self-esteem, or need for a better control of his trolling attitude, or need to open up more. We just don't know him well enough, we'll have to find out! :-)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fen Shen on November 16, 2014, 06:13:53 AM
I think she really enjoyed be "the responsible adult in command" in that situation. If she had been on her own, maybe she would have gone to check out the city. But since Tuuri was so excited, saying "no" became an interesting option as well. Does that make any sense to you?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: hushpiper on November 17, 2014, 12:40:16 AM
I think she really enjoyed be "the responsible adult in command" in that situation. If she had been on her own, maybe she would have gone to check out the city. But since Tuuri was so excited, saying "no" became an interesting option as well. Does that make any sense to you?

You know, it does make sense to me, but I'm not sure why? *examines that*

Obligatory disclaimer, this is a character interpretation based off gut feeling and little else:

Sigrun strikes me as a very theatrical sort of person. She likes people! She likes being around people! She ESPECIALLY likes being seen and heard by people! ("You're so tall!" "I like you already!") And so the things she does are somewhat informed by the assumption that she has an audience--she's like the class clown, except she's not stuck with just playing for laughs. She likes attention ("Inside voice, sweetie."), and she'll happily play to one role or another to get that attention and show herself in the most positive possible light.

So yeah, if she were on her own, she'd probably run full speed ahead. Why not? I suspect she's skillful enough as a hunter to come through pretty well even if she's horrifyingly reckless. But ah, when life makes you the commanding officer over a naive, starstruck little kidling--one must take that for all it's worth!
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on November 17, 2014, 03:19:49 AM
You know, it does make sense to me...

Sigrun strikes me as a very theatrical sort of person. She likes people! She likes being around people! She ESPECIALLY likes being seen and heard by people! ("You're so tall!" "I like you already!") And so the things she does are somewhat informed by the assumption that she has an audience--she's like the class clown, except she's not stuck with just playing for laughs. She likes attention ("Inside voice, sweetie."), and she'll happily play to one role or another to get that attention and show herself in the most positive possible light.

So yeah, if she were on her own, she'd probably run full speed ahead. Why not? I suspect she's skillful enough as a hunter to come through pretty well even if she's horrifyingly reckless.

But ah, when life makes you the commanding officer over a naive, starstruck little kidling--one must take that for all it's worth!

That *absolutely* makes sense to me.  A lot of schools I've seen have the big kids "buddy" the little kids for a similar reason -- when you're 11 years old, you might do a lot of stupid things if left to your own devices.  But when there's a defenseless little kindergartner looking up at you with big, awed eyes, you've got more motivation to act like A Role Model.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fen Shen on November 17, 2014, 04:00:22 AM
Both of you have written out what I wanted to express, I think - great team work  ;)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: woolly socks on November 18, 2014, 10:05:39 AM
As many people have pointed out, I don't think Sigrun is incompetent at all. She's a captain, she's seen action, she knows first-hand just what they're up against and how horrifying it can get. She knows that as captain, if she ****s up, people will die horribly.

I think that her natural character just is really, uh, energetic to the point of being overcharged. Maybe it's a more general survival tactic with the Norwegians; life is so hard that you have to have a CHAAARGE AT IT attitude to pull through and keep going and go to yet another and another and another mission and take the damage and recover and go again. Definitely she likes attention and loudness and trolling people and bossing them around, is brash and straightforward and has a rough sense of humour bordering on hazing. She doesn't mean ill, but is accidentally rude and probably disrespects the heck out of useless civilians.

It's interesting how she assumes Lalli can't even read a map but at the same time is curious about him and seems to fully trust his ability to fulfill his orders. She's used to things getting done when she gives the word. She's used to orders being OBEYED and her team being trustworthy, I think, which is why she can joke about it and doesn't stress about attaining the authority through shouting or being strict.
 
I think she really loves adventure and gets a kick out of danger and getting out of tough spots alive and facing improbable odds AND BEATING THEM HELL YEAH TAKE THAT MOTHERF*CKER TELL YO MOMMA I SAID HI. I can't wait to see her in action. I have no doub't she'll heroically take down something huge with rash recklessness about her own welfare and Tuuri will start to worship her even more.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on November 18, 2014, 01:02:52 PM
It's so cute how she had a consoling (or attention-getting) hand on Tuuri's shoulder in panel 4 of page 220!  The Captain and her "little pal" -- awwww.  That is totally not how Admiral Olsen or Trond would play it -- or even Taru, probably.

Edit:

I totally agree with woolly socks' estimation.  HELL YEAH TAKE THAT MOFO TELL YO' MOMMA I SAID HI.  How on earth did you become so fluent in Jive? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXSLcYQHqFQ)  Does American hip-hop have a broader reach into the Nordic lands than I thought?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on November 20, 2014, 01:43:39 AM
Re: Sigrun's comment on p. 221 that scouts work alone -- "Even if you offer to tag along, they just run away from you!  As if you're some crazy lady!"

Betty Adams
Does anyone else get the idea that Sigrun is speaking from personal experience?
In the defense of the scouts who appear to have fled her presence I cannot imagine the necessary stealth and patience that is required to keep them alive being a part of her skill set.

Sunshine 
I got that impression as well! Not only did she seem quite bitter about it all, but her decision to use the term "crazy lady" rather than "crazy person" makes me feel like she's had some experience with scouts who didn't want her tagging along. Which, since Sigrun seems like a very curious and adventurous person, I can see how that would offend her.

On the other hand, though, you're right in that she probably doesn't have the necessary patience and ability to keep quiet that comes with the job.


Sigrid Marie
Maybe that's because you are a crazy lady, Sigrun

Lars_B 
awww Sigrun is not crazy... she is enthusiastically sane (like so many Norwegians I know).  It's just that her and the scouts' version of stealth differ slightly... while they go for "not detected" I think she is more of the "leave no witnesses behind" type of girl... same goal, she just uses a bit more ammo.
=)

Sigrid Marie 
I guess I'll join the group of "enthusiastically sane Norwegians", then. I somehow feel like I would fit in there...

Tsk tsk, scouts, just because you think being stealthy means being all sneaky and quiet and stuff doesn't mean that you have the right to exclude Sigrun simply for having a different opinion
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on January 04, 2015, 08:25:11 AM
From p. 228, where Sigrun is asking Emil about his troll-killing experience:

Zouzam
I really love Sigrun's face in the panel [#7] where's she's talking to Emil. There's something about her smile that's really genuine and reassuring.

hushpiper 
I can't help but think the soldiers under her must love her to bits. Sure her recklessness terrifies cautious persons like poor Mikkel, but look at her going all warm and encouraging for the awkward teenaged newbie who just wants to impress her!

Lars_B 
and it looks like she leads by example... that really works!

Sharion 
I hope we'll see some flashbacks of *her* rookie days. :D

drill sergeant *walking up and down, holding a speech*: "...and so, we're here on the site. I'm sure most of you are anxious by now. Don't forget: even in the midst of limb-tearing battle, always be cautious, but never surrender! It's not a game, but not impossible either to...! Where's Sigrun?"
other soldier: "I think she started without us."


Lars_B 
most precious X-mas gift
Stuffed Troll or Play Assault Rifle?

??????? ????????? 
it's a set, so not 'or' but 'and'
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Piney on January 05, 2015, 01:33:12 AM
Hmm... the way Sigrun snaps at Emil on the recent page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=240) led me to some speculation- clearly it was an impulsive exclamation, but I'm just wondering...

1. Could it be a sign of how absolutely seriously she takes the expedition? That she gets so irritated that Emil "broke" the book because books are so important to the mission? Obviously there are dozens of other books on the shelf right by them, maybe she was planning to treat every single book like a sacred text. Also might note how she says on the previous page that it's "practically money in your hands."
2. ...Or that she's just used to working with people who are super careful and professional? Also, her comment suggests that she would not have "broken" the book had she handled it herself, when clearly Emil had done nothing wrong (but she knew her was inexperienced).
3. ...or she is secretly not fond of Swedes.  :D

...or I just look too far into small things. I was known to do this in my AP Lit class.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Deirdre on January 05, 2015, 02:22:14 AM
Ad. 2, I'd say it's most probable, except I also see it as that kind of irritation on someone breaking things characteristic for other people usually breaking things. And I don't want to suggest Sigrun is not professional, but her energy and enthusiasm... can lead to many situations.

Or I am just overanalysing, being pretty scatty myself...
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Piney on January 05, 2015, 03:19:55 AM
Ad. 2, I'd say it's most probable, except I also see it as that kind of irritation on someone breaking things characteristic for other people usually breaking things. And I don't want to suggest Sigrun is not professional, but her energy and enthusiasm... can lead to many situations.

Or I am just overanalysing, being pretty scatty myself...

Huh, interesting. Kinda selfish of her if you think of it that way - scolding someone for breaking things when you break things yourself all the time. Adding the "you ham-fisted Swede" part made me think that she wasn't used to being scolded for breaking things, because it's not like her fellow Norwegians would call her a "ham-fisted Norwegian"... but I dunno. It's very late, I can't get my thoughts together.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: hushpiper on January 05, 2015, 06:20:56 PM
Eh, tbh I interpreted that more as an outgrowth of her naturally effusive personality than anything. Go into treasure box > find shiny valuable thing > shiny valuable thing falls to dust > OUTBURST OF FRUSTRATION!!1!

After all, she's very much not the sort to censor herself. Or worry about others' feelings / reactions to her. At all. :P
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Piney on January 05, 2015, 06:41:46 PM
Eh, tbh I interpreted that more as an outgrowth of her naturally effusive personality than anything. Go into treasure box > find shiny valuable thing > shiny valuable thing falls to dust > OUTBURST OF FRUSTRATION!!1!

After all, she's very much not the sort to censor herself. Or worry about others' feelings / reactions to her. At all. :P

Heheh, see what comes out of my head when it's late at night? Overspeculation!
Oh, I know, that definitely had a lot to do with it. I was paying attention to, more specifically, what she said than the fact that she outburst at all. It's not like I was expecting her to censor herself. And thus, since she didn't censor herself, some version of her "true feelings" (for lack of a better phrase) came out...? It made me think "Does she talk to everyone like that??", just because it seemed particularly harsh to me.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Crazybean on January 05, 2015, 09:01:56 PM
Well it wasn't nice, but also relatable as an "outcry of frustration". Who hasn't snapped at someone in a moment of anger? Sigrun also quickly concedes the point and realizes it wasn't Emil's fault. So points to her.
How Emil is taking it is a different matter. With his constant worrying about what everyone thinks of him it might seem more harsh to him than it is. But that's speculation for the Emil thread.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: OrigamiOwl on January 05, 2015, 09:24:24 PM
I actually thought that with the alliteration, and how it could've been a lot worse, that it was pretty tame for Sigrun and maybe a little bit endearing? Maybe...
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Piney on January 05, 2015, 10:46:30 PM
I dunno, I'm probably wrong.(again, I blame my old lit teacher, overanalysis could've been the name of the class, but ignore me) Hadn't seen her snap like that before so it seemed harsh to me (not that she would think it was harsh herself, clearly she didn't). It's not like Emil was hurt by the comment, anyway. And I'm not saying it wasn't for comedic effect, either; I thought it was kind of funny myself.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Deirdre on January 06, 2015, 07:04:31 AM
It seems from the latest page she noticed it might be a bit too harsh. Sigurn's reassuring and kind behaviour is what I really love seeing. :)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: FrogEater on January 08, 2015, 05:05:19 PM
Quote from the nationalities of the world (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=67):
"The Norwegians are generally not very well educated, but are always delightful company."

Looks very much like what we saw of her so far, don't you agree?

She knows her job, and I would add she knows how to handle people - in as much as the job is concerned. Unbearable, yet reliable.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Crazybean on January 11, 2015, 12:37:13 PM
I actually thought that with the alliteration, and how it could've been a lot worse, that it was pretty tame for Sigrun and maybe a little bit endearing? Maybe...
Hamfisted does seem to be a rather mild swear word. And "hapless " is more of an observation about Emil's life in general.  ;D

In the last couple of pages Sigrun came off as both caring and mature and dare I say motherly Even. So unexpected of her. I guess Emil isn't the first panicky newbie she's had to deal with. Might be She took one good look at our silly Swede and her experience told her 'Oh dear. This one will Need some extra handling won't he?'
Though She's still being Sigrun. Not caring or noticing that half the team can't understand her ground rules and is sleeping while standing. You would think they'd at least use some simple hand signs for 'troll', giant and the like...

I wonder how the relationship with Mikkel will develop. Captain and second in command clashing like that can't be good in the long run.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Fimbulvarg on January 11, 2015, 02:37:22 PM
Hamfisted does seem to be a rather mild swear word.

I dunno, there really aren't any good literal translation for hamfisted in Norwegian. The closest word that comes to mind is "slepphendt" (drop-handed), which is crass but still an everyday word.

As for "hapless" I wonder if Minna really intended to use Norwegian "håpløs"/Swedish "hopplös" which mean "hopeless".

As trivia, there's an appropriate idiom in Norwegian: å ha ti tommeltotter (having ten thumbs).
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on January 20, 2015, 03:35:13 AM
The fabulous Captain Eide, Sigrun of the Thousand Faces, has been getting a lot of love in Chapter 5 as she reveals more of her... unique leadership style.

Comments on pp. 250-51 alone:

Falconicide
Does anyone else love Sigrun's "game face" when she says: "KILL IT DEAD"?  Because I certainly do!

Rabbit
I want to scream at Sigrun for being quite possibly clinically insane while in possession of authority, but that damn smile.

*fans self*
kurukami 
So say we all!

Terallodaktus
Sigrun's face in the first panel is soooo badass!
I think I might be in the middle of developing a girlcrush here...

UFOO9000
Oh wow. I think I'm falling in love. Is this normal ?

[name redacted]
OK, that picture of Sigrun in the first panel?
If a woman ever looked at me like that, I'd either be
A) terrified, or
B) highly aroused :D

[another Disqus poster]
Why not both?

[and another poster]
Highly aroused....
 
[gentlemen, please]
I think the phrase is "arousedly terrified" or "terrifyingly aroused".

Either works.




Columbine
I really love the way Sigrun's working out as a leader. Sure she's got a talent for putting her foot in it but the way she handled this really makes me feel like she knows what she's doing where it counts. Even if she is a total goof-ball.

Rabbit
Oh Captain, my Captain, from mature to ridiculous in .2 seconds in true Sigrunian fashion.

Incanus01
Sigrun is now officially my favourite character! She is fanspastic! :P

But she is tough too. Which hopefully makes up for the spasticity of her personality. Captain should be reliable. Sigrun is reliable to get things killed I am certain, but let's hope it is not the teammates.

Gwenno
I've re-read this page around five times now, and still can't stop myself from laughing when it comes to Sigrun's face in the last panel. It's just so PERFECT!
This comic always manages to get my day started with a smile :D

I'm not really sure at the moment if we'd previously overestimated Sigrun's competence, or if she's just adapting to a changed situation :/ (probably just the second one right? Seriously, the way she's handling Emil just screams good leadership….)

Anyway, I've a feeling that though the comic we'll be seeing repeated cycles of "oh wow Sigrun, that was pretty darn sensible/clever/brave/insightful", and "Wait, what? Sigrun you doofus, what are you doing?!".

Gryphonic
She's.....she's insane. o_o
Her list of rules was generally sensible. I guess once excitement hits common sense goes out the window with Sigrun. I'm starting to see why the glimpse we got of her last team had them all banged up!

Edit: and for a laugh, picture Mikkel's reaction if he was hearing this.

Peter Sadlon 
I said before, I'll say it again, she's worse than a bloody valkyrie

??????? ????????? 
Nah, she's *better* than just a bloody valkyrie.

Varjohaltia 
I like her more and more with every panel. Despite that / because I agree with everything you said.

Euodiachloris 
Personally, I can't decide if she's awesomely Genre-Blind, Crazy Awesome or Crazy Awesome because screw genre! :/

corncobman 
Crazy awesome and awesomely crazy.

With an unhealthy dose of awesome awesome and a little bit of crazy crazy thrown in.

What was running through my mind the first time I read the page was "had a crazy moment? It's one long journey of crazy with you."
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on February 13, 2015, 05:13:45 PM
From page 268, where Sigrun's Genki levels (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GenkiGirl) spike dangerously high:


Sunflower
Sigrun, the evening's over when your date throws up.

slim kittens 
Yeah. I hate it when that happens.

Sunflower 
I expect Sigrun's seen the expressions on panels 3, 4, and 6 on a lot of her dates' faces. (And in the case of panel 6, probably also on her dad and mom.)

"Honey, they're not all wimps. You're just playing with them a little too hard. Remember, like when the cat clawed you? You need to be gentle with the boys -- gentle, OK, sweetheart?"
"Aw, Mom..."
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on February 13, 2015, 05:44:27 PM
thatclimbingguy • 2 days ago
I like how Mikkel is all "You stand there in the corner till you behave yourself again".

corncobman  thatclimbingguy • 2 days ago
I suspect that this isn't the first time that this is happened either. Sigrun puts up very little resistance.

Pyroscoped • 2 days ago
Mikkel has sent Sigrun to stand in the naughty corner for traumatising the Swedish child

Mogram  Pyroscoped • 2 days ago
Sigrun cops a mild rebuke
For causing poor Emil to puke;
It looks like when she's kind of mad,
She greatly worries Safety Dad.


Tafkae • 21 hours ago
Sigrun, go stand in the corner and think about what you've done


Axel • a day ago
Sigrun is actually really scary in this page, I feel like if she didn't have people around her to bring her down she'd go off the deep end and destroy everything, everything.

LooNEY_DAC  Axel • a day ago
AND IT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!
MWU-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!
…Um, I mean, "You're so right, and that's terrible."
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Laowai on February 14, 2015, 05:41:12 PM
It says on Sigrun's character page that she lives for the military and therefore is not that well educated, and it sates that thats not uncommon for military leaders. Could it be possible that Mikkel is literally too smart for his own good and showed up his bosses too many times?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: KMK on February 15, 2015, 01:39:55 AM
He reminds me of a bear (if talking about appearance). He's analyzing the prey!

Or he's a care bear.

On a serious side, yes, I noticed that too. Mikkel seems to have read the others' profiles and paid attention, enough to remember Lalli's language abilities. I wonder if Sigrun read them at all (she knew Lalli was a mage, but she might have been told by Trond, or just glanced at the file to know each member's abilities.

I wonder if Sigrun can read more than an elementary level. Maps yes, but a non-illustrated book?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on February 15, 2015, 01:41:54 AM
I wonder if Sigrun can read more than an elementary level. Maps yes, but a non-illustrated book?

Hee hee, a lot of us have speculated about that!   :)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: SeaAngel on February 16, 2015, 01:29:14 AM
I wonder if Sigrun can read more than an elementary level. Maps yes, but a non-illustrated book?

I don't think she is the type to sit down and read.
As HTTYD said: Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: DancingRanger on March 18, 2015, 02:22:46 PM
Okay, after much searching I found this discussion on page 277

DancingRanger
17 days ago
I don't know why but I think Sigrun needs a warning label.
17  Edit Reply
?
 
Noodly Appendage  DancingRanger
17 days ago
*Contains exuberance. Handled on equipment that also processes car accidents. Improper use may lead to face squeezing, shoulder punches or other side effects. If you notice being alone in a creepy building, discontinue use and contact a medical professional**. Read all instructions before use.

** Mikkel would be a good one.
26  Reply
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corncobman  Noodly Appendage
17 days ago
***Warning, do not feed the Sigrun. Do not make any sudden movements and keep your hands by your sides at all times.***
11  Reply

Alaron  DancingRanger
17 days ago
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Sigrun.

Caution: Happy Fun Sigrun may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

If Happy Fun Sigrun begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Do not taunt Happy Fun Sigrun.
15  Reply
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DaiJB  Alaron
16 days ago
"If Happy Fun Sigrun begins to smoke, get away immediately." :D

If Happy Fun Sigrun has already burst into flame, put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye...
2  Reply
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corncobman  DaiJB
16 days ago
If Sigrun = having fun, RUN!
3  Reply
?
 
Sitting Duck  DaiJB
15 days ago
That is quite a reach.
0  Reply
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JoB  DancingRanger
16 days ago
"If you can read this, you're too close. RUN." In 1000pt font. Floating above her. Neon sign. Blinking. With a blaring builtin siren able to drown out the insufficient warning sign of "outdoor voice" Sigrun.

"Now dot's a nize hat!"
7  Reply
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ReturnOfDaveBro  JoB
16 days ago
"Enny plen vhere you lose you hat iz BED PLEN!!"

Drink!
2  Reply
?
 
Aprillen  ReturnOfDaveBro
16 days ago
Cheers!
0  Reply
?
 
Panzer_Engel  DancingRanger
16 days ago
"Warning; When using Sigrun do not operate allow her anywhere near heavy machinery."
5  Reply
?
 
corncobman  Panzer_Engel
16 days ago
***Use in a well ventilated, brightly lit room. Do not combine with medication or mix with alcohol.

Highly volatile and unstable. Do not shake or expose to flame. Contact with skin may cause swelling or discomfort.

Follow directions carefully and always consult your doctor. Keep out of the reach of children.***
9  Reply
?
 
Hrolfr  corncobman
16 days ago
Prolonged Exposure to Sigrun has been known to cause fires, delinquency, vandalism, nausea and bloodshed, hair loss, adrenaline burnout, loss of appetite, jealousy amongst women, firefights and lust amongst bystanders.

Do not combine with Trolls. Ever.
4  Reply
?
 
Frank Royce Harr  DancingRanger
16 days ago
Nah, women are more fun when you don't know what you're getting into.
1  Reply
?
 
Hrolfr  Frank Royce Harr
16 days ago
For certain values of "fun."
0  Reply
?
 
DaiJB  DancingRanger
16 days ago
For Emergency Use Only - Break glass and stand clear...
1  Reply
?
 
corncobman  DaiJB
16 days ago
Explosive. Handle with extreme care.
1  Reply
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on March 19, 2015, 04:23:34 PM
Page 284:

Alaron • 7 hours ago
Sigrun looks... elegant with her hair in her face like the last panel. It is very confusing, as that's not an adjective I'd associate with Sigrun.

Hrolfr  Alaron • 5 hours ago
Think of Miss Sigrun, in a elegant black lobster-tail cocktail dress, high heels, discreet diamond earrings, elbow gloves, holding a champagne flute, at an nice party with an orchestra playing the background, holding court to a bevy of attractive men of various ages...

...drunk out of her mind , and gesticulating wildly with the other smoking pipe-wielding arm, and loudly explaining as she illustrates gutting a troll while rolling sideways, and not getting covered in the guts.

You are right, you can clean her up, but elegant might not be her thing


Panzer_Engel  Hrolfr • 4 hours ago
Mm. . . Not sure black would really suit her. . . Might make her look freshly boiled. . .

I'd see her in aquamarine, or maybe a deep green - Emerald to forest - I know; Stereotypical 'difficult greens'. But with her hair and skin tone I think she'd rock them.

Auleliel 
Oooh, I like the idea of Sigrun in aquamarine!

Hrolfr 
I almost wrote fire-engine red "because Sigrun" but I was thinking of the classic poster:
"l'instant taittinger". (http://media.xad.de/print/o/print112987.jpg) I'll leave the ladies to argue the details of proper color.

JoB 
If it's just a matter of a matching beverage / ad campaign, and to say it with admiral Olsen: "CARRY ON, THEN!" (http://media.xad.de/print/o/print112987.jpg)
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Richard Weir on March 24, 2015, 11:58:07 PM
Page 288: Sigrun has Reynir Arnason taken prisoner and...

Loses it. While she has several times been seen to be hasty and to overreact, this time she does both AND looks as if she is failing to cope. Her face as she runs back to the CatTank looks like a silent scream of frustration and bewilderment would look. She has claw-hands -- a sure sign in graphic novels of emotion beyond a character's limits.

If she makes a stupid mistake now then it's going to be a humdinger, and it will take all Mikkel's calm, inner authority to override her.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: SeaAngel on March 25, 2015, 06:08:10 AM
Page 288: Sigrun has Reynir Arnason taken prisoner and...

Loses it. While she has several times been seen to be hasty and to overreact, this time she does both AND looks as if she is failing to cope. Her face as she runs back to the CatTank looks like a silent scream of frustration and bewilderment would look. She has claw-hands -- a sure sign in graphic novels of emotion beyond a character's limits.

If she makes a stupid mistake now then it's going to be a humdinger, and it will take all Mikkel's calm, inner authority to override her.

I think this might be just her overeacting in general. When she is happy, she looks super happy, when she is distressed, she looks super distressed.
Although I agree that she is not thinking clearly right now. (Prisoner? Yelling at the ship at the horizon?)

However, Sigrun has been giving me the impression of someone who is insecure but doesn't want to show it. All the bragging, the jokes, and the eagerness might hide her desire to 'prove her awesome abilites' to everyone, or to live up to the expectations of the army and her family history.
Besides, there have been two moments where she looks plain awkward: when she teased Mikkel about washing pigs (and his response was un-enthusiastic) and at the Cast page, where her smile looks... well, not 100% happy. 
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Laufey on March 25, 2015, 06:32:16 AM
I think this might be just her overeacting in general.

I agree, it does seem like she has a super strong fight or flight -reflex and only a tiny capacity for stopping to think. This is a great survivor trait when trolls are coming at you face-height but a poor one in situations that are plain surprising with no obvious solution.

I'm also agreeing on the point of Sigrun seeming to be on the insecure-but-trying-their-damnest-to-hide-it type. Her parents are generals after all and by the photos on the walls of the great hall it seems her family line might be one of the really respectable ones so she has a LOT to live up to.

She is however good at what she does, surviving trolls. She also proved to be quite understanding in the scenes where Emil is freaking out - no harsh words, no berating, allowing him to avoid something he was very uncomfortable with, a hug + hair ruffling even. Well ok, one two-handed slap, but even that was just to shake him out of it and didn't have much force in it. Either she really has had to deal with lots of panicking newbies like Crazybean said, or maybe she remembers that feeling of being a scared first-time troll hunter herself?
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Vafhudr on March 25, 2015, 09:24:25 AM
Well my take on it is that Sigrun is acting this way because as the de facto leader of the expedition she has just been dumped a massive liability - a non-immune civilian, possibly a fugitive (we know he's just a stowaway but that doesn't make it better for the crew) while they are fairly deep within the Silent World with no obvious way for extraction. Their resources are already scarce and he's basically going to be a free-loader for a while.

Basically his arrival compromises the whole mission.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: ChristopherMcCauley on March 25, 2015, 03:32:39 PM
Sigrun showed both compassion and lawfulness immediately upon being presented with the situation, despite it being a massive and unexpected surprise. Knew exactly what should be done and began delegating immediately, showing us that Sigrun is implying that everyone recognises the leadership (having been a captain before). Having titled Braidy Árnason as a "prisoner" [...of war] shows us the militaristic and war-like feel Sigrun is getting from the expedition as a whole, and reveals what might have been Sigrun's disposition during Trond's hunting party.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: Sunflower on May 05, 2015, 03:08:19 AM
Word of Minna re: Sigrun's education (and a bit about schooling throughout Norway)

Q. I know she's had very little education, but what was it?

minnasundberg Mod
She went to a tiny village school with like... one classroom.

theamynator
Do they have larger schools in Norway?

minnasundberg Mod 
In the capital, yes.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: KicknRun on June 22, 2015, 12:55:18 PM
ok so i yelled about sigrun in the wrong thread heres the right thread


Sigrun and Mikkel bicker like an old married couple, yup.but I have a reason I keep on writing her as emotionally stunted as she is in all my fanfics. She's been a hunter for a long time, yeah? Maybe she joined up 16-18 years old-ish. Wasn't a captain forever.

She probably learned not to get attached to people in that time period. And if she does, it takes a good long time.

In the flashback to when Trond recruited her, her whole team is banged up to hell. She's a little banged up. And completely unconcerned about anyone around her.

Example 1. She smashed her elbow into another member of the team. I'm pretty sure Minna could have fit a "sorry" in there. (Its what like anyone else could have done)

Example 2. When she grabs Emil's face. He's clearly exhausted, and just had a near death experience + is probably adrenaline crashing- which is all things Sigrun should be familiar with.

But she doesn't acknowledge Emil's situation. And its not the first time. The whole time when she smashes Emil and Lalli together was supposed to be fine, even it was a mistake. She doesn't seem to have any good interactions with Lalli to know he's a little to the fey, so that's not really her fault.

But she does know Emil's pretty green. Since she probably read the files (how else would she know about him going to a fancy school? small talk? Actually it might be small talk, but she probably read the files.)

Big talk, the overexuberance is probably a way of coping.

So,Sigrun in summary -aware but not really, probably way different when she joined the hunters,copes with overexcitement

I'm guessing that the Norwegian army is pretty hardcore and trial by fire-ish. I'd doubt that the other nations are really really concerned with the others, as long as they are still trading and not dying of the rash, everything is A-OK, so she wouldn't know how the other countries do things,really.
Title: Re: Character Development: Sigrun
Post by: RandomTexanReader on June 22, 2015, 01:25:03 PM
hello i am here to smash any happy headcanons you have to pieces
Spoiler: show

Sigrun and Mikkel bicker like an old married couple, sure, but I have a reason I keep on writing her as emotionally stunted as she is in all my fanfics. She's been a hunter for a long time, yeah? Maybe she joined up 16-18 years old-ish. Not a captain forever.
She probably learned not to get attached to people in that time. And if she does, it takes a good long time.
In the flashback to when Trond recruited her, her whole team is banged up to hell. She's a little banged up. And completely unconcerned about anyone around her.
Example 1. She smashed her elbow into another member of the team. I'm pretty sure Minna could have fit a "sorry" in there. (Its what like anyone else could have done)
Example 2. When she grabs Emil's face. He's clearly exhausted, and just had a near death experience + is probably adrenaline crashing- which is all things Sigrun should be familiar with
But she doesn't acknowledge Emil's situation. And its not the first time. The whole time when she smashes Emil and Lalli together was supposed to be fine, even it was a mistake. She doesn't seem to have any good interactions with Lalli to know he's a little to the fey.
But she does know Emil's pretty green. Since she probably read the files (how else would she know about him going to a fancy school? small talk? Actually maybe, it she probably read the files.)
Big talk, the overexuberance is probably a way of coping.
So,Sigrun in summary -aware but not really, probably way different when she joined the hunters,copes with overexcitement
I'm guessing that the Norwegian army is pretty hardcore and trial by fire-ish. I'd doubt that the other nations are really really concerned with the others, as long as they are still trading and not dying of the rash, everything is A-OK.
And about the team being a big happy family-
They haven't known each other for long enough for them to be a family+plus the added bonus of the fact that their never going to have that chance, because this expedition is  going to last the winter then its over.

*looks at wall of text above*
"So this is why I can't write happy fanfics."

TL;DR: nothing is happy and everything is bad
*Aggressively optimistic party-crash*

Really I think it would work the other way around. You fight alongside people, you need to be able to have a good connection with them. There's a reason that soldiers' camaraderie is a byword--you need to be prepared to die for your teammates, and vice versa. And if there's a high turnover rate, you need to be able to make attachments quickly.

Notice how physical Sigrun gets with everyone. She's been shown touching all of the team members (except for Reynir) at least once and really gets up in people's faces when she's talking to them. Both of these are extremely important connection techniques. Ever watch a mom with her baby? Lots of touching, lots of getting up in the baby's face. Humans respond to these actions by forming attachments, the sort of attachment you're going to need if you're going to be asking people to fight and die for you. Personally, I think that Sigrun has very strong maternal instincts which she's incorporated into her job to make her a good captain.

Let's look at when she first meets her team. First she's waving to them vigorously as they get off the platform, immediately identifying herself to them in a friendly manner. Then when Tuuri exclaims about her height she responds, not only with pleasure, but by immediately turning it back to Tuuri: "I like you already!" Then she meets Lalli: she gives him a cheerful, friendly smack on the back, to which Lalli reacts negatively, and doesn't answer the question she asked him. Whereupon Sigrun lays a hand on his shoulder, gets up in his face, and instead of repeating the question or taking offense, respects his decision (she thinks) not to answer. "Don't feel like talking about it? That's cool, maybe later?" So far so good. I think that she probably skimmed over the personnel reports, which would explain the gaps in her information. Then when Emil breaks off the cattank mirror (I think that might come back to bite them even more: ever try driving with only one side-view mirror?) she immediately covers for him.

Later on, in the troll house, we see Sigrun at her finest (and prettiest). She doesn't take any uncalculated risks, checking ahead before bringing in her team, deciding to kill the troll based on its size, setting a rendezvous and pulling out immediately once she realizes the extent of the infestation. She loses her temper with Emil exactly once, and comforts him immediately afterwards. She knows that she's dealing with a scared noob, and she reacts accordingly: reassuring him, coaxing him, not tearing him down. She smacks his face when he begins to get hysterical, snapping him out of it: then places her hands on his shoulders and talks him down. When Emil says that he wasn't freaking out/crying, instead of correcting him she just accepts it and moves on.
When she smashes Emil and Lalli together it's not so much that she's ignoring Lalli's sensitivity as that she has literally no other way to communicate quickly to somebody who doesn't understand what she's saying, "You, here, with him." You may notice that after the initial meeting when Lalli makes it abundantly clear that he doesn't like being touched, this is the only time that she touches him. So she does notice, and she does respect that.
Now later on she completely forgets about Lalli: but it's actually quite understandable, and not much of a reflection on her abilities. First of all, they hadn't been talking to each other at all: you may have noticed how easy it is to forget the "quiet friend" or to be forgotten if you are the quiet friend. That's just how people work: they remember people who they talk to. Secondly, Lalli wasn't where he was supposed to be. Sigrun headed back to the rendezvous point at the appropriate time, as did Emil. They met up, had some rather urgent and very distracting business to take care of, and then were running for their lives. The quiet one who isn't where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there is easy for anyone to forget. Thank goodness for Mikkel. (Incidentally, looking at the distance between the two when Lalli threw himself out of the window, Mikkel probably ran up to catch him, and that makes me happy.)

Now to address the two examples you gave:
1. Face-smash. The people she was sitting with weren't her teammates: they were her co-captains, in charge of their own teams. (Which probably means that Sigrun hurt her neck, one-eye hurt (or lost) his eye, and no-arms broke both her arms on completely separate missions, and I find that kind of funny. What must the life of a Norwegian medic be like?)  So it's certainly not Sigrun's fault that they're beat up, and probably just an everyday sort of occurrence. Nothing to be concerned about. I agree that a simple apology (e.g. Tuuri's apology to Lalli when she accidentally pulled his hair) would have been easy to fit in, but I don't think a lack of an apology is a sign of anything serious. It strikes me as a pretty rough-and-tumble environment: she probably grew up with those guys, and they might not expect apologies if you wind up accidentally hurt while somebody's trying to volunteer for a suicide mission.

2. Emil-overwhelming. Sigrun and Emil have just had their first real combat experience as a team. Emotions and adrenaline are running high, and Sigrun moves in immediately to take full advantage of that. Physical contact, getting up in his face, motivational speech, "ARE YOU WITH ME???" It backfires, hilariously so, but Sigrun's actions were A+ military leadership techniques. With a more aggressive personality it probably would have been exactly what was needed. And when Emil throws up, she backs off. Mikkel pulls her aside, and she doesn't resist, either allowing herself to be put in or putting herself in the corner. (I'm not sure which is better.)

TL;DR: People would totally die for Sigrun, and for good reason.