Author's View: An Interesting Development 🌳
Added 2023-10-14 12:30:02 +0000 UTC
[Alternate Text: A GIF of a woman who is speaking to someone off-camera. She says: "You know what that is?", posing a rhetorical question before raising her loosely clenched fingers and then parting them to mimic a flower blooming. "Growth." She provides the answer after a brief pause; there seems to be a proud, if not knowing, slant to what she's saying.]
Hi Hickory Patrons! 🍂
I hope you're all doing well. I waffled (B would be proud 🧇) on how much to share in this particular sneak peek into Book Two since it touches on an interesting development. It's choice-based, so this doesn't have to happen for all of your MCs, of course. It relates to the nightmares!
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Comments
Naia doesn’t really waffle (though she does love waffles!). She makes a decision and goes with it, so, in the future, she would squash that impulse to reach out to R on the solo route (by doing something more impulsive and crazy as a distraction, lol), and just deal with things herself. Even if things aren’t what they seem, she tends to interpret people’s actions as a sign of their intent, more so than their words. In the JR route (and really on R’s solo route), she knows J is dependable and will answer if she calls them. On the solo route, this would show her that R won’t answer, so don’t bother him (presumably, based on the info we have, anyway). And yikes, that whole “what’s to come” comment in regard to Char is enough to make me cringe! You already know (or suspect) just how “secure” Naia is in the budding relationship with R—not at all, lol. She’s 100% dedicated and loyal to him, will march through hell for him and stand with him against anyone, but doesn’t expect that will be returned. So R showing their commitment would be a welcome thing, and maybe start breaking down those insecurities. I doubt it will make her tolerate Char any better, though. 😡 Like you, I love how she’s more secure with things on the JR route. At least with J, which makes her slightly less likely to jump to the wrong conclusions with R. Plus, I’m guessing J would put a stop to that, to some extent, by inserting a bit of reason into the equation (something Naia loses where R is concerned!). I have to say I’m loving S more and more. I think they’ll be really good for Raven. 💙 And I’m really hoping Aizhan unlocks all the good scenes with Mal! She’s definitely persistent enough, and knows she wants Mal and only Mal. 😉
EvilChani
2023-10-19 15:33:16 +0000 UTCOh, that is something I love to hear! 😍 I believe Noire will be uniquely positioned to have more choice options displayed due to whom he's all romantically tempted by, but even then, the choices only appear under certain circumstances, hehe. It was so much fun writing these romance route scenes--they influence which characters might pop-up too. Sienna's response is making me feel so many things. What you typed about 'how instinctive it's become' and 'openly seek reassurance' along with how she typically tries to gauge the waters before trauma dumping are all things B would be able to pick up on. The MC's bond with B can run very deeper. That's why they instantly picked up on the MC's change in tone even across the walkie talkie broadcast while they're out walking near the town line. B cares so much. 🧡 I can't wait for you to read the entire exchange. It has a variation to it that I'm now curious if Sienna will trigger or not from a choice on B's date. 👀 Noire's slight conflict and turmoil sincerely intrigue me--how he views his problems as his own, yet is still willing to seek help when truly needed. His past experiences where his empathy was used against him is something I feel both Mal and R would handle in differing ways. R is perceptive, so this might lead to a gentler tact from them, while Mal might shockingly (? not shockingly; it depends on how you view Mal) be able to relate to this and simply want to hold Noire while affirming with unshakable certainty that they aren't like that. (It will be harder to unlock Mal's care though, comparatively.) Reaching out as a sign of trust resonates with both of them! R has complicated feelings about this due to their Verner upbringing. I can't wait for Noire's story to play out with both of them, possibly with opportunities for them to relate. There is more to both R's silence and Mal's distance that I'm practically vibrating with anticipation now that you've mentioned them; specifically, how both could influence your MC's reactions. I adore the character building! 🥰🔍 Noire's care ('consideration' might be the better word) for both is unquestionable though; they're lucky.
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-10-19 12:50:44 +0000 UTCI must admit Naia's instinct to reach out to R and JR when on the poly route did make me smile to myself, although I know she also has a natural impulsiveness along with her budding care for them. 🖤💜 I still like how she wouldn't think about it before clicking the button; it's an interesting character detail versus how some readers might imagine their MC mulling it over or waffling, etc. Oof, her thoughts following R's lack of response is something I anticipated after some readers read the entire passage because R does in fact /not/ answer. (Don't worry, things aren't at all what they may seem. You will learn why this is! 👀) So, the fact that Naia is already on alert thanks to her jealousy in regards to Char makes me more curious/intrigued about how she will handle what's to come. Some of these interactions/suggestions are meant to test the MC's perceived dynamic with R; it's intentional to see how secure they are in the budding relationship while I tempt them to think otherwise. (No, I'm not evil. 😉 I'm doing it so R can show their commitment in turn for MCs who /trigger/ certain scenes, lol. XD) I like the difference between R's route and the JR route for Naia--how she has more security with at least one of her beloveds answering and also agreeing/showing an interest in R. It can create more of a united front feeling that's comforting. Her worry for R will be echoed by J later. Lol, even if Raven sounded crabby, I'm sure S would enjoy hearing from her, though they'll respect her and let her wake up more before asking more about how she's doing, if she wants some breakfast, etc. I'm glad that you mention reliability for S too! 💙 They can be very grounding. I'm living for how Aizhan only dwells on the nightmare before thinking more pleasant thoughts about Mal. I really think both you and she will enjoy the sequence after this where you'll be seeing your enigmatic beloved. (It can be harder to unlock, but I know you'll get it! 😉)
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-10-19 12:31:43 +0000 UTCI'm glad that the exploration of how the MC is handling their time in Fernweh/the nightmares seemingly ramping up in intensity is exciting to you! I had hoped it would be since it adds more realism and tailoring to the story. 🥰 Phoebe seeking out Bee for some solace and comfort is heart-warming to read. The two of them having their own little bubble fits really well with how they can be each other's source of comfort/familiarity while in town! Phoebe is so considerate to worry about burdening Bee given all their going through; I love how there is a touch of angst to the hurt/comfort when it comes to them. 🧡😌 That being said, I'm certain Bee will want to be there for Phoebe in the end. Lucy breaks my heart; however, I can see where she's coming from and this does lean into the MC's "I'm fine" method of coping at times. Her being the strong one and enduring is something J could relate to as well. 💚🥺 It might be interesting for them to compare how they cope, possibly even eventually serving as each other's strengths or a safe person to not be quite as strong around. I can't wait for your MCs to see what Fernweh has in store for them.
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-10-19 12:12:25 +0000 UTCOh this is going to be so fun to explore!! I know I'm going to be spending so long trying out so many new combinations to try and see every bit of variety in these scenes. sienna, without hesitation, would immediately try to reach out to b. it would only occur to her how instinctive it's become, and the potential that they may have been busy and worry even more about intruding on b's private time. she's always preferred to ask first before trauma dumping- gotta make sure they're prepared for what's going to come out of her mouth, lol. but i think she'd be too scared to ask this time around and just openly seek reassurance. she's never fared well by herself and would readily ask for the company if b is okay with that. noire, i do think there'd be some hesitation from him. he's (unfortunately) firm in his worries that his own issues are going to cause trouble for others. he hates the feeling of bothering someone with his own burdens, but he's not above asking for help thankfully! i just think he'd need a second to rationalize that it would be okay to reach out. vulnerability can be hard for noire to share- time and time again his own empathy has been used against him, so it can be hard to place faith in others at times. so him reaching out with the intent of asking for help is a big sign of trust! he doesn't want to hide things from them. actively and almost scared to, he hopes they can stick by his side. /please, stay with him./ r's silence could depending maybe amplify these worries and cause noire to keep his silence until it becomes detrimental. and mal's distance from everything that's happening would have him hesitate in confiding, only bc he doesn't want to drag mal into anything they don't want/aren't prepared for. so maybe keeping tight lips is his only option... til it isn't.
Blaire Orion
2023-10-16 01:43:55 +0000 UTCNaia would click the button without thinking about it (instinct to reach out to R -- and JR, on the poly route -- along with that impulsiveness she tries to curb would win out). But on R's solo? Yeesh... R not answering for an extended time would send her mind racing, and she'd have several thoughts in quick succession: 1. "R's with someone else... probably Char..." 2. "R's ghosting me..." 3. "I shouldn't have reached out. R has to make the first move if he's into this, so I will not make this mistake again..." (and she would be resorting to crazy recklessness next time, instead of reaching out) On the poly route, she'd be immediately relieved that J answered, and 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 about R instead of jumping to horrible conclusions (I mean, she 𝘪𝘴 a pessimist, but tries to hide it). I didn't realize before that she's so much more... secure?... on the poly than on R's solo route. At first, anyway. S... always reliable. Just what Raven needs, especially after something like that. 💙 Of course, she's likely to be crabby about reaching out to S, and sound all grumpy, lol. You probably already know Aizhan's response... it's all about Mal. 💔 Plus, she's far less likely to be shaken, anyway. The woman chose the zombie room because it's funny, and named the doggo Cujo. She'd be bothered for a few minutes, then start thinking naughty thoughts about Mal and forget the bad stuff...
EvilChani
2023-10-14 14:38:26 +0000 UTC....*oof*. I love that we're exploring a bit more of our Character's own mental health and issues. The coping mechanisms they use and the way they deal with their issues. The safest and calmest Phoebe has felt ever since coming home to Fernweh was going to Becca's room after one of her first nightmares. Her initial and immediate reaction is to want to run to Bee, curl up in a cuddle and try to forget life exists outside of that little bubble. Then hesitation at contacting her, knowing she's got her own things going on and isn't OK, before finally giving in and pressing the walkie button, and feeling horrible for burdening the person she cares most about. Lucy does not contact a single soul. She never does when things get bad. She's strong. She's the one people can rely on. "I'm fine, this is fine, nothing is happening and I am *fine*. I'll just... sit here and stare at the roof until sunrise... and then put on make-up so Jane doesn't notice the bags"
Bumblebee
2023-10-14 13:09:24 +0000 UTC
