I will snark something other than Queen of Wands, someday...
"Queen of Wands is currently slated to end in 2005." -- The Queen of Wands FAQ

On April 1st, she rolled out the first cannon. We'd heard about it before, but this was the first time we saw it. It sat there. It got loaded up, the wick was set. (And she rolled out the second cannon while we were waiting.) It got lit.

But even when the Shannon's baby Adrienne was born, it didn't fire. We waited for it to fire, but it was still silent. And then...

Boom.



OK, you've gone and read that strip? No spoiler fears now? If not, go back, and read the strip!

We're all good? Good.

This is where it's beginning to end. The theme of Queen of Wands has been "growth", and part of growth is change. Sometimes that change is gradual. Other times, it's really sudden and dramatic, like today. But the point is that things are changing, and it's soon going to become clear for Kestrel that she can't stay where she used to be, because where she used to be doesn't exist anymore.

I doubt it will happen violently or dramatically, because Aeire is an excellent writer. It will happen subtly, such as when Kestrel realises she's barely been able to spend any time with Shannon, because Shannon is taking care of Adrienne. Or when she tries to do some shopping with Felix for foods and such and discovers that Felix really just isn't interested in the pack of Boo-Berry there. As we saw today, he's grown up.

As well he should. There's been some complaining around the fandom that he shouldn't feel the need to become 'normal' just to be mature. Which is true. But he does need to be mature, to grow up, and he needs to feel mature, as well. This strikes me not as something he felt he had to do, but something he knew would help him. Felix knows he needs to change, and he's made that first step toward changing himself. Outwardly today, but inwardly tomorrow.

Angela won't change as much, because she's outside their story. Her story of growth is different, and indeed, if there's any character who could easily move into a new series, it's Angela.

But Kestrel will change, as well. She has to, and besides which, she has been through the whole series. We've seen her knocked back romantically, and finally come back stronger for it. We've seen her bounce back from unemployment, and get a new job, maybe even one she'll be happier in. But it took Angela to help her finally shake off the feelings she had for Shamus. It's took Davan to help her realise her options were wider than Denver.

This last step is going to be her's, and her's alone. And for perhaps the first time in the series, we're poised to see her take it.