Dumbing of Age Book Eleven

Dumbing of Age

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September 18, 2023

Assault

by David M Willis on June 30, 2022 at 12:01 am
  • 04 – Don't Stop Billie-ving

└ Tags: jason, jennifer, ruth

Discussion (217) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    June 30, 2022 at 12:04 am | #

    it’s weird how thoroughly I’ve compartmentalised my exes that this would never be a risk to me

    or maybe I’m just… healthy?? 🤔 is that a thing???

    • ThunderNight
      ThunderNight
      June 30, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

      no chance of evil exes there

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      June 30, 2022 at 12:19 am | #

      How do you compartmentalize exes? If its with a filling cabinet, because a filing cabinet for people is just a morgue, which would be … concerning.

      • Jamie
        Jamie
        June 30, 2022 at 1:27 am | #

        Well, see, there are actually many Mirror Dimensions and Ana just uses a different one for each ex.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 30, 2022 at 2:32 am | #

        You compartmentalize exes with virtual machines and Docker.

        • davidbreslin101
          davidbreslin101
          June 30, 2022 at 7:12 am | #

          One of my exes is running Linux and the other is running Windows XP. It’s pretty handy.

    • Decidedly Orthogonal
      Decidedly Orthogonal
      June 30, 2022 at 2:13 am | #

      That got harder for me after having one partner gas-light me about things we did together so she could accuse me of cheating on her. 👍👍 Good times. So anyways, no I’ve been single for seven years.

      And Ruth, that was self-defense. What Ms. Billingsworth did was assault.

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      June 30, 2022 at 1:32 pm | #

      Healthy relationships (and non-relationships) are a thing IRL! Just, you know, not in DoA (or at least not in 99% of it). We come to this comic for a wide variety of rampant immaturity and gloriously awful relationships, not sane & healthy ones.

    • anon
      anon
      June 30, 2022 at 4:55 pm | #

      i’m sure there are ppl who have wanted to punch their exes but very rarely anyone does unless it was an abusive relationship, so yeah

  2. The Wellerman
    The Wellerman
    June 30, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

    Oh no you don’t!!!

    You two brawlers aren’t getting away without a slipshine THAT easily! 😈

    🌀 Parasite Powers: Horny Hypnosis! 🌀

    *plays “Hypnotik” by Ken Arai on hacked muzak*

    • Devin
      Devin
      June 30, 2022 at 12:47 am | #

      I get what you’re saying, but they very much have had a Slipshine already.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        June 30, 2022 at 1:01 am | #

        Two, even.

        • The Wellerman
          The Wellerman
          June 30, 2022 at 1:28 am | #

          What’s one more for these two? 😏

          But I get your point I think. If not Jennifer x Ruth, who’s next best candidate for next slipshine?

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            June 30, 2022 at 1:48 am | #

            I’m partial to Rose and Nash.

          • Devin
            Devin
            June 30, 2022 at 10:59 am | #

            There are precious few currently existing couples with enough dramatic tension to have a focus on their sex lives at this point, which seems to be the criteria. Barring new romantic developments, I think Sal and Danny are the current most likely candidates, as their relationship developing has been the subject of actual narrative focus.

            But aside from having made up for lost time with pairings that existed in Shortpacked!, Willis only seems to do Slipshines when they make narrative sense in DoA. I think it might be a while before we see the next one. Becky and Dina were a long time coming and a long time building up, and I think the fact that we didn’t see one for a good long while means that Willis doesn’t feel like it’s something they need to do, but rather a nice add-on when it’s relevant.

            • The Wellerman
              The Wellerman
              June 30, 2022 at 2:38 pm | #

              Not too long, actually.

              Mind you, next storyline coming up very soon takes place during Halloween.

              You know what that means. 😈

              • Devin
                Devin
                June 30, 2022 at 5:18 pm | #

                I mean I think it means we’re going to see a lot of fighting and breaking up. I don’t expect Halloween is going to yield a Slipshine. I could be wrong of course!

                The last events that produced a Slipshine were about three years ago. It was less easy to track down exactly when the actual Slipshine came out, but I’d guess pretty close to that. Comparatively, the first Slipshine came out in 2014, and there were 11 in those four-ish years (not counting the pin-up collection).

                • The Wellerman
                  The Wellerman
                  June 30, 2022 at 6:47 pm | #

                  What about character who we HAVEN’T seen that often in-strip?

                  Like Sierra and her polyamory pals? They seem like they could really be down for some action on Halloween night! 😏

                  Who knows? They might even play an unexpected role in the Halloween narrative as well!

                  Halloween is an abyss of the unknown.

                  The Abyss calls out to us.

                  Who will answer?

                • Devin
                  Devin
                  June 30, 2022 at 7:35 pm | #

                  I mean that goes back to what I said about dramatic tension and relevance to the narrative. Sierra, Grace, and Mandy don’t tend to show up that often because they’re minor characters and don’t often impact the storyline that’s depicted for us.

                  I mean I get that you’re hoping for something like that, but a Slipshine has most often come about when a relationship has had narrative focus. Halloween seems like a bad candidate for a relationship we haven’t seen much of yet given that we know the events of Halloween were significant for several relationships. It just doesn’t seem likely that we’ll be getting one really soon.

                  There’s a lot we don’t know about Halloween, but we do have some general information.

                • The Wellerman
                  The Wellerman
                  June 30, 2022 at 8:00 pm | #

                  Hell, even single-shots of some couple doing it on the unholiest of nights still counts as a Slipshine. By that standard, even Mary technically got one.

                  But besides that, “general information” or not, Willis has a way of throwing stuff at us that we LEAST expect. 😄

        • Byron Orpheus
          Byron Orpheus
          June 30, 2022 at 12:02 pm | #

          At this point I think we need a chart to track them. Any volunteers?

  3. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    June 30, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

    Everybody hurts….because getting roughly pushed to the floor is probably painful.

  4. Thag Simmons
    Thag Simmons
    June 30, 2022 at 12:06 am | #

    Just judging by that last panel I don’t know if this was anymore honest about her feelings than what Ruth was doing before.

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 30, 2022 at 12:25 am | #

      Yeah. This was just giving “Billie” what she wants. (I say “Billie” because Jennifer was slipping way back into full-on “Billie” mode there. The “Jennifer” costume had come all the way off.)

      • The Wellerman
        The Wellerman
        June 30, 2022 at 12:31 am | #

        Just wait until the big bourgeois breakfast after the next storyline, Walky will have what it takes to make the seemingly solid “Jennifer” utterly melt into air!

        BTW Laura, you know of any good, hearty recipes for when digestive inflammation is present?

        • Laura
          Laura
          June 30, 2022 at 12:43 am | #

          Well, I have a few favorites:
          Unflavored, unsweetened rice milk
          Steamed cow’s milk with non-alcoholic mint flavoring
          Bone broth or chicken broth
          (Chicken Noodle Soup or Wonton Soup can be good)
          Couscous
          Lentil soup
          Plain yoghurt with frozen blueberries and ginger and honey
          Ginger mint tea
          Raspberry Leaf Tea if the stomach upset is menstrual related

          For diarrhea, there’s the “BE BRATTY” diet:
          Broth
          Electrolyte Drink (e.g. Gatorade)
          Bananas
          Rice (white, not brown)
          Apples / Applesauce
          Toast
          Tea (weak, not strong)
          Yoghurt

          But I’m sure others have others. Depends on the source of the inflammation. Best to check with a doctor — don’t want to make it worse.

          Here’s what HealthLine says:
          https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health-meals
          https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-foods-for-digestion
          https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/reducing-inflammation-gut-health

          Good luck!

          • The Wellerman
            The Wellerman
            June 30, 2022 at 12:51 am | #

            Ooo! All very good! Can onion fit into any of them?

            • Laura
              Laura
              June 30, 2022 at 12:56 am | #

              Well, sure, but onion and garlic can also exacerbate the inflammation. Double-edged sword. That’s why it depends on the source of the inflammation and how bad it is. Always good to talk with a trusted health care provider before attempting to self-treat with food. Ulcers, Celiac, Crohn’s, IBS… they all have different triggers.

              Go-to is bread or dumplings, of course, but you don’t want to just be eating bread all the time. Too much is not good for you. Especially if you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.

              I’ve actually started treating my joint pain with Omega-3 oils, turmeric and black pepper, on my doctor’s recommendation. It helps! I also try to eat ginger and onions and garlic every day, but what works for me might not work for others.

              See, e.g.:
              https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-foods-fight-pain
              Your mileage may vary.

              • Laura
                Laura
                June 30, 2022 at 1:00 am | #

                Oh, and this:

                https://scitechdaily.com/american-heart-association-sleep-duration-is-essential-component-for-heart-and-brain-health/
                https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/29/health/american-heart-association-heart-health-wellness/index.html

                In the news today. Get your 7-10 hours of sleep a night, and if you can’t get total darkness, at least wear an eye mask to sleep! Really important for your body and mind.

                • The Wellerman
                  The Wellerman
                  June 30, 2022 at 1:23 am | #

                  Sautéed an onion and put it in a chicken/rice/broth soup. 😋

              • The Wellerman
                The Wellerman
                June 30, 2022 at 1:01 am | #

                OK. Thank you for your infodump, Laura. 😊

                Now to cook for some Host Maintenance. Fun fun fun. 😋

                • Laura
                  Laura
                  June 30, 2022 at 1:29 am | #

                  Yummy! Enjoy! :-9

  5. Nono
    Nono
    June 30, 2022 at 12:06 am | #

    Walk away, Jason, walk away.

    • Mannimark
      Mannimark
      June 30, 2022 at 11:06 am | #

      This is wise.

  6. Bunny
    Bunny
    June 30, 2022 at 12:07 am | #

    so this is far from over, right?

    • Sirksome
      Sirksome
      June 30, 2022 at 12:17 am | #

      I hope it’s over actually. Especially since this has escalated to violence. Arguments can be entertaining but seeing two characters abuse each other isn’t really fun in this context.

      • Bunny
        Bunny
        June 30, 2022 at 12:22 am | #

        dont get me wrong. i hope it is too. but the text appears to be pointing to ruth and jennifer’s story continuing onward rather than not.

      • Suitora
        Suitora
        June 30, 2022 at 12:25 am | #

        To be fair, Ruth didn’t have much of a choice. If someone’s got an elbow to your throat, your options are very limited. She couldn’t escape, she couldn’t gently try to get her off. Literally, the only option here is violence. She could definitely have taken a measure to ensure Jennifer wasn’t at risk of getting a concussion, but I don’t think RAs are trained in therapeutic holds or anything like that.

        • The Wellerman
          The Wellerman
          June 30, 2022 at 12:33 am | #

          “therapeutic” holds? Is that another word for “sleeper hold”? Also, sightly tangential, I always get hungry for taco bell when I see your avatar. 😅

          • Stifyn Baker
            Stifyn Baker
            June 30, 2022 at 1:35 am | #

            No. As an education professional working with young people with complex needs, I’m trained in therapeutic holds. Young people can be restrained safely and legally in the UK (but part of the legal bit is the requirement to be able to show that the restraint was applied as a last resort, and that the situation would have been much worse without it). Therapeutic holds are based on biomechanical principles to immobilise without causing pain or injury, which is a great theory until you actually end up in a room with a young person in crisis who is determined to hurt themselves or someone else. Without the option for therapeutic holds, my job would be orders of magnitude more dangerous (and yes, I’m using the phrase ‘orders of magnitude’ in its strict mathematical sense).

            • FlamestAndLight
              FlamestAndLight
              June 30, 2022 at 7:31 am | #

              I’m pretty sure Therapeutic Hold refers to consensual holding, where as Safe Holding refers to restraint.

              But also idk, be careful? people have died from being restrained in correctly, not just those who’ve had to run from cops, but also autistic people who’ve been restrained improperly

              • The Wellerman
                The Wellerman
                June 30, 2022 at 1:19 pm | #

                Oh, that last bit. Hai PTSD trigger

        • Sirksome
          Sirksome
          June 30, 2022 at 12:37 am | #

          It’s not really about Ruth’s options, just the idea they’ll be hurting each other in general. It’s not like this is a battle comic or something. Violence for the most part is played pretty straight from a tonal pov. Even Sal and Amber’s fight wasn’t really fun to watch.

        • Clif
          Clif
          July 1, 2022 at 12:40 am | #

          The only option here is violence. — Not so. A kiss was also an option. Didn’t you read the dialog?

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 30, 2022 at 12:25 am | #

      Well, this interaction is over. I don’t think Jen’s going to press charges and I don’t think Ruth did any serious damage.

      Obviously both characters will continue to exist in their comic and presumably interact at some point again in the future

      • justin8448
        justin8448
        June 30, 2022 at 1:53 am | #

        I don’t see how Jennifer could press charges even if she wants to. She lunged at Ruth, entirely unprovoked.

        It’s possible that Ruth used excessive force in defending herself, but not by much.

        • James
          James
          June 30, 2022 at 9:16 am | #

          Unless there are cameras in the hallway, she could just lie about it. It’d be a word vs word situation, and Ruth has a record of violence.

          • rowanmikaio
            rowanmikaio
            June 30, 2022 at 11:04 am | #

            I’d say having a witness (Jason) as well as the fact that this happened in Ruth’s door when Jennifer lives in another dorm would support the self-defense argument.

          • thejeff
            thejeff
            June 30, 2022 at 11:08 am | #

            Also, somebody broke the door.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 30, 2022 at 2:35 am | #

        They’ve each done worse to the other before.

  7. Yumi
    Yumi
    June 30, 2022 at 12:08 am | #

    Jason was in hiding while it went down. Good instincts.

  8. Username Taken
    Username Taken
    June 30, 2022 at 12:08 am | #

    Ruth reminds me of that Simpsons Pathetic meme in panel two.

  9. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    June 30, 2022 at 12:11 am | #

    “Shove me into the ground!”

    (one shove later)

    “Ha! I knew you’d shove me into the ground, you ground-shover, you!”

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 30, 2022 at 12:15 am | #

      Yeah, she gave her what she wanted to see, but this seems like more of a lie than what she was doing previously.

      • pope suburban
        pope suburban
        June 30, 2022 at 12:26 am | #

        Agreed. Nothing Ruth did before this felt especially dishonest. Sure, she might not have been 100% sincere when she wished Jennifer well, but that can take time and mostly she did seem to mean it. Jennifer demanding a dramatic reenactment of their previous, worse selves doesn’t feel authentic at all.

        • Biblioholic93
          Biblioholic93
          June 30, 2022 at 12:55 am | #

          Really, its probably what she boxed Ruth into doing, either assault or kiss her, to remind herself that this identity Billie she had before was “bad” and she’s “good” now, Jennifer.

          But honestly I hate it when people rope others into this cycle of self-denial, self-repression and aggressive judgement.

          Because honestly, I don’t think Jen means what she says here, but what does she say?
          Ruth: it makes sense if its you, no big deal
          Jennifer: lies, dont be nice its lies
          Ruth, faced with second violent act:
          Choice 1, be untrue to her genuine desire to see her ex happy in her relationship and her newfound general balance of self to world… kiss, cheat, prove deplorable, get rejected called scummy
          Choice 2, be violent back, be untrue to your new mental health and briefly regress. If the old Billie sees the old Ruth and remains with Asher and remains happy, Ruth will be true to her desire to see Jen happy.

          This is clearly the better option. Doesn’t mean its clear or doesnt hurt…

          • pope suburban
            pope suburban
            June 30, 2022 at 1:33 pm | #

            I also think that Jen knows. on some level, that her new crowd of friends is not good, either for her or in general. Jen has always wanted to be cool and admired, and she’s always struggled with the parts of her authentic self that do not fit the current “cool” mode of being. So her old friends know something more like the real her, which is not 100% conventionally “cool,” while her new friends fit the image she has in her head, but don’t know her or especially want to. Jennifer might want to commit to the whole “real grown-up adult” but with these people, but it’s not working- and frankly it shouldn’t, Raidah and her friends are shallow classist jagoffs- and instead of finding a way to be genuine, she’s doing whatever this is. And I get it, fitting in can be hard at any age and doubly so when you’re young and newly on your own. But this display wasn’t honesty and it’s not going to help. I hope Ruth doesn’t get dragged into this again, because she does seem to be committing to addressing her problems and moving forward in a constructive way, whatever that ultimately looks like for her.

            • thejeff
              thejeff
              June 30, 2022 at 3:57 pm | #

              I don’t know. She’s been at least somewhat more open with them than with most of her old friends – they know about Kit Fisto. They’re hiding their disdain for as yet unrevealed reasons, so it is all going to turn into a disaster, but Jennifer might be being more genuine than you think.

              Or at least as genuine as she’s being with herself, since there does seem to be a lot of self-deception in her current life.

      • Devin
        Devin
        June 30, 2022 at 12:50 am | #

        Yeah, I don’t think Jennifer would have stopped until she got what she wanted.

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 30, 2022 at 12:47 am | #

      Now I know why this arc is called “Don’t Stop Believing”.

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 1, 2022 at 12:46 am | #

        Please explain it to us then.

        I mean, we have our theories, but it’s far from clear.

  10. StClair
    StClair
    June 30, 2022 at 12:12 am | #

    A+ self-awareness from Ruth.

    no points to… whatever she wants to call herself.

  11. Joe Moose
    Joe Moose
    June 30, 2022 at 12:13 am | #

    In an alternate timeline, they kissed, and thus chaos and destruction came raining forth to damage the land.

    Either that or Mary would have freaked.

    • Byron Orpheus
      Byron Orpheus
      June 30, 2022 at 12:03 pm | #

      Isn’t that what happened the first time? This whole strip is a callback.

  12. newlland(Henryvolt)
    newlland(Henryvolt)
    June 30, 2022 at 12:14 am | #

    It was either one ore the other and she went the choice that didn’t undo months of effort of getting over her…though she’s clearly not completely over her.

  13. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    June 30, 2022 at 12:14 am | #

    I can’t tell if I’m either wrong about Mike being the worst-person-who-is-not-an-outright-villain in the cast before his death or if Jennifer has gone through a Face-Heel Turn by this point and this is just a Villain Protagonist chapter.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 30, 2022 at 12:18 am | #

      Nah, this is pretty consistent with earlier behaviour for her.

      It’s not good, but Mike’s record is pretty hard to beat.

      • StClair
        StClair
        June 30, 2022 at 12:22 am | #

        That’s Jennifer’s secret, Thag. She always says she’s changed.

        • Sajuuk-Khar
          Sajuuk-Khar
          June 30, 2022 at 12:47 am | #

          Jennifer’s like Darth Vader if Darth Vader’s cape said “DEFINITELY NOT ANAKIN SKYWALKER” and also if he wouldn’t ever shut up about how he’s a Sith and he’s absolutely not Anakin Skywalker, who he destroyed for being weak and garbage.

          • Bryy
            Bryy
            June 30, 2022 at 12:57 am | #

            And goes around telling everyone she’s the Sith Alpha Bongo.

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          June 30, 2022 at 2:38 am | #

          She’s changed! She pulled herself around a full 360 degrees!

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      June 30, 2022 at 7:43 am | #

      Lots of people in the cast have their bad sides, but the distinction with Mike up until his death sequence (and some bits of the childhood flashbacks) is that there was nothing else.

      With Jennifer, we see this, but we also just saw her take Joyce to the doctor and come back to check on her. Even with his closest friends we don’t see Mike do anything like that.

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        June 30, 2022 at 10:36 am | #

        He got Dorothy to acknowledge her thing with Walky, though who knows if that was his intention or not (besides just messing with them).

        Mike gives the impression that he says things to people to get them to a better place, but it’s never clear if that’s honestly how he is.

        He does seem to care about Amber and Ethan, but just because you care doesn’t mean you show it in a healthy or helpful way, and it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t also be hurtful and hateful.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          June 30, 2022 at 11:07 am | #

          People read that impression into Mike. I’ve never been sure why.
          At the very least, it’s far less clear that he was ever being helpful (before the end) than it was about Jennifer just today with Joyce and the doctor.

          • Schpoonman
            Schpoonman
            June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm | #

            I can’t think of a single time Mike ever actually helped anyone besides Ethan, and it could be argued the week or two of boosted confidence Ethan got out of it was far less than all of the emotional damage Mike had inflicted up to that point. The shit with Dorothy and Walky only hurt the two of them, I don’t know where readers get the idea that Mike was some sort of asshole angel who helps people by hurting them horribly. He was the kind of friend that, when he sees you stubbed your toe, breaks a finger and tells you what a good friend he is for taking your mind off your toe.

            • cbwroses
              cbwroses
              June 30, 2022 at 2:14 pm | #

              Major Payne was a good man, daggone it!

        • Thag Simmons
          Thag Simmons
          June 30, 2022 at 2:54 pm | #

          Mike used that sort of “pushing you to be better” rationalization to justify his bullying to himself, but it’s not reallly true and I think he realized that before he died

          • thejeff
            thejeff
            June 30, 2022 at 3:58 pm | #

            He had an canonical realization that he was justifying his treatment of Amber in the same terms Blaine was.

  14. Suet
    Suet
    June 30, 2022 at 12:16 am | #

    Either way, there will always be FAAAAAAAAAAACE involved

  15. Some1
    Some1
    June 30, 2022 at 12:16 am | #

    I can only assume that Mary is still standing immediately off panel.

  16. Yeet
    Yeet
    June 30, 2022 at 12:17 am | #

    I think it’s fair to say on Ruth’s part this was self defence… this time. I mean, your door gets kicked open and then someone puts an elbow to your throat, even after you try to end the interaction peacefully, what’re you gonna do?

  17. Sunday
    Sunday
    June 30, 2022 at 12:17 am | #

    what do you want jennifer

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 30, 2022 at 12:20 am | #

      I think she got it. Validation of everything she thinks is true.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 30, 2022 at 12:20 am | #

      Pretty sure this is exactly the response she was trying to get.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      June 30, 2022 at 4:13 am | #

      Affirmation that she has changed for the better and everyone else has not and she definitely is doing better than everyone else because she doesn’t have a problem they have a problem.

      Or maybe she just thrives on drama, and her mask has been slipping all day.

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        June 30, 2022 at 10:37 am | #

        I mean, as far as drama goes, we know she likes it. She said to hook it into her veins when she thought Sal was jealous of her.
        So that part isn’t in question, just the rest.

    • Sam
      Sam
      June 30, 2022 at 7:07 am | #

      She wanted Ruth to react violently and therefore prove all her niceness was a socially polite fake sham. Because you know, when you push someone into a corner that reaction and only that reaction is truthful and honest as it conveniently validates your personal narrative about them.

  18. carl320
    carl320
    June 30, 2022 at 12:18 am | #

    Girlfriend ni youkoso!

  19. Bryy
    Bryy
    June 30, 2022 at 12:19 am | #

    GOD DAMMIT, RUTH.
    I was rooting for you! WE ALL were rooting for you!

    • Suitora
      Suitora
      June 30, 2022 at 12:32 am | #

      But to be fair, elbow to your neck, what are your choices? She attempted deescalation, but it didn’t work. Her door was already open, so she couldn’t have slipped behind. Jennifer gave her very little choices, especially when RA training is insufficient on how to engage in stuff like harm reduced self-defense or therapeutic holds.

      She acknowledged her feelings, but also knew that acting on them could be harmful.

      • khn0
        khn0
        June 30, 2022 at 8:02 am | #

        Call Jason for help!

        …

        …

        okay, that’d be silly.

    • JA
      JA
      June 30, 2022 at 1:21 am | #

      Someone kicks your door in. You try to reason with them. They throw an elbow into your throat. You react with violence for self-preservation. You did nothing wrong.

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      June 30, 2022 at 1:30 am | #

      I really have no objections to how Ruth handled this.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      June 30, 2022 at 1:54 am | #

      Whatever, she’s fine.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      June 30, 2022 at 4:14 am | #

      Yeah, I’m disappointed she still carries a torch for Billiefer, too.

      • Schpoonman
        Schpoonman
        June 30, 2022 at 2:07 pm | #

        I feel like I’m rereading the asshole comments about how Jennifer was definitely right to leave Ruth after Ruth snapped at her trying to get them to keep drinking, or how Tall Rachel is actually in the right to wait until Ruth was at her absolute lowest to say “You’re a monster and you will always be one.” Then again, this is the comment section that defends Mike on the regular, I shouldn’t be expecting better.

        • Taffy
          Taffy
          June 30, 2022 at 4:49 pm | #

          Tall Rachel can fuck off and stay there, but I honestly think it’s fine for Billie to have left after Ruth snapped about the drinking. Maybe her reasoning was shit, but it’s not like they’re especially healthy for each other, so any distance is progress.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            June 30, 2022 at 7:52 pm | #

            We’re talking about the whole “mimosas for breakfast, flippantly downplaying your concerns, cold shoulder until the next evening, land Ruth in the ER” arc, right? Because I still don’t get what Jennie was passive-aggressively trying to accomplish in that one.

            I’d link to individual strips but I’ll get auto-moderated, so it’s basically all of their appearances in these two chapters:

            https://www.dumbingofage.com/category/comic/book-9-comic/02-but-the-sun-still-shines/

            https://www.dumbingofage.com/category/comic/book-9-comic/04-vote-for-robin/

            Ruth: “You were the one who walked away!”
            Billiefer: “Yeah! ‘Cause now I was trying to get rid of you! How dare you let me :(“

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            June 30, 2022 at 7:58 pm | #

            (More comments, more links)

            Here’s where Ruth snaps at her for nudging her back to the bottle:

            https://www.dumbingofage.com/2019/comic/book-9-comic/02-but-the-sun-still-shines/bones/

            “Stop encouraging me to drink because booze will fuck with the medication I need to not want to kill myself” is a pretty good reason if you ask me.

            • Needfuldoer
              Needfuldoer
              June 30, 2022 at 8:00 pm | #

              Wait, reading your comment again I think you mean Jennifer’s reasoning for leaving was shit? In which case we’re in violent agreement.

              She was trying to get Ruth to just box up and ignore her problems, just like she does herself. As a certain talking hedgehog once said, that’s no good.

              • Taffy
                Taffy
                June 30, 2022 at 11:04 pm | #

                A wise hedgehog, truly.

              • thejeff
                thejeff
                July 1, 2022 at 12:26 am | #

                My understanding of what Jennifer was trying to do at the time: At first she was in denial about what she was doing to Ruth by bringing up booze all the time. That ended when Ruth snapped at her. She then tried to drive Ruth away, thinking that she could keep drinking and Ruth would get better without her. That ended when Ruth came to the bar and had to be rushed to the hospital, since Ruth was clearly not okay getting better with her. She then worried Ruth was letting her go so she could die without hurting anyone – which was part of their earlier deal – that’s the “how dare you let me” bit.

  20. BBCC
    BBCC
    June 30, 2022 at 12:20 am | #

    The line between kissing and violence CAN be disturbingly thin with these two.

  21. Danae Jay, Local Gay
    Danae Jay, Local Gay
    June 30, 2022 at 12:20 am | #

    So you bust someone’s door, physically assault them, and then act smug when they engage in the retaliation you specifically were attempting to provoke out of them.

    Man, fuck Jennifer.

    • Doc Harleen
      Doc Harleen
      June 30, 2022 at 4:18 am | #

      Oh good, I’m not the only one who sees it this way. After all that, what Ruth did, for possibly the first time, actually looked like self-defence.

  22. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    June 30, 2022 at 12:21 am | #

    Drama aside this is actually pretty useful information. Ruth clears Jennifer in the DoA power rankings. Ruth>Jennifer.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 30, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

      I think we established that a while ago

      • True Survivor
        True Survivor
        June 30, 2022 at 12:26 am | #

        Wow the art has improved.

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        June 30, 2022 at 12:33 am | #

        We needed up to date information. The meta’s changed since then. Jennifer’s clearly switched from telegraphed strikes to grappling. She’s also lost weight and clearly gained a bit of speed. Overall, the matchup still favors Ruth but what was one a 9-1 is probably closer to a 7-3 to Ruth.

        • Thag Simmons
          Thag Simmons
          June 30, 2022 at 12:47 am | #

          Eh, I think it was a pretty safe assumption that it hasn’t changed. Cheerleaders are a classic dedicated support role, while Hockey Goons have some major bonuses to unarmed combat, and they’ve both only gained a few levels since that matchup.

          • cbwroses
            cbwroses
            June 30, 2022 at 10:42 am | #

            Cheerleaders are clearly bards while hockey goons are fighters at least and possibly barbarians, so engaging in martial combat instead of spellcasting was a fail from jump for Jennifer.

            • Mannimark
              Mannimark
              June 30, 2022 at 11:20 am | #

              I love everything about this post.

            • Sirksome
              Sirksome
              June 30, 2022 at 11:59 am | #

              Yeah, but Jennifer isn’t just a cheerleader, but a Head Cheerleader. The job promotion allowed her the option for combat abilities as well as buffing her support ones. Also don’t think Ruth fully spec’d into the hockey goon class. She’s spent much more time in the R.A. class giving her small bonuses to authority and intimidation but it’s not specifically any combat benefits. That plus both combatants evolving fighting styles meant this matchup is closer than you’d expect.

              • Thag Simmons
                Thag Simmons
                June 30, 2022 at 12:55 pm | #

                Ruth has like two levels of assistant at most, and Jennifer having a prestige class that gives a few additional weapons skills doesn’t translate to being able to win an unarmed duel against a class that is built to win unarmed duels.

                • cbwroses
                  cbwroses
                  June 30, 2022 at 1:17 pm | #

                  It didn’t help that Jennifer held her action after the initial surprise round, giving Ruth the opportunity to break the grapple and shove her, causing Jennifer to suffer the prone condition.

            • Thag Simmons
              Thag Simmons
              June 30, 2022 at 12:27 pm | #

              Hockey Goons are barbarians, 100%

              • cbwroses
                cbwroses
                June 30, 2022 at 1:12 pm | #

                I thought so, but I know next to nothing about hockey and didn’t want to assume.

  23. True Survivor
    True Survivor
    June 30, 2022 at 12:22 am | #

    Poor Ruth looks like she’s going to cry. That’s very sad.

  24. Animedingo
    Animedingo
    June 30, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

    What point is Jennifer trying to make? That she’s mad at the idea that ruth can change? If her happiness is dependent on somebody else’s misery that’s not going to work well

    Although that seems to be the mo of her entire friend group

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 30, 2022 at 12:25 am | #

      Yes and yes.

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      June 30, 2022 at 10:44 am | #

      “If Jennifer can change, and Ruth can change, anybody can change!”

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      June 30, 2022 at 1:46 pm | #

      Woah, woah, woah. You’re completely misrepresenting Jennifer here.

      She not JUST saying that she’s MAD at the idea Ruth can change. She’s actually saying that any change Ruth has made in her life is illegitimate, because the only REAL Ruth was the violent, clinically depressed, alcoholic who needed Billie to feel even remotely in control of herself, so therefore it’s actually in Ruth’s own best interest that they get back together in a toxic mutually abusive relationship! Which also plays nicely off of Ruth’s already-existing insecurities and lingering romantic feelings, which I’ll bet Jennifer is fully aware of.

      Aren’t relationships fun?

      • Nicoleandmaggie
        Nicoleandmaggie
        June 30, 2022 at 2:19 pm | #

        Whoa. That’s a really dark insight, Mturtle7, Puts a different perspective on helping Joyce (though to be fair, Joyce pointed out she’s not actually that good at helping). I wonder if the intention is that Jennifer is toxic or just the Jennifer-Ruth dynamic.

  25. Lumino
    Lumino
    June 30, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

    What did you know, Billie? That if you randomly assaulted somebody after breaking their door, they would assault you back?

    I don’t feel like that was some major revelation.

    • Bunny
      Bunny
      June 30, 2022 at 12:32 am | #

      i think the subtext was jennifer confirming to herself that ruth still had feelings for her, which ruth adds a bit of credence for when she said “couldve kissed her”

      • hatman
        hatman
        June 30, 2022 at 12:44 am | #

        think that was more a callback to what Ruth when they had their first physical confrontation, and less Ruth admitting she wants her back in her life.

      • Lumino
        Lumino
        June 30, 2022 at 12:55 am | #

        I’m not sure how “Being slammed into the floor for assaulting someone” confirms that theory, but I’ve given up on Billie being intelligent.

        • zee
          zee
          June 30, 2022 at 1:22 pm | #

          She’s trying to prove that Ruth’s niceness is a facade, that shes angry at her, that she hates her. Because Billie believes your ex should be your enemy. And probably because she openly hates Ruth so much, and it feels some variant of off not to have that mirrored. Making herself feel better about it

  26. Pocky
    Pocky
    June 30, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

    I’m thinking getting thrown around by Sarah made Billifer nostalgic for the whole “getting thrown around like a rag-doll” fun her and Ruth had.

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 30, 2022 at 12:36 am | #

      Made her feel like she could regain some control by getting out of control again. Because out-of-control behavior is familiar.

      Eric Berne (misogynist), author of “Games People Play” and developer of Transactional Analysis had some insight into why some people remain in abusive/codependent relationships. (Obviously not the primary reason.) The idea is that if one partner can goad the other partner into behaving predictably, such as with a relapse, an act of physical abuse, cheating, etc., then the victim scores a “win”. (“Ha! I knew it! You’ll never change. I was right!”) Even though the predicted behavior harms and hurts the victim, the fact that the victim receives the anticipated or expected result is all that’s necessary to achieve the dopamine hit and feel the “superiority” high that keeps them in the codependent relationship.

      …Again, Berne was a misogynist. I’m not condoning or espousing his ideas or his analysis. But I have fallen into the “Drama Triangle” (wherein two or more people cycle through the roles of victim/persecutor/rescuer toward each other) enough times to know how addictive drama can be, even when it’s self-destructive.

      • The Wellerman
        The Wellerman
        June 30, 2022 at 12:45 am | #

        Severing yourself from the bias, baggage and bigotry that majorly afflicts “professional” psychology is a real bongo and a half, isn’t it. 🙄

        Also, so sorry to hear you had to go through all that in your relationships. That must have been awful 😖

      • Joy
        Joy
        June 30, 2022 at 2:01 pm | #

        In practice you trigger it when you’re ready to handle it because it would be worse if you wait for them to stew in it first, but also aren’t always feeling up to dealing with it. I call it the “controlled detonation,” approach.

        I mean there’s always abusers who play the victim but that’s not what I’m thinking of.

        • Laura
          Laura
          June 30, 2022 at 7:12 pm | #

          That’s fascinating, Joy — could you tell me more? I’d like to understand better how you see it.
          Thank you!

  27. Sam
    Sam
    June 30, 2022 at 12:34 am | #

    Ah, so Jennifer is using DIFFERENT toxic logic than I expected of ‘we broke up, YOU SHOULD HATE ME, being nice to me is therefore FAKE AND LIES’.

    Which is unhealthy, but unhealthy in a different way. She genuinely expects Ruth to be resentful and bitter and mean about things and if she is not, then she must be being insincere or fake socially polite. She can’t possibly actually MEAN it.

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 30, 2022 at 12:44 am | #

      I am now edging toward the school of thought that nothing bad actually happened. Jennifer just THINKS the breakup was bad.

      • Anon A Mouse
        Anon A Mouse
        June 30, 2022 at 1:40 am | #

        I’m thinking this too, or that it wasn’t actually THAT dramatic. Like it was just Ruth saying “Y’know… we should just stop” and Billie made it into a huge “YOU MUST HATE ME” thing.

  28. DeadGuyKai
    DeadGuyKai
    June 30, 2022 at 12:36 am | #

    Seems to me Ruth could claim self defense. Kicking in someone’s door is somewhat threatening.

    • Wraithy2773
      Wraithy2773
      June 30, 2022 at 12:40 am | #

      100%, if anyone would be charged with assault in this situation, it’d be Jennifer, for slamming into her and not voluntarily moving away.

    • Devin
      Devin
      June 30, 2022 at 12:54 am | #

      Even more than the door, Jennifer directly started a physical altercation.

    • dalniente
      dalniente
      June 30, 2022 at 4:53 pm | #

      Jennifer kicked the door in and then slammed Ruth against the wall and pinned her there. Fighting back is absolutely self-defense.

      What I’m wondering is whether Ruth will realize that, or whether this will feed her belief that she’s doomed to be violent in anger forever.

  29. Sporky
    Sporky
    June 30, 2022 at 12:39 am | #

    Jennifer is impossible to like in this arc, and I say this as someone who has liked her in the past in spite of and/or because of how much of a fuckup she is.

    I really want someone to finally tell her that her new persona is such obvious bullshit. If you actually want to be a better person then put in the fucking work.

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      June 30, 2022 at 1:31 am | #

      She just spent a considerable portion of her day helping out Joyce. She didn’t do the best possible job, but come on – give the gal some credit.

      • Jabberwocky
        Jabberwocky
        June 30, 2022 at 6:38 am | #

        She then condescended to Joyce and assaulted Ruth

        • Laura
          Laura
          June 30, 2022 at 1:35 pm | #

          After Joyce made it clear that Joyce was in crisis and needed to speak to Jennifer’s familiar old drama-queen hot-mess persona, “Billie,” not the competent and confident new “Jennifer”.

      • Sporky
        Sporky
        June 30, 2022 at 10:06 am | #

        I mean, is that her being a better person than before? It’s good, of course, don’t get me wrong, but it’s exactly the same kind of good thing she would have done pre-Jennifer. That’s not really what I meant.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      June 30, 2022 at 8:03 pm | #

      She’s high on her own supply of bullshit. The mask just started slipping in this chapter.

    • Joyfulldreams
      Joyfulldreams
      June 30, 2022 at 8:46 pm | #

      I don’t even necessarily think that Jennifer is aiming to be a ‘better person’, because that would require a degree of honesty with herself that she is refusing to engage in because of how deeply insecure she is about being a bad person.

      She’ll do anything to avoid reflecting on the ways she hurts others and what that might say about her. Part of her alcohol addiction, but her desire to ‘reinvent herself’ over and over is her recognizing that there’s something wrong, but deciding to skip over the step that requires real reflection on what the problems are and how to fix them–and instead just bulldozing straight ahead into ‘okay well I’m just going to change EVERYTHING I possibly can all at once and that’ll get the job done, surely’.

      Not even when she’s actively calling herself poison is she actually reflecting on her problems–she just wallows in misery, or lashes out, and then probably drinks or does something else to forget about it and go back to pretending her problems don’t exist.

  30. Biblioholic93
    Biblioholic93
    June 30, 2022 at 12:39 am | #

    Jennifer threw the first assault. Near kicked in the door and elbowed Ruth’s throat. Legally that’s on Jen honestly. It was a commiserate amount of force and Ruth has no formalized martial arts training to make her hands-throwing more of a deadly weapon than Jennifer’s.

    Also, play stupid games Jennifer, earn stupid prizes. Ruth genuinely missed the lover she had, but clearly 1, no longer views herself worthy to pursue or have Jennifer, and 2, bitterness has clearly poisoned the well in her eyes.

    Frankly nothing Ruth could have done in this situation was going to win. Be nice? Already got throat-elbowed for that. Own up to damages? Jennifer has refused to hear it multiple times and is still arguing past current Ruth, towards past Ruth who dared to question what had happened being good or bad or whos fault, whatever happened. And should Ruth have pushed past Jen’s explicit wish to move on and that she’s committed, to kiss her sorry? No… nope thats not fair to expect or be angry about not getting.

    “Knew it?” You really should have already, but you really clearly don’t.

    Kinda noticed the middle pannel of yesterday’s page, both of their eyes softened. Conditioning, but also I don’t think either would have been unhappy immediately if they kissed.

    Still glad Ruth is finally a fraction more adjusted than her ex.

  31. Axel
    Axel
    June 30, 2022 at 12:40 am | #

    i don’t get it

    to be clear I can guess several things but I feel like I’m supposed to understand completely

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 30, 2022 at 12:46 am | #

      Jennifer thinks she won some big moral victory.

      She didn’t.

    • Sam
      Sam
      June 30, 2022 at 12:56 am | #

      Jennifer thinks she has proved a point that Ruth’s niceness was insincere fake social politeness.

      But in the same way of proving someone has an anger problem by pushing their buttons until they snap at you where other answers will not be accepted.

      • Axel
        Axel
        June 30, 2022 at 5:56 am | #

        Thanks! I think I would have needed the clarification anyway, but I looked at yesterday’s comic and realized that I did not retain almost anything that Billie said, so that helps me see it now.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        June 30, 2022 at 2:07 pm | #

        That thing you said, “proving someone has an anger problem by pushing their buttons until they snap at you”, I think that’s called reactive abuse. It’s also complete bullshit and deserves no less than what Ruth gave Billie in yesterday’s strip. If you wanna provoke a violent reaction, you deserve whatever pain comes your way, because at that point it’s your own damn fault.

        Can you tell I don’t like when people do that?

        • Joyfulldreams
          Joyfulldreams
          June 30, 2022 at 8:36 pm | #

          So basically “fuck around, find out”?

          Sounds about right!

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      June 30, 2022 at 1:50 pm | #

      Trust me Axel, you’re not alone. I think this scene is supposed to feel kind of unsettling and confusing, similar to how unsettled and confused both Ruth and Jennifer feel right now!

      • Mturtle7
        Mturtle7
        June 30, 2022 at 1:52 pm | #

        See also: Jason’s presence in this scene. It just hit me right now that as an outsider with little context, he works pretty well as an audience proxy!

  32. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    June 30, 2022 at 12:40 am | #

    Nope, pretty sure that constitutes battery.

    Also, since Jennifer was making an assault first, Ruth should be in the clear.

  33. Sajuuk-Khar
    Sajuuk-Khar
    June 30, 2022 at 12:43 am | #

    I think the important thing is we all agree Jason’s bow tie spun like a propeller and made a little “WHIZZ” sound when Ruth said the wham line

  34. ADLegend21
    ADLegend21
    June 30, 2022 at 12:47 am | #

    technically self defense, Jennifer kicked her door and then pinned her against the wall. For once, Ruth was in the right to beat her ass.

  35. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    June 30, 2022 at 12:48 am | #

    Knew it… Knew it WHAT? Jennifer/Billie is really sad to see, good thing Ruth was able to refuse her. I hope she and Jason will discuss whath appened, she needs to talk with someone about this NOW. Jennifer… she needs to be able to avoid Mary and her comments long the way for her room. But maybe even the hateful Mary was scared by what’s just happened.

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 30, 2022 at 12:51 am | #

      I feel so sad for Ruth. And for Billifer.

      • RocketRelm
        RocketRelm
        June 30, 2022 at 1:29 am | #

        “Billifer”

        Thanks I hate it.

        • Rabisch
          Rabisch
          June 30, 2022 at 5:41 am | #

          Billifer… actually, this name is perfect. I will use it in the future comments.

          • AlaninDC
            AlaninDC
            June 30, 2022 at 11:10 am | #

            Better than “Jellingsley”.

            That sounds like something Smuckers would manufacture.

  36. fireprincesslily
    fireprincesslily
    June 30, 2022 at 12:56 am | #

    Jennifer, how are you gonna ask Ruth to kick your ass and then get mad when she does????

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 30, 2022 at 1:01 am | #

      She’s not mad. She’s happy. She got what she wanted. (Although she was angling for the kiss, too.)

      • Laura
        Laura
        June 30, 2022 at 2:18 am | #

        *Plays “Bad Guy” on the hacked muzak.*
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyDfgMOUjCI

  37. Mr.Morningstar
    Mr.Morningstar
    June 30, 2022 at 2:21 am | #

    What

    What did that love Jennifer?

  38. AGV
    AGV
    June 30, 2022 at 3:02 am | #

    Ever heard of self affirmation bias, Jennifer?

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 30, 2022 at 6:06 am | #

      You mean confirmation bias?

      …Although, self-affirmation bias might work as well.

  39. Juanoku
    Juanoku
    June 30, 2022 at 3:17 am | #

    Haha
    Call back
    Pleasegetbacktogether

  40. Queezle
    Queezle
    June 30, 2022 at 3:30 am | #

    I really, really want to like these people. But they are making it so hard sometimes.

  41. foducool
    foducool
    June 30, 2022 at 4:28 am | #

    2nd panel : “pathetic”

  42. Martin Smith
    Martin Smith
    June 30, 2022 at 5:00 am | #

    Yep, Billie really proved her point by provoking her that was being pleasant to her into body-slamming her instead. She’s really made a sterling victory there.

  43. Lone Duck
    Lone Duck
    June 30, 2022 at 5:18 am | #

    Supposing assault charges were filed, and supposing Jennifer’s parents cared at least as much as Ruth’s guardian, I am curious who’d win in getting their way, assuming that justice would be irrelevant (as is the style of the time).

  44. AlexaSpuds
    AlexaSpuds
    June 30, 2022 at 5:37 am | #

    i sympathize with Ruth,
    I’ve had a similar situation happen to me with an ex, except it wasn’t this violent (that’s only reserved for bed or for when I’m being sexually harassed)

  45. AlexaSpuds
    AlexaSpuds
    June 30, 2022 at 6:07 am | #

    Anyway, it’s clear that both girls are still in love with each other but have gotten healthy enough to know that after whatever caused their breakup, they’re not healthy enough to handle each other, for now.

    they’re both definitely still hella fucked in the head, Jennifer probably more than Ruth, but I’m already predicting right now, that as the story progresses over our real world years, they will each get better and healthier and grow, they will approach each other again, this time like normal people with only moderate levels of blood lust, and as they talk things over, they will eventually get back together as a healthy loving couple with a long term future, but this is the super duper end goal, no way we’re seeing it in the next year and a half AT LEAST.

    • AlexaSpuds
      AlexaSpuds
      June 30, 2022 at 6:34 am | #

      (also, being honest, I think this violence turned Ruth on, and I’m almost certain it turned Jennifer on too, these girls are so fucked up)

      • Sporky
        Sporky
        June 30, 2022 at 10:09 am | #

        oh, no question

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      June 30, 2022 at 1:54 pm | #

      You know what, I accept your headcanon. Far Future Ruth/Jennifer FTW.

  46. Darkoneko
    Darkoneko
    June 30, 2022 at 7:13 am | #

    (sorry, the RSS is broken again)

  47. Dot
    Dot
    June 30, 2022 at 8:09 am | #

    I miss those crazy kids 🙂

  48. Sombrero
    Sombrero
    June 30, 2022 at 9:04 am | #

    Bring on the flashbacks!!

  49. Cmasta1992
    Cmasta1992
    June 30, 2022 at 9:19 am | #

    Jason, if you’re smart you will leave right now and never return.

  50. WAhydrohead
    WAhydrohead
    June 30, 2022 at 9:49 am | #

    And now I have a Beach Boys song rattling around in my head
    (And Then I Kissed Her)

  51. the jighole man
    the jighole man
    June 30, 2022 at 10:07 am | #

    congrats, you pissed off the suicidal girl and got her to show anger.
    so, what’s your prize?

    • Dot
      Dot
      June 30, 2022 at 11:05 am | #

      Hopefully a realization that running away from the person she actually is and going aggro on anyone who reminds her of it won’t make it go away!

  52. Mannimark
    Mannimark
    June 30, 2022 at 11:38 am | #

    I think a point is being missed. Billie is hurting without Ruth. She clearly misses her, and she’s angry that Ruth seems to be moving on and is supportive of HER moving on. But neither of them wants to. They are both pretending. Because as toxic as it was there’s still love there. What they have with their boyfriends is not love, and love is what they’re both really after because neither gets it at home.

    I don’t think they are one another’s problems. Their anger and emotional damage is the problem, and boys aren’t going to fix that.

    • Alex
      Alex
      June 30, 2022 at 2:11 pm | #

      Good insight!

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      June 30, 2022 at 2:58 pm | #

      I sense an underlying belief in your argument that I can’t quite catch – such as, that they can only feel one way about something at a time, or something like that.

      Neither of them wants to move on, but also, they both want to move on (because some part of them wants to be capable, mature, and to feel good in life).

      Jennifer really does want to be all grown up and beyond her “phase” with alcoholism and depression and Ruth. She wants to have changed, she wants ‘Jennifer’ to be real already.

      She *also* wants ‘Jennifer’ to not be real, she wants to be poison-hurricane-Billie who can only be with poison-hurricane-Ruth, she wants all that drama and excitement and powerful adrenaline, she wants to destroy everything else she’s built in life as a testament to how powerfully they love each other.
      It’s not a healthy idea of romance, but, that’s the one she’s got.

      With her desire to be OK vs. her desire to be Very Not OK, Jennifer probably feels like she’s a thin veneer of maturity over the toxic drama-hurricane within. She suspects that Ruth feels the same combination, and she’s offended that Ruth might act like she has one motivation but not the other.

      If Ruth’s calm is a lie, that means they can have some of what’s familiar, what gets them going, what makes them feel… not good exactly, but invigorated and desirous and desired. Jennifer still wants that, a lot. (She hasn’t even faced that it’s deeply unclear whether she can have that feeling from within a positive relationship.)

      How do you navigate it when you want to be a functional mature non-depressed non-alcoholic adult, but you also really want that exciting drama-hurricane (which you define as a key component of love)? How can Jennifer ever have both?

      (I suppose she could have a stable life with the occasional torrid affair that threatens to destroy it, or a whole lot of kink-play with a safeword, or an off-again on-again relationship that keeps her mired in the toxic disaster that makes her feel alive and in love… that last one seems to be the one that Billie is subconsciously angling for. It would be better to go take up skydiving, but, that’s the way it goes.)

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 30, 2022 at 8:12 pm | #

        They wanted to move on together, but had very different ideas of what “moving on” is and entails.

      • Joyfulldreams
        Joyfulldreams
        June 30, 2022 at 8:34 pm | #

        This is some good shit. Highkey agree with everything here.

  53. Keulen
    Keulen
    June 30, 2022 at 12:31 pm | #

    I’m really confused. What was Jennifer expecting to get out of this interaction with Ruth?

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      June 30, 2022 at 1:38 pm | #

      A rush.

      Okay, I think that’s part of it; there’s also the part that’s like, “This Ruth isn’t acting like the Ruth I know” and wanting that Ruth back/wanting Ruth to cooperate with the script in Jennifer’s head.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      June 30, 2022 at 4:39 pm | #

      Railed, I would assume.

    • Huehuetotl
      Huehuetotl
      June 30, 2022 at 7:28 pm | #

      This response. Ruth did her a kindness.

  54. Yumi
    Yumi
    June 30, 2022 at 1:55 pm | #

    Hey Zee, if you see this and have the energy to do so, could you share some resources related to aceflux identity? If there is much, I mean; I’ve read the top Google results on the wikis, just wondering if there are other things on being/understanding aceflux identity that you think are good.

    • poyo
      poyo
      June 30, 2022 at 3:04 pm | #

      by god was i confused for a full god damn minute until i decided to reread this and realized you were not in fact looking for information on acid reflux identities

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        June 30, 2022 at 3:10 pm | #

        I mean, I’m that too, but I have a better grasp on that one.

  55. Taffy
    Taffy
    June 30, 2022 at 1:58 pm | #

    What’s with all the comments about “legally, X did this, therefore [legal repercussion]”? This ain’t a comic with real life stern-faced laws happening after fights. I think the closest any of these kids have gotten to legal trouble (since they arrived at college) is when Amber turned that one guy into spaghetti and his mom decided to sue her mom, and we haven’t even seen any of that.

    • Alex
      Alex
      June 30, 2022 at 2:10 pm | #

      People tend to take this strip a bit too literally.

      • The Wellerman
        The Wellerman
        June 30, 2022 at 2:31 pm | #

        Right?!?! I mean, if I were after something 100% realistic all the time, I wouldn’t be looking at a COMIC, just saying.

      • Amós Batista
        Amós Batista
        June 30, 2022 at 7:39 pm | #

        We’re learning here how to behave.
        Kappa.

    • SneakyBones
      SneakyBones
      June 30, 2022 at 2:37 pm | #

      Jason brought up the concept of assault, and Ruth seems to think she commited it. Most readers seem to agree it was entirely justified self defense. Legal repercussions may never happen but “Who’s at fault” matters to people.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        June 30, 2022 at 4:36 pm | #

        Yeah, it’s about the only thing that matters to some people.

    • Roe
      Roe
      June 30, 2022 at 3:02 pm | #

      also, in real life, most people don’t face legal repercussions for day-to-day shiti that’s technically “illegal.”

      and recurring characters in this comic are rapists and murderers…like..lmao

      • The Wellerman
        The Wellerman
        June 30, 2022 at 3:09 pm | #

        You got that right. Go figure, in the US, corruption and incompetence in law enforcement is pretty much a fact of life. 😑

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        June 30, 2022 at 3:53 pm | #

        To be fair, the only recurring characters who were rapists or murderers are either dead or in a coma last we checked.

    • Johan
      Johan
      June 30, 2022 at 8:44 pm | #

      If we’re going by that logic…

      The witness has a dubious visa and the perp has mob ties.

      Nothing’s happening.

  56. Lunarretro
    Lunarretro
    June 30, 2022 at 2:11 pm | #

    That’s not assault. That’s self-defense. When Jennifer forearm checked Ruth into the wall? THAT was assault. Jennifer got shoved to the ground to break the hold. When someone touches you and you don’t want them to, you can make them stop.

    It’s sad that it’s come to this, but Jennifer is sicker than Billie ever was.

  57. poyo
    poyo
    June 30, 2022 at 3:06 pm | #

    man i want them to be together so bad but they really do bring out the worst in each other

    …..or is it just jenny that brings out the worst in people ? :ponderingface:

  58. Fetch85
    Fetch85
    June 30, 2022 at 3:20 pm | #

    In no world is Ruth pushing back assault. It’s not her fault Billie kicked her door and then grabbed and pushed her first.

  59. dalniente
    dalniente
    June 30, 2022 at 5:02 pm | #

    I hope the next strip includes Jason going “What? I was talking about her kicking in the door and slamming you against the wall” or some equivalent

  60. spriteless_auntie
    spriteless_auntie
    June 30, 2022 at 6:08 pm | #

    Willis will change scenes so that it feels like time has passed when he changes back. I wonder, is this the climax? Do we get some kind of denounment? Or will we get a skit with, idk, Roz and Sal or something before cutting to Dina before cutting to Jennifer performing everything is a-okay to Asher who grabs her for a smooch and says woah what’s with the goose egg on your head lets go to the hospital.

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      June 30, 2022 at 6:23 pm | #

      Hm…well, the chapter “This Was Halloween” starts Saturday, so if it’s a flashback right away, that only gives us a day. Tomorrow could be Jason saying something like, “What exactly happened between you two?” and then we dive in. Or it could be not a direct setup at all.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 30, 2022 at 8:08 pm | #

        It’s just too bad the static image webcomic format can’t do a wobbly flashback transition as a character’s voice echoes “back then… back then… back then…”

  61. Geneseepaws
    Geneseepaws
    June 30, 2022 at 10:04 pm | #

    Panel Six Ruth; her sadness and despair are hurting me.

Who's that guy over there?

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