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Remember that F-class citizens, which Tahmaseb now is, can’t confer their class status to a fugee through marriage, but every class above them can. Now that wouldn’t have made what Tahmaseb’s plan a good one, though, because would being Sahar’s dsughter-in-law, assuming she wouldn’t block this, really be better that just having her as your debtor? I don’t think Tahmaseb’s thinking this through clearly, and I think Maida knows that.
↓ Transcript
Panel 1: Sahar walks away from the table. Maida stands up and holds her hands in gratitude. Maida: "Thank-you, Ma'am. So so much." Sahar: "Mmm. Tahmaseb." Tahmaseb (not standing up): "Sahar."
Panel 2: Maida, still holding the holographic contract: "Well! That wasn't so bad." Robot, heading towards the door: "This way, please."
Panel 3: Tahmaseb, holding his fists clenched and looking down at the table: "This was a mistake. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here."
Panel 4: Maida, still smiling, closes the screen. Maida: "What do you mean? I got my money. And I got a job!"
Panel 5: Maida puts on her shoulder bag and Tahmaseb gets up from the table. The robot leads them to the door. Tahmaseb: "Look, maybe you shouldn't sign that contract. We can get the money somewhere else." Maida: "There is nowhere else!"
Panel 6: Tahmaseb: "If I was still a amelu I could just marry you and then you wouldn't need to become a shidafu just to get a visa."
Panel 7: Maida is embarrassed and surprised. Maida: "Um." Tahmaseb, not noticing: "I've got money though. Maybe I can cover your tuition at least."
Panel 2: Maida, still holding the holographic contract: "Well! That wasn't so bad." Robot, heading towards the door: "This way, please."
Panel 3: Tahmaseb, holding his fists clenched and looking down at the table: "This was a mistake. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here."
Panel 4: Maida, still smiling, closes the screen. Maida: "What do you mean? I got my money. And I got a job!"
Panel 5: Maida puts on her shoulder bag and Tahmaseb gets up from the table. The robot leads them to the door. Tahmaseb: "Look, maybe you shouldn't sign that contract. We can get the money somewhere else." Maida: "There is nowhere else!"
Panel 6: Tahmaseb: "If I was still a amelu I could just marry you and then you wouldn't need to become a shidafu just to get a visa."
Panel 7: Maida is embarrassed and surprised. Maida: "Um." Tahmaseb, not noticing: "I've got money though. Maybe I can cover your tuition at least."
aaaaaaaaaaaa this is really whipping along! dunno if I mentioned this efore but I love the payoff that F-class people wear colors other than black, but so do Amelu and Shidafu, and Tamaseb has been wearing black over colors this whole time.
god, aaaaa what an excellently written shitty floppy-haired boyfriend.
I’m glad you like him! He’s always been one of the most challenging characters to get just right in this story, so on the one hand it makes sense that Maida likes him, but on the other there are reasons… to not like him, for later.