#cureskies

(Chapter 121 | Chapter 122 | Chapter 123)

These panels are especially great for the parallel composition in chapter 114 (@just-like-playing-tag has a lovely edit of it here).

Further underlining how similar they are.

I've seen people lament a shift in Ray's personality post-escape, but that's more to do with the narrative not allowing for as many opportunities for his impish side to surface. The tradeoff is that with Ray's vow to Emma in chapter 38, there's more focus on how he's just as family-oriented as she is now that he can express his affection and care without fear of retribution.

The burden of being the eldest of the escapees weighs more heavily on them now that the safety afforded by the familiar prison of Grace Field is gone. Even Emma isn't immune from the toll it takes on her.

(Chapter 109; excellent panel composition on Demizu's part to have that giant block of text all in the bottom right as opposed to splitting it across multiple panels so it dwarfs and looms over Emma)

And despite living on in part for him, the loss of Norman was devastating for both her and Ray.

(Chapter 64)

Their best friend effectively rising from the dead is nothing short of a miracle, but their time apart has sharpened his ruthlessness.

(Chapter 121)

Like Ray, Emma is logical, even if she's more inclined to entertain ideals. In the face of everyone's joy and relief at Norman's plan, she can't bring herself to speak up. Not with how pragmatic it is, not with how dire the circumstances are. Like Ray, she's willing to put herself last for the people she loves, even if she'll carry that regret the rest of her life, because this is the best way.

(Chapter 122 | Chapter 32)

She does everything she can to squash her feelings down, framing the issue around herself. She's the problem.

(Chapter 121)

If Norman hasn't changed, then they're still on the same path heading toward the same goal, and any qualms she has are irrelevant.

But when Ray offers her sanctuary for honesty, she relents. If there's anyone for whom the ache of Norman's absence and the elation at his return would mirror her own, it would be Ray. If there's anyone who would understand Norman's point of view and all the intricacies and benefits of his plan, it would be Ray. They're both so much more strategic than her, and it's one of the many things she's admired about them.

(Chapter 5 | Chapter 88)

Emma knows Ray has all this in mind, and he's still giving her the space to share her true feelings without judgment or reprimand.

(Chapter 123)

Reminding her that even if there's a deep self-loathing snaking through her veins, paralyzing her with indecision, it's okay to advocate for yourself and the ideals you hold in your heart.