jlfs-ol

[jlfs-ol]

It's you!

Despite everything...

...it's still you <3

[jlfs-ol]

Hii :3 could you do a comparison of some of Baxters dialog in step 3 with the different interest levels? thank u, and also sorry if it was answered already (ד ྊ ד  )

I haven't answered this, no!

Something to keep in mind though is that, as I believe I've said in a previous post about Derek, Indifferent is basically just base game stuff/not having the character's DLC. There is one difference still that I'll point out, however.

(just a note that I picked mainly from Sightseeing since most differences dialog-wise are from there; there are narration differences too but I aimed for some of my favorite dialog-based ones; there are also differences for when the MC and Baxter are dating versus not - so overlap with Fond/Crush if the MC didn't date Baxter - but I didn't add those since the anon asked about interest levels specifically)

Sightseeing

When the MC and Baxter are about to head out:

(if Fond)

Baxter: "If there is ever anything you want to ask, you are welcome query me. I'm an open book." His officialness of the statement made you expect a formal bow from him. It didn't happen, though. Baxter: "I know there are things I would like to know about you."

(if Crush)

Baxter: "Please query me at your leisure, if there's anything you'd ever want to ask. I'm an open book in your hands." It could've stopped there, and you would've expected it to end on a formal bow. But the exceedingly official sounding offer was flipped into something coy and full of possibility. Baxter: "There are many things I would like to know about you."

If the MC says "Thanks for telling me," after asking Baxter where he's from:

(if Fond)

Baxter: "Don't mention it. It's kind of you to ask. Normally I wouldn't spend so much time talking about myself, but if it can be of interest to you, then I suppose we are both winners."

(if Crush)

Baxter: "It's my pleasure. I'm flattered that you'd take an interest in my background. Normally I wouldn't talk so much about myself, although lately something has me spilling my feelings left and right… In any case, if you care to indulge me with your questions, I suppose we are both winners in the end."

If the MC teases Baxter about being a "bad boy":

(if Fond)

He shrugged in a blase sort of manner and smiled cheekily at your quip. Baxter: "The very worst."

(if Crush)

He grinned, leaned closer, and met your gaze with a meaningful look. There was a heat to it that spread all the way to the pit of your stomach. Baxter: "The very worst. You're courting danger simply by being near me." His voice dropped a fraction lower. Baxter: "That makes you something of a rebel too." A heartbeat. A pause. Then he broke eye contact and moved away. When his gaze returned to you, his usual affable smile returned with it.

If the MC tells Baxter that they're a volunteer at ORCA:

(if Fond)

Baxter: "Well then, society could dearly use more people like you."

(if Crush)

Baxter: "Incredible. Just incredible." He slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, looking off to the side. He laughed quietly to himself. Baxter: "I'm in more trouble than I already thought…"

After Baxter talks about his first crush (if the MC asked about it):

(if Fond)

Baxter: "Hardly the most inspiring twist on the star-crossed-lovers trope, I admit."

(if Crush)

Baxter: "But that's something of the past. In truth, when it comes to attraction, I find discussion on flames that are still alight to be more worthwhile."

Planning

When Terry states that there's "nothing in this little beach town":

(if Fond)

Baxter: "Now you know that's not true."

(if Crush)

With his hands in his pockets, Baxter stepped ahead, passing you to join Terri on the road. He had a few words as he crossed your path. Baxter: "Oh, I would have to disagree with that." Your skin grew warmer from just that slight brush with Baxter.

Step 3 Ending

(if Indifferent/non-Baxter DLC)

Baxter: [MC], Cove, long time no see.

(if Fond/Crush)

Baxter: [MC], Cove, good to see you.

[jlfs-ol]

Our Life: Ages

Well, as far as I can tell, this is accurate. So, here y'all go I guess!

The colours coincide with the games btw, and their respective Steps from - 1 to 4. BlueGreen for OLBA, GoldOrange for OLNF.

It doesn't have all the ages, but it has most of the relevant ones presently. I'll probably make another one later with the NF parents and extras too, but I just wanted this one for easy reference atm.

[jlfs-ol]

Jemma fell for him during hiking. It hit her like a slap in the face. She had a crush on him since the dance in Step 2 (something she thought was just eventually fizzled out, but it stayed dormant and hit her like a stack of bricks when she met him again in Step 3), but that moment where seeing him be freer than ever was where it first hit her.

With Baxter, I think it was more gradual, but every moment made those feelings stronger and I don't think it fully sunk in for him (or he was at least no longer in denial) until he left or at the earliest, slammed the door in her face.

Open MC/Baxter Lore Question!

This kinda stuff is what I live for, and so I'm gonna pose it to the broader OLBA Baxter romance fans. It's a two-parter question, and one I think is super, super interesting!! It really gives others an understanding of who your MC is and how their dynamic is with the Danger Oreo.

When did your MC fall in love with Baxter? (Which step, was it a conscious thing or something they didn't realize until later?)

When do you think Baxter really fell in love with your MC? (Which step, did he realize it??)

Bonus third question, if anyone's keen: If either of them were unaware of their feelings in the moment, when did they realize THAT was the snapshot in time where they became a lost cause?

[jlfs-ol]

So I’ve seen so much ragging on Baxter calling himself a rebel or a bad boy, and it hurts me! ( I know most of it is in jest, its okay!) But I wanted to explain how he really IS what he claims to be, even though may just seem like a privileged individual

(I really had to reduce this from an essay to fit tumblrs character limit, I am talking like a 2k word essay, so its condensed but covers my points lol also please keep in mind I have taken canon information and given my interpretation of the information to this)

Lets look at the definition of a Bad Bay archetype – a cultural archetype often defined as a male who behaves badly, especially within societal norms. Qualities associated with this archetype is confidence, independence and/or assertiveness (though there are the negative connotations such as manipulation, dishonesty or a lack of consideration for others, but we are not focusing on those as these do not reflect Baxter)

And what is a rebel? At its core, it is a person who resist any authority, control, or tradition. Rebels like to change up the status quo, refusing to conform to societal pressures and controlling figures.

So lets look at Baxter Alexander Ward’s life:

Brought up in wealth

Was sheltered and raised with certain values

Parents were controlling and dictated a lot of his life

Was never treated like a child, but as an adult his whole life

More than likely taught to think himself above everyone (which he confirms)

Raised with very bigoted, misogynistic, homophobic and just cruel morals and notions  

If we look at those specific points, where does the Bad Boy archetype fit first?

By the time he reaches 19 years of age, he wants to be able to make connections outside of the circle of money he was raised in

Though he keeps up appearances for his parents, he tends to thumb his parents way of life, not wanting to become the same type of people they are

Rather than endorse their way of thinking, he becomes more open and accepting

(this boy might have mighty expectations for himself, but for others, he will never expect more than they can provide)

He is the very thing his parents do no approve off; Pansexual, accepting of others, opposite to what they want

By the time he is 19 years old, he is already snubbing his parents and their values, wanting to move outside of their circle of life and live his own life. There is the understanding that he was already sleeping around in high school, and considering his partners would be of all genders, the rumors circulating him would affect the image of the family, which his parents would not approve off. His visual looks, moving heavily into the black/ white monochrome and more alternative fit outside the expectations of what his family would expect of him. He dresses as he pleases, not as someone else would want him to.

These may seem like little actions, little acts of rebelling against his family, but these are MASSIVE in the context of his life. To flip the entire narrative that he learnt from his parents, and continues to do so in every way that he is able to. Sure, he gets a fake ID to just get a car to sight see in and get booze for himself to drink when out for dinner or even at home. But these acts are against what his parents expect or event want of him, what their social circle would expect of him, and as such, he fits the Bad Boy narrative within THAT social circle. And that is what matters in this context.

So, of course, this feeds into the rebel label. Going against everything he was taught, becoming the opposite person his parents expected of him. Resisting the control that his parents try and enforce on him and finding ways to escape the grip of expectation. I repeat myself a lot here but its that constant push back on what his parents expected of him, the morals, the views, the way he should handle himself and what they wanted of him. Baxter's rebellion is deep,y rooted in a sincere desire for authenticity, change and self-discovery, making him a truly compelling character.

Baxter at 19 years old was the Bad Boy Rebel of his families social circle. From the outside he just seems like a typical rich kid that was a bit strange, but from the inside, that’s where the rebelling sat.

Baxter at 24 is the man that continued in that path of rebellion. He further cut himself away from what his parents wanted, stood on his own two feet and tried to become the type of person he could be proud of. He separated himself from their morals, their visions, their actions. His mother who held charities to make connections and get a tax kick back? He does it to actually help people and does it almost pro-bono, no expectation to gain anything further from it. His father who holds a franchise and makes money from others manual labor? He takes the labor from others and takes it on himself to ensure that the day that they have (be it wedding or birthday or another event entirely) goes swimmingly and they have less stress than where they started.

Baxter continues to be a Rebel and Bad Boy as he grows and matures, as he continues to shun the way he grew up and becomes a better person for it.

There are probably other key points I have missed, but these are the ones that stood out to me, cementing the idea that Baxter Alexander Ward is a through and through

Rebellious Bad Boy

Thank you for coming to my (slightly unhinged) TED (tumblr) Talk.

[jlfs-ol]

Lady Bird / Fleabag / Anatomy of Cat and Dog Skeletons, William Cheselden & unknown

[jlfs-ol]

This is honestly a huge thing with Jemma's character arc to be honest because yeah, her whole concern towards the end of that Summer was feeling like everyone was moving on without her and that door shutting in her face without any reason she could make sense of left her in quite the frozen state of shock for a lot of reasons.

In some ways, your life still felt eternally frozen at 18, seeing everyone else moving forward while you were stuck, both metaphorically and literally. While others continued going about their day, you were stuck on the platform, looking for a ticket you never managed to buy.

(replace 15 w 18) yall baxter lovers prob feel this to your CORE

[jlfs-ol]

Finally figured out Jemma's 'visiting Golden Grove' outfit. I couldn't decide between going on a lighter or darker color scheme overall, but I think I'm finally pretty happy with it.

[jlfs-ol]

Yeeees, this exactly. Even as an adult, the end of Step 3 hits me hard because it's something I still feel very strongly and struggle with. Change is hard, it's hard to know what you're doing, and the idea that everyone else is moving faster than you/that you're falling behind and not really knowing what you want to do because there's so much you like to do.

I literally can't play that part without tearing up because it hits so close to home. It's nice to have that support and friendship, even if it's just a game.

does anyone know the pain of playing our life while in the middle of your “growing up crisis”?

disregard any of the romantic aspects of the game, infact disregard cove, derek, and baxter completely. just being able to have your own character grow up into the person you want them to be can be so heartbreaking AND heartwarming. (especially if they are a self insert)

i dunno if its just me! im nearing the end of my childhood and its so sad to look back upon my own life and compare it to a silly game!

it always feels a little silly to say a game has impacted you, but this game has SERIOUSLY impacted me in everyway possible.

[jlfs-ol]

how do you headcanon post step 4 for your OL1 MC?

Before I can really answer this, I do slightly headcanon part of Step 4 differently (I might adjust it at some point to be more properly aligned to the hinted dates, but we shall see):

I have Derek's DLC moved to 2022 instead of happening in 2021. Jemma isn't really in a place where she'd stay over his house by herself, let alone be up to the Father's Day activities and stuff-- she still sends cards and gifts though.

I have the anniversary/Cove's Step 4 in early June with the wedding and Baxter's DLC in late June. This is partially because Jemma's birthday is in early July. Based off canon information, Derek's DLC is obviously around June 20th as that was Father's Day that year (It's June 19th in 2022), Cove's DLC would be late July then as it's about a month later, and then Baxter's DLC is a few weeks after that so like... mid-August, but I also headcanon Miranda's birthday around there/like the last week in August. I might try and re-work things at some point to have them more properly contained by the hinted dates, but Derek's DLC still would likely get pushed back to 2022.

Moving onto actual post Step 4, based off things GB Patch has said:

I generally headcanon Jemma moving into Baxter's apartment about a year after getting back together.

That Fall after moving in, he'd visit Golden Grove to see everyone.

They get engaged a year or two after moving in together. Somewhere before getting engaged and after the Golden Grove Boy's Club Reunion, I'd think the wedding DLC for OL2 takes place.

They get married after about a year long engagement-- I generally think the wedding would be held September 22nd which is roughly the last day of Summer/first day of Fall which I think fits them.

I don't think they would have kids for at least a few years with Jemma in her late twenties and Baxter at 30, but I HC Twins-- a boy and a girl with the boy slightly older. The boy would have Jemma's haircolor and Baxter's eye color and the girl would have Baxter's haircolor and Jemma's eyecolor.

I still need to decide Jemma's Golden Grove outfit, but yeah.

[jlfs-ol]

There are hints that you hang out other times and at least continue to spend Father's Day with him, but nothing where you actually get to be face-to-face with him, unfortunately.

But yeah, it's very much a character thing! A combination of Baxter not wanting to go further than the MC is comfortable, but also an effort for him to not get too attached since he plans to drop things no matter what (of course, it doesn't work but).

Things I Would Like to Discuss with Our Life Fans

Do you really not see Derek like at all after Step 2? Like ever? Is the kid honestly that busy?

Does Baxter really not try to put the moves on you during Step 3 if you're dating? I know GB didn't want to do a mature game, but do you think as a character that he wouldn't, like he'd really just be like "ok lol bye" at the mountain resort after That Scene?

What's with that bird shirt Cove has, the fancy one that only buttons up halfway? Is that fashion? Am I behind the times? Would your MC make fun of him for it? Because to me it is a silly shirt.

Do you think that Baxter dyes his hair himself or goes to a salon? Can you imagine him making a little appointment to get his black and white hair for the first time and the stylist is like "......"

Not to rag on Baxter (I love him so much) but what's with that story he tells you in Step 3 about ordering a shirt online? Like he tells you about taking his own measurements and hoping it would fit and not being able to return it, and no MC I've ever made (and I have made so many) has ever give one single care. Do you think that's a Baxter thing, him just telling these long boring stories and you're just like "ok honey thank you for the info"?

[jlfs-ol]

I think you mean Step 3 and not Step 2 since you meet Derek in Step 2. You do get a call from him at the end of Step 3, but that's it.

Beyond flirting or certain face/arm/hand touching, he doesn't do anything unless the MC instigates it. Even the Mountains, you need to invite him, though, he can initiate anything happening in the MC's room if the MC hesitates after inviting him in. The whole reason Baxter outright puts the deadline on it being a 'short visit' is likely to stop himself from going any further. Similarly, you can actually kiss if not dating, but only if you do planning last and choose to do so while baking at his apartment. And then he stops drinking early, likely for the same reason.

I personally really dislike it, but I'm not a fashion person so I don't know. It's easily my least favorite Cove outfit though.

I feel like maybe professionally for a while, but eventually doing it himself considering how often he does it and he generally seems to want to do things himself. (Edit: Salon it is :P)

It's one of those situations where I kind of wish we got full context on how the conversation got there.

Things I Would Like to Discuss with Our Life Fans

Do you really not see Derek like at all after Step 2? Like ever? Is the kid honestly that busy?

Does Baxter really not try to put the moves on you during Step 3 if you're dating? I know GB didn't want to do a mature game, but do you think as a character that he wouldn't, like he'd really just be like "ok lol bye" at the mountain resort after That Scene?

What's with that bird shirt Cove has, the fancy one that only buttons up halfway? Is that fashion? Am I behind the times? Would your MC make fun of him for it? Because to me it is a silly shirt.

Do you think that Baxter dyes his hair himself or goes to a salon? Can you imagine him making a little appointment to get his black and white hair for the first time and the stylist is like "......"

Not to rag on Baxter (I love him so much) but what's with that story he tells you in Step 3 about ordering a shirt online? Like he tells you about taking his own measurements and hoping it would fit and not being able to return it, and no MC I've ever made (and I have made so many) has ever give one single care. Do you think that's a Baxter thing, him just telling these long boring stories and you're just like "ok honey thank you for the info"?

[jlfs-ol]

Baxter's step 4 in a nutshell

Baxter: "I want you to ignore or just see me as a stranger, let's not reminisce on what we had"

Also Baxter: *drops little references on everything you've experienced with him that summer with a fond look on his face*

[jlfs-ol]

Just in response to your OL height tags: Only Cove has canon heights in each step and he is 6'4" in Step 4 (He's 4'1" in Step 1, 5'4" in Step 2, and 6 foot in Step 3). Baxter and Derek only got confirmed heights for Step 4 and they originally varied but I believe the most recent stated/canon heights ended up being 5'9" for Derek and 5'11" for Baxter (with him being ~5'9" in Step 3). Derek's and Baxter's final heights were initially reversed, but changed in the release.

JEEZ why are they so tall >:0 thanks for telling me! i only got into the game recently so im behind on lore

[jlfs-ol]

Shout out to the stuffed sheep of Our Life.

[jlfs-ol]

When you need to wait until Patreon news is public to say feelings and things </3

[jlfs-ol]

do you ever just

and then