Okay, so this is the REAL last page of the chapter. I just wanted to make sure Kellen was addressed before moving on (more for the sake of her whereabouts than anything), since she was absent throughout this entire chapter. But for how little resolution we actually get, there are some interesting things to learn here (mostly within the first two panels).
The fourth panel was a last minute change too. Originally, I was considering dragging things out with Rain’s family – essentially having Rain face her sister in a different chapter later on. But besides feeling redundant, it just didn’t feel possible for Kellen to NOT find out sooner or later at this point. Plus, I feel like it would be pretty foolish for Rain to repeat the same course of events that clearly didn’t work for her once.
So, opinion time: Based on what we know about Kellen, how do we think she’ll react to this?
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I think Kellen will be confused, concerned, and afraid that Ryan is "rushing into" this "whole transition thing".
Or maybe she'll have the "I don't understand this, I don't like it, I don't want you to go through with it... but I love you and will support you regardless" reaction.
Okay, enough projecting on my part.
Um... for my actual opinion, I can see her feeling hurt that something as "simple" as this is the reason she's been in the dark and left out of the loop, family-wise. She might resent the idea that she can't handle the truth.
A certain amount of that could be in presentation. The way Fara started made me think she was going to start off with something like, "You know how, when Ryan was four..." Talking through Ryan's obvious differences over time and explaining that this was something she's been dealing with her whole life, suddenly, making a transition doesn't seem so rushed.
Of course, horse, water, and drinking. But, to be fair, generally, a thirsty horse drinks when presented with reasonable water. And even if Kellen doesn't think that Rain is rushing things, it doesn't mean she'll accept Rain's choice. Or, as you suggested, it doesn't mean she'll be understanding about only being told about it now, despite the fact that she was around for something like 6-7 years of seeing Ryan's awkwardness.
@jocelyn
This was not the loose end I thought you would address. I figured maybe the Emily or Chanel thing.
Or maybe she'll have the "I don't understand this, I don't like it, I don't want you to go through with it... but I love you and will support you regardless" reaction.
Okay, enough projecting on my part.
Um... for my actual opinion, I can see her feeling hurt that something as "simple" as this is the reason she's been in the dark and left out of the loop, family-wise. She might resent the idea that she can't handle the truth.
Of course, horse, water, and drinking. But, to be fair, generally, a thirsty horse drinks when presented with reasonable water. And even if Kellen doesn't think that Rain is rushing things, it doesn't mean she'll accept Rain's choice. Or, as you suggested, it doesn't mean she'll be understanding about only being told about it now, despite the fact that she was around for something like 6-7 years of seeing Ryan's awkwardness.