Jack & Jill - Phase 9, Part 28
Added 2025-10-27 07:42:46 +0000 UTCTo save her father's life, Jill must convince him that the greatest lie she’s ever told was the truth she always wanted.
Having Jill lie to her father using pieces of her real trauma may be the cruelest thing I've done to her. But that's the true horror of Second Dawn: not just what they take, but what they force you to become to survive it.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 💖
Comments
Robert, thank you for this. Her face had to be the whole story in that scene. You're so right, her expressions had to sell it, not just to him, but to herself. That's the ultimate headfuck of her situation. The story she's telling is a complete fabrication, but the emotions she's using to sell it are 100% real. The pain of not being seen, the fear of rejection - that's all Jack's truth. She's just repurposing it, using the raw material of her actual trauma to build a shield. And as for the ending of Phase 9... ha! I hear you. I promise the end of this phase will feel like a real turning point. A deep breath before the final plunge.
Emory Ahlberg
2025-11-03 01:45:41 +0000 UTCSo glad you enjoyed the episode, Kris! 💕 I loved writing their conversation, even though poor Jill had to 'own' her trauma as a choice instead of something imposed on her. And yep! We're at the contest finally!
Emory Ahlberg
2025-11-03 01:41:07 +0000 UTCHmmm. We’re poised, seemingly, on the precipice of the coming out/auction. What we don’t know is whether Xu’s shooting and the ensuing mayhem occurred before, during, or after, the party. So that’s another ace up Emory’s sleeve… As for this chapter, it’s another masterpiece in emotional manipulation both by Emory and by Jill. The art is incredible, to the extent that Jill’s expressions suggest that she believes implicitly what she’s saying, and that she’s revealing her own truth to herself at the very same time as she’s trying to deceive her dad. It’s a headfuck in many ways, but you pull it off brilliantly, Emory, especially as the realisation gradually dawns on Jill that what she’s saying is in fact her reality. Don’t you dare end Part 9 on a cliffhanger, I just couldn’t bear it! We need at the very least a temporary closure or a clear caesura after such a maelstrom of events.
Robertlouis
2025-11-02 20:14:11 +0000 UTCI FINALLY had a free moment to read this! I like that Jill got to speak to her dad. Will we soon see the beginning of the contest at last? I'm excited to see it!
Kris Greg
2025-11-01 09:35:03 +0000 UTCMy muse, you made me cry tears 😭 of both sadness and joy seeing Jill doing what needs to be done to protect her father. As I was reading this, my sadness turned to joy. Very few creators can bring that out of me. I was also reading Jade's comments AND couldn't help myself but think of...our private messages back and forth...my very own fictional characters which you graciously allowed me to place my inside your magnificent Xuniverse and finally the concepts of Taqqiya and Ketman... omitting and dissimulating to defend ourselves, survive and protect those we love so much.
Alex From the Tri-Cities
2025-10-28 01:55:35 +0000 UTCGreat and very express images as usual. What I am really blown away by is the authenticity of each of the characters you create. Jill’s dad responses to finding his long lost child are so very real. His inquisitiveness is aligned so beautifully with his character (profession). Seeing him waltzing between being both Jill’s dad but also revealing aspects of his background as a lawyer. It was also so nice to see Jill’s dad’s reflective remorse around how he was as a father after Jill’s mums death. I love witnessing personal growth and this episode is steeped in displays of it! My heart went out to Jill in this episode. Needing yo betray herself and her lived truth in order to protect those she loves. The back story of her gender dysphoria is so strong, how well she has captured tge different themes and experiences that many of us can relate. Also, Jill is such a great example of ‘post traumatic growth.’ How much has she grown from the more self absorbed, self pitying and psychologically damaged person she was as Jack. Can’t wait for the next episode and when Jill sees Emily. This certainly is going to put ‘the cat amongst the pigeons.’
Gemma
2025-10-27 22:45:36 +0000 UTC
