Technically, not a lot happens here, but this a weirdly involved page as it helps set up the next couple weeks a bit.
The focus here is on Randy, Drew, and Aidyn talking about girls. This is Randy's first appearance in the chapter and we now know he came to prom with someone named Molly Finch. Is this some new character? Yes and no. A little bit of a random fact: way back in the beginning of the story, before Randy was made a recurring character by fan demand, I was considering this similarly unique character. Instead of being seen and not heard like Randy is though, this Molly would never be seen, but we'd hear about her a lot. Stuff like a lot of "oh, did you hear what Molly said?" or "get a load of Molly's amazing prom dress" (that we'd never see). She was more or less cut in favor of Randy, as I figured two of this sort of character would be overdoing it. But using Molly here felt like a nice way to call back to her. ^_^
While on the subject of Randy, check out that suit. With all the black tuxes in this chapter, I wanted one to seem at least a little different. My spouse told me it kinda looks more like he's cosplaying someone, which wasn't really my intention. But given we know he does like anime and gaming and such (he was at the con, many chapters back), maybe it IS cosplay. I don't know of who, but I'm willing to run with this. XD
Also of note, Chanel is present at the head of the line but doesn't interact with anyone. Mostly just setting up something for later here. And we see Ky, Rain, and Emily at one of the tables. Again, we don't hear anything from them today, but we'll catch up with them soon.
Finally, we come full circle to address that most of the page is just these boys talking. And mostly, Drew and Aidyn talking about Ky. Your thoughts are most welcome here.
The individual working the soda bar is none less than the ghost of Ulysses S. Grant. And goshdang if he's not the greatest soda jerk in the world. Every movement is a ballet of carbonation. The precision with witch he pours into the cup is a miracle to behold on par with the birth of a new star. Chanel stands in wonder.
This conversation has me a bit worried that Drew is going to misgender Ky because social fear of not being straight with a cis GF. Ky is already having a bad day with the dress and they don't need any of that.
Don't know which would be worse in this situation. Misgendering Ky as female when Drew knows he's in boy mode, or correctly gendering as male when he's presenting as female and thus inviting more questions. Genuinely curious.
Their prom is a little different from mine, but its a rough environment to handle this in, since it is very binary gendered.
My personal opinion on this is that not outing someone is more important. People should have the right to choose when they come out, and you can't take that back. Drew has no right to out Ky or risk attracting undue attention to their actual gender, unless Ky has given him permission to.
I hope Drew is properly considering Ky and their feelings here. Ky really doesn't anything but positive and supportive people with how their dysphoria is treating them.
It was my impression that Ky is out. Drew is not out, in part because no one, including Drew, really knows what Drew is. As far as Drew knows (and his understanding is a little shaky) Ky is in "girl mode".(I still think a Ky/Rudy clothes swap is most likely, though I like Long-Time Lurker's suggestion)
She is obviously not ok and he needs to help. I get he really doesn’t fully understand what she is going through but he knows enough to know she is super uncomfortable.
I'm hoping Drew is trying not to draw attention to it for Ky's safety. Outing Ky against Ky's will, or even with Ky's consent, could be extremely dangerous in this environment. I don't know Ky's feelings on the matter, but some people feel the risk is too great.
In any case, Drew should talk with Ky about this, and find out how Ky wants to handle it. And support Ky, no matter what the decision is.
And being I don't know Ky's preferred pronouns (I may need to reread again), I hope I didn't do too terribly in avoiding a misgender.
I don't see that happening. For one thing, Ky and Drew are very different sizes, them swapping clothes isn't really practical for that reason alone. I also highly doubt Ky in boy mode would be anywhere close to comfortable stripping down and potentially showing off a very feminine body in the vicinity of another boy who is interested in them as a girl.
No thanks. Drew in a dress would probably look like a degrading, mocking, stereotype of what transphobes think trans women are like. And if you consider that Drew is fairly homophobic (and therefore probably very transphobic), he'd probably play it that way too. If Drew were to crossdress in any way, he'd have to treat it with the same sanctity and vulnerability as Rudy does when he plays Ruby.
Dunno if this comes off as a rant, it's just I've seen a lot of people suggesting that Drew wear Ky's dress, and it seems to me that people don't get how much danger that would put Rain in.
Ooo! Swapping clothes for "no reason" would raise a lot of questions, especially at that school, but what if (hams that she is) Rain "accidentally" spilled her drink/food on Ky's dress (with his permission), forcing Ky to change into whatever outfit is conveniently available. Say, sweatpants and a T-shirt. And then Rudy or Randy would have a perfect excuse to help them be a bit more spiffy in keeping with the nature of the event and lend Ky their tux jacket...
The soda's being poured before her very eyes, and it's just looks so cool and refreshing, Chanel stares in wonder.
Alternately, Chanel places her order in the same hammy way she got through check in, and she's just acting.
No real reason. I guess I just drew her with big eyes here. But you can imagine one of these scenarios or others, if you like. XD
#ReallyRandy
My personal opinion on this is that not outing someone is more important. People should have the right to choose when they come out, and you can't take that back. Drew has no right to out Ky or risk attracting undue attention to their actual gender, unless Ky has given him permission to.
I hope Drew is properly considering Ky and their feelings here. Ky really doesn't anything but positive and supportive people with how their dysphoria is treating them.
In any case, Drew should talk with Ky about this, and find out how Ky wants to handle it. And support Ky, no matter what the decision is.
And being I don't know Ky's preferred pronouns (I may need to reread again), I hope I didn't do too terribly in avoiding a misgender.
Dunno if this comes off as a rant, it's just I've seen a lot of people suggesting that Drew wear Ky's dress, and it seems to me that people don't get how much danger that would put Rain in.