Thankfully, the comments section hasn't been too much as Ky describes, with relatively few gripes through this chapter so far. I don't know if that's me actually handling the setup well enough to allow people to accept all these high school sweethearts. (Or y'all were rooting for those sweethearts anyway, so who cares about plausibility?) XD
I don't have much else to add here except "poor Ky." Maybe not in those exact terms, but I've been there - ready to swear off dating because "I'll never find someone who takes me as I am and likes me for me." The good news is that I did. And because of that - combined with my insufferable optimism - I'm sure Ky will find that special someone someday too. :)
IMHO, it's not quite a fourth wall break. I mean, I know people who make comments like that in real life, and while there has been *some* of that in these comments, as Jocelyn mentioned, it's not been nearly as much of a complaint as one might expect from seeing stuff like this other places.
DItto. The couple I know started dating in our senior year, got married after college, and are still happily married after 30+ years and several children.
As much as it sucks that drew X Ky didn’t work out it’s probably for the best. Drew was very much still learning and just starting to be coming out of his phase where he was ignorant and occasionally an jerk due to it. He likely wouldn’t mean malice but the amount of time the two would have spent dateing would mean a lot of patience and emotional labour on Kys part while he unlearned behaviors in a naturally slow process. This way Drew can learn at his own pace (and knowing him I’m sure he did after high school) without stressing Ky out with unavoidable conflict. I’m also really happy that this shows that Ky has learned and is capable of self care and has self-worth enough to advocate and stand up for themselves.
I have definitely thought that about the relationships in the epilogue. Especially about Maria/Chanel - there's enough age distance there that it feels likely that they would drift apart while in different life situations. Realistically, even 6 years later, Chanel is probably still in college for another year or two, and Maria has graduated. The year of the comic is basically the only point where those two are almost in the same life situation, and even that stops when Maria has to leave her parents' house.
That said, I recognize having these established relationships break up over the intervening years would be pretty narratively unsatisfying. Realistic or not, it doesn't make a good story that fits the tone you've established.
And, honestly, of the people in my high school friend group who were in long term relationships, 3 of them married their high school sweetheart, and a fourth married the first guy she ever dated right after starting college. More of them married their high school partners than those who broke up, like 3:2 there. So it's not *that* unrealistic anyway.
I think many people in the world at large are not very good at thinking about just "people ... who were in long term relationships", so they see it as unrealistic. At least two of my brothers are included in this group (I don't think they read this comic, I certainly never told them about it because they're not people I want to spend time with.)
I graduated in 1990, so things may have changed a bit since then. But there were several people in my high school who were in long term heteronormative relationships to hide the fact they weren't straight cis people, and most of these relationships broke up during the summer and fall after graduation.
Just looking at data from my social circle, people in an alternative sexuality relationship for more than 6 months tend to be more likely to stick with their partners more than people in a heteronormative relationship for more than 6 months. That said, it's certainly not a statistically significant data pool.
I mean, my parents met while my mom was in highschool, and they're still together. Not saying it's necessarily common, but it's not impossible to work out.
This is so unrealistic! I am shocked and dismayed that you would thus shatter my suspension of disbeliefby presenting such a thoroughly implausible scenario!
I mean, seriously, you expect me to believe that no-one outside the core cast is discerning enough to see how much of a catch Ky is as any gender? I just don't buy it.
It seems like so many people want to force the people in their lives to change into someone who they'd rather have. You know, "my (6-month-old) son is going to be a varsity football player," or the title of that play "I love you, you're perfect. Now change." Or just saying, "I'll only like you if you are <something>." Like Drew.
Maybe I'm weird, but I kind of just enjoy people being themselves, being who they really are. (Well, as long as "who they really are" isn't some flaming a******.) I might or might not want to be living with them, I might not even really get along with them, but just because I'm not compatible with them doesn't mean I want them to tell them to change. I've seen too many people who seem to be trying to be something different from who they are and suffering (and often being nasty), and it makes me sad for them, and kinda mad at whoever brainwashed them into thinking they had to be that way. Maybe it's a sore point for me because I grew up being constantly told that who and how I was was bad and I should just stop it and be the someone else who would be more convenient for them, and -- 50 years later -- I'm still trying to recover from it.
As for plural people, I've met a few, but can't say I've gotten to know them well. I'm just guessing, but I wonder if a lot of the problem for them with finding someone(s) to have a relationship with is that so many people out there seem to demand that their "soulmate" be a certain way. A lot of singlet-singlet relationships break up over this. I would think it would be an even bigger issue in a singlet-plural relationship. (I'm not all that familiar with plurality, so I hope I haven't mangled the terminology too much.)
I UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE KYILE COVEN IN EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY NO MATTER THEIR CURRENT GENDER EXPRESSION OR IDENTITY! They're one of my favorite characters, and they deserve to hear it.
I read it as, Kylie maybe knew some other people in high school besides the friends who are in the comic (although I think I remember them saying they weren't really close to anyone at their own high school). Rain/Rudy and the others all broke up before graduation. (Alison/Rain was never a thing; Alison is straight and Rain responded to her confession by coming out to her as trans.) Heck, Gavin & Maria probably appeared the most like stereotypical high school sweethearts and they _never_ were!
It's possible Devin/Holly broke up, but I'm secretly rooting for them. Idk if we'll see Blair or his partners
Rudy, he doesn't have a highschool sweetheart 'side from Rain. If they're still in contact with Drew, then he would count as well. It's possible Maria and Chanel have broken up too
keep in mind Ky went to a different school. she didn't like it much, but she could very well have made a couple of friends there, especially in her senior year.
I have to say, "everyone marries their high school sweetheart" is a trope that REALLY gets on my nerves, but somehow I still haven't been bothered. (Yes, I know that they are not all married yet and we don't know if any of them even are married at all.) It probably doesn't bother me because I actually ship 'em all, and they aren't all having children, and I'm actually happy that the couples I like are still together!
Gonna be honest, it's kinda depressing that not a single character is single and happy. All the couples seem great but would it kill for someone to be satisfied with what theyre doing without a partner?
Actually, Jessica is not currently in a relationship at this moment. I haven't gone into the full details yet, but I mean to imply she's just focused on herself right now. Mind, she'll probably want to date again someday, but it's low priority for her at this moment.
But I assume you mean you're wondering about the lack of a specifically aromantic character? For that, I'm sorry. It's one of those orientations I unfortunately never quite worked into Rain. That said, it is something I'm interested in writing into future stories. I hope you'll look forward to it when the time comes. :)
I don't think Ky is referring to Drew with those conditions. I feel like Drew was coming to be chill with whatever Ky was at the time. But remember over 6 years, it's very likely it has happened to them several times more over. So their feelings are likely because of various other relationships over that 6 years.
Whelp, this is a webcomic. And honestly, as a 23 year old genderfluid person, I very much feel them. Finding someone who 100% respects your identity is hard. Love everyone, but not a lot of people seem to love you, which sucks. But also being 23, still feels young to marry. At least for me. Maybe it’s just my generation. Or just my family. My parents didn’t marry until they were dating for almost 9 years, and didn’t have me until their 30s. Also the thought of me or anybody my friends getting married right now freaks me out.
> And because of that - combined with my insufferable optimism - I'm sure Ky will find that special someone someday too.
Aren't you the author? You actually get to make that call.
Realistic or not I'm glad things are going generally well for the characters with a few road-bumps scattered in. Like Ky's dating record or Ana's employment status.
Ah! Thank you for your contribution. I've been wondering where these comments were. XD
It's rare these days, but it does happen.
Also, you little fourth-wall-breaking dork 😅
That said, I recognize having these established relationships break up over the intervening years would be pretty narratively unsatisfying. Realistic or not, it doesn't make a good story that fits the tone you've established.
And, honestly, of the people in my high school friend group who were in long term relationships, 3 of them married their high school sweetheart, and a fourth married the first guy she ever dated right after starting college. More of them married their high school partners than those who broke up, like 3:2 there. So it's not *that* unrealistic anyway.
I graduated in 1990, so things may have changed a bit since then. But there were several people in my high school who were in long term heteronormative relationships to hide the fact they weren't straight cis people, and most of these relationships broke up during the summer and fall after graduation.
Just looking at data from my social circle, people in an alternative sexuality relationship for more than 6 months tend to be more likely to stick with their partners more than people in a heteronormative relationship for more than 6 months. That said, it's certainly not a statistically significant data pool.
And you really got me giggling. Thanks.
I mean, seriously, you expect me to believe that no-one outside the core cast is discerning enough to see how much of a catch Ky is as any gender? I just don't buy it.
It seems like so many people want to force the people in their lives to change into someone who they'd rather have. You know, "my (6-month-old) son is going to be a varsity football player," or the title of that play "I love you, you're perfect. Now change." Or just saying, "I'll only like you if you are <something>." Like Drew.
Maybe I'm weird, but I kind of just enjoy people being themselves, being who they really are. (Well, as long as "who they really are" isn't some flaming a******.) I might or might not want to be living with them, I might not even really get along with them, but just because I'm not compatible with them doesn't mean I want them to tell them to change. I've seen too many people who seem to be trying to be something different from who they are and suffering (and often being nasty), and it makes me sad for them, and kinda mad at whoever brainwashed them into thinking they had to be that way. Maybe it's a sore point for me because I grew up being constantly told that who and how I was was bad and I should just stop it and be the someone else who would be more convenient for them, and -- 50 years later -- I'm still trying to recover from it.
As for plural people, I've met a few, but can't say I've gotten to know them well. I'm just guessing, but I wonder if a lot of the problem for them with finding someone(s) to have a relationship with is that so many people out there seem to demand that their "soulmate" be a certain way. A lot of singlet-singlet relationships break up over this. I would think it would be an even bigger issue in a singlet-plural relationship. (I'm not all that familiar with plurality, so I hope I haven't mangled the terminology too much.)
As far as Plural relationships go, there is a similar fear of the singlet partner only getting along with one alter or specific alters.
It's possible Devin/Holly broke up, but I'm secretly rooting for them. Idk if we'll see Blair or his partners
dont think that makes ky feel any better though
Me: Cribbing Ky for use in my own name.
It's been great to have a good genderfluid character. Thank you for writing them ^_^
Unrelated, but Gavin's chinstrap beard just screams "I'm a man in my early twenties who could never grow facial hair before" to me
Actually, Jessica is not currently in a relationship at this moment. I haven't gone into the full details yet, but I mean to imply she's just focused on herself right now. Mind, she'll probably want to date again someday, but it's low priority for her at this moment.
But I assume you mean you're wondering about the lack of a specifically aromantic character? For that, I'm sorry. It's one of those orientations I unfortunately never quite worked into Rain. That said, it is something I'm interested in writing into future stories. I hope you'll look forward to it when the time comes. :)
Aren't you the author? You actually get to make that call.
Realistic or not I'm glad things are going generally well for the characters with a few road-bumps scattered in. Like Ky's dating record or Ana's employment status.