Homecoming - Episode 11 + Bonus Pinup
Added 2022-12-02 03:56:51 +0000 UTCChris gets advice from an unexpected source...
I apologize for the delay in getting Homecoming out to you. I've been hard at work improving my art and techniques. I like the results! But it did mean that I was a day behind. At least it’s (another) long one! 😊
This is the penultimate episode of Season 1!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the story, and I hope it was worth the wait. 💖
Comments
You're catching up! Hope you liked it! 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2024-03-01 17:07:17 +0000 UTCOh boy that was trippy!!!
Jessica Thence
2024-02-29 22:41:59 +0000 UTCThank you, Stacy! And I couldn't help myself. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-21 18:37:42 +0000 UTCGorgeous pin up....luv the gollum reference.....my preciousssss :-) x
stacy C
2022-12-18 02:07:10 +0000 UTCHi Nina! Wow! As always, you've made some amazing observations. At this point, Chris is having hard time trusting anyone--even the police. After all, as far as he knows, a sex trafficking ring has been operating under his nose and they've been unable or unwilling to do anything about it. He doesn't think his friend Benjamin was involved, but that's still unnerving. And, yeah, the fact that he's been without hormones for so long--we can only imagine the toll it has taken on his body and his emotions. But, of course, you can imagine the psychological toll of deciding to voluntarily inject himself with the very things which have so altered his body that his fiancé needed dental records to identify him would be extremely traumatic. As for your predictions about Bella's stipulations... All I can say is that you're quite close! You'll have to stay tuned to find out what happens! 🤫 Thank you for your kind words and for being a part of Chris / Kris's journey. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:58:36 +0000 UTCHi France! As always, that's a very insightful comment. I think it's important for all of us to recognize that we exist through our relationships with others, and that our lives are shaped by those relationships. I'm glad you can see this reflected in Chris's story. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:29:37 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your thoughtful analysis, animal! It's interesting you mention the possibility of a "happily ever after." The story so far is certainly filled with plenty of heartache, but there's hopefully still a chance for Chris and Kayla to find their way back to each other. Kayla does still love Chris... even if she isn't sure what form their relationship should take now. We'll have to wait and see what unfolds in the next episodes! 🤔 Whether Ben is a part of it all... He certainly at least knows more than Kayla does about Chris / Kris's situation!
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:15:50 +0000 UTCThank you, Ella! Honestly, I think balancing the present / past stories has been both the most challenging and rewarding part of this story so far. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:05:27 +0000 UTCShe's trying to be a bit more gentle, I think. 😁
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:04:12 +0000 UTC🤣 That is AMAZING, Bowie. I agree!!!
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:00:45 +0000 UTCIt's a possibility, Phil. He certainly doesn't seem to have a high regard for his man hood now... 🤔
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 07:00:13 +0000 UTCWow, thank you Kirsten for the compliments! 💖 I'm really loving telling the story so far. Chris / Kris is such a fascination character to develop and it's so gratifying to hear that others are enjoying him/her, too. Thank you! I can't wait to hear what you think of the season finale.
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 06:59:19 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your comment, ckarya. You're so sweet! 😊 What can I say? I try. 😁 I'm glad that you appreciate the psychological elements of the story. They can be difficult to convey, especially as a comic. I tried to make Chris's mental state evident with the dream sequences. The mirror sequence hopefully shows how trapped he is in his own mind, and how he's battling with himself over his own identity. ⚔ Kayla was definitely his light in the darkness. But what will happen to his psyche if / when he finds out she had a relationship with Ben? And thank you so much for mentioning the detailed render on page 20 / 24! I had a lot of fun with it. I tried to push the boundary with the details and shaders, to see how far I could go. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-08 00:22:13 +0000 UTCChris will definitely always remember that he was a man before Bella got her claws into him. How much he'll adjust will depend on how much he remains physically changed and how much of his "old" self he has left. Chris has a long, hard path ahead. Having accepted that he can't go back to his old life, he must now find a way to embrace his new one in whatever form it may take.
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 23:15:55 +0000 UTCThe mirror scene was such fun to write. I don't think Chris is yet far enough to say he will decide to be a girl, but he might be moving in that direction. We'll see as the plot progresses. 😊 That IS a bit of an ugly outfit he put on to leave the apartment, but don't push him too far too fast! 😂 It's interesting because both Kayla and Chris seem to be trying to protect one another. The love there is real -- they just don't know what their new relationship will be like once the dust settles. I can't wait to read your thoughts on the last episode of Season 1!
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 22:46:46 +0000 UTCHi Robert! You're too kind to me! 💖 I'm very glad you liked the "mirror scene" (as I'm coining it), and that you found it reasonably convincing. It was fun to write also technically a bit challenging. "There’s some deep psychological stuff here" - Oh no! Do you think I'm revealing too many of my own issues?! 😉 I promise I don't talk to myself in the mirror...much. 😂 And you're absolutely right. Chris can't continue in this way. The stress is becoming overwhelming. His identity crisis will have to work itself out one way or the other, but he's also dealing with some other problem that "Kris" seems to be hinting at. That is, Bella still has some kind of hold over him!
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 22:09:49 +0000 UTCThank you for the kind words, Pelican! I'm always striving for realism and detail in my renders. Close-ups can be especially tricky, so I'm really happy you liked them. I'm proud of how they came out. I'm also very pleased to hear you think Chris is one of my prettiest characters! I have to agree. His/Her story is still unfolding and it's yet to be seen whether he'll continue his journey as a man. It'd be a shame to let all that beauty go to waste, don't you think? 😉
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 21:58:21 +0000 UTCHi Skye! Thank you! Chris's trauma is only now catching up with them, and it will be a long journey to truly embrace their identity--whatever it may be. Kayla probably (correctly) feels that Chris is in a fragile state and doesn't want to upset them further. Ben, for his part, apparently feels as if Chris isn't telling the whole truth... And "Kris" seemed to confirm this with some of her remarks. But we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out! 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 21:49:09 +0000 UTCThank you, Terrry! I'm glad you're rooting for Chris. It's not an easy journey, but I'm hopefully with Kayla by he/she will find the strength to keep pushing forward. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2022-12-07 21:39:16 +0000 UTCOur character's introspection is characterized by special attention and intention towards others. This psychic point of reference demonstrates a great openness of mind and intelligence as if one were to say: "It is through others that I exist" and the mirror effect is strikingly true. This inclination reveals an individuality and a temperament of an approach of great femininity. Wonderful EA, many thanks.
France Day
2022-12-05 16:45:56 +0000 UTCAhhhhhh! Something tells me Chris isn’t safe!!! Nooooooo! Emoorrrrrryyyyyyyy! Real talk tho, at this point I think if either Chris or Kris tell the cops stuff I don’t think they’ll believe them. That talk last chapter confirms that for me honestly. Especially considering this idea of “living in fear,” it’s leading me to believe that leaving Bella comes with certain stipulations. One being, don’t say shit and change your name. Also, how the fuck is Chris surviving?!?! No sex hormones???? I feel awful if I miss a day, there’s no telling how many they’ve missed. I really hope this Bistro trip is quick and done but something tells me that Chris is about to get a rude awakening from something, maybe even Kris will have to take over! Either way, fantastic work as always Emory!! The way you render and create is just so darn cool!!
Nina
2022-12-04 07:45:07 +0000 UTCI believed once he finds out about Kayla’s relationship she (Kris) is going to devastated. Throw in that fact of her cop boyfriend who is trying to influence Kayla and seems and has her kinda convinced that Chris wanted to be a girl and thats why he disappeared will compound the devastation. Kayla has not backed off or away from any affection there. Not sure how you are going to tie all of this up in the next episode without a devastating end. Which is sad as Chris if he did finally speak up even more may have had Kayla fess up / explain why she thought she was moving on thinking he was Dead. but now Chris is back, if Kayla had the deep love She would seem to do what she could to reconnect and help him back to a man ( if that’s the choice) or love him enough to be by Her side again as Kris is now. Chris still thinking he is protecting Kayla has driven her away even more. Is the Cop boyfriend/ ex best friend part of it all??? It will be interesting to see, but I feel a “happily ever after”. Is not in the cards………
animalmusic
2022-12-03 21:50:20 +0000 UTCGreat to see the present as well! I love this story! ❤️
Ella Cherry
2022-12-03 10:43:18 +0000 UTCThe self talk should have said, "get a vagina, just get it over with"
Beverly
2022-12-03 06:50:26 +0000 UTCSo... when Chris/Gollum is fondling their breast on page 20... I think they should call it "My Precious"!
Bowie897
2022-12-02 23:33:56 +0000 UTCInteresting hallucinatory self-talk. It's cool to see a dual personality that isn't antagonistic in these stories and I always enjoy a good LotR reference. Great job, Em! Also, fantastic work on the renders as per usual.
Cryofly
2022-12-02 20:36:07 +0000 UTCChris can never be a functioning man again. He really has only 2 options. Remain halfway or complete the transition. To have a real relationshis with his wife, he should get SRS.
Phil G
2022-12-02 17:43:08 +0000 UTCI love all your work but this is the best thing you’ve done by far. I cannot wait for the next episode. It’s just incredible artistry and storytelling that has me hooked
Kirsten Roberts
2022-12-02 13:39:15 +0000 UTCOnce again a very interesting chapter and being the penultimate of the season I see that you are preparing us a great cliffhanger for the end hehehehe. This chapter gives us some answers, albeit very subtle, to the questions we asked in the previous episode. For example, we already know what we intuited, that Bella still has some control over Chris and that's why he hasn't actively collaborated with the police. But we still don't know what he is so afraid of, we do know that Kayla is threatened, and what the deal was or what happened in her release.... We can also intuit that Chris still trusts his friend, so he has no suspicion that he might be associated with Bella and her gang as we speculated in the other chapter... or at least that's what he believes. And very interesting their Smeagol-Gollum talk, I mean Chris-Kris.😂 I always love the psychological point in your stories. I think with this "talk" ends Chris's depressive phase and begins the phase of survival in even fighting. I hope that in this new phase, Chris remembers what it was that kept him sane and willing to live and survive in his captivity: Kayla, and forgets his discouragement and fear of being broken and fights to fall in love with her again.... even if he has to use other "weapons". PS: I find the render on page 20 mind-blowing, the details of the nipple and the hand... wow! And I also love page 24, both look like a real photo! 😘
ckarya
2022-12-02 11:52:43 +0000 UTCYes and no... it is difficult to explain. Long story short, I want him to learn to live with his new outward facade and slowly, slowly figure out the social, physical, etc differences and be able to enjoy them... but still also continue to accept that he is or was a man... but mostly I hope that in love he stays on the girls only team hehehe. I imagine that balance must be fucking difficult, but I'd like to see a character who manages to square those two feelings, wanting to keep feeling like a man but at the same time enjoy, discover, live and feel what it's like to live as a woman. Of our favorite characters, I think Chris and Sandy may be the ones who get it, or at least get it first. Jill, Holly... I think they've "overplayed their hand" and are more women than men. And Nikky and Ryan, so far, are the ones who have the hardest time.
ckarya
2022-12-02 11:28:38 +0000 UTCwe all want the female side to win haha
Stormfries
2022-12-02 10:39:13 +0000 UTCOh my god, page 10. Left of the frame. Not *just* haunted by her own other self, then.
Alyson Greaves
2022-12-02 09:24:28 +0000 UTCOh, mirror, mirror tell who is the most beautiful in the universe... "You of course..." "Oh really? But I was, no I am, no wait I was, shit.... a man" "Oh my God girl... are you trying to say you finally decided to be a girl? AMEN to that and hallelujah for THAT" Yeah Christine... this is what your hallucination should tell you... :D Stop wasting your lifetime and never go out public in this ridiculously ugly outfit... thank you. :D P.S. What is going on with that this story is not ended and she knows everything but won't tell... only because worried of Kayla's safety? Or there is something more??? Mystery plot ahead... P.S.2 It is really hard to focus while watching those renders... ah... dat ASS & boobs 🥰🫠
Maggie Heels
2022-12-02 09:16:16 +0000 UTCApologising for knocking it out of the park yet again smh
Alyson Greaves
2022-12-02 08:40:51 +0000 UTCIt’s sweet of you to apologise for the delay Emory, but there’s really no need. You’re so prolific and generous and your quality is always consistently high in every way. So there! Turning to the chapter, there’s some deep psychological stuff here. The mirror conversation is a regular feature in novels and films of a certain period, and you’ve really made it work. Kris’s advice is pretty spot on. If Chris does start to live - and that means LIVE - (as Kris?) whether that represents victory, surrender or acceptance or a complicated mix of all three or not, it will be some kind of relief for both him/her and Kayla, because one thing is abundantly clear: he can’t continue as he is.
Robertlouis
2022-12-02 05:25:01 +0000 UTCE you're a master with your rendering. The realism of the body and hand, and the detail in page 19 is outstanding. Also, Chris is becoming one of the prettiest characters you've done, getting close to Jill's beauty. I hope Chris decides to embrace womanhood and start a new life that way. Like he said, as a man he's broken mentally and emotionally.
Pelicanboss
2022-12-02 05:20:34 +0000 UTCWow. So much trauma, I hope Chris can find a way to live, whether that's as a man or as a woman, like their reflection said. Chris needs to choose. The story of how it happened was very interesting and I really wanna know what else is still left to tell, but I'm also getting very interested about what's yet to come for Chris. I really hope Kayla comes clean with Chris about her relationship with... I forgot his name, but with that other guy soon.
Skye
2022-12-02 04:56:46 +0000 UTCThis is a captivating story Emory. I hope she/he finds them-self soon.
Terry Rose
2022-12-02 04:51:36 +0000 UTC
