Rain and Kellen in the same room again for the first time in 6 years, and it's immediately weird for both of them. Rain and Aiken have probably at least spoken to each other in that time, though.
Not much really happens yet, but there's a few smaller things worth mentioning that I assume some folks might be curious about. For starters, why yes, we have seen Ben's Diner before. There's no real significance to them meeting up here of all places, except that I wanted to include it again. If you don't know, I featured a place called Ben's Deli in a previous work of mine before Rain. There's no parody or wordplay for once, though; just this Ben fella fulfilling his dreams of running various food establishments frequented by all kinds of protagonists. XD
It might also be worth pointing out that I've never said what Aiken and Kellen do for a living before. It's been established what they wanted to be when they were kids, but never where things ended up for them. These professions were more or less always part of the plan, though. It's noteworthy that in that very first scene in the story, Aiken, Kellen, and Rain all said what they wanted to be when they grew up, but only Rain - who was laughed at for being "ridiculous" - actually followed through with and attained her childhood dream.
I want to stress that working in retail or as a receptionist is nothing to be ashamed of (I've done both myself). Work is work, and we just do what we can if we can. Who knows if their childhood dreams are still what they realistically want today anyway? So, it's not really about what their occupations are now. The main point is don't make fun of people's dreams; we're all just doing our best. And sometimes the ones that sound the most outlandish, are the ones that come true. ^_^
But I kind of like that Rain's other cheek is not seen. I can only think she forgot to take off her makeup for the video, and it will be revealed next page xd
Also, if you ask me, I think both want to mend things. But yes. Six years is a long time, and it's always weird. I think it will go mostly well.
You haven't mentioned it yet in your creator's commentary (or in the comic itself), and I do expect it'll come up at some point; I'd like to know why Rain's hair is still short? Surely it could have grown out in 6 years?
Nowhere significant. I considered a paper company for the silly reference. I considered a hospital receptionist because she used to want to be a doctor. But there's really no deep meaning to her occupation overall.
It's not, like, at Vincent's office or anything, if that's what you're thinking (Rain probably would've seen her sooner than six years later if she worked that close with him). Kellen is just a receptionist for some sort of establishment of no plot significance. ^_^
Same could be said of Aiken's retail place of employment. Just some store. Which one isn't too important to the story.
Ah okay, yeah that makes more sense. I just saw some people theorizing Kellen working for Vincent or something, thought maybe there was gonna be a connection with her occupation being shown.
*Sigh*. I want Rain and Kellen to get along. I also want Kellen to be alone and miserable all her life, since Aiken warned Kellen that without the girl thing Rain might kill herself, and Kellen decided that was a chance she was willing to take.
I'm sure Kellen had her garbage reasons. In fact, her behavior in those scenes has always read to me like someone giving in to compulsions more than someone deciding to be selfish. Yet she did it, and she did it with that infuriating shit-eating smile she wore the following morning.
If I recall correctly, despite Rains sister being a total moron for a vast amount of this story she has grown. She gotten her own “WTF am I doing…” moment after Ky’s sister talked her on a more personal level about what it really means to be a supportive/good sibling to a trans sibling. By this point 6 years later plus therapy Kelleen likely has managed to learn that what she learned from her sperm downer is toxic to her family.
Tentatively curious how this is going to go. I really hope things go well here, everyone deserves a chance after a time. Even with how bad Kellen acted all those years ago, it's a sign of great maturity on both of their parts to try and talk this through. The fact Kellen didn't hesitate to say "Rain" either says a lot. I know just about everyone who's read this comic wants to be bitter and wish the worst on her. But even still, to Rain, she's family. And though you can, and should, choose if family is in your life or not. Sometimes you still have to try.
6 years is a long time to grow and reflect on your mistakes. I hope she certainly has.
omg ok so wow this is the most exited ive ever been for a new page!!!!!!!! the awkwardness with kellen in rain is just like the first phone call they had a long time ago and i like how you had this in bens diner so the wall color is like in kellen and aikens old house. but wow i hope this gos ok ive waited so long for this im so not ready but this will be amazing omg
This is giving me mixed feelings
It's been about 6 years since I last had contact with the sperm donor and he was the main reason I spent an extra decade in the closet, I don't think he deserves any chance to know the real me...but he still haunts me 😢
I admire Rain's ability to face a family member that hurt her and give a second chance
I hope to get there some day
The thing about second chances is, it's super okay to only be willing or able to give a second chance if the person who did the hurting shows SOME outward sign of being receptive to receiving it - and earning it.
We don't quite see how the plans were made, but Rain got some indication from Kellen that she was receptive to meeting Rain where she's at. If she thought she would just sit there and keep insulting and demeaning her, she'd be BEYOND within her right to refuse - Rain says a few pages back, "I'm not bending over backwards if she's not gonna try."
I hope you get there too - I hope your erstwhile genetic contributor puts in the work and at least gets to a place where you can believe a second chance would be a safe and potentially rewarding thing to offer!
I had an experience with someone very close to me where something happened between her and I that wasn't quite as invasive as cutting off a lot of hair. But, it was still incredibly hurtful and was done "for my own good."
I ghosted her. She was insulted by this and a couple of years later tracked me down at an event we were both attending. In the midst of a group of people who knew me and some of whom knew her, I outlined what she 'd done. This embarrassed her. Then I got up and left saying this time, take the hint about being ghosted. Haven't seen her since. I've asked mutual friends not to talk about her to me, and that I don't care what they say about me to her.
I think Kellen deserves every bad thing that happens to her. But I have a problem with grudges and hold them far too long. Like I told my therapist, "If I were to see her injured on the side of the road next to a burning car, I wouldn't stop.
ive always liked how you link to every little reference. i never remember those little details so its really nice to be able to notice and appreciate them!
I hope this can work out for both of them family is important even when theres painful memories and scars that probably never heal but people can change and I hope Kellen does I believe in second chances but not thirds I hope Kellen is like my mom and goes from being my biggest source of pain to my greatest supporter
That is a great business model! If I ever start a business, I'm gonna think to myself, "I want to build the kind of place that a protagonist in a story I'd want to read would visit."
Rain's hair is green at the ends and looks like it's tied back. I'm going to hazard a guess that she has recently done a cosplay as Kaminari, for which she died it green and cut it short and is now growing it out again, has been for a few months.
Six years... I can't even imagine being separated from a sibling that long. I know Rain said she never wanted Kellen to speak to her ever again, but after Kellen started making progress, I'd figured that they would meet again 2-3 years down the track.
Six years without seeing each other... and given how well the two are doing avoiding eye contact, perhaps another six years sitting in the diner before being able to actually look at each other
Thank you for pointing us to “Lavender Town”; I just read it and really liked it. It’s a pity you didn’t continue (but, as a commenter in 2015 wrote, you would probably rewrite it to make it even better).
I think you’re great storyteller – I’ve always read Rain for the story. (Sorry – your art is better than anything I could do, it grew a lot over the years, your characters are quite expressive in that reduced style, but I read many webcomics where I like the art much better.)
Only to realize what she just said a moment too late
But I kind of like that Rain's other cheek is not seen. I can only think she forgot to take off her makeup for the video, and it will be revealed next page xd
Also, if you ask me, I think both want to mend things. But yes. Six years is a long time, and it's always weird. I think it will go mostly well.
I hope I'm right, and not extremely optimistic.
We'll actually learn the answer to that very soon. ^_^
As for Kellen... she said "Rain". I'm willing to give her a chance.
It's not, like, at Vincent's office or anything, if that's what you're thinking (Rain probably would've seen her sooner than six years later if she worked that close with him). Kellen is just a receptionist for some sort of establishment of no plot significance. ^_^
Same could be said of Aiken's retail place of employment. Just some store. Which one isn't too important to the story.
I'm sure Kellen had her garbage reasons. In fact, her behavior in those scenes has always read to me like someone giving in to compulsions more than someone deciding to be selfish. Yet she did it, and she did it with that infuriating shit-eating smile she wore the following morning.
Kellen has at least grown enough to call her little sis Rain, so improvement :)
6 years is a long time to grow and reflect on your mistakes. I hope she certainly has.
It's been about 6 years since I last had contact with the sperm donor and he was the main reason I spent an extra decade in the closet, I don't think he deserves any chance to know the real me...but he still haunts me 😢
I admire Rain's ability to face a family member that hurt her and give a second chance
I hope to get there some day
We don't quite see how the plans were made, but Rain got some indication from Kellen that she was receptive to meeting Rain where she's at. If she thought she would just sit there and keep insulting and demeaning her, she'd be BEYOND within her right to refuse - Rain says a few pages back, "I'm not bending over backwards if she's not gonna try."
I hope you get there too - I hope your erstwhile genetic contributor puts in the work and at least gets to a place where you can believe a second chance would be a safe and potentially rewarding thing to offer!
I ghosted her. She was insulted by this and a couple of years later tracked me down at an event we were both attending. In the midst of a group of people who knew me and some of whom knew her, I outlined what she 'd done. This embarrassed her. Then I got up and left saying this time, take the hint about being ghosted. Haven't seen her since. I've asked mutual friends not to talk about her to me, and that I don't care what they say about me to her.
I think Kellen deserves every bad thing that happens to her. But I have a problem with grudges and hold them far too long. Like I told my therapist, "If I were to see her injured on the side of the road next to a burning car, I wouldn't stop.
Six years without seeing each other... and given how well the two are doing avoiding eye contact, perhaps another six years sitting in the diner before being able to actually look at each other
I think you’re great storyteller – I’ve always read Rain for the story. (Sorry – your art is better than anything I could do, it grew a lot over the years, your characters are quite expressive in that reduced style, but I read many webcomics where I like the art much better.)