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 Time Hollow is a point-and-click adventure game for the Nintendo DS. It features time-travel and clock-based naming, and from the little I remember of it, manages to stay at least reasonably consistent with itself. Oddly, I also recall the opening for it being in a Dance Dance Revolution game at one point. The writer for this game, Junko Kawano, was also the writer for the PS2 game Shadow of Destiny, which was also about time-travelling. Box Description posted:Alter the Past to Save the Present Style: I'll be using mostly screenshots, interspersed at some points with commentary. There will be some videos, but these'll be limited to things that are also videos in-game. Spoiler-tag actual spoilers, but feel free to leave speculation untagged. Table of Contents Prologue Update 1: An End to the Ordinary Update 2: Welcome to the New Age Chapter 1: The Day That Vanished Update 3: Gone in a Flash Update 4: Where are you, Ashley? Why can't I find you? ... Update 5: ...Why have you gone away? Update 6: Cookie Counter Chapter 2: The Day That Changed Update 7: Dropped Off Update 8: Unexpected Consequences Update 9: Memory Check Update 10: Foreshadowing Chapter 3: The Day of Memories Update 11: And Now for Something Completely Different Update 12: I wonder if this is the place that started it all Update 13: Weapon Disposal Update 14: Telling Secrets Update 15: Bargaining Update 16: A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings... Chapter 4: The Day Far Away Update 17: The Unseen Update 18: Talking Backwards Update 19: A Different Perspective Update 20: Origins Update 21: Looting the Body Update 22: Birth of the Maid Cafe Chapter 5: The Day of Resolution Update 23: Let's Do The Time Warp Again Update 24: Only you can prevent vacant lot fires Update 25: Dammit, Not Again Update 26: Cornered Update 27: Taking Back What Was Mine Update 28: The Goal Approaches Update 29: Out of Time Chapter 6: The Final Day Update 30: His Father's Son Update 31: Not-e Again Update 32: Right All Along Update 33: They're an Item Epilogue: A New Day Dawns Update 34: Back to the Past Bonus Chapters Update 35: Morphogenetic Sorrow Update 36: You've Been Carded Update 37: Rocks Fall, People Die Update 38: Unseen Peril Characters Cyouni fucked around with this message at 08:07 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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May 22, 2016 00:49
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Characters Ethan Kairos  A relatively normal high-school student with an odd fetish for watches. He's a sophomore at Kako High. His last name comes from the Greek god Kairos (also Caerus/Kaerus), the god of the "fleeting moment" and the personification of opportunity, luck and favorable moments. Past statuses posted:Timothy Kairos  Ethan's father. Quiet, but stubborn. Had something to tell Ethan on the day of his 17th birthday. Vanished during the Prologue. Former holder of a Hollow Pen. His younger self was rescued from the past at the end of chapter 5. Past statuses posted:Pamela Kairos  Ethan's mother. If only her cooking has as much flavour as she has cheer... Vanished during the Prologue. Her younger self was rescued from the past at the end of chapter 5. Past statuses posted:Derek Kairos  Younger brother of Timothy Kairos and uncle to Ethan. Has borrowed money from Ethan's parents in the past. Became Ethan's guardian after his parents vanished during the Prologue. Died during Chapter 4 due to unknown circumstances. This was undone when Ethan caused him to continue operating Chronos. Went through a Hole to save Kori after she fell off the school roof. Operating Chronos in the Epilogue with Kori. Past statuses posted:Irving Onegin  Holder of a Hollow Pen. Proprietor of the antique shop Aeon, and alumni of Kako High. Jack Twombly used to be his homeroom teacher. Responsible for Derek's death in Chapter 4. Vanished through a Hole at the beginning of Chapter 5, and that timeline's Irving replaced Jack Twombly. Revealed to be the one who pushed Kori off the roof, and the cause for the majority of the game's events. After Kori survived, naming him as the one who pushed her off, he left both school and the town with his mother. Past statuses posted:Mary Onegin Irving's mother, who died 35 years ago. Holder of a Hollow Pen. Revealed to be killing herself through time during Chapter 6. Past statuses posted:Jack Twombly  Teacher at Kako High with a love for time-based quizzes. Replaced by Irving, calling himself Jack Twombly, after Irving stepped through a Hole to 35 years before. Fell off a cliff at the end of Chapter 5. Past statuses posted:Vin Threet  Friend of Ethan's, and a former star of the basketball team. Restored to the basketball team in Chapter 5 after we undid the major leg injury. Past statuses posted:Ashley Threet  Younger sister to Vin, and a junior at Kako High. Vanished at the beginning of Chapter 1. Returned when Ethan returned her dropped money through a Hole. Was killed by Jack during Chapter 5. This was later undone. Past statuses posted:Ben Fourier  Friend of Ethan's. Lives on the other side of the station. Got into a fight with Aaron and stabbed him during Chapter 3. After the weapon was removed, he became heavily injured during the fight. Alternately, if the pliers were removed beforehand, he instead hit his head on a rock, knocking him unconscious. After the rock was removed, he instead struck Aaron with a rock, heavily injuring him. Past statuses posted:Morris Fivet  Friend of Ethan's. He's quite studious. Lives on the other side of the station. Ethan revealed the secrets of the Hollow Pen to him during Chapter 3, and changed his fate, causing him to drop out of school and start a dog-walking business. Was killed by Jack during Chapter 5. This was later undone. Past statuses posted:Eva Sixon  The quiet owner of the Cafe Chronos, a popular hangout for Ethan and his friends. After ownership of Chronos reverted to Derek, she ended up starting a takeout business where Aeon used to be. Past statuses posted:Aaron Sevens  Olivia's boyfriend. Probably not a cop. Got into a fight with Ben at the beginning of Chapter 2. Was stabbed by a pair of pliers and died. Changed to severely injuring Ben in the fight when the pliers were removed. Past statuses posted:Olivia Eights  A cheerful part-time waitress at Cafe Chronos. Died in a traffic accident at the beginning of Chapter 2. Accident was undone when Ethan stole her key, preventing her from using her bike. Past statuses posted:Emily Niner  Shy friend of Ashley's. We stole her glasses while messing with the past in Chapter 2. Was killed by Jack during Chapter 5. This was later undone. Past statuses posted:Sara Tenneson  Librarian at the Kako Library. Past statuses posted:Jacob Eleven  Neighbourhood boy who likes taking walks. Was involved in an accident due to Ethan's intervention mid-Chapter 2. Past statuses posted:Kori Twelves  Mysterious student who appeared after time changed. Is able to move while time is stopped, and receives flashbacks just like Ethan, though she claims not to have a Pen. After she fell off the roof, she was pulled through a Hole by Timothy to save her life. Was stabbed by Jack at the end of Chapter 5 while protecting Ethan. Was saved from falling off the roof, and went on to marry Derek and operate Chronos with him. Past statuses posted:Sox  Ethan's cat. Formerly belonged to Derek. Prone to wandering around town. Can possibly talk and exist in multiple places at the same time. Past statuses posted:=== Miscellaneous statuses posted:Cyouni fucked around with this message at 08:02 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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May 22, 2016 00:49
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Update 1: An End to the Ordinary    : Mrowr!! : Listen, Sox...you've got to get a handle on your own strength. : ...Mrowr... : (No use talking to the cat, I suppose.)I'm going to skip the basic controls, because they're pretty standard. Poke things you want to look at. Press B to leave the room. Scroll the room left and right to see more things. I've taken the liberty of splicing the images for Ethan's room together so that you can see the whole thing in one piece. : Mrowr!! And now we get to look around Ethan's room. It's a pretty normal room, really. *Bookshelf*  : (These are catalogs of the watches I collect. I'm thinking of getting a part-time job so that I can afford the one I really, really want.) : (...But tomorrow's my birthday, so I just might get it from my folks instead.) : (I'll try to casually float the idea past Mom later on.)You might be able to guess already, but Ethan's pretty obsessed with watches. *Back Shelf* : (Hmm...It's a little dusty. There's something for my to-do list.)*Window* : (The window is closed.)*Bed* : (I have a black-and-white checked blanket. I really like that kind of design.)*Floor* : (The carpet on the floor matches my blanket.)*Desk* : (I just got back from school. It's still light outside. Probably because I came straight home instead of stopping at Chronos.): (Chronos is a cafe I visit pretty regularly.)   *Sox* : Mrowr...: (Uh-oh, he's ticked off again. Better leave him alone for now.)*Leaving* : (I'll hang around here a little longer.)After poking around enough... Pamela: Ethaaan! Tiiiim! Time for dinner! : (It's Mom. Time to eat already?): Coming!===  {Video: Game Opening} ===   There's the sound of footsteps, and...  ...before that, too, fades to black.  The game then goes into a short tutorial about conversations, which are handled exactly like interacting with everything else.  I should note that the game has some parallax backgrounds going on here, which prevents me from splicing two images together like I did for Ethan's room. Expect this to happen more in the future. *Soy sauce* : (Some soy sauce. Without it, dinner would have no flavor at all.)*Food* : (That's tonight's dinner. We have this all the time. Wonder why it tastes so blah... ?)*Conversation: Pamela* : (Maybe Mom prefers more, er, subtle flavors...)*Conversation: Timothy*  : ...: Dad's silently digging into his dinner, as always.  : Pass me that soy sauce next to you there, would you, Ethan?*Soy sauce, reprise* : (So this is where the soy sauce went.): Here's the soy sauce.: Thanks.*Conversation: Timothy, reprise* : (If only Dad would speak up about Mom's bland cooking...): Hmm? What is it? Huh? Oh...nothing.*Conversation: Pamela*  : What is it?: Could you pass me the salt, Mom?  : A cut?! Did someone attack you? : Huh? Oh...you mean this?  : Oh, is that all? Don't scare us like that. (Hey, who's scaring who?): I was about to give Sox a bath when he went ballistic... : Ha ha ha! That's Sox! He absolutely hates water, that cat. : I'm through with bath duty!: Speaking of Sox... Derek hasn't been around lately.: (That's right--Sox used to be Uncle Derek's cat.) : I'd say that means he doesn't need our money.: Come on now, Tim...: Anyway, thanks for dinner. Moving around tutorial, etc, etc. *Conversation: Pamela* : Oh, did you find it bland? Sorry about that.*Move up stairs* : Yeah, thanks, Mom.   ===  Ethan refuses to do anything else until that window is closed, so... : Were you outside again, Sox? You'll get filthy out there!: Mrowr...: Don't tell me you're still angry.: Mrowr!!: Sorry, sorry. I won't be giving you any more baths, okay? : ...Mrowr.Pamela: Ethan! Tea's ready! : Coming!And back downstairs we go. Why didn't we just stay downstairs in the first place?   : (Huh? Sounds like Uncle Derek.) (Speak of the devil...): I can't lend you anything. Try to understand, Derek. : Well, I won't leave 'til you do! Whaddya think about that, huh?: We just don't have enough to spare. You can't rely on us like you do, Derek.: Oh...hi there, Uncle Derek.  : Hey, Ethan--talk some sense into your stingy old man, huh? : That's enough, Derek! Go on--get out of here!: Fine! I'm not gonna stand here and take your abuse! What's a little money between family, anyway? : ...Ahh, don't know why I should be surprised. You've always been down on me... : Well? Stop beating around the bush. If you got something to say, then come out and say it!: ...You'll regret this...: ...: ...Better watch your back, bro."But I'm not threatening you or anything. Just saying."   : I'm outta here!: But Derek--I have tea!: Forget the tea!: I'll just head home like a good little boy, all right?: But I'll be back!Sound of a door slamming. : ...: When is he going to act his age?{Soundtrack: Silence} : (Looks like they have it pretty rough...): Oh, yeah--help yourself to an apple, Ethan.: Er, okay.: So listen...You're turning 17 tomorrow, aren't you?: Huh?! : That's right--17 years old!: What's with the sudden birthday talk, you two?: (Seriously, where did that come from?): Oh, I get it! You probably don't know what to get me. : What...to get you?: Actually, I--: You want another watch, right?: (Wow, she can see right through me...!)Yeah...I think everyone could. : Aw, come on! Not really! Actually, what I'd really like--Timothy: Say, Pam, when are we going to talk to our son about... that? : It might be a little expensive... But heck--it's my birthday! And college is just around the corner!Pamela: Anytime is fine by me. I'll just duck out. : It would have to have some really snazzy features--appropriate for its cost, of course...Timothy: No, you should be there, too. How about tomorrow? Better sooner than later. : Whoa, whoa, everyone--time out!: Aren't we talking about...my present?Pamela: Ethan... Timothy: ...We'll talk about it tomorrow, Ethan. On the day you turn 17. : Talk about what?Pamela: Come home right away tomorrow, okay? No side trips. : Sure thing...but what about my present?Timothy: Well, goodnight. Timothy leaves.  : ...Man! He didn't hear a word I said.: You two are a lot alike. : Huh?: (I sure hope not! Better be careful...): Dad's got a lot on his mind.: See, that's just the thing. I've been thinking about a lot of stuff, too.  : Ethan... : But no one ever listens to what I have to say! : Like you, Mom--I can tell you 'til I'm blue in the face, but you never season your meals properly! : Forget it! I'm going to bed!: Ethan!And Ethan exits to his room. {Soundtrack: Silence} We're given a reminder that you can look at character profiles in the menu, and that they may update as time goes on. *Bed*  It took quite some time for him to learn his lesson. *Sox* : ...Mrowr.(Sox gets off the bed, allowing Ethan to go to sleep. *Bed*  : :: sigh :: G'night, Sox...   : Phew... ..... (I think I crossed the line with Mom tonight...) .....: (...What was Dad talking about, anyway?) : (Well, whatever. I'll find out tomorrow. And when Dad's had his say, I'll apologize to Mom...) ...... ===  {Video: Dream} ===   : Yikes, I'm dripping with sweat...I need a towel.  Huh. What's up with that? Cyouni fucked around with this message at 00:48 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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May 22, 2016 00:50
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HenryEx posted:This is the, what, third or fourth attempt at an LP of this game now? About the third, from what I saw when I checked. The second one didn't even make it to where I am now. I actually tried ripping the portraits (and the script) straight from the rom, but that ended up not working very well. If I could get that, it'd save me perhaps a minute or two per picture working with the magic wand to remove the backgrounds. A bit of a hassle, but not really a problem. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 09:30 on May 23, 2016 |
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May 23, 2016 05:07
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Update 2: Welcome to the New Age Hmm...something seems different. Ignoring the elephant in the room for the moment, let's see if we can figure out what it is. *Bed*  *Floor*  : (Wait--where's the carpet!?): (...!!): This is...a different room!? Ethan: What is it, Sox?  Item tutorial. Not very interesting. *Bookshelf* : (This looks normal.)I'll save you the other ones, since they're just varieties on this line. *Desk* : (Is this...my desk?)*Portal* : ...: (Could that be...the same hole I saw in my dream...? Wh-what should I do? I guess it couldn't hurt to take a look...): (Hey--what if I tap it with this pen?)Because that's totally the first thing you think of when you find a glowing hole in reality in the middle of not-your-bedroom.   ===  === : What was that!?: (I...guess it's what you'd call a flashback, huh.)???: What's going on, Ethan?   : Uncle Derek...?  : Oh, er, hi there... Come to see Mom and Dad again today? : Huh? You still half-awake, kiddo? And what's with all the sweat?: ? (Was Uncle Derek always this buddy-buddy with me...?) : Breakfast is ready, but go shower first or you'll catch a cold.: Uncle Derek!: Hey, what's the big idea? You're getting sweat everywhere!: What happened to Mom and Dad?: Wha-a-at?: You know...Mom and Dad.: Now I KNOW you're still sleeping. You think I'd go through all this if I knew where they were? After all, it's been 12 years since they up and disappeared.: What? Oh...er...really?: (So is Uncle Derek looking after me, then? Yeah--he was a freelance writer, wasn't he...?): (...At least, I think he was. I can't remember exactly.) : C'mon, snap out of it! You can't spend your whole day dreaming!: Or am I going to have to slap you awake?: I remember now--back when I was a kid, Mom and Dad...: Aw, man... Fine. I'm starting breakfast without you.Derek leaves, and we get our first note on flashbacks. These are specifically noted as fragments of past memories that Ethan never actually had.  : (...Yeah, that's it. Mom and Dad disappeared 12 years ago. Uncle Derek lives in this house and looks after me.)  : (Living with Mom and Dad--was it real? Or was I dreaming?)So this is how flashbacks work. They start out vague and unclear (or "unconfirmed"), and it'll take some research to understand them (moving them to "confirmed"). Let's take a look at what we have right now.  Flashback: Garbage Dump posted:Flashback: Breakfast with Derek posted:Flashback: Building Fire posted:Oh, on that note, we also have a new item to look at. Let's see what it is! Hollow Pen posted:...Thanks, game. While we think on that, let's investigate our new room. *Bed* : (I get the feeling I used this blanket...once upon a time.)*Sox* : Mrowr.: (I see Sox hasn't changed a bit.)*Desk*  : (I...think this might be my desk.)Maybe some breakfast will help sort this mess out. Wonder if Derek's a good cook? *Downstairs*   : (We were tea-drinkers. But I do remember this smell...): Hey. You awake now?: Uh-huh... (He's like a completely different person...): Okay, I'm going out. You're on dish duty, all right?: S-sure thing. This is a new table. Let's check it out. *Food* : (Toast and coffee. I guess this is what we usually have for breakfast.)*Door* : (This door leads too...oh, yeah. Uncle Derek has a study in there now.)*Chair*  *Shelves* : (There are a bunch of coffee beans here. Seems Uncle Derek's quite the connoisseur.)*Leaving* : (That's right--I've got school. Better get dressed and head out.)===  : (Man, I just couldn't keep my mind on my work today...)  : Are you serious? Lemme take a look! : I'm totally serious. I found it when I went to take the garbage out. Isn't it awesome?: Whoa! Dude! Lemme have half!: You nuts? What're you gonna do with half a clock?: Man, that's a real find!: (A clock, eh? I wanted a clock of my own yesterday. Now I couldn't care less.)It should be noted here that everyone in this mini-conversation means a watch. I am told that this is due to the terms for 'clock' and 'watch' being the same in Japanese. ???: Ethaaan!  : Who, me?And two girls appear on the bottom screen.     : Uh... : I know Ashley is Vin's little sister, but who are you?  : Emily, eh? Well, thanks for the birthday wishes. : Wait! Don't go anywhere! What about your present?: Huh? : C'mon, Emily, where is it? : Oh, right. Um, this is...f-for you, Ethan... Gift Clock posted:Ashley: It would mean a lot to her if you just accepted it, you know! Emily: Ashley! Cut it out! : Er, thanks.  : Emily heard you liked clocks and picked it out special. : And if you don't like it, just throw it out or something. : Wha-a-at? Ash-LEY...I am beginning to hate all these new expressions in this drat school area with the drat railings/windows, and am longing for the good old days of simple house ceilings. Vin: Yo, Ethan! : Rats, it's my brother!: See ya, Ethan! : G-goodbye...The two girls run off, to be immediately replaced by...  : They gave me a birthday present. : Who did? Ashley? Gah! Nasty! Throw it away!: Why would I? She went to all that trouble...: (A clock for my birthday... Just what I was asking Mom for yesterday.) : What's up, Ethan? You're so quiet. Choked up over that present, eh?: (Think I'll ask around.) Hey, do you know anything about my folks? Anything at all. : Aha--you really don't want to talk about that present, do you? : Yeah, we can read you like a book!: No, no--that's not it...: (Although the whole present thing WAS sort of embarassing...): (But I really would like to see if anyone knows about Mom and Dad.)Let's tackle this from left to right.  *Conversation: Ben*  : Didn't you say they went missing when you were little? That's all we ever heard about them.*Conversation: Vin*  : Your...parents, eh? I remember how your mom would buy us candy as kids. But that's about it.*Conversation: Morris*  : I'm not quite sure how to put this, but... I heard they went missing about 12 years ago. And converge. : Yeah, I figured as much... (Just like Uncle Derek...They all say my parents disappeared 12 years ago.): What is it, Ethan? Are you feeling all right? : Hey, if you've got a cold, go home so we don't catch it.: ...Ha ha ha... Sorry, guys. I'll see you later. (I'll think this over when I get home.)And now we get to see the town in its full glory. This is the town map we'll be seeing for a large portion of the game, stitched together for your viewing pleasure. (There's also one for night, but it looks pretty much the same, just...darker. Not worth my time.   Before we go home, let's do a little wandering. There's only two locations of any real interest - to the rest, Ethan simply says something to the effect of "I have no reason to be here." Our first destination is the Station. When you arrive there...  : You guys headed home?: Yeah. What are you doing here?: N-nothing in particular...: (What AM I doing here...? Did I come here for no reason at all?)Yes. By the way, it's noted that Ben and Morris live on the other side of the station, whereas Ethan and Vin live closer to school. Just in case anyone was wondering. The other stop is Chronos. There we find...  : Oh, hi--Emily, was it? What are you doing here? : I-I'm meeting Ashley.: Ah, I see. No club meetings today?: N-no, not today...Okay, detours over. Back home we go. : (This is my house...) : (Oh, yeah--I think I'll put that clock in my room.)*Front Door* : I'm home... (Looks like Uncle Derek isn't home yet.){Soundtrack: Silence} *Ethan's Room*  : (That clock looks pretty old. It might even be an antique.): Clocks...more clocks. (...Wasn't Dad supposed to tell me something today, on my birthday?) : Mrowr...: Hey, Sox...huh?: (Huh? There's paper on his collar. Maybe it was attached to that pen this morning.) Ethan: (Hollow Pen? Like, that pen from this morning?) "The Pen will glow when certain conditions are fulfilled. Then you can open a Hole in time. You'll learn the rest at the school's garbage dump. Be there 7 hours before on May 5." (7 hours before? What the--? ...I'm so lost.) We also get the Mysterious Letter as an item in case we're really forgetful.  *Downstairs*  : Oh, Uncle Derek--you're back.: Yeah, so? What's it to you?: N-nothing... (Uncle Derek sure isn't the easiest guy to talk to...): Where you headed off to, anyway?: Huh?: You were nearly out the door. Just what time do you think it is, pal?: Er, well... I just wanted to get some fresh air...I've been studying all this time.This is pretty much the most obvious lie ever if Derek's been around for more than ten minutes. : ...: (It's not like I can tell him I'm headed to school to look into that letter, after all.): .....: Make sure you lock up. I'm turning in.: O-of course.Derek leaves. : (Phew...)==== *Outside House* : (Maybe I'll stop by the school...): (The garbage dump is that spot next to the schoolyard.)==== *Town Map* Ethan: (The school garbage dump, eh?) Look, game devs, we're not so forgetful we need to be reminded of it every screen. ==== *School Gates* : (The garbage dump...next to the schoolyard.) I give up.==== *School Courtyard* : (I should be able to get to the dump from here--below the school on the right.)==== *School Garbage Dump* : Well, here I am...{Soundtrack: Silence} : (Hey, wait a minute...!) : (This is the place they mentioned in that letter...): (So something must have happened here "7 hours before".): (Now it's 10...which means around 3 today.)Oh, yeah. Let's talk a little more about flashbacks now that we've seen this scene. You saw the flashback menu earlier. You can click a flashback to see more details about it, and if you've confirmed all the relevant details, it moves over to confirmed. Since we've gotten all the information about our first and second flashbacks, we can go and switch those over to confirmed. Flashback: Garbage Dump posted:Flashback: Derek in the Dining Room posted:Once we've confirmed our flashback, things begin to happen... : Whoa!   Ethan: (Wha-a-at? How'm I supposed to do that?? Just...draw a circle here or something?)   ===  Okay, so here are the rules for what the game's termed "Digging".  Above is our completed flashback, or the past. The bottom is the present. We can draw a Hole at any point to make a connection, and interact with the past that way. A Hole can't be too big, but it's generally fine as long as you dont try anything crazy. The bar at the top is our Time, which decreases every time we close a Hole. No Time, no Holes.   Through the hole, you have four possible interactions when you select an item. Look, which gives us a brief description. ("Something's there, but what?") Examine, which lets us get our hands dirty. This also lets us grab things through the Hole. Talk, which isn't generally useable for reasons. Item, which lets us use an item from our inventory in the past, so long as it's appropriate. For hopefully obvious reasons, Examine and Item are going to be our main tools for messing with history. Like so. *Examine* ===  {Video: First Hole} ===    Ethan: "The Holes you open must be closed, or time won't start up again. The holder of the Pen must have the Time to use it. Once you've gotten the hang of the Pen, come and rescue us. P.S. This box is for you, in memory of the first Hole you ever opened. -- Dad" Ethan: ...Dad!?  Ethan: Huh? Th-this watch...It's the one I wanted yesterday... So THAT yesterday wasn't a dream after all! Ethan: Oops! I have to close up that Hole or else! : Gotta close that Hole...As you've probably guessed, we tap the glowing circle in the top right to close the Hole. ===  === And the leaf frozen in time begins to fall again. : Wh-what the heck was that...? (It got dark there for just a second...)Ethan: ... ...Achoo! : (I'm going to catch a cold if I stay here. I should head home and try to process all this.) : Sox...: ...Do you remember when I tried making you take a bath? You gave me a nasty scratch. Even Mom was fed up with you.: Mrowr...: I remember. After all... it was only yesterday.: Mrowwwwwwr...: But what happened to the part that comes after yesterday? It's got to be somewhere... : It WASN'T a dream! I know it wasn't!  
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 03:28 on Mar 21, 2017 |
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May 25, 2016 08:23
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In the interests of providing something to speculate about, I fast-tracked a mini update that has a few more unanswered questions.
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May 26, 2016 01:53
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Update 3: Gone in a Flash The sound of the school bell rings out.   : Oh...hello, Mr. Twombly. : "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may..." Now, what's the next line?Jack Twombly has a penchant for weird time-based quizzes, just like Ethan's watch fetish.  I'm showing off both answers since it's pretty easy in this case, but let me know if you want Ethan to look smart or not for the future. I may still show off both answers if it's relatively convenient. *Old Time is still a-flying*  : Er, okay...Guess I'll be going, then. : Have a safe trip home.*Anything else* : Come on! It's "Old Time is still a-flying": You won't be young forever, you know. Relish it while you can!: Y-yes, sir... Guess I'll be going, then. : Have a safe trip home.Jack leaves. : (Back to the same old, same old... Why would Mom and Dad be the only ones to disappear?): (But if I use the Hollow Pen...): (Wait a second--when exactly does the Pen start glowing, anyway?) Ashley: Ethaaan! Appearance of the girls. : Hey, Ethan! How'd you like that present, eh?: Huh? Oh...it was great. I put it in my room and everything. I'm just imagining Ethan sounding utterly unenthusiastic here. : Y-you mean it!?: I'm glad you like it...: Did you hear that, Emily? And you're the one who picked it out!: W-well, you were with me...  : Oh, what do you care!: We're talking about my present.: Ethan! Shh!You're a day too late there, Ashley.  : Oh, that...: Can't believe these two saved up their pennies to buy a present for the likes of you.: It's our money--we can spend it any way we want.: Why don't you spend your money on a new cellphone, since you lost yours yesterday, you klutz? : Huh? You mean you still haven't found your phone yet?: Yeah, um...not yet... not that you need to keep bugging me about it, VIN... : Listen, Ethan, if you find her phone, pick it up, would ya?: It's pink and it has this gigantic pig hanging off of it.: Hey, that's not a pig. It's so obviously a dog, duh!: It's a pig!: It's a DOG! D-O-G dog!!: Um, Ashley...: (Save the sibling squabbles for home, guys...)There's the sound of something changing in the background.  ===  ===   : !? Hey! Vin! Where'd you go? Ashley? Emily...????: Ethaaan!   : Why are you just standing around? Gimme a hand already!: W-with what?: With the search, obviously...: Search? Who's missing?: Gah! You're so dense, Ethan! We're searching for Ashley!: What!? But she was just here a second ago...  : She's been gone for two days. Now there's a missing-persons report out on her. : Man, why does this stuff have to hit so close to home? : C'mon, Ethan--get to work! Leave no stone unturned, you hear me?: Y-you got it...: I'll go check the station area. You cover the school. And if Morris is still in one of the classrooms, get him to start looking, too.: Roger.Ben runs off. : (This is a lot like when Mom and Dad disappeared...): (Or is it...the same thing?): (I'm stuck in the middle of some very strange stuff...)Here's our flashback of the day. Flashback: Treehouse posted:Flashback: Ashley at Lockers posted:
Flashback: Ashley & Emily Argument posted:
Flashback: Classroom posted:Flashback: School Garbage Dump posted:Next time: We begin our search. Feel free to dump speculations, suggestions on where to go, etc. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 23:56 on Mar 16, 2017 |
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May 26, 2016 01:53
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SSNeoman posted:So could you potentially gently caress yourself by running out of time to draw circles? You cannot, for reasons I'll show eventually.
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May 26, 2016 03:04
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John Lee posted:Good LP, I'll be following this. One quibble: Whoops. I blame the fact that those two keys are close together and it doesn't look obviously out of place on a quick glance. Fixed, and thanks.
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May 27, 2016 05:49
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:Ethan's initial reaction to a portal that defies time and space in his room was "Wait, this isn't my carpet!" To be fair, I could have investigated the portal before I investigated the other stuff. Not like it would have changed the result, though - his reaction's pretty much "huh, that's sorta odd". It's so blase I decided to not include it.
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May 30, 2016 08:18
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Update 4: Where are you, Ashley? Why can't I find you?... Let's get searching! We're locked inside the school for the duration. *Garbage Dump*  Hey, those guys look familiar. Let's taunt them about the  : What are you doing, staring at all that garbage like that? : Seeing if there's anything worth fishing out. : C'mon, let's get outta here.That was less fun than expected. Back to the search. *School Hallways*   *Lockers* : (So this is where the freshmen have their lockers...)*Conversation: Passing Student*  What is it? *Question: Do you know Ashley Threet?* Ashley's in my class, but she's been absent lately.: Yesterday and today, say? That's right.  : She was her usual cheery self before she stopped showing up...This unlocks a new option in our conversation. Most conversations proceed like this. *Question: When did you last see Ashley?* It was after school...the day before yesterday. Something like 4:30. She was here, looking for something.: (I wonder what...?)*Question: What was Ashley looking for?* I wouldn't know anything about that. Can...can I go now?: Yeah, sure. Thanks.He leaves. : (So Ashley lost something around here the day before yesterday...) *Bulletin board note* : ("I have what fell out of the envelope." ...Kori, eh? This note wouldn't have been here if Kori weren't around.): (Very interesting. But it doesn't have anything to do with Ashley.)*Bulletin board note, reprise* : (A note from Kori...her contact info's on it.): (Very interesting. But it doesn't have anything to do with Ashley.)*Conversation: Jack* : What is it, Ethan? Forget something?: No, not exactly...: Then why don't you head on home. We teachers have an emergency meeting to get to.: What's the emergency?Sometimes Ethan doesn't seem like the brightest bulb in the shed. : It's about that freshman...Vin's sister. You don't live far from them. Anything you should be telling us?: No, sir, nothing... We're looking for her too.: Ah, well... Regardless, it's time for you to go home, all right?: Yes, sir. : Ack--the meeting's about to start. I've gotta run.He leaves, and there's nothing much else to investigate, so let's head into the classroom.  *Conversation: Morris* : Vin's sister, right? Just a sec--I'll be right there.*Conversation: Sleeping kid* : (I'll let him sleep.)*Conversation: Pink-haired girl*  She then gets up and leaves. : (Who was that again?)Maybe Morris knows. *Conversation: Morris, Part 2* : Can you wait a second? I'll look around some, too.: Yeah, sure--thanks. But listen...who was that girl? : You mean Kori?: (Kori? I don't know any Kori...)There's a quick flash to the classroom flashback here. : (...Huh? I kinda...feel like...I know her...): Homework's finished--I'm ready to roll. I'll talk to the drama club people. Vin's sister was a member. : I'll poke around inside the school, then.: Sounds good. See you later.He leaves, and Ethan begins winding his way back out of the school. When he gets to the courtyard...  : (Say...These two girls are wearing red ribbons, so they must be freshmen like Ashley. I think I'll ask them some questions.)*Conversation: Freshmen girls*  : Yes? : Did you need something?*Question: Do you know Ashley Threet?* : We're in the same class. I don't really talk to her much, though. : But, like, everyone knows she's missing... : Yeah, I heard that, too. The police are looking for her, I guess...: And, like, Emily is looking all over for Ashley and stuff...: Oh? So Emily is, too?: Really? But I saw Emily this morning.: But not for long, right? 'Cause she left right away to look for Ashley.: Ooooh, yeah that's right.*Question: Where was Emily headed?* : I don't know where she went.: Me neither.In a surprising development, our new question replaces the first one we can ask. *Question: Is Emily looking for Ashley, too?* : See? I told you. There's this rumor that, like, Emily was with Ashley before she went missing.: Then I bet Emily knows something!: I know, right? They seemed like such good friends and all...: Whoa--too freaky!: (All these overactive imaginations getting spun into rumors...): Um, we have to go now.: Sure. Thanks.They leave. : (Looks like I'll have plenty to ask Emily when I see her...)The sound of footsteps, and... : :: sigh :: Not a single lead. How about you, Ethan?: Same here. Morris said he'd check out the drama club.: Okay...: I'll look around outside.: Yeah. One more time couldn't hurt... Just do whatever you can and we'll call it a day, okay?: Okay. I'll let you know if I find anything. : Great. See you.*Town Map* Ethan: (Where should I go...? I've got to meet with Emily and get all the details...) Hey, maybe one or both of them are at Vin's house by now! *Vin's House*   : Yo, Ethan...: Do the police know? : Yeah, my folks called it in this morning. Might've been too late, though...: ... : Ethan...I can't take it anymore. You've gotta help me.: Vin... : But I was really proud of my little sis.: I know. I would never laugh.: ...Ashley...where are you?: (Vin...): I'm going to look around a little more. I'll tell you if I find anything.: Hey...Ethan?: Yeah?: ...Thanks.: Sure. (I've got to do something--for Vin's sake, too.) At least we can clear up one of our flashbacks.Classroom Flashback posted:
Next time: Some answers. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 00:46 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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May 30, 2016 08:24
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Update 5: ...Why have you gone away? We search around for Emily for a while, and eventually find her at the station.  *Conversation: Emily* : Emily?: Huh...!?: Looking for Ashley, huh?: Er, y-yes, I am. But how did you know my name...?: What? What do you mean?: (Huh...? Doesn't she remember talking to me earlier?) : You must have heard it from Ashley, when the two of us were talking about your present. Isn't that right?: Oh, er...yeah. Something like that.: (Wait a minute...It's not that Emily doesn't remember our conversation...): (it's that our conversation never even happened!) : It's...: It's all my fault that Ashley went missing...: Your fault? Why?: Well...er...: (I should ask Emily about that flashback.) *Question: Did something happen to Ashley?* : We were saving up for your present...But when it came time to buy it, Ashley said she didn't have the money.: I'm sure she must really have lost it somewhere, like she said... B-but I...I didn't believe her...and I called her every name in the book.: And you pushed her away, right?: !? How did you know...!?: Oh, uh...I just figured it was something like that...: You're right. That's exactly what happened. Then Ashley got angry and ran off somewhere...  First time we've gotten more than one new option at once. Let's take them in order. *Question: Where did you two argue?*  : It was in front of Chronos, where everyone puts their bikes.: Chronos, eh...: (That's our usual hangout.)*Question: When was this argument?* : It was the day before yesterday... Right around 7 at night.: I think I've got it. Thanks.: (So she doesn't know where Ashley went...): ...Ashley...: Don't cry, Emily. Ashley'll be back.: I know...I know she will...But still...: Why don't you wait at home for any news? You'll just catch a cold crying out here all day.: You're right...thank you, Ethan.And she leaves. : (Looks like that conversation Emily and I had never happened.): (Wait a second--so that means...the present I got "yesterday" would have disappeared, too...?)Our new information lets us clear up that flashback. Flashback: Chronos Argument posted:
It's worth noting that we can head over to the Chronos bike area to start a Digging session, but Ethan won't let us open a Hole there because he has nothing he can do. So off we go to his room to check on the status of our erstwhile present. *Outside Ethan's House* : (Hey, I should go see if it's still in my room...)*Ethan's Room*  *Empty Shelf* : (I knew it--my present is gone.) : (The past has transformed...into a world where I never got that clock. ...A Pen that can change the past...): (What will this Hollow Pen let me do...?): (I might be able to do something if it were glowing.): (...I have to make things right, or Ashley might...)  Fun fact: I actually got stuck on this for a bit due to not investigating enough the first time. We need a way of contacting Kori. There's been one mentioned, so let's go there. But first, let's check on the other members of our search party. Ben's in the Station, and Morris in the courtyard.  : Aw, Ben...: I heard Ashley's friend was around here...The one with the glasses. You know her, don't you?: (He must mean Emily.) Emily? Yeah, I talked to her a little while ago.: You did!? What did she say?: She has no idea where Ashley went.: Oh...okay...: Ben...: Let's look around just a little more--what do you say? I'll have to go home eventually, but until then...: Sure--I'll poke around some more too.: Sounds good. See ya!*School Courtyard* : Hey, Morris--any luck in the classrooms? : Got it.We head to where the paper with Kori's contact info was. *Bulletin board note* : Here it is--Kori's contact info.: (Kori's presence means the past has changed. She might know something after all.): (...What should I do...?): (...Less thinking, more doing, Ethan. Call her already!)There's the sound of some numbers being punched, and a dial tone.  Ethan: Kori? This is-- Kori: Ethan, right? I recognize your voice. Never mind that she's only heard us once. Ethan: Er, yeah. This is Ethan Kairos. Kori: What do you want? Ethan: I, um, wanted to ask you a few things about the memo you left on the bulletin board. Kori: Oh, that. Are you still at school? Ethan: I'm right in front of the bulletin board. Kori: I'll be there in a sec. She hangs up. : (Phew...): (Doesn't sound like the friendliest girl on the block...)=== : Here she comes! : Whatever "fell out", was that the day before yesterday? : Yeah, at lunch.: Do you know who dropped it?  : She bumped into me and dropped it. She was racing through the hall at the time.: (Sounds like Ashley...): And what was inside the envelope? Money, right?: ...Yeah, money. I didn't know what to do.: I could have given it to her, but I didn't know where she went.: So I posted my contact info here.: (Definitely Ashley.): That envelope belongs to a friend of mine. But she hasn't been at school lately... : ...? The girl everyone's been talking about? I heard she went missing or something.: Yeah. Or something. Can I give her the envelope? : I REALLY am.: (She doesn't trust me. Can I prove it to her somehow?)And who better to look to for proof than her brother? *Vin's House* : ...What is it?: Oh...nothing really. (Vin's taking this hard...): ...You wanna see something?: What is it?: A picture...Ashley's picture.: Oh, sure...let me take a look.: Here.: Wow...you sure have a lot of them. : I guess...Which one's her best?: Wow, I couldn't choose...: (It's like he's getting ready for a memorial service...){Soundtrack: Silence}    : What?: It's just...I'm in this one. Me and you and Ashley... : (This is just the proof I need!): Hey, Vin...mind if I borrow this picture for a while?: ...Go ahead.: Thanks. I promise I'll give it back.: Whatever... Ashley's Photo posted:With proof in hand, back to Kori we go.  : Oh, yeah...that's her, all right. So she's Vin's sister, huh?: Uh-huh. Things are really tough for Vin right now, so if I could have that envelope...: ...All right. I'll call if anything comes up. Can I reach you at this number?There's the sound of...something. I think it's supposed to be Kori punching the number into her phone. : Yeah, sure. Just give me a ring.: So...it'd be a good idea if she were to find this, right? Envelope posted:: Uh-huh. Thanks. Ethan: ...Huh? What do you mean? And she just up and leaves. Ethan: (Rats...I'll have to talk to her again later. First I've got to do something with the envelope Kori gave me.) : (It would be better if Ashley had never dropped this envelope.): (If I could give it to the Ashley back in the past...): That would have to change something, right...?)With our envelope, that now lets us fill in the last piece we need for our school lockers flashback. We got the time from random male student, and the details from Kori. We're all clear now. Flashback: Ashley at Lockers posted:
I guess it's time for a vote. We have two spots where our Pen glows, so I need to know which one we're going with and (technically) what we're doing. Here's what we've got: *Hole: Chronos Argument* : This is where Ashley and Emily had their argument...And all over my missing birthday present money. ... Wish I could do something for her...)*Hole: Lost Money at School* Make your choice. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 00:57 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 1, 2016 07:38
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mateo360 posted:Not sure if this is on purpose but this happens quite a few times in the first half of the update with Emily and Ben Apparently my find/replace missed a few things. Fixed.
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Jun 1, 2016 18:49
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Update 6: Cookie Counter And the choice has been made. Let's see how it turns out. *School Lockers* Ethan: (All right! The Pen's glowing!)  ===   Oh, if you somehow screw up 12 times this early and run out of Time as a result, you do get a Game Over. It's not very spectacular, so I'm not showing it off - just a black screen and a one-liner before you're kicked back to the main menu. I assume this happens all the time, but it's boring to test and so easily avoidable that it's not really ever going to happen, especially since your Time bar fully refills between chapters. But before we get to time-fixing, let's quickly mention one other thing. The idea has been thrown around that you can open a Hole and talk to someone on the other end. Unfortunately, this is impossible. Why?  Yep. While a Hole's open, time's frozen, leaving Ethan the only one who can move around freely. So there's that. There's another reason, but we'll talk about that more later. Now let's do what we came here for.   : (It's after school the day before yesterday on the other side...): (Now if only Ashley would find that envelope...)And we're done. We close the Hole, and... Ethan: Whoa! ===  === {Soundtrack: Silence}   : (What's going on?)The window slides open.  : Mrowr!: Oh, it's Sox. : Look, if you're going to open the window, close it when you're done. ...Probably too much to ask.: (Hey, it's Vin!): Vin! Ethan: Huh...!? ===  {Video: Vin and Ashley} === : (Chipper as always, I see. ...Thank goodness.): (Oh, yeah--whatever happened to my present...?) Cookies posted:: (So this is what it wound up turning into, eh?): (I guess they found the envelope too late to do any shopping.) Ethan: (I'm just positive it can help my parents too... If I collect all the clues I can find and go in search of more flashbacks...) Ethan: (...!) Ethan: (I get it! The Pen starts to glow once I gather all the clues together!) If you haven't figured it out by this point, this means it requires all the details of a relevant flashback to be confirmed. This is the other reason we couldn't talk to Emily in a flashback - the only flashback she was in was the one we needed to ask her about the details. Ethan: (So if I get enough clues... I should be able to bring Mom and Dad back home...!) I time-travelled to the future to clean up some things. Flashback: No Argument posted:
Flashback: Cookie-Baking Duo posted:
Flashback: Birthday Gift posted:Cyouni fucked around with this message at 01:10 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 5, 2016 08:32
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:There's also something else that prevents you from running out easily, though I've only ever seen it rarely. I'll spoiler tag it in case you intended to bring it up later. Yep, that's a required scene in Chapter 2, so I'll reference it more when we get to that point.
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Jun 5, 2016 09:42
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Update 7: Dropped Off  : (Now, where can I get info on Mom and Dad...?)There's the sound of running in the background.  : Whoa! : C'mon, Ethan!: Wh-where to?: Where else?: B-but I... : Oh, come on, already!: ...Okay, but not for long.: Roger! Let's hit the road!There's the sound of bells as we screen-change.  ???: Hello!  Ben: Much obliged. And I'll have my usual, Olivia. Olivia: Everyone want the usual? Vin: You bet. Morris: Yes, please! Ethan: I-I guess so. Sure, why not.  : (This is the Chronos cafe--our favorite hangout. Why this place? Well...)  : Crepes and milk for Ben, coffee for Vin and Ethan...There's the clatter of plates as she sets stuff down. : ...and hibiscus tea for Morris. : Yes! Finally!: (We come here because Ben has a crush on Olivia. Plus, the coffee is cheap and tasty--and bottomless too.): (Uncle Derek's coffee is all right, I suppose... But you just can't beat a specialty shop like this one.): (...... I'll only stay a little longer. I know there aren't any clues for me here.)*Man reading newspaper*  Ethan: (Are we too loud? I feel like we're bugging him.) *Woman at counter*  *Conversation: Ben*  Ben: But I'd be careful walking home alone at night dressed like that. How about I walk you to the train station? If this place closes at 8:30... ...and I'm out front waiting for you at 8:40... Vin: ....... Morris: ...Give it a rest. Vin: Must be Olivia's bike--you know, the orange one parked outside. Ben: C'mon, guys! It was a joke! What's wrong with you, anyway? *Conversation: Vin*  *Conversation: Morris*  Olivia comes back just after we're done examining the place.  : Listen to this, Ben--I had a brush with death yesterday!: Wha-a-at!? D-did someone attack you...?: You mean, like a stalker? Me? Ha! C'mon, as if. So anyway...I dunno, you might want to watch out for Ben... : Yesterday on my way home, I saw a truck lose its load right in front of me, like--BANG!: Then what?: I squeezed my bike's brakes, like--screeeeech! Finally I managed to stop,  : but all that stuff still came tumbling down, like boom--KaBoom!: Yikes!: (I don't really understand what she's getting at, but it sounds crazy! So that means the bicycle outside must belong to Olivia.): Good thing your brakes worked, eh? : If they didn't, I'd be working at that big cafe in the sky!: And you guys would be at my funeral right now! Ha ha ha! Oh, that's terrible!: I don't even want to think about that! : ...And Mr. Newspaper heads out the door, the bells clanging as he does so.  : Thank you very much!: ...Might be time to tone it down a little, guys.: (Gee, ya think?): Olivia, could you clean up that table, please?: I'm on it!: (I'd better be on my way... I'm not gathering any info by sitting around this place.){Soundtrack: Silence} : (...!!) ===  {Video: Chapter 2 Opening} ===  ===  *Chronos door*  : I got a call from the owner... There was an accident yesterday... Olivia... She said... that's why... they're closed today...: Olivia...? : Did...did she get into an accident on her bike?: Don't ask me! How am I supposed to know?: Calm down, Ben!: Calm down!? How can you expect me to calm down at a time like this!? In fact, why are YOU GUYS so calm, huh?: Hey, Ben...: ...I mean...I'm just a kid!Again, left to right. *Conversation: Vin*  : Why her? Why Olivia...?*Conversation: Ben* : Dammit...!*Conversation: Morris* : ......: (Morris is taking it pretty hard too...): (I'd be upset myself--if I didn't have the Hollow Pen, that is. I know a future where Olivia lives. And if the Pen starts to glow... I can make it so that the accident never happened.): (Maybe I should straighten out the details first...): (Olivia's accident happened at the intersection. I should check it out.)When we head back to the town map, a new location's available. We're heading straight there.  *Intersection* : (This is it--where yesterday's accident was. It's already been cleaned up.) Ethan: (If only I could do something at the time of that flashback...) ???: A little...late, aren't you, to be changing this place? : !!: K-Kori...  : You can't very well expect to help someone in that condition.: What are you talking about...?: ...!! (I get it! The Olivia that's beyond the Hole is already...): ...Then...what should I do?: What, indeed.: Maybe poke around even further back?: Further...back?: You know--sometime before the accident ever happens.: Oh...right...: (I've got to find another way to fix this...)While he's thinking, Kori walks off. : Thanks a lot, Kor--eh?: (She's gone...)
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:15 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 6, 2016 07:36
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I added a quick update to move the end to a better place to stop. I'm also going to actually update the characters post, since it became significantly more relevant as of now.
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Jun 6, 2016 08:30
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AlphaKretin posted:E: Oh right the game doesn't actually stop there does it. The LP format does funny things to VNs. Hobgoblin2099 posted:She might as well have mentioned that she was two days away from retirement. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 08:51 on Jun 6, 2016 |
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Jun 6, 2016 08:46
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SSNeoman posted:You know, I kinda wish you didn't tell me that the Shadow of Destiny guy made this because I can sure as poo poo see the parallels. So our antagonist will be the white-gloved man, There's a LP to solve that problem.
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Jun 7, 2016 00:10
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Update 8: Unexpected Consequences So our first order of business is to find a helpful flashback that we can work with. In order to qualify, it must be: a) related to Chronos, and b) before the accident. There's only one that fits the bill. Flashback: No Argument posted:
The naming error is in the game's text, not mine. But we're missing one piece to do work with that Hole. That's the time. So we need to find someone who'd know about the time for that. The two we're looking for are outside the Library. According to its description, it's also a popular meeting place. *Library*  : (...It's Ashley and Emily...) I'm pretty sure this is the only spot these portraits are used, making this a minor hassle. *Conversation: Ashley/Emily* : Say, about that present you gave me... : Oh? Yes? : Something wrong with it?: Were you two...talking about something in the Chronos parking lot the other night? : Y-you mean, you saw us?! : We were discussing your present. : How could you spy on us like that? You should have said something!: Anyway...do you remember about what time that was? : What, don't you know? You were there, too!: Well, actually... : ...Hmm...I'd say we were there until about 7:10 PM. : (She remembered!): Seriously?: Really? : Yes, really. It got so late while we were talking that we couldn't go shopping... : Uh-huh. That's why we were so flustered...: (7:10 PM, eh?): Thanks. That's really helpful.: Huh? Is that all?Now, I would be remiss if I went without mentioning a feature that could make your life easier (that I totally didn't realize existed until I checked for the sake of this LP). If you talk to Emily/Ashley again...  *Conversation: Ashley* : Emily's been into some weird fortune-telling stuff lately.: Stuff like pinpointing places that seem especially fateful...*Conversation: Ashley, reprise*  : Emily's fortune-telling is surprisingly accurate...*Conversation: Emily*   : Location-wise, I'd say...um... Near Chronos...maybe... ? It's so accurate, in fact, that it can tell you where the Hole you need to open is. I'm not sure how long this lasts, but while it's available it's a pretty nice feature that you can take advantage of. So, armed with our new information, we fix up the flashback and move on to the Hole location near Chronos. Flashback: No Argument posted:
 ===  : (Even Ben and the rest of the gang...): (What a sight--right out of a movie or a comic book!): (...Never mind that. Got to find out what caused that accident.)While we're poking around, we make a bit of a mistake.  *Examine*   Emily's Glasses posted:Let's try that again.  *Examine* Ethan: (This is Olivia's bicycle, I'm sure of it. ...Huh?)  Ethan: (A nice clean cut too. This was no accident. If it was just a prank, it's a pretty lousy one!) Ethan: (What should I do? I can't fix the brakes. I've got to find another way to keep her off this bike... I shouldn't damage it more just because I don't want her to ride it again...)  It's even got a Ethan: (Hey, I know...I'll just pocket the key. If I've headed off the accident, I should be all set.)  Bicycle Key posted:And then all that's left is to close the Hole. : (She shouldn't be able to ride the bike like this...)And we're all fine and dand- ===  === Hrm. That didn't look quite right.  : Did you hear? There was an accident yesterday--at the intersection.: I was walking home yesterday when it happened, like-- bang!: (That's Olivia's voice. She sounds just fine! Phew...): You mean a traffic accident? W-were there any fatalities?: Yeah, a dog... I saw it with my own eyes...{Soundtrack: Silence} : !?: Huh?: A dog?: ...A...dog...: (Wait just a second... Did...did I do that?): This truck lost its load--and that's when disaster struck.: This kid was hurt, and the dog he had with him was killed. : ...A dog...was killed...: ...Ben...: I know you're all thinking about Shiloh right now.: Let bygones be bygones, Ben. That wasn't your fault.: C'mon--it's ancient history.: Easy for you to say! It wasn't your turn to watch him!: Huh? What're you talking about?: (This never happened...before. Looks like I didn't fix it properly. I've got to do something!): Sorry, guys--I gotta go.*Town Map* Ethan: (I can't believe I actually caused a DIFFERENT accident...! ...I have to make sure this one never happened too.) Flashback: No Argument (No glasses version) posted:Flashback: Truck in Alley posted:Flashback: Dog Accident posted:=== So now we also have a new choice to make: what should we do with Emily's glasses? Return them, or hold onto them? This vote will remain open a little longer than the last - probably a bit into the next chapter. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:25 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 8, 2016 20:37
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Crepuscule Adepte posted:...And while I'm at it, how do you accidentally pull the glasses of someone's head? The frames wrap around the ear! Intentionally, that's how. It's hard to get a good image of it, but if you read quickly the text for the Examine says "It should be easy to get them".
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Jun 10, 2016 08:47
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Update 9: Memory Check Maybe the intersection has some clues this time.  Let's look at the memorial first, then talk to the kid. *Memorial*  *Conversation: Boy* : (Could that be...?)  : Say, did you hurt your hand in a traffic accident yesterday...?I haven't really brought it up before, but Ethan really has a thing for using flashbacks to obviously know more than he should.  : I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.: Oops--sorry about that. I'm Ethan Kairos. That was...easy. That kind of invalidates the whole point of "don't talk to strangers". : Okay...Jacob. Were you in an accident here yesterday? : Uh-huh...and my dog Lucky died. So I was bringing him some treats.: (This is the boy, all right--the same one from my flashback.) Jacob, do you remember what kind of car caused the accident? : Nuh-uh.: Oh, okay... : But it had a refrigerator on it.: It fell on top of Lucky.: A refrigerator, huh...?: (Loaded onto a flatbed, maybe? So it might have been a truck...): That truck carrying the fridge--do you know which way it came from?: ...Ummm... : (So it must have come right through there... I seem to remember the road was kind of on a slope...): Got it. Thanks, Jacob.: Sure. I'm going home now. Bye. : Bye!Jacob leaves. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but this confused me for a while, as I thought this meant there's a new spot on the town map. Turns out it's just another screen hidden inside the Intersection area.   : (Maybe one of the people from my flashback can tell me.)This is pretty easy. Who do we know was near the scene of the accident? On our way there, we run into this at the Intersection:  : Mrowrrrr...: (Huh? That cat has the same markings as Sox.): Mrowr!: Wait a second...Sox? Is that you?: Mrowr.I miss Trails in the Sky's cat-dictionary. : (What's Sox doing all the way out here?): Mrowrrrr!!: What is it? Hey...what have you got there? Ethan: (That light--the color... It looks just like the Hollow Pen! Where could Sox have found something like this, anyway?) Sox: Mrowrrrr... Ethan: !!!  Ethan: Whoa! What the--!? (Where'd it go?) Sox: Mrowrowr. Ethan: That ball of light--did...did it get sucked up into the Pen? Sox: Mrowr. Here we're introduced to the 'chrons'. These are noted as falling out when someone uses the Pen to change the past, and they refill one of your Pen's twelve uses. This is the last reason it's hilariously easy to avoid losing, because these can be farmed pretty easily so long as you know the standard locations. The trick is that it's always outside, and it may be more likely at Hole locations. Standard spots to collect them are outside Ethan's house, the garbage dump, Chronos bike rack, the intersection, and the alleyway. I think the park's available as a location as well, but it's been a while so I may be wrong on that. Regardless, it's not hard to find him if you're specifically looking, though you may need to do a quick camera pan to make sure he's not hiding. With this, we have basically infinite Pen uses to do whatever we want. : (Hey...I feel...a little lighter, maybe?): ...Mrowr.Sox runs off. : Hey, Sox...?: (Where'd he go...?)Not pictured: me refilling my other use of the Pen at the Chronos bike rack. Detour aside, we get back to our original task. *Chronos*  : Oh, er...I just...: Your friends have all gone home.: They sure did look bummed out. What happened?: (Bummed out...? Oh--because I changed the past...): ...Bummed out, eh?: So? What's up? : Actually, Olivia, I need to ask you something...: Ooh! You want to know if I like you? : N-no! That's not it at all!: Ha ha ha! Gotcha! Aw, you're blushing! How cute is that? You don't have to be shy around me. C'mon, what is it?: ...Um, so...I'd like to ask you... *Question: Do you know about the accident at the intersection?* : I mean, you told us about it. I'm just checking to see if you forgot.: Oh, yeah--the accident yesterday. The one where the dog was killed.*Question: Do you remember seeing a truck in the alley?* : A truck? In the alley?? Ummmm...: (Doesn't look like she remembers much at all.): (Let me ask her something else.) *Question: Do you remember seeing a person in the alley?* : A person? In the alley? Last night?: Yes--she had a sweatshirt with hearts on it and her hair tied up like this...: ......!: Aha! That's who it was! Sara!: Huh?: Sara Tenneson. She works at the library. That's right--we passed each other in the alley last night!: (Sara, from the library...I should talk to her.): Thanks a lot, Olivia.: Huh? That's all you wanted?: Yep, that's all. See you later.: Okay! Come again!She probably thinks we're crazy now. Oh well. To the library! *Outside Library*  : (Oh, yeah...I should give Emily her glasses.)We'll be prompted like this (and get the option) every time we enter this area from the map.  : (It's Sara...): (At least, that's what Olivia said. ...Better talk to her.): Er... : Yes?: Yesterday, at this intersection... : Yes, there was an accident.: And it involved a truck...: Yes, that's right. Did you see it, too?: (I knew it! She's the woman from my flashback!): (Totally not what I pictured, though.): ...Actually, I'd like to ask you a few questions. *Question: Do you know about the accident at the intersection?* : Just making sure you don't have extremely short-term memory.: Of course I remember. A refrigerator fell off a truck, right?*Question: Do you remember seeing a truck in the alley?* : I saw that truck before the accident happened.: I wish I'd been able to warn the driver... *Question: Do you remember what time that was?* : It happened just as I'd gone out to buy more soy sauce...: I'd say about 8:40.: 8:40, eh? (Got my time!): Thank you very much.Thus informed, we clear up our flashbacks, especially the relevant one. Flashback: Traffic Accident (Dog) posted:
Flashback: Teetering Fridge posted:
So let's solve our problem. To the alley we go! In the intersection on the way there, we find someone surprising.  *Conversation: Morris* : Morris...?: Oh, hey, Ethan.: What are you doing here?: I heard about it at Chronos and, well...: You mean...about the accident?: Uh-huh... That poor dog...: ...... Did everyone go home already?: Yeah, pretty much right after you left.: Oh...: I'd better head home, too. See you around.: Yeah, see you.And he leaves. Back to the alley we go. {Soundtrack: Silence}  : (And the Pen is glowing too. I should be able to do something!) : (I'm going to save Jacob's dog!) : (...That's what it said in that letter--the one that came with the watch. The holder must have the Time... So that's MY Time. Will I lose my Time by using the Hollow Pen...?) : (...But Jacob's dog would still be alive if it weren't for me...) ===   *Examine* : (So this truck's carrying a refrigerator, eh?) Ethan: (Someone out there is moving--someone besides me!) Ethan: Wh-who's there!? Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:34 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 10, 2016 21:32
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Update 10: Foreshadowing ===  {Video: Kori Appearance} ===  Kori: This is another past for you to change. Ethan: What are you talking about? Kori: I saw a picture of this place once already...because you changed it with your Pen. Ethan: You know about my Pen? You don't mean...you have one, too? Kori: No...I don't. This "Hollow Pen" you speak of is invisible to me. But soon you'll realize... Ethan: Realize what? Kori: The pictures you and I see only appear because someone's changed the past. And that includes the changes you make yourself. Ethan: ...So are there others like me out there, with Pens like mine? Kori: ...... Never mind that. Are you going to make some changes here or what? Ethan: Oh, er... Kori: I won't get in your way--this time. And she leaves. Ethan: (Who IS this Kori character, anyway?)  Ethan: (It pays to be extra careful when fiddling with the past! You've got to do what you can to avoid unforeseen side effects...) Ethan: (That should do it.) As always, we close the Hole and prepare to receive our new flashbacks. ===  ===  : (Olivia sounds cheery enough...): C'mon, lighten up!: Argh...: (Huh? Ben's still moping around!) : Sure--after work would be great!: (Did she just say "Sure"?): ...Who's that guy?: Huh? Oh, er...: .........: I think his name's Aaron.: My bicycle is, like, completely out of commission--if it's not one thing, it's another. The key's missing, and it turns out my brakes are cut, too. : Hey, maybe someone's got it in for you.: Ha ha ha! I don't think so! Well, probably not. I'd feel safer if you swung by to pick me up, though. That's really why I called in the first place. : Sounds good. See you later!The bells on the door ring as he goes. : Bye!: ...: ...Ethan, you look lost.: Long story short, Ben here has had his heart broken today.: How can you be so glib? I'm hurting here!: ...W-wow...: (I'm not sure this is worth changing...): (Sorry, Ben.)Now that's just cold. Anyway, one scene cut later, we come back to...  : (I didn't have any time to look for clues for Mom and Dad... ...... So other people have Pens like this one...?)    : (......): (No way... Was someone behind Mom and Dad's disappearance, too?) Kori: And that includes the changes you make yourself.  : (How can she move around like that if she doesn't have a Pen?): (I'll have to ask her at school tomorrow.)  ???: Ethan...Kairos. ???: Well, let's see what he's capable of. And if he gets in the way...we can just erase him. == Our standard end-chapter status update, brought to you from the future. Flashback: Fixed Fridge posted:
Flashback: No Accident posted:Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:44 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 11, 2016 21:22
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:You missed a tag on "EthanShock". Thanks, fixed. One day I'll write a script to replace my placeholders with the proper images...
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Jun 11, 2016 22:20
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Update 11: And Now for Something Completely Different : (I went to talk with Kori, but...) : Hey, Ethan--what's on your mind?: Oh, er, nothing.: You hiding something from me, hmm?: Of course not!: 'Cause you know I'll find out eventually!: I-I know...: (Morris... I know he means well, but he can be a little rough around the edges.): (Girls would flock to him if he'd only tone down his attitude a little.): What, you psychoanalyzing me? Get outta my head, man!: ...: (What the heck--why not ask him for advice?): Listen, Morris... : I know you're here to study, but can I ask you something?: Guess I can spare a second or two.: You know my parents went missing...right?: Of course I do.: Now, this is going to sound crazy, but hear me out, okay?: That depends.: Well, until a few days ago, my mom and dad were still around. : Huh? Morris: Sorry. We'll be good. : Keep it down, will ya? ...So then what?: ...And then, a few days ago, suddenly everything was as though my folks had been gone for years. It's still like that...and I want to know why this is happening.: ...: It's really whacked-out, I know. But it's true, all of it.: It's no dream--and I'm not crazy.: You know what I think...: (Oh, no, here it comes...) : ...? Parallel worlds?: There used to be a book in our secret hideout, "The Mystery of Parallel Worlds".: (Now that he mentions it... Someone put it in our hideout to class up the place. I've never read it.): (In fact, I don't think anyone's read it--besides Morris...): Basically, your situation is right outta that book.: Eh?: Why don't you go looking for it, find yourself some answers?: ......: Look, I've wasted enough time on your petty little problems.: M-Morris...There's the sound of a phone buzzing, and Morris picks it up. Morris: Yeah? ...I'm at the library. Morris: I'm studying, what else? Did you even have to ask? Morris: You want results? All I have to do is apply myself and those grades are in the bag. : (Who's he talking to? His parents?)Morris: Right now I'm wasting prime studying time talking to you... : Hey, Ethan?: Yeah?: This is gonna take a while. I'll be right back.: Sure thing. : (...Not sure he wanted me to hear that conversation, anyway. ...... ............): (...Let's see. Maybe I should look for that Parallel Worlds book. .........): (Nah...I can't be bothered. ......... I'd like to talk with Morris, so I can't go home just yet...): (Think I'll go get some fresh air myself.): (Didn't I see some kind of antique shop on my way here?): (I think it was called "Aeon"... Maybe I'll go check it out.) : Oh...you're all set?: Yeah. Don't worry about it. My folks are just getting on my nerves, that's all.: All right. Glad to hear that it wasn't anything major.Now Ethan's phone starts going off. : Phone's buzzing.: Yeah--I put it on silent mode.: ...It's Vin. What does he want? Vin: Ben's m-murdered someone! Hurry! Ethan: What? Ben!? Got it. I'll be right there. : What is it?: W-well... Ben...k-killed someone...: WHAT!?Sara: Silence! : I'm headed for Chronos. Are you coming?: Do you have to ask?
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:50 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 13, 2016 04:31
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SSNeoman posted:Was the text this awkward in the original Japanese version? "Yeah dawg, I think I get what you're talking about. It's Parallel World theory. Anyhow gently caress off I have my own problems without your bullshit." To be fair: quote:
Morris did provide a way for Ethan to solve his problem on his own time, and that last part only came up when Ethan wanted more information on top of that.
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Jun 13, 2016 17:57
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Update 12: I wonder if this is the place that started it all When last we left off, we heard Ben had killed someone. What's notably different this time, as opposed to the last two chapters, is that there was no flashback immediately preceding this happening. But enough talk, let's hop on over to Chronos and find out the details.  : (Was there really a murder here?): Something's up--I can feel it.Let's start with the obvious. *Examine: Bloodstain*  Morris: Look--Ben's got blood on his hands.  *Conversation: Jacob* : :: sniff ::Ethan: (Huh? What's Jacob doing here? Has he gotten caught up in some kind of trouble again?) *Conversation: Vin/Ben*  Vin: All right, all right--calm down!   This part is, in my opinion, one of the worst-designed interfaces I've seen. Let's go over how this works. Each of these four people you can talk to starts with a few questions you can ask them. Certain questions prompt other questions, as always...except this time there's a catch. Asking one person a question can allow access to another person's question, which you need to proceed. Except you don't know if you've unlocked a new question, and of course you don't know who might have a new question available. Normally this would be no more than a minor hassle, but there's one final complication. Once you talk to someone, you can't back out of the conversation. You have to ask them a question, and click through their answer. Each answer isn't terribly long, but it gets ridiculous combined with the earlier part. I get to do this seven times. Theoretically it gets easier towards the end because conversations 'max' out at three options, but even that doesn't help much, if at all.*Conversation: Morris* : What? *Question: Did Ben kill somebody?* : I still can't decide. I mean, they haven't found a weapon.*Question: What weapon did this?* : With all this blood, it'd have to be a knife or something else with a sharp blade.*Conversation: Ben*  : I...I'm not the bad guy here! *Question: What happened here?*  : It...it wasn't my fault... I wanted to go to Chronos, that's all.*Conversation: Vin* : Hmm? *Question: Did you see what happened?* : Well, I didn't see the actual moment it happened or anything...: He was already flat out when I got here, and at first I thought he was dead.: But no, Aaron was still breathing. They just took him out of here.*Conversation: Jacob* : ...: I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.: (...So the reality where I'd already spoken with Jacob has been erased. I guess that means the Jacob that knows me is gone, too...?): (...): (Gah, my brain hurts.): (I'll just introduce myself...again.): I'm Ethan Kairos, but call me Ethan. : I'm Vin, and this guy in the glasses here is Ben.: Morris. : I'm Jacob Eleven. You can just call me Jacob.I'm suddenly glad we don't have to actually earn Jacob's trust each time we re-meet him for the first time. *Conversation: Jacob, reprise* : Uh-huh? *Question: What were you doing here?* : I was taking a walk with Lucky...: L-Lucky?: Going by the name, I'd say Lucky is a dog.: Uh-huh. My dog.Everything after here is unlocked by a previous question. Pretty sure this first one comes off Morris's appraisal of the weapon. *Conversation: Ben; Question: Did you have a knife?*  : I-I don't know anything about that, you hear me!?: ...Dammit... Everyone's ganging up on me... But I...I didn't do anything...This one comes off Vin's previous answer regarding what happened. *Conversation: Vin; Question: Who's Aaron?* : Olivia's boyfriend. He was already at Chronos when we got here.Which leads to this: *Conversation: Ben; Question: Why Aaron?* : Well...: He just came out of the cafe. And then...: After the boy with the glasses hit Lucky...: ...I thought he was gonna hit me. But then the other boy saved me.: That's when they started arguing.: Y-you don't know what you're talking about!I have no idea how this is triggered. Probably off Vin's Aaron answer. Definitely came long before we even knew there was an argument. *Conversation: Jacob; Question: Who started it?* : That boy in the glasses saw Lucky and got really mad.: Hey! That dog went after ME!Now that we know there's an argument, this becomes available. *Conversation: Jacob; Question: Where's Lucky now?* : Lucky's not used to being yelled at like that. He got scared and ran away...*Conversation: Vin; Question: What do you think about it?* : Well, it pretty much adds up, doesn't it? At least going by what Jacob says.: Ben, you said you hated Aaron, right?: Well, with him being Olivia's boyfriend and all...: Stop it! That has nothing to do with this!Finally, now that we have all the information, we can go back to Morris. *Conversation: Morris; Question: Now what?* : I dunno...seems like they don't need us all here... How about we leave Ben with Vin and go looking for Lucky?: Vin, is Aaron in the hospital now?: Yeah, the ambulance just took him. Olivia's with him. : So if there's any news, they'd be getting in touch with Chronos.: We'll go look for Lucky. Vin, you take care of Ben.: Yeah, I've got him under control. : I wanna go, too!: No, Jacob--you stay here. Someone else might want to ask about what you saw. : Okay... Oh, and about Lucky...: He's white with a brown patch over his eye...right?: Uh-huh. That's Lucky. I hope you find him. : This dog a friend of yours?: Well, you know... : ...Yeah.: Let's start over by the station. Maybe someone there saw Lucky.: Okay.  : Oh, Ethan.: Er...Kori... : What?: Oh, um...nothing.: (I'd like to ask her a few questions...but not now.): We're looking for a dog.: A dog...? I haven't seen any around here.: Oh... : See you.: You bet.: Later.And she's gone. : No dogs here, I guess. Let's try somewhere else. : ? (What's going on? Suddenly Morris has this really sour look on his face.): About Ben... I wonder if this is the place that started it all, made him change.: Here?: Don't you remember? It used to be our secret hideout.: They've turned it into a fancy shop, I see.: Oh, yeah...there was that tree right out here. (Now it's an antique shop named Aeon.): Ben was the one who brought Shiloh here, and the one who cared for him the most. Ethan: (Shiloh was a darling pup who took to just about everyone. If only there hadn't been a lightning strike during that typhoon...)  : Yeah, I think he's been different ever since that lightning hit.: (Shiloh couldn't get away from the hideout and was hit by lightning during the storm. Ben had forgotten to tend to Shiloh that day...): ...He's not here.: Who? Shiloh?: No, you idiot. Lucky. Where to next?With that, Aeon becomes a new marker on our town map. 
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:52 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 17, 2016 09:08
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Update 13: Weapon Disposal So let's go searching for Lucky.  : Hey, Ethan--why does this girl know my name? : Huh...?: Aw, Morris, what difference does it make?: So what's up with you guys?: We're looking for a dog. He's got a brown spot around his eyes. Have you seen him?: A dog? Nope, haven't seen him. Right, Emily? : ...Ummmmm... A dog...nnnno, can't say I have.: Okay, well, thanks anyway. Let's check somewhere else, Morris.: What's up with that weird groaning girl, anyway?: Never mind that. Let's get going. : What, already? See ya!Okay, more seriously this time. If anyone's curious, the other spot Lucky generally shows up at is the Intersection.  Dog: :: whine :: : Hey, it's Lucky!: That dog fits the description, eh?: Yep.  Morris: Poor thing. He's scared. C'mon, Lucky--here, boy. Lucky: :: whiiine ::  Lucky: :: whiiiiiine ::  Ethan: (So Morris is a dog-lover. Who'da thought it?) Morris: There, there. C'mon, Lucky--let's get outta here. Lucky: Woof! So we return to Chronos to deliver our lucky dog. {Soundtrack: Silence}  : Uh-huh. How're things here?: ...Aaron's dead.: !: Dead...? : Olivia just called the owner.: Did anyone call the police?You'd have thought they would have been called well before now. : No--Ben said he was going to turn himself in. : Ben wouldn't kill anyone! I'm gonna go look for him. Ethan, you look after Lucky.He immediately runs off. : Why don't you give Lucky back to Jacob? He's waiting inside. They already got his contact info, so he can probably go home now.: Yeah, sure.: Thanks. I'll look for Ben, too.Vin also runs off, leaving us alone.  : (But first, I should return Lucky to Jacob.): Wait here a second, Lucky. ...Lucky?  Ethan: What is it, Lucky? What's over there?  Ethan: (Are these what Ben used on Aaron? But why pliers? These are only used for cutting wires and stuff.) I wonder why a wire-cutting tool was around the spot a wire was recently cut. While he's thinking to himself about pliers, Jacob comes out. : Lucky?: Jacob...: (Probably shouldn't let him see this with all that blood.): Hey! Are those...: (Too late...): Those were over there.: Over there? Jacob, do you know something I don't?: When the one boy shoved the boy with the glasses...: ...he picked those up and...: So they were just laying around over there. Thanks for telling me, Jacob.: (This poor kid definitely saw some nasty stuff.): Here, take Lucky and go on home. Will you be okay on your own?: Uh-huh. Bye now.I sincerely hope you can figure out what we're expected to do here. First order of business, as always, is clearing up the relevant flashback. Flashback: Dropped Murderpliers posted:: (Hey...the Pen's glowing. ...Can I make it so that all this never happened?): (I think I'll give it a try. Who knows--I might be able to change the past.) ===   Here I mess around a bit. I spend a little too much time overall messing with Ashley and Emily, probably because the reactions are pretty unique compared to some of the other possible ones.    Back to the real topic, which is actually surprisingly easy to miss even when you know it's there. It's hidden behind the planters on the left, behind where Past-Emily's standing, and you have to maneuver the screen around after you open the Hole to see them.  *Examine* : (There they are--right where Jacob said they'd be. So they've been here as of precisely this moment...): (...Hang on. Did someone use the pliers to cut her brake line?): (But who would do that?) Pliers posted:If you found and grabbed them when you had a chance to beforehand, this chapter changes as a result. I may show the change off after the LP's finished. : (This should get rid of the pliers back in "now". I've got to be careful. Let me think this through...): (.........): (...There's no other likely weapons--I should be okay.)Close the Hole, etc. ===  ===  : (No Ben, no Aaron. So what's changed...?)Ethan's ringtone goes off. I can't place anything it's making a reference to, and it doesn't seem like it's mimicking a part of the game's soundtrack. May just be a generic ringtone.  Vin: Hey, it's Vin. Ben...Ben's in trouble. Ethan: What? Y-you mean he didn't turn himself in after all? Vin: Turn himself in? For what? Ah, never mind. Grab Morris and come down to Central Hospital. Take the bus that leaves from the station. Got it? Ethan: Wait, Vin! (What's changed...?)  Ethan's not the fastest thinker when put in a tight spot, but he's actually pretty quick on the uptake, and I haven't really given him credit for that thus far. Ethan: So what happened to Aaron? Vin: Huh? He's a cop, isn't he? Didn't Morris tell you they took him in? I feel like something got lost in translation here, because those sentences do not logically connect. Maybe it's supposed to say something about him being with the police instead of him being a policeman. Also, interesting that the police got called this time when they didn't for the stabbing and manslaughter. Vin: C'mon, Ethan, get a grip! Anyway, hurry up! Ben's unconscious! And he hangs up. : How's Ben. Not so good?: Vin says he's unconscious...and that we should get to Central Hospital on the double.: ...Because he hit his head, huh.: (This isn't good--I still don't know what the situation is.): Can I ask you a favor, Morris?: At a time like this? ...What is it?: I need you to tell me exactly what happened to Ben in the order it happened.: Give me a break!: Oh, fine. I'll break it down for you, okay? This is where Aaron hit Ben. The whole thing started when a dog walked by.: Jacob's dog.: Yeah, I think that was the owner's name. So the dog startled Ben, who got into a fight with Jacob. That's when Aaron came out of the cafe and happened to walk by...: Aaron tried to stop Ben, and the two of them started arguing. : Aaron knocked Ben over, and Ben hit his head. Got it?: Got it. Thanks. : (It wasn't exactly a change for the better...what should I do?): Then let's high-tail it to the hospital already!: Oops--yeah.=== Flashback time! Flashback: Fight posted:
This one was updated last time, but I forgot to include it. Flashback: Secret Hideout posted:
=== I'm going to be closing off the Emily-Glasses vote after next update, so any late voters should finish that up. I think the count's just barely in favour of giving her back the glasses right now. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 06:58 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 18, 2016 08:30
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Update 14: Telling Secrets So where's this hospital anyways?  Right. There. So let's not waste any time.  : Oh--Kori...: The whole revision process not going too well?: !! How did you know...?: Didn't I tell you I can see pictures, too?: What are you two going on about? Revision? Pictures? : Forgive me, but it's none of your business.: My, aren't we blunt?Pot, meet kettle. : C'mon, Ethan--let's get outta here.: Y-yeah, okay.: Ethan?: Yeah? : Shouldn't you keep trying...as many times as it takes?: ...: I mean, Ben's your friend, right?: ...Uh-huh. (...She's right.): ...But...: I don't know if you have enough Time to keep on trying.: (...!) Ethan: (That part of Dad's letter does concern me a little...)  And she's off. : Quite an interesting chat you two had.: Morris...: So what's this "revision" you're doing for Ben, huh?: Well...er...: (Even if I told him, I doubt he'd believe me...): If you don't wanna talk about it, I'll stop asking... I was just wondering if you had a plan in mind to save our friend.: ...Actually...: (Should I tell him everything?)So let's have a vote on this. Should we tell Morris or not? No, that's not how this is going. Ethan has no idea where to go from here, and he knows it. : Morris, there's something I need to tell you.: Yeah? What? *Question: Do you believe in paranormal phenomena?* : What kind of question is that?: For example, do you believe in a world where Ben was totally unharmed? What if there's a way to change THIS world into THAT one.: ...I won't deny the possibility. But we have to consider the facts, too. *Question: What if you could change the world?* : Huh...? Is that even possible? Yes, that question was a one liner. No, I don't know why it was made separate. *Question: Can you keep a secret?* : If you want me to, yeah. No prob.: ...Okay, I'll tell you--and you alone--my secret.: Never mind her. She apparently already knows it.: What is it, already?: I can change the past by...swapping out worlds, sort of.: ...Just a tiny bit, though.: Wha-a-at!? H-how do you manage that?: It's a long story... (Should I just show him the Pen?)  Ethan: Huh? (Can he not see the Hollow Pen?) Er, well...yeah, something like that. Morris: O...kay...then what? Ethan: (That seems to have satisfied him, anyway.) So, um...first I have these flashbacks... We fade to black, and when we come back... : Aha. I think I got the gist.: And you want to use this power of yours to change the current state of affairs somehow.: I want to erase the reality where Ben gets into an argument with Aaron...: I already tried it once, but this is how it turned out.: Guess it didn't go too well.: I have to really get to the heart of the matter if I want to fix it up.: So you can change other people's lives. You're like a god, Ethan.: (...!): No way--it's nothing like that!: It's just that...if I don't...what'll happen to Ben?: I want to make sure I help him out this time.: Then we have to do some hunting.: Huh?: We have to hunt down some other points that can be changed. : Your finger has to glow before you can do anything, right?SHINING FINGERRRRR : Er, yeah...: (Morris is going to help me out! I'm glad I talked to him after all.): We gotta think of another way to get that finger of yours glowing.: Er...yep.I bet he's regretting going with the finger story now. : So what have you already tried?: Well...I opened a Hole in the Chronos parking lot. I wanted to try and keep Ben and Aaron from getting hurt...: I see...: But that didn't get rid of the fight itself.: Oh...: It just changed the reason for their fight. Not very helpful.: ...Yeah...you're right.: You've gotta get to the root of the problem and change that instead. So...any ideas?: Um... *Keep Aaron from leaving Chronos* : I...could...try to keep Aaron from leaving the cafe?: Keep him inside so he never meets up with Ben...hmm.: Think it'll work, Ethan?: Wait...no, that's no good. I never had any flashbacks from inside Chronos.: Okay, so let's scrap that idea.*Change Lucky's walking route* : I know! I've had a flashback of Jacob walking his dog!: I could pass Jacob a note, get him to take a different route...: You could...but I don't know about that Jacob kid. I doubt he'd do much with a note from some stranger.: Oh...: (He's got something there... And I don't really know when that flashback is, anyway...)*Keep Aaron from leaving Chronos, reprise* : That won't work if you haven't had any flashbacks there.*Change Lucky's walking route, reprise* : We can't count on Jacob to follow through.: ...Isn't there a better way?: How about if I work off of my flashbacks, then?: ...?: I have these flashbacks of place and times where I might be able to open a Hole.: I see what you're getting at, but I don't have those flashbacks.: Oh, right...: Can you take me to these places that look Hole-worthy?: Sure. Come on.So we have three places we can go that Morris will comment on. Let's take them in chapter-order. But first, let's talk to some random people.  : You mean you just found out? Duh! That is totally old news!: But Vin hardly ever comes to practice or games or anything...: Oh, 'cause he has an old injury. That's what the assistant coach said.: Hey, how come you know all about this stuff, anyway?: Well, maybe you've just been living under a rock!: Hey! Just what do you mean by that!?: (......): (Vin sure is popular...)There's someone else you can talk to to find out that every student here today is part of the basketball team. You may have already guessed this from checking Vin's profile.  : Er...n-no, sir. I'm fine.: Say, I didn't expect to see you in detention. : Oh, no, I'm not.: Ah, I see... Okay, time for a pop quiz!: Huh?: Let's see how you do! Question 1!: Y-you mean...there's more than one?: Finish this saying: "Don't fire until you see..." I'm just going to be assuming Ethan's not an idiot for all of these from now on. *Answer: ...the whites of their eyes* : Bingo! Well done, Ethan! Now, onto question 2! What's the meaning of "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"? *Answer: Attack at just the right moment* : Bingo! Fantastic job!: Er, okay... Guess I'll be going, then.: Have a safe trip home. : I saw this place in one of my flashbacks, too.: Wow--the school, too? Your flashbacks sure do get around.: It's not like I have tons of them, you know. : Still...is there anything you can do for Ben here?: Hmm...: ...Some way to prevent him from getting into that fight...: ......... ...Hmmmmmmmmmm...: ...I guess not...: ...Next. : But you've already tried something here, and it didn't work out.: Right.: Then why are we wasting time here? Let's move on. : Not far from Chronos, huh.: This is where I saw Olivia from a distance.: Olivia? What about Aaron and Ben?: They weren't in my flashback.: Can you leave Olivia a message so she'll keep Aaron inside the cafe?: I don't know... The refrigerator's nearby, but Olivia's kind of far away.: Refrigerator?: Yeah, the truck carrying the refrigerator. : ...Aaaanyway... If this plan is bound for failure, we should just quit now while we're ahead.: I think so, too.: (I don't want my "corrections" to cause any other problems to crop up...): ...Then let's try something else.After you're done the school dump and intersection, you automatically head here.  : (This is where our secret hideout used to be...): Hey, do you have any flashbacks for this place?: Here?: Yeah--this is where Shiloh used to be.: The place where Ben...changed.: If you can save Shiloh, who knows? Maybe Ben won't change.: ......! That's it! Yeah! : I have the flashback, but I can't open a Hole yet.: Oh, yeah...? Well, shall we go in and take a look? The tree would have been further in, in the back room.: Yeah! Let's check it out.
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:02 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 21, 2016 05:20
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Update 15: Bargaining : ...Further in. I'm picturing it on the other side of where the counter is now.: ...What should I do?: What else CAN you do? You gotta go back there.: I know, but... Can I at least get all the facts straight before I do?: (I hope going behind the counter nets me all the info I need...): What kind of facts do you need? I can tell you a few things.: Let's see... *Question: Where was Shiloh?* : Our hideout was up in that tree, and Shiloh was tied to its base. It would have been about where the counter is now--beyond it.*Question: What day was the typhoon?* : I get it. If Shiloh hadn't died in the typhoon that day...: Is that the angle you're thinking of taking this time?: Yeah, that should work.: You know when the typhoon hit?: Not the exact date...I know it was August, ten years ago.: I wonder if we can look it up somewhere.: ...How about the library?: Huh?: So we can look up the date of the typhoon. They should have back issues of the newspaper. Those'll do.: Then let's go to the library first.: Yeah. We'll be back later. : Hmm? Oh...okay. See you.: C'mon, Ethan. But first, since we're going to the library, let's take the chance to be not-a-jerk.  *Give them back* : Hey! Are...are those my glasses?: Um, yeah. I found them on the ground, so I picked them up for you. And that's it. Emily's glasses are restored, and all is right with the world. Back to the main reason we came here.  : ...In the newspaper archives, right? What would you like me to look up for you? *By date* : (We came here to find the date, so obviously we can't tell her what it is.)*By event* : Are there any articles about the August lightning strike in Kako, ten years ago?: One moment, please...Clacks as she taps at the keyboard. : There's one match. I'll copy it for you. Lightning Article posted:Morris: 5:40 PM on August 12, 1998. Will that do? : That should be enough.: Let's head back to that shop.: Uh-huh.: (They probably think we're some kind of weirdos over there...): (But who cares? We've got to help Ben!) We can't go back inside the shop until we verify our flashback, so let's do so now. Flashback: Lightning Strike at Hideout posted:
All clear now, we head back inside.  : Er, excuse me...: Yes?: May we please see the back room? We'd like to get a good look at the furniture in there.: (That's good enough. If I change the past, this'll all be fixed up, anyway.) : Um, actually...those aren't for sale.: Please, just this once!: ...Are you students over at Kako High?: Th-that's right. I'm Ethan Kairos, a sophomore. : Really? I graduated from Kako High myself.: Yeah?: That was about 20 years ago now. I remember my homeroom teacher...Mr. Twombly--yeah, that was it.: Oh, we have him for homeroom now. The English teacher, right?: Yeah, yeah--that's the guy! Wow, now you're taking me back!: It must be fate! So how about doing two fellow Kako men a favor?: ...Ah, why not. Just this once, though.: Thank you so much! : I think so, too.  Shopkeeper: I had two girls from Kako buying a clock in here not too long ago. They said it was a birthday present for an upperclassman. Seemed pretty happy about it. Ethan: (Ashley and Emily, I'm guessing?) Morris: Yeah, those two throw their money away on the dumbest things. Shopkeeper: Ha ha ha...maybe so, maybe so. Ethan: (Hey, Morris...! Watch the attitude, eh?)  Ethan: Thanks, Morris! Now I can-- {Soundtrack: Silence}  Ethan: Huh?  Ethan: Sure. Morris: When you're done with this little project of yours... Ethan: Yeah? Morris:...use your power on me. Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:05 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 22, 2016 06:44
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Update 16: A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings... Ethan: On you? Morris: I got a horrible score on my last exam. Horrible enough that I might not get into my dream college. Morris: Please, Ethan! Just once, I swear! Ethan: ...I don't know, Morris... Morris: What, and after all my help? C'mon, I'm begging you here! You don't know how embarrassing this is for me! Ethan: (Morris...) ...J-just let me take care of Ben first, okay? Morris: ...Okay. We'll talk again later. : ... (I guess not even Morris is entirely worry-free...): (But Ben comes first. I've got to save Shiloh...) I'm obliged to note that it's possible to screw with everyone here and cancel the Digging session, and the shopkeeper will just keep letting you back in every time you come back. ===  Hope you remember our goal.   *Item*   Ethan: (If I could only do something with that rope tying Shiloh up...)  Ethan: (Now Shiloh's free.) Close the hole, and... ===  ===  : You about done in there?: Oops--yes, all set! Thank you! : It's not really for sale, but I could be persuaded...: Er...not today.: Oh! Oh, I see... B-but I can give you a discount!: Thanks--I'll keep that in mind. : Here's my card. The shop's address and phone number are on there, too.: Thank you very much. : See you later.: I should have some new pieces in by then. Let me give you a call when they arrive. Just write down your telephone number for me, okay?: Huh? But...: We're getting a shipment from the same company that made the furniture in the back room. I'm sure you'll love it!: Oh, I see...: (He did let us poke around his store and all--I guess I should go through the motions.) Shopkeeper: Thanks for stopping by! And with that, we're left alone outside Aeon.   As always, the bells clang to symbolize our entrance.   : Yo, Eeth! Over here!: (Thank goodness--everyone's here.)I think Ethan needs his eyes checked, because that's pretty obviously not 'everybody'. : What's up? You seem kinda spacey.: Huh? Oh, n-nothing.: What can I get you?: Just a hot coffee, please.   : (Everyone's fine. I did it!): (...But where's Morris?) : Phew--that's enough for me. I'll bring the rest home for Shiloh. Hey, Olivia? Can you wrap this up for me?: (So Ben's looking after Shiloh. That's great.): Sure thing! Giving it to your doggy again, eh?: Uh-huh. It's one of his favorites. : Well, then...guess I'll be going. : All set, guys?: But Ethan just got here!: Oops! Sorry about that, Ethan.: I don't mind. We can all leave together. Ben: Thanks, Morris! Ethan: Hey there, Morris!  Ethan: (He quit school? What's he talking about?) You remember what I told you, Morris? Morris: Huh?   : ...Never mind. It's nothing. : Well...if you say so...: See ya tomorrow!: Roger!: Yeah...see you later. : Almost forgot! Here, Ethan--this is for you.: What is it?: My flyer. If you know anyone with a dog, spread the word, okay? Morris: See ya! Morris walks off.  : Shall we?: Hey, Vin...is this what Morris is doing these days?: Yeah, he has a part-time job as a dog walker. Says he's saving up for obedience school.: Since he decided to quit school, he says he has to earn the tuition all by himself.: ...Wow...: I remember it was always Shiloh this, Shiloh that...: I'd say he made the right choice, taking the plunge and following his heart...wouldn't you? He definitely looks a lot happier now.: Y-yeah...he does.: (So Shiloh had the biggest impact on Morris, not on Ben...): Well, I've got some places to go, so...: Okay. See you later.Vin heads off. : I should head back... (What a day! I'm exhausted.)There's the sound of footsteps. Kori: Ethan? : Kori...: How did you fare this time? Better?: ...I think so. : Good.: But all kinds of other things changed, too... ...Well, yeah.: But your experiences have become "undone". Not everyone remembers the same things you do... Even those who know what happened "before"...: None of them realize that they themselves have changed.: ...Kori...: Yes?: I-I need to know...who ARE you?: I told you that I don't have a Pen. : ...: But I know other people who do. Like your father, for example.: !! Y-you know my dad? Is he alive!?: ...... I met your father a long, long time ago... Now...I don't know. Same as you. : ...: ...But...: But what?: Who gave you that Pen, Ethan?: ...! (That's right--my dad's name was on that letter...): Hasn't that Pen been passed down in your family for generations? It's your inheritance.: ...Actually... (The letter said as much...): I'll go home and talk to my uncle. Thanks! : (...... So this Pen belonged to my dad? ......): (Maybe Uncle Derek knows something about this.): (I'll track him down and ask him tomorrow.) Ethan: (I dragged my uncle into something big...) === Standard end-chapter flashback update, this time with no need for time travel. Flashback: Safe Shiloh posted:Flashback: Walk in the Park posted:
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:10 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 24, 2016 06:20
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Update 17: The Unseen  Ethan: Thanks.  : And on your day off, too--sorry about that. You're always so busy with work...: ...That's nothing for a kid like you to worry about.: I'm sorry. What I wanted to ask you...: Is it about your parents?: Oh, er, actually, not this time. It's about the Hollow Pen...: (Although... I wonder how much he even knows about the Pen...?): ...Well? What did you want to ask?: (Hmm...how should I say this?) *Question: Do we have any heirlooms?* : I was just wondering, er...does our family have any kind of, say...heirlooms, for example?: Huh?: Er...: Your coffee's getting cold.: Oh! Oops. *Question: Do we have any heirlooms?, reprise* : So...I guess not, huh? Nothing you could call an heirloom?: Beats me.*Question: Do you know about the Hollow Pen?* : (Can Uncle Derek even SEE the Hollow Pen?) Derek: Huh? Ethan: ! (So he CAN see it...?) Derek: Well? What are you waiting for? If you wanna ask me something, ask me already! Ethan: Oh...right. Sorry about that... (So...I guess...he CAN'T see it. That's what it looks like, anyway.) Ethan takes the Pen back. It's the exact opposite of the earlier image, so not bothering to capture it. *Question: Do you know about the Hollow Pen?, reprise* : Uncle Derek, have you ever heard of the Hollow Pen? : Nope. Never heard of it, don't know what it is. End of story.And converge. : Wait--is that what you wanted to talk to me about?: Well, er...I mean...: If we DID have some kind of a family heirloom... ...it might have gotten Mom and Dad tangled up in something.: ...... Heirloom or no heirloom--that's got nothing to do with it.: Your dad was a real pain. Always butting in on other people's business. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't get into trouble earlier.: ...I see...: (I guess Uncle Derek doesn't think much of my dad...): Actually, speaking of trouble... Here, this might be news to you.: Your parents were chasing after an old accident. : What? What kind of accident?: A traffic accident that happened about the time I was born. A high-school classmate of mine lost his mother in that accident.: Your classmate?: Guy by the name of Irving Onegin. No one knows where he wound up after high school.: Irving... (Feels like I just heard that name somewhere.): Your folks were investigating that accident just before their little disappearing act.: Thinking it over from a fresh perspective'll get you further than chasing down some heirloom. : ......: Now, I bet that accident is worth looking into...hey, you listening?: (I remember now--Irving the shopkeeper. Wait a second...) Shopkeeper: They said it was a birthday present for an upperclassman. Seemed pretty happy about it. It's worth noting that this is slightly different from when we saw it before - Irving's got a different sprite here. Not sure why they did that, but... I'm also curious to know if anyone noticed this as being off when it came up two updates ago.  Derek: What the--?! What's up with you?  This is the first time this track's come up, and it's very fitting for this part. Ethan: That present...I shouldn't have it at all! (The clock--its reality was wiped out...that never happened!) It shouldn't even exist! Derek: Present? Wh-what are you going on about?  : (I knew it.): (So why does that shopkeeper have that same memory...?): Irving... I know--his business card! Derek: What's going on in there? Ethan: Er...I'll be right there!  {Soundtrack: Silence} : Looks like you didn't need to talk to me after all. : What other people have to say is overrated. You gotta figure stuff out for yourself.: You're a lot like your dad.: ...Sorry.: And look at this--your coffee is ice cold.: I'm sorry. I went to get this. Derek: ...Whoa! Ethan: It's him... Derek: ...! So he's back in town, eh...? Ethan: He owns an antique shop near school... It's called "Aeon".  Ethan: Huh? Uncle Derek...you're going there now? Derek: Looks like it. Ethan: Then I'm going too! Derek: No way--you stay put. Let me talk to him man-to-man. He's got a lot of...explaining to do. Ethan: ... Derek: You get me? Ethan: ...All right. (Wonder what could have happened between those two...?) Derek: Food's in the fridge. Help yourself. And he runs off. : ...There he goes.And he comes back. : Whoa!: I nearly forgot the most important thing! Ethan: S-see you. And this time he's gone. : (Irving, huh...): (Kori said I wasn't the only person with a Pen...): (Could Irving be another one? If so, he should have flashbacks like I do, too. Could...could Uncle Derek know about that?)We can try to go somewhere else, but... {Soundtrack: Silence} : (Hey...the door to the study is open.): (Uncle Derek left in such a hurry he forgot to close it.): (Should I go take a look? Now's my chance to go in there... Uncle Derek might have some info on that accident my parents were investigating.)Ethan will refuse to do anything else, so in we go. : (Let's see...better be careful. Uncle Derek can't find out about this.) : (Is there a reason I'm not allowed in here?)We're going to be poking around from left to right, as I remember them. *Phone on desk* : (A cellphone with some animal hanging off it. Is this...Uncle Derek's?)*Key on desk*   Tiny Key posted:*Cabinet* Unlocking sound, probably prompted by the Tiny Key. : ...! (There we go. Maybe this'll have what I'm looking for.): ...Huh? It's a Kako High yearbook.: (Uncle Derek said he and Irving were in the same class.) Ethan: (Uncle Derek's young...but Irving looks way younger. Or maybe it's just that Irving is extra-old now.) I'd better move on--I'm just wasting time on this... {Soundtrack: Silence}  Ethan: K-Kori...!? No, wait a second. It might be her mom or something... ...No, that's her full name, all right. It's her...it's Kori. (What's going on...? Better put this back. Between these two books, was it?) There's a clinking sound. Ethan: (...? Did something...fall in there?)   *Right bookshelf*  Ethan: (It's barely been touched... ...Wait...maybe it's not totally unused after all. If Dad never existed, maybe the investigation never happened. Huh?)  Ethan: (There's glue marks left behind in a spot marked 3/23, 35 years ago... If there WAS an article here at one time, that means the whole affair wasn't just erased. Could it be Irving's traffic accident--the one Uncle Derek was talking about? I'd like to see this article... Maybe I can find it somewhere.) *Right cabinets* : An old scrap of paper--what could it be? Something's written on it. Ethan: "When the heir turns 17, the Pen gains a new Holder. This is likely because the Pen uses its holder's Time. The holder of the Pen expends some of his or her Time when using it. The same person cannot go on using the Pen indefinitely." (This is Dad's handwriting. Was he talking about the Hollow Pen? It said something similar in that letter I got earlier. "The holder of the Pen must have Time"--I remember that.) Ethan: ..."Time", eh? (Does he mean, like...lifespan? Come to think of it, Irving doesn't look like he's the same age as Uncle Derek. And...neither does Dad... ...... I'd better keep a close eye on my Pen use...) That's everything, so we duck out. As we do, there's the familiar sound of the world shifting around us. : ...!! (Another flashback?)===  === : Wh-what was that!? (Is this the accident Uncle Derek was talking about--the one 35 years ago? I saw a bus, and...a person, looking out the window?): (But why would I have a flashback of the present? Did the part of the past dealing with the accident change just now?): (I've got to find out more.)Flashback: Bus Accident posted:
Flashback: ??? posted:Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:16 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jun 25, 2016 00:19
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Update 18: Talking Backwards Let's get searching.  Back to the library we go. But first...  : Um...I'm waiting for Ashley right now. Inside the library, we're greeted with a surprise.  *Conversation: Librarian*  : Yes? Can I help you, young man?: I'd like to look something up...: Oh, yes, yes, okay, then. Please wait for just a moment, hmm?: Huh?: You see, I, well...I'm no good with these newfangled machines. I just started here. Really can't apologize enough, no, sir. If it's the librarian you need, she'll be back shortly.: Oh, um...okay. : (Oh, well. I'll try again later.)How do you get hired when you can't do one of your main jobs? I'm pretty sure that's one of the few jobs the librarian has in this town. Whatever, we'll go chase Sara down so that she can replace this useless idiot. But first, let's get easily distracted.  : I was just headed out to study with Emily.: I don't wanna end up like my big brother, after all!: Ha ha ha! Good luck!: You got it!Back to Emily... : Oh...!: I, um...I'm just waiting for Ashley...: Oh, I just saw her. She should be here any minute.: Oh, okay. Thanks a lot!And back to Ashley... : Where's my pen--aha. And here's my notebook...: (She's sure got her hands full.)And back to Emily for the final time.  : Okay...but I can only teach you the stuff I know.: That'll do! And I'll treat you to some ice cream afterward.: Strawberry ice cream?: Strawberry it is!And then they head off. No, this has absolutely no plot relevance. Let's detour again.  : Busy doing what?: Looking for something.: Need help?: No--I want to find it myself.: (What's he looking for...?): ...Olivia said her bike is totally unrideable now. If I could find the key and fix it up, she might be able to use it again.: (Rats--the bicycle key! I never put it back!) Er, say, Ben...: No way! Leave this to me!: If you say so...: (I'll give it back when things have calmed down around here.)Anyways, that's enough detours for now. Now we find Sara.   : So you have a dog! Why not take her down to my shop?Ethan: (It's Morris, all right--and he's talking to someone.) : I just might do that--have you take her for a walk, maybe.: I do shampoos, grooming--even boarding. It's a one-stop doggie paradise!: I'll keep that in mind. But right now I have to get to work, so...: Sure, sure! Come by anytime.: Okay--thanks! See you!: (That Morris has really made a nice little business for himself!): (...He was talking with Sara from the library, I see.)Now we can head back to the library to talk to Sara and have her do the job of Mr. Incompetent.  Bit of an understatement. : Can I help you?: There's a newspaper article I'd like to find.: What would you like me to look up for you? The wrong answer is about as boring as the last time, so skipping it. *By date* : Is there anything about an accident in the March 23 paper, 35 years ago?: One moment, please...Tap tap tap. : There's one match. I'll copy it for you. Article: Bus Accident posted:: "Bus Accident Kills 2, Injures 1": At about 10:25 AM on March 23, a bus headed for the station on a state route near Clockwork Hill hit the guardrail, rolled over, and burst into flames... Of the three people on the bus, two were killed: the driver and passenger Mary Onegin. The other passenger, Onegin's eldest son Irving, suffered only minor injuries.: (This must be what Uncle Derek was talking about...): (Mary Onegin...that's Irving's mother's name. This is what that flashback was all about, too.): (Which means...Irving must have changed this particular past, right? And isn't Irving meeting with Uncle Derek right about now? Why would Dad be investigating this accident, anyway?): (...Argh! Too many questions, not enough answers!)The sound of the world shifting again. === === : What the...? Isn't this the same flashback?: (Was it Irving? But why would he do that to his own mother...?)A good question. Maybe if we fix it we'll find the answer. So we go through our usual routine. Flashback: Bus Accident posted:
As to where we're going, that's Clockwork Hill, as noted. That's a new spot on our map.   : (Can I change the past here somehow? I can--and I have to.): (Now that I know about that bus accident, that is...) ===  : (...I think I'll call out to her.)This is a very blatant hint to try something that's never worked before - the Talk option. It's never worked before because everyone's been frozen in time.  Oh, yeah. There's one more mechanic that I forgot. Every time you finish a chapter, your Time bar decreases. It's easy to miss until your Time bar's gotten this short.   ===  {Video: Talking to the Past} === : ......!!! (E-everything's stopped on the other side--frozen!): (Can I rescue the Onegins like this?)???: ...I'm all right. : !!: (Who's there?) : I don't know who you are, but thank you for saving us.: Who...who are you? (She's beautiful...): Are you...Mary Onegin?: Yes. I have a Hollow Pen, too.: So that's why you can move... You startled me.: But never mind that! Get away from the bus, and hurry! : My son and I are just fine. We'll be out in a jiffy. : But the driver...I'm afraid we're too late to save him. It looks like he had some kind of convulsion...: Oh...: Then I'll close the Hole after the two of you get away from the bus. How does that sound?: That would be great. Thank you. Ethan: Okay, I'm closing the Hole now. And we close it. : Let's see...: (Now Irving's mother should be safe and sound.)===
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 15:13 on Mar 22, 2017 |
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Jun 27, 2016 16:03
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Update 19: A Different Perspective  : ...!!! Arrgh! Now you've done it!: Wh-what gives...? : ... : Oh, er...nothing.: Guess going back to the scene must've brought back some bad memories...: It was nothing, I said! ... Listen, Derek...That bus accident...you didn't tell anyone else about it, did you?: ...Just my nephew, who turned me on to this place.: Okay...and what about the letter?: That I haven't shown to anyone.: ...I see.: You know, I've been thinking about that accident a little myself.: You don't say...: Irving, do you know my brother?: Who, me?: ...You do, don't you?: Why should I?: ...I see how it is... All right, fine.: ......: Then do you know anything about Kori? : !!: Well? Do you?: Nope--nothing. Not a thing.: ......: It's the truth.: ......All right. That's enough for today.: But this isn't over. I'll keep bugging you 'til you're ready to talk. : You looking to profit off my tragedy, Mr. Writer Man?I don't think what Derek does for a living has come up before. : You think I'd do that? Seriously?: ...... There's the sound of quiet footsteps.  Kori: Ah...! D-Derek...? Derek: C-could it be...? Hey! Irving: Get in here!   Irving: You saw her, huh? Ah, no matter. Never mind--it's nothing. This reality will fall by the wayside soon enough. ...Goodbye.  And with that, we cut back to Ethan.  Ethan: (What's going on? I feel so...tired. I should have changed things. So why the exact same flashback? Maybe my revisions didn't take. ...That's not likely... I know--I'll check the newspaper to see what changed.) Of course, we no longer have our newspaper, so we've gotta head over to the library to grab another one.  : Can you look something up for me? Is there anything about a traffic accident in the March 23 paper, 35 years ago?: One moment, please...: There's one match. I'll copy it for you. Article: Bus Accident posted:: ...Mary Onegin is still mentioned as having died in the accident. Nothing's changed at all!: She got out of the bus--why wasn't that enough to save her?: (Something's fishy... I think I'll check out that accident scene one more time...)And back we go.   I'll spare you the images for the actions I repeat. *Talk* : Mary Onegin, is it?: ...Who are you?: Please, get away from the bus right now. You can move, right?: Y-yes, I can. You certainly seem to know a lot.: I know about the bus driver, too. So please, take your son and get away from the bus--hurry. Once you're safe, I'll close the Hole, so get as far away as you can!: All set!: Okay, I'm closing the Hole!: Thank you so much.So we do. === == What a surprise, I said with a posed look.  Ethan: (Why isn't anything changing?) ...Oooh... (...What's this...? I feel so...woozy...) ....... (I've got to get home...I'll think this over once I get home...) ===   Irving: I knew it! You've really done it now! Kori: ... Irving: ...Kori...! Did he see you looking at him? Huh? Did he say something? He did, didn't he? Tell me! Kori: ... "I've got to ask my uncle about the Pen." That's all I heard. Irving: His uncle? Hmm, must be Derek... You wouldn't be lying to me, now, would you? Kori: No need for me to lie. Irving: ...... ...You haven't met with Kairos, have you? Kori: Of course not. Irving: You telling the truth? Kori: Always. Irving: Good. You seem to know your place. Kori: ......... === After a quick side-trip to refill my Pen, I pilot Ethan home.  : Yeah.: (Wonder what happened? Uncle Derek looks so tired.): Uncle Derek, you met with Irving, right?: Yeah...but I didn't get any new leads.: I asked him about your folks, but he said he didn't know a thing.: Oh...? You did, huh? (I wonder what they really talked about...) : ...Having all these conversations without me...sheesh!: ?: I'm turning in.And he leaves. : Okay...good night.: (I'm exhausted myself... But...I can still make it to Aeon if I leave now. I might even see Irving.)So we go out, ignoring any potential risks that may come out of a secret nighttime visit to the shop of someone we think may be hostile.  : (Guess that's it for today.)On our way back, we run into a surprise visitor.  : Ah, Ethan. What are you up to?: I'm just heading home. What about you?: I'm on the night watch. We teachers are on rotation, you see. Lately there've been rumours of sketchy characters out and about.: Oh, I see...must be tough.: Say, Ethan...how's your uncle doing?: My uncle? How do you know my uncle?: Well, I just happened to be his homeroom teacher. You may recall Irving also mentioning this. : Really?: He got better grades than you, I can tell you that!: Gee, thanks.: Ha ha ha! Just kidding! He did used to send me a lot of letters, way back when.Typo's in the game's text. : Uncle Derek did?: Yes, back around his graduation...I remember it well. I sent him a few proverbs and sayings dealing with time.: Huh...: That's how we started sending letters back and forth. Each of mine included a new, er, "timely" turn of phrase. In fact, all the pop quizzes I've been giving you were gleaned from my letters to Derek.: Wow, really? (...I guess Uncle Derek must have been a pretty serious student.): And speaking of which...: Y-yes, sir?: ...Ah, I'll save the quiz for another time. Go on home, Ethan; it's late.: Er, okay...: Goodnight. Tell your uncle I said hello.: I will. Goodnight. Ethan: (Wow, am I ever beat today. ...... Why couldn't I save Irving's mom? If I keep having flashbacks, that must mean someone's done something to that past. But whatever he did didn't change anything... Is this a past that the Pen can't change...? Does such a thing even exist?) Ethan: :: cough :: (I'm really feeling cruddy. I should get some sleep.) ===  : Mrowrrrr!: (Is that Sox? On me? ...Nah...): Mrowr...: :: sigh ::: (Still tired from yesterday. I just can't shake it...) ......: (Have I...been using the Pen too much?): (Guess I should go to school...)So Ethan gets dressed and heads off to school, where he's met by a familiar face.  : Oh...good morning.: (Say, maybe Kori'd know something about it.): (Is there really such a thing as an unchangable past?) Kori: Is this about yesterday's pictures? Ethan: So you do know something! Kori: Ethan...did you kill that woman? Cyouni fucked around with this message at 23:33 on Mar 20, 2017 |
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Jul 3, 2016 22:39
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Glazius posted:Huh. Okay, so she's... not a time traveler, this time? Nah, she still has a Hollow Pen, Ethan was just fast-forwarding the conversation since he already knew the details.
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Jul 4, 2016 04:55
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Update 20: Origins Ethan: !? Wait a minute, now! I tried to save her--it's just that... Kori: Don't lie. If you tried to save her, why are the pictures always the same? Ethan: I don't know why. She should have been rescued... Kori: ... Is that...the truth? Ethan: I don't know how to save her... Ashley: Ethaaan! G'morning... Emily: ...Oh... Kori: ...School's starting. Let's continue this conversation after class. Ethan: Y-yeah, sure. Ashley: Hey, wait a second! Ethaaaaan!  Ashley: Ack! Emily, what are you crying for!? Ethan: (...Sorry, girls. When I get a spare moment, I'll listen to what you have to say.)  : ............ ............ : If what you say is true... ...why don't you give my way of doing things a try?: What's your way?: I pull people through the Hole, from their time into ours.: Are you serious?: It's not without its problems... but it's better than not saving them at all.: What kind of problems?: ...Those who travel through the Hole are left out of the flow of time.: Left out, eh...: (So that means... Someone must have pulled Kori through, way back when. And now she's "out of time"...?): Say, Kori...do you know a man named Irving?: What...?: Now, wait a minute... The one who pulled you through--it couldn't have been...: Irving? No, it wasn't him.: (It wasn't?): No, it was actually... ...!Halfway through her line, the world-shifting sound starts. : !!===  ===  : Is this...my house? But what happened to it? (What happened...? No--I'm so confused.): (I've got to think...figure out exactly what happened...): (Oh, yeah--that flashback I had a while back...) : Did...did he disappear, too...? ......... : ...Think--I've got to think. Got to get my head straight... (Did Irving do this? But why...? For what purpose?)Let's take a look at our three new flashbacks. Flashback: Empty House posted:
Flashback: Derek at Chronos posted:
Flashback: Dead Body posted:So off to Chronos we go.   Kori: Ethan...save him. Save your uncle... Please...! I think I know who changed this past... Ethan: You do? Really? Can't you tell me? Kori: !...I, uh...not right now... Just, please--save your uncle... Ethan: (She knows something...) I was about to talk to the owner here. Want to come with me? Kori: Okay...if you don't mind. Ethan: (Maybe I can ask her a couple questions, too...)   : (Ben and the rest of the gang are nowhere to be found...): Here you are! Two coffees.: Oh, thank you.: Thank you very much.*Examine: Aaron* : (Huh? Have I seen him somewhere before...?)*Examine: Eva* : (Eva still looks awfully busy.)*Conversation: Kori* : (Kori's sitting here. I feel kinda anxious for some reason.) Ethan: Oh, um...no, I'm fine. (No Olivia, no Ben, no Vin... no one's here.) Kori: I guess you guys don't have a place to hang out in this world, huh. : Enjoy.: Um, Excuse me...? Not my typo.  : Yes? Can I help you?: Can I ask you something?: (Does she know my uncle?): Do you know a Derek Kairos? : How...how do you know that name?: (Jackpot.): What do you know about him? Tell me something, anything--please!  : ...I got this cafe pretty cheap through an acquaintance. But there's more to the story, right? I mean, since Derek was murdered and all.: Why was he murdered?: ...How do you figure into this, if I may ask?: Oh--I'm sorry. I'm Ethan Kairos. Derek was my uncle.: (Eva doesn't remember me. I guess I've never been here.): Ah, so you're family! And who's this young lady?: Oh, I'm--: Do you mind if she sits in on our conversation?Nice job blowing a chance at some answers, Ethan. : I can tell you what I've heard... : I hope it won't upset you.: No, not at all. *Question: Do you know a Derek Kairos?* : Derek's the one that started this place up. It opened 14 years ago... Yep, on 5/1.: After it opened, though, it just never took off. Some people even say the grand opening was sabotaged. I heard no one came on that first day, and Derek had a lot on his mind that night...: Apparently that's what got him involved with loansharks...: R-really? (This is all news to me...): But somehow he managed to pay all that money back. He sold this cafe and did who knows what else to come up with the cash. I think it was around that time that Derek became a writer.: Yes, that's right.*Question: Ask about Uncle Derek's death* : Derek was killed--let's see. It would have been about two years after he sold this place. : ...!!: S-seriously...? By whom?: I don't know. I did hear it had nothing to do with the cafe. So I heard, anyway...but Derek had racked up a lot of debt.: I was so afraid the debt collectors would come here, too.: Oh...I see...*Question: Do you know a Derek Kairos?, reprise* : The fellow who built this place, right? I've never met him, though.*Question: Ask about Uncle Derek's death, reprise* : I heard he was murdered some 12 years ago...Converge. : (So Uncle Derek started this cafe. First I'd heard of it.): (And then someone killed him...): ...Thank you very much.: I'm sorry it was such a strange story, in the end.: No, I'm glad we talked.: Could I ask you one more question?: Sure--what is it?: Why is this place named "Chronos"?: Ah, yes...that's been its name since the very beginning.: In Greek mythology, Chronos was the personification of time.: Well, aren't you clever! That's exactly right.: It was Derek's idea. I liked the name, so I never changed it.: Oh, okay...I see. Thank you.: (I never knew that. Uncle Derek must have been a pretty smart cookie.): That's about all I know...: Sorry it's nothing too interesting.: No, it's fine. Thank you very much.: Come by for coffee again sometime.: I will. : Yeah?: Help your uncle...okay?And she's gone. : Hey, wait...: (There she goes.): (This is terrible... How could Uncle Derek have been murdered...? This past--it's horrible...!): (I've got to get more information on poor Uncle Derek...)=== Updated our flashback with the new information. Flashback: Derek at Chronos posted:
Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:30 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jul 12, 2016 05:57
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Bonus: the lyrics to the translated opening song.quote:I open my eyes to another day There's also a full version, and I'll drop the full lyrics to it if that ever comes up.
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Jul 12, 2016 06:04
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Stabbey_the_Clown posted:What answers? Ethan saw her yearbook photo, he knows she is Kori Twelves(sic) from about 35 years ago and was pulled through a time hole and became unstuck in time. She was pulled through by an unknown person. Not Irving because Kori said it was not him. Not Ethan's parents because they were already missing before Kori showed up. Not Derek since he can't see the pen and isn't the heir anyway. Good points, but consider this: Ethan has no downsides from just letting Kori answer the question, especially since he wanted to ask her some questions anyways. There's a chance it could have answered one of the questions he had.
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Jul 12, 2016 20:48
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Update 21: Looting the Body Back home we go, to ponder our scenario.    : He used to make the best coffee...: (I've got to save him!)Right, so we needed to look up exactly where and when the flashback of Derek's body took place. You know what that means - to the library!  : Back issues, right?: What would you like me to look up for you?Same two choices as always. *By event* : There was a murder somewhere between 12 and 3 years ago... The victim's name was Derek Kairos.: One moment, please...: There's one match. I'll copy it for you.  Article: Derek's Murder posted:: "Journalist Murdered"--this is it...December 5, 12 years ago. (...So the body was discovered at 10:35 the morning of December 5. This is the incident I saw in my flashback.): (Was it after Mom and Dad went missing...?): It doesn't look like they caught whoever did it... "Kairos was avidly investigating the Kako bus accident until his death." ...Doesn't say anything about money.: (If money wasn't the motive... what was? If it had something to do with the accident...could Irving have been involved?): It happened in...the next town over...: (Along the route of the bus that had that accident. Uncle Derek was quite the investigator.): (...I can go there now if I take a train.): The police were investigating the memo he had on him, eh...?: (Wonder what that memo's about? Hmm.)And as expected, that lets us fill out our flashback on that. Flashback: Derek's Body posted:
 : Sure--what is it?: So I found this really gorgeous girl, okay?: ......: Aw, quit looking at me like that! Forget it--forget I said anything!: I wasn't! Honestly!: Really? All right...then I'll tell you a little more...: You see...: ......: ......: Oh, never mind! It would just be wasted on you, anyway!: Hey, wait a sec...: I'm going home. Goodbye!: (That Ben...he'll never change.)  This really functions as our standard "Do I really want to open a Hole" check, even though we get one again later. {Soundtrack: Silence}  : (Let's see...it should be right around here...)  ===   *Examine* : (What's Uncle Derek got there...?): Whoa!!  : (I wrote this note... I gave this note to Irving.) Irving...what are you up to!?And we close the Hole. There's technically a new flashback of the scene since we changed it by grabbing the memo, but it's unchanged in any way so not worth recording. ===  : (I wonder if the past has changed so that I've never been to that neighboring town.)  : ...The cafe... (If Uncle Derek had been able to keep running Chronos... If Chronos had thrived, maybe he wouldn't have been murdered. You know...if I can't undo Uncle Derek's murder, I'll just have to change what happens before it instead.): (I'll ask around about Chronos tomorrow...)On a different topic, how does Ethan feel about maid uniforms? Good or no good? Cyouni fucked around with this message at 07:35 on Mar 17, 2017 |
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Jul 19, 2016 02:50
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I've left this a little longer than I planned to thanks to work and other things cropping up on me, but I should have the next update up tomorrow. Most of it's already done, I just need to replace my placeholders and upload the images for it. It's a little longer than I'd prefer, but there's no good break points for it.
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Jul 29, 2016 10:44
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