I have no idea who Celes from Final Fantasy VI is or what outfits she might have worn. There is absolutely no chance any such outfits worn by a 16-bit character would have warped my young mind in any way.

What Changed

This page was delayed, and it's because there was something missing. Though I knew something was missing, I didn't know what exactly it was, and it took me a while to figure it out:

Hope's conclusion isn't any different from what Rhoda already thought had happened.

In the canon EGSNP storyline Escape From The Mall, Rhoda ended up getting a rather long note from Pandora (actual reading of it starts here). For convenience, I'm going to include the entirety of the note after the rest of the commentary (I was going to put it right here in the middle of the commentary, but YE GODS was that a long note!).

The note revealed to Rhoda that Pandora was also the creepy girl who appeared with her on the news at the end of Sister 2.

Basically, Rhoda never believed that Pandora was a purely benevolent being, yet Rhoda remained grateful and wanted to thank her all the same. That's what was missing from Rhoda meeting Hope, and there are so many reasons I think it's important to include.

Now, in the previous page, Rhoda tries to rationalize to Hope why Pandora didn't do more. That might seem strange if Rhoda assumed "sink or swim" all along. My clever explanation covering for past me is that Rhoda was saying that because Hope was upset, and not because Rhoda actually felt Pandora would have done more to save her.

And my clever explanation covering for present me is Rhoda decided it would be best in the long run if she just came clean about her honest feelings.

BAM! As airtight as quality food storage containers!

Anyway, here's the note that Pandora fit on a piece of paper that I definitely would have drawn larger had I written it all in advance and actually looked at it.

Pandora's Note to Rhoda (Retyping this was FUN!)

To Rhoda.

I am a being commonly, and uninventively, known simply as an immortal. It was I who appeared with you on the news, and I who bestowed upon you a magic mark in order to save you from the wild boar.

Admittedly, it was my intent that you would shrink the boar, but first magic usage by reflex makes fools of most mortals, and it worked out okay thanks to your cat.

As it turns out, you are a remarkably potent magic user. Shrinking and growing to the extremes you can with the control you can is a rare talent, and you have power to spare.

Your mark vanished because you no longer need it. You have awakened!

As you use your magic, you will gradually get more and more spells. Detailed descriptions of those spells will appear in this book, though I'm afraid I can't prevent the book from being overly detailed and confusing. At the very least, you will know when you have a new spell.

Assuming you wish to master this magic and gain new spells, I recommend playing with your cat. She has a mark now, and if you play enough, she might awaken as well.

PS - You might find it worrying that I gave yo magic, but know that you are the source of your own magic. I simply gave you access to it, and it is without alignment. It is as good or evil as how it is used.

Doing things with your magic that you don't agree with can even cause spells to misfire or behave strangely, so you're advised to follow your conscience anyway.