Zedire
Active Member
- Jun 3, 2018
- 722
- 1,787
I can understand how it comes across that Ian isn't quite serious about Alison, and at the start it's undoubtedly that way because he's looked at Alison as a friend for so long - not even really as a female friend, but more like a 'good mate' because she's always been kind of serious, studious and intelligent(?), probably like Ian himself. He's probably never considered her as someone he'd have sex with, and because of this and the fact that he's such a mentally-orientated guy, finds it hard to get used to the idea of being with her sexually or romantically in any capacity at first.I feel like even when you don't fuck around with anyone else, it doesn't seem like Alison is quite what Ian considers to be a serious thing or have the potential to become serious, which is partly why I haven't really played the route as my consistent route since the beginning but I only played through the Alison-only route once. Although I'm also someone who has played the Ian-Lena route for at least three chapters now.
It also probably doesn't help that Alison is so much more keen from the start, because she's clearly liked Ian for a long time - she even mentions having had a thing for him at school which he clearly didn't know about.
So we have two people who are in different head-spaces in this 'relationship'; Alison is finally able to be with the guy she likes and is rearing to go, while Ian is still coming around to the whole idea and deciding how he feels.
With time (Chapter 7, I believe?) we see he really does start getting into the sex, and appreciates that Alison has a naughty side, so that's one small barrier already being broken down.
When it comes to a serious relationship, I think it will start to feel more natural/possible/plausible when Ian spends time with Alison one-on-one on that weekend together, away from their long-time group of friends (an environment that probably doesn't help to get Ian in the right mindset, right off the bat). For something more serious, Ian needs to have the time to connect with Alison in this new way - not just sexually but mentally, and potentially emotionally. What's more, hopefully this will be a time for Alison to set aside her own problems (which she's imposed on Ian quite a bit) and recognise that she needs to be aware of Ian's thoughts and problems too - listening and hopefully empathizing. I think that will go a way into bringing them closer as a couple, too.
At the very least that weekend of unadulterated Alison should help Ian (and the player) better decide between whether he only wants Alison for casual sex, or whether he could see himself falling in love with her (or that he's done with her).
I do believe it will feel a lot more natural and right as the game goes on though - this is just a situation that needs time to evolve.