Sunstrike and Bluemist: An Origin Story

stinger9

23rd Apr 2022, 12:25 PM Kat saying just about everything I wish I was able to say in situations like this! Can only hope she's getting through to Kairo with that!

ShaRose49

23rd Apr 2022, 2:12 PM Me too!

Kevtrev

23rd Apr 2022, 1:00 PM Yup, yelling at me is the quickest way to make me freeze up. So I can relate in that sense.
It sorta helps to know that the yeller rarely means it in a personal/hateful way (and is dealing with their own frustrations), but it still feels like getting zapped.

ShaRose49

23rd Apr 2022, 2:12 PM Yeah I feel that a lot :(

melaredblu

23rd Apr 2022, 2:55 PM And once again, I feel the need to point put that he needs to mention when she gets it right, too, otherwise she'll think she gets everything wrong.

ShaRose49

23rd Apr 2022, 3:19 PM It certainly wouldn’t kill him, yeah!

And in case it wasn’t clear, I totally agree with you. I feel like this is a challenge that Kat in particular faces a lot in all the s&b stories in my head. The others are concerned when she reacts strongly and feel the need to keep her in check—but this really helps her react far worse—because it’s like being indirectly told that there is something wrong with you/you can’t do anything right/you are inherently worse than everyone else around you—over and over and over again.

Their concern may be warranted—but it always needs to come from a place of understanding her as well, and you can’t really understand someone if all you do…is tell them what to do/how to act.

melaredblu

23rd Apr 2022, 4:42 PM Yeah, I can relate to her. I'm the sort of person who wants to know if I've messed up so I can avoid doing it wrong over and over, but at the same time, I wilt under constant negative feedback. I need to know I don't suck completely, or I just lose my confidence. And yeah, there is something to be said for finding confidence within yourself, but let's face it, the way your colleagues/superiors treat you is hardly an irrelevant factor or even something the average person can totally ignore.

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:21 AM I think I’m a lot like that too, yeah :’(

And unfortunately that factor (superiors, parents’ influence) can be huge.

sailor mars

23rd Apr 2022, 4:39 PM NO ONE reacts well when they're yelled at. Not only does it cause the problems you mentioned but it creates pressure making it harder to concentrate and perform in the future. Good for Kat!

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:22 AM It’s kinda nice to hear you say that—it’s not just me you’re right—I’m sure no one benefits from being yelled at or yelling. It’s sad how common it is for people in leadership positions.

Danny McLimmon

23rd Apr 2022, 5:30 PM You can tell that Kairo isn't used to talking with people like this.

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:23 AM That’s good, because he definitely isn’t supposed to be.

The Accidental Ninja

23rd Apr 2022, 7:39 PM That is a very mature response for someone her age, wow! Kudos to her

Kairooo don't roll your eyes at her, geez

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:24 AM Kat is very mature!

And yeah Kairo, I know this is new for you but try to give her a break : /

DLKmusic

24th Apr 2022, 1:35 AM I kinda relate to Kairo here. He's in way over his head with these kids, and knows it. Kat might be easier to get through to, but he's blowing that too, and Evan is openly hostile
and if he pushed too hard the wrong way with either of them, he could end up in a hospital.
He could also benefit a lot by actively seeking more input from Yoshi, which would head off future situations like this one.
finally, Melredblu is absolutely right. Positive input is needed as well. she's only 16, not a SEAL candidate.

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:29 AM That’s a really good point! I admire your ability to see this from both points of view. Kairo isn’t really afraid of the kids, but that doesn’t mean he’s perfectly comfortable around them either. He’s definitely a bit overwhelmed.

I feel like he’d benefit even more from the Chief—it’s too bad Kairo finds head authority figures intimidating. He could also benefit from talking to Derek—he just doesn’t want to sound like “so, I’m totally screwing up with your beloved children…”

And yeah, if only Kairo could more easily tell the difference between a kid and a solider :(

sailor mars

2nd May 2022, 12:40 AM Leave it to DLKmusic to be insightful.

DHManga

24th Apr 2022, 1:37 AM I think the best way to read this page is to remove all the dialogue text, and you'll get a scene where Kat is trying to give a heartfelt explanation and Kairo looks like her as if she's being a sussy baka.

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:30 AM His expression in the last panel does look pretty sus XD

DHManga

26th Apr 2022, 9:04 PM And thus here we are: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/696202582682763354/968708965238190110/SM_Sussy_Baka.png

Also wondering whether this is just Kat's personality, learning style, or something also happened in her past.

ShaRose49

26th Apr 2022, 10:10 PM Sheesh! XD

It’s mostly her personality/learning style I think, since Kat’s experiences with people up until this point are exclusively her father, a few members of the SP, Evan, and a small church (from a safe distance/in disguise).

DHManga

27th Apr 2022, 11:12 AM If you think about it, S+M is like Amogus in the sense that there are some colorful protagonists/crew members (the mutants) who are trying to find the mutants who keep jumping regular folk (and taking their stuff). And it's up to the protagonists to sus them out and get rid of them somehow.

ShaRose49

27th Apr 2022, 11:29 AM Hey, don’t give my lil’ brothers any more ideas ;)

DHManga

29th Apr 2022, 10:38 AM Happy to know your family supports your webcomic work. But now I'm curious what ideas your brothers came up with.

junoro

24th Apr 2022, 9:37 AM It's great that Kat can so clearly define what she needs and how she works best! I've definitely met some teenagers who have clearly put a lot of thought into these sorts of things. Now we just have to hope that Kairo is able to put this new information to good use. His expression in that last panel makes it look like he's still processing. XD

ShaRose49

24th Apr 2022, 9:54 AM Kairo does a lot of processing, yeah XD I hope he does something with this clear communication too!

Sovember

30th Apr 2022, 5:23 PM I'm also impressed with how well Kat's communicating her feelings here :) . It makes sense and is a relatable thing, can be hard to work when you're constantly on edge about upsetting someone!

That biggest panel with Kat and the checkered floor is so good great non verbal expression, I find that angle and the one where you're looking up at a character from below can be freakin' impossible lmao

ShaRose49

30th Apr 2022, 5:37 PM Yeah, communication isn’t easy!

And thanks! Angles are very fun to me, but can take forever and be difficult when you’ve never drawn the character in that angle before.