i was talking with my girlfriend earlier about deltarune and i had the realization that, well, you know how people (me included) often portray or think of ralsei's characterization in chapter 2 as in contradiction or contrast to his characterization in chapter 1
and no, not really? it's actually perfectly in sync with what we know about him, and susie's charactization matches what we know about her. ralsei in chapter 2 is largely inauthentic and unempathetic, but ralsei in chapter 1 is not actually kris' genuine friend - he outright says he sees himself as only serving his purpose, and even goes as far as to say that kris can physically abuse him (that they can "hit [him] if they want"). ralsei in chapter 1 is blunt and inconsiderate - when susie is violent and assertive and takes agency, he is critical of her in a blunt, rude way.
in contrast, we have susie. susie in chapter 1 is rude, mean, and violent, while susie in chapter 2 is sincerely kind and empathetic, in a way that shows she is kris' genuine friend. but susie in chapter 1 is also empathetic - when ralsei talks about darkners serving their purpose, she tells him to knock off the "purpose" talk, not for her sake for but ralsei's and lancer's. susie in chapter 1, in direct contrast to ralsei's relationship with kris in the same chapter, is lancer's genuine friend! she bonds with him, relates to him, supports him, is kind towards him. when he "betrays" her, it becomes clear that her meanness and violence are a defense mechanism, and that she's more bark than bite - even though you "control" her it is impossible for you to kill lancer.
knowing that, i think it not only makes sense of ralsei's characterization, it also slots very well into how kris is uncomfortable with ralsei and does not seem to sincerely believe that he is their friend (and ultimately goes against ralsei's direct wishes). because ralsei is not sincerely kris' friend. he's alarmingly codependent and is only kris' "friend" insofar as it slots into the role he believes he must fulfill.
