I don't want to come across as "defensive" about Rachel's route, because if people are confused about stuff like this (or think it's simply unrealistic, as you do) it is likely that the fault lies on the developers, most of all on the writer (which would be me
).
Also, trying to explain the intricacies of the story is kind of a useless effort almost every time. It's like trying to explain a joke, if the audience doesn't "get it" they'll dislike it even if it is explained.
Even so, I feel compelled to try and convince ya'll that this storyline is not absolutely awful as it seems to you, on the off-chance that I change your mind or even someone else's. I also want to take this time to address some of the complaints people have that Rachel is "still in the Red Maiden" even on her Love route.
First of all, the reasons Rachel gives for joining the RM are indeed quite ridiculous at first glance. But before deciding that this means that the story doesn't make sense, please consider the alternatives!
- She could be lying about her reasons.
Why would she tell someone she doesn't trust what she is thinking? Her explanation could be plausible on the surface, and she is giving that reasoning because she doesn't expect anyone to investigate too much, or think too much about it. Or maybe she is just an awful liar lol.
- She could "think" those are her reasons, but deep down they are not
Rachel has obviously been through a lot of family drama (a lot of it in some ways is her fault, and a lot is not). She could have justified for herself that this is the reason she is acting out, but in reality she is looking for other things (attention, probably). People have a habit of lying to themselves, and considering how immature she is, this would make a lot of sense.
- She could have been fooled into it
I don't want to give too much away, but the Red Maiden (and the town in general) have a lot of shady things going on. Rachel could have been convinced by friends that didn't quite understand what was going on, or were simply dragging her into the mud, she could have misunderstood exactly how far she would have to go in the Red Maiden, she could have been coerced, she could think she can just get out if it gets to be too much... Again, she is quite immature, so any of these possibilities are very plausible as well.
Even so, if we take what she says as gospel, if you stop and reeeeally think about it is not as far-fetched. As many of the other characters mention, there are a multitude of wealthy people in the peninsula. Evelyn might be well-off, but she is hardly wealthy compared to some of the other students' parents. And even if she was, despite the fact that she dotes heavily on Rachel, she is not the kind of person that would spend money frivolously in the way that Rachel so desperately wants. She is not going to give her a sports car, she is not going going to buy her the absolute top of the line clothes and purses every season, etc. So looking for some actual money so that she can get these things herself and hopefully become popular is something that a good deal of young women would do.
Now, does that justify joining a whorehouse and prostituting herself away? You might not have done it, and I certainly wouldn't either, but maybe it made sense for her for a moment. Maybe because it was a combination of the previous points I made, or maybe she is just hurting so bad inside she is making all these poor decisions without thinking them through. Maybe she already regrets it, who knows?
Again, it feels futile trying to explain what we we're going for, but maybe someone finds it at the very least "educational"?
NOW ABOUT RACHEL STILL BEING IN THE RED MAIDEN IN THE LOVE ROUTE
I
think I mentioned this before in the thread, but just in case I haven't:
The reason Rachel is still there is because we haven't updated Rachel's content beyond the decision that splits the route yet.
When we do, this will be addressed, don't any of you worry. Rachel's love route is all about getting her away from her poor decisions and having a wholesome relationship. There won't be any funny business with any other guys (including her faux-boyfriend Miroslav). After you entered the love route, she is getting out of there, one way or another.
I understand everyone's concern, I even understand people that think this is a bug, but as we haven't done the continuation of her route, she is currently "frozen in time" at the moment just before you took the decision to get her out of the Red Maiden. This is just one of those things that comes with playing a game that is still in development. Please understand.
Finally, her content IS COMING. I don't want to make any promises, especially because Moochie decides what is on each patch and what should be prioritized, but I'm already writing the continuation for Rachel. I would like to have it released on the next patch, but it is a big IF, I already overloaded Moochie with Monica's Romance route stuff, there are so many images, and animations, and so much "stuff" that we ended up releasing a smaller patch of side content this month so that we could finish Monica's for the next. But hopefully we can juuuuust fit a little bit more of Rachel's story. We'll see.
