Predictions about the story and thoughts on bonus

[d22249]

But the next sentence is "So I blackmailed him!", which makes it something of a mixed message

There are a number of possible ways to get that message (or not). I agree however that [spoiler]the one(s) that seem to "score more points" involve Brad supporting her blackmail.[/spoiler] Brad should beware. When I'm driving him he will do something dumb, just so I can see how it ends.

[d22249]

All in all, Sere seems to me like an 'ends justify the means' kind of person, which isn't exactly a "good" characteristic.

Not good like "saintly" but good as in trying to solve the crime. I think that she places elves very far ahead of humans (and their very short lives) and likely thinks that human lives are already so short that ending them sooner does no harm. Not all of her people think that way but she thinks of those elves as children. I think that Brad will have an opportunity to change most of the women in the game for the "better" through their corruption path. And as it has been said, that path is not easy.

I don't think she did this one. Why give Brad the video? Though I agree their is evidence that this is a test not everyone will survive [spoiler]as I believe that Emily was threatened with death, but Serenthia seems to have a need for Brad[/spoiler]

It is possible that we have met the killer. [spoiler]While Azumi is the obvious choice, Jasmine is a suspect as well (to me)[/spoiler]

I'm really curious about how you came up with your suspects. If I had to guess I'd say that the executive was killed by someone unconnected with Brad, but connected with Sere's organisation.

My list is based on how I think that Wolfschadowe may have written the story. I wonderered what Azumi's purpose is/was. Then I thought she might be a red herring so went looking for another possibility.

[ExLibris]

My list is based on how I think that Wolfschadowe may have written the story. I wonderered what Azumi's purpose is/was. Then I thought she might be a red herring so went looking for another possibility.

My take on Azumi [spoiler]is that she's world-building in a way. That is, she's an indication that the world is a lot stranger than Brad initially believes. That doesn't preclude her being involved, but if she was what's her motive? Why is she hanging out in a strip club?[/spoiler]

[ExLibris]

I don't think she did this one. Why give Brad the video? Though I agree their is evidence that this is a test not everyone will survive [spoiler]as I believe that Emily was threatened with death, but Serenthia seems to have a need for Brad[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Sere says that giving the video to Brad will make him a threat, while Lorien says target. That sounds like there are two different groups involved. The explanation I find most plausible at the moment is that Sere did kill the executive (and the three guards), but that Brad can potentially be convinced it was for valid reason (and if he can't be convinced, then bye bye Brad and Emily).[/spoiler]

[d22249]

I don't think she did this one. Why give Brad the video? Though I agree their is evidence that this is a test not everyone will survive [spoiler]as I believe that Emily was threatened with death, but Serenthia seems to have a need for Brad[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Sere says that giving the video to Brad will make him a threat, while Lorien says target. That sounds like there are two different groups involved. The explanation I find most plausible at the moment is that Sere did kill the executive (and the three guards), but that Brad can potentially be convinced it was for valid reason (and if he can't be convinced, then bye bye Brad and Emily).[/spoiler]

Hmmm, you may be on to something. I like that theory. It makes me wonder at her motive, but facts are scarce at this time. I still think Azumi is more than just a way to intro the supernatural. And I think she may be on the opposite side from Serenthia. I think, however, that Brad is in the right (or wrong) place at a time where his decisions have a huge impact on something(s) that have been in the works for possibly all of human recorded history. And for some reason this gets him laid, a lot.

[Wolfschadowe]

...Brad should beware. When I'm driving him he will do something dumb, just so I can see how it ends.

This is a good thing. It means that you'll get more info about the characters and the overall world. Also, sometimes as the days go on, what seems dumb at first, isn't, and vice-versa.

[ExLibris]

Hmmm, you may be on to something. I like that theory. It makes me wonder at her motive, but facts are scarce at this time. I still think Azumi is more than just a way to intro the supernatural. And I think she may be on the opposite side from Serenthia. I think, however, that Brad is in the right (or wrong) place at a time where his decisions have a huge impact on something(s) that have been in the works for possibly all of human recorded history. And for some reason this gets him laid, a lot.

I'm not so certain that whatever Sere's involved in will turn out to be central to the game's plot. It will certainly be an element, but I think it would be a bit of a bait and switch to set up the plot as being about Brad and his problems and how he develops and then have it turn out to be really about the conflict between Sere's group and someone else, with Brad being involved more or less by accident.

Anyhow, if you're interested in gaining more information about Sere and/or Azumi, I would suggest voting for option 2 (caveat: option 2 coincidentally happens to be my personal preference).

[Wolfschadowe]

Option 2 is also my personal preference for this round.

Finally, something I can say in this thread without risking too much spoilage.

[d22249]

Anyhow, if you're interested in gaining more information about Sere and/or Azumi, I would suggest voting for option 2 (caveat: option 2 coincidentally happens to be my personal preference).

Already voted for option two, I'd like to finish Wednesday before we move any further into Thursday.

[benedict]

Reasons I don't like Emily:
1. She's in the friendzone. Imo friends and lovers don't mix.
2. She's a colleague and partner at work. Any breakup would lead to dismantling the company and wasting years of work.
3. She's boring sexually. She's been in a relationship for 5 years and she hasn't done anything even remotely different than straight up missionary sex. She admits herself she's never been in the bathroom with Eddie ever. And if memory serves me right she's never even done a blowjob. She admits Eddie has been dropping hints that he's not satisfied with their sex and wants her to be more "adventurous", but she totally ignores him. Cheating and breaking up is the only natural outcome at this point and I it's only Emily's fault and not Eddie's.
4. She uses Brad on day 1. After being dumped she flashes Brad and lets him pleasure her, thus regaining her self-esteem. At the same time she totally ignores his needs and promptly leaves after she orgasms. If Brad forces the issue she complies, but the scene ends negatively. It only takes Faith to convince her that she has not give too and not just take. That's bad gf material.

In conclusion - she's a 30 y.o. "virgin". And while it might be some men's fantasy that they find a woman that's never been touched before and they make her blossom and become a sexual goddess, there's usually a very good reason she is what she is. Such things only end well in stories

[ExLibris]

She admits Eddie has been dropping hints that he's not satisfied with their sex and wants her to be more "adventurous", but she totally ignores him.

That's somewhat inaccurate. What Emily actually says is that when he broke up with her, Eddie said "I wasn't adventurous and that he was bored with me". There's no indication that he's been saying this previously, or that Emily ignored him.

it's only Emily's fault and not Eddie's

That's quite the sweeping statement, especially given that we know next to nothing about Eddie and how he treated Emily.

She uses Brad on day 1. After being dumped she flashes Brad and lets him pleasure her, thus regaining her self-esteem. At the same time she totally ignores his needs and promptly leaves after she orgasms.

Love, like friendship, isn't a zero sum game.

[benedict]

That's somewhat inaccurate. What Emily actually says is that when he broke up with her, Eddie said "I wasn't adventurous and that he was bored with me". There's no indication that he's been saying this previously, or that Emily ignored him.

You're right, it isn't implicitly stated that Eddie has been complaining before. Yet, if RL has taught me anything, long term relationships don't fall apart just like that. Usually when someone is displeased, he airs his concerns hoping his partner will fix the issue. When the actual breakup happens things have gone way past the point of no return.

That's quite the sweeping statement, especially given that we know next to nothing about Eddie and how he treated Emily.

True again. And since the game is focused on Emily and not Eddie we're quite likely to never hear his side of the story. What we know is for 5 years they've been doing nothing else than straight up missionary sex and anyone would get bored from that.

Love, like friendship, isn't a zero sum game.

Yes, but if there's love in this game we haven't encountered it yet. Emily just got dumped for being too boring so she needs a shot of confidence and Brad hasn't had any sex in 2 years, so he can't stop ogling women left and right. So far there isn't any hint presented that they might love each other, they are just relieving sexual tension and so far Emily has been getting the better deal. I can see those 2 as friends with benefits but not as love partners.
Actually the closest thing to love we've seen so far is Brad's obsession with Serenity. Though Jasmine turns this idea down a bit stating Brad isn't so much interested in the woman, but in the mystery she is.

[ExLibris]

Yet, if RL has taught me anything, long term relationships don't fall apart just like that.

And it's automatically Emily's fault why?

What we know is for 5 years they've been doing nothing else than straight up missionary sex and anyone would get bored from that.

Except we don't know that. All we have is Eddie saying (as he was breaking up with Emily) that she wasn't adventurous (and that she spent too much time working), and Emily saying it came out of the blue. We don't know how accurate his statement is. We don't know if there are any extenuating circumstances. It could be that Eddie was having an affair. If could be that Eddie was emotionally cold to Emily, forcing her to seek validation elsewhere. It could be that Eddie was simply a very selfish lover

My point is simply that you seem to be assuming an awful lot, without any ingame evidence to support it.

[d22249]

Reasons I don't like Emily

So, you don't like Emily. Pop on over to the favorite girl thread and tell us who you do like.

I suspect that there are unseen depths to Emily that won't be revealed for years out of game (a day or two in game).

[NickNKVD]

It's wonderful that every time I play the game I discover new details
now about Sere's nature [spoiler]Do you had noticed that her pointed ears leak from her hair in the coffee scenes?[/spoiler]