The Choice!

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 4:02 pm

Wow! Now I see why Gloria switched to the new format! I really didn't see this coming-I expected Twap to confront Keer about what happened "in-between". This situation, though, is going to be rough on all involved.

Personally, I would question whether Xe really has to choose, but that's probably because I couldn't decide between two friends.

This storyline is great, Gloria. I, for one, am enthralled, and I can't wait for the next strip!

-Crash

Rico Underwood · Post by **Rico Underwood** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 5:51 pm

I can't put into words how much that hurt reading that. I mean I knew it was coming... but still. The comic is at one of those points where I can (and have) seen this situation through Keer's eyes. Argh... will someone help me go pull the knife outta Keer's chest?

Come'on Keer, hang in there man! >.<

TwoDifferentSox · Post by **TwoDifferentSox** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 1:27 am

Oy, that's a really difficult situation...Xe faced with such a decision, between two persons that care for him and that he cares for, and Keer putting himself down, sacrifying his feelings for his friends best...

Some else has the feeling he or she has to give them a hug?

Ironpaw · Post by **Ironpaw** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:28 am

*nods solumnly* I concur entirely Rico.

Simplicity · Post by **Simplicity** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 8:57 am

But what about the universal love? Why is everyone so caught up on the affection shared by two people? I mean, honestly, can't a person love all of their friends just as deeply? I think Xe should just say "I love you both but I can't love either of you the way you would like me two because that would obviously hurt one or the other of you!"

Xe doesn't seem the type to actually commit to me. He is too indecisive and caring and all this force coming from both Twap and Keer is very insensitive! If anything, both Twap and Keer are made for eachother! ; p

Mitya Shostak · Post by **Mitya Shostak** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 11:34 am

Indeed, I feel way more sorry for Xe than for Twap or Keer.

Xe was just going along being happy with both of those two as friends, and he's suddenly confronted by both, saying he has to pick one. Both Twap and Keer knew this confrontation was going to happen and they both thought it needed to, but poor Xe was stuck into this very suddenly.
Xe has always been one of my favorite characters. Don't make him get depressed over this.

ZOMBIE USER 7262 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 7262** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 4:36 pm

As evidenced in the story, it isn't easy for any of them.

Twap has decided that it has to be done. Keer's said his piece and already admitted defeat. Xe's stuck between a Twap and a hard place. (Um. Bad homosexual joke not intended.)

I'm torn between feeling for Xe and for Keer. Keer, because he's laid his feelings bare before both Twap and Xe, and then admitted to himself that he's doomed to fail, because there's nothing more he can give Xe. Xe, because he's being forced to choose between his best friend and the one he loves. I have the feeling that he'd prefer to be able to have both of his close friends around, instead of having to choose one of them.

Twap is the one who should pull the knife out of Keer's chest, if anyone. I can't see that happening, but that's what should happen.

This does not bode well.

Rico Underwood · Post by **Rico Underwood** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 5:54 pm

I really don't think Keer wants Twap to touch the knife. That is if I've got a good grasp of his character.

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:29 pm

Xe's choice doesn't mean that only Keer or Twap will be around, but it does mean he has to choose which one he wants to be closest to, and that's what hurts Keer so much (I think). While Xe is content to leave the issue floating, Twap recognizes (and Keer is grudgingly admitting) that this is not a viable solution-that it will only lead to continuing conflict and hostility between the two of them, and they both see that it will hurt the one person they both love.

I can identify with Keer, and I would say that, while he does not feel himself worthy of Xe, his actions prove otherwise: He is foregoing the satisfaction of his own needs and desires because he would rather see Xe's needs fulfilled, and he believes Twap can do that better than he. To me, this is one of the best examples of love for another that can be found. It doesn't mean Keer has to leave, but it does mean that he will be on the outside, looking in, which can be more painful.

Elix wrote:
Twap is the one who should pull the knife out of Keer's chest, if anyone.

I think that Xe and Twap can remove the knife, together, by not excluding Keer. He is friends with both of them, and there will still be room for him to express his love for Xe, and this is where Twap can help the most (and I think she will), by understanding and not being jealous. But, it will take some time.

-Crash

Rico Underwood · Post by **Rico Underwood** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 8:08 pm

The words are nice and all but they'll never work. Whats good on paper isn't necessaryily good in RL. People are selfish, and if they seem not to be its only because they are suppressing it. And it WILL eventually become to much to bare.

Keer and Twap can hide it and pretend not to be jealous, but they will be. Either that or they'll stop caring about Xe, and that will take a lot of time and pain.

Eventually it'll all come full circle and we'll be right back were we started.

Ironpaw · Post by **Ironpaw** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 9:05 pm

Rico's right... First of all, Twap is an obstacle. She, no matter what she does, is going to be THE problem for Keer. It's not that Xe fell in love with Twap... it's that (in Keer's mind) Twap stole Xe away from him. The problematic issue (imho) is that Keer is, and has LONG been totally in love with Xe (in whatever way you wish to ascribe to the situation, whether it's physical or not, I don't know). Xe, I think, reciprocates this, but possibly not in the same way that Keer does. As much as Keer may fight it... as much as he and Twap may WANT to be friends, Keer is still going to feel the terrible and totally unquenchable fire of lover's jealousy. The reason, it seems, that Xe must choose is because this sort of love is exclusive. Anything LESS than choosing him would be seen by Keer as, at least, him loosing his love to a better competitor, and at MOST, total betrayal of his heart by Xe. The former, it seems, may be a surmountable conclusion for Keer, though things will NEVER be the same, and his wounds will never heal over. The latter, if Keer becomes bitter, will crush both Xe and Keer, especially if Keer decides to hate Xe for being a traitor.

Frankly, I see no realistic, universally positive outcome to this situation. If keer can't have Xe the way that he feels he deserves him, then there's no way that Keer is going to make it without being devestated.

What willl Xe do? He's so innocent (it seems) and I'm sure he loves Keer so very deeply. The question is, DID he mirror Keer's feelings at one time. If SO, does he still feel the same way? Or has Keer been operating under a dillusion this whole time? Loving Xe not as he is, but as Keer wanted Xe to be? The thought that Xe would ever fall in love with Twap would seem to support this. But what relevance does this have now that Keer is bound to be destroyed? Xe still loves him very deeply, but not in the way Keer loves him back. COULD Xe love him back in this way and still love Twap? Could all three co-exist in an "in love" relationship, and still manage to be happy? Doubtful, but possible? There IS only SO much of Xe to go around.

Kree · Post by **Kree** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 6:37 am

The otter of the moment sticks his head up to comment, "Actually, I don't think this would have come to a head like this or maybe wouldn't have been a problem at all if it weren't for the logistics of the situation. Keer and Xe don't live near Twap and Keer has to hold down a job. This means that for Xe to spend time with Twap, Keer is having take his free time after work to drive Xe over...and then spends time largely being ignored, am I right? That's gotta hurt."

"Now based on comments from Keer to Twap at the concert, yeah, I think a three-way relationship could work, but only if they didn't live so far apart. You see, that kind of relationship requires a special balance where each shares company with the others - pairing off too much doesn't work. Anyway, if this plays out the way it looks like, we should see Xe moving out of Keer's place - its the next logical step. Of course, I can't imagine Xe being happy about that nor can I quite imagine him under the same roof as Twap...Me thinks things aren't done being awkward."

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[ This Message was edited by: Kree on 2002-03-05 06:39 ]

Simplicity · Post by **Simplicity** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 12:43 pm

Love is never lost. It is just waiting to be found sometimes. When it is, it is wonderful and seems to last forever and then...it frees itself again. Maybe its Love's way of letting us all know that it needs to be experienced in many ways by many people and should not be limited to a few. It hurts though...yeah. It hurts when two people who love so close must..release.

That pain is unbearable sometimes. I don't think it ever goes away. But I think its better to deal and get on with life. I think that people who look at breakups and say "Well geez I really miss the relationship and I will always but I have my life ahead of me so moving right along" inevitably free themselves for the possibility of another relationship that will make them just as happy. (Or in my case, find that just having friends is enough to experience the aggravation and the pleasure of a mate...multiplied by the number of friends you have, without all the hangups like "Are they seeing someone behind my back or Oh my gawd they're so flirting with so and so!")

Xe! Tell them both to leave you alone! Celebrate your carefree nature! Be you!

Kree · Post by **Kree** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 6:18 pm

Kree shakes his head. "For Xe to 'be himself' would require him not to choose at all, or rather to choose C) All of the above. I sort of know how Xe feels, though on a less emotional level - ask me to name my one favorite food and I'll not be able to answer you honestly. Oh, I suppose pizza might come close, but I honestly don't have favorites. Even with colors, I may say blue is my 'favorite color', but that is just a deliberate exageration to bypass a lengthy explanation. What I really mean is that of all the color groups, blue has the most shades and hues I like, but all of the colors have shades and hues that I like and purple and green are close contenders...oh, and black and white are both excellent as backdrops for other colors. You see?"

"I suspect that in Xe's mind, both Ciaran and Twapa weigh in too close to call, and Keer knew that on some level, so he tipped the balance on Twap's behalf. This really hasn't changed things that much though, so I expect Xe to be feeling very uncomfortable for the foreseeable future. The best thing that could happen is for Xe to somehow show Twap why he loves Keer and then show Keer why he loves Twap. If he could plant that seed of love in each of them and help it grow, then he could step back and love them both the way he seems to want to - as close friends."

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[ This Message was edited by: Kree on 2002-03-05 18:20 ]

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 11:33 pm

Rico, I think I understand where you are coming from. I can see your point:

On 2002-03-04 20:08 Rico wrote:
The words are nice and all but they'll never work. Whats good on paper isn't necessaryily good in RL. People are selfish, and if they seem not to be its only because they are suppressing it.

However, I think that Keer

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 12:11 pm

Hey guys, I just want you all to know that I'm seriously enjoying hearing your thoughts on this, and it's causing me to really do some serious thinking myself.

I have this feeling that, in the end, I'll be just as surprised as all of you over how this turns out. Another thing to consider, though, is how closely events in the comic have echoed my own emotions- if not my own experiences. The story tends to get tossed about by the winds of "reality" a lot, so... yeah. The stormy weather that's been going on lately is really partially a look at whatever I'm feeling at the moment.

Just a thought!

~Glor~

ZOMBIE USER 7262 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 7262** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 2:02 pm

I did notice that there is a lot of emotion in the comic, Gloria, and I suspected that it came from your own. That being said, well done, both in surviving all of that, and in crafting such a wonderful story with characters we want to care about.

That being said, I thought of an X-Japan ballad that somewhat fits what I perceive Keer's going through... kind of. It doesn't fit exactly, but, go figure. It's called Unfinished, and it has one of the most beautiful piano lines I've ever heard.

Unfinished

Oh! I'm looking at you
Can't control myself,
Nothing but pain for me

Wipe your tears from your eyes
Just leave and forget me
No need to be hurt anymore

Go away from me now
I don't know 'What is love?'
No need to be hurt anymore

You said, "I miss you so much,
"Every night, thinking of you
and facing loneliness."

But when you feel sadness
never can I stay with you

I'm not the one you need
Close your eyes and forget me
There's nothing I can do anymore

I lost my way

I've been walking in the night of tears
There I found someone was holding you
As the night was falling down
With my love also vanished my vision of you

My heart is cold now

Wipe your tears from your eyes
Just leave and forget me
No need to be hurt anymore

You said, "I need you always.
"Everyday thinking of you
and living loneliness."

But when you feel sadness
never can I stay with you

Go away from me now
I don't know 'What is love?'
No need to be hurt anymore

Can't find my way...

(Unfinished © X-Japan. Lyrics obtained from <a href="http://www.animelyrics.com/jpop/xjapan/ ... fin.htm</A>)

Rico Underwood · Post by **Rico Underwood** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 6:50 pm

I could probably throw a few songs up for Keer, but you probably know them all.

Love and Jealousy go hand-in-hand. You really can't have one and not the other. I'll have to agree with Ironpaw on most levels there. I really don't see ANY realistic way for this to turn out for the better. Well.... I do, but it involves a large truck and some rope... *evil smile*

[ This Message was edited by: Rico Underwood on 2002-03-06 18:51 ]

Ironpaw · Post by **Ironpaw** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 9:49 pm

*looks at Thursday's comic with wide, terrified eyes*

Ahem... I think things just got a LITTLE more complicated...

Poor, poor Xheotris....

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 10:30 pm

Have you ever seen a cartoon character's eyelids roll up like an old windowshade? I think I can do that now.

It seems that Gloria has found an UNrealistic way for this to turn out....but not necessarily to be resolved. I don't forsee this becoming less complicated in the near future. Nice twist, Gloria!