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So *spoilers spoilers, obvi*

I waaaas a little confused that we just agreed to do what the Highmother asked.  The only thing I could think of was that she was a veeeery high-ranking person within their society, though that was never explicitly stated.  For all I knew, at first, she was the Highmother of just that ship.  So making that connection clearer could make things make more sense?  I mean, we didn't even really research her or anything, or even try to confirm her claims through other channels.  (We also didn't say we'd need more info on the "contacts" or satellite procedure before making a decision, which seemed odd.)

Having a great time!

Yeah, haha, we probably get in a lot of bad habits with romance novels- thinking we have to get everything "perfect" or we'll miss out. xD  You know, even after having gotten all the "passionate" routes in Gilded Shadows, and I was just rereading for fun this time, I still felt stressed like I had to choose the "right" things this time around, too.  Maybe it's part of it being a game?  Or the way we see it?  Not sure.

Interesting!  I hadn't thought of it that way (probably because I was stuck worried about not getting the "best" ending,) but I'm also the weirdo who married her first boyfriend, so this kind of more causal romantic exploration is a bit of a mystery to me. xD  I definitely did get the vibe after the kiss that it wasn't huge or anything, but it did give me that romance novel sense of being "locked in," maybe just due to my own biases of how these things normally work in games.  Like you have to get all the points or something- rather than just be a person.

Very cool, thanks for your insights!  Hope you're having a great weekend.~

Yeh, it was also a bit weird for me that this somewhat stoic, confident person that arrived on the ship turns into a stereotypical schoolgirl when observing the commander in the generator room and then even more in the medbay. xD  I guess part of the disconnect may be that, regardless of your personality and core tendencies, you can act different with different people?  Like I felt like the captain kinda steamrolled me when I left the medbay to get me to the meeting, and I figure it was because I had done "submissive" actions in private moments with others, but how you act with certain people can be different, you know?  Or even just how you act at work.  Or just because I thought the doctor had a point, that didn't mean I was necessarily submissive otherwise.  This is probably extremely complex to simulate, though!  

I always loved the way things worked in the "Our Life" games, but those always had so many choices and ways of responding.  Not sure if that's even feasible for a more plot-based game like this.  Maybe it's just the choices/choice nexuses?  There do seem to be a toooon of personality traits.  It's bound to get tangled.

I did enjoy the more "natural" fliting options, ones where you were just kind of sensing if the other person liked you, too, but I felt like not every route had those.  I don't really think you can determine what kind of relationship you want to have with someone just upon meeting them. xD  May be more accurate to ask if MC finds them attractive?  That could help with a more gradual and natural ramping up, for people who want that.  I mean, I'm sure there are people who jump into things immediately, but I feel like people kind of go for the vibe check first. xD  I also did find the fact that the commander was "confessing his feelings" over comms was a little intense for how seldom the characters had spoken up to that point.

Enjoying a lot though, thanks!!

Hihi!  Maybe it was because I think I said something about not minding Kalil coming to my room earlier, but I was a bit distraught when MC decided at one point that she needed some male company and basically invited Kalil back to her room. xD  Like- I get that we can't always have options to off-ramp, but it would've been nice if there was a chance to have the thought but also decide MC didn't want to invite him back for whatever reason? xD  In other scenes, it seemed like you could say whether or not you wanted things to start or continue, so having that completely out of control felt a bit odd.  (I know it doesn't end up happening at that moment, but still.)

Thanks!

It dooooes feel a bit odd that you can flirt, and even full-on sleep with people, without talking about what it means with them or even what they're looking for. x)  Like, it feels like people being devastated shouldn't be a surprise? xD

Oh great, thanks!  So yes, I did talk to him after the planet visit, so I guess I'm just not at the highest point with him.  Since the flowchart called it "route division" on the left side, and I ended up on the right side (still in Yren's scene though,) I figured I missed the boat, but based on what you said, probably not!  When I went back through to try with all the "right" choices, I did end up getting some more interactions with him, but maybe still not as many as I'd expect before kissing someone, so maybe I'm fine with my original save, haha. xD  

Thanks, having a blast!

Wah, so glad this is happening!!  I'm a big fan of yours. >o<  Just replayed Gilded Crowns again, haha.  Was worried that I'd be too sad playing this when it wasn't done yet, but it was super fun.~

Initial thoughts- I was most intrigued by Yren, and I did a "no save-scumming" play and ended up mostly doing things he liked (I later confirmed), though when I went to the garden to see him, I ended up hanging out with Asher.  Which was great, just a little sad when it seemed like I had missed the opportunity to get onto Yren's route in chapter five?  We seemed close otherwise, though maybe it was other things.  I wasn't aware of the little heart meter until I looked it up, and that did give me a few other interactions.  

In my "no save-scumming/au natural" playthrough, I only had the option of touching Yren's cheek on the planet, not kissing him, so does that mean I was off-ramped?  It seemed from the flowchart.  Which I guess that's what it was for, but the progression seemed a bit harsh.  

Anyways, super fun, thanks so much for sharing!  Hope you're having as good a time making this as we are reading it.  I wish you much popularity and success!!!

Thank YOU for making this gem.~

My GOSH, who let you into my thoughts? >.>  This is... woah.  Like, amazingly woah.  If anyone out there is reading this comment... just read the novel instead my GOLLY. *fans self* >.>

Such an amazing, fun, wonderful game!  <3  Came for the hot pics of a certain goth mechanic with a belt, stayed for the surprisingly-touching and insightful story (and the fun of optimizing a management sim, hehe.)   

Haha, I had the opposite thought.  Not everything was to my taste, but I still enjoyed the game so much that it would've been too bad if I hadn't been able to play it!  The things I was interested kept me hooked while the things that were more "meh" for me personally still included a lot of fun management gameplay, lore, backstory, and feels. <3

Don't worry- we're just excited to read your work!  Whatever you decide will be best for the game and story, I'm sure.~  Hugs!

No worries!  Will be happy to experience what you've done whenever you want to share it.  <3

Oooo, can't wait! :D <3

Thank you T.T <3

I'll give it a try again- just maybe not before bed xD

Guys, halp. T.T

*spoilers* (ish)

Please give me courage.  I am a wimp, but pressed forward anyways due to curiosity, and when I saw that Aster's route had unlocked I got SO scared.  I can't click the button.  I'm terrified of what kinds of things I'll see and hear when I do.

Second this.  I'll buy it as a game but not as a weird microtransaction thing.

I loved this and read it despite knowing that the series wouldn't continue. :)  I echo everyone's adoration, and... have a thought?  If you ever do want to return to this series, I encourage you to do so.  You might not get everything "right."  There might be "problems."  I mean, real life is full of 'em.  Nothing is picture-perfect.  But I feel like... the only way for all of us to learn from each other and grow is to... engage?  

There was something about these stories that spoke to you, and I feel like that isn't a bad thing to explore, especially in the respectful way that you have done.  So, my advice is to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly in an open, loving way.  We'll all be here, talking and reading and writing with you.  Much love <3

So cute, thanks!!  Excited for this world.~

Nope, you're Juniper.

Easy enough, though I was surprised to not get anyone the first time I played through. xD

So cute, thanks so much!!! <3

Wishlisted, thanks <3

<3

Oh my gosh, please create more games in this world!!!  I will buy them >o<

This was so amazing, oh my goodness!!! >o<  I hope everyone is talking about this and sharing it.~  So amazing and magical!!

I am excited to go back to replay other routes, but I kinda feel bad about it- I'm so attached to the story I got the first time. <3  Haha, I knew I should've saved the fae prince for last. ;)

And geez, all the characters, my heart.... <3 <3

So beautiful <3 <3

I can't help but want to read more about these two in their various lives! >o<

Yup, thanks for responding though. ^^  Good luck now on OL2!!!  Played the demo and can't wait for more. :D

Ah, I see!  My character hadn't kissed anyone ever before, so since she didn't react to it at all, either, I assumed they must have kissed before... like, more time had passed or something?  Anyways, that's the impression I got, so I was confused for a while. x)

EDIT: And especially since she was catching feelings, even if she had kissed someone before, I feel like the first kiss with a particular person*can be* special >o<

Thanks!

As described below, I didn't kiss him in the asking-out scene, only in the hiking scene on the log, and there was no particular reaction there.  Maybe you react as if it's your first kiss in other scenes?

Oooo, interesting!  Yeah, I went back and chose some other things.  Replied above.  I do find it odd that you go straight to boyfriend. xD  That implies a lot more commitment to me.  It's usually a whole thing, I thought, in real life. xD  But this isn't discussed really in the game at all?

As for the first kiss, my MC didn't kiss him in that scene.  She just hugged him.  She kissed him went they went on their nature walk on the log. <3  It was cute, but given the absolute lack of reaction (I guess the first kiss reaction only happens if you do it in the ask out scene?), and the earlier exchanging of keys, I was like, OH, ok, they're in THAT kind of relationship. xD  Just a bit more conversation, or thoughts, or something, I feel like, could smooth it all out.  But yes, it's all amazing and I adore how much personalization goes into everything!! >o<

Oh wow, thanks so much for responding!! >o<

I went back and chose some other things, and I see what you mean.  What I chose:

***Spoiler land***

B: To cut to the chase, I'm asking you out

MC: I don't treat things that lightly.

B apologizes, expresses his interest, etc.  Says he's not incredibly romantic, but... (kinda sounded like "but I like you" >o<)

MC: Maybe... I'd be ok with that.

Then, he doesn't give the suitor of the season line or anything.  MC just asks if they should tell people, they talk about it, etc.

When I went to my family, I said I had a boyfriend.  Like, not an option to just be like, I am going on a few dates with this guy, full-out boyfriend. xD  Which is a conversation I thought most couples usually had after... a while.  Not right off the bat xD.  Being able to say that you are just casually going on a few dates with this guy might've been a nice option (plus being able to have a first kiss >o<... and actually having some kind of conversation about physical boundaries.  Or, it might come up at some point within the story!)

Anyways, hope that's helpful?

Thanks! :D

Gah!!!  This was so amazing and wonderful, thank you. <3 ^^  I got all the DLC at once and played through everything, and man, my heart was NOT ready.  Funnily enough, as I've recommended this game with my friends, one asked if I had taken part in making it because it "sounds" like my writing.  I was so flattered, haha.  And also happy because I got an amazing sense of kinship from playing this game. <3 <3  I felt like.... there are people out there who feel the same things I do, you know?  

The one thing that was a bit confusing for me was *spoiler land*

*

*

In the Baxter DLC, he asked my character out.  In the next scene, they had a kiss and it was... like.. no big deal?  So I assumed they must just have that kind of relationship?  They also exchanged hotel room keys, so I assumed they were intimate.  Then though, with the kiss scene in the hotel room, the MC was thinking to herself that this relationship was just supposed to be short term or for the summer or something like that, and I was like- when did this conversation happen?  I felt like I had missed something.  

When I read your blog, I saw how Baxter wouldn't have been intimate with someone when it was supposed to be such a short time (despite his intro).  Which- fair, fine.  But then... my character felt like she psychically knew about this somehow?  I didn't think I had heard any stipulations in the asking out scene.  And from the way they say they are boyfriend and girlfriend, it sounds more committed than that?  And other people also treat your relationship as a committed thing?

I kinda understood some of the setup when we got to the most painful, visceral ghosting I've ever seen in my life (oof x)).  Basically though, all the pieces feel like they're set up to have the MC thinking they're dating and can continue a relationship but Baxter cuts them off at the end.  But, the scene in the hotel room didn't read that way.  Plus, would've been nice to have some sort of acknowledgement for the first kiss with Baxter.  

Anyways though, this game is amazing and transformative and wonderful and GAH.  I have so many FEELINGS.  >o<  Thanks for giving us a wonderful life.~

Oh no, how could you!!!?! D:  And I was so proud of myself for getting the romance ending on the first try, too! xD

I ended up not following the guide exactly and tweaking things so I didn't have to say anything TRULY horrible but still enough "bad" choices to get the different endings >o<

So heart-wrenching!! D:

I full-completed everything, though!!  Thank you for this experience, even if you did make us all masochists for it ;)

Also, this is what I thought of EVERY TIME xD

*Spoiler land...** Click "view rest" to see xD

Aw, thanks for replying!  I definitely enjoyed.  Buuuuut I mean....

*spoiler spoiler*

How am I supposed to be mean to him to get his bad endings?! T.T D:

You're so cruel! xD

Maybe I'll put it on skip and do it really fast.  Or try to only pick the "wrong" choices that aren't so heart-wrenching and hope I can get enough points for the different ends that way. ><

Ok, help me out here guys.

*spoiler land*

*SPOILER LAND*

I just played Leonard's route for the first time, and I got the sweetest, most romantic ending in existence.  TELL ME how I'm supposed to do the other routes now and break his heart, just to see all the endings so I can unlock the secret route?! D:

Oh my gosh, Yuto is my soulmate, haha. xD  Since I had so much fun, I went back to play the other routes and Sol was straight up like "You sure?  I thought you would've preferred Yuto." !!! xD  Called OUT! (I mean, maybe that's what he always says, but...>.>  Still made me laugh!)