No dialog was used, as suggested by Mr Tham. He told me to let the comic do the talking...I hope it's doing it correctly?
The first three panels give little about the character, only the fact that she's dressed elegantly, nothing doubtful or cunning. The last panel shows the protagonist meeting one of the Twin Dealers for the first time. Panel is enlarged to show a simple yet fateful encounter.
The Dealer knew the protagonist would be her next target, for whatever reason we don't know.
This page shows several time skips, and how puberty changed the protagonist's view towards people around her and of course, herself.
The other Dealer is shown this time, giving the protagonist a sense of safety and harmlessness due to his child-like form. The Twin Dealers then offer her a safe house, her own personal refuge.
Being vulnerable to vicious emotional changes, she believes in their kindness and generosity easily. This shows the protagonist's personality --- unsure, afraid of making mistakes, extremely low self-esteem and how she gets tricked by other people's kindness easily.
This page shows how she spends her days, believing in the Hamster Ball, protecting herself while she keeps on running, keeps on living. All without doing permanent damage to herself or the people around her.
However, pressure built up and she couldn't help but shatter little by little. Unknowingly, she has created something she cannot undo, some kind of alter ego that fully replaces her true self.
Sensing that she needs to break out of her safe bubble, she tries hard. Nothing seems to work because deep down, she's still too afraid of getting personally involved with other people's lives, scared of the burdens and responsibilities that will be placed on her shoulders. The Twin Dealers appear to show just how weak-willed the protagonist is.
This page shows how she's drowning in her regrets. her fake interactions and emotions towards people, friends or strangers alike. The mistrust she puts in them and in herself dragged her deep into the depths of sorrow and regret.
Two of the protagonist's friends show up, and one reached out their hand. This shows that no matter how alone a person feels, there will always be someone out there who is willing to share your pain and sorrow, someone who stands by you. Even if it's just one or two.
Sensing their love for her, she's finally able to break free from the Hamster Ball, as easy as bursting a bubble once you realise you don't have to act like someone else to get people to like you.
The protagonist opens her eyes and is showered with her friends' openness and kindness towards her.
Moved by their unwavering support, the protagonist is able to laugh out loud for the first time in a while. Her Alter Ego is shown to be confused by her change of emotion, but soon realised how happy and lighthearted she laugh sounded. This woke the Alter Ego, showing how she ignores the Dealer's instructions, bypassing her.
The Alter Ego is confused and scared, but she knows that this would be for the best, if the protagonist wishes to keep on living a fulfilling life. Trembling hands indicate insecurity and guilt, but the smile shows acceptance and kindness.
The protagonist pats the Alter Ego's head, showing her how she appreciates the other even though it caused her trouble. Her acceptance of her other self made them merge into a whole, making the protagonist much more confident and full of vigor. The last panel shows the Alter Ego smiling, disappearing with hints of tears.
Time skip happened, and this page shows how the three friends were supposed to meet up. How much time has passed is unknown. The steady pace of a normal morning is carried out by different characters yet somehow retains the smooth flow of the story.
The last panel shows difference in appearance for both of the protagonist's friends, which could mean that more than a year has passed. This shows how true friendship lasts, and it's not all that bad to stick around with people who truly understands and appreciates you.
The flying bird symbolises the protagonist's freedom from her own depressed and unmotivated thoughts, moving on with life with a fresh new perception of the world around her.
Below are some sketches I made before setting down the permanent personality and outfit for the Twin Dealers.
Below is a height chart between the major characters and a growth chart of the protagonist:
Additionally, this is actually for the name card. I want people to see me as an illustrator more than a graphic designer, so I've illustrated a simple piece for myself. The witch shows how an illustrating is can create ever changing pieces like magic, and it's their passion to do so for others and themselves. The various objects scattered creates a cheery atmosphere. The timepiece with its chain act as the boundary and information about me.
