Roka has always been a bit surly and in this arc, you finally get to learn why. I like that it complicates his relationship with Ril, where he has to work with him every day and does consider him a good friend and partner, but at the same time, he holds Ril responsible for getting him stuck as a smuggler.
I have to be honest: I do NOT like how I have the word balloons arranged in panel 3. I’m usually pretty good about knowing where each balloon will roughly go and how much room to leave for it when I’m laying out and penciling a page. But in this instance, I just could not figure out how to place the balloons in the finished page to fill the empty spaces, read left-to-right and top-to-bottom, and avoid the dreaded, undesirable crossing balloon tails. As it is, the order reads fine, but the two balloon tails on the right pointing across each other are definitely awkward.
I read that third panel without hesitation. Even if I keeping looking at it now it’s still fine. I mean it’s not like the balloons are pointing at the wrong person or where it’s unclear who says what.
Roka can’t blame Ril. He has to take responsibility for his own decision. Now we know why Ril didn’t go and meet with the pilots. Unless… I see the opportunity for a Rashomon type of story. 😉
I also had no confusion about who said what in the third panel. I didn’t even notice anything awkward about the balloon tails.
Thanks guys. Yeah, I think I managed to make it pretty clear with the balloon placements and tails leading to the respective speakers. I just think in general, having tails that cross paths (even if they don’t literally cross each other) is a bit weird and not ideal. But it’s a pretty minor thing here, so good to know it didn’t distract anyone. Until I pointed it out!
As for Roka, yes, he shouldn’t blame Ril for his own actions. But I do like that aspect of Roka in this situation. Normally he’s pretty level headed and understands people taking responsibility for their actions. But that doesn’t preclude him entirely from lashing out in an irrational way once in a while. I find it to be a pretty realistic stance where he certainly knows he had a role in making his own decision, but he wants to blame the other guy for “suggesting it in the first place.” And rightfully, Ril would be annoyed at having all the blame thrust upon him unfairly. Definitely a fun scene to write!