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blackjack-15 · 3 years ago

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Two Can Keep a Secret (if the Family Tree is Dead) — Thoughts on: Ghost of Thornton Hall (GTH)

Previous Metas: SCK/SCK2, STFD, MHM, TRT, FIN, SSH, DOG, CAR, DDI, SHA, CUR, CLK, TRN, DAN, CRE, ICE, CRY, VEN, HAU, RAN, WAC, TOT, SAW, CAP, ASH, TMB, DED

Hello and welcome to a Nancy Drew meta series! 30 metas, 30 Nancy Drew Games that I’m comfortable with doing meta about. Hot takes, cold takes, and just Takes will abound, but one thing’s for sure: they’ll all be longer than I mean them to be.

Each meta will have different distinct sections: an Introduction, an exploration of the Title, an explanation of the Mystery, a run-through of the Suspects. Then, I’ll tackle some of my favorite and least favorite things about the game, and finish it off with ideas on how to improve it.

If any game requires an extra section or two, they’ll be listed in the paragraph above, along with my list of previous metas.

These metas are not spoiler free, though I’ll list any games/media that they might spoil here: GTH; SPY; mention of ASH (and the ASH meta); mention of Nik/HER’s spoilery hints about GTH.

NOTE: THIS META CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF AND REFERENCE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT. MORE DETAILED SECTIONS ARE MARKED, BUT THIS WARNING STANDS FOR THE WHOLE META.

The Intro:

It’s time to get our Spooky on, lads. And we’re gonna do it in a meta of truly staggering length, so maybe go to the bathroom and get a snack before you start. My apologies.

Due to the (to be quite frank) absence of nostalgia surrounding them, there’s not really many games that are post 2010 that the fandom tends to agree on, but Ghost of Thornton Hall happens to be a standout in that pretty much everyone has found something to like about it. It often tops the charts of “best newer game” polls, and puts in a valiant effort against the more nostalgic mainstays.

There are a lot of reasons for this, in my mind – the quality of the writing, the choices that Nancy can make that actually affect the outcome of the game and especially affect Nancy, the fabulous voice work, the purposely-unanswered questions that give a deeper sense of horror — but if you ask me, the love for GTH really boils down to one thing:

Atmosphere.

Nancy Drew game fans (and I’m including myself in this) tend to prioritize atmosphere in the games, probably because without good and proper atmosphere it’s easier to pick apart the formula as you’re playing and to avoid being immersed in the game’s story, and GTH has it thick on the ground (figuratively and literally). The fear, unease, and overall sense of being an Intruder in this story comes from the overwhelming atmosphere provided by the grief of the characters, the time-sensitive nature of the crime, the secrets of the house and family, and, of course, the rather stellar visuals and locations.

The Thornton’s house and grounds really feel alive, but dead — in fact, they almost feel alive in the way that a zombie is, where they function and feed but have no heart. The gloriously (and meticulously) decorated walls are cast in shadow and grime; the portraits feel ominous and disapproving rather than lifelike and nostalgic; even the graveyard, as spread out and opulent as it is, feels claustrophobic and unwelcoming.

In a word, the game is – visually, thematically, story-wise, and atmospherically — haunting. And I think that overwhelming feeling of being haunted is, in large part, what draws fans back to this game again and again.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the scariest parts of this game are the things that you, as the player, do not see. Sure, the apparitions of Charlotte, the ghostly figures, the appearance of Harper — these are all scary, but the fear is gone after a moment, leaving the player unsettled but not running to hide under a blanket. The deaths of the fifty-four souls, the secret behind Clara’s birth, Harper’s breakdown — all these things that you don’t see, that you can only hear about or have hinted at are where the fear of the game kicks in, especially for older players.

It’s no secret that, despite the games being labeled for ages 10 and up, that the actual age of the Nancy Drew games fandom hasn’t been around 10 for some time — most people playing these games are in their 20s or 30s, or have siblings who are in their 20s and 30s and got into the games through them. Sure, there are some outliers, but the Clue Crew is much closer in general to the ages of the River Heights crew than they are to the age that that box says.

Because of this, the writers (and I’m going to especially hat-tip Nik here) behind the games have been able to slowly graduate the topics of the games to be a little bit older, hiding the true horror behind things that younger kids just won’t think about. This is especially the case with GTH and SPY, but you see it in a lot of the newer games, where the implications of events are normally scarier than the events themselves.

GTH takes that and runs with it, choosing to hint at and dance around truly upsetting — for any age — topics, presenting a mystery and a story that only get scarier once you’ve finished staring at the screen. The characters’ emotional problems and issues — loss, abandonment, anxiety, guilt — are like this too; while they’re present in the game itself, when you take a step back after finishing the game you realize just how badly scarred everyone is in the story.

Because answers were purposely left vague in order to 1) make the player work for it and 2) keep the 10+ rating, pretty much everyone who plays GTH has a slightly different opinion on what went down at Charlotte’s party, who the Thorntons really are, the circumstances of Clara’s birth, why the children of a female Thornton take their mother’s name — you name it, and there’s around 10 distinct opinions on it, and many more offshoots of those opinions besides.

I’m going to talk a little bit here about a couple of the “biggies”, since I don’t want it cluttering up the Suspect portion of this meta, so bear with me. I’m not so much interested in “this is the Correct answer” as much as just presenting the information from the game and wondering about its conclusions…but I (like everyone else) have my little pet theories, so what follows will be a little bit of reporting, a little bit of inference, and a little bit of supposition.

What follows is a frank discussion of topics such as rape and incest as they apply to GTH. If this is something you’d rather not consume, skip down to the next bolded line.

The most talked-about question left hanging in the game is, of course, who Clara’s father was. I think this question is best addressed from a two-pronged approach, however, because to figure out who Clara’s father could have been is a question that requires another question to be answered: why would Clara’s mother not tell her, even on her deathbed.

The most popular — and horrifying — answer to this is that Clara’s father is Jackson, and that she was a product of rape and incest. Now, just looking at the timeline, this theory adds up; Rosalie (Clara’s mum) would have been 25 when her father was 51 and would have raped her — young enough (especially in relation to her father, a middle-aged man of a lot of power in and out of the family) that she would have been scared to tell anyone anything, but old enough to not have it be super out of the ordinary that she got pregnant and had a baby — especially in 1968.

To add to this theory, there’s the note in the cellar that asks “who was this Jackson?...what’s he hiding, and who put it there? Was it Charlotte?”. If you’re looking for clues with the incest theory in mind, this seems to point directly to it — “who was this Jackson”? both Rosalie and Clara’s father. “What’s he hiding”? his crime of raping his daughter and impregnating her. The mention of Charlotte alludes to the supposition that Charlotte found proof of this crime — tangible proof — and put it somewhere; this pretty much supposes that there’s a document somewhere that names Jackson as Clara’s biological father, such as an admission of guilt or a paternity test.

The final “proof-positive” to this theory is that Rosalie refused to tell Clara who her father was even on her deathbed. We know from the family tree and Wade that Clara was between 5-10 when her mother died (I’m inclined to believe the family tree, and chalk the discrepancy up to either the writers not being concerned with math or, more likely and more charitably, to show that Wade isn’t a Perfectly Reliable source, just like everyone else), and Rosalie’s protection of Clara from the truth makes sense with a child in that age span. It’s one (horrible, horrible) thing to be forcibly impregnated by your father, but to have to say it out loud, and to say it to your child — that’s something that no one can even remotely blame Rosalie for not being up to, especially when weakened by sickness.

There are smaller points — like pointing out that this might be why Virginia (Wade’s mum) was skipped over in inheritance — but these small points have dozens of explanations, so they’re not really good for bolstering a theory unless you’re already dedicated to it and are looking for crumbs to shore it up.

End of frank discussion. The previous topics may be alluded to and/or mentioned, but not discussed in detail from this point on.

Now, let’s talk about another explanation. I think there’s a tendency to jump on the “Jackson Theory” because 1) there are clues that support it, but more importantly 2) because it’s horrifying, and it’s natural to leap to the scariest thing you can think of when considering a game that relies on fridge horror in the first place.

In the “Jackson Theory”, Rosalie would have hidden Clara’s parentage because of shame, horror, and trauma, and probably to (at least momentarily) spare Clara’s feelings — but Jackson isn’t the only explanation for her reticence.

Generally, we can break apart the reasons for Rosalie’s silence into three distinct emotions or emotional states: shame (supports the Jackson Theory), trauma (supports an assault by a known wolf), or, often overlooked, ignorance.

Clara is mentioned repeatedly as being outwardly and obviously scared about her place in the family — a fear borne from and exacerbated in her childhood, as Nik plainly states (“her insecurity wasn’t just a personal flaw, it was a response to her uneven upbringing,” emphasis mine).

An easy way for Rosalie, worried as she must have been about leaving her daughter alone, to fix this if Clara really was a product of incest, is to name a distant Thornton cousin, preferably one who was already dead or out of the picture, as the father, which would assure Clara’s place in the Thornton line by both blood and her future adoption. This way, if Clara’s parentage was tested, she’d show up as a Thornton from both sides in a way that wouldn’t be suspicious, and her daughter would have an easier life.

But Rosalie didn’t do this — she never even hinted at the identity of Clara’s father. As a woman known primarily for secret keeping — not just about Clara, but about everything (“She loved her secrets,” Wade says), Rosalie would have been adept at hiding things through various means, including through lies and subterfuge, not simply staying silent. Given the little we know of Rosalie’s character, then, let’s consider why she wouldn’t have said anything — even something false — to ensure her daughter’s safety when she died.

Looking outside of Jackson (and with any other known Thornton being quite unlikely), the vast majority of assaults are committed by those known to their victim — friends, acquaintances, classmates, etc.

The Thorntons were — and are — an incredibly powerful family, both monetarily and socially. Having dealt with families such as the Thorntons before in matters like this one, it is frankly incredibly unlikely that, had Rosalie been assaulted by someone she knew, that the truth wouldn’t have come to light through another source, and that the perpetrator would have been punished in every way possible.

BRIEF DISCUSSION OF ASSAULT STATISTICS AS THEY RELATE TO ROSALIE’S POSSIBLE CASE.

Some people familiar with only the post-20th-century world as “the modern age” and with a less stellar grasp of the pre-tech-boom world might raise an eyebrow at this supposition of punishment, but this is Exactly what would have happened — and did happen with regularity — even as “far back” as ’68 — especially when the crime was committed against a young, privileged, wealthy woman of the community.

Note, this is after the USMPC adjustment to the definition of rape in ’62, but before the adjustments in the early 70s; in 9 years, forcible rape rates (this number includes only female victims, so the true number of victims is indisputably higher, given the enormous jump in rape statistics in 2016-present as male cases have been included) had soared in the United States from around 17,000 per year in 1960 to, in the year Clara was born, 31,000 reported cases (source: DisasterCenter). With these soaring numbers came soaring awareness, and combined with Rosalie’s identity as a rich, powerful young woman in a rich, powerful family, it’s on the outside of belief that, had her attacker’s identity been known or suspected, that it could have remained a secret and gone unpunished.

END OF BRIEF DISCUSSION OF ASSAULT STATISTICS AS THEY RELATE TO ROSALIE’S POSSIBLE CASE.

Given this historical and social backing, the simplest and unavoidable potential answer to why Rosalie wouldn’t have either told Clara who her father was or made up a “brief love” who abandoned her Dishonorably, is this: she didn’t know.

(I’ll spare a mention here to say that, ignorance because of being a “wild child” in the 60s and having had multiple partners would be a possible theory, but it disregards everything else we know about Rosalie and her behavior, and that her reputation as a party girl would have been common knowledge, unable to be hidden from those who were alive at the time. So let’s move on to what else would cause ignorance.)

Though attacks by a person unknown to the victim are, in relation to known assailants, rare, in the absence of other evidence, the simplest answer to Clara’s parentage was that Rosalie was assaulted by someone that she did not know and had no way of knowing — and who had no idea of the social power of his victim.

Rosalie truly left nothing behind that points to her daughter’s parentage, even for later discovery or for Clara’s private eyes in a bank lockbox when she came of an Age that Rosalie deemed appropriate — so the conclusion to be drawn is, in the absence of evidence, that Rosalie didn’t answer Clara’s question because she simply couldn’t.

This ties into the other theory/mystery I want to cover here — that of what happened the night Charlotte died, and how (and in what way) Clara was culpable and responsible for Charlotte’s death. We know that, according to her, Clara went there simply to “scare” Charlotte — and given the circumstances that Clara gives this confession in, I’m inclined to believe her — and it’s my opinion that the reason didn’t have anything to do with the truth of the identity of Clara’s father.

My stance here — and it’s here that I take a solid stance, rather than presenting options — with Charlotte (and I’ll talk more about her general character in the Suspects section) is that Charlotte found the same breadcrumbs as the players did and came to the same conclusion — that Jackson was Clara’s biological father. The difference, however, is that I believe Charlotte’s conclusion to be understandable, but ultimately incorrect, and that Rosalie’s assaulter was a stranger.

Horrified, this is where Charlotte’s “cryptic obsession with Jackson” (mentioned in the note in the cellar) began, and what led to her changing the beneficiary of her will from Clara — poor, pitiable Clara, already a victim of so much, whose insecurities would be compounded by this truth — to Harper.

An important part of this theory — and of really any theory — is the consideration that Clara was pregnant with Jessalyn at the time. Not only does this partially explain why Clara’s thought was to save herself (and her baby) rather than dragging Charlotte out with her (regardless of any other factor), but it also brings a potential answer as to why Charlotte would change her will to favor Harper, rather than Clara. Just as the cellar note asks “Who was this Jackson?”, I find myself asking a similar, but no less important question:

“Who was this Austin Neely?”

Listed as Jessalyn’s (still living) father on the family tree, Austin Neely isn’t present anywhere else in the game — not by name and not through mentions of “Jessalyn’s father” or ��Clara’s ex-husband/ex-boyfriend” or anything like that. There’s not even a mention of Clara contacting him as a guest for the wedding or to help search for their daughter. His absence is glaring, especially in a game so focused around family — so the question of who is Austin Neely is a question that seems incredibly important to me, given that Clara was pregnant at the time of Charlotte’s death.

In mentioning this theory, I do fully acknowledge that I have only some circumstantial evidence — mostly emotional, and based off of who the characters are/were — to support it, but given the total lack of information on Austin Neely, my guess is as good as anything else.

So here’s my theory: Austin Neely is not Jessalyn’s father, and Clara, like her mother, became pregnant via some type of assault (and given that this was the late 80s and given Clara’s age at the time, I would say the most likely culprit is date rape). When Clara became aware that she was pregnant, given her insecurities about her place in the Thornton clan and her lack of knowledge of her own father, would have come to this conclusion: she was not going to let her baby go through what she herself went through. So she did what her mother could have — and honestly speaking, probably should have — done, and lied.

Austin Neely was probably a friend or an acquaintance of Clara’s — someone her family didn’t really know, but that she could make up a story about dating/being engaged to and became pregnant by before it all fell apart. He would have likely received a payout (probably a rather large payout, given the Thornton’s money and influence) and disappeared from the area and the Thornton’s lives, signing off any responsibility or claim to “their” child before he left.

As a result of this, her child now has a father and doesn’t have to grow up wondering, and Clara avoids the stigma, court case, and general Uproar that would come with attempting to find her attacker. She also, importantly for her, avoids that mess for her child, who will grow up in a semi-normal atmosphere, surrounded by family, not doubting her place in the world — and no one has to know.

Except, of course, one person would know. The head of the family: Charlotte Thornton. From then on, based on this series of events, the story behind Charlotte’s death becomes quite straightforward.

Clara’s paranoia and general cleverness clue her in to the fact that Charlotte has changed her will in Harper’s favor, and is scared out of her mind; having recently experienced a trauma and being pregnant with a child, she’s afraid that she will be left with absolutely nothing, that her machinations with Austin Neely and all her striving will have been for nothing, and she will be cast off, unable to give her child the life she wants to give her.

Compounded by her ground-in fear that she does not belong, she decides to try to settle it with Charlotte — she’s going to scare her, to punish her, and make Charlotte rethink the changed will.

And Charlotte, bearing the weight of the family name and business, not to mention its continued propagation on her shoulders, sees a woman who has been — like her mother — assaulted and left pregnant, whose mental state is already fragile, and who the “revelation” of who Charlotte thinks her true father is would topple her completely — sees poor, pitiable, emotional, suspicious Clara, and refuses.

I think that, more than anything else, would have set Clara off. Remember what she yells at Charlotte’s ghost?

“You had so much, so much, and I had nothing.”

In answering some of the questions about the game, Nik/HER’s response is to say that Clara did not literally light the match that burned Charlotte alive — but we know that Charlotte burned all the same. In the video of her birthday, there are candles; in the dust and soot on the floor where Charlotte died, we see candlesticks. And in the response, again, we know that Charlotte lit the candles for the celebration.

In my ASH meta, I discussed the many meanings of the word “fire” and the term “setting the fire” — and that’s important here too. In this case, the fire was set by Charlotte refusing to reconsider the terms of her will; in her refusal, she probably touched on the same point that she makes in the note in her room — that Clara isn’t stable enough to take over the company. Now, I doubt she would have said that straight to Clara’s face, but even framed as a “you have enough to be going on with and I don’t want to burden you” sort of thing, that just would have reaffirmed all of Clara’s fears — that she was unwanted by the Thornton clan, that her child would be unwanted as a matter of course, and that she would truly have nothing.

And so my guess would be that Clara shoved her. Not hard enough to break anything, not even into a direct flame, but shoved her, and Charlotte jostled the table, and a candelabra fell to the floor, where we see it still in the modern day.

When Nancy sees Charlotte’s ghost out in that house — and yes, I’m firm on that being Charlotte’s actual ghost, as she’s out in the open air so carbon monoxide doesn’t figure in, and there’s no way for that to be Harper/Jessalyn — she burns from the skirt up, which follows with a candle falling to the floor and lighting that incredibly flammable dress on fire.

The last thing to note from HER/Nik’s response is that at the end of the game, Nancy faces the exact same choice that the Thorntons have: to help, or to save herself. In this, we have to look back to Clara and Charlotte, and conclude this: Clara chose not to help. It’s debatable how much help she could have really been — we’re not sure how pregnant she was at the time — or if it even occurred to her until she was already out and chose not to go back in — but at the very least, Clara’s guilt comes not only from the fact that she quarreled with Charlotte right before her death, but that she could have tried to prevent it, and didn’t.

Given the supposition that Charlotte was literally on fire, I really do doubt that getting her out or finding water to throw on her would have been successful, but it doesn’t matter — because Clara looks at it as a choice, and Clara (more importantly) looks at it as the wrong choice, and a choice that she’s been punished for since the day it happened. That’s why, when speaking to Charlotte’s ghost, she says this:

“Haven’t I suffered enough for you?”

The last point I want to make in this OBSCENELY long introduction is about GTH’s place in the pantheon of “Haunting Games”. When you look at the bare-bones (heh) circumstances that make up GTH, you’ll start to see shades of other games.

A relationship/marriage gone a bit wrong, a family secret, an ancestral home, a relative/ancestor whose spectre looms over the story, mysterious apparitions and appearances, and Nancy’s status as an outsider and a skeptic — yeah, both CUR and HAU should come to mind immediately.

Having said my piece about, well, the badness of CUR and HAU and their unsuccessful approach to their basic plot points, it delights me that GTH takes a good hard look at them and says “well, what if we did this well this time? What if we gave our characters the complexity, the emotional resonance, the secrets and lies that we should have the first time?”

Like CUR and HAU, the Family is at the center of the game — except this time we believe in this family, in their relationships to one another, and we feel the effects of the family and their choices, not just hear about it from a diffident 9-year-old or a cranky caretaker. The history of the Thornton clan comes alive through the house, the graveyard, the books and journals that we have of them. We understand what this family is and the choices that they make — even if we don’t approve of them — and they feel real, not just like a background chucked in to Make The Spooky Things Happen.

Also like CUR and HAU, we deal with a central relationship and the complexities that come over two people deciding to get married. Happily, this game (unlike CUR and HAU) treats the central relationship as a thing of Import, and comes to the conclusion that it’s the happiness and well-suitedness of the couple that matters, not the family that surrounds them or anything else. It asks the question “what happens if one person runs away from the relationship?” and answers it, quite satisfactorily, with “there are probably some issues that need ironed out before anything else should happen”.

Interestingly, GTH also takes the good points of CUR and HAU – especially HAU’s atmosphere and CUR’s love of family tidbits — and improves upon them as well. Instead of Jane showing off her studies so that Nancy can solve a few puzzles, Wade walks her through the Thorntons were (at least in his eyes) and helps her get to know the people she’s helping. Instead of being duly impressed at the atmosphere in a bombed-out castle, everywhere on the island is teeming with fog — literal and figurative — as Nancy tries to decode the past to help the future.

Now then, let’s leave the general behind, and focus on the specifics of GTH.

The Title:

Ghost of Thornton Hall is a great title in the way that Secret of the Scarlet Hand is a great title – moody, evocative, gives us our location/focus right away, but not in a way that spoils anything, etc. If anything, it’s a little more flexible – are we dealing with The Ghost of Thornton Hall (Charlotte), the ghost(s) of the Thornton family, the ghosts of those who died on the island, or — in a very fun way — are we talking about the ghost of Thornton Hall — the spirit of the building where so much life and death has happened?

As a title for a Haunting game, you really don’t get much better than GTH, and it centers the player’s attention right where it should be — on the messed up family that the game centers around, and how their past impacts their future.

The Mystery:

Nancy’s phone rings in the middle of the night, with Savannah Woodham’s drawl on the other end, informing her of a kidnapping that’s taken place. She’d go herself, but believes wholeheartedly – and is frightened by — the ghost that’s taken up residence on Blackrock Island, Georgia, and doesn’t believe she’d be enough help.

Of course, this isn’t the whole truth, but we’ll get into that later.

Armed with both her detective skills and her inherent skepticism, Nancy sets off for Georgia to find the missing bride-to-be. Of course, when she gets there, she quickly discovers that the family — and family history — is even murkier and laced with tragedy than the presence of a ghost would suggest, and that, even with everyone searching for Jessalyn Thornton, she is nowhere to be found.

To find her, Nancy has to delve deep into the Thornton family lore, Jessalyn’s relationships with her family and friends – not to mention her preoccupied fiancé — and figure out what really did happen to dear, sweet Charlotte Thornton nearly two decades ago…

GTH, as a mystery, is chock-full of hints, clues, red herrings, and background facts that make figuring out the truth behind everything a joy and a delight — not to mention a task that will take more than one playthrough. GTH is also unique in that its mystery can end in more than one way, and that Nancy’s choices actually have more of an impact than just what souvenir she sends home to her erstwhile boyfriend. Choosing to save herself, to save just the “innocent” (for a certain value of innocence), or to save everyone leads to different endings not just for Nancy but for everyone involved with the Thornton Clan, from its matriarch all the way down to a certain spook-hunting ex-girlfriend.

Underpinning the mystery is this question: did Charlotte really come back as a ghost to haunt Blackrock and the Thorntons, or are her appearances just the result of sneaky relatives and atmospheric maleficence? Can all of the sightings be explained by a mixture of carbon monoxide poisoning, a few relatives playing dress-up, and huge amounts of suggestion and guilt? Is it the case, as Rentaro posited a few games earlier, that a ghost doesn’t have to be real to haunt you?

In a word, no. In a few more words, of course not.

Tying the whole of the ‘haunting’ mysteries together is this (previously mentioned) fact: Nancy is not remarkable for being a Skeptic, she is remarkable for being a Skeptic in a world where ghosts exist. The moving wood (and possibly the silhouette) in MHM, Camille’s ghost dancing along in TRN, the reflection of Kasumi in the water in SAW, the ghost of the Willow in GTH — these are all real, unexplainable-by-tech-or-imagination ghost sightings, and the fact that Nancy doesn’t believe in them doesn’t change their reality one bit.

In the house, you can cite carbon monoxide and Jessalyn/Harper running around in a costume for at least some of them — though not all. But the sightings outside — carbon monoxide does not stay in the system for very long in clear air, blessedly — of Charlotte? The consistency of the spectre? The apparition of her burning up at the site of her birthday party? These aren’t things that you can explain by costume theater — especially since these sightings have been happening for over a decade by people who haven’t stepped foot in Thornton Hall.

When they say that Blackrock belongs to Charlotte and has since the fire, it’s not a literary turn of phrase — Charlotte is there, and refuses to be forgotten. Nancy’s status as a Skeptic prevents her from hysteria, but it does not stop her from being haunted by the Ghost of Thornton Hall.

Now, let’s talk about the players — dead and alive — that make this mystery as complicated and dark as it is.

The Suspects:

Beginning with the matriarch of the Thorntons seems as good a place to start as any, so let’s talk about Clara Thornton. Cousin to Charlotte and Harper, Clara was taken in after her mother’s untimely death (but before her aunt and uncle’s equally untimely deaths) and became the equivalent of a sister in at least Charlotte and Harper’s eyes — though Clara herself was always unsettled and wary about her place in the family.

After the events of Charlotte’s tragic birthday (covered above), Clara visited Charlotte’s grave every night for a year, and was hospitalized after being pushed off of the widow’s walk (more on this later). Whether due to her upbringing or her Thornton blood – or, most likely, both — Clara is secretive, paranoid, wracked with guilt…and a loving mother and extremely capable businesswoman.

Though GTH doesn’t actually have a culprit —Jessalyn wasn’t kidnapped and Charlotte wasn’t murdered — Clara is, as the resident secret keeper and witness to Charlotte’s death, the closest thing that we’ve got. Clara’s sense of guilt is far beyond anything that she could have done, and is haunted so completely as to turn her rather cold.

I have a lot of sympathy for Clara, who made a mistake in a fit of anger (whether that’s pushing Charlotte or just not helping her when she started to burn) at the age of 21 and has been wracked with guilt and haunted by the spectre — real and imagined — of her ‘sister’ ever since (not to mention knowing that her other ‘sister’ blamed and hated her for it). Charlotte died before she had the time to make too many mistakes, but Clara had the entirety of the estate and the business — thousands of people’s livelihoods — thrust into her hand when she was a single mother of 21 years of age. Even had Clara been completely stable, it would have been a lot, and it’s no wonder that she rules the company with an iron fist.

I also want to point out that, due to Harper’s breakdown at the funeral and her afterwards, that even had Charlotte’s second will been found right then, Clara still would have inherited until at least Harper received her bill of mental health, as the closest heir to Charlotte of (legally) sound mind and body.

Let’s talk then about the other heir, Harper Thornton. A fan favorite for a myriad of reasons — her Helena-Bonham-Carter-esque design, her wonderful VA (props to Keri Healey, voice of Hotchkiss, Sally, Paula, Simone, and Madeline!) knocking her lines out of the park, and her dark sense of humor, Harper is, like most of the Thorntons, incredibly unstable, paranoid, violent…an affectionate aunt, and a pretty darn good detective in her own right.

Since GTH doesn’t have a ‘culprit’, Harper stands in her own guilty/not guilty paradigm along with Clara. She had nothing to do with Charlotte’s death personally, but was the one who caused assorted injuries and thousands of dollars in property damage at the funeral, and the one who pushed Clara off the widow’s walk and hospitalized her. Yes, Harper was young — 18 when Charlotte died, but pushing your cousin/sister off of a balcony is wrong at any age.

It’s worth noting that of the three Thornton ‘sisters’, one is guilty of some degree of manslaughter/criminal negligence, and the other of attempted murder. When Charlotte notes that she herself has a dose of the “Thornton paranoia”, she’s not just whistling Dixie.

The biggest problem the Thorntons have, honestly speaking, is that all of them are way too emotional and react without thinking. Clara confronting Charlotte, Charlotte not taking Clara aside to talk about the will, Harper’s injuring of others and blaming/pushing Clara, Wade destroying machinery, Jessalyn disappearing rather than talking things out…none of the Thorntons, past or present, have seemed to think with their brains since the woman who received the land on Blackrock Island after the Civil War in the first place.

In keeping with the theme, I want to talk about Charlotte Thornton next. A girl who inherited the Thornton land and business at way too young an age — I don’t even wanna know why Jackson hated his adult daughter Virginia (and yes, I know that there’s a supposition to this in the “Jackson Theory”, but it’s pure supposition) so much that he would stake the family future on a 20-year-old, no matter how much everyone liked her — after the death of her parents four years prior, Charlotte was the darling of the Thornton family.

Well-liked by everyone with a beautiful singing voice, Charlotte was nonetheless every inch a Thornton; she outright acknowledged her own paranoia, kept secrets and locked rooms closer to her than her family, and had a flair for the dramatic and emotional. After considering her cousin/sister Clara too unstable for the task of inheriting the family Business, Charlotte, rather than turning to her older aunt or naming multiple beneficiaries to ease the load, instead leaves 100% of it to her younger sister Harper.

I do want to point out the irony here in leaving the business to Harper over Clara on the grounds of mental stability. Whatever else Charlotte was good at, she was not a good judge of character, even giving leeway for her being 21.

After her death, Charlotte haunts the family home, unable to leave the place that was, for a year, hers to inherit. But why would ‘dear, sweet’ Charlotte haunt, frighten, and otherwise unsettle those around her — from family to neighbors to curious kids — especially to the extent that she does?

To answer that question, we need to talk about the family member that everyone says is incredibly close to Charlotte in personality — our missing bride, Jessalyn Thornton.

Clara’s daughter, Jessalyn is painted as being a sort of return of Charlotte; everyone loves her (all Thornton employees are combing the island looking for her, for heaven’s sake), everyone agrees on her, and she’s next in line to inherit the Thornton family business. She’s even around Charlotte’s age (24, rather than 21, but close enough) during the game, for heaven’s sake — the comparisons are not subtle, nor are they meant to be.

Since it’s more than halfway through the game that Nancy meets Jessalyn, the things that people say about her are the best clues to her personality that we have…right?

Everyone agrees that Jessalyn would never run off and make people worry like this, that even if she was scared or had second thoughts about the wedding or even just needed to be alone, that she would never do this to her family. And, as it turns out, everyone — her mother, her uncle, her best-friend-cum-fiancé — everyone is wrong. Jessalyn did exactly that — she ran off, made everyone worry, and didn’t think about her family, friends, fiancé, or employees one bit.

It also takes her no effort at all to fully believe a woman she’s never met that her mom is a vicious, cackling murderer just because her (single, incredibly busy) mother is a bit emotionally cold, so she’s also not a great judge of character.

And remember, we’re told over and over again — Jessalyn is just like Charlotte. Sure, Jessalyn is also our Nancy foil in this game — a young woman who needs to learn the truth about her mother, coerced/guided by a quasi-unreliable source, worrying her family by running off — and that’s important for Nancy’s character, but Jessalyn is first and foremost our Charlotte analogue. Jessalyn’s family and friends don’t understand who Jessalyn is…so I think it’s fair to say that Charlotte’s family and friends didn’t understand who Charlotte was, either.

We see Charlotte, through her writings and actions, could be thoughtless, was a poor judge of character, was secretive and paranoid — all things that no one even alludes to when speaking of her. Sure, there’s the idea of not speaking ill of the dead, but someone would have noted these things, even fondly or mildly.

So why would Charlotte haunt this place, haunt these people, when she was so good and kind and loved everyone? The simplest answer, the least convoluted explanation, is just that she wasn’t. That the Thorntons didn’t understand Charlotte, as much as they loved her, just like they didn’t understand Jessalyn.

Speaking of Thorntons who may be misunderstood, we’ll focus on Wade Thornton next. A little more rough-and-tumble and a little less refined than his relatives seem to be, Wade is introspective, superstitious, hard-working, and a bit gloomy…along with having some anger issues, vast amounts of distrust, and a bit of egotism.

Wade’s (at least legally) guilty of a few things in the past, but since he won’t even go into Thornton Hall, he’s a pretty easy cross-off of our list of suspects. Wade’s there to give Nancy information on the Thornton Clan, to provide the explanation as for (partially) why Savannah isn’t there herself, and to show another facet of the Thorntons — their anger.

Whether or not you agree with Wade’s actions that led to Clara pressing charges — though I think everyone can agree it’s pretty stupid to destroy your own family’s machinery, especially when the only danger to the employees was caused by him scaring them half to death — and it highlights that Wade, philosophical though he is, is just as much a Thornton as those he despises. He even calls himself out on it – that while he used to think he was on the side of “Good Thorntons”, he’s not so sure anymore.

The best (serious) line in the game does come from Wade — I will be in love with his description of dating Savannah as “[falling] for her like a Black Tuesday banker” until I die. It’s a perfect metaphor without sounding pretentious, and shows just how bleak his own worldview really is.

Next is The Fiancé, Colton Birchfield, who has the most hilariously WASP-y name to ever come out of a Nancy Drew game. A man who’s struggled with depression and anxiety all his life, Colton was born to two politicians and has lived in the spotlight — and his marriage to Jessalyn is getting just as show-stopper-y as a campaign trail before she disappeared.

I mentioned above that the resolution to Colton and Jessalyn’s relationship is the healthy, sane version of what should have happened in CUR and HAU, and I stand by that. While I don’t necessarily like him going back to Lexi after the game is over — a relationship interrupted by one party being paid off is not the healthy, loving, loyal relationship that Colton needs — it’s clear that he and Jessalyn would have made each other content, but never fulfilled romantically.

Colton’s guilty of nothing more than not being in love with his best friend, and he’s a refreshing breath of air as someone related tangentially to, but not cast down by, the Thornton family drama. He may get less sympathy than our other cast members, but he’s no less deserving of it, and I’m really rooting for him to find someone that will give him the same amount of love and loyalty that he’ll give them.

We’ll journey outside the Thornton family and their (almost) relations for our next ‘suspect’. Addison Hammond, Jessalyn’s friend and bridesmaid, makes a cameo phone appearance here to tell us that Thornton Hall is Totes Spooky, and that Jessalyn vanished not once, but twice in the night.

I quite enjoy Addison, not because she plays a big part or because she’s an exceptional character — she’s as bare-bones as we get in the later games (ignoring MED/SEA/MID), honestly — but because she’s simply a girl in her 20s reacting the way that most of us would if our unnecessarily spooky friend dragged us to an old haunted house and then vanished twice. Good for you, girl.

Coming in for a wonderful appearance is Savannah Woodham, ex-ghost hunter, ex-girlfriend of Wade Thornton, and the detective who was supposed to be on the case. Savannah’s too scared of the Ghost (and too reticent to talk to Wade face-to-face) to risk stepping foot on Blackrock Island herself, but she’s more than willing to send the biggest skeptic she knows, hoping that Nancy’s skepticism will keep her safe.

As lovely as Savannah is in SAW — and I adore her in that game — she really shines in GTH. Probably the biggest moment she gets in the game — and probably my second favorite moment in the game period — is her tale of tracing the shape of the old willow tree on her wall, only to have a body discovered under that exact willow tree after a storm. It’s a delightfully creepy — and most importantly, completely inexplicable by any means other than accepting that the supernatural exists — moment, and I think it’s key to understanding Savannah as a character in GTH.

Savannah suffers under the weight of knowing that there truly are Things that Go Bump in the Night, that can’t be arrested or captured or gotten rid of by normal, legal means. Her background knowledge of the Thorntons helps Nancy to get an initial feel for the family, and it helps to not have an ex-girlfriend wandering around that the Thorntons might have a grudge against or dislike for.

She is, in effect, the mirror image of Nancy — what Nancy might have become without her inborn skepticism — and that alone, even ignoring everything else about her, is fascinating to me.

Our other phone contacts are Ned Nickerson and Bess Marvin, teamed up due to George’s absence while doing an internship (at Technology of Tomorrow Today, no less!) and Bess’ extreme boredom without anyone else to hang out with.

The lovely thing about Ned and Bess is that we get to see Ned when he’s not Solo Boyfriend Ned, but a college guy hanging out with his friend. Their light-hearted banter is hilarious and comfortable (Bess dramatically asking permission to do a spit-take in his living room is of particular note), and we really get to see a different side of Nancy’s oft-abandoned boyfriend.

You can tell that their voice actors are having a terrific time as well (Scott Carty’s pitch-perfect imitation of Jennifer Pratt’s cadence and tone makes me laugh every time), and it really helps bring a bright and colorful spot to this otherwise rather tense and grim mystery.

We’ll round out our character list with the quasi-amateur, quasi-professional detective herself, Nancy Drew. Through her foil with Jessalyn — discussed above, so I won’t get too into it here — we get to see Nancy in a slightly different light, and get to look at the effect that she has on those around her when she disappears.

We know Carson and Ned (and occasionally Bess/George, and even more occasionally, Hannah) worry about Nancy while she’s off on a case, but this is the first time Nancy herself is dealing with what she leaves behind every time she jets off to Venice, or gets trapped in a lava tube, or lost in a rock maze. Nancy hasn’t investigated a straight-up kidnapping (or what appears to be one) since Maya in FIN (no, I’m not counting HAU, as it’s not played as a kidnapping nor does anyone think it is until 2/3 of the way through the game), and she has the same sense of urgency here that she did back then.

Upon replaying the game, the player will lose that sense of urgency for Jessalyn — we know she’s alive and well, and was never kidnapped — but Nancy’s reactions to the family are what stay interesting. She’s concerned for Jessalyn, but does most of her detective work through getting a sense of what the rest of the family thinks of the missing girl.

Given Nancy’s reputation as a good girl, a solid presence (if an occasional one) who loves her family and friends, and who is always responsible, it’s easy to see why she misses the one question that would have helped her solve the case in half of the time: what if Jessalyn isn’t missing? After all, Jessalyn, like Nancy, would never jet off after hearing an unsubstantiated claim about her mother without telling anyone or pausing to confirm it through a different, more trustworthy source, right?

In this game, we discover a huge characteristic about Nancy: she is reckless. Now, we know this already from other games — that Nancy is reckless physically, confronting bad guys alone, diving down into murky catacombs, jumping from pillars in ancient tombs — but here we see that she’s also reckless emotionally. Even though it interferes with her investigation, Nancy gets personally involved in this case; she’s mad at Colton for “cheating” on Jessalyn, she’s upset by the tragedy of Charlotte’s death, and she’s concerned for Jessalyn’s safety in a different way than she usually is with a victim or suspect.

Nancy’s always been willing to take huge risks, but she always stays emotionally on the surface level of a case — a good and necessary trait for a detective, and one that allows her to face down killers, saboteurs, and forgers without blinking. Here, Nancy’s dragged down into the web of the Thorntons, and — as we see in the middle and bad endings especially — she doesn’t quite recover from it. Nancy loses a bit of objectivity here, but what she gains is humanity — and she’ll need that for the last two games in this meta series.

The Favorite:

With such a well-executed game — even though it doesn’t fall in my personal top 5 ranking — there’s going to be a lot to love, so let’s get down to it.

My favorite puzzle is probably Nancy’s trek to ‘discover’ the ‘ghost’ — aka completing Harper’s tasks in order to meet her, culminating with reciting Charlotte’s rhyme while blindfolded. It’s a different kind of puzzle than the type we get commonly with Nancy Drew games, and really helped spark and keep the tension needed to maintain such a spooky game.

My favorite moment in the game is a quieter one — it’s Nancy’s remarks on Charlotte’s room. She’s taken aback at how, after a game of everyone talking about Charlotte, that it’s opening the door to her room that cements Charlotte as a living, breathing person. She continues that she can’t let that feeling distract her, that she needs to treat the room like the rest of the house and gather tools that will let her find Jessalyn, but it’s lovely to see the effect of the Thornton’s history really settle into Nancy’s bones as Charlotte Thornton turns from a scary rhyme that children chant to a girl who lived and died in the same walls that Nancy’s exploring.

There are, of course, other things that I love — the objectively creepy poem (“we’ll let you share with Charlotte/a gown of coal and glowing flame” is an incredible line), Savannah’s story about the willow tree, the small Francy crumbs of Frank being sullen after his Very Revealing voicemail in DED and considering an MBA, the multi-layered relationship that Wade and Savannah have, the gorgeous detail of Thornton Hall — and all of these add up to a game that’s frankly just enjoyable to play.

The big thing to mention in this game, as I talked a bit about in the intro, is its atmosphere.

Throughout the entire game, there’s this palpable feeling of death and grief and loss and pure pain, and those emotions are what GTH relies on to keep itself Scary, not the few spectre scares and swinging scythes that it also has to offer.

I don’t normally quote things other than the games/words of the cast and crew in these metas, but I do make exceptions when the quotation is this good, so I tip my hat here to Tumblr user aniceworld, speaking about ranking GTH their top Nancy Drew game of all time:

“The reason GTH is so successful as a scary game is because there’s such a pervasive sense of sorrow at Thornton Hall. People have died here who shouldn’t have. A family has been destroyed. The house has seen so much trauma it can literally no longer stand on its own. There are ghosts that live here, whether you can see them or not.”

This horror is far better than bloody slashers or obnoxious “continuous mysterious accidents”-style thrillers that tend to permeate the genre; instead of random death-by-umbrella or scary-guy-in-the-shower incidents driving the plot, the emotion behind death and loss and betrayal gets to take a turn at the wheel, and the game is much better for it.

The Un-Favorite:

As with any game, however, no matter how good the atmosphere, there are some things that I don’t love.

I’m not actually the biggest fan of Harper; while her design is great and her VA does a spectacular job, she’s a little cartoonish among a cast that endeavors to stay as far away from broad stereotypes as possible.

It’s fine to have a large personality, it’s fine that she’s a bit cracked, it’s great that she has her own reasons and motivations beyond “expose the truth” (especially since she’s not interested in exposing the truth, just in proving that Clara’s a murderer) — she’s just really not my cup of tea, and I prefer Harper as the Anonymous Note Leaver to Harper the Conversational Partner.

Even if she does get some of the best lines in the game.

I don’t really have a least favorite moment or puzzle that sticks out to me; there are puzzles I struggle more or less with, but none of them are immersion-breaking or so frustrating that I have to get up and walk away. The ones I love, I enjoy solving; the ones I don’t love, I turn to the walkthrough and finish them up to get on with the story.

The Fix:

So how would I fix Ghost of Thornton Hall?

Even given my small problems with Harper, I’m not sure I’d change her. Sure, she’s a bit Broad for the game, generally speaking, but she’s also another example of what loss can do to a person — it can make you cold and withdrawn, it can make you righteously angry and dismissive…or it can turn you malicious and violent. She’s an important presence regardless of my personal taste, and while I might tweak a line of dialogue or two, it’s important to note that her Persona is just another thing for Nancy to discover and re-discover as she investigates the Thorntons.

While not a perfect game — very few, if any, of the Nancy Drew games qualify for that title — Ghost of Thornton Hall is an excellent entry in the Nancy Drew series as a whole, and in the smaller series of Nancy-centric games. Through it, we get to see what happens to those who are left behind after a tragic, sudden, and even violent loss — and that becomes more and more important as we leave behind the gloomy Georgia island and leap across the pond to Glasgow.

#nancy drew #nancy drew games #clue crew #ghost of thornton hall #nancy drew meta #GTH #my meta #long post #video games

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rina-writes · 4 years ago

Text

Calm Waters (Part 3)

Part 2: x

Summary: Now that Grayson knows the truth, all he wants is to set you free. When you resist, he settles for giving you the teenage life you deserve to experience. However, Ethan is not sure if that works for him.

Warning: Mentions of abuse, and captivity, but balanced with a lot of fluff

Grayson’s eyes widened. There were so many things to process. The night before he arrived to confront you about the whole...”mermaid” thing, he wondered what would happen if he was completely wrong. Your humor was pretty close to his, but even you would find this a little wacko. He imagined back-tracking his statements and coming up with some lie about it being a prank or a challenge that everyone was doing. You didn’t have social media, so you couldn’t reasonably doubt him.

Despite it being the outcome where he was actually right Grayson wasn’t mentally prepared for this result. He supposed in his fantasy, he thought you react throwing your arms around him like he was your knight in shining armor, begging him to save you. Instead, there you sat, calmly as though he was telling you about his morning coffee before politely telling him to mind his own business.

“What? No!” Grayson argued, his voice getting loud and angry.

“Shh, the dolphins.” You shushed him and Grayson through his hands up in frustration.

“Forget the dolphins, Rory!” Grayson yelled. “This is about YOU! You can’t really want me to just sit by and let this happen to you.”

Grayson pointed at your tank, his face hard and angry as he stared at you. “This is inhumane, for you and THEM.” He pointed at the dolphins tank when he said, ‘them’. “I’m can’t work here knowing they are keeping a teenage girl locked a freaking tank.”

“Then quit.” You said, your voice coming out stronger than you expected. “You can do that, Grayson. You can walk away from all of this.”

“It’s not that simple...” Grayson said, shaking his head. “I...”

“You what?” You challenged him. “You love me? Don’t make me laugh. You don’t even know me.”

You rubbed your temple and sighed. “Like I get it. I saved you from a near death experience and I have pretty skin and look like a mythical creature..., so it seems like the stars aligned or whatever, but you still don’t know me! You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into...”

You were surprised at the bitterness of your own voice. It didn’t reflect how you really felt. You were happy that Grayson saw the truth and that he wanted to save you. You imagined for years that someone would see your broken heart and get you out of this hell. You realized you were pushing him away because you were scared of what could happen to him. While his nativity was adorable and charming, it was going to lead him into harm’s way when combined with your situation. This was probably the exact fear your mother had when she met your father and, not to be a Negative Nancy, but look where that ended up.

You slowly stood up and looked down at him. This is what you needed to do, push him away. If he hated you all the better. At least he would be safe.

“Don’t you get it?” You asked him, shaking your head. “Pete is not just one person. There are thousands and millions of Petes around the world who would not hesitate to put me in a lab, chop me up into pieces, or strap my dead body to their boat. This is a battle, not the war, Grayson. At least here, I know my enemies... So, thank you, but no thank you.”

If you were honest, Grayson looked very scary when he was angry. With his jaw set and his eyes wide, it made you want to take back everything you said. At the same time, you could tell he was controlling himself. He wasn’t going to yell and sure as hell wasn’t going to strike you. Years of being tossed around and beaten has taught you how to spy an evil person from a mile away, and Grayson Dolan was not that person.

“Aurora...” He said, softly. He rested his hands on his knees as he steadied his breathing. “You’re right, I didn’t get it. Sure, I maybe the type of guy who falls for the first pretty girl he sees, but I’m also the kind of person who can judge someone’s character. I really do like you. I want to get to know and I want you to be apart of my life. To be honest, even if I didn’t like you, I would still want you out of here. No one deserves this.”

Grayson stared at the tank. From the roof, you could only see the top, and it looked like the two on either side of it. It made his blood boil. He could see Pete’s face, with his thick mustache and large, almost a little too straight teeth. Grayson thought he was a nice guy, but now he sees that he’s a monster.

Grayson looked up at you. You will still standing in front of him, your hands balled into fists.

“If busting you out isn’t an option...what else can I do?” Grayson asked. “Anything that I can do to make a little less hell for you, I want to do it.”

Your eyes softened and slowly crouched back down to meet Grayson’s eyes level. You glanced down as you thought about a compromise. You smiled softly and said,

“Well, now that you know my secret...I wouldn’t mind getting vegan food.”

Grayson’s eyes widened. “Wait....are you saying you want to sneak out?”

“Just for the night!” You said, quickly, not wanting him to misunderstand. “Someone checks the tank right at closing to make sure I’m in, but no one comes until morning at the earliest. I would have to come in my uniform soaking wet, but it could work.”

Grayson knew that this compromise wasn’t easy for you. Although you were smiling at him as you spoke, he saw your hand trembling on top of your knee. He placed his hand on top of yours.

“Then I’ll make sure you get a vegan burger so good that it makes it all worth it.” Grayson smiled.

You grinned as you stood up, giving him a hand to help him stand as well. “Come on, my shift is about to start.”

“Alright, let me wake Ethan.” Grayson said, walking over to his twin. “Hey E! Come meet, Aurora!”

Ethan pretended to be asleep as Grayson shook him awake violently. In reality, Ethan had heard everything. Grayson may be okay with you just escaping for a night, but Ethan knew you needed more. He wasn’t going to stop at getting you out, he was going to close Pete’s Ocean Land for good.

Grayson was itching to get home all day. He needed to plan for his date. If he and Ethan’s research was correct, it had been a long time since you had been outside, let alone, on a proper date. Unlike most dates where he had to focus on what he was going to wear and what you were going to do, he had to also consider where you could go that wouldn’t make you run into Pete or anyone from work. Additionally, he couldn’t expect you to go on a date in your soaking wet uniform. As far as he was concerned, you were human and he knew you had pride in yourself. Sure, it had been smothered into almost nothing by your sadistic uncle, but Grayson knew it was still there.

He ran into the house and straight up the stairs to his older sister’s room. They were only two years apart in age, and Grayson was almost as close to her as he was Ethan. Cameron was home from college for a couple weeks and was connecting with a few friends from high school. She was always the friend that people came to for advice and so, he knew she was the right person for this job. He knock-opened her door to see his sister Cameron on the phone with one of her friends as she sat on her bed.

Without even as much as a hello, Grayson immediately went into his request. “Cam, I have a date in like two hours and I need to get her an outfit!”

Cameron’s soft, light brown eyes narrowed. She swiped a dirty blonde strand of hair from her eyes as she muttered into her phone, “Let me call you back.”

She turned to her brother. “What on Earth? When did you become a sugar daddy?”

Grayson let out a half-chuckle. “I’m not!” He insisted. “She’s just going through a rough time and I know she’s just going to come straight from work. She doesn’t have a lot of stuff...but I want her to feel special today.”

“Well, if she doesn’t have a lot, then let me at least give her a makeover.” Cameron bit her lip. Like her brothers, she also had a soft spot for people in need. “No sense getting her dolled up if she’s all sweaty from work.”

“Cam, you’re the best!!” Grayson insisted. “Uh do I need to get anything...”

“We’ll get to all of that later,” Cameron patted the spot next to her on the bed. “First, tell me about her.”

Grayson smile as he sat down next to his sister and gushed about the girl who was stealing his heart.

Your head slowly emerged from the water through the little crack. You hadn’t attempted this since you and Grayson “met.” Your hands dragged itself across the concrete, the bumpiness scratching your palms. You pulled yourself until you were out of the water, the task much more difficult when you had a smaller space to maneuver.

You paused as you looked at the view. You never realized how clearly you could see the stars from where you stood. Your heart swelled from being overwhelmed. It was strange how something you took for granted when you were young could be so moving to you now. You stood there for a moment, watching the tail lights of the cars as the drove along the highway. You gazed at the houses, zoning in on the ones with their lights on. You wondered if anyone else was also preparing for their first date.

Without the sun, you didn’t know the time. All you knew was that you had to move quickly. Grayson was going to meet you at the back door of the performance arena. Apparently, this was how most people snuck in and out during the night. It didn’t work so well in the morning because of a nosy neighbor who would snitch to Pete about trespassers, so you would need the cover of night to return back to your cell.

You did your best to move quickly, but you also couldn’t really see. You fumbled, trying to dry yourself as best as you could while slipping on your uniform. You decided to skip the cap, and just shake your hair out. You wish you could see yourself, but you reminded yourself that you didn’t look much different than you usually did. Part of you was disappointed that you couldn’t get dolled up. At the same time, this was your first time out of the park in five years. You couldn’t get yourself down on the little things.

As you walked past the dolphin tank to sneak down the steps, your chest tightened. While the other aquatic creatures lulled themselves to sleep, you had the chance to roam freely. You realized you could never leave Pete’s if it meant also leaving them behind. You shook the thought from your mind. You were coming back. You were allowed to have a little fun.

You ran to the gate and gripped the black bars tightly. Your squinted to see, realizing that it was easier “to see” in the dark when you were surrounded by water. Large warm hands wrapping on yours almost made you yelp, until you saw Grayson’s kind, hazel eyes.

“Hey you...” Grayson whispered, making your heart pound.

His voice was so deep and inviting. You had to run through the list of reasons in your mind why you weren’t running away with him at this very moment.

“Hey...” You whispered back.

“Come...” Grayson gestured for you to follow him to a gap in the fence.

You scoffed internally. The gap in your tank, the gap in the fence, the lax security guards...for someone keeping an illegal creature in his park, Pete sure was poor with his security. As you were crawling through the space, that’s when it hit you. Of course. No one would suspect that dumb Pete that gets the wool pulled over his eyes by a bunch of neighborhood kids could be hiding something. If anything the only person who could expose Pete was you, but he had beaten the fear into you so deeply that despite having this knowledge, you would never exercise it. It was the ultimate and one of the oldest forms of control.

Feeling Grayson’s arms wrap around you tightly pulled you from your thoughts and to the present. You took in his scent, which was slightly different today. He smelled like a dessert baked with brown sugar and vanilla. You could tell he was wearing a button down shirt and dress slacks from the buttons pressing into your chest and the smoothness of the material brushing against your bare legs.

“Sorry,” You pulled away. “I don’t want to get you all wet.”

“It’s alright,” Grayson beamed, taking your hand and pulling back toward him. “I have a surprise for that. Come on.”

You and Grayson held hands, ducking low to stay in the shadows of buildings and trees until you got to Grayson’s car two blocks away. Everything looked so new to you, yet familiar at the same time. Cars had changed since you last roamed around and there were a lot less satellites on roofs from when you were a kid. However, most things like manicured lawns, the bluish white light from tv screens flashing from windows, and the sounds of dogs barking at pedestrians walking by transported you back to a “before time” that almost felt like a dream.

As you squeezed Grayson’s hand, you realized this was the dream. Your fingers interlaced with a handsome boy as you ran down the street. The wind was rustling through your now only semi wet hair, and you felt so free.

“You look beautiful when you smile...” Grayson said, looking back at you.

Your eyebrows went up in surprise as you let out a little giggle. You didn’t even realize you were smiling.

Grayson led you to his car which was a black sedan, that to Grayson clearly looked secondhand, but to you looked like a pretty nice car. He opened the door of the passenger side to escort you in before jogging over to the driver’s door. He leaned over to put on your seat belt, but you shook your head.

“I remember this much.” You grinned as you pulled the seat belt and buckled yourself in.

“Sorry,” Grayson murmured embarrassed, as he put on his own seat belt and started the car. “I guess I’m a little protective of you.”

“You don’t have to...” You reminded him.

“I want to.” He retorted with a smile. “First stop, my place so you can meet my sister.”

At those words, Grayson pulled off. Your eyes widened and you turned to him in shock.

“How many people did you tell about me, Grayson?” You asked.

“Relax...” Grayson comforted, glancing at you before turning back to the road. “I didn’t tell her anything. She may think you’re homeless though. So, sorry about that.”

“Surprisingly, that’s actually better than the truth.” You said, slumping your shoulders. “What sister would want her brother to date someone that doesn’t even have clothes?”

“A sister that judges someone on their character and not their possessions.” Grayson suggested.

Grayson could see your sad expression from the corner of his eye. He reached out to tap your hand gently. Grayson hummed for a moment before explaining.

“Our parents have done a lot to make me, Cam and E happy. But, there were times we knew it was a lot of smoke and mirrors to make us look like the perfect family. My sister worked hard to get a full ride to college in order to pursue her dreams. Currently E and I working to get enough money to move to LA.”

Grayson smiled and squeezed your hand. “We’re not the kind of people to judge someone based on their circumstances, only what they have chosen to do with the resources provided to them.”

“You’re going to LA?” You asked, your mind shifting focus.

“That’s the plan.” Grayson said, with a shrug. “I’d change it for you, but I’d much rather you came with us.”

You frowned. “You can’t change your plans for me. You don’t even---”

“I know, I know. I don’t even know you” Grayson laughed, lacing his fingers between yours. He imitated you with a high pitch voice before switching to his normal voice to continue. “I don’t know you, but that’s going to change tonight. I want to learn every little thing about you.”

You smiled softly and squeezed his hand. Running away with Grayson to LA sounded magical. You wanted to pretend to entertain the idea, even if it was just for tonight.

The car stopped in front of a quaint, white house with two floors and maybe an attic. There was a two car garage, with a car parked outside. The porch had a few chairs and you could tell behind the house was a sizable back yard. It reminded you a bit of your childhood home.

“Welcome!” Grayson said, turning off the engine.

Grayson got out the car and once again came to the passenger side to help you out. You had already opened the door, but he insisted on taking your hand to help you stand. He held your hand to the door where he rang the bell.

You could hear footsteps thundering toward the door before it swung open. A young woman around your height with long dirty blonde hair, tanned skin and Grayson’s hazel eyes opened the door. She was wearing a tank top and pajama shorts, and somehow she made it look chic. You suddenly felt silly in your wrinkled, ill-fitting uniform.

“You must be Aurora.” She said, with a smile. “I’m Cameron.”

“Hi--” Before you could get a word in, she grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you from Grayson.

“Don’t come upstairs!” Cameron warned Grayson, before dragging you to her bedroom on the second floor.

Grayson chuckled softly and sat on the couch. He pulled out his phone and texted Ethan.

Where are you?

While Grayson spent the afternoon planning for his date with you, Ethan had other plans. After his shift at the bike shop, Ethan made a detour before going home. About three miles south of the bike shop was a tiny office for a local television network.. Ethan was going to see a friend of his, one of the network’s producer named Ryan Abe. Despite being closer to Travis’ age than Ethan’s, Ethan and Ryan had developed a friendship over the years. They often biked together and Ethan would pitch ideas to Ryan. Today, Ethan had an idea different from any other idea he had in the past.

“Ryan!” Ethan said, hopping off his bike and walking to the door. Ryan opened the door with a bright smile. While Ethan was used to see Ryan in tank tops, today he was wearing a white polo since he was the office. He put on loose fitting khaki pants to complete the look combining his casual style with his business persona. His blonde hair was styled and sleeked to the side, a sure sign that today was a rare day where Ryan was on camera.

“Hey, Ethan, come on in!” Ryan waved him in. Ethan lifted his bike and pulled it into the office. While it was setup for all five of the reporters and the two producers of the local television show, Ryan was the only one actually in there the whole time. Ethan left his bike up front and walked past the empty cubicles to Ryan’s corner office. He sat down on the chair in front of Ryan’s desk and let the cool air conditioned air chill the sweat on his face.

“What brings you here, man?” Ryan asked, sitting in his office chair, typing away on his computer. Ryan was a pretty good multitasker and it made Ethan feel better but coming over during Ryan’s working hours.

“I have an idea....but it’s a little crazy.” Ethan said, leaning forward slightly.

Ryan sighed. “For the last time, I am not going to produce a show on you and Grayson talking about being vegan.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “No one is going to watch you guys pull pranks on each other, talk about not eating dairy, and brag about working out for hours a day. It’s not quality content.”

“I disagree,” Ethan said, mildly annoyed that Ryan decided to take the opportunity to roast his last four television show ideas. “But, that’s not what I’m here for. I want to do an expose piece on Pete’s Ocean Land.”

“Wait, what?” Ryan asked, stuttering out a laugh. “Pete’s Ocean Land is like the Teletubbies...a little weird and creepy when you get older, but still the core of your childhood. Anyone trying to take down Pete would have to come with some hard evidence.”

“I don’t have anything yet.” Ethan bit his lip softly.

Ethan was lying for your sake. He couldn’t just offer you up as evidence that Pete was doing something wrong. Firstly, using you, even in the plot to save you, was no better than what Pete probably did to you on a daily basis. Secondly, based on your conversation with Grayson, you would not be willing to talk to a television station about your treatment as that would just broadcast your story to the entire world. Thirdly, if this resulted in you getting hurt, Ethan was sure Grayson would never truly forgive him.

“However, Gray has been working there and said he noticed something strange.” Ethan narrowed his eyes a bit for emphasis. “There’s this tank where they closed off the exhibit so you can’t get in it from down below, but you often see Pete himself staring at it from the roof. Only a handful of employees are allowed on the roof and only at certain times. The idea is that the tank is empty, but why on Earth would he just stare at it.”

Ryan tapped his chin. “I mean, Pete was a beach bum when he was younger. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s taken in too much sun, crashed into too many waves or got hit with one too many coconuts and now just gazes at an empty tank.”

Ethan panicked inwardly. What details could he provide that would make this all seem interesting enough that Ryan would want to pursue it?

“Sure, okay.” Ethan agreed. “But let’s say my hunch is correct and it’s not an empty tank, but something that Pete shouldn’t have in captivity. Wouldn’t he show it off at some point?”

Ryan’s eyebrows went up in surprise. “Like to scientists or other enthusiasts?”

“Yeah...exactly!” Ethan said,a little too thrilled. He dialed back his enthusiasm. “Chances are there has to be someone or some people who know what’s in that tank, and he’s probably always looking for more.”

Ryan spun in his chair as he massaged his chin. “Hm, like some kind of underground show and tell.”

“Exactly!” Ethan agreed. “I’m getting pretty good at this research thing, and I’m pretty sure I can connect with people who would know if something fishy is going on.”

“I’m interested.” Ryan admitted. “Despite that very corny joke. Pull up a chair and sit down. I’ll give you three hours to make sell me on this.”

Ethan smiled brightly. This was a long shot, but he was hopeful.

Hanging with Ryan. Have fun on your date! ;)

Grayson smiled reading the text before continuing to fiddle with his phone. He was kind of hoping Ethan would get to see Aurora all dolled up. Hopefully, there were going to be plenty other opportunities to do that.

“You alright up there?” Grayson yelled from the couch.

He heard shuffling, and a murmur of a response, making him laugh. He was going to take that as a yes.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Cameron was tossing clothes on the bed and talking a mile a minute.

“I wasn’t sure what your size was so I didn’t want Grayson to go out and buy something.” Cameron explained. “I figure we look to be about the same size in most pieces and half of them are supposed to fit either extra fitted or oversized, so we can make something work.”

“You really don’t have to do this.” You argued for the fifth time.

You looked at yourself in her dresser mirror and you knew that was a lie. While water was good for your skin, chlorine wasn’t. Your skin looked dull, your red hair looked a bit more orange, and your uniform looked dingy. You couldn’t believe Grayson actually liked you.

“I want to.” Cameron said, making you look at her with surprise. She sounded just like Grayson. It seemed the Dolan siblings wanted to do a lot of things, especially things that put them out of their way.

Cameron handed you a pink sleeveless crop top and a pair of dark skinny jeans. On the bed, she laid out an off-white lace cardigan that would flow down to your ankles. For shoes, she gave you a choice of brown sandals that would go with your brown belt, or white sandals and the option to ditch the belt.

You turned around to change, and Cameron did the same so you were both back to back.

“You know,” Cameron said, her voice jumping a bit from nervousness. “I still don’t know much about you. Grayson, he was saying a whole bunch of stuff about you and I couldn’t catch a single word. But, he looked so happy. His eyes were sparkling. I never seen him like that before.”

You didn’t know what to say. Instead, you hopped up and down to pull on the jeans. They were obvious filled in to Cameron’s shape which was different to yours, but you were determined to make it work.

“You know...he’s kind of girl crazy.” Cameron laughed. “He had a crush on all of my friends at one point. However, he’s never talked about them the way he talks about you. I know he can be a bit clingy and overbearing, but give him a chance. He’s my baby brother and I just want him to be with someone that makes him happy.”

“Grayson is the nicest person I’ve ever met.” You blurted out turning around.

Cameron spun around as well. It was the loudest she heard you speak all night.

“He’s not only kind, but he’s funny and caring and understanding and the least judgmental person. He’s loyal and charming and smart in the most obscure and strangely specific things.”

You kept going and Cameron just stared at you with her eyebrows raised high. Without that baggy uniform, it was clear you had a gorgeous shape. Even with your hair frazzled beyond belief, it was clear that you were a beautiful girl that just needed some conditioner and a good skin care routine. But, what stunned Cameron the most was how you blossomed talking about Grayson. You were practically glowing as you spoke about him, and that made her adore you more. Now she got why Grayson was so determined to make this date special for you, because you were so different to every other girl he dated. You actually liked him for him. And as you continued to rattle of your favorite things about Grayson, she realized you were the first girl to not mention he was hot in her list of reasons for liking.

“...He is just the epitome of warmth. His personality, his hugs, his smile...it’s just so warm...” You continued.

Cameron put her hands on your shoulders. “Okay, that’s enough. Anymore compliments about my brother and I may just vom.” She laughed. “You’re perfect for each other.”

You blushed. “Sorry.” You bit your lip. “He’s the first person to see the real me.”

Cameron turned you toward her mirror and sat you down on the bed. Using on hand she started to gather your hair to make an updo. She smiled softly,

“Let’s help him see the real you on the outside too.” Cameron said.

You stood at the top of the stairs, your heart pounding. You pushed back on the makeup because you worried you wouldn’t be able to get it off when you went back in your cell. Now, you were reapplying the lipgloss that Cameron gifted you as a compromise.

“You look great.” Cameron whispered to you. Then in a loud voice she announced, “DUN DUN DUN...all rise for the beautiful, Aurora.”

She ran down the stairs to see Grayson standing up from the couch. She pushed him towards the stairs as you slowly walked down. You decided on the white sandals without a belt, once again thinking of how you would remove this outfit when you got back to the park. With your left hand on the banister and your right hand holding your uniform, you actually felt a bit like a princess.

Grayson’s jaw dropped as you walked down. It was amazing how much an outfit and a scrunchie could bring out the beauty in someone. When you finally reached the bottom of the stairs, Grayson stammered out his response.

“Pr-Be-St...” He couldn’t decide what he wanted to say. So, he said it all. “Pretty. Beautiful. Stunning. Wow, you look amazing, Rory.”

“You wear them better than I do.” Cameron smiled, folding her arms. “Keep ‘em.”

“No, Cameron...” You shook your head. “I could never.”

She put up a hand to stop me. “Call me Cam, and I insist!” She gave you a hug and you returned it tightly.

“And...” Cameron added. “I leave all the clothes I don’t wear much here in college. Feel free and ask this dork to bring you over some time to get some stuff. The style suits you.”

You were starting to tear up. How could one family be so nice to you? You looked at Grayson who was still staring at you in awe.

“Thank you, Cam.” You hugged her again and she laughed.

“Now, go! Go enjoy your date!” Cameron said, shooing you.

Grayson took your hand and led you outside, waving to Cameron. He glanced back to see both you and Cameron swiping tears from your eyes, both of you politely waiting until the other couldn’t see before showing your emotions.

Once again, Grayson open the door for you and waited until you were comfortable before going to his side. He started the car and took another look at you. There was nothing inherently different about how you looked. It was the fact that you looked like a regular girl that could have attended his high school that really wowed him. It made him angry that you were robbed of the normal life you deserved, but he was happy that he could give this to you, even for one night.

“So, first stop is Bart’s where they have the best...BEST vegan mexican food.” Grayson grinned, “Then, we are going to a special location.”

“Mysterious, huh?” You teased with a soft smile. “You better not be driving me across the border. I believe that would be kidnapping.”

“Can you kidnap someone who’s already kidnapped?” Grayson teased back.

“I’m pretty sure you can.” You laughed softly. You never thought you would be able to laugh at the fact that you were being held captive, but here you were chuckling about it. Grayson sure had a way of making any situation bearable.

At Bart’s, Grayson was greeted as a regular and he introduced you as his date. After a bit of banter with Bart himself, Grayson ordered a feast of fajita, enchiladas, burritos, nachos, and cake for dessert. With two large brown bags filled with food, you and Grayson packed the car and drove to your secret location.

You rolled down the window to feel the warm breeze on your face, closing your eyes. You could hear the soft music of Kid Cudi, an artist Grayson was introducing you to, playing the background. Your hand rested on top of Grayson’s and every now and then he would give your hand a little squeeze.

Your eyes shot open with the familiar smell of salt hit your nose. You could feel the hairs on your skin standing up and you looked at Grayson. He was smiling big and couldn’t stop glancing between you and the road ahead of him.

“No...” You whispered.

“Oh yeah, baby.” Grayson grinned even wider. “We’re having a picnic on the ocean.”

Grayson turned his car into the beach parking lot and parked near the entrance. You helped him gather your feast, resisting the desire to bounce on your toes with excitement. Your eyes were watering with happiness at the salt of the salt in the air and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

Grayson didn’t care to contain his enthusiasm. He started sprinting toward the ocean and you followed suit. You were both panting as you stopped on the sand to stare out at the water. The onyx-colored ocean was calm and seemed to endless when he met the deep plum colored sky. You could see the moon, bright and full, with the stars dusted it around it.

“Shall we eat?’ Grayson asked, already sitting down.

He had laid out a blanket and was using his backside to keep it from fluttering in the wind. He had also removed his shoes and was wiggling his toes in the sand. You smiled and removed your sandals, sighing at the cool sand sliding between your toes.

You sat down and Grayson scooted closer to you so your legs were touching. You two started to divide your feast, the sound of sustainable wrapping harmonizing with the ocean waves created a feeling of nostalgia for a new experience. The food in front of you was all food you remembered from your childhood, but it tasted like a dream. Grayson laughed as he handed you napkin to wipe your hands, even helping you to wipe sauce from your lips. He led the conversation as you murmured your responses with a full mouth.

“I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t still insane for me.” Grayson admitted, before crunching a nacho dipped in vegan cheese. “I mean, you’re like a mermaid right?”

“Not really....” You said, covering your mouth slightly. “I’m more like a frog than anything else.”

“A mermaid is definitely sexier.” Grayson said with a laugh.

“A frog is more accurate.” You argued with a grin. You reached for a chip and glanced at him. You dipped it in the cheese and then pointed the chip toward him.

“Am I dreaming?” Grayson asked, leaning in. “Getting fed by a real life mermaid...”

“Frog girl...” You corrected, putting in his between his lips.

“Don’t ruin it,” He said quickly before eating the chip.

You fed each other a few more chips, enjoying the comfortable silence developing between you. With full stomachs, you both laid back on the blanket and stared at the sky.

“I wish I could stay with you forever.” Grayson said, turning to look at you.

You didn’t say anything. Instead you just turned toward him and rubbed his cheek with your hand. You both stared at each other without saying a word. In one quick motion, Grayson leaned in and pressed his lips to yours.

Your heart was slamming against your chest as you leaned into the kiss. His lips were a little dry, but soft and strong as he massaged them into yours. You weren’t sure if you were kissing back, but you enjoyed the feeling of the kiss and did everything you could to intensify it. His hand rested at the small of your back, sending a little shock of pleasure up your spine. You sighed softly and Grayson seized the opportunity to nibble on your lower lip. You did the same with his upper lip and that began your game of follow the leader.

You could have been kissing for seconds or days, it was hard to tell. At some point, you broke apart at the sound of your empty containers getting crushed under your shared weight.

Grayson laughed and gave you a final peck before cleaning up. You helped, your face still red and hot from your makeout.

“That was nice...” Grayson said, not looking up from the trash.

“Very nice...” You said, also not looking at him.

“Yeah?” Grayson asked, and you didn’t need to look at him to know there was a smile on his face.

“Yeah.” You confirmed, smiling at the ground.

Grayson stood up and took he bags of garbage to the nearest trash can. You stood up as well and started to walk to the ocean. You craved to feel the water sliding between your toes, so you indulged yourself.

Tears stung your eyes the moment you felt wet sand. Found childhood memories of night swims with your mother flooded your mind. You continued walking until your ankles were immersed. You leaned down to roll up your pants legs, not wanting to get the precious clothes that Cameron gave you wet.

When you stood back up, strong arms wrapped around your waist. Grayson pressed soft kisses on your shoulder and your neck. You put more of your weight on him as your hands rested on top of his. You looked down to see his feet on either side of yours, the turquoise colored patches on your feet brightening and fading as your skin got wet and then dried over and over again.

“Thank you...” You whispered.

“Anything for you.” Grayson said, in a soft, deep voice.

In his arms, you felt the most safe you had felt in your entire life. As much as you wanted this to last forever, you knew it was coming to an end very soon. You just didn’t realize that what was waiting for you tomorrow was another visit from the “scientists” and a round of experiments.

A/N: This part was getting too long, but I think there is a nice balance of drama and fluff.

#dolan twins #dolan twins blurb #grayson dolan blurb #grayson dolan #grayson dolan scenario #grayson dolan imagine #dolan twins scenario #dolan twins imagine #fic-cw #r-writes-fic

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wayhavenguide · 4 years ago

Text

Book Two, Chapter 16

The opening of the chapter will be split up into different character’s POV depending on who, if anyone, the Detective is romancing.

If A is the Love Interest, the first portion of the chapter will be from A’s perspective, with F as their companion while the Detective is scouting for the Trappers.

If F is the Love Interest, the first portion of the chapter will be from F’s perspective, with A as their companion while the Detective is scouting for the Trappers. The dialogue will be slightly altered depending upon if F and the Detective are an official couple and Unit Bravo knows, or if they’re not official/Unit Bravo doesn’t know they’re official. If A Friendship is 6 or higher, A will say that they have no desire to see either F or the Detective hurt. If A Friendship is below 6, A will say they have no desire to see F hurt.

If N is the Love Interest, the first portion of the chapter will be from N’s perspective, with M as their companion while the Detective is scouting for the Trappers.

If M is the Love Interest, the first portion of the chapter will be from M’s perspective, with N as their companion while the Detective is scouting for the Trappers. If M and the Detective had sex in Chapter 10, M will say they enjoyed attaching certain parts of themself to the Detective. Otherwise, they will say they would certainly enjoy attaching certain parts of themself to the Detective. If N Friendship is 5 or higher, N will admit they are worried about the Detective, but they’re also concerned for M. If N Friendship is lower than 5, N will say they’re more worried about M. M will say that there’s no point in looking elsewhere when there’s someone right beside you unless the Detective told turned down M’s advances because they want more out of the relationship.

If on the Love Triangle path, the first portion of the chapter will be from F’s perspective, with A as their companion while the Detective is scouting for the Trappers. F will talk to A about their feelings for the Detective and N’s feelings for the Detective, and worry that the triangle will ruin the family they’ve found.

A AND F PATH

If Combat is 50 or higher, the Detective will manage to get off the ladder with ease. If Combat is below 50, the Detective will nearly fall into the tunnel because they slip off the last rung. If F is the Love Interest, they will ask if the Detective is all right. Otherwise, they will say, “Nice one, Nancy Drew/Sherlock.”

If A is the Love Interest, F will suggest that the Detective sidle up to A and make a comment about them smelling nice. If on the Love Triangle path, F will suggest A and the Detective stick together for safety reasons. If F is the Love Interest, F will ask if the Detective wants to share a flashlight with them.

If Deduction is 50 or higher, the Detective will see recent footprints leading down one of the tunnels and point towards it as the correct path forward. Otherwise, A will be the one to see them.

Choice 1

“We have to do everything to get her back safely.”

Save Sanja +1

“We should at least try to take out some of these jerks while we’re here.”

No effect

“Oh, the leaving part sounds good. How about we skip to that bit?”

No effect

“In and out. Got it.”

Save Sanja +1

“Remind me again why we’re risking our lives to save her?”

No effect

Give a sharp nod. “Agreed.”

Save Sanja +1

Choice 2 [STAT CHECK]

Put the vampires’ hypersenses to use.

If People is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love triangle path, A will say that the only thing they can sense is the Detective, and F will be the one to hear the Trappers. If F is the Love Interest, F will say that the Detective is stealing all of their focus, and A will be the one to feel head coming off of a gathering of the Trappers.

If People is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Research is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love triangle path, A will say that the only thing they can sense is the Detective, and F will be the one to hear the Trappers. If F is the Love Interest, F will say that the Detective is stealing all of their focus, and A will be the one to feel head coming off of a gathering of the Trappers.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail as the Detective doesn’t have any suggestions about which senses A and F should use, and the group will run into a dead end. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1.

Search the area tactically.

If Combat is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk A and F into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, A will back the Detective’s plan up, and F will be the one to pick the correct tunnel. If F is the Love Interest, F will call the Detective brilliant, and A will be the one to pick the correct tunnel.

If Combat is 40 or higher but under 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk A and F into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, A will back the Detective’s plan up, and F will be the one to pick the correct tunnel. If F is the Love Interest, F will call the Detective brilliant, and A will be the one to pick the correct tunnel.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail and the Trappers will hear the group coming. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1.

Use my own equipment to get the lay of the land.

If Science is 65 or higher, the Detective will be able to download the sewer’s schematics onto their phone and they’ll find the correct tunnel by looking at the map. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, A will say that the Detective continues to be a constant surprise. If F is the Love Interest, F will say that the Detective is seriously impressive.

If Science is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Research is 1 or higher, the Detective will be able to download the sewer’s schematics onto their phone and they’ll find the correct tunnel by looking at the map. If A is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, A will say that the Detective continues to be a constant surprise. If F is the Love Interest, F will say that the Detective is seriously impressive.

Otherwise, the Detective will not be able to get any signal on their phone and can’t download the sewer’s schematics; the group will resort to following F down a random tunnel. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1.

Attempt to work out the Trapper’s location.

If Deduction is 65 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

If Deduction is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

Otherwise, the Detective won’t be able to figure out how to deduce the Trappers’ location, and F will end up picking a random tunnel for them all to follow. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1.

Pick a tunnel at random and go for it.

The outcome for this is quite literally random. There’s a 5 in 8 chance of it leading to a successful outcome, and a 3 in 8 chance of it leading to a failed one. We only recommend this choice be undertaken if all of the above stat checks are sure to fail. [Note: We believe these odds to be a mistake, as it’s coded in the opposite way on the other two possible paths. As such, it may change in the future.]

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “left-hand” path, the outcome is failed. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “middle” path, the outcome is successful.

PEOPLE, SCIENCE, OR DEDUCTION STAT FAILED, OR RANDOM SELECTION FAIL

If Optimist is 65 or higher, the Detective will suggest that maybe the Trappers are too busy doing other things to hear the group moving through the tunnels. If Optimist is 35 or lower, the Detective will say that they’re no doubt the Trappers heard the group moving through the tunnels. If Optimist is between 35 and 65, the Detective will say they’ll have to wait and see.

TUNNEL SUCCESS PATH

Choice 3

“It might help avoid anyone getting hurt. Including Sanja.”

No effect

“They won’t surrender. There’s no point in even trying to make them.”

The narration will alter slightly depending on if A is the Love Interest/on the Love Triangle path, or not.

“Excuse me, I’ve got a lot to lose: an arm, a leg, my life.”

The dialogue will alter slightly depending on if F is the Love Interest or not.

“If you think that’s best, then I’m with you.”

The narration will alter slightly depending on if A is the Love Interest/on the Love Triangle path, or not.

“I’m with [F]. This doesn’t seem like a plan that can end well.”

The narration will alter slightly depending on if F is the Love Interest or not.

Give a nod. “Understood.”

No effect

Save Sanja+1

If Combat is 65 or higher, the Detective will dodge the attack. If Combat is 40 or higher but below 65, the Detective will sidestep the attack, If Combat is below 40, the Detective will barely manage to avoid the attack.

Choice 4

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 5

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either A or F will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No. Unfortunately for you.” Stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond and stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL FAIL PATH

Choice 3 [STAT CHECK]

Dodge the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Attack him first.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Defend against the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Choice 4

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL SUCCESS/FAIL PATHS MERGE HERE

Choice 5/6 [STAT CHECK]

Attempt to join the fight.

If Combat is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will successfully use their Volt gun to take down the Trapper.

If Combat is below 70, Combat +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton, and will need either A or F (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; A or F will then get hit in the jaw.

Try to look for a way to work with the vampires.

If People is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will find a way to cut the lights in the room, allowing the vampires to use their night vision and take down some of the Trappers.

If People is below 70, People +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton, and will need either A or F (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; A or F will then get hit in the jaw.

Attempt to use the equipment on hand to gain an advantage.

If Science is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out a way to get the Trapper covered in water and electrocute them.

If Science is below 70, Science +5% and the Detective will try to electrocute the Trapper but it won’t work, and will themself get electrocuted by the Trapper. They will need either A or F (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; A or F will then get hit in the jaw.

Attempt to deduce who the leader is and take them out first.

If Deduction is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is and will use their Volt gun to incapacitate her.

If Deduction is below 70, Deduction +5% and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is, but won’t be able to get to her because they’re taken down by another Trapper. They will need either A or F (depending on who is the Love Interest) to help them; A or F will then get hit in the jaw.

Choice 6/7 *If A is the Love Interest/on the Love Triangle path

Rescue [A].

By the Book -10%

Heart +10%

If Save Sanja is above 1, Save Sanja -2

If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

F Friendship +1

N Friendship +1

NOTE: SANJA HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF DYING IF THIS CHOICE IS MADE

Rescue Sanja.

By the Book +10%

Heart -10%

Save Sanja +2

M Friendship +1

Agency +1

NOTE: SANJA WILL LIVE REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS CHOICES MADE

Choice 6/7 *If F is the Love Interest

Rescue [F].

By the Book -10%

Heart +10%

If Save Sanja is above 1, Save Sanja -2

If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

M Friendship +1

N Friendship +1

NOTE: SANJA HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF DYING IF THIS CHOICE IS MADE

Rescue Sanja.

By the Book +10%

Heart -10%

Save Sanja +2

A Friendship +1

Agency +1

NOTE: SANJA WILL LIVE REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS CHOICES MADE

RESCUE A

If F Friendship is 5 or higher, the Detective will understand immediately when F suggests “helicopter”. Otherwise, the Detective will need further clarification of F’s plan to help A.

Choice 7/8

Smile and return the high five.

F Friendship +1

[If the Detective is taller than F] “Next time, I get to be the blades.” Return the high five.

F Friendship +1

[If the Detective is shorter than F] “Next time, you be the blades.” Return the high five.

F Friendship +1

Frown and stare down at the dropped Trappers.

No effect

Chuckle and return the high five. “We make a pretty good team.”

F Friendship +1

“Nice. I didn’t actually expect that to work.” Return the high five.

F Friendship +1

Ignore the gesture. [STAT CHECK]

If Friendly is 35 or less, F will ask if the Detective is going to keep being all stoic now, even after the awesomeness. Otherwise, F will ask why the Detective is choosing now to be all stoic.

Forgo the gesture due to worry.

No effect

If Save Sanja is 2 or higher, Sanja will still be alive. If Save Sanja is below 2, the Trappers will kill Sanja.

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is alive

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is dead

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE SANJA INSTEAD OF A

Choice 7/8

Smile and return the high five.

F Friendship +1

Frown and stare down at the dropped Trappers.

No effect

Chuckle and return the high five. “We make a pretty good team.”

F Friendship +1

“Nice. I didn’t actually expect that to work.” Return the high five.

F Friendship +1

Ignore the gesture. [STAT CHECK]

If Friendly is 35 or less, F will ask if the Detective is going to keep being all stoic now, even after the awesomeness. Otherwise, F will ask why the Detective is choosing now to be all stoic.

Forgo the gesture due to worry.

No effect

Choice 8/9

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE F

If A Friendship is 5 or higher, the Detective will immediately understand A’s silent plan. Otherwise, the Detective will take more time to understand what A wants to do to rescue F.

Choice 7/8

Smile and nod back.

A Friendship +1

“Nicely done.” Return the nod.

A Friendship +1

Give a simple nod in return.

A Friendship +1

Chuckle. “We make quite the team.”

A Friendship +1

Ignore the gesture.

No effect

Forgo the gesture due to worry.

No effect

Choice 8/9 *If the Detective and F are a couple

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

If Save Sanja is 2 or higher, Sanja will still be alive. If Save Sanja is below 2, the Trappers will kill Sanja.

Choice 8/9/10 *If Sanja is alive

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 8/9/10 *If Sanja is dead

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE SANJA INSTEAD OF F

Choice 7/8

Smile and nod back.

A Friendship +1

“Nicely done.” Return the nod.

A Friendship +1

Give a simple nod in return.

A Friendship +1

Chuckle. “We make quite the team.”

A Friendship +1

Ignore the gesture.

No effect

Forgo the gesture due to worry.

No effect

Choice 8/9

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

N AND M PATH

If Combat is 50 or higher, the Detective will manage to get off the ladder with ease. If Combat is below 50, the Detective will nearly fall into the tunnel because they slip off the last rung. If N is the Love Interest, they will ask if the Detective is all right. Otherwise, N will look back to check that the Detective is all right. If M is the Love Interest, M’s fingers will brush against the Detective’s arm, and they’ll get much closer to the Detective.

If Deduction is 50 or higher, the Detective will see recent footprints leading down one of the tunnels and point towards it as the correct path forward. Otherwise, M will be the one to see them.

Choice 1

“We have to do everything to get her back safely.”

Save Sanja +1

“We should at least try to take out some of these jerks while we’re here.”

No effect

“Oh, the leaving part sounds good. How about we skip to that bit?”

No effect

“In and out. Got it.”

Save Sanja +1

“Remind me again why we’re risking our lives to save her?”

No effect

Give a sharp nod. “Agreed.”

Save Sanja +1

Choice 2 [STAT CHECK]

Put the vampires’ hypersenses to use.

If People is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love triangle path, N will say that they’re struggling to sense past the Detective, and M will be the one to sense the Trappers. If M is the Love Interest, M will say that they can only sense the Detective, and N will be the one to sense the Trappers.

If People is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Research is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love triangle path, N will say that they’re struggling to sense past the Detective, and M will be the one to sense the Trappers. If M is the Love Interest, M will say that they can only sense the Detective, and N will be the one to sense the Trappers.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail as the Detective doesn’t have any suggestions about which senses N and M should use, and the group will run into a dead end. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Search the area tactically.

If Combat is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk N and M into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, N will call the Detective’s thought process more than a little impressive. If M is the Love Interest, M will say they’re soaking in how clever the Detective is.

If Combat is 40 or higher but under 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk N and M into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, N will call the Detective’s thought process more than a little impressive. If M is the Love Interest, M will say they’re soaking in how clever the Detective is.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail and the Trappers will hear the group coming. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Use my own equipment to get the lay of the land.

If Science is 65 or higher, the Detective will be able to download the sewer’s schematics onto their phone and they’ll find the correct tunnel by looking at the map. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, N will say that they’re more than a little glad the Detective is with them. If M is the Love Interest, M will say that the Detective must know how impressive they are right now.

If Science is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Research is 1 or higher, the Detective will be able to download the sewer’s schematics onto their phone and they’ll find the correct tunnel by looking at the map. If N is the Love Interest or on the Love Triangle path, N will say that they’re more than a little glad the Detective is with them. If M is the Love Interest, M will say that the Detective must know how impressive they are right now.

Otherwise, the Detective will not be able to get any signal on their phone and can’t download the sewer’s schematics; the group will resort to following M down a random tunnel. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Attempt to work out the Trapper’s location.

If Deduction is 65 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

If Deduction is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

Otherwise, the Detective won’t be able to figure out how to deduce the Trappers’ location, and M will end up picking a random tunnel for them all to follow. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Pick a tunnel at random and go for it.

The outcome for this is quite literally random. There’s a 5 in 8 chance of it leading to a failed outcome, and a 3 in 8 chance of it leading to a successful one. We only recommend this choice be undertaken if all of the above stat checks are sure to fail.

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “left-hand” path, the outcome is failed. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “middle” path, the outcome is successful.

PEOPLE, SCIENCE, OR DEDUCTION STAT FAILED OR RANDOM SELECTION FAIL

TUNNEL SUCCESS PATH

Choice 3

“It might help avoid anyone getting hurt. Including Sanja.”

No effect

“They won’t surrender. There’s no point in even trying to make them.”

No effect

“Excuse me, I’ve got a lot to lose: an arm, a leg, my life.”

No effect

“If you think that’s best, then I’m with you.”

The narration will alter slightly depending on if N is the Love Interest/on the Love Triangle path, or not.

“I’m with [M]. This doesn’t seem like a plan that can end well.”

No effect

Give a nod. “Understood.”

No effect

Save Sanja+1

If Combat is 65 or higher, the Detective will dodge the attack. If Combat is 40 or higher but below 65, the Detective will sidestep the attack. If Combat is below 40, the Detective will barely manage to avoid the attack.

Choice 4

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 5

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either M or N will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No. Unfortunately for you.” Stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either M or N will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either M or N will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either M or N will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond and stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either M or N will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL FAIL PATH

Choice 3 [STAT CHECK]

Dodge the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Attack him first.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Defend against the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Choice 4

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either N or M will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either N or M will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either N or M will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond.

If the Detective had the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective and decide they’re the more desirable target. This puts Sanja’s life in greater danger. Either N or M will attack the Trappers in the Detective’s defense, depending on which is the Love Interest. If Save Sanja is above 0, Save Sanja -1

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL SUCCESS/FAIL PATHS MERGE HERE

Choice 5/6 [STAT CHECK]

Attempt to join the fight.

If Combat is 70 or higher, Sava Sanja +1 and the Detective will successfully use their Volt gun to take down the Trapper.

If Combat is below 70, Combat +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton, and will need either N or M (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; N or M will then get hit in the jaw.

Look for a way to work with my allies.

If People is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will find a way to cut the lights in the room, allowing the vampires to use their night vision and take down some of the Trappers.

If People is below 70, People +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton, and will need either N or M (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; N or M will then get hit in the jaw.

Attempt to use the equipment on hand to gain an advantage.

If Science is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out a way to get the Trapper covered in water and electrocute them.

If Science is below 70, Science +5% and the Detective will try to electrocute the Trapper but it won’t work, and will themself get electrocuted by the Trapper. They will need either N or M (depending on which is the Love Interest) to take down the Trapper; N or M will then get hit in the jaw.

Attempt to deduce who the leader is and take them out first.

If Deduction is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is and will use their Volt gun to incapacitate her.

If Deduction is below 70, Deduction +5% and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is, but won’t be able to get to her because they’re taken down by another Trapper. They will need either N or M (depending on who is the Love Interest) to help them; N or M will then get hit in the jaw.

Choice 6/7 *If N is the Love Interest/on the Love Triangle path

Rescue [N].

By the Book -10%

Heart +10%

If Save Sanja is above 1, Save Sanja -2

If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

F Friendship +1

M Friendship +1

NOTE: SANJA HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF DYING IF THIS CHOICE IS MADE

Rescue Sanja.

By the Book +10%

Heart -10%

Save Sanja +2

A Friendship +1

Agency +1

NOTE: SANJA WILL LIVE REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS CHOICES MADE

Choice 6/7 *If M is the Love Interest

Rescue [M].

By the Book -10%

Heart +10%

If Save Sanja is above 1, Save Sanja -2

If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

F Friendship +1

NOTE: SANJA HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF DYING IF THIS CHOICE IS MADE

Rescue Sanja.

By the Book +10%

Heart -10%

Save Sanja +2

A Friendship +1

N Friendship +1

Agency +1

NOTE: SANJA WILL LIVE REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS CHOICES MADE

RESCUE N

If M Friendship is 5 or higher, the Detective will immediately understand M’s plan to save N. If M Friendship is less than 5, the Detective will need extra time to understand M.

Choice 7/8

Nudge [them]. “So did you.”

M Friendship +1

Smile. “It was your plan. I just followed it through.”

M Friendship +1

Chuckle. “I’ll call you next time I need a sidekick again.”

M Friendship +1

“It’s a shame doing good ended with so many of them injured.”

No effect

Nod. “We did good. We should team up more often.”

M Friendship +1

Ignore the comment and stare over the Trappers.

No effect

Forgo any kind of reply due to worry.

No effect

If Save Sanja is 2 or higher, Sanja will still be alive. If Save Sanja is below 2, the Trappers will kill Sanja.

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is still alive

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is dead

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE SANJA INSTEAD OF N

Choice 7/8

Nudge [them]. “So did you.”

M Friendship +1

Smile. “We did, didn’t we?”

M Friendship +1

Chuckle. “I’ll know to call you the next time I need a sidekick again.”

M Friendship +1

“It’s a shame doing good ended with so many of them so injured.”

No effect

Nod. “We did good. We should team up more often.”

M Friendship +1

Ignore the comment and stare over the Trappers.

No effect

Forgo any kind of reply due to worry.

No effect

Choice 8/9

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE M

If N Friendship is 5 or higher, the Detective will immediately understand N’s plan to help M. If N Friendship is below 5, the Detective will need extra time to understand N’s plan.

Choice 7/8

Smile at [them]. “Well done too. “I’m glad you had my back.”

N Friendship +1

Give a respectful nod in return.

No effect

Grin. “With the two of us working together, how could it not?” [STAT CHECK]

N Friendship +1

If Charming is 67 or higher, N will say that it’s lucky the Detective is so charming. Otherwise, N will call it a fair point.

Chuckle. “Neither did I.”

N Friendship +1

Ignore the comment.

No effect

Forgo any kind of reply due to worry.

No effect

If Save Sanja is 2 or higher, Sanja will still be alive. If Save Sanja is below 2, the Trappers will kill Sanja.

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is still alive

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is dead

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

RESCUE SANJA INSTEAD OF M

Choice 7/8

Smile at [them]. “Well done too. “I’m glad you had my back.”

N Friendship +1

Give a respectful nod in return.

No effect

Grin. “With the two of us working together, how could it not?” [STAT CHECK]

N Friendship +1

If Charming is 67 or higher, N will say that it’s lucky the Detective is so charming. Otherwise, N will call it a fair point.

Chuckle. “Neither did I.”

N Friendship +1

Ignore the comment.

No effect

Forgo any kind of reply due to worry.

No effect

Choice 8/9

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

FRIENDSHIP PATH

On the Friendship path, the Detective will be accompanied by N and M for the chapter.

If Deduction is 50 or higher, the Detective will see recent footprints leading down one of the tunnels and point towards it as the correct path forward. Otherwise, M will be the one to see them.

Choice 1

“We have to do everything to get her back safely.”

Save Sanja +1

“We should at least try to take out some of these jerks while we’re here.”

No effect

“Oh, the leaving part sounds good. How about we skip to that bit?”

No effect

“In and out. Got it.”

Save Sanja +1

“Remind me again why we’re risking our lives to save her?”

No effect

Give a sharp nod. “Agreed.”

Save Sanja +1

Choice 2 [STAT CHECK]

Put the vampires’ hypersenses to use.

If People is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers.

If People is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Research is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully get one of the vampires to sense the location of the Trappers.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail as the Detective doesn’t have any suggestions about which senses N and M should use, and the group will run into a dead end. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Search the area tactically.

If Combat is 65 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk N and M into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically.

If Combat is 40 or higher but under 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will successfully talk N and M into sticking together through the tunnels and search them strategically.

Otherwise, the stat check will fail and the Trappers will hear the group coming. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Use my own equipment to get the lay of the land.

If Science is 65 or higher, the Detective will be able to download the sewer’s schematics onto their phone and they’ll find the correct tunnel by looking at the map.

Attempt to work out the Trapper’s location.

If Deduction is 65 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

If Deduction is 40 or higher but below 65, and Supernatural Combat is 1 or higher, the Detective will manage to hear the Trappers through one of the pipelines, and lead the group to follow the trail.

Otherwise, the Detective won’t be able to figure out how to deduce the Trappers’ location, and M will end up picking a random tunnel for them all to follow. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

Pick a tunnel at random and go for it.

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “left-hand” path, the outcome is failed. If Save Sanja is 1, Save Sanja -1

If the narration says that the Detective chooses the “middle” path, the outcome is successful.

PEOPLE, SCIENCE, OR DEDUCTION STAT FAILED, OR RANDOM SELECTION FAIL

TUNNEL SUCCESS PATH

Choice 3

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Save Sanja +1

Choice 4

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 5

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No. Unfortunately for you.” Stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond and stun him with the Volt.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL FAIL PATH

Choice 3 [STAT CHECK]

Dodge the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Attack him first.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Defend against the attack.

If Combat is 70 or higher, People is 70 or higher, Science is 70 or higher, or Deduction is 70 or higher the Detective’s maneuver will be successful. Otherwise, the Trapper will knock them down.

Choice 4

“I’m Detective [Surname] of the Wayhaven PD.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Slow clap. “Give the man a prize.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

“No, but I still work for the Agency.”

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

Don’t respond.

If the Detective did not have the Agency blood tests run, the Trappers will recognize the Detective through their father. Save Sanja +1

TUNNEL SUCCESS/FAIL PATHS MERGE HERE

Choice 5/6 [STAT CHECK]

Attempt to join the fight.

If Combat is 70 or higher, Sava Sanja +1 and the Detective will successfully use their Volt gun to take down the Trapper.

If Combat is below 70, Combat +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton.

Look for a way to work with my allies.

If People is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will find a way to cut the lights in the room, allowing the vampires to use their night vision and take down some of the Trappers.

If People is below 70, People +5% and the Detective will get hit with the Trapper’s electric baton.

Attempt to use the equipment on hand to gain an advantage.

If Science is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out a way to get the Trapper covered in water and electrocute them.

If Science is below 70, Science +5% and the Detective will try to electrocute the Trapper but it won’t work, and will themself get electrocuted by the Trapper.

Attempt to deduce who the leader is and take them out first.

If Deduction is 70 or higher, Save Sanja +1 and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is and will use their Volt gun to incapacitate her.

If Deduction is below 70, Deduction +5% and the Detective will figure out who the leader of the Trappers is, but won’t be able to get to her because they’re taken down by another Trapper.

Choice 7/8

Nudge [them]. “So did you.”

M Friendship +1

Smile. “We did, didn’t we?”

M Friendship +1

Chuckle. “I’ll know to call you the next time I need a sidekick again.”

M Friendship +1

“It’s a shame doing good ended with so many of them so injured.”

No effect

Nod. “We did good. We should team up more often.”

M Friendship +1

Ignore the comment and stare over the Trappers.

No effect

If Save Sanja is 2 or above, Sanja will still be alive. If Save Sanja is less than 2, the Trappers will kill her.

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is still alive

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

Choice 8/9 *If Sanja is dead

(ALL OPTIONS HAVE NO EFFECT)

#long post #booktwo #b2c16

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darkshrimpemotions · 2 years ago

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Nancy Drew - Temperance’s Tarot Reading

I’m actually kind of annoyed that they gave us the answers to Temperance’s tarot card predictions at the end of season 3. There were so many things that could have applied to each one, I thought it was way cooler when it was up for interpretation.

That being said, I was surprised by all of the outcomes, some of them because they seemed so simple, and some of them because they seemed like kind of a stretch. I’m also kind of annoyed that Odette and Charity ultimately didn’t figure into the predictions, since there were eight possible people referred to and technically eight souls in front of Temperance when she was speaking, which I thought was a cool but easy-to-miss detail.

Anyway, here’s what I thought each prediction was probably referring to versus what it turned out to be.

One of you will be the other’s demise.

I honestly thought this was referring to Bess being forced to destroy Odette’s soul to save George’s life, but it turns out it was about Nancy killing Temperance, even though Temperance didn’t appear to be including herself in the predictions.

One of you will betray your true love.

This one was my biggest stretch, but I thought it referred to Ace. Not a betrayal as in turning on someone or breaking an oath, but a play on words that refers to his revelation of how he feels for Nancy. But no. It’s apparently about George breaking off a relationship with Nick for perfectly understandable reasons and pursuing a legal career.

One of you will lose your heart.

I thought this was about Nick metaphorically losing heart by the end of the season, coming to doubt himself and his goals for the youth center and everything he’d been putting all of his energy into. Dude was really in a bad place and needed help and healing. But apparently it was about Ace being heartbroken over Nancy’s rejection, which I’m sorry. Is just such a blah, duh interpretation.

One of you will wreak havoc on this town.

I actually never thought this referred to Bess. Given that it’s Horseshoe Bay, a truth spell that accidentally causes a little bit of oversharing for a couple of hours hardly seems to rise to the level of “havoc.” I previously thought this was referring to Nancy almost choosing not to kill Temperance, and the resulting tsunami.

One of you will forsake what is dearest to you.

I kept thinking this was gonna end up being about Ryan somehow. That at some point he was going to have to leave Nancy behind, either to protect her or because he chose being a Hudson over being her dad and realized his mistake too late (though I was really rooting for the former, I’ve enjoyed the hell out of Ryan’s redemption and I would be devastated if they did that to him). Every time he got approached by someone from his old world or mentioned a new job or anything like that, I was so tense! And then for a horrified ten minutes I thought it was about Ryan dying and leaving Nancy behind to mourn TWO parents. But it's about Nick giving up the youth center.

And only one of you will fulfill your destiny… and that will cause the rest to fall.

Given how much Temperance emphasized that her daughter had a destiny, I thought this referred to Charity and the role her soul would play in the season endgame. But apparently it refers to...Ryan? And some unknown shady shit he’s gotten mixed up in for next season? Which just raises my trepidation again because I really love the dynamic Ryan has built with Nancy and Carson and I don’t want anything to fuck with that. I really hope they stay true to the trajectory they have him on, where yeah he’s a little naive but ultimately he’s dedicated to being better than his parents.

#nancy drew #nancy drew cw #nd spoilers #nancy drew spoilers #nancy drew season 3 #temperance's tarot predictions #nd meta

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racingtoaredlight · 6 years ago

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Opening Bell: February 22, 2019

At the end of Election Day in November 2018, it was clear that Democrats had secured a decisive victory in the House of Representatives, flipping several seats that, in some cases, had been in GOP hands for decades, and as a result wresting control of the chamber from the GOP. There were, however, several races which were not decided on Election Day, or even in the days or even weeks after. Gradually, one by one, the votes were tallied in these electoral contests and candidates conceded while others declared victory. This occurred one by one until the only uncertified race remaining was for the 9th Congressional District in North Carolina. Republican Mark Harris had handily won his party’s primary and consistently maintained a lead of around 1,000 votes on subsequent recounts. It was becoming apparent, however, that something odd had occurred within the district in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Over time, a picture began to appear of Harris having engaged the services of shady political operatives, with a history of ethically questionable practices. With so many questions surrounding the behavior of Harris and individuals associated with his campaign, the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives indicated that they would not permit Harris to be seated in the new Congress until all questions surrounding the election had been resolved. The North Carolina Board of Elections investigated and, at a hearing yesterday, it became clear that Harris knowingly employed as campaign operatives people who intended to interfere with the casting of ballots by voters living in Democratic precincts. Faced with this, Harris abruptly called for a new election and shortly thereafter the Board agreed, and officially ordered that Mark Harris and Dan McReady, his Democratic opponent, who has been raising money for a new campaign since the first week of December, to face voters again in an election which promises to be closely scrutinized. Even if Harris prevails, there remain questions of whether he broke any laws last November.

As soon as the White House first floated the idea of President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency on the border and using his temporarily expanded executive authority to redirect funds already appropriated by congress to the executive branch towards construction of a border wall, speculation stirred that Democrats, and perhaps even some Republicans, in Congress would support legislation to disapprove and oppose this declaration. The declaration is already the subject of multiple lawsuits, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) played her hand slowly until yesterday, when Pelosi announced that a vote on a resolution rejected Trump’s declaration would occur within days. The measure is certain to pass the House, and may even pick up a few Republican votes along the way, but it is less certain of whether the Senate will pass a similar resolution. Should Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) peel off enough Republican votes to pass the resolution in the Senate, it would go to Trump’s desk, where he has pledged to veto it. Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress and it is highly unlikely that those votes exist in the Senate, therefore the veto will likely stand. In the court of public opinion, however, Democrats will likely have made their point, and the focus will shift towards any ruling on the myriad of lawsuits directed at the declaration. It seems likely that there will be a series of injunctions, stays of the injunctions on appeal, and appeals of those stays. There is not likely to be any decisive outcome in the near future.

Almost from the time he was indicated, arrested, and then released on bond, Trump confidante Roger Stone has been defiant. Within hours of being booked in jail, Stone was appearing on evening cable news shows—not just on Trump-friendly Fox News, but also on CNN and MSNBC—and, true to form, declaring his innocence, attacking the indictment against him by the Office of the Special Counsel, and criticizing the criminal justice system. In response, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a partial gag order on Stone, which did not include him discussing the Mueller investigation on TV or to surrogates. Stone almost immediately abused the generosity of the court and posted a visual of Amy Berman Jackson on his Instagram account with what appeared to be a cross-hairs in the upper left corner. The image was deleted from his account hours later, but not before Stone was targeted with a torrent of criticism. By the end of the day, Stone had replaced the post with a new one showing a typed and signed apology. Stone was ordered to appear in court Thursday, where he was grilled on the witness stand, under oath, by Judge Amy Berman Jackson over his conduct. Stone apologized, explained that the image of the federal judge was not intended as a threat, only for the court to question why, if the Instagram post was not meant to be a threat, why an apology was necessary. At the end of the hearing, the gag order was expanded and Roger Stone will no longer be able to discuss his indictment or pending trial or ask his surrogates to do so for him, and is prohibited from posting on social media. Any violation of this gag order would likely result in Stone being jailed for the remaining time leading up to his trial. Stone may, however, continue to raise money for his legal defense.

Most Americans are familiar with the Vietnam War due to its role as a cultural touchstone in American culture—and counterculture—of the 1960s and 70s. As a result, certain parts of the war are a part of the American historical lexicon, even among those who are not otherwise knowledgeable of the war itself. One such event is the Tet Offensive; a massive surprise offensive launched by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong across all of South Vietnam starting in late January 1968. While from a military perspective, the offensive was a massive defeat for the NVA and VC—casualties for both were massive and while many of their targets were successfully attacked, the U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries successfully dislodged the NVA and VC from every foothold they captured—but from a public opinion perspective, it signaled to Americans that the war was not on the verge of being won. While much of the Vietnam War was fought in thick jungle and over innumerable rice paddies, during Tet, especially in the northern part of South Vietnam, fighting in cities was extensive and widespread. In Hue, the old imperial capital of Vietnam, NVA and VC units occupied one half of the city, and U.S. Marines were tasked with forcing them out; as one battalion commander remarked, Hue was the first time Marines had engaged in urban warfare since the Korean War. The battle for Hue was bloody and brutal; Marines reduced NVA and VC resistance one city block at a time, at a huge cost, particularly when it came time to attack the historic city center; the fortified Citadel of the old imperial dynasties. In mid-February, either the 15th or the 17th, a Marine was shot in the abdomen, attended to by his fellow Marines and perhaps, some Navy Corpsmen, and then transported on a wooden door used as a stretcher to a tank, which then evacuated him and several other wounded Marines from the combat zone. This scene was captured by photographer John Olson. The identity of the wounded Marine, however, remains controversial to this day: was it Albert Grantham, who had suffered a sucking chest wound that was patched up by his fellow Marines using the cellophane from cigarette packs, or was it James Blaine who was hit in the lower abdomen. The difference is important because Grantham survived his injuries, barely, while Blaine died the same day the photograph was taken…assuming it was taken on the 15th and not the 17th, which is also a point of contention. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it can also be the wellspring of a thousand questions, none of which are easily answered. This is a fascinating examination of a famous wartime photograph and just who is actually in it.

H.L. Mencken once said that the “What the American public doesn’t know, is what makes them the American public.” The focus of the American public—either because of or in spite of the efforts of journalists—does not often follow the rhythms of important events around the world. The focus of Americans is often inward, but when it turns to other parts of the world, it is often due to a notion that the interests, and security, of the nation are directly implicated or threatened. This chart, based on a review of 741,681 headlines, aggregates what Americans were focused on by nation from 1900 to 2018, with highlights noted off to the margins. This is just a fun feature to scroll through and click on.

Throughout history, there have been powerful women who have exercised their power, due to social and cultural constraints, in a manner less brazen than a male would behave placed in the same position. Catherine De Medici, a scion of one of the wealthiest families in Europe, is a prime example of this. The Medici were exceedingly wealthy as one of the great banking families of the Continent, but were not of aristocratic origin; something often held against them. During her 69 years of life, Catherine was used as a pawn while a young girl in Florence and, at once point during a siege of Florence it was suggested by the city’s citizens that she be sacrificed as a sexual slave to the besieging army. Later in life, as a member of the French Valois royal dynasty, Catherine struggled to conceive heirs both for the Valois family and for the Medici. Her failure over her first decade as a French royal caused her husband, Prince Henri, to openly court mistresses. Eventually Catherine did bear children; 10 over 12 years, two of whom sat on the French throne after her husband. During this time, Catherine exercised, as regent, the powers of a monarch in all but name, but knew that she could never rule in the same manner as a man. Catherine was an accomplished political leader who, though her own religious principles were questionable, genuinely sought solutions to the French religious wars of the late 16th century. If she had been male, she would rightly be remembered as a great leader, but instead contemporary history labeled her the “Serpent Queen.” This is not stuffy academic profile. I think any of you who read both parts of this review of Catherine will find the writing accessible and even entertaining. Do read both.

Following up on last week’s review of the situation in Virginia, the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics surveys the positions of the state’s top three elected officials: Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring. Polling shows that Virginians, but a double digit margin, do not want Northam to resign, and opposition to Herring is at an even lower level, but Fairfax—who is accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct—is in a far more dangerous situation. Despite all of this, Donald Trump remains unpopular in the Old Dominion, and Democrats, despite their scandals remain in the ascendant in the Commonwealth.

Welcome to the weekend.

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