Half Sisters - Episode 65
Added 2025-03-17 08:31:55 +0000 UTCAs their 'fake date' roars into high gear after a wild motorcycle ride, Nikki and Zach discover they're better at playing pretend when they stop pretending altogether.
Comments
Thank you, Robert! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! I poured a lot of effort into capturing Nikki's internal struggle - that constant push and pull between her sense of self and what the world is expecting she should be. I'm also enjoying seeing her insecurities begin to melt away. With Zach, his anxiety is layered deep. He's caught between his father's monstrous expectations, his own history with Nick, and the confusing reality of Nikki. But underneath that, there's a real desire for connection, maybe even atonement (for both of them!). Their dynamic is definitely complicated. Sure it’s partly a survival tactic, but also partly a rediscovery of their old friendship, although now warped through this bizarre new lens Hutchinson has forced on them. And thank you for noticing the art details! I spend a lot of time trying to get those expressions right because so much of Nikki's story is internal right now. It's about that conflict between the imposed identity and the person fighting underneath, which is something I relate to deeply. Showing that flicker of defiance, that moment of unexpected joy, or the weight of the trauma in just a look is where I hope the visuals can really carry the emotional weight. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2025-04-08 00:56:07 +0000 UTCBelated input from me at long last. I just LOVE this chapter. It’s great to watch Nikki gradually relax and see her insecurities slowly melt away as she starts to enjoy herself, taking a rise out of Zach over the sushi, and her genuine smile on render 8 is just stunning. Says it all. Zach is every bit as nervous and aware of the artificial nature of the date at the outset, but even with the knowledge of his father’s spies watching them, the pair relax into simply enjoying each other’s company, and even although there’s an element of putting on a show for the watchers, there’s evidence of a real bond growing between the pair. Where it will go and what it means, who can tell, but it adds steel and strength to their fight against the dreadful Hutchinson. And you really have excelled yourself with the art, Emory. The facial details are absolutely outstanding. They reveal so much, from halting and hesitant to confident and real warmth.
Robertlouis
2025-03-30 18:23:47 +0000 UTCThank you so much, Rinny! I am really proud of them. I wanted this episode in particular to really feel like Nikki is coming to life. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-28 19:59:34 +0000 UTCyour face shots in this one are a whole new level! love them!!
Rinny
2025-03-24 04:35:50 +0000 UTCAnd so can't wait to meet that Nikki underneath all those masks!
Diana O'Neil
2025-03-23 19:16:05 +0000 UTCCould we possibly see a future pin-up series of Nikki as various Disney Processes??? 😉 Definitely see her as Belle and Snow White. Maybe even Ariel?
Diana O'Neil
2025-03-23 19:06:09 +0000 UTCEmory, A-MAZ-ING!!!! Brava my dear! I have a lot of "life" going on right now so I was not able to comment as quickly as I would have liked and still can't comment with as much detail and thought as I would like at the moment, but this episode was incredible. It "contained multitudes"! 😉 First the smiles!!!! 😊 😊 😊 Beautiful. Your art work is incredible and Nikki absolutely glows when she smiles. I look forward to seeing more and more of these over time. The complexity of the story telling was superb as well. You literally took us from Bro-mance with a motorcycle to panic attack to Nikki pulling off a complex practical joke on the fly with Zach. Then we even see a very open or progressive mind set and defense of a friend in the ladies room. Even improvisation and on the fly strategic thinking when she notices the spy and call's an audible to hold hands and look into each others eyes and smile. A lot of character development at a very deep level in just a few panels. I loved it! We knew Nikki was more sensitive before football. But we are slowly learning that even as an athlete that Nikki was far more complex than she and you initially let us to believe with all the "bro this and bro that". Sushi eating in Texas is a sign of a pretty complex person. We are also seeing a much more feminine Nikki who at least appears not only comfortable in the moment but confident. Gestures, mannerism, expressions and other none verbals seem very female and second nature for her in this moment. I think we are only now really starting to peal back the layers of Nikki's onion. As we go deeper I suspect we will learn just how thorough Nikki's Clinic 12 conversion really was, even if not initially part of the companion program. I can't wait to go even deeper into who Nikki really is. And even more excited to see who she is becoming. I am already impatient for Episode 66 on the 31st! I am sure there are nuances I am missing or just don't have the time and bandwidth to go into at the moment. So let me close for now by just saying "Thank You"!
Diana O'Neil
2025-03-23 18:56:00 +0000 UTCKiss the girl... 🎶
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-22 22:49:19 +0000 UTCAwwww.....kiss her you fool hehe x
stacy C
2025-03-22 13:05:22 +0000 UTCI am now imagining a scene that's unexpected - the end of the 'date', and they notice that the spy is still there. Perhaps the 'spy' has slipped a note to Nikki surreptitiously that they aren't living up to Hutchinturd's demands. When she finds the note, Nikki panics. At the end of the date, still having had no 'romantic' moments and seeing the spy taking pictures, Nikki panics. She impulsively kisses Zack, expecting absolutely nothing to happen, no sparks to fly - this will be very clear demonstration to Hutchinturd that Zack is hopelessly gay and not attracted to Nikki. I see two paths from that action. 1) Zack feels something, a memory of what Nikki still has, a connection to what he believes his sexuality to be, and he realizes that he IS somewhat attracted to Nikki, so the kiss develops. 2) Zack is relatively unmoved, but is playing along, but Nikki realizes (to her horror) that Zack is a good kisser and that she's feeling something unexpected toward Zack. Either (or both) will really make both of their futures quite complex - and fun. And it's exactly the type of totally unexpected complexity that Emory is so well know for. I'd LOVE to see somethigng like that happen.
Elrod W
2025-03-22 00:33:17 +0000 UTCA bit late readding this. Real life (lots of NASA safety stuff). Anyway, the one item I noted so very clearly is that when random bitch (RB) starts dissing Zack, Nikki is pretty vociferous in her defense of him. It really reminds me of "nobody can hit my brother except me" type of familial affection (which itself is a form of non-romantic love). Does Nikki even realize how much she's defending him? Nikki's personality is slowly becoming an alloy of Nick's and what he thought Nikki's should be - a fusion of the two that is stronger than either one alone (much like what Jill became). It's happening slowly, subtly, and Nikki is probably not even aware, but slowly, she's gaining strength. In my eyes, each panic attack is not so much a loss of part of Nick as it is a fusion of part of Nick's self into the new whole that is Nikki - and it's scary to Nikki. She fears a loss of self, but doesn't realize that those moments are a forge - shaping a new stronger version of herself. Anyway, enough ramblings from an old curmudgeon. (And yes, it's official - I have my 'curmudgeon license', so pbthhh!)
Elrod W
2025-03-21 18:34:20 +0000 UTCThe Panic attacks seem to happen whenever a little piece of Nick "dies", whenever he is about to cross a line that he never believed he would, and then he does...the sushi set up, a power move, an attempt to regain some control, but using a total chick move to get there. the aborted chopstick joke? got a little too close for comfort. walking to the restroom, "am I having fun?", defending his (her) friend from rumors Nick may have been responsible for starting, also stepping right into the role of Zach's "beard". Hold my hand, eye contact...they actually do like each other
mdaily
2025-03-21 16:47:44 +0000 UTCEXACTLY 🫠❣️
Maggie Heels
2025-03-20 00:01:29 +0000 UTCThanks, Maggie! Her smile is definitely becoming a thing again. It's interesting that you picked up on the "natural" vibe. It's not like she's suddenly loving dresses and makeup, but there's a shift happening. For so long, Nikki's been performing masculinity, and now she's performing femininity, but maybe underneath BOTH those, there's just... Nikki?
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 22:39:31 +0000 UTCThanks, Kris! Nikki is rediscovering the protective side she buried under layers of macho bravado. It's messy, and definitely not something Nikki is consciously embracing, but it's happening nonetheless. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 22:37:55 +0000 UTCNikki’s smiles. That’s all. Wow!
Robertlouis
2025-03-19 20:58:56 +0000 UTCAw, thank you, DJ! She really does have a crazy beautiful (and contagious) smile!
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 18:56:47 +0000 UTCThanks Gemma! I've been working hard on making the characters as realistically expressive as possible, especially with smiles. They really make the characters feel alive, I think. Nikki is grappling with two conflicting forces: the old "Nick," all bravado, and the emerging "Nikki," who's starting to experience the world in a new way. The bowling alley was the first time Nikki could relax and just be herself with Zach.
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 18:54:37 +0000 UTCThanks, Zoe! Sandy's influence is a huge help, and it's helping Nikki tap into that part of herself buried under layers of expectations and performance. Sandy is helping Nikki realize she doesn't have to be the person everyone expects her to be - either the macho jock or the helpless victim. She can be something else entirely, something stronger and more complex. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 18:46:17 +0000 UTCThank you so much, Nolwenn. Yeah, definitely very proud of the expressions in this episode - I wanted to make Nikki's smile as infectious as possible! hehe
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 18:42:22 +0000 UTCShe is definitely having a good time despire herself!
Emory Ahlberg
2025-03-19 18:41:03 +0000 UTCSo wonderful to see Nikki smiling and having a good time!! And the way she so reflexively stood up for Zach - beautiful.
Sunflower
2025-03-18 19:35:58 +0000 UTCAgree wholeheartedly, Nikki’s smile in panel 12 is amazing, so engaging, natural and so beautiful.
Gemma
2025-03-17 23:55:17 +0000 UTCOh date going "well." Sushi!! Every girl not allergic to fish, likes at least one kind of roll. Yay for spicy tuna!! Random chick in the bathroom with the standard biphobia thats been literally around for like the last 30+ years, check. Quarterback that sees the field in Nikki, check. Panic attack for first time dressed to kill, check. Clueless Gay guy out with a hot chick that used to be his male crush, check. Just two friends trying to reconnect after a bit of "life changes," check. This will not end up going "well" but we already knew this. How is Nikki going to react? How is Zach going to react? Will Hutch Sr. buy it? Find out in a future episode of Half Sisters!!
SingularCurve
2025-03-17 21:16:00 +0000 UTCThat smile in panel 12, I absolutely need to see more of it.
AB
2025-03-17 19:16:53 +0000 UTCGood point, well made! I'd totally forgotten about that! 😂😂😂
Ellen Mellor
2025-03-17 16:50:50 +0000 UTCDidn't work on Vicki lmaoooo “You showed her all those egg memes.” “And she didn’t find them relatable!” Christine says. “I think she would have if she let herself think about it,” Paige insists. “But I also think that a subreddit is not a diagnostic tool.” (Dorley, chapter 20)
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 16:32:42 +0000 UTCNo, she'll have a meltdown about it and then in like 18 months she'll be like "Oh. Ohhhhhhh, that's what that was."
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 16:25:21 +0000 UTCMy bad, Jade...a spur-of-the-moment inspiration.
Alex From the Tri-Cities
2025-03-17 16:23:02 +0000 UTCThose facial expressions! Gold star! All the gold stars!
Jenny S
2025-03-17 15:52:06 +0000 UTCYES, BUC'EES!!!! One of my favorite places. I've driven 100 miles just to go eat at a gas station, but not just that, it's a food paradise. And the brisket sandwiches are to die for.
Pelicanboss
2025-03-17 15:38:44 +0000 UTCThat's probably true for Zach, but I doubt Nikki is quite yet able to see herself as bi.
Tim
2025-03-17 15:27:30 +0000 UTCHonestly, that's a better way of finding out how someone will react to feminisation than any algorithms the Island can come up with or anything Dorley Hall could do...
Ellen Mellor
2025-03-17 15:22:33 +0000 UTCP.S. Poor Mando is gonna explode when he sees all the pictures of Nikki and Zach together on social media. Poor dude. I really feel for him.
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 15:21:13 +0000 UTCI can't believe how many commenters totally breezed over Nikki's panic attacks. At some point Nikki is going to have to deal with all of this trauma and stop pushing it down deep inside or she is going to be in a *terrible* *terrible* place. I hope Sandy or Nikki's mom can help her understand she needs to talk about this with someone and process it. So much to love here, Emory. You always make the most incredible expressions. Nikki's joy is *real*, Nikki's delight in trolling Zach is so believable. Some of your best work here. It's really wonderful.
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 15:19:35 +0000 UTCAlex, no one needs to know about the four Israeli quadruplets... 🙈
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 15:16:55 +0000 UTCI agree that Nikki has a lot of eggy behavior. If only Sandy or Nikki's mom could show her some r/egg_irl memes? Those are super diagnostic.
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 15:14:48 +0000 UTCNikki is about to discover the only bi person in this relationship is her...
Jade Diaz
2025-03-17 15:13:25 +0000 UTCTime for a little less talk and a lot more “action?”
Phil G1
2025-03-17 14:59:30 +0000 UTCAll those smiles, I am so charmed.
Thomas Tolliver
2025-03-17 13:04:57 +0000 UTCSuch a sweet chapter! You really brightened my Monday! Thanks a bunch, Emory! ❤️
Ella Cherry
2025-03-17 12:40:11 +0000 UTCI've been hoping to see those last two panels for so long. Nikki and Zach are damned good actors trying to "fool" Hutchinson's spy. How far will they carry their "ruse"... maybe a good night kiss in the motel parking lot before hopping on Zach's bike at the end of the night... or perhaps something a bit more convincing to cap off their date (and Season Two)? Certainly something that will have us speculating what might lie ahead in Season Three.
Tim
2025-03-17 12:29:56 +0000 UTCI really love this smile which says a lot for the future...
Erica Rost
2025-03-17 11:54:12 +0000 UTCAnother deliciously sweet episode. Could it be that Nikki is slowly coming to terms with herself? And showing her hidden depths - defending her 'date' (seriously, how could anyone think that saying that stuff about to someone about they're with is okay?) and showing off her knowledge that she hid behind her jock persona. I really feel like we're going to discover that Nick was a total egg and Nicki is only just fighting her way through the shell. Her sudden discomfort when explaining how to hold chopsticks was funny (to what could she have been referring?!?) Finally, my heart went out to her when she panicked seeing the crowd. We've all been there. I still do it and it's been 10 years since I started to transition.
Ellen Mellor
2025-03-17 11:28:16 +0000 UTCNo kidding. Nikki starts to forget about being miserable and starts to feel hmmm... natural? Her smile is a really powerful weapon. I would call it a “Jill class smile” ❣️❣️❣️
Maggie Heels
2025-03-17 10:31:18 +0000 UTCLovely chapter. It's good to see Nick starting to feel more like Nikki even if they don't want to. I like the way that they are starting to be protective of Zach. Nikki is becoming a better human being.
Kris Greg
2025-03-17 10:10:51 +0000 UTCNikki is gorgeous when she smiles. No wonder you've been guarding it
DJ
2025-03-17 09:45:11 +0000 UTCGreat reply, Gemma, I agree. My own Vienna Della Neri would've put that gossiping girl in her place...to protect her and her loved ones. If Hutch's "people" heard her words...well, NOT GOOD.
Alex From the Tri-Cities
2025-03-17 09:22:41 +0000 UTCWow Emory you have outdone yourself. These images are out of this world and so realistic. I initially was struck by and so loved the image from the back of Zack and Nikki. I thought this was your high point until later I saw the beautiful images that capture Nikki smiling. You have mastered the smile. Nikki when she is smiling looks amazing. I have to say it again, these images are so lifelike, your animation is at the next level. Hardly surprising following seeing the recent animation you provided of Jill smiling. Now let’s talk about the dialogue. It’s amazing hearing the confident, should I say ‘cocky’ Nikki in the first few images and the shift to the more nervous and subdued Nikki as she publicly presents herself and her fear of exposure. Zach, as always the gentleman, so caring, attuned to and empathetic of Nikki. It was nice seeing her light up again in the latter part of their date. Later again it was pleasing seeing her responses to that gossiping girl ,and putting this girl in her place. I wonder when Nikki next has a quiet moment alone if she will reflect on her own defensive and protective reaction on Zach’s behalf. I also wonder, in the images in which Zach and Nikki make ‘goo goo eyes’ at each other to fool Hutchinson spy, if Nikki becomes surprised and taken back by other thoughts and feeling that may arise within her and possibly also begin to stir Zach? Fantastic work Emory, thank you.
Gemma
2025-03-17 09:14:32 +0000 UTCLove this. They are disgustingly sweet, and Nikki is an absolute queen, glad to see Sandy's lessons are rubbing off on her.
Zoe Storm
2025-03-17 09:01:26 +0000 UTCWoah really nice one. Your work on facial expression is amasing. And i called it hormone magic stuff in progress.^^
Nolwenn
2025-03-17 08:58:19 +0000 UTCOMG, muse Emory. Just the notification on my phone. Nikki actually looks like she is having fun; actualizing her new reality and is she actually defending her "man" against gorgeous little Miss Dreads? Does she have any idea how dangerous it is to even whisper rumors about Zach Hutchinson???? Doesn't she NOT know about Jackson/Janice Harmon...or care? Also, Nikki girl...love your driving habits...my own Xuniverse Miss Vienna Della Neri©™ (18 years old, pregnant, Platinum Star, 36 "Acquisitions") would most certainly approve, although in her case it would be a 2020 Indian Chief Vintage in Thunder Black and 1957 Ford Thunderbird in Raven Black with matching black interior...like their owner seemingly powered and propelled by pure love...and endless rage. As always, muse Emory you've made me inspired and aspire. That smile at the end...Holly & The Coven would be proud. Complete actualization. Is that Nikki's "I'm a Companion NOW"?😍🥰💞💞 My own Xuniverse characters, Summer Chastity Crowe©™, Shunfen Xu©™ and the four gorgeous Israeli quadruplets...Ilana (Hebrew equivalent of Vienna), Jora, Sitva and Aviva from Qiryat Shemona had that same look in their eyes when they had their first date with your Clarissa...and their first "Phallic Pleasure" as Second Dawn calls it much to Vienna's rage...she had hoped to be their "first"
Alex From the Tri-Cities
2025-03-17 08:56:39 +0000 UTC
