first impressions
image description
A multi-page comic of an entire scene, with context.
page 1: Previously on [this stil needs a title] (much abridged)
- In a bleak place resembling a multilevel colosseum, text reads “Rise & shine, last one standing wins. Winner can go home, GLHF”
- The third speaks: “K so, headcount. I would like everyone to answer bc I am good and important. / Talking to you too btw”: The first character, sitting in the corner of one cavern, thinking Yeah right. I don’t answer to posers.
- Continuing, the third: “OK fine be that way. HBU, small person.” (It’s the second, who the crowd proceeds to stare at.) “Hello???” Dialogue continues but the panel cuts back to the first, who’s also noticed. “God what are you people deaf. Anyway—”
- The seventh has found an apple. “oh boy. food. lucky me.” Then the first towers over them. “uhhh. may i help you”
page 2
- The apple has been left by the small person, who’s still sitting in the corner; knees up, arms crossed, head down. From offscreen, upward: “Hey.”
- Small person looks over. Then up. Not moving.
- The first leans against the wall across from her. Internally monologuing: That’s right. It’s all yours now.
- She’s not looking at the small person anymore. The world is cruel. If we can protect ourselves, we can look out for the less fortunate. It’s the least we can do Abrupt spoken interruption: “What are you doing?”
page 3
- The first is startled. “I am, uh, s-standing guard.” “Why?” “In case someone tries t. to steal that.”
- Small person glances outside.
- Looks less reserved now. “I… don’t think anyone cares.”
The first sits across from her, still wary, still stuttering: “That’s what you think. You never know.” - They could be faking ignorance, the first thinks. Something could explode. Someone could snap—you could snap. If you’re not careful, you could and the letters turn to flicking static.
- “Why don’t you eat it?” asks the second, holding out the apple. Joce is, again, startled: “Wait what no.”
- The small person is now kneeled right by the first’s feet, still holding the apple (but not like it’s precious); “What, you think it’s inedible?” Joce: “I eat one granola bar a day. F-For breakfast.” Making zero eye contact. “That’s all I need.”
- Muses the second: “It only takes weeks to starve to death.” Joce tries to get a few words in: “Aren’t you a little young to—” Small person continues, unphased: “Well, give or take, but infection would probably kill first—”
- Asks the first, “How do you know all this?”
Replies the small person, who looks like a bandaged street orphan: “Oh, I’m a med student.” - The first stares at her, slack-jawed.
“Yeaaah,” the girl says, “I get that a lot.”
page 4
- “Well, okay, I was going to— long story haha aaaaaaaanyway,” and she interrupts the first’s stupor with an extended hand, “Hi, what’s your name?”
- “Uh.” A pause.
- “Joce.” Handshake taken.
- “Nice to meet you, ‘uh-Joce’~” “I-it’s just ‘Joce.’” “And mine’s Kay Lin—” declares the second, who has to take Joce’s hand with both of hers, “two-word first name, ’k?” Joce isn’t making eye contact. “…Mhm.”
- This can’t last.
Space for a facing page has been left intentionally blank.
Second go at a comic scene. The apple was an on-the-spot decision (it could be any food, really) but otherwise the scene has barely changed since February.