So question for you all - what do you think will happen / be found when the MC goes to the cabin?
I think it's expected that the MC is going to have a meltdown of sorts, and while I think he will certainly have trauma from the event that will be a challenge for him to work through, I am curious if it will actually be Amber that has the full-blown meltdown...I'm imagining the MC go through the painful process of walking Amber through what happened with him and Summer and there being an eerie reaction from Amber that eventually is made clear to the player that the circumstances of Summer's disappearance has similarities to whatever happened to Amber's other daughter, which, as the MC lays things out, causes Amber to have to sort-of live through the process again, herself, leading to the MC consoling her instead of the other way around.
I don't know, could be completely off, but just was thinking about this upcoming part of the story the other day and thought to myself...everyone's kind of expecting that trip to go a certain way once they get to the official therapy session in the cabin, but what could turn it on its head a little bit to advance the story but also add some additional mystery to it, not to mention what would then become an obvious bonding situation for both the MC & Amber, but also for people on the Bella path, it would become something additional the MC & Bella have in common.
Just sharing my thoughts.
I remember something from either Patreon or SS and the trip that Amber and the MC make to the cabin will impact a number of relationships.
Amber is already physically involved in the MC's therapy - having him rest his head on her lap while she tries to get him to remember different things that have happened to him.
I think that this aspect of her therapy could lead to a level of unintended intimacy (kissing, petting and other 'first base' activities - with the MC remembering this with Summer and Amber unintentionally participating in these memories, initially). If it does not go too far, she may well let it play out to try to help the MC unlock the painful memories that are holding him back from moving forward (and negatively impacting his sleep and his ability to get aroused without thinking of Summer).
Amber likes the MC for a number of reasons, with the primary being how good he is for Bella. I think Bella stopped at home to clean up (her makeup was fixed when she arrived at the MC's house, and she looked like a racoon when she was driving home at the end of CH 4) and she and Amber talked briefly. How would Amber feel about Bella returning home early so she could go see the MC? I think Amber would be Very pleased, marveling that her Bella is now treating the MC like a boyfriend and Amber is certainly aware of this huge change in Bella's behavior. As the MC, I also told Amber that Miss Marla was having a hard time with what happened with Victoria. In showing Amber that the MC is genuinely trying to help others and breakout from his emotional prison, he is scoring points with Amber as a caregiver and as a woman.
I agree with you about the cabin visit providing some unintended knowledge/memories/more puzzle pieces related to the loss of Amber's daughter. I also agree that the relationship with Amber could grow deeper as he consoles Amber when she lets her own grief out (something she hides from Bella since Bella barely has the bandwidth to deal with her own pain from losing her sister so she cannot help Amber).
I think that the shared pain that the MC and Amber overcome together could offer real bonding and start to turn the MC/Amber relationship from one that is almost purely professional to one that is more emotionally intimate.
I certainly don't see an Amber/Bella throuple here, but I think that the cabin therapy will open/further open doors to other relationships, including one with Amber. I also think it could damage or even potentially end some relationships if the Amber/MC shared memories provide unexpected reveals about who was involved in the disappearance of one or both girls.
The MC will, I think, have major choices to make (relationship wise, like the Nami reveal at the end of CH 4.5) that will open up or close several relationships.
Finally, I'll close with this thought.
Let's say that the MC is holding Amber close in the aftermath of consoling her; she'd finally shared her hurt about the loss of her daughter, pain she hid inside herself for years. Amber is unconsciously rubbing her head on the MC's chest, one arm wrapped around his back while the other is draped across his chest. The MC is gently stroking her back while he finds himself taking deep breaths, enjoying the scent of Amber's shampoo and then smelling something beyond the shampoo, Amber's scent as a woman. He is uncertain at first and begins to take deeper, longer breaths through his nose... yes this wonderful smell is more than a shampoo.
Amber senses the change in the MC and she lifts her head to look at his face, her arm across the MC's chest sliding down to fall gently onto his waist, but Amber does not even notice, for now. "Did you think of something else that will help us find out who did this to ..." Amber's voice falls off as she sees the MC's eyes dilate and then feels something move beneath her hand. She looks down and sees .... and feels ... something growing under her hand, and she pauses, confused. He cannot get an erection without thinking about Summer and as that thought goes through her mind, she can't help but give that substantial bulge a gentle squeeze.
The MC quietly groans as he feels Amber press her hand along his erection and squeeze... realizing that he has an Erection.
Amber's fingers freeze when she hears the MC groan and she lifts her head to look at the MC's face, then she slowly squeezes him again, getting another quiet groan in response, a part of her mind noting that he is still growing and getting even harder before she, almost reluctantly, moves her hand away. Amber pauses, wets her lips slowly then says, "You ah you have a major erection... were you thinking about Summer?" The MC slowly shakes his head no, then says "I ... I'm sorry... I was thinking about you".
Have a great morning!
