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Post by madsinzero on Sept 28, 2018 10:32:14 GMT
Hey there! Let's get this out of the way quick, what's "SSLP" stand for? Screenshot Let's Play, that's what. This won't quite be an interactive story in the more traditional way. Instead, I'll be uploading screenshots and text from the game Remember 11: The Age of Infinity, a personal favorite game of mine. If you've ever seen LPs on the Something Awful forums, or on the LP archive, you should know what to expect. Readers will vote on the in-game choices. This is my second attempt at launching this LP, I tried on the Dwarf Fortress forums (but was let down a bit with low interaction), so I've already started the game. With that said, I'll begin reposting the updates already completed. The end of which leaves off at a choice, so there'll be a poll too!
Have you ever looked at an LP on the Let's Play Archive and thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could do one of those"? I have. Especially since one of my favorite visual novels, Remember 11, doesn't seem to have any screen-shot LPs anywhere. But before we get down to that, I suppose there's a customary introduction of the game, yeah? Remember 11 is a 2004 Visual Novel created by Kindle Imagine Develop, and is the third game of the Infinity Series (preceeded by Never 7, and Ever 17, and followed by 12Riven, and Code_18. Though as you might tell from the change in title format, the latter two games are part of the Infinity Series in air quotes only.) If you're a fan of Visual Novels, you'll probably heard of Ever 17, or at least Kotaro Uchikoshi (creator of Zero Escape, and writer for Remember 11) and Takumi Nakazawa (creator of Root Double, and director of Remember 11). Anyway, Remember 11 never got an official English release, but thankfully for my Non-Japanese-Speaking butt, there's a fan translation that's quite good. Of course, I've already played Remember 11 quite a few times, so in keeping with my I-saw-an-LP-I-liked, I'm going to let people vote on certain choices. Yay, interactivity! For now, I’m just going to start the thread with this. I’ll begin working on the prologue soon! Music (All or None - Piano)
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Post by madsinzero on Sept 28, 2018 10:32:47 GMT
The prologue is a lot longer than I remembered... oof. Later, meaningful, choices will mean I can make each update shorter, but I might have to split the prologue into two posts. Feel free to leave some comments, I wanna gauge interest and junk. Heaven is Here And here we have the first line of the game, a quote in Russian. The first time I played Remember 11, I was convinced that I'd somehow downloaded the wrong translation patch. You might also notice the screen is just a white background. Get used to that. Anyhow, Italics will indicate narration, bold dialogue. "I'm a seagull."
Those were the words uttered by the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova.
All alone aboard the former Soviet Union spaceship Vostok 6, floating in the void of space, a place of complete silence and emptiness...
With a hollow feeling of isolation upon her...
Yet still able to draw the parallel between herself and a seagull to express the liberating feeling of breaking free from everything.
"I'm a seagull"... such beautiful words.
It it were me, I'd never have been able to come up with something so clever.
I'd probably try being sarcastic and say that, "I'm a girl trapped in a cage." Though, if you think about it, would that really be sarcasm?Short Video33,000 feet up in the air...Suddenly, the world around me disappears.
Someone from the seat behind me has covered both my eyes with their hands.??: Who's that behi----ind you?
Kokoro: ...
??: Who's that behi----ind you?Here, we get our first choice of the game, but the choices in the prologue are fairly non-consequential, so I'll be choosing these ones. I'll be letting people vote on all (if not most) of the choices once they start mattering. For now, we: OST: Anima??: Who could it be?
Kokoro: I wonder who it is?
??: Who do you think it is?No one's travelling with me on this flight. I boarded this plane by myself.
I don't have the slightest idea.
Judging by the voice, which was still undergoing the changes of puberty, it could only be the boy sitting in the seat behind me.
The palms that covered my eyes were pretty small.Kokoro: It's useless... I give up, I give up!I raised both of my arms and spun around my wrists playfully.(I'd like to point out here, that we've had more screentime of a black or white screen, than an actual background so far...) ??: Are you sure you give up?
Kokoro: Yup.
??: Well then... I guess I'll just have to tell you!
??: The correct answer was...(I remember one episode of Scooby Doo, they unmasked a guy inside a robot eagle, and revealed it to be... "somebody we don't know?".) Turing around, I found, as I had expected, a boy who looked to be about elementary school age.
He was leaning over the headrest with an innocent smile.
"Kusuda Yuni-kun!" is what he said... I don't remember hearing that name anywhere, nor having ever seen his face.Kokoro: I see. Yuni-kun, is it?
Kokoro: That's a cute name.
Yuni: Thanks.
Yuni: My friends often tease me by calling me "Yunishiro" or "Unit Bath," though.His shyly smiling face was friendly and charming.Yuni: Hey, Onee-chan? Can I sit next to you?
Yuni: The seat here is free, right?(Anything for you, best-character-in-the-game ) I took a glance at my wristwatch.
There was still a lot of time before we would reach our destination.Kokoro: Come on over.I patted the seat by the window...Kokoro: Hey, there was something I was curious about... do you mind if I ask?
: What is it?
Kokoro: When you were singing the Kagome Song earlier: you sang "yoake no ban" ---- "evening lit by the dawn", right?Aha! Looks like we've run into our first TIP. For those unfamiliar, some Visual Novels have TIPs sections, often used to highlight terms and give more background information on them. Often very useful if the VN uses a lot of technobabble, or references to memes. I'll be showing the contents of any tips we come across. Kokoro: If I remember correctly... I think that part should be "tsukiyo no ban"----"evening lit by the moonlight"...
: Evening lit by the moonlight?
Kokoro: Right. Because "evening lit by the dawn" doesn't really make sense, does it?
Kokoro: When it's dawn, the sun RISES in the east, and at night, the sun sets in the west... right?Kokoro: No... come to think of it, I did sing it "evening lit by the dawn."
: Then why did you think it went "evening lit by the moonlight"?
Kokoro: Hmm, well, it was written that way in this story I read a while ago...
: Hmm... But I think "evening lit by dawn" is how it should be.Yuni said so while picking at the chipped nail of one of his fingers.: Because, after that, the next lines go "tsuru no kame"---- "crane and turtle," "ushiro no shoumen"---- "right behind you"---"in front of your back," right?
: "Dawn" and "evening". "Crane" and "turtle". "The back" and "the front". They're all two things that make up a pair by being the opposites of one another.
: Light and shadow, yin and yang, male and female, imaginary numbers and real numbers. This whole world is made up of elements that contradict each other, but at the same time need to coexist with one another.
: I think that is what the Kagome Song tries to say. That's why "evening lit by the dawn" would be much more fitting than "evening lit by the moonlight."
Kokoro: Hmmm~, I see~(See? This kid is amazing.) I groaned without noticing.: All that being said, my interpretation may not be completely correct. That song still has many mysteries to it.
Kokoro: Mysteries? What kind of mysteries?
: Well... let's see... For example, just what does "kagome" mean?
: What is the symbolism behind "the bird within the cage"? Why did the crane and the turtle slip, did they have to slip?
: And then there's the... "Who's that behi----ind you?"As he hummed that phrase, Yuni took off his glasses.
He covered his eyes with his own hands and turned around.Yuni: Right now, I can't see anything at all.
Yuni: They say that out of all our senses, sight is responsible for eight tenths of all the information that we humans gather, you know.
Yuni: That means that right now, I'm only able to feel a mere two tenths of everything that's occurring around me with my other senses.
Yuni: The remaining 80% is left vague and unclear. I have no way of knowing what Onee-chan's doing behind me right now, or what kind of an expression she has on her face.
Yuni: Right now, Onee-chan's existence is one of many unknowns to me.
Yuni: Until I open my eyes and turn around, what's behind me is... still undecided...Just as Yuni was unable to see my face, I was unable to see what kind of expression he had on his.
I was only able to see his back.
A small back...Kokoro: How old are you, anyway?After a slight pause, I asked him that.Yuni: 11Yuni turned around with his eyes still covered.
Then he peered at me through his fingers.Yuni: Thank goodness...
: ...that you're here!His cheeks lift into a broad smile as he laughs.
His smile was certainly that of an 11-year-old.OST: AnimusSuddenly, we transition to another scene, a blue border on our text-box. Here, we're introduced to our other protagonist, Satoru. He uses different pronouns to refer to himself, something that's a pretty neat feature of Japanese. This is hard to translate, so we end up with I VS IOutside, the snow was still blowing violently about.
I held my breath as I stood in front of an iron door.
Beside the door, a small red light was blinking in the darkness.I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out a single key card.I traced the engraved letters with my fingertip.Satoru: Yukidoh Satoru...That is my name...
I haven't ever really liked my name that much.
I twirled the card in my fingers and spun it around.
I inserted it into the reader's slot and let it slide through.The lock opened and the door opened just the slightest crack...
I pushed it open and stepped into the darkness, as if drawn by something.And we're back to Kokoro's POV now, these transitions are way more sudden than, say, Ever 17's. OST: AnimaThat's what he said right after I had introduced myself.
I had told him my name (Fuyukawa Kokoro), and then had a little chat with him about the place of our destination.
However, I hadn't given him any hints or clue that would help him guess my age like that.Kokoro: H, how do you know?
: Fufu~, impressed?Yuni threw his head back onto the seat and made a sound with his nose.: Maybe I'm psychic?
Kokoro: Come on, stop playing around and tell meee~
: Hmm... let's see... I can tell you, but in exchange, I have a favor to ask.
Kokoro: A favor?
: You see... I'm not really good with... the "zoom." "Zoom" ---- there's a part where it goes "zoom," right?
Kokoro: Huh?
: Well, you know, right? When the plane begins to land, it descends rapidly with a "zoom". And there's a point where you feel light... as if gravity disappears.
Kokoro: Ah, well, yes, and?
: So, when this plane starts descending...Looking at me with upturned eyes, Yuni continued.: Would you... hold my hand?Unconsciously, I burst out laughing.
However, the expression on Yuni's face was so serious that making fun of him just didn't seem right.
Even though his words, at time, showed wisdom beyond his years, inside he was still just a child.Kokoro: Well, if that's all it is, then be my guest.
: Really?!
Kokoro: That being said, there aren't many boys that are allowed to touch me as they please, you know~
Kokoro: So be grateful!I gave his head a little poke, and he blushed as he jumped into my arms.
Oh well...Kokoro: So? What's the answer?
Kokoro: You were about to tell me how you knew my age, right?
: A, ah, yes, well...When he said that, Yuni let go of my sleeve and stretched his arm behind my head.: It's this, this.
: This was stuck in Kokoron's hair, so...In his hand was a fluttering object, which he presented to me.
The object Yuni was holding between his fingers was----OST: N/A OST: AnimusThe tips in this game range from "quantum mechanics" to "the letter R". Very nice variety It felt as if I was walking up the scales of a giant constrictor snake.
A constrictor snake which had wrapped itself around a huge column as it desperately tried to strangle it.
Its iron scales made sharp, cold sounds as my feet continued on their journey.Satoru: And David played with his hand, as at other times...
Satoru: And there was a javelin in Saul's hand...
Satoru: And Saul cast the javelin; for he said...
Satoru: I will smite David even to the wall with it...Ahh, good ol' Christian Imagery. Because nothing says "cool" in a VN like a foreign religion. I didn't think of the words coming out of my mouth as my own.
It was as if some spirit was whispering them into my ear.Satoru: I will smite David...
Satoru: Even if he avoided it twice...The entrance I was looking for was near. Thankfully this constrictor I was making my way up on didn't have a head.
Perhaps, before it could finally strangle its prey, its head was cut off...
The cogwheels of the clock tower made an eerie noise.
Rattle... rattle...
It sounded as if a spell was being cast, one to take control over time for all eternity.OST: N/A : Yup, a feather.
Kokoro: This was in my hair?
: Yes, it was on the back of your head.I had no idea why a feather would be there.OST: Anima: Kokoron, you didn't take a bath yesterday, did you?
Kokoro: Hey, that's quite rude of you, you know? And for your information, I'm pretty sure I DID take a bath yesterday.
: That's a lie.
Kokoro: And why would I lie about something like that?
: Because Kokoron's eyelids are a little swollen. It's from a lack of sleep, isn't it?Saying that, Yuni took out a mirror from his pocket and placed it right in front of my face.: Right?It was true that I didn't get much sleep last night.
Last night I was in a rush to prepare for this trip, and...
Before I could meet "her", I wanted to fill my head with as much information as possible.
When I finally got to bed, the sky was already growing light.Kokoro: Well, it's a fact that I didn't get much sleep...
Kokoro: But how do this and that have anything to do with one another?
Kokoro: How is my lack of sleep related to the feather? Or to my age, for that matter?
: Now, now, now, don't rush me... I'll explain everything in order, okay?Yuni snapped the folding mirror shut and slipped it back into his pocket.: First off, let's confirm the date.
: Today's date is what day of what month of what year?
Kokoro: It's January 11th, 2011, Tuesday.
: Ok~ Then what day was it yesterday?
Kokoro: January 10th, Monday... Coming of Age Day?
: Yup. Now then, that's where this feather comes in.Yuni said, as the feather danced on the palm of his hand.: When girls put on their kimono for the event, they wear shawls over their shoulders too.
: Of all of the materials used to make shawls, the most popular is the feather of the white goose.
: And so, the feather I'm holding in my hand right now it most likely... I don't need to say any more, do I?
Kokoro: In other words, I wore a shawl over my kimono when I was attending my coming of age ceremony yesterday?
Kokoro: And it was then that the feather came off the shawl and got attached to my hair?
: The Coming of Age Ceremony is like a big event where you invite all your friends from elementary school and middle school to meet up, right
: Where you find out that your first crush is now so homely you don't even recognize them...
: And that the plainest girl in class has become beautiful enough to make you jealous...
: Anyway, one chance encounter is followed by the next; you learn many surprising things, everyone's emotions get stirred up, and energy fills the air!
: It's not hard to image being swept up by that wildly exciting atmosphere. Being carried along on a buoyant mood like that...
: So as the ceremony was coming to an end, you went to an after-party with another group of close friends.
: You'd also finally reached the age where you could drink alcohol legally too, right?
: When the first after-party's over, it's on to the second, and then the third, and then the fourth... and before you know it, the sun is rising in the eastern sky.
: The result: not enough sleep, red eyelids, and no time to even take a shower... Kokoron, with the feather still stuck in her hair, was rushing to get on this plane at the last moment.
: So, whaddaya think? I got all of it right, didn't I?Hearing all those statements in such quick succession left me feeling embarrassed long before I fully noticed it myself.
Yuni's eyes were sparkling and his cheeks were flushed with red.Kokoro: Hah... it's amazing how far you took this wild delusion based on a single feather.
: Delusion? This isn't a delusion at all. It's an extremely logical deduction.
Kokoro: I see... so you're quite confident, aren't you.
: I guess~
Kokoro: However, that "extremely logical deduction" is actually...
Kokoro: Unfortunately... completely wrong~
: ...Huh?
Kokoro: Becaaaause~, I was actually born in February!
Kokoro: I had my coming of age ceremony last year♪As soon as I said those words, Yuni's eyes opened wide, leaving two little dots where his cheerful, saucer-like pupils had been before.
His mouth was left open in shock.: That's a lie! Then what about this feather? What about the feather?! Why was this feather stuck in your hair?!
Kokoro: Who knows~?
: "Who knows~?" you say...
Kokoro: Ah... well, after all, we are high above the clouds here...
Kokoro: It might just be an angel's feather, you know?
: An... angel?Murmuring that in wonder, Yuni turned to look out the window.I couldn't help but giggle quietly to myself.
My laughs reached Yuni's ears, and his neck tensed up...: There's no way angels could exist!
Kokoro: Is that so~?
: It is!
Kokoro: Well, either way, it's much more romantic than the goose feather explanation, right?
: So to decide whether something is true or not, you just check to yourself to see if it's romatic or not, and if you like what you end up with, then you believe it?
Kokoro: Once in a while, I guess...
: So having a logical basis for something doesn't even matter?Kokoro: If there's a logical explanation for something, then I'll believe it, but if there isn't one, I...
: "...will choose the most romantic option?"
Kokoro: Pretty much.With a blank look on his face, Yuni gazed absentmindedly at the feather in his palm.
Her was utterly still, as if his soul had gone somewhere else and left his body frozen in place.: Hey, Kokoron? Is it alright if I keep this feather?His eyes were downcast: only his lips were moving.Kokoro: Sure, but what are you going to do with it?
: It'll be a memento.
Kokoro: Memento?When I asked that, Yuni raised his head.: Yes, a memento. So that I don't ever forget that I met Kokoron...It surprised me how he said those words so casually... it must have been his age.
The brutal, straightforward frankness that boys my age just don't possess (or rather, that they gradually lose with age) ---- Yuni still hasn't lost that gift...
If Yuni had been seven years older, that short exchange of words would have left me so embarrassed and flustered that I'd have had to stand up from my seat to cool off.
Because those simple words would have been so incredibly romantic...
But right now, I simply chose to say...Without warning, I hugged Yuni and messed up his smooth hair with my hands.: They'll break! I'm telling you, they'll break!
: Save meee! Anyoneee! Stewardeeess!Yuni struggled like a cure little woodland creature in my arms.OST: AnimusAnd with the first scene, Heaven is Here over, I think I should leave it there for now. Trust me, this game gets good, especially once I'll get y'all to do the choices.
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Post by madsinzero on Sept 28, 2018 10:34:23 GMT
Sorry that there isn't much commentary on my part so far, I'm just focusing on getting to the meaningful choices. The α and the ω OST: AnimusThe snowstorm was so strong, I had to lean with my hand against the wall to keep standing upright. I used my other hand to shield my eyes from the wind and the snow. It was freezing, I almost strained my eyes trying to stare across the distance. I Couldn't see anything. The entire landscape before me had been whited out. A pure white world where all depth was lost----I clung to the wall with both hands to regain my balance.If I were to fall from that height, I'd be very lucky if I were to get away with just a few broken bones.My field of vision was filled with whirling plumes of snow and the needle-like tracks it left as it blew across the roof.Satoru: Lovely weather we're having...The words of cynicism I spouted out were quickly carried away with the wind.I've never liked having anything attached to my arm. So my wristwatch was hidden away in my pocket.It's almost 4 PM.Satoru: It's almost time...For an instant, a pale light cuts through the heavens. The sound of the winter thunder shook my body to its core. The weather continued to worsen. There were no signs of the snowstorm easing up any time soon.Short videoOST: N/A Pilot: We are currently experiencing some turbulence, and kindly request that all passengers return to their seats and fasten their seatbelts. Pilot: We'll be feeling the tremors from the turbulence in just a little while, but please rest assured this will not affect the safety of the flight.OST: AnimaHe sat next to me, completely immersed in play fighting with a plush polar bear.: Brazilian High Kick! Brazilian High Kick! : A Brazilian High Kick? It can only be Armada com Martelo!I fastened his seatbelt for him. Even then, Yuni continued to play without paying any attention to me.Kokoro: Well, I guess he's fine...I thought it'd be all right to leave him as he was. There was something I wanted to do before we landed. I took out a thick file from my bag. I fastened my own seatbelt and laid the file in my lap. The cover read:OST: N/A ((Talk about mood whiplash, eh?)) I opened it to the first page.OST: ShadowMale Patient: The shadow... The shadow... has come...Those would be the last words he'd ever say. To this day, no one had yet been able to determine what those words really meant.The patients listed as "murdered" even included an elementary student. The patients however, were not the perpetrator's only victims. The doctors and nurses who attempted capture were also stabbed. The casualty count was 12 dead, 19 wounded.The motive for the crime remains unknown. While in custody, the perpetrator remained silent throughout the whole of the investigation, never responding to the questions of the police or public prosecutors. However, a single phrase alone was spoken, one which could be said to be something of a clue... Right before her arrest, "she" had mumbled something as she dropped her blood stained blade."Her" name was Inubushi Keiko. Her age at the time of the incident----17. She was 19 now. Even thought we she was a minor, a crime so brutal would normally result in a severe penalty, which she would have no way of avoiding. However, her circumstances differed from the norm. In the end, she was found innocent. The final verdict of the Administration of Justice stated that Inubushi Keiko was suffering from DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). That is to say, multiple personalities. "Penal Code Article 39" 1. Those suffering from insanity will not be prosecuted. 2. Those who are mentally handicapped will receive a lighter sentence."Specified Psychiatric Hospital for Isolation and Aegis" Ailas----"SPHIA"----I got on this plane for the purpose of meeting her.OST: N/A No matter how many times I read that file, it always makes me shiver inside. I guess if you choose to major in criminal psychology, it'd be necessary to accept the reality of what happened objectively and calmly... But the emotions that were burning within my chest weren't something I could easily suppress. Without any hesitation, that girl had killed many innocent people in the cruelest, most perverse ways imaginable. She had even taken the lives of innocent children who had never harmed a single soul. No matter how crazy she was, I just couldn't bring myself to forgive her for what she had done. To be honest, I was filled with an intense hatred for Inubushi Keiko.The elementary school student murdered back then was just nine years old... If he were still alive, he'd be right around Yuni's age now. That thought made my chest tighten as I watched Yuni play on innocently.((Suddenly, a scene change, no color on the text box at all...)) OST: Delusive Consciousness (Amb.)Her tiny back trembled ever so slightly. *sniff*... *sniff*... She was sobbing quietly. A young boy put his hand on her shoulder. She glanced up at the boy with her tear-filled eyes and flung herself into his arms, embracing him tightly as if afraid he'd disappear the moment she let go.Girl: I'm so scared...She kept crying as she held onto hum with all her strength. The boy gently ran his fingers through her hair. It's okay. He whispered softly into her ear. There's nothing to be afraid of. Because no matter what happens, I'll be here to protect you.Girl: No... Girl: That's not it...The words left her trembling lips as she nervously shook her head.Girl: What I'm afraid of is...Girl: The person I'm afraid of... is myself...Still... I will protect you. Forever. You'll see!Girl: That's impossible... There's no way you could... Because... Girl: Because I... -----chan, I'll----Her slender fingers dug deep into the boy's back.Girl: I'll kill you too...((And then we're back to Kokoro)) But before I could recover, the file crashed abruptly to my feet. The plane felt like it was drifting on ice. As soon as that thought crossed my mind, the plane was once again pulled down with a frightening strength, as if it wanted to take us down to the bowels of the Earth.((It's hard to show with screenshots, but the plane is shaking)) Screams could be heard from every direction whenever the cabin shook.: Kokoron... I'm scared...OST: Fear and ParanoiaI placed my arm around his shoulder and tried to calm him down.Kokoro: You know what? Last year, over a period of just 365 days, do you know how many people died in traffic accidents in Japan? Kokoro: Nearly 1000... Kokoro: Earthquakes, typhoons, lightning bolts, and avalanches took 128 lives. Kokoro: The number of people who die every year from accidents at sea is over 1000. Kokoro: The average number of people that are murdered is 1250. Kokoro: So, you know... compared to that, the chances of an airplane getting in an accident and crashing are... Kokoro: 0.0001%. Do you understand what that means, Yuni-kun? : ...... Kokoro: In short, being in the air is much safer than staying down on the ground. Kokoro: Well? Did that calm you down?Yuni didn't reply. He simply buried his face in my chest as he trembled all over.((Sceeeeeene Chaaaaaange)) OST: N/A I checked my wristwatch.The clock tower told the time with not a minute of deviation. A metallic sound that was like the coarse voice of an aged man alerted me of the hour at hand. The snow danced violently to the sound of the bell as the raging winds stirred it. Though what I saw... were twinkling and sparkling particles of light... An infinite number of angels dancing and rejoicing at the advent of a great gospel.Satoru: Just wait... Satoru: Just a little bit longer... Satoru: Just a little bit longer... until you...The sound of the holy bell was denied by a roar filled with rage. The thunder continued resounding in succession: two times, three times; and the earth shook in unison each time, letting out a hateful groan. The flashes illuminated the sky with pale light. Then----The shadow came up from behind me and stretched toward my feet.((Scene change)) OST: ThanatosThe passengers, powerless to do anything, let out pitiful screams. In the midst of it were voices crying, voices screaming, voices praying. I looked out the window. I wondered when we had fallen to our current altitude. The world outside had turned a muddled gray. The tips of the airplane's wings went beyond the fog covering my field of vision. The wings were now bending inward like a huge bow might, looking as if they could break off any second.I pushed him into his seat and tightened his seatbelt with all my strength.Kokoro: In case something happens, curl up like this, the way a pillbug does, okay? : In case something happens? What something?! : Is this airplane gonna crash?! Kokoro: It's going to be all right. Kokoro: Everything's going to be all right, but... just to be safe... okay? : No, nooo! I'm scared! Kokoron! Kokoron!Yuni clung tightly to me once more. I forcefully pushed his soulders back against his seat and tried to calm him down again.Kokoro: Yuni-kun! Do Onee-chan a favor and please listen to what she says! Kokoro: Just stay there and don't leave your seat, understand?! : Why?! Why can't I?! : Kokoron, are you going somewhere?! : Don't leave me! Don't leave me all alone! Kokoro: Don't be silly, I'm not going anywhere. Kokoro: Hey, even if I wanted to, there's nowhere else I can go now, right? : But... Kokoro: Come on, be a man. Don't you start crying on me like that. Kokoro: Look, I'll hold your hand. Just like I promised, okay?I firmly clenched Yuni's hand. Large teardrops tumbled from Yuni's watery eyes. For an instant, a flash of lighting rushed through the sky outside the window. A thunderous snapping, crunching roar followed.The file was at my feet. The white page before my eyes was illuminated by the lightning.((Scene Change)) I turned around, saying this as forcefully as I could. There was the faint shadow of a person in front of the door... However, the fierce wind and the dancing snow prevented me from seeing who it was. Even the silhouette was impossible to make out through the thick white curtain of snow.I called out once again. The shadow gave no answer. It was slowly moving closer. Feelings of fear and distress began to grow inside of me. I was backed up into a corner of the roof by the mysterious shadow as it slowly drew nearer and nearer. The shadow didn't stop.The well honed blade struck the earth. A silhouette could be made out in the backlight---- In that instant... I finally figured out what that shadow really was...((Scene change baby)) By now it was clear: the crew had no control over the plane. The small craft lost its balance completely, writhing and twisting like a snake. The lights had died. Darkness was all around. The sounds of shrieks and screams stabbed at my ears. A maddened passenger began screaming. A strong jet of air could be felt blowing in from somewhere. The scent of oil penetrated my nose. An the next moment----((Scene change)) OST: N/A ((Scene change)) In an instant, the aircraft was engulfed by ranging flames. An ivory-colored mask fell from the ceiling... Slowly swinging back and forth like the lifeless body of a convict who'd just been executed... (This might be the end) I tried to accept my coming fate. However, in my right hand there was a small palm... Strongly, desperately, calling for me... (Even if it's only him that survives, I have to protect him) (I won't let this warmth disappear from the world)Kokoro: Get down!Yuni: Kokoron... I'm scared... I'm scared... Yuni: Save me... Kokoron... Yuni: I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die...Our altitude continued to drop. The airplane struggled violently in a last-ditch effort at resistance. By now the flames had reached the inside of the cabin, and, sadistically licking the ceiling, drew ever closer to our heads.Kokoro: It's going to be all right... trust me! Kokoro: I'll definitely protect you!I held Yuni's hand tightly.The plane crashesSatoru falls from the Clock Tower((If you're skipping the videos, please at least watch the OP. It's a good song, and important to watch)) Remember 11 OP - Little Prohpet TIPs
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Post by madsinzero on Sept 28, 2018 10:35:00 GMT
First Choices: Well, this seems like the opposite of moments after a plane crash... How odd OST: SchemeAn unfamiliar ceiling... the scent of a freshly-washed pillowcase... Everything around me seemed different from the norm. It was a bizarre feeling like I had never experienced before. A feeling that something was wrong, but I couldn't quite tell what. Where am I...?Some sort of room ((Deduction of the year, everybody)) A bed beneath my body. That's about all I could figure out. Everything else remained a mystery to me. I gathered all my strength and tried to get up from the bed I was lying on.: Kuuuuuuu!An intense pain immediately shot through my body. I couldn't even understand where this pain was coming from. Every joint in my body, my muscles, my insides... all of them were crying out in excruciating pain. I writhed in agony.((A cookie for whoever can guess where we are and what's going on)) The door opened and a woman rushed into the room. She knelt down and gently helped me back into bed.: You... don't remember?Enduring the pain coursing through my body, I took a closer look at the woman's face.: I'm sorry... Have we... met before?She frowned as a confused look appeared on her face.: Oh dear... I wonder if it's amnesia? : ...Amnesia? : So you really don't remember anything? About me, or this facility...Brown skin... with ash-brown eyes... Her features didn't give you the impression that she was a typical Japanese person. Maybe she was half-Japanese?: I'm really sorry. : It's all right, you have nothing to apologize for. You probably hit your head. ((And also every other major body part, judging by the pain)) : Falling from as high up as you did, it's no wonder.OST: ParanoiaFalling----?! A shiver ran down my spine as that word left her mouth.The plane filled with agonized screams, the terrible explosion, the scorching crimson flames, the thick black smoke... And that tiny palm I held in my right hand... The palm pleading desperately for my help...: Kokoron... I'm scared... I'm so scared... : Help me... Kokoron...I threw off the blanket and jumped up from the bed. But the next moment----: Aah, uu, uuuuuugh... ((These sounds of pain look less silly when they're actually voice acted, trust me)) A scorching pain once again ran through my body, draining any remaining strength it had left. And once again, I collapsed back onto the bed.: Can't you see your body isn't ready to move yet?That look of hers, filled with love and affection, reminded me of the Virgin Mary. A gentle smile, so kind, so beautiful. A smile so charming, it even made me slightly jealous of her. She carefully ticked me back into bed. Amazingly when the palm of her hand touched my neck, the pain and anxiety started to subside.: Excuse me, could you please tell me... What happened to the boy sitting beside me? : Beside you? What do you mean, "beside you"? ((Well, that's an odd response)) : The plane... the plane that crashed. There should have been a boy sitting beside me. : He was eleven years old. His name was... Kusuda Yuni.: What is this...? : ...eh? : How would you know about him? : What do you mean by how... : A boy named "Kusuda Yuni" just happened to be sitting in the seat behind me...(("That's enough! Everyone knows boys don't exist!")): What are you people plotting?!Plotting? "You people"? I couldn't understand what she was saying. When our eyes met again, her expression had become cold and stiff as she stared at me sharply. There was no longer any trace of that Mary-like countenance to be seen anywhere on her face.: Who... who are you?! Why are you really here?!"Why am I here?"... that's what I'd like to know. But "who am I?"... well, at least that's one question I can probably answer. I was intimidated by her coercive attitude, but I was able to lift my body and start talking to her.: I was one of the passengers on a plane that crashed...: Stop messing around! There are some things you shouldn't joke about! ((What a mysterious sentence...)) The woman's voice had become hoarse. Her fingers and hands shook as if an anger that filled her to the brim had finally boiled over. I was dumbfounded, with no idea as to what was going on. Just what had struck a nerve with her? Was she hurt by something I said?: I see... so this was all a trick, wasn't it? : All those odd things you had said a while ago made me curious at first, but that was just part of your act, wasn't it? : Don't make me laugh! Are you supposed to be a medium or shaman performing a channeling or something? : If you were going to put on such a cheap act, wouldn't it have been better if you had just asked me straight out, right from the start? : You... you know everything, don't you? : Um...I boldly opened my mouth.: I think that you're probably misunderstanding something. : Please just stop already! Stop with this shameless act of yours! : But I'm not acting at all. : Then what are you planning?! : Why would you use that name, 'Fuyukawa Kokoro"... : Because... because, that's my real name. : I'm a third year at the Kyumeikan Women's University, Fuyukawa Kokoro! : I was on an airplane going to Wakkanai when an accident happened...: How could you possibly be "Fuyukawa Kokoro"?!She declared firmly. Face distorted in agony... Tears of desperation welling in her beautiful ash-brown eyes...: But...As I was still trying hard to hang on and gather my own strength, she hit me with something I had in no way expected.OST: N/A OST: Delusive Consciousness (Amb.) : ...Eh? : You're still trying to play dumb, even now? : The girl named Fuyukawa Kokoro is no longer in this world!((Drinking game; Take a sip whenever they say Fuyukawa Kokoro)) : She's dead! But of course, you should already know that... right? : No...Dead...? What did she mean by "dead"...? I was right here, wasn't I...? I was still alive. Right here. Right now, wasn't I... I was pretty certain I was still alive---- But why would she make up a lie like that...? Yes, a lie... she must have been lying... But even as I thought that, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fight off the chill creeping up my back. I couldn't find a single word to say. My mind went completely blank.: If you really want to put one over on me, I hope you'll at least try to do a better job of it!: Ah, there is one thing I wanted to say, though...She stopped at the door, then turned around and continued.: Now that things have come this far, I have no intention of stopping with my plan. : So don't you dare get in my way...In those quiet words she left behind, amongst other things, I could feel a distinct sense of sadness.There were a lot of things I wanted to think through. However, I didn't know where to start, and I definitely didn't have enough information to make sense of it all. I don't know anything yet... Where am I? Is Yuni safe? Who is that woman? If I ever wanted to find out, I couldn't just stay here, alone with my thoughts. I dragged my injured body out of the room.OST: SchemeA modern dining table and a set of rather uncomfortable-looking chairs. Looking around, I notice and induction cooker and a deep sink.A sofa of clean, simple design stood in the center, and a huge plasma screen took up the wall. A spacious room with a high ceiling and a window. At first, it gave off an air of freedom... Its straight, sharp lines, however, make you feel a sense of tension and strain there. There are no signs of "life" in this "living area," not is there any warmth.: Just what is this place...?I had expected to see hospital trolleys everywhere, but it seems I was mistaken. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen any medical equipment since I stepped out of the room I woke up in. This place isn't a hospital. But if it isn't a hospital, what is it?I was becoming more curious by the moment. I wandered around the room aimlessly, inspecting it more closely. There was a window in the kitchen. The window spanned the length of the wall, from the floor to the ceiling. Beyond the window spread a darkness darker than black... Occasionally, sparkling lights could be seen floating downward: most likely snow. There wasn't much more to be seen from that window, except for the reflection of the room I was in.I say "something resembling a computer" because there was no actual computer anywhere to be seen. A seventeen-inch display monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse are all that stands on the slick white desk. The cables from the equipment made their way under the flooring.In the corner of the kitchen, there's also a staircase with a handrail leading somewhere downward.Although, with that said, this image is most likely far from perfect. That woman I saw before seems to have disappeared. My joints produce sharp bursts of pain whenever I move, but I don't feel like returning to the room I woke up in. I decided to...And here, finally we have the first choice of the game! Respond with what choice of action you'd prefer!
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Post by mattyboy on Sept 29, 2018 6:36:36 GMT
FIXED IT~
Also, if we're just voting on the forum:
Casting mine for Investigate the doors!
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Post by madsinzero on Sept 29, 2018 6:52:35 GMT
Alrighty then! I might just do choices on a "first come, first serve" basis, since I'm hyped to be doing these. Feel free to say if you'd prefer another system.OST: SchemeThey were placed near the four corners of the square space that made up the kitchen and the living area. The first door (in the upper left corner of my plan) was the door I came out of before, so there was no need to investigate it. There were three doors remaining... First, I decided to take a look behind the door to the right of the main entrance.But the white lamp hanging from the ceiling lights the room brightly. This room has no soul, so to say, but it feels as if there are definitely people living here. I quietly place my right hand on the door frame to lean in and look inside. As I thought, the room was empty. Was it just my imagination? With that thought in mind, I left the room.What should I do next...? Surpriiiiise! Some gaps between choices are pretty short, leading to short updates. But then, this is a forum filled with interactive stories, so I can't well do the meaningless choices myself now can I? Remember, first come, first serve on choosing a choice, but feel free to speculate on plot points too, I love that sort of thing.
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Post by Mirai on Oct 1, 2018 6:04:16 GMT
I wonder why everything feels so empty in this place? Also, did Kali just storm out and leave a potential enemy just chilling in her house?
Let's go down the stairs!
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Post by madsinzero on Oct 1, 2018 6:43:23 GMT
Downwards is Onward OST: SchemeThere are provisions, fuel, medical supplies, miscellaneous daily supplies, all sorts of equipment, and so on, evenly spaced and neatly placed on the shelves.There wasn't a single window in the concrete walls.((A lot of camera pans a load of images doth make.)) If this is the basement, then that would mean the floor I was just on was the first floor. I was only beginning to comprehend things little by little, but because I had no idea what was up with the situation I was now in, even this was an important discovery to me. I heard a sound like a groan coming from somewhere. A low, mechanical tone that shook me to my core. I didn't know what the sound was. Ignoring it for now, I slid into the spaced between the shelves as if weaving myself through a crowd in rush hour.There weren't any places I could call interesting, and I didn't think anyone could be hiding anywhere around here. Wait...It sounded like small animal running around. Perhaps a rat that had settled in here?((Only the most tense, gripping choices populate the world of Remember 11))
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 3, 2018 2:02:01 GMT
Kokoro is a badass who doesn't afraid of nothin'!
She can handle rats!
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 3, 2018 2:04:27 GMT
Also this is my favorite thread to catch up on during my lunch break at work!
I hope she figures out she's switched bodies before long here, I'm very curious to see the reveal and especially to see the mechanics of how this works. The fact that she didn't necessarily recognize that computer as a computer makes me wonder if she's from a slightly earlier timeline. Like, she didn't recognize an All-In-One designed computer. Of course, I could be VERY wrong about why she called it, "...something resembling a computer..."
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Post by madsinzero on Oct 3, 2018 2:39:35 GMT
The Shadow's Here Too OST: SchemeHowever, I had no interest in looking for one so I could capture it. I returned to the first floor.OST: N/A As I glanced out from the kitchen, I saw the figure of a girl, sitting silently in a dining chair.OST: CommunicationI couldn't make out her face from here, but I was pretty certain it wasn't the brown-skinned woman I'd met earlier. I tried to loosen up.: Um, excuse me...Calling out, I approached her.: There's something I'd like to ask you...The girl showed no reaction. She merely sat there without moving a muscle. As if she had been carefully placed there by someone, like a figure at a wax museum.: Um... I'm sorry, are you listening?OST: N/A OST: ThanatosI dashed back to where the stairs were. Misstepping, my foot slipped. I gripped the handrail for a moment to regain my balance. My other hand was already covering my mouth---- If not for that, I think I surely would have screamed. (That's impossible...!) (Why...?) (Why was "that girl"... in a place like this...?!) She" turned as delicately as a ballerina to face me.((Here, we can hear a heartbeat, Kokoro's scared)) The girl in front of me was unmistakably "her." "That girl," who had murdered twelve innocent people in a hospital is Awazumi City...((My god! A previously introduced character has appeared again! I would never have guessed)) There's no way I could possibly forget that face.I awkwardly returned a nod. I have to say something... I knew exactly how I felt, but it seemed as if I had completely forgotten how to speak out loud. Such situations are often attributed to a lump in the throat, or the lips becoming too dry. But this was different; I had literally forgotten how to utter a word. In front of my eyes was the murderous monster, the serial killer who had singlehandedly rewritten the definition of crime in Japan. I felt that if I were to let my guard down for even a moment, I could easily become the thirteenth victim. My heart was pounding hard, and my skin was tingling as if an electric current were running through it.: ...... : ......The awkward silence continues. Inubushi kept staring at me expressionlessly. Her face was devoid of any emotion; it was hard to tell if she was thinking anything at all. I tried to hide my panic behind a calm smile. I don't think I was much good at it. Both my cheeks became stiff like plaster. Then...I thought it was safe to let my guard down a bit. Of course, not so far as to let her read me like a book. But after seeing such a gentle smile, there was really little I could do. Although my reasoning was trying hard to build up a strong, impenetrable wall, my instinctive curiosity took the best of me. I was climbing over the protective wall and taking a step forward into danger.: Inubushi-san... You're... Inubushi Keiko-san, right?My voice quavered and gave away my nervousness.As if she didn't understand what I had just said.: Inubushi-san, right?I asked the same question again, but the girl just tilted her head. It couldn't be... a different person...? No, that's impossible. She looks exactly like the girl from the photo in the file.
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Post by madsinzero on Oct 3, 2018 2:54:57 GMT
Okay, after this choice I might start only giving you guys the ones that change variables/matter. It's really killing the pace.
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:26:21 GMT
So yeah, here's my thing: I think these two need to either act in character when they're swapped, or at least be considerate of the situation they'll be leaving their counterpart in if they swap back suddenly.
It's obvious at this point that Kokoro and Satoru are swapped. I think we're currently following Kokoro is Satoru's body. Through my actions, she basically made the choice that in Satoru's body, she's fine with handling rats. Rats: NATURE'S FUCKING DISEASE SPREADING MACHINES.
If the two aren't considerate of each other's feelings and opinions about how they treat the other's body, that is CERTAINLY going to effect how this story plays out, right?
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:28:59 GMT
Oh fuck, what if this is like some Shutter Island shit and it turns out there's no real body swapping and Kokoro and Satoru are literally two different personalities? Like, the girl is supposed to suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder, right?
What if Kokoro does too? What if she's currently in the hospital and this is all an elaborate concoction of her own psyche that's keeping her from facing the reality: that she's the real killer or she's nuts too or both?
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:30:02 GMT
^ Only like 66% kidding on that one.
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:31:01 GMT
OH GOD IF IT TURNS OUT KOKORO HAS D.I.D. THAT MAKES THE FORUM FORMAT FOR THIS GAME THE MOST META WAY TO PLAY THIS POSSIBLE!
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:32:16 GMT
We're literally a bunch of dissimilar, separate personalities screaming in her head, making choices for her that she's got to suffer consequence for. (Screaming in her head a bit inaccurate, that's more schizophrenia but you get the point.)
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 5, 2018 3:37:24 GMT
I need to group these posts together so it's not just spammin'. I work best in a stream of conciousness.
So...I think we take the indirect approach. I normally advocate being straightforward in 99% of situations, but the phrasing of "Don't play dumb" is really too hostile for a first encounter. Plus, what if my theory of the girl being BodSwap herself when she committed those crimes is correct? We'd be grilling her about choices she could not have made and now has to suffer for.
We need to treat this situation delicately I think. At least for now. Give em the good cop before the bad cop.
FINAL ANSWER: Ask Indirectly
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Post by madsinzero on Oct 6, 2018 1:46:42 GMT
(In the future, just edit your post with any later additions, to avoid clutter.) The Red Room OST: Thanatos: You were... the one behind the incident at Awazumi... : Umm... right? : Or am I wrong?She looked as if she was lost in thought, but then shook her head gently.: Y, you're lying, right? : I... I know all about it, okay? : The truth is... I did some research... regarding the incident...As if trying to gauge her reaction, I slowly stuttered through that sentence. But Inubushi Keiko just kept looking at me with her mouth shut. She didn't even look the least bit flustered.She threw me a second glance, and in that moment----She turned my way and started walking vigorously towards me... Flinching, my face twitched as I shrank away... In what seemed like a moment, she had my back against the wall. And even then, the girl didn't stop moving. Breaking through my protective wall and ignoring my warning sensors, she entered my personal space.There was nothing more to be done.: Wh, what are you doing?Immediately after I squeezed out those words---- The girl firmly gripped both my shoulders. I tried to scream. I took a deep breath. But before I could let out a sound, the girl covered my lips with her palm. It's all over---- I braced myself and squeezed my eyelids tightly shut.OST: N/A Timidly, I open my eyes.OST: AnxietyHer moist pupils seemed to be eagerly appealing to me for something. Just what is this supposed to mean? ((I don't know, maybe ask a psychology student... no wait.)) I didn't know what was going on, but at least I didn't feel any danger or hostility. My stiff body regained its power to move. At the same time, the girl removed her hand from my lips.: Wh, what...? : What is it... that you want to say...?While giving me a look, which was apparently asking me for something, the girl shook her head back and forth.: Huh? What is it?Even when trying to ask for something, the girl spoke no words. Again, all she does is shake her head...: I won't be able to understand if you keep silent like that. : Say something, anything...The girl pointed to her own throat. While doing so, her other hand is flapping and waving as if fanning the air. A gesture? If that's it, this action probably means...: You... can't speak?In short, she isn't able to speak. However, that wasn't all she wanted to tell me...? After I had deciphered her last thought, the girl had stuck out the palm of her hand toward me. "Wait here" is what this probably meant.: Okay, I get it, but... : Where are you going?She's looking around the kitchen restlessly, in search of something.It was a room I had entered before. After a few moments, the girl jumped out of the doorway. Looking confused, she beckons me over.: Eh? Did something happen?I rushed over to her. Ow, owowowowow... The pain I had forgotten about was most likely coming from my limping knee. Somehow rallying my strength, I managed to reach the open door. The girl went inside, as if calling for me to come with her...Nothing had changed since I'd last been here. After I had glanced around the room, Inubushi Keiko tilted her neck as if to point at something. She had a black felt-tip pen in her right hand and a size A6 memo pad in her left. She had most likely found them somewhere in this room. She pushed the memo pad against the wall, and started to write with the black felt-tip pen. Before she finished writing, I took a peek at the lines she had already scrawled on the page. I could make out the following:: There are lots of things I want to tell you. But before that. Look over there.: Over there?With the tip of the pen, she pointed to the corner of the room.: Hm?There was nothing that felt particularly special about that area. Stretching, she held the pen high. The tip of the pen pointed toward a bed on the other side of the room. Was she trying to say there was someone hiding over there?I went around to the side of the bed facing the window and stopped. It was at that moment---- Something wriggling jumped into my field of vision. Instinctively, I turned my head toward it.OST: N/A ((I'm trying to capture scene titles when I can, but they fade after a bit)) I blurted it out spontaneously. I took a closer look. There was no mistaking it: sitting in front of me was Yuni, the boy I'd been searching for so desperately. Wrapped up in a blanket, Yuni sat crouched in the narrow space between the bed and the wall.: Are you all right?! Are you hurt?!As I knelt down in front of him, I put my hands on his shoulders. What my palms felt was real... He's alive, right here and now. I gave thanks from the bottom of my heart for this blessing. My heart was racing from the joy of our reunion. A feeling of excitement ran through my body, powered by the hot blood charging through my veins. I could no longer hold myself back. My body rushed toward him. I wanted to hold him tightly in my arms. But...: Who...?OST: Delusive Consciousness (Amb.) That one word escaping from his lips stopped me dead in my tracks.: Who are you...? : Wh, what do you mean, Yuni...? It's me! Don't you remember?! : I was sitting right beside you when the plane crashed!My voice was high and shrill with confusion. Yuni's hollow, lifeless eyes were staring off somewhere; they appeared lost, not focused on anything in particular.: Are you mistaking me for someone else...? I... have no idea who you are... : How... But you ARE Kusuda Yuni-kun, right?! : My name... How... how did you...? : Because, you see...((... ... ... staaaare... ...)) I swallowed the words I was going to say, stopping in the middle of my sentence. I suddenly realized something. This situation, this conversation: they were all to similar to those which had taken place a short while ago, in that hospital-like room with that strange, moody woman. I had no idea who she was, but it seemed like she knew something about me. And now, although I clearly remembered Yuni, he didn't seem to have any clue as to who I was. Although the roles were switched, the situation was basically the same. Now that I think about it, that woman's expression changed when I mentioned the name "Kusuda Yuni" And now, the person right in front of me also questioned me as to why I knew HIS name. What the heck is going on? Was it a bad idea for me to admit I knew Yuni, I wonder? I looked at him again. His eyes were pointed somewhere behind me, as if they were staring at something far away. His expression was void of all emotion, like that of a faded and dried-up doll. In my head, I could still remember how he had played so innocently and cheerfully with a doll, a small plush bear... I felt as if I'd just lost something incredibly precious to me.: Well, maybe it's for the best. : For the best...? : What had happened on the plane... I wish I could forget that as well. : Um, just a moment. I don't quite understand what you're trying to say... : ? : I haven't forgotten anything. : From the time I got onto the plane, right up until the crash, everything... I remember everything.It took a while for me to digest his words. In short, what that meant was... Yuni remembered everything about the flight and the crash. However, he had no memory of me...Misunderstanding? I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gotten anything mixed up. I'm very certain I knew Yuni.: May I ask a question?My thoughts were interrupted by his whispering.: The other people... What happened to them...? : You were on that plane was well, weren't you?I was unable to speak. My confusion had left me at a loss for words as it was. Needless to say, his question didn't make things any easier for me. My memory stops at the point just before the crash. I had probably lost consciousness from the immense impact; when I came to, I found myself on the bed in that strange room.: I see...He seemed to have made sense of something simply listening to my silence; his lips trembled as he mumbled something. He went pale, his expression clouding over. From his pupils, large round teardrops started for form and shake haphazardly, sparkling in the light. It looked as if he hadn't lost any of his emotions after all.((Is that your professional, psych student opinion?)) He had just tried to seal them up deep in his heart...: I'm sorry, but if you figure anything out, can you please tell me? : You see, I've been looking for a certain person. A person named Kokoro... : Her family name was... Fuyukawa. I think it was Fuyukawa.My body started trembling nervously... I tried to calm myself down at first, but then realized I had no control over it and simply gave in. So it wasn't just that dark-skinned woman who was acting strange. Even Yuni didn't recognize me as "Fuyukawa Kokoro". To have my whole existence simply denied like that was frightening, to say the least.Yuni asked me in a delicate voice.((Since I'll be saving viewer votes for more meaningful choices, I'll just extrapolate from Matty's posts and try not to rock the boat, so to speak.)) So there was no way for me to come up with a sure-fire comeback. What would it take for him to realize that "I" am Fuyukawa Kokoro? I couldn't quite make out Yuni's expression at the moment.: Well, it's nothing...It took all I had just to mutter that. Yuni tilted his head curiously. His nonchalant gesture made my chest tighten and my heart feel another short, constricting burst of pain. I couldn't endure any more of this. I couldn't stay here anymore. I turned my eyes away from Yuni and spoke.: Well then, I'll be off now, all right? I'm sorry for barging in here so suddenly. : But... I was happy to see you.Leaving him with those words, I stood up.I could see it through the curtains. Darkness raged outside... So the beautifully polished glass had nothing to show but the reflections of the objects inside the room. Of course, the walls, the lighting, and the furniture were not the only things that could be seen there. My own appearance was faintly floating in ti, painted hazily in the darkness.OST: N/A I thought that maybe I was hallucinating. I closed my eyes and opened them again, but what I had first thought was an illusion didn't want to disappear from the slick glass surface. A cold sweat ran across my back. I wanted to scream, but something was stopping me; it felt as if something was stuck inside my throat. Panicking, I hastily tried to reaffirm what I had seen.OST: ThanatosI was wearing clothes I didn't recognize at all. And it wasn't just my clothes that seemed alien to me. The ten brutish fingers, the well-defined blood vessels crisscrossing the back of my hand, the rugged silhouette... I ran my fingers through my hair, only to notice that its length and texture didn't feel like mine at all. Still not grasping the situation, I swallowed had and turned to Yuni, almost crying out.: ...A mirror? : You should have one, shouldn't you?! It should be in your pocket, right?! : H, how did you know...? : Never mind that, just hurry up and give it to me!Still confused, Yuni quickly took out his folding mirror. I quickly snatched it and stared at it intently.Kokoro: Why...Reflected in the mirror was the face of an unfamiliar man.: This isn't me... it isn't me it isn't me it isn't me it isn't me...The inside of my head was spinning, mixed, shaken and blended by the confusion overwhelming me. I need to see my face! My movements, disfigured and distorted, are reflected almost perfectly on the face of the man in the mirror I'm holding.: What... is this...? How... why did this happen...The eyes of the man in the mirror bulged like a lunatic's.((But who's eyes are those eye's?)) OST: Dark GestaltMy nerve endings had gone dull, senses numbing, all my thoughts thrown into the pits of chaos and assaulted by raging doubt and uncertainty. Who is that man...? Am I that man...? If that's me, then where did the 'me' I used to be go...? Who am I...? My mind of my body, which one is the real me? I don't know... I don't know... I don't know... Something has gone horribly wrong. This world wasn't the world I knew anymore. Now that I think about it, ever since I woke up, I'd been feeling a strange, uneasy sense of, for lack of a better word, "incompatibility". Now I finally know the reason why. It felt as if the world was starting to reject me, and slowly, I began to disappear. Overwhelmed by loneliness and neglect, my own existence started to fade. Anxiety took over. Everything that I am was replaced by a gear which made me want to scream out in desperation.: Help... Somebody... help me...I lost consciousness.((And then, through a transition of a flash of light...)) OST: Delusive Consciousness (Amb.) To me, who had lost all sense of time, the dream felt like it lasted forever... or was it just for a moment? There was no light. I couldn't see anything. I could only hear a pleasant, steady pulse. Like an unborn child floating in the amniotic fluid... Wrapped up in a calming and safe warmth... It felt as if all my sins had been forgiven. All the anxiety and horror within me melted and slowly diffused into the amniotic fluid, disappearing without a trace. I let my body go with the flow as I drowned in the ever-present warmth, and lost myself in ecstasy. Here, it felt like I was the only, absolute, and all-powerful existence. I was at the center of the universe. I didn't want to think about anything else anymore. I just wanted to stay like this forever. I didn't care if it was just a dream. Even if it was just a tranquil illusion, it was one which I preferred to that horrible reality. But a dream will never be more than a dream... ...which one must eventually awake from. And without any warning, that moment of awakening came violently. And with that, I think I'll leave it there for now. I got to the point I wanted to get to and all that, I hope y'all enjoy.
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 8, 2018 9:26:37 GMT
Oh that was absolute madness! My heart!
Ok so Kokoro reacted WAY more strongly to this news than I anticipated. Granted, it makes sense. I mean...your reflection doesn't match your memory anymore. In EVERY way possible. I doubt I'd react super nonchalantly too and I'm relatively easygoing.
So I gotta wonder if this Sephirot is related to the Kabbalah concept of Sefirot (it's just an alternate spelling of it's pronunciation after all). I can't imagine the Jewish Mysticism equivalent of the Tree of Life is going to cause a bunch of Japanese teenagers to body swap, but it's a thought I may have to explore if we get more details on this Sephirot!
So very obviously this ends with Kokoro returning to her body. Now, for reasons I know we also follow Satoru when he's in her body, so my initial thought is that we're going to go a bit back in the timeline next update to see how things played out on his end during Kokoro's misadventures in the weird "hospital like" room.
Speaking of, that entire exchange with Yuni was breaking my heart! Poor kid looked so lost and afraid, and Kokoro has to see that and be entirely unable to help because he literally CANNOT see her as her right now. How can he be expected to with no concept of what's going on with her and Satoru? Poor kid's got some dude coming up to him and interrogating him like they're old friends before seemingly having a mental breakdown and fainting! He's gotta be startled as hell right now. Now I'm very curious to find out something: he survived. How TF did they survive that crash? Moreover, is he experiencing any difficulties because of it? What if he's having body swap adventures of his own right now? I mean, would he even talk about it if he was? I wouldn't, people would think I'm nuts! So we need to carefully evaluate his behavior over the next few chapters/updates especially, see if he's having his moments too.
Another thing I'm keen to find out is if there's any "bleeding" effect between their memories in each other's bodies. Like, will Kokoro eventually adopt traits more like Satoru's because of either A) experiencing life as him could have lasting effects or B) could it be possible that his brain retains the memories so when they trade back, he'll have access to them if he tries to remember? Like basically, Kokoro in his body creates memories in his physical brain hardware. Now, that's unlikely, but then again, the science behind memory is not very well understood. Like, we know our brains store memories almost as data on a hard drive-certain neurons and synapses fire in HIGHLY specific and details ways to evoke the feeling of images or the memory of emotions (often both to paint a more believable picture in our heads) but the real how, why, and when is not very well mapped yet. We have ideas and conceptualizations, absolutely, but it's big part of mapping the brain and understanding neurochemsitry IRL right now. Will this game play with the concept of the brain as physical storage for memory which can be accessed by whatever consciousness is on it?
I highly doubt it, but could you imagine???
I kind of hope that, despite how much I wanna know what Satoru is up to in Kokoro's body, that we follow K's consciousness in the next update. I'm most excited to see how she in particular handles the switch back, after her initial switch out. It's going to tell us a lot about her character right now, and if this story goes where I'm really hoping, it'll serve as a great point from which we can compare her development and acceptance of her situation later~!
This game is cool AF. This is a weird puzzle that I'm increasingly excited to see more pieces and complexity added too!
[edit: addition @ 3:30am]
Something else I'm very curious about is if we'll see any kind of concept of gender dysphoria in this. Like, when K is in S's body and vice versa, their consciousness doesn't match their physical being. How is that going to effect their mental states going forward? Will they adapt, or will it wear on them? Maybe both? Will this change force them to confront their own stereotypes and preconceptions about masculinity and femininity and perhaps a small detail of their character arc is to maybe learn to accept or understand aspects of themselves that perhaps they identified as bad because of their common association with being traits the opposite sex? I would doubt if it's a thing that it's played for more than a few laughs for a while or for minor character interaction and/or growth, but it's something I think about. I mean, being forced against your will to live in a body that so thoroughly-and in a way that literally cannot be ignored-does not match your self image is something that I can't imagine as being anything short of mental taxing. It'd be a cool chance to see some character growth in addition to playing with the trope of the "Freaky Friday" swap.
Lastly I just can't help but wonder how dark this game is going to get? Like, it's been rather INTENSE in places so far, but I'm curious as to how bleak that intensity could become. I hope not TOO bleak honestly. Those stories are...important, but hard. I will read it either way, but one will be much easier to write quickly about.
TOO PUMPED AGHHHHHHHHHHH!
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Post by madsinzero on Oct 9, 2018 3:21:47 GMT
While I won't say too much of the plot, this is probably the darkest game in the Infinity series, in my opinion. Anima's Location OST: N/A Without enough time to give even a baby's first cry-- I was born into a new world.Kokoro: Where... is this?In front of me was a small, square glass window. The open palm of my right hand was pressed tight against the glass. I lowered my palm from the window. A palm print remained clearly viable on its cloudy white surface. I wiped it off with my sleeve, and a familiar image appeared.: It's... me...I felt dazed; my head was cloudy. However, I could clearly understand that the image reflected in that windowpane was my own. The same face I've had for twenty years now. There's no way I could be mistaken. As soon as I realized that, the haze in my head immediately disappeared. I looked down, checked my clothes, looked at my palms, and stared at the backs of my hands for a few moments. The fingers of both my hands traced the contours of my face, felt the texture of my skin, and ran through my hair, checking its length on their way down. It sprang up and down.I stretch my arms out as wide as I can. I take a series of deep breaths, and start speaking out loud.OST: AnimaEven though it was just a dream, I somehow felt really happy to be back in my own body again. I cast another glance at my reflection, then turned my head.OST: N/A OST: Chaining BetaBefore me were the figures of an unfamiliar man and woman. The words I had blurted in surprise hung in the silent air. I suddenly felt very awkward, and gave a slight shrug. The source of the awkwardness was the words that had come out of my mouth earlier. I didn't stop to think that I might not be the only person in the room.Mumbling these meaningless words, I tried fruitlessly to relieve the tension of that moment, while at the same time attempting to analyze the situation I found myself in. First of all, where am I? As I took a look around, I could see that everything, including the roof, the floor, and the walls, was made of wood. From where I stood, I could see a double bunk bed to the right, and a doorway to the left. Near the wall across the room stood a wooden table, along with a few simple chairs made from chopped logs. By the wall beside me was a rustic stove made out of old oil barrels.Cumulus clouds of white steam rose from the tin kettle placed upon the stove. Considering how large the double bunk bed was, the floor of the room would probably fit twelve tatami mats.((Ah yes, Japan's unit of measure. The Tatami Mat.)) It may have actually been one tatami larger, but the window embedded in the wall was so tiny, it made the room feel rather cramped. (A mountain hut...?) I couldn't think of any other possibilities. I looked out the window to make sure.It wasn't that I couldn't see anything. Snow. My eyes were searching the scenery for more clues, but all they could see was the powdery snow dancing violently in the frozen darkness like pampas grass in the wind. Chrystals of ice decorated the edges of the window. These scant clues didn't give me any idea of where we were, but this was definitely no southern island paradise. Then it hit me. The cold... And it wasn't just your average cold. My body was freezing to its core, enough to make me want to hug the barrel stove beside me.The man looked worried as he watched over me.: You all right?"I'm all right" ... wasn't something I could honestly say. Being suddenly seized by this freezing cold, with two completely unfamiliar people in front of me... Just who were these people?His short-trimmed hair had casually fallen into disorder. There was a sparse amount of stubble growing around his mouth and chin, and his prominent cheekbones gave him a dauntless appearance. His body was in good shape. His figure was trim. That being said, by no means was he thin.If anyone asked me, I'd have to say that he had an extremely manly, strong body. In contrast to this air of strength that his body gave off, his eyes seemed to be doing a poor job of hiding his overwhelming sadness. The woman...Wrapped up in many layers of blankets like an empress in her robes, her hands grasped a steel cup. Her eyes were not on me, but staring aimlessly at the contents of the cup. However, it didn't seem as if she was avoiding eye contact intentionally. Her movements were covered by the blankets, so I couldn't tell what she was wearing underneath. I could only see her dark-brown high heels. The shoes weren't well suited for a place like this. And her shoes weren't all that looked out of place.Would it be an exaggeration to say she was from high society? Surrounded by the drum stove, the tin kettle, and the assorted timber, her appearance was particularly conspicuous.Of course, that was just my estimate; they could have been younger. Anyway, I thought it was clear that both of them were older than me.((This choice doesn't matter much, but I'm curious to see the path I usually don't take, so...)) : Um... excuse me...No response came from her. She didn't even try to look at me. Remaining silent, she brought the cup to her lips. The steel cup, wrapped in her two hands, was rattling and shaking; it must have been from the cold.: Excuse me, are you listening?I tried one more time, but yet again no response. It seemed that I was being ignored. I turned my face to the man and decided to ask a question. His hands were placed deem in the back pockets of his trousers, his head slightly bowed.((I can't think of a snarky remark to put here right now. Still, the question of where we are (a cabin), seems fairly established, so...)) : Hey hey, have you forgotten about me already?He folded his arms, appearing frustrated.: Didn't I tell you my name just now?Just now? What did he mean? I waited for him to continue.: Are you sure you're feeling okay? : What... do you mean? : No, uh... how should I say this...? : What I'm about to say may be a bit rude... But you...: You're acting kind of strange. : ...eh?: A while ago, you were saying all kinds of weird things. : All of a sudden, you started spouting nonsense, acting violently, screaming, and pausing for a long time while speaking... : And now you're all gentle and everything... : Well, with the shock from what happened, it wouldn't be surprising if you'd suffered a decent am ount of mental damage, but... : A shock? : Yeah. From the airplane crash.--Crash. Did I already forget what had happened up until now? Reality and dreams were completely mixed up in my head as I tried to make sense of things. So that means the building and the people I saw must have been all part of a dream. Then, the crash... what happened to the other passengers. Was Yuni saved? Although I couldn't be sure and felt a tinge of uneasiness, for some reason, I wasn't really all that worried. Though I was still in a rather strange state of mind, I was definitely much calmer than the me in that dream. There was a mysterious feeling of confidence in me. A feeling that Yuni was definitely alive somewhere...: You don't remember the crash, do you? : No, I don't think it's that. I remember it. Everything.I replied immediately. Surprised, he tilted his head.: You do remember? Really? : Yes. : But earlier, you... : : ...Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, have a seat. : Do you want me to get you something warm to drink? : You were unconscious for a long time; your throat is probably dry.I passed behind the woman who was wrapped up in the blankets and sat down at the table with my back to the wall.: What did I mean about what?The man stood near the stove.: You said that I was acting oddly, didn't you? : Yeah, I said that. It's the truth after all. : That's not quite what I mean. : I'd like to know if there was any reason for it.: I can try to explain... But first of all, drink up!He placed the cup in front of me. I took a look inside the cup, and saw a reddish-orange liquid swaying lazily within.: What is this? : It's chamomile tea. I found it down in the storeroom, though, so I can't guarantee it'll be fresh.He glanced briefly at a corner of the room. There was an open rectangular latch.There was a ladder there. I couldn't see the inside from here, but that was most likely the "storeroom" right below us.: I see. So in other words, it'll calm me down? : Well, something like that.I wasn't particularly agitated or excited at anything. But it was true that my throat was dry, so there was no reason to refuse the offer. Just has he had suggested, I brought the cup to my lips.: Hothothot! But... It's kind of good.A refreshingly gentle aroma similar to that of green apple tickles my nose. The hot liquid made its way down my throat, gently warming me to the core of my body. "I'm alive again!" ...would be the expression that described the way I felt best.: Hm? : That smile of yours. It's the first time I've seen you smile.Now that he mentioned it, my face did feel like it was smiling. It was a little embarrassing. The steam coming from the cup slipped into my nose as I started talking.: I'm sorry, but can I ask you one more question? : Your name... You said you had just told me a while ago, but...His mouth was open, and he was laughing. Just what is so funny, exactly? I didn't quite understand why he was laughing, but I didn't really mind it, as his laugh didn't seem the least bit ill-intentioned.: I guess it's no surprise, all things considered. : It's actually pretty amazing that we're having somewhat of a normal conversation like this.From his jacket pocket, he took out a creased and crumpled pack of cigarettes, along with a silver lighter. He tapped a cigarette out of the pack and placed it in his mouth:After the crisp metallic sound faded, a red flame softly flickered into being. Carrying the flame close to the tip of the cigarette...((It's hard to catch on image, but this game shows characters foggy breath when they're in the cold, or in this guy's case, smoking.)) : Fuuu.He exhaled a puff of purple smoke.((Yomogi, the Old Wise Man as per the game's OP)) : Nice to meet you.I gladly shook it. His palm was so thick and rugged, it was as if he was made of rock. And then--OST: N/A ((While I technically could, I don't feel like digging through the game's files for the noise that's heard here. I did however, catch Yomogi's blinking animation.)) Acting on instinct, I pulled my hand back defensively.: Heeey, what happened~? Are you all right~?The man who had introduced himself as Yomogi shouted into the corner of the room. There in the corner was the square hole I had seen just a few moments ago.??: My hand just slipped a little, that's all~!A voice could be heard coming from inside the hole. A familiar voice. --It couldn't be! I shot up from my seat.: What's the matter? Are you having another one of your episodes?I didn't have any time to answer. Before I could even think, my body had sprung into action. Clinging to the ladder, I glided down along it and descended to the basement.OST: Dreamy Lens (Piano)He looked at me vacantly. Dozens of logs for the stove were scattered at his feet.: What's wrong?He asked with a surprisingly calm face. I slowly moved towards him.Standing stiff as a rod, he looked up at me.: Kokoron... : Are you Kokoron...?His pupils widened as he blinked, muttering those words.: Yuni... : You... remembered me? : Of course I do! There's no way I could forget!Filled with joy, I embraced him tightly without a second thought...: : They might break like this.Saying that, Yuni slowly removed his glasses.: Kokoronnn!Suddenly, with a voice as lovely as a girl's, he leaped into my arms.((D'aww)) : I missed you so much! Kokoro~n!Yuni aimlessly groped at my back. He rubbed his face against me, snuffling like a spoiled child. I cradled him closely in return. With all the strength in my arms, I squeezed him tighter and tighter. This is the second time I've been reunited with this boy... But unlike the Yuni from my dream, this one wasn't cold-hearted at all. Yuni had recognized me as myself. He greeted me as myself, and confirmed me as myself. Just that was enough to make me feel very happy.: What is it? : That you... for saving me. : Aww, you don't have to thank me. I didn't do anything at all.Yes, I couldn't do anything at that time. I had only fastened his seatbelt and taken his hand in mine. If there was anyone to thank for our rescue, it could only be God. Rather than fate, it seemed more appropriate to call this a miracle from God.: But still, thank you.I clung to Yuni's body as though I'd never let him go. I put his head under my nose and filled my lungs with his scent. We're alive... The smell of his hair, the burning warmth of his skin.Over and over again, I repeated it in my mind. I trembled in joy as I stood witness to this miracle. After a while, I realized that my cheeks were wet. The small drops clinging to my lips were warmer than the chamomile tea I had just drunk.OST: N/A Right then, my mind was completely void of the memories from my strange dream, with its grotesque script and frighteningly detailed scenery. But still, there was one thing still bothering me.
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Post by mattyboy on Oct 15, 2018 3:44:03 GMT
Ok, real talk, I haven't read a TON of VNs, but that scene of him taking his glasses off casually before jumping into her arms and clinging like she was a life raft? Holy hell that was powerful. I wear glasses so I related to his fear of breaking them in his enthusiasm (I've knocked my own glasses off from hype many times) and wow just...that was really cute and such a nice little moment after all this heaviness.
So yeah, I still hold my theory of their consciousnesses switching not only across space, but time as possible. The things Kali was saying to K in S's body still make me feel as if those events take place later. That's backed up by the idea that Yuni is looking for Kokoro in the Satoru Scene from before, despite literally having this moment with her. So it's possible they were separated.
Another theory arises from this though: What if Yuni was somehow copied? Like, I know this makes VERY little sense for the data we have right now, but is it possible that Yuni exists in both places at once? Perhaps his "Anima" and "Animus" were split somehow? I mean, this Yuni in this most recent post is much more animated and lovely than the other Yuni. That VERY well could be that that version of Yuni was surrounded by strangers and therefore was just a bit on the quieter or more reserved side.
Part of what I believe to be backing this theory up is honestly entirely semantic, but Kokoro mentions that Yuni cried out for her, "...with a voice as lovely as a girl's..." and that phrasing is awkward enough to my ears to potentially count as an instance of foreshadowing. So this Yuni with K-Prime (Kokoro in her own body) could be the Anima, or Jungian Psychology's explanation for the "feminine side" that exists within men. It's a shaky connection, but the possibility exists.
On the whole though...wow I just needed that. Something cuter and happier to balance out the absolute heartache from the previous mental breakdown scene. Also I'm a huge softie and a giant sucker for sappy cuteness! >///<
Moving forward, I actually need to rely on our OP here to make the right call. If "What Yuni had said bothered me." is meant like the conversation from the previous post with K-Two (Kokoro in Satoru's body), then we avoid that. Yuni probably can't remember that conversation as...he likely, but not certainly, wasn't there for it.
So if "What Yuni had said bothered me." pertains to the part about Kokoro saving him, we ask that. If it's otherwise, we ask why he's here.
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Post by Lord_EAA on Oct 28, 2018 19:00:39 GMT
Hey madsinzero, I am Lord (Thought you probably remember me from Werewolf, we never actually introduced ourselves.), pleasure to meet you. I have to say I find this to be really cool, I have never seen this kind of format done in the community before and it seems to have worked out well, I'll do my best to support it. So, what can I do to join/help out?
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Post by madsinzero on Dec 18, 2018 2:32:57 GMT
Hello everyone!
I apologize for the delay in any posts at all, I think I burnt myself out on this game by trying to update too frequently. But now, I'm starting to feel the urge to play this again come back, and I'll start working on updates again! Just... at a more controlled pace. I'm (as you can probably tell) very new to the idea of a screen shot LP, so I'm really working out the kinks in how I'm doing this as I go.
As for how to interact, on choices I think are important enough to leave to y'all, simply reply to the thread on what choice you wish to pick. It's pretty simple.
Anyhow, I'm going to start working on the next update soon, this is more so just an update to... well, basically give myself some motivation for the next update. I hope y'all'll enjoy it!
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Post by madsinzero on Dec 19, 2018 2:48:40 GMT
The Animus Within the Anima OST: N/A It bothered me, but, well, it felt rather trifling and insignificant. He was safe. That was all that mattered now. With the end of the long hug nowhere in sight, the small doubt that had sprouted in the corner of my mind slowly faded away. I forgot everything, becoming intoxicated with his warmth, as I continued to soak in the happiness of our reunion.When I use a pen, chopsticks, or scissors, I always hold them in my left hand. That's why I wear my watch on my non-dominant right wrist. That's because if I wore it on my left wrist, it would interfere with a variety of things. Of course, it's on my right wrist even now.The analog dial indicated that it was 9:37.((I can't show this easily, but there's a howling wind in the background.)) Other than that, besides the lid of the kettle rattling, not a sound could be heard. Not a single person opened their mouth. The heavy silence persisted.OST: CommunicationThe chamomile tea had truly warmed my body and calmed my heart. I'd also gotten used to the feeling of sitting on hard wooden logs. I put my back up against the wall and observed the others.His face showed boredom, but even like this he was far more energetic than the Yuni from my dream.Smoke was slowly rising from the cigarette he held leisurely between his middle and index finger.She flicked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. There was a lovely elegance to her actions which, even though I was a woman, drew my eyes with its coquettish charm. Even after being thrown here in such a disordered state, she still took great care in keeping herself proper, from the angle of her fingers to the tilt of her neck.There was also one thing that all four of us had in common, and that was that we were all unhurt. Of course, we could probably easily find one or two scratches or bruises on our bodies. However, no one had any serious injuries; our bones were fine, and all our insides seemed to be in place. It's not like I asked anyone directly, but that much was obvious from just observing the people around me. I don't remember a single thing about the crash. But I do know that the shock from it had to be tremendous. Yet here we are, alive and well. As I thought about it all, I couldn't help but think of the word "miracle" as well. Miracle...Only the light of the lantern served to illuminate the hopeless air around us. The flame within it wavered, causing the shadows in the room to dance and sway along with it. Somehow it was a very... illusory scene... Enchanted by the dubious flicker of the flame, I began to lose sight of the boundary between reality and fantasy. If this silence continued, I felt like I would once again be consumed by that bizzare dream world. Anyway, it doesn't matter what it is, so somebody, say something.((This choice doesn't affect much of anything, but hey, everyone loves Yuni right?)) ((And now, the least tactful way to talk to a child about death:)) : Yes? : The four of us are the only ones here, right? : Um, yeah, I guess... : Then, um, the other passengers...The room has become shrouded in silence once again. Yuni looked down for a second, then back up again, opening his mouth.: You see... That's... : I'll take if from there.: That's right...Yomogi takes a puff on his cigarette...((Fun Idea: Play a scare chord when Yomogi says Yukidoh-san. Continue to take drinks for Fuyukawa Kokoro)) OST: N/A ((That's surprisingly close to a scare chord, dang)) OST: CueDid I hear him wrong? An unfamiliar name suddenly entered my ears.He took a square box from the shelf beside the bed.: You want some more tea? This might take a while.He prepared the chamomile tea while holding his cigarette between his lips. He poured us some tea. He put out his cigarette in the ashtray sitting on the table, and then sat down in front of me.: How far back can you remember, Yukidoh-san? : I'm pretty sure I can recall you saying "I remember everything about the crash"...Again... Again he uses a name I've never heard before.: What's wrong? Why are you frowning like that?I straightened my posture and began to talk, looking intently at him.: Before we get into that, can I ask you something? : What is it? : Who's this... Yukidoh?: Your name.I was astonished. Sighing deeply, I could feel myself starting to shake. Why...? Whey were things like this happening one after another...? I can't exactly say why I was angry, but there was no way I was just going to bite my tongue. I raised my voice in protest.((*takes another Fuyukawa Kokoro shot*)) Really, I wonder how many times I would have to repeat myself like this. I'm tired of it already. Although, the other times I said that phrase had been "inside the dream".: ...Eh? Fuyukawa Kokoro? : That's right! Fuyukawa Kokoro! : Should I show you my student ID card? Or would my driver's licence please you better? : For that matter, how about we go down to the local ward office right now so you can see an official copy of my family registry?: It seems I've somehow made you angry... : But, originally, the one who brought up the name "Yukidoh" was you, so...Yomogi hesitated to speak. His gaze wavered around the room as he rubbed the stubble on his chin.: Well, whatever. : It's probably true, if you say so. : Not "probably", it IS true! : Fine, fine, I got it already.OST: N/A : Yes!I clearly asserted. And then...((Oooh boy, this is my fave theme in the game I think. I love this music)) OST: PersonaWoman: Just wait a second...The woman who had persistently preserved her silence until now finally opens her mouth.She slams both her hands on the table. Bending forward, she brings her face up to mine. Her entire body gives off a ghastly aura, filling me with dread.: "My name is Fuyukawa Kokoro~"?! : Then why did you say it was Yukidoh before?I don't know what she's angry about, but the dreadful expression on her face leaves me unable to reply.: Answer me! You, just what are you plotting?!"Plotting"... now this was a word I remember hearing... Somehow it feels almost like a reenactment of my dream. Saying "I'm Fuyukawa Kokoro", and having somebody get angry because of that, it did rather resemble the dream. Then, was that dream supposed to be some kind of premonition?: Hey? You listening? I'm talking to you... : I, I'm listening, really. : Pff, your attitude sure has changed from before, hasn't it?Before, before, before... When they say "before", just what do these people mean...((Here's a nice shot of the breath fogging effect when people talk)) : Why did you say something so stupid? : Something so stupid...?: Obviously, when you were trying to trick us by saying you were Yukidoh Satoru! : J, just who is that person? : Stop it with the lousy act already!Act, act, act... Even though I'm not acting...: You're scaring Fuyukawa-san.((Let me guess, she's Fuyukawa Kokoro too! ...not really)) : Mayazumi? You just called me Mayazumi, didn't you? : Stop addressing me as if I were your pal! Just who do you think you are?! : Well then, what should I call you? Lin-chan... maybe? : You making fun of me, you unshaven old bastard?!: Then what's the thing you hate the second most? : People I don't know calling me by my last name with no honorifics at all! : Then what would number three be? : Number three is... let's see... Being called by the wrong name, maybe. Like being called Suzu instead of Lin, or being called Kaoru instead of Mayuzumi... : Now that you mention it, one time I got a direct mail addressed to someone named "Tonbi," written the same as "black kite"!((Kanji man... how do they work...)) : Why did it arrive at my house?! I wish people wouldn't suddenly decide that I'm some bird of prey! : Fwaha, did you hear that? Tonbi, she said... It'd sure suit you to be reborn as a falcon, wouldn't it?: Whoa, what's wrong with you...? I was just joking around. : What?! Got a problem?!OST: N/A : ...... : ...... : ...... : Haa~a, this is why grannies are trouble.Yuni had probably gotten angry, as he deliberately muttered the phrase at a volume just loud enough for it to be heard.OST: Persona: I called you a granny because you are a granny, you senile old hag! : Y, you bastard... : Look, you've got crows' feet all around your eyes, don't you? Tobilin-chan~((By this, he means wrinkles in the shape of a crow's foot. There's probably a joke about 999's Lotus to be made here, I can't think of one though. Anyway, back to Mayuzumi throwing hands at an 11 year old.)) : You damn brat~! You wanna go?! Huh? Do you?! : As if! Who'd wanna start a fight with an old lady like you?! : A, ah, now you've done it...((I love Yomogi's face here... he's not amused...)) ((Yomogi: Hell, of all the people to be trapped on a mountain with...)) : You've got it! You four-eyed sea anemone!Yomogi, sick of watching their back-and-forth, decided to interfere and pushed the two apart.: You haven't forgotten where we are, have you? What're you gonna do if you waste all your strength on a pointless squabble like this?: No buts. If you carry on with this nonsense, you'll be sleeping in the storeroom. Are we clear?Yomogi lectured them in a surprisingly dignified tone. The two exchanged sharp glares, but restrained themselves from taking any further actions. Even those two couldn't do anything with Yomogi standing like a mountain between them.OST: CueYomogi sighed as he placed his hand on his hip. Before we knew it, we had lost track of our conversation, and the target of the woman's anger had completely changed. I was certainly glad to have gotten out of further questioning, but... Anyway, I was able to at least establish the woman's name. Mayuzumi Lin---- Like a cat about to flee after a fight, she opened her mouth to let out a last parting complaint. Her personality was almost the complete opposite of what I had imagined it would be based on her mature looks and graceful bearing...The woman had a rude, harsh, and uninhibited personality.It's about Yukidoh Satoru. Why was I mistaken for this Yukidoh person, whom I've never met before and know nothing about? First of all, just who is Yukidoh Satoru? That, and the words both Yomogi and Mayuzumi had said bother me.: A while ago, you were saying all kinds of weird things. : Then why did you say it was Yukidoh before? : Didn't I tell you my name just now?((Certainly a riddle for the ages)) "Before"... Replaying it all in my head, I finally arrived at an answer. Based on what they had said, only one conclusion could be reached...((It was a short riddle for the ages)) No, something like that just wasn't possible!! I denied my own thoughts immediately. It was something that I couldn't believe, that I didn't want to believe. The conclusion I had reached was simply too unreal to accept. That's why I turned away from it. I didn't want to think about it any further. I am me----Fuyukawa Kokoro. I'm no one else but me.A large heap of blankets in hand, Mayuzumi climbed up onto the top bunk. Now there was a woman lying with her back toward us in more ways than one... The kind of person that would stay in bed just to show everyone how much she detested their company. I wasn't sure if she was really sleeping or not. She may have just had her eyes closed. In any case, without so much as a "sorry" or a "good night," this woman shut herself away in her own little world. Naturally, there wasn't anyone who bothered to ask her what she was up to. To tell the truth, I myself was a little relieved that the troublesome one had decided to settle down.No choice this update! It's in the middle of an early-game exposition chunk.
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Post by madsinzero on Dec 23, 2018 23:18:45 GMT
The Inescapable Reality OST: CueAs if prudently choosing his timing, Yomogi quietly opened his mouth.: There's something I'd like to say before I begin. Please, don't lose heart. : There's still hope.He carefully chose his words, as he continued solemnly.OST: N/A : That was the name of the small passenger aircraft we boarded. : The plane was carrying a total of 31 passengers and crew members on a non-stop journey to Wakkanai, one of a chain of islands in the north of Japan. : If flight conditions were favorable, we should have arrived at the airport at 5 PM. : But...OST: Fear and Insanity((The snow effects in this game look great)) : What I found was a section of the airframe, severed at the front and back. :The outer wall burned black... unshapely exposed framework... : It resembled the decaying corpse of a monster. :Pulling Mayuzumi by the hand and carrying you over my shoulder, I entered the carcass seeking refuge.: I found a flashlight near the flight attendant's seat. : I turned it on and a streak of light pierced the darkness.((If you can't tell through all the fog effects, the background right now is a mountain)) : I used the gathered luggage and blankets and such to stuff up the gaping holes in the airframe. : The day had come to an end, and the temperature started falling. : It felt like it'd soon get so cold that your breath would freeze instantly... : I had lost all feeling in my fingers, yet I continued working silently. However... : As I was covering up one of the holes, I noticed something. : Mayuzumi was gone...OST: Fear and Insanity: Our path was hindered by the now hip-deep snow. : It had become virtually impossible to take another step forward. : And when we stood still, the snow blowing up at us from the ground was mercilessly robbing us of our body heat. : My limbs had become completely numb. My fingertips, if I could feel them, would probably feel like pieces of thick, solid wire. : We pushed on and on, but the surrounding landscape didn't show any signs of change.OST: Delusive Consciousness (Amb.): So this is it...: It's too late... too late...: Now... I can finally join you...: Junichi! Junichi, is that you...?((For anyone not in the know, words like "dad" or "mum" can be used generically in Japanese. It wouldn't be out of place to call an old lady you don't know "grandma" for example.)) OST: N/A ((We're seeing Yomogi's inner thoughts by this point, interesting)) It was the boy I happened to catch a glimpse of on the plane.: Follow me!Saying this, the boy started walking. I gave my head a good shake, which somehow brought my straying consciousness back into focus. The boy wasn't my son. That's how I was sure it wasn't just my delusion or some mysterious phantom, but a definite, real entity with a solid shape and form.: The mountain cabin is right over there! Hurry up!I once again lifted Mayuzumi onto my shoulders. With the boy in front of me as a guide, I started walking forward. And then----: Three hours after the crash, we had finally reached this mountain cabin. : It goes without saying that the boy who guided us here was 'Yuni'.((Of note, Yuni and Junichi both have names that allude to "one")) : If Yuni hand't come then, right about now Mayuzumi and I would probably be peacefully enjoying our final sleep under that snow. : You could certainly say that Yuni was our savior.OST: Chaining β: Did you get all that?With those words, Yomogi tried to finish off his long speech. But...: W, wait a second! : Hm? : What about me?! What happened to me after you left me there?Wanting to tie up all the loose ends, I asked him again. Yomogi smiled ever so slightly.: Of course, we went back for you. Yuni gave me a hand as well. : We brought you back here from the shorn-open airframe. : Honestly speaking, it wasn't easy. : I may seem energetic now, but back then, I was on the verge of collapsing myself. : But then, how did you find the hull? You said you got lost, didn't you?: Yuni did?Behind Yomogi, Yuni was sitting in the spot where Mayuzumi had been camped out until shortly before. As his back is to me, I can't see his face. I don't know whether or not he'd been listening to our conversation earlier.: He had a compass on him. : A compass? As in the magnet that you use to tell direction? : Yeah. : Yuni, who'd been thrown out of the plane, had immediately started walking in a straight line away from the crash site using his compass. : I think it was sound judgement, all things considered. : Seeing as how there was no place that would have sheltered him from the wind. : And it wasn't a situation where help would arrive if he stayed still and waited.: Of course, he didn't just wander around. : Properly confirming the position of his destination and the number of steps, he started walking in the snowstorm. : If he found nothing in the direction he was heading, he could simply go back to where he started.: His judgement isn't like that of an eleven-year-old's at all. : Yuni showed admirable composure, even more than that of a seasoned mountaineer like me.A weird feeling of... suspicion, perhaps, started welling up inside me. I found myself unable to blindly admire Yuni's efforts. Things like Yuni conveniently having a compass, and not losing his cool after the shock of the crash... If you put it all together, you couldn't help but think there was something unusual going on.: What's important is that he remembered the direction that he had walked in, along with the number of steps he took to arrive here. : And that's why we... : You were able to find the crash site where I'd been left behind... is that it? : Is something bothering you? : No, not really...I said that, but in reality, innumerable things were still bothering me. In today's conversation, nobody had mentioned even once how Yuni had managed to find Yomogi and Mayuzumi. Moreover, even if it was possible for Yuni to return to his own starting point, that didn't necessarily mean that I was easy to find again amongst the snow.It felt like the work of some invisible power. Like we might have been led to this cabin inevitably. An invisible power... What it could be, I have no idea...: I see...I murmured as I brought the cup closer to my lips. The chamomile tea inside had become cold by now.: Ah, that's right. : I forgot to say something important, didn't I?Once it hit me, I lowered my head. Wiping my lips and correcting my posture, I spoke.: Thank you. : ...Eh? : I'm showing my gratitude. Thank you very much for saving me! : Hey, cut it out; I'm no good with heartfelt thanks and stuff. : Besides, if you want to express your gratitude, shouldn't it be to him?Yomogi stuck out his thumb and pointed it toward Yuni, who was sitting behind him. I stood up and went closer to Yuni.The way he held his head made it difficult for me to see his face. I squatted down beside him and spoke.: Yuni... : ... : Yuni...? : ...Yuni didn't reply. Leaning down, I lightly shook him by the shoulder. I took a peek at his face. Crouched in place, Yuni was breathing evenly in his sleep.: Thank you, Yuni.I said it in a soft voice. In reality, I felt like I wanted to hug him from behind and roll around with him on the floor. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude, one that could not be conveyed by thousands, or even tens of thousands of words. That we're alive right now is all thanks to them. Yuni, and Yomogi...I placed several blankets on top of him, and then a few more for good measure. Yuni tossed a bit in his sleep as he mumbled something. I quietly removed his glasses.OST: N/A OST: AnimaThe emotions welling up inside me, seeking an outlet, are driving me to walk around in circles. This is a passionate feeling of gratitude, and I need to convey it to someone, somehow.Well, of course...: Guwaaa!((I believe the correct response to this development is "giggidy")) : Hey! Come on! What's gotten into you?! : Stop it, Fuyukawa! Stop it! Stop, please! C'mon, stop! : I won't stop~, I won't stop~ : Just what are you trying to do? What got into you? What? What is the meaning of this?! : There is no meaning~! I'm just expressing my feelings~! : Expressing your feelings?! : Hey now, don't you be hasty, Fuyukawa! We're not in that kind of relationship yet, you know! : Even tough guys like me can't take this kind of wear and tear! : Oh, cut it out~! Roll, roll... roll, roll... : Hug, hug... hug, hug...!((I'll be honest, Kokoro's VA is adorable in this scene.)) My "expression of my feelings" continued for a while afterward.((As someone on the autism spectrum, this scene title has always been really odd to me... I think it's more so to do with the Japanese term for autism, which if I'm remembering correctly is something to do with social withdrawal?)) : Have you calmed down? : Yes...After my outburst ended, I felt embarrassed right away. It was a little awkward. Yomogi stared at the wall, seemingly half shy and half shocked. Inside the cabin, the silence continued. I drank the last of the chamomile teal, and found myself with nothing else to do.Perhaps he was the type to hold a grudge.: That's not it! This is a very awkward stopping point, I know. But I checked how far away the next meaningful choice was, and it’ll take a while. As such, I think I’ll post this now. TIPs
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