Aug 17, 2018
To:James K.
Yo, really late with the reply here so I apologize for not getting this done sooner. The thing is, I'm late because of the same reason as you. There's been a terrible storm in my country, which not only lead to an outbreak on the internet but also messed with the distribution of water. Things have just returned to normal as of now.
Going to what you thought would happen after Lucas gave Rio a taste of her own medicine, she did show that she was angry when she stopped going berserk after their fight, but I made her go berserk in the first place to show how personal those insults to her were. She had no control over the state of her birth and she didn't realize what the downsides of being a Renegade would do to her social life until it already happened.
I also wrote another fight between Lucas and Rio for the climax of this volume for a few reasons too:
*It reveals Rio to be a more dangerous opponent when she is calm and focused. Chapter 21 was technically a rematch from their first encounter in chapter five, but with notable differences like Lucas holding his own this time because Rio had become more predictable as a result of going berserk. Take note, this event happened only a day after their first encounter story-wise so Lucas didn't undergo some kind of training to make himself fare better against Rio, he just fought her under better conditions.
*It allowed me to set up how they would slowly make up in which they mended the damage they did to each other. The scene of the two of them stripping in front of each other was partially because I had some impulses I wanted to satisfy, but I also wrote that scene as a way for them to open up to each other with a bit of symbolism such as the lack of clothing representing vulnerability. Both Rio and Lucas learned some personal things about each other when they got caught in the heat of the moment such as Rio not actually being as close with her sister as all of you probably thought, along with Lucas' fear of taking risks which explains his boredom with his current lifestyle but his reluctance to do something about it.
*I felt like combat was the best way to bring them closer. Both Lucas and Rio are well-versed in that matter and I feel like Rio wouldn't be that willing to listen to someone unless they can tango with her. Now that Lucas has in a way, proven himself, Rio now feels like he has what it takes, but lacks the willingness to go through with it. That's where their new promise comes in. Lucas desires excitement in his life and he has just started to see the fulfillment of Rio's life or death contract as a potential adventure full of thrills that would make him truly feel alive. Still, he needs to be pushed into the danger zone and Rio is more than happy to oblige. As for Rio, she had already traveled and experienced so many places due to her job as an assassin, but those memories feel incomplete. Have you ever traveled to another country and toured the sights alone? It could've been better. That's how I felt. And I think Rio feels that way too.
Woah, I've been spouting everything on the top of my head, huh?
The epilogue's publishing is nigh, and I'll be considering that twisted little girl for future use. ;)
