Extended Progress Update: 26 July 2024

Hi Returning Visitors,

Key highlights of this update and reminders:

• My typical gentle nudge to remember to add my email address can be found here. It's important for the TFS character portrait inquiries and welcome message I promptly send out. Also, remember to check your spam folder and to reach out to me, if needed.

• The writing has been going strong, yet it's still going. We'll get into why soon! 🕯

• No, seriously, I thought I was going to finish the chapter before this update, but the ??? was like: trauma, trauma, trauma, which translates to variation, variation, variation to me.

• 

  [Alternate Text: A GIF of Jamie Lee Curtis from 'Scream Queens' where she says: "Congratulations. On making this moment all about you" in a sarcastic, scolding tone.]

• Okay, I'll stop misusing my typical bullet points now. I'm eager to talk about it!

• Book Two Snippet: I'd also like to hug B. Warrick. 🥺

From our past Extended Progress Updates, you'll know this chapter is the largest in TFS: Book Two (so far) because it contains the Corvin family dinner, B&B scenes, and then a nightmare. It was always going to be long; however, I included more variation/trauma within this sequence while still staying true to the main theme and imagery this nightmare is meant to dig into!

The chapter's word count is about 200k words, but I still have two mini-branches to write.

This part's variation is coming from two main sources:

• The (all natural) pills! 💊 (Your MC can take none at all, a caffeine stimulant, or a sleep aid.)

• ??? is playing with your Returning Visitor more

I can't spoil the importance of the imagery/symbolism now; it wouldn't have the creeping build you'll experience from how this part of the book links back to an earlier chapter and even to Chapter 3 of Book One. (It's all connected!) Still, I originally had it outlined as something creepy with a spotlight/emphasis on your RO(s). Now, it can be downright brutal depending on your combinations of choices that inspire the ??? to get at you in different ways by using what/whom you seem to be most endeared to. There will be tough choices; there will be consequences. Those of you with a questionable interest in what orchestrates your nightmares will have a unique way to navigate this section that can yield extra insight. Likewise, there's a hard to unlock scene for Mal-mancers where you'll, uhm, force a reaction from them. 🥵 Wait, I mean: 💔. This chapter took on a life of its own by using my original outline as a stepping stone to then just keep going.

We're nearing the end of the month, which means our alpha drop in addition to how I pivot to create our Patreon content before oscillating back into Book Two writing. It's a nice break and change of scenery! When I return to TFS series writing, it'll focus on the Returning Visitor's perception and their night while under the influence of the pills. There will be a learning curve, possibly a warning or two from others. It's something I'd suggest on a replay instead of out-of-the-gate; however, that's between you and your MCs. 😌 The drug overlays will be interesting, although they'll differ from the 'normal' path that allows the ??? to mess around differently.

Before the potential ~nightmare~, I felt it important to give a choice for how your MC feels about relying on medication, even if it's all natural. There are eight choices. Here are a few of them:

 #Treat them like candy, giddy for a solution.

 #Shame burns through you as you swallow them down.

  #Feel saddened that you've been reduced to seeking out medicine for help.

So, I've been engaged in my typical writing blitz for longer than I anticipated. I'm hopeful that you'll enjoy playing through this nightmare again and again and ag—

Because how the ??? goes about this is important. You can learn more about its 'playing' and its method of cruelty that will be coming up further in the series, the why. I had fun writing contingent outcomes based on your choices, and I believe some readers will unearth all of the horror. 🙃

Looking ahead, it's almost time for our Dragon Age ramble post and alpha drop, so I hope this month has treated you well.

[Spoilers Ahead!]

Here's an excerpt from Book Two:

Beckett and Sofia

"I'm gonna head to bed," Beckett declares around a hushed yawn. "Goodnight, Sofia and"—he naturally finds his way to your side; each step is effortless—"night, [Nickname or Name]."

His farewell to you is expressed far more tenderly, almost murmured against your body when he leans closer to hold you. It isn't a friendly hug. Sofia takes a savoring sip of her coffee during the pause, while you're stunned by Beckett's openness. There is no worrying over someone else being in the same room or how this might be viewed. He's only concerned with being in your arms now.

"Please try to rest, okay? My door's open—or I'll obviously open it for you—just: I'm here."

"I'll try," you promise him. "Thanks, Bee."

Beckett pulls away to study your face—to check if you're okay—before exiting the kitchen, though he does glance back while leaving and nearly collides into the door frame.

"He cares about you a lot," Sofia notes with a subtle smile. "It's sweet."

"He's sweet," you confirm. "I'm guessing you aren't going to turn in anytime soon?"

Becca and Silas

"I'm gonna head to bed," Becca declares around a hushed yawn. "Goodnight, Silas and"—she naturally finds her way to your side; each step is effortless—"night, [Nickname or Name]."

Her farewell to you is expressed far more tenderly, almost murmured against your body when she leans closer to hold you. It isn't a friendly hug. Silas takes a savoring sip of his coffee during the pause, while you're stunned by Becca's openness. There is no worrying over someone else being in the same room or how this might be viewed. She's only concerned with being in your arms now.

"Please try to rest, okay? My door's open—or I'll obviously open it for you—just: I'm here."

"I'll try," you promise her. "Thanks, Bee."

Becca pulls away to study your face—to check if you're okay—before exiting the kitchen, though she does glance back while leaving and nearly collides into the door frame.

"She cares about you a lot," Silas notes with a subtle smile. "It's sweet."

"She's sweet," you confirm. "I'm guessing you aren't going to turn in anytime soon?"

This is part of the S bestie variation for B-mancers; you'll get a room invite too! 💙🧡

Thank you for your support. Wishing you all a lovely and safe weekend! 💚🥰