Blue-and-Pink Voucher Analysis
A quick Galsei analysis, because I've been thinking about this a lot a normal amount.
When it comes to Chapter 5's drink voucher scene, I've seen many people try to argue that the blue and pink drink is meant to be representative of Kris, due to Kris' blue and pink color scheme. I don't want to be mean, but if you genuinely think this, I honestly believe that you aren't paying attention to what's being said here. I want to make the point that the drink represents Ralsei's trans identity, without just falling back on "it's the trans colors" (even though it is, indeed, the trans colors).
Flowery encourages Ralsei to get the blue and pink drink by saying "just get your fav, and don't worry about Kris." If liking the blue and pink drink is supposed to represent Ralsei's affection for Kris, then why would Flowery tell Ralsei to take it without worrying about what Kris wants? Is he telling them to ignore Kris' autonomy?
The answer is no, because that's not what those colors represent here. At least, not entirely. This scene makes more sense when examined alongside an optional scene from earlier in the chapter: the only other scene where the word "Princess" is used to describe Ralsei.
Here, Ralsei displays an interest in "being Kris' princess," but offloads the decision onto Kris. Ralsei is clearly much more excited by the "Of course!" response, but still feels the need to have Kris make the choice for them. The same thing occurs when Ralsei receives the drink vouchers: Ralsei asks what Kris wants, even though they have a clear preference of their own.
What Flowery is telling Ralsei here is to not give choices of their own identity away to Kris. Flowery is encouraging Ralsei to choose who they want to be. What Ralsei wants in the Castle Town scene is to try being a princess; given that Flowery calls Ralsei "Princess" in the Flower Castle scene, it stands to reason that the blue and pink drink voucher is meant to represent the same thing.
There's an implication that Ralsei specifically wants to be a princess for Kris, and that they're happy when Kris wants the same thing. I think the most notable part of the drink voucher choice, however, is that Susie forces you to let Ralsei have the blue and pink drink, even if you choose otherwise.
My takeaway is that, ultimately, Ralsei wants Kris to be happy with their choice of identity, to be happy with them as a princess... but, even if you don't like it, even if you tell Ralsei "no," they will still ultimately choose to become who they feel the happiest as. Just like how every other "mean" dialogue option with Ralsei has had very little impact on their overall arc. Perhaps they'll need a little push from Susie to get there, but I really think that in the end, Ralsei will choose the same thing no matter what you choose. In other words: your choices don't matter (but it's, like, a good thing this time).
prguitarman
ellievsbear
vaporwave
pixelskylines
